franck0011

hi guys i need your advice about buying a new maxima
i currently got a 01 maxima AE and i got a major problem. The radiator support is all rusted,cracked and some 'big metal parts" is gone the ''tranny crossmember'' is loose,hood latch is loose(hood hard to lock....) and maybe next time the radiator will fall off . i wanted to change this thing but i cant find it at my local parts store (canada) and anyways i think i put enough money on this 190000 miles car. brand new radiator,all wheel bearing,sway bar link kit,knock sensor(VQ30DE-K, couple hours and intake gaskets)battery,brakes,starter ect...

i need to change one axle , the ''rubber dust sheild'' it broken. the steering rack start to get loose , front strut mount ect... well the car start to be hard to drive when you are on a cracked/bump/potholes canada roads hahah. Its sad beacause the engine run so fine..no any oil burning.

bla bla bla ... SO i need advice about 6th maxima. i saw like 10 or more of this gen and im never NEVER satisfied. the floor is always rusted on 2 sides,some owners tell me that the VQ35DE got some oil consumption,the doors hinge is always loose as hell when im opening the door (driver side for sure) i saw one that the timing chain was making loud noise. and i heard that 6th got tranny problem and the tranny start to slip and you need to change it and that is really scare me (im looking for 110 000 miles MAX. or less)

so if i find a good one in mint condition do you guys recommend it or maybe its better to get a 5.5th ? i always wanted the 6th beacause why not going from 5th to 6th and all the electric features and stuff like electric steering tilt adjustement,heated steering,3 auto-dim mirrors,5 speed auto tranny ect..

so 5.5th or 6th gen for the reliability?! and one more question : 5.5th gen got oil consumption problem too?

i really apreciate your help Thanks

ps: sorry for all my spelling mistake (my first language is french)

tosheto

iTrader: (5)

Get 5.5 6 speed. Just make sure it is in a good shape and does not burn oil.

Tommy6905

Stay clear of the early 6th gens, if you have to choose from the 2 I'd go 5.5 gen. Early 6th gens have too many problems. If you really want a 6th gen go with 6.5 gen instead.

george__

iTrader: (1)

the 5.5th gen have oil consumption issue, potential rear valve cover issue, and just plain wear and tear from being such a old car.

unless you are a die hard Maxima fan, there are probably better options out there........

franck0011

thanks guys... i think i will check out for a 5.5 gen, and be sure that it does not burn oil... well that not easy ... some A$$hole will say that is not burn at all hahaha

and @george : im looking for a maxima or a little 2004 subaru impreza(base) but mann its so nice for winter you have some fun with it beacause it is AWD but its so ''BASE'' no electric seat (position) it so little and compact (im a 6 feet guy) and its so slow and weak hahah

that is my first nissan and first maxima and i love it... i really wanted the 6th gen for all the feature its insane. but its not reliable. and 5.5 gen i know theres radiator support problem too , i will look for that before buying and i dont want a f*cking POS that burning oil too... my 190 000 miles VQ30DE-K that im always WOT hahah does not burn any oil at all.... im confused :S.. i what to buy.. sometime i want to fix my old good baby but ... its costy and steering rack its so PAIN in the ... to change... and the radiator support look like PAIN too... its an old car and i put alot of money :S ... damn xD

thanks guys

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
Nissan Altima 3.5 came with manual as well. Go hunting

6th gen maxima and altima share same platform

MaxcLaren

I literally have/had all of the same problems with my 98 SE manual (210k). This is the first post I looked at since joining (about an hour ago). I got the car for dirt cheap and fell in love with it. The main problem i have surprisingly is the lower radiator mount is rusted to the point of fix it or sell it. Ive found some descent prices on parts but from what im told it takes a good amount of welding... which i cant do. Anybody have any idea of the time/cost?

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...t-concern.html
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ort-fixed.html
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ment-pics.html
and the list goes on... It's worth replacing yourself and its simple. Gives your car a new life.

franck0011

i called a guy that got a 5.5 gen for sale, looks like pretty nice and clean, im waiting for the call i leave him a message, i hope that is not sold :S

and here is my radiator support haha

yeee haaaa

FanaticMadMax

the 6th gen is cheaply built, sadly to say on the same assembly line on the Altima at the Tenn. Plant. I would go with the 5.5 route, if you are lucky to find one, since it hard to find one around here. They are pretty solid cars. Sorry about the rust issue, I wonder if it be fix and saved?

CustomLowz

iTrader: (14)

I'd say 5.5, but im kinda partial... lol

franck0011

@fanaticmadmax : YES i will fix that in a cheap way. for the moment i dont see any 5.5 gen SE version near my town so i will keep my car maybe for this winter.

i started to get off the bumper and stuff ..





my dad is a genius haha we will buy some ''L'' shaped 1/8 inches thick steel and build a new support with a drill and some rivet and bolt of course... with his idea i think it will be very solid and tough for a long time. i will give you update and make another thread for radiator support fix cheap way

i will post the link later

Franck.

franck0011

if you guys want to see my homemade radiator support heres the link: http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...port-ever.html

and i wanted to thanks all of you for your advice/opinion for my choice between 5.5th/6th gen , i think i will keep my Max for this winter. but trust me, my nest maxima will be a 5.5th gen haha, i wish that i can find one 2003 SE 6spd in mint condition with low milleage. Maybe one day

shredda

The 6th gen can be a great car if you find a good one. If you want automatic, then don't even think about it, the 5 speed autos on these cars are terrible. 6 speed is the way to go. The heated steering wheel and seats are awesome. Use them everyday(Canadian winters are....cold ).

JaCqEeZ

5.5 or try to score a 7th.