Well I now have my first Maxima, or I should say My Girlfriend and I have our first Maxima. I have been a Nissan fan for a while, as I have a 2000 Crew Cab Frontier, and my best friend is a Fanatic (83 280, 93 240, 96 Truck, and 2003 Altima 3.5 SE). We managed to get a 1999 Maxima GXE, with about 80K miles. It is white, with gray interior, and black dash. It is an automatic (I wanted the 02 SE Manual Transmission) and other than a cracked windshield appears to be in very good condition. We managed to get it for $5,600 cash, as it was a bank reposession.

Other than to say hi to the list, and that I'm excited about the car, I want to know are there any trouble spots that I should be on the look out for? I have the paperwork from the timing belt change at about 67K miles. After we picked it up, I have drained and replaced all the fluids in the car.

Thanks,


Donald Lanier
Columbia, SC
2000 Crew Cab Frontier
1999 Maxima GXE
2000 CBR 600 F4

 

Just watch out for the starter, MIGHT need to get a new one after some time. Unless they improved them that year.

 

That's strange, as these cars have timing CHAINS, which should last the life of the engine. These cars have no particular weak points, just do the maintenance.

And I'm amazed at how little you paid! 1-1/2 years ago, I paid $8900 for a '96 GXE with similar miles in great condition, and that was after looking at 7 others for more money or in lesser condition. All these super deals on new cars has pushed down the value of used cars.

 

You treat the max well, the max will treat you well. I personally havent had any problems up to 150,000 miles. People here have gone even farther. As long as you take care of the car, you should be set. I haven't heard of many people having big problems. Good luck and welcome to the org.

 

stock suspension is unbelieavably bad. This is maxima's #1 weakness--bad handling.

you may want to upgrade shocks and springs and put front strut tower brace and rear sway bar.

luck

 

Please read the FAQ and use the search.

Welcome!

 

check your codes for a knock sensor problem. the o2 sensors also frequently go out, and there seems to be a wide rough-idle issue with the cars. make sure the tps and iacv valves are up and running fine. make sure the TB is nice and clean. for all these things, there are a bunch of faqs and how-to's to diagnose and resolve these issues...many sites have pretty good pictures of whats going on too. good luck.

 

O2 and Starter...neither have happened to me but its common. Maxima's run on a timing chain, so a timing belt should not have been replaced at any point. You got a great deal though, that leftover cash will more than cover any maintenance you will need for years and years. I personally bought mine after its repossession for about 7K, not bad considering it retails for about 11K.

 

damn, i paid $19 G's for mine

 

I was told that the 00 and up Maxima's had the timing chain, and that mine (99) had the timing belt, and that it had been changed. there was paperwork to this effect in the vehicle. This was something that was made up? As I have said, I don't know enough about these cars, though I am learning. I was really fortunate on the price of the car, as most of the dealers around here are asking 13 to 14k for them. We looked at a 98 GLE with 70K miles, and the dealer wanted 14,200 for it.

My apologies for the lack of knowledge, but I am here to learn. I see that suspension is mentioned as an upgrade item, what do you recommend?

The nice thing about reposession vehicles is that in some states, the bank is not allowed to sell it for profit, merely what the balance of the loan is. That was the case for us.

On another note, was there a CD player in 1999 Maxima's, other than the Bose system?