I travel quite often, hence rental all the time. Everytime I back to the airport, I just can't wait to get my max on the road. It rides just so much better than most of the rental! I always got full size or premium car. The only thing beats it is the G35 or the 07max. The G35 is fun and 07max is even smoother (with cvt)! The only drawback is my 02max is noisier than most of them...

 

glad you love your car

 

Same here. Car is still quite tight and a pleasure to drive.

I test drove the 07 and have to agree...quiet, luxurious, and sporty...just nice all around. If the price for the options I want wasn't within' G35 territory, I'd buy another.

 

I wish someone would smash into mine so I can get a CTS-V...

But then I don't have a winter car and I cannot get a new c6 Vette... DAMN!

I guess I will keep it for now.

 

I like my 03 Maxima SE a lot! The only BIG problem with it is the noise and stiff/harsh stock suspension. Road noise drives me crazy, even with the quiet tires that i have on it. The ride could be more gentle and refined.

 

love the max, the only draw back is the cabin noise, at highways speeds. and over bumps my car doesnt feel solid. im gonna put some sound deadning to it, see if that helps. but overall, its an awesome car, and im planning to keep her for a long long time.

 

Harsh ride on stock suspension ? WTF did you drive before a 1984 Olds Delta 88 ?

I have 170K miles on my 2001 Max, I bought it brand spanking new over 5 years ago.... I work on cars for a living and drive anything from 20 year old Integras to brand new RLs, NSXs, and what not. I still enjoy mine the most.

 

Or you could get a new Sentra. They look like mini CTS's. Maybe wait until the R version comes out.

 

i agree...i have an 02 and it's very nice. only con for me is the road noise and the stiff stock suspension. on the freeway the stiff suspension feels nice and car feels very in control but on city streets where the roads are crappy the ride can get pretty harsh and that's about it. i love driving the maxima tho...everyday in the morning i can't wait to drive to work...then after boring day at work i can't wait to drive it home haha

 

CTS was once a rental when they first out, if you're talking about Cadillac. Despite the ride, I recall the glove box is pretty much in a useless position with a passenger at the front... kinda funny.

Just got my tires replaced with cheapo Kumho today, the noise comes down quite a bit. The bald S03 served me less than 27,000mi, oh well, the thread rating is only 220.

Oh there is one thing I am extremely unsatisfy with Nissan, the faulty Bose headunit. Replaced twice under warranty, the third time it broke 3 day after my warranty expired. That is a very low quality parts, and it should be a "recall", instead of TSB only...

 

I think you guys are complaining more about the solid rear axle (bumpy over bad roads) than the mushy soft springs/shocks.

 

If road noise bothers you I'd highly recommend Avon 550s for your next tire. VERY quiet compared to the stock Potenzas on the 5.5 gens. I've had my Max for 3 years and stomping on it at around 3K in second still makes me grin. I've solved most of my biggest gripes.
1. Bad wind noise - Rear window wind noise fix
2. Ugly front wheel gap and mediocre handling - Springs
3. Road noise - Quieter (and better performing) tires - Avon 550's
4. Horrid brake judder - Brembo blanks and Hawk HPS (hopefully it doesn't come back...)
5. Clunky 6MT in cold - Redline fluid helped.

 

How long have you had your Avon's? I'm coming up on 20k miles, and unfortunately they don't stay quiet much past 10k miles. Don't get me wrong, they are great tires, but they do get noisier with age.

 

I have to agree. Right now I am running the 225/45/18 Avon A/S tires and there is I would say 8/32 left and the tire does make quite a bit of noise, esp around 45-55mph and when slowing.

 

housecor, I did this mod and it fixed the noise greatly, but now it's back? Did you have a similar problem? Maybe the foam tape is breaking down? O_o

 

love my maxima to, waiting for those headers, my last upgrade on the maxima

 

The very essence of the Maxima's "sport" spirit has been its manual transmission and higher hp engine (compared to its peers). Now that the '07 Maximas have done away with manual tranny's, AND now that the peers have similar hp levels, the '07 Maxima is now just another 4-door V6 Japanese sedan. (Hell, its not even made in Japan anymore)! Ya'll driving stick Maximas, cherish 'em cuz they sure are a rare gem!

ShysMax
'02 6 Spd.