My girlfriend is looking to buy a 5th gen Maxima today (I have a 4th Gen) and I wanted to ask you guys what year is best for 5th gens? She won't be doing any heavy modding, so keep that in mind. Thanks for the input guys.

 

just get a 2003

 

Get a 2001 AE model. 227 whp. No oil burning issues. And, yes, I have a 2003 and I'm saying this.

 

I have a 2003 with 71k miles with no issues at all. I like it A LOT!

 

Good luck. I didn't have problems until I hit around a 100k. Now.... well just look at my sig.

 

227whp ... Get it right... 227 at the crank.

 

I heard that 3.0's are very, very smooth compared to 3.5's

I assume your gf isnt looking for power so an 01 Anniv. is a good choice as GBAUER posted

 

would an 01 be good also if i'm looking to go boosted?

 

get an 00-01'...

 

either a 02 or 03 for the power and the hid, without even modding.

 

get an 01 for the vq30dek...and the 03 for the vq35de...

i believe the 00 and 02 models have the weakest MAFs...and have the most TSBs out of all the 5th generation....01 models worked out most of the bugs from the 00...and that goes with the 03 too

 

Thanks for all the replies. We couldn't find any 5th gens today (go figure), but we'll definitely keep looking. By the looks of it, I think we'll go with the '01 SE/GLE, since she doesn't drive stick. Thanks again

 

Now I'm curious - what are the **major** problems one could expect with a 2003 SE and around what milage? Is there an oil leaking or burning problem?

 

Some claim the oil buring isn't a real problem and is only exagerated by us few, but do you want to risk it? I'm looking at a major rebuild on mine at 135k miles. Started burning at 80k. And, no, I don't abuse my car... often that is.

 

5.5 gen, I have had both and it's a much nicer car all the way around.

 

get a 6th gen and go for that Japanese Cadillac look.

 

if it is staying more stock, and not modding, and it's for your girl, go with an 00-01 - less issues with the engine, MAF cheaper to replace. She doesn't need the extra power, and otherwise the car is similar. Just my 2 cents

 

get a 2007 maxima

 

or a 2029

 

id almost have to go with irish on that one, however if i had to only pick one option from a car for a daily driver or commuter, it would be HIDs. its AMAZING what you miss with halogens. driving my '91 is like driving with no headlights at all in comparison.

sure she doesnt need the power, but it cant hurt, and a MAF can be replaced with the '01 MAF anyway.

 

5th gen Maxima halogens are just fine. The HIDs are nothing to write home about. Halogens on the 5th gens are by far some of the best out there - the reflector inside is very good.

 

How many times does this SAME thread have to be posted???

No one can do anything for themselves anymore... "what maxima should I get??" ... "Should I wipe my *** now??"

Do what everyone else does!! Look at your finances, decide how much you can spend. The you must walk/drive/ride a bike/take a bus/call a cab... and go to dealers and find a car you like in your price range!!

Its one thing to have it posted months ago, however, if you just SEARCHED a little bit you would find this has been beaten into the ground.

Can we make one of them a sticky???

 

Hey, assh*le. It isn't just about asking what car is faster or costs more. He wants to know which year was least problematic. There's no need to go apesh*t on the guy. He isn't a donating member, so he can't search either. Regardless, there isn't much wrong with this thread. And you really need to ease the hell up.

 

hmm... i pull up next to a 5gen at night and cant even see their headlights on the ground.

 

When he started the thread, he never asked which is the least problematic... he asked "which is the best year"....

He can use the "google" search, and if he does not want to do that, then cough up the $20 and use the search option...

EDIT: the one who asked "which is more problematic" is not even the one who started the thread....

 

boys, boys, boys... stop the hate! Spread the love! Besides, you both know about arguing on the internet: special olymipics!


Anyway: here's my other two cents: make sure you get a car with all the options available. That's my one true regret. I turned down a TE with navi and every other option available because I got sticker shock. I could have afforded either, but I backed out.

 

I will drop my 2 cents on the "headlight" issue, since I have had both the stock halogens in my 00 and now have the 02-03 HIDs in my 00:

The Maxima HIDs are nothing special. Yes, they light up the road a bit better than the halogens, but it is hardly a "night and day" difference (no pun intended). Halogens are plenty safe, and your wife will not see a appreciable difference, unless she tries both. The maxima halogens are actually some of the best halogens I've used in cars, while the HIDs are some of the worst OEM HIDs out there.

02-03 HIDs:
- slightly better lighting in most conditions
- let's face it, they look ALOT better
- there is the theft issue to think about

Really, the ONE main reason to get a 02-03 instead of a 00-01 would be for POWER. If your wife wants 40 extra horses, get her a 5.5. If she doesn't care about that, get the 00-01...the engine is much more refined, and the shifter (MT) is much smoother.

 

get a 02-03 it has HID's
and its a big turn on when a girl can handle a big 3.5

 

I'm a girl, just got the 20th AE. LOVE IT! You'll be asking to borrow her car

 

02-03 HIDs 3.5

 

2001...no MAF, Ignition Coil, or oil-burning problems (yet) *knocks on wood*

 

02-03 for four reasons...
1. 3.5L - the power
2. HID's
3. 17's
4. 3.5L - the torque

I have a 02 and have had absolutely no problems with burning oil. Almost all cars burn a little oil.

 

Aren't 1 & 3 one in the same?

00/01's have 17's as well.

 

Ok, there are how many 5th & 5.5th gen owners on this forum? You will get a different view with experiences from everyone. It really doesn't matter what year the car is, some people have a lot of issues with their cars, some people don't. It doesn't really come down to the year. '02-'03s are rumored to have a lot of issues with their MAFs (I've never had one issue with mine). The stolen HID debate depends on where you live. Some guys have had theirs stolen 3x's. Some guys never have. There are so many variables. Find one that YOU like, and buy it. That's the bottom line.

 

Never had my HID's stolen, but I have killed my tranny, cat, am burning oil badly, and now have to replace my #2 coil pack. 138k on my '03.

 

The cars are relatively the same, put it this way if you want extra power get a 02-03 if not get a nice 00-01 SE Also, iam at 95k on my 02 The Auto tranny is acting up but other then that pretty sound car.

 

All depends on how many miles you have. Mine started burning around 80k and didn't get bad until 110k or so. At 138k, I'm looking at a complete rebuild.

 

If you get the 20th anniversery addition. , OEM is 16 inch.

As far as oil goes all cars burn residual amounts of oil, my honda does as well and has solid compression in all cylinders. Milage certainy will have something to do with it as the rings become worn, but also driving habits. I'm interested in hearing when people started burning oil and what oil they were using, non-synthetic vs synthetic, and if one promotes longer ring life.

 

Or any other SE ...

 

The 17's only came on the premium package i belive.