The plastic in the Maxima is too soft! There is a thin layer of grey material on all of the door arm rests (on the GXE and SE) that houses the window lifts/power lock controls/ door pull...if you scratch this stuff you are screwed!! It scratches off VERY easily! I can't believe that Nissan put this stuff in their "Flagship"! Also, the plastic used on the inside of the car on the B-pillar is also too soft. The seatbelt is attached there, and I swear that every time I fumble for the it I put another marr on this material. I also think this same material is used on the door panels.

When I bought my Max I had a window tint done out of the dealership. When I got my car back there was a huge scratch on the lower part of the dash on the right side of the glove compartmet. I had the dealership fix it but it never turned out right ...it is a lighter shaded round spot now! ugh!! I will complain about it durring my next service.

I am beginning to wonder what my Maxima will look like in the next 3-5 years.

I have to rant guys. Although I prefer many things about the 5th gen over the 4th gen, I swear that the quality of the materials used in my '97 Max was far more superior.

 

Every year the materials used in cars gets cheaper. Just be glad you have soft plastic. All new american cars have this hard plastic that feels so brittle. It sucks. Every part of the interior looks and feels cheap. The only car that is still using high grade plastic is the camry. The more cars cost the cheaper they are manufactured = larger profit margin for car companies.

 

I know exactly what you mean, I just had my dealer replace my bezzels. They looked like s&*t after 9000 miles, i only bought the car in May.
Man, I tell you, if it didn't kick *** in all other areas, I would get rid of this car in a heart beat!!: )

 

I don't think thats just maximas man, All car companies are starting to use inferior parts to build cars. That damn caddy I got for a rental, only has 7K miles on it and the rear deck rattles like its got something major loose under it. that damn car costs twise as much as a maxima and has that problem. I think car companies are trying to drop prices on cars and use cheap material and invest on machinacal parts b/c thats what everyone is all about now. More Power, More HP, More this more that but the interior gets left out.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by warrlocked
[I]The plastic in the Maxima is too soft! There is a thin layer of grey material on all of the door arm rests (on the GXE and SE) that houses the window lifts/power lock controls/ door pull...if you scratch this stuff you are screwed!! It scratches off VERY easily!

I have noticed this, especially on the window lifts! on my car its totally scratched! I just use a protectant to kind of cover up the scratches. Hell yeah they must have used the cheapest coating or something.

 

I KNEW that I couldn't be the only one!

Did the dealership give you any flack about replaceing the bezzels?

If anyone has kids...bet yours look like crap!! <referring to bezzels there! hehe

[Edited by warrlocked on 12-15-2000 at 03:28 PM]

 

They didn't give me any gruff, just took a while to get the part in, etc.
I wonder if I will have to have them replaced in another 10,000 miles.
After the warranty is up I think I will just buy a set and paint them with some kind of dull finish clear paint before installing them.

 

I have a feeling that Nissan dealerships are going to get bombarded by people from this site wanting their door pull bezzels replaced!

 

Ever since I bought the car I've been wishing that Nissan had offered an upgrade to all that grey metallic plastic (door bezels, center console, around the radio/EVAC, around the clock). What I would have liked to see there was a similiar finish to the titanium guages. Metallic, and a coated appearance. I think it would have blended perfectly the colors and tactile feel of the interior materials.

Anyone know if that kind of coating could be applied to those parts to match the titanium guages? How much do you think it would cost? I would seriously consider getting it done if it were in the same price ball-park as a dash kit.

I ordered the JT brushed aluminum (not real) dash kit, and didn't like how it looked, so I sent it back. I didn't like how it didn't cover the entire door bevel. It just looked too after-thoughty to me. Too much of a DIY tacked on appearance. I was hoping for something that looked a bit more like it was supposed to be there from the begining.

 

I agree with everyone here. But to make yourselves feel better, go check out a pontiac...the ugliest F$%%$$% car ever made! Just the site of one makes me feel GREAT!

 

grr... about a month ago, my bro scratched my glove box when he pulled his backpack outta the car. now there's a frikken scratch. at least it's got better materials than the celica gt-s!

 

I have to agree with him. Be lucky that your interior quality is like that. I still think the quality of the 5th generation is no different than that of previous Maxima's. Minor complaint I have is, why can't the airbag be mounted plush? My is kind of sticking out and I've noticed this in others, while I've seen others that are plush. But just remember, look in and sit in a GM car, you'll be glad that your plastic looks like that. GM's have such thin plastic that a little tick and tap sounds like it will crack in half.

Blonde Interior

 

I have a GLE so this doesnt affect me but, Cars as a whole are getting cheaper and cheaper. We may not be heading towards the quality of a 1986 hyundai excel, but, we are trying to save $. If it doesnt harm me, and it is done for a good reason (Environment) than it may be alright.