I currently have a 5th Gen Base Automatic SE that for lack of a better word, just do not like. The automatic bores me and there are just too many pain in the *** issues with the 2K's for me to even think about looking at the 5 spd ones(2K+)

Any recommondations on years to look at or avoid? I'd like to get a 5spd(check that, it will be) prefer the SE as I'd like to get leather and a sunroof...I really like the looks of the 95-96 grill, I think they have a real agressive look but that would not be the deciding factor.


I'm 50/50 about staying with Nissan due to the POS customer service I've experienced with my 2K but I figure with a used Max I'd be going to my folks mechanic anyways..they have a 95 GXE that seems peppier than my SE...I don't think the interior is as nice as my SE but I think leather would change my mind...

Am I rolling the dice(I guess you always do with used)with a used 5 spd? Greater chance of the car being abused?

Any advice?

 

Speed, 95-96. Safety? 97 and beyond. To me all years are around the same, but safety is better 97 and beyond.

 

I would have to say go with the 97, they got a mild face lift with a redesigned hood and taillamps, and headlights plus if you get a se you get the 5 spoke rims that are nice enought that you dont even have to replace them.

 

i say go 95 se 5-speed- fastest made in 4th generation(stock) weighs a little less,has all the nice features as the other years, better look to me.the other years have a little different grille,brake light and hazard lights are switched- so i say go 95- good luck

 

I'm probably looking at 95-97 just due to the fact that 98-99 are still pretty expensive and wouldnt make sense(in trading a 2k)monetary wise. Well I guess dumping a 2k right now isnt good monetary sense either

 

Definitely get a 97 then. In my opinion they look better
with the facelift they got that year. Plus the SE rims
look nice. And like everyone else said --- safety improved.

 

I saw a beautiful 97 Black SE today...absolutely awesome looking...must of just washed it I owned a black 91 Celica GTS and know how long a black car looks nice, salt in the winter, pollen in the spring, dirt in the summer...guess it looks nice in the fall

White would probably be my second choice although I do really like the dark burgundy I saw on a 97...not having too much luck here in MA finding 5 spds though....oh well keep looking I guess...only really finding 5 spd GXE's or green SE's...

 

yeah, they all come from our auction

 

My parents got a 97 se 5 speed this summer for about 15g's with 60,000 miles on the odometer. Man that car really cooks. Blows me away every time I drive it. I make my dad nervous when I drive it as I am always gunning it!! Probably will smoke most cars out there. Smokes my 280zx, but that ain't saying much! Plus if you live in the right area you can pick up a 5 speed cheaper than an automatic because people generally don't want the five speed. Good luck!

 

I would recommend a 95 or 96, preferably the 96. It may seem biased (see my signature), but I'll tell you why:
Firstly, going with the 95-96 allows you to get the "better looking" grill. This is my opinion. I think the entire front end (grill, foglights, and even the headlights) looks better on the 95-96. I'm not sure EXACTLY what it is, but I have a good idea that it's the body-colored bar that runs across the grill in the 97+. I just plain don't like it. ESPECIALLY when it's chrome, as on 97+ GXE/GLEs. Also, the foglights are more flush with the front bumper assembly - I prefer this. I don't care much about the headlights - 95-96 frosted type or 97+ crystal type. All I know is, the entire front end of a 95-96 SE (black especially) just looks "right." Onto the rear of the car - this is also my opinion, but I have decided that I do not like the way Nissan restyled the rear for 97. Yes, it looks more like the 3rd gen, but it looked better on the 3rd gen somehow. I think that, especially in black or white, with a spoiler, the rear of the 95-96 looks really nice. This is all stuff I have figured out in the last few weeks, by analysing a lot of pictures, and seeing the cars on the road.
So - my favorite 4th gen would be a black 95-96 SE, second favorite, a white one. Other colors I am pretty much neutral on.
Now, why the 96? Simply because it's not the first year of the new model. Yes, I am aware that many of you own 95s that haven't had problems, but it could be argued with ease that the 96 has less. Just piece of mind. I'd probably pick up a 95 over a 97 though. One thing I overlooked - the 97+ SE wheels, which, admittedly, are much cooler. Ideally, get a 96 black SE and buy some 97+ SE wheels. Then you'll be awesome!

I have a few pictures that illustrate my point on the whole front/rear difference thing, if anybody is interested.

 

everything that kevm14 said, I think the exact opposite. I like the 97+ grill better. I like the 97+ taillights better.

You forgot to count into fact the better bumpers for low speed collisions, the safer door panels, the stock 16" rims on the SE.

 

I'd post pictures of my max right now if I wasn't afraid you guys would shoot me for letting it get that dirty.

Black Max + Winter = 4-5 days clean.

Black Max + Winter + Snow = dirty.

I had it really nice last week but it snowed the same night I washed it and it was back to square one. The white's look really good with the clear corner lights imo.

If I had to buy again, I'd go:

1) That 99 Red (not applicable here I guess)
2) The cyan-blue-green that someone else on the board has with the white front window strip (can't remember name =P sorry!)
3) black or white.

The 95/96 can be really annoying the clear the tail lights. If you can get someone to hook you up with paint that won't melt and are comfortable doing it yourself, definately get a 95/96. Plus you get the SMX grille. That's just the cosmetics. As far as speed is concerned, the 95's are faster too.

As for the pics for the front/rear difference, yeah post em up I've never really noticed a difference between the 95-97's. Except for the grill & tail lights.

 

"You forgot to count into fact the better bumpers for low speed collisions, the safer door panels, the stock 16" rims on the SE."

I did too mention the 97+ SE wheels! But you're right about the bumper thing. Oh well.

I was checking out the MegaMax page - his previous car was a 95-96 white SE. He has tons of pictures on his webpage of the car with stock wheels and aftermarket ones, lowered in both cases. First, my favorite picture - just a lowering, and exhaust.
<img src="http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/images/nismo_trees_2.jpg"</img>
Is it me, or does that car look particularly good in white, from the rear? The little dimple in the trunk and the rear lights the way they are allow for something visually pleasing. IMO, the flat trunk and big red brake lights and little white backup lights of the 97-99 is just bland (I'd like to point out that bland is exactly what Nissan set out to do for 97...I'd say they accomplished their goal). This car has some snap to it - it jumps out at me. Dunno if it is just me...
This is another example of what I consider to be the more visually appealing trunk/rear light assembly:
<img src="http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/images/nismo_rear_trees.jpg"</img>
I'd like to point out that the Maxima was seemingly made to be modified - does it look to anyone else that the aftermarket HKS exhaust's tip fits perfectly in the stock opening?
Here is a sweet money-shot that, with the lowering, is very cool:
<img src="http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/images/mm_full_front.jpg"</img>
This view is 4th gen at its best, imo. I love the way the grill looks on the white here. It think the bar interferes on the 97-99. Plus, I don't like all those nooks and crannies on the 97-99. This here is simple an effective. Lowered, it looks quite aggressive, and with clear corners, very nice.
This one is self-explanatory:
<img src="http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/images/mm_real_clear_fronts_2.jpg"</img>
I think the way the headlights, grill and fogs all work with each other is awesome.

Since this is already insanely long, I won't put any more on here - I have other examples of 95-96s that I like, and 97-99s that I don't (for instance, stripped MAXIMA and Nissan logo on the rear of a 97-99...without that little ridge, there is NOTHING...it is like the desert back there).

Keep in mind guys, this is all in good fun, because we all drive the same car...

 

is the car unsafe or is it the dude behind the wheel?

all this talk about 97s+ coming with better wheels..well i would think he'd go with aftermarket ones eventually right? doesnt everybody?..

 

kevm14,

Is there anyway, you could post some front and rear pics of a 95/96 next to a 97/98. Your comments are really helpful, but I can't invision the changes without seeing both. I know it's a pain in the a_ _, but if you get the time, I think that would be cool. Thanks

 

http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/comparison.html

this is a 95 to 98 pic comparison on the megamax site.

 

Dumb question, what's so unsafe with the '95s?

 

I didn't know that comparison was there...that covers most of it. Any comments?

For example, (and I didn't even notice before), I prefer the spread out M A X I M A logo as opposed to MAXIMA. I think that combined with the dulled down brake/blinker/backup light treatment, the rear of a 97-99 isn't great to look at.

Please remember, these are my opinions!

 

You mean mine?

 

That comparison URL is great.
I just remember one minor note on the BOSE. Possibly for 97 when they changed the head configuration, they put the tweeters on the front doors, instead of at the bottom of the A pillar. I don't know why they did this, because I think they were better off closer to ear level on the A pillars...

BTW, am I the only one who really likes this BOSE system? Eventually (when the car becomes mine) I may add a single 12, but for now, it totally suffices. I don't have a single rap cd, and would only listen to it if I had a subwoofer or two. Is that the deal here? I just can't see a need for classic rock or other stuff (like DMB, Live, etc.).