Im sure this has been talked about before. I currently have a auto 4th gen. I wanted a little project car. But its auto and has a few mechanical problems and i dont want to put money into it. So im looking to buy a new max 7grand budget So question being whats more reliable (daily car). What has more potential , and whats quicker. 4th gen 3.0 manual. 5.5 gen 3.5 manual?

 

5.5 gen 6speed is much quicker. 4gen with a 3.5VQ is beastly

 

3.5 swapped 4th gen FTW.
Add a 6 speed to that if you want.
Write ups are around.

 

Dude, my '97 Maxima SE was just totaled by a dumbass on his iphone last month
, and we just got a '03 Maxima SE to replace. So far, I like the '97SE wayyyyyyy better!
Our '03 SE has only 75K on the clock, and the CEL has been on 5 times since we purchased a month ago. So far, I've had to fix evap canister and vent control valve, tires, brakes, and now I've got a pending P0021 code.
I've also got pinging on acceleration, and a weird shifting tranny. The engine pick up is better in the '03 SE, but everything else including ride quality, turning radius, transmission smoothness, handling, ect... were all better in the '97 SE. To put things in perspective, I picked up my '97 SE 6 years ago with 117K on her, and it ran much more smoothly at that age than the '03 with 75K and they were both 11 years old when I got them . I hate to say it (because I am a Maxima man for life), but I'm thoroughly disappointed by this generation thus far. I hope some babying and my wallet will ultimately be able to turn this thing into a reliable vehicle for years to come.

Just my two cents...
('92 SE, '97 SE, '97 I30, '03 SE)

 

For $7,000.00 you could get something like the G35?

I've had less headache with my gen 4 too and it has almost 2x more miles than the gen 5.5

 

Not sure where you are, but 7K can't get you a good G35 in good shape. Also, the 1st gen G35's had problems of their own. I paid 6410 for our '03 Maxima SE with 75k, and that was the best deal that I saw here around Philly. After all my repairs / upgrades, I'm in almost 8K now!

 

... I thought US was supposed to have cheaper cars than Canada

 

I vote for 5.5 6 speed in GOOD shape. Could not highlight "good" more. People buy crappy cars and then complain forever about them.

 

I got a swap kit for sale with an 02 VQ35 with only 25k miles with documents. Auto tranny.

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...t-02-vq35.html

 

Apart from how each generation of Maximas, what is most important now is the actual condition of the car you want to buy. Even if one was supposedly faster or better when new. A well maintained 4th generation could be a more reliable car than a 5.5 generation that was not maintained.


A 4th generation 5-speed is quite a bit of fun. I have not driven the A/T version. Supposedly not as fun.


You say you already have a 4th generation, and also have a few thousand to work with. You could do a lot of work on the car you already have, even get it to tip-top condition. Spending 7k on a later model would just be the beginning. Because that car would need work too.


What is wrong with your 4th generation?

 

I had more issues with my 4gen than my current car. The only thing I truly miss is the turning radius of the 4gen.

Get a nice 5.5 for $6kish

 

Cels . And body damage Mines auto also. I wish it was 5spd

 

my gen 5.5 is knocking like nuts

 

That's a silly question. 5.5 6MT over the 4g.

But as has been stated prior, mix them, and you've got far more potential than either by itself.

 

I think he made his choices clear.. 4th gen or 5.5 gen.

 

Well 3.0 imo are very reliable.
Me, my dad and mom and my cousin have vq30.
And they're very reliable.
I have a couple friends with the 3.5 have to keep an eye on the oil level.
They're not as forgiving as the 3.0

As for mods I have 00vi swap. Y pipe. Cai. And cali spec emissions. Need two o2 sensors and a tune up
And auto, need teo and can edge the 6th gen.