my brother in law is buying a maxima for his girlfriend

Hes trying to decide between a 2000 SE with 69,000 miles for around $13,000 or a 2002 GLE with 75,000 miles for around 16,000. Both prizes are okay according to to NADA and KBB. We wanted to get feedback on reliability or any issues for those years.

Anyone?

 

02 you will get the bigger engine, but since the 02 has 75k miles the tranny might not be able to hold up much longer. it all depends on what she is going to use it for. Personally because the 02 has more miles I would go with the 00 for reliability only.

 

The 02 only has 6,000 miles more then the 00. The bigger engine will get you better performance and a newer model will hold resale value longer. Why would you assume the tranny in the 02 would be an issue? As long as the car wasn't abused and the maintenance has been kept up, there should be no reason for it to fail. Make sure the fluids in the 02 are clean, that includes the brake fluid, power steering fluid, tranny fluid, coolant and of course make sure the engine oil and filter have been changed regularly. It should have had it's 60K service by now as well, which basicallly is a complete tune up. Plugs, air filter, PCV and fuel filter should have been replaced by now.

If the car seems to be in good shape and maintained properly, definately get the 02.

 

02 auto trannies are notorious for failing....mine is showing simptoms of going out at 67k. I know a couple people on here where theres have gone out at 50k

 

I wouldn't say they are notorious for failing. Notorious would be the word used for Acura TL transmissions as there have been thousands of instances of failure. I don't think you can conclude based on a couple of trannies going that this car he is considering will fail as well. Just like any car, many thousands were manufactured, some will have defects. Show me evidence based on the number of 5.5th gens manufactured and tranny failure rate. Than I'll believe our trannies are "notorious" for failing. Just my $.02

 

I guess notorious isn't the right word. Our trannies could be better....?

 

I would also take 2002, it's only 6k more on the odometer, and it is 2 years newer, and much more reliable.

 

Get the 2K and pimp it up for $3K