Well I've finally decided to move on from the 3rd gen. When looking at 4th gens, what kind of problems should I keep an eye out for?

 

i say 97 was the best 4th gen they ever made. cause it had the least problems. try to look for 97 dont even think about 95 and 96 they kind ugly to me lol... 98 and 99 comes after 97.

 

98 was the best they made,but 99 had coil pack problems but ig uess thats not big deal in the entire scope fo things. 95-97 had ptential failure of the differential bearings, check www.motorvate.ca for details

 

97-98 had alternator recall. also look out for knock sensor in all years. try to get a canadian maxima as it has LSD and a full size spare. 99 ones had ignition coil problems. i have a 95 and its awesome. but dont really like the interior. if you get a 95-96 look to get the 97 center console, and steeringwheel. very expensive to get red clear tails for 95-96. only $100 for 97-99 red clears expect to pay $300 for 95-96 red clears. but well worth it. no ECU avail for 99's and 95-96 have a bunch of ECU possibilities. 7200 rev limiter with MEVI.(check faq's)

 

go w/ a '98

 

Check for rear brake groan. Mine started doing that right after I left the dealer. The dealer paid for it. The bill came to $215. They replaced rear driver side caliper. Try driving the car really slow. Its seems to be a popular thing with 4th gen's.

 

97 or 98...

 

shouldn't this topic be a sticky or something??

 

Only a select run of them though. Believe me, I checked to see if I was on the list after mine went.



97-98 in SE trim is the way to go. Updated look, 5-spoke wheels, and no coil-pack issues. You can leave it stock and it's still a sharp looking car.

 

get a '98

they can use the 95-96 ecu, they r the first yr to have digital odometers and side airbags as well. 99's are more like the 5 gens so no ecu are available yet, plus they have the infamous ignition coil problems. 95-96's have awful highway crash safety ratings (97-99's ratings are MUCH better) and 97's share a couple of the engine problems and nuisances along with the 95-96's according to consumerguide's and msn's automotive sections. hope that helps.

 

Look for rusting under the radiator. This area of the car seems to rust badly while the rest of the car may look mint.

 

get a 5 speed, SE, the year is a whole other debate on its own.

for the 95-96 no problems excpet for the infamouse diff bearing. other than that excellent ECU in the 96 for MEVI, or Boost (if you may want to do that).

no coil pack issues, tails: stock, Gen 1 tezzies, or clears.

but I think something higher than a 96 would do lovely.

it all depends on your plans for the car

 

personally i love the 96 se...but, look out for ghost codes like knock sensor, and check the cv boots/joints...don't get screwed on those like me...

 

i have a 97 se and its been really good to me.

 

Alot of people talk **** bout the 95-96's but if your like me and into racing more than looks there are no compaints here. I own two 95's. Both five speed and I love them. They are lighter than 97-99 do to less bumper reinforcments as stated as above, and they have 15's rather than sixteens. But My friend has a 98 five speed and mod for mod i have whooped him every time. Exact same mods and vehicle conditons.