Hello all. My name is Brent, I just registered here. I am primarily a sportbike rider but like everyone I have to have a daily driver for bad weather/winter. So what better than a Maxima. I am looking for something like a '95-'95 (cheap, but still nice). So anyway my question to you guys here is there anything specific I should know about them that isn't commen sense (or anything I should make sure to ask about when looking at the car).

And also if you guys could answer these questions for me that would be great too:
Interference or NonInterference Engine (if the timing belt breaks, am i going to bend my valves).
Any other stupid things about this car I need to know (weird maintenance, anything that is rediculously hard to fix, what is going to start breaking after 100,000 miles.)

Thanks in advance.

 

We have timing chains, they dont break.. lol :P

hmm... not sure what I can tell you... Only thing is differental bearing failures in 5spd trannys... not very common somewhat rare but it does happen...

hmm...

 

thanks for the info.

Anyone else? Perhaps what I can count on breaking first and all. Thanks again.

 

A Kawi man....I love it. Your garage will look like mine...only I stayed with green.

95 and 96 max's have more quirky issues than 97-99's, though still nothing that will strand you. The biggest issue with the older ones is the cam chain tensioner. Is a crappy design that doesn't bleed the air out well and will make lots of horrible noises. Make sure you start the car "cold", after its been sitting overnight preferably, or at the very least 4-6 hours. This can tell you in the starter is in need of replacement/regreasing (grinding noise) or the timing chain tensioner has gone bad (metallic/valve rattle).

The 5speed bearing problems do not discriminate on year or respond to good maintenance...a tranny will either have the problem or won't as it was an assembly oversight of Nissan's.

Other than that Max's have there own list of nickel and dime problems....knock sensors, O2 sensors, water temp and so on...if you can turn a wrench at all, most are easy enough to do IF you even have a problem. The suspension generally lasts a long time, but wheel bearings going bad is not uncommon. Brakes last a long time...like 70-80K, are not bad to do yourself and the parts are reasonable. Outer CV joints can go bad, just like any car. In northern climates the mufflers tend to rot out and the heat shields usually fall off the rest of the exhaust.

Some maintenance kind of sucks...like belts and fuel filter.

After you find one or two to choose from...ping the list with details and prices....we can tell you more what to expect might go bad for a given age/mileage. I think the 97 and 98 are probably the most solid years of the car though. There were definate noise, ride and handling improvements in the 97 and newer models.

good luck.

 

Ok, i sure will make sure to post up details when I find one i'm interested in.