Have not had this car very long but, the alternator is going out and there is now a horrible rubbing sounds in the front end (wheel bearing I am guessing) interior is near perfect and eveything works except the antenna. I also have a 2000 altima with over 200,000 miles! that has been the most amazingly reliable car I have ever owned, anyway any advice on the Maxima as far as longevity? new poster here, thanks.

 

Guess I am a bit dissapointed with early problems,( alternator , wheel bearings) within a few weeks of purchase, was so used to my Altima which is as reliable as it was when I bought It with 10,000 miles now over 200,000, which I am driving again due to the alternator problem in the Maxima. The lower mileage (for me anyway) is what attracted me o the Maxima, I do love the power and smootheness of the Maximas V6, I just need to get it back on the road!

 

Not even close. I have 210,xxx on my '99 and my '93 SE had 240k on the clock when I sold her. These VE and VQ series engines go well into 300k before any major problems.

That being said, you still have a 15+ year old car. There are some parts that have a life expectancy measured by age as well as mileage. There are also parts that will prematurely wear if not used frequently. My 1993 BMW 325is only has 82k on the clock, and I am beginning to see signs of the low mileage/usage (pilot bearing and strut mounts). That's just part of the game with older, low-mileage cars. Not to worry, though. Once you fix a few minor parts, she'll be as good as new.

 

386k and it is just now giving me problems. I was so looking forward to 500k

 

Ya when I was looking , most of this generation maximas I was finding had 180K plus, and I test drove one with 190k or so, and it drove like new, cold a/c in 100 degree weather..that's when I started looking for a '99 max, but they all had 150k -200k, then I ran across a '97 with 68k and that's what's sitting in the garage now..I think it was fairly well taken care of, and looks like it passed emissions and inspections every year or two. Check engine light has gone on for a few days, then turns off for a few, does not seam to effect the car in any way when it cuts on. It's black with black leather in st. louis heat Love the moonroof , jusy wish it had a spoiler...thanks for the posts

 

Well maintained I say maybe a 1/5th or 1/6th of its life or longer.....

 

Awesome to hear 200k+ is the norm for these Maximas, I thought I would be better off with a bit older maxima with lesser mileage than say a 2001 Chevy for the same price and mileage.

 

What problems are you experiencing at 386k? What kind of engine/ transmission problems?

 

You can check the CEL yourself (look in the Newbie sticker), take it to a local part shop (i.e. AutoZone, Advance, OReilly's) and they will read it for free, or get a loaner tool from one of the places and do it yourself. Once you get the codes there are tons of advice on here on what you need to do.

 

We have barely had a day under 100 degrees since i got it, so until the alternator starting going out I had't had the a/c off, so I barely know how the car drives with the a/c off! We have a local shop that only does Nissan /Infiniti if i need them. would you say that alternators and wheel bearings can be beat up by age of car as much as mileage can be?

 

c'mon man. cars old and $hit breaks. i did my alty at 208,000 cause oil was dripping all over it from tc cover, otherwise i think it would still be in there. napa lifetime warranty alty, moog wheel bearing, done. check rubber on the tie rod ends and lca as well as sway bar end links. even at that mileage, rubber dries up and causes vibration and poor handling.

 

I'm at 265k and still going.

 

I'd take a newer car with many more miles over an older one that sat a lot. Moving parts that don't get moved often fail at a low mileage not being used.

That said, I would not worry overall.

 

I would not hesitate to buy a maxima with high mileage, as long as everything looks good and checks out good. Ive looked at about 4 before i decided to buy the 95 i currently have. Even with 216k miles i still bought it, drove like new, tranny shifted good air was ice cold. This is my 3rd maxima and it was taken care of from the previous owner. These cars require very little maintanence most of the time, of course things will need to b replaced on any old car. My 87 max had 167k on the clock when i bought it, my 93 in the pic had 176k when i bought it, and i drove it til about 280k, and mostly interstate driving and would get a little over 400 miles a ta nk.

 

68k is just the beginning.
Mine is at 232k right with no alternator replacement so far (knock on wood)
Starter was recently replaced though. Just keep up with maintenance and most likely you'll see 300k+ on the odometer.

 

so you think your altima will never need any maintenance or parts replaced? your mindset is ridiculous.

 

Turned exactly 276k when I took her to the track for the very first time... and ran her hard all the way to 7200rpm


These engines are tanks man. No way they'll give out that easily, even with neglect.

 

68,000 is way to much. You should sell it. Where are you located? I'll come pick it up.

Oh and I have 230k on mine. Runs great

 

295,xxx and running strong on my 97 se

 

the best thing about the max is, the older it gets the more miles are put on them but they never stop running.

i remember seeing a post a while back about a 4th gen that was on tv that caught fire and people were saying "i bet it still runs"


the max is like a twinkie or a roach its one of the few things on this planet that would survive a nuclear attack

 

i got 147k on my 97 and i think im getting close to midlife LOL

 

138k on my 99 SE, Second owner, regular maintenance= awesome car. Also, the air is colder than my 2012 Focus' A/C, The Bose stereo still cranks, it gets great MPG's for our 110 degree weather this week, and the ride is very comfy!

 

244k and the transmission shifts hard when cold but the engine pulls as hard as ever.

 

183,xxx and counting on 4th gen & 237,xxx and counting on 3rd gen (changed timing belt 7k ago - other timing belt changed at 31k). Bought her brand new though so only problems are self-inflicted by myself. lol

But a maxima is highly reliable. Can't even count on one hand the problems I've had with my 98 since I first bought her.

Have to factor in if there were other owners as those parts may have worked fine with them or were on their way out but one of those gray areas that they failed to mention.

Just take care of issues now & with proper maintenance can run as long as you want it to.