Because of reliability issues I am moving out of a 95 BMW 530i and thinking about either a 98/99 Maxima SE 5 Speed or a Honda Accord EX-V6. Please don't flame too hard on the Honda, but I have to look at it.

What kind of issues are there with the 4th generation Maxima? or is it a rock solid 150K miles car?

Appreciate your help.

 

any car will be as bad as its abuser and maintainer..

the reason I bought a maxima?

i had an Accord.. my Ex/Current/coming and going has a 99 5sd LX I-4 Accord..

the reason? Honda couldn't give me a v6 with manual transmission .. you will find that alot of maxima owners here are coming from I-4 5spd Accords.. just like myself..

 

As as for high milage, check this thread out: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=77490

Lots of people on here have high miles and still going strong although Sprint is right in it really depends on how the car gets to 150K.

 

i know where you coming from, i came from a 92 325i. I really wanted another one, but as i could not afford the newer e46 just yet i decided to get the maxima. Maximas have their trouble areas but you will noit see near as much as ur 530 might have had. Overall i give reliability about an 8.7. If maintained it will give you 125 at least. My dad has a 3rd gen 91 max, and its got like 127k on it, it still runs nicly. Hope that helps


...........96 GXE 5 speed.............

 

i got a 95 max gle...got 116k miles on it...only thing i change was starter, brake pads, and regular maintenance...i bought it cuz from 95-97 there was no car at it's price range that can compare to the max...and i don't care what anyone says about the build quality nor the suspension....

 

very simple- best value for the money.

 

Maxima is reliable, comfortable and fast. Best bang for the buck.

 

My sister has 170,000 miles on her '95 GXE and she beats on it. It's still going strong. Strong enough to take my '95 SE with 50,000 miles.

 

I used to love Hondas until they watered down their styling to compete with Toyota. If you ask me Honda styling went down the tubes when they got rid of flip up headlights in the 80s (haha!). Although I did love my 88 CRX si and my 94 Integra GSR. Everyone around here will tell you to "just say no to VTEC" though.

So to answer your question, why did I buy my Max? Simple, what other four door car can you buy with great styling AND better performance for the money? BMWs (and all euros) are fun to drive but damn expensive--and the 3-series are TINY inside! So that leaves Japanese unless you're a glutton for punishment from Detroit, or feel particuarly keen on driving Korean. Most boring American drivers don't want a stick so Honda and Toyota stopped carrying them on many 4-door models--and added what Car and Driver once called "battleship gray interiors". Even a 5spd Max is difficult to find, but when you do I'm sure you'll say that you've come home. Hey, I never said I'm not corny!

 

I bought my Maxima because I wanted something larger and faster than My civic, with a 5 speed, and a japanese or german automobile. My brother has a 325i, so I wasn't about to get one of those, and earlier Audis had severe reliability issues I hear, so they were out. Accords don't come in V6 with 5 speed, and Camry's and 626s (new ones) are just plain boring. That left me with a Prelude (which is smaller inside than my civic actually) and a Maxima. I decided on the Maxima. I knew they were fast, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out they were THIS fast. I bought the first black 4th gen 5 speed I found. I have 114K miles with the only problems being a transmission rebuild (not cool) an oil pressure switch an O2 sensor. Plus regular maintenance.

 

Didn't I just ask this question a DAY before in the General Discussions?
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=80299

Are you asking those who only have the 4th Gen, or everyone? Anyway, to answer your question, I bought mine as it was a mix between 300zx power and Infiniti I30 luxury. Basically a great value.

I took out the 540i for a test drive, and honestly, the only difference I felt was the wind swaying a little on the Max at high speeds. The steering felt the same; acceleration the same; just as luxurious. I know in a crash I'll be better of in a BMW, but I'm sure the monthly payments would kill me first

MaXXX