SO, I have owned two Maxima SE's with 5 speeds. The first one was a 1997 and it did nothing but run.......all the time. Great gas mileage, dependable, smooth, etc. But it got 'totaled' late 2010.

3 months ago I bought a 2000 Maxima SE and maybe I am gunshy because of a recent NATS problem, but it seems like a lot of people post problems on here with this generation/year. Seems like everything that I read is "then, take it to the dealer so they can reprogram the ECU" or stuff like that. There also seems to be a lot of error code complaints for various reasons and it seems like people have difficulty pinpointing problems or difficulty with trouble shooting......unless you're a Nissan tech and have all the special tools/equipment.

Am I just imaging this or is the 2000 (other 5th gen.) have a lot of issues? Man, I miss my 97'......ALWAYS there for me.

Maybe it is the age ol' thing with being the first year of the model change?

Thanks.

 

You are right about the older ones, 97 was a good year. 98's are my favorite overall. Mechanically 4th gens are pretty stout, just need to fight off rust.

99 and up are not as reliable as earlier years. Too much emissions equipment, security features, safety systems, and other non essential government mandated BS.

Then there is the common issues the newer ones have; coil packs, motor mounts, IACV, which all can become expensive issues.

 

4th gens > all.

 

 

My 01 AE has been very reliable.

Plus, 5th gens have the DE-K

5.5 gens scare me because of the oil burning issues. I would buy a 4th gen in a heartbeat if it wasnt for the trunk. The rest of the car is gorgeous. The trunk with the big MAXIMA right in the middle, is fugly.

 

It's a hate love relationship with the 5th gen.... My 2000 se manual had her fare share of bs: 2 main problems were were the coils($$$) and idle control valve... My vias is still working after 200k and also the clutch is still the original and pulls hard... The lower radiator support is about done but that's a problem with the 4th gen as well I used to have a 95 with 70k and the only thing that had to be replaced was the knock sensor... But with any car older than 10 you will have issues...

 

IMO the 4th gen looks a hell of a lot better than any other gen

Especially looking at it from the front. Even stock it looks mean

And mechanically my 4th gen has been a lot more reliaBle than the two 3rd gens I've owned

 

I'm on my fourth Maxima. My first was 97 gle, then a 95 5 speed SE, next a 99 5 speed full option SE, and now my 2002 all dressed 6 speed SE.
I love the power of the 3.5, and the 6 speed for the highway mileage it provides, but I preferred the looks of the 4th generation over the 5,5. Reliability hasn't been an issue on the 02, but the car was already 8 years old when I purchased it in 2010, and I've replaced many things that might have become an issue due to age. One thing though- I'm pretty sure the check engine light has been on for more separate issues on this 02 than on the 3 previous ones combined!! And I also think I've had more rattles and other assorted noises to track down on the 02...don't think I've gone more than a month or 2 without some new noise appearing.

 

Ive oned both... started with a 5th gen...sold her at 217k and ive only replaced starter radiator and maf... aside from that everything else was normal like brakes plugs and bulbs... my 4th ive replaced alot more but thats because its a 99 se-l with a 97 fed spec engine... so ive gone through 2 mafs 2 sets of coils flex pipe bodywork alternator starter and a bunch of bodyeork... im in the middle of coils again plugs egr cleaning tb cleaning iacv cleaning vc gaskets.... but thats an all for one deal...4th gen is far more reliable IMHO and looks sexy as hell...

 

i love my 4th gen. its tough as nails, reliable as can be and looks better than the 5th gen in my mind. i just wish it was easier to mod and the biggest pro to a 4th gen like my 95 se i dont have to worry about emisions

 

I love my A32...

 

DE-K motor + lighter 4th gen body = Best Maxima in the world

I'm almost there with my 00VI

DW

 

yes, absolutely!


(one of my former sigs)

 

So far I really enjoy my 5th Gen AE. Been an excellent runner and has good power, especially above 4500. Very smooth engine. The interior leather (vinyl I should say) sucks ****, but the rest of the interior quality is quite good. Now with the help of Amerikaner here, the LED interior is gorgeous. Lowered, I think it's hard to beat the look of a 5th Gen. I personally love the big round fog lights. Now if only I could get my hands on the stock AE front valence....mine was missing only that when I bought it. If I had a choice of another Maxima, I would actually like to have a 93-94 3rd Gen SE 5-spd VE30 with black leather. Very tough Maxima to find, but I always loved that look.

 

Only the 97-99 SE's, they do look great from the front. 5th Gen Se's look good from the side and rear and I like the blacked out tails of the 5th.

 

i could not think of a better first car then the 4th gen

 

My 97 has been the most reliable car I've owned, and I've had a few other reliable cars.

 

Both gens blow. I30s are the best lol.

Our I30 used to be reliable until they gave the car to me lol. But it still is soldiering on, sort of.

 

wtf does that even mean? i30s are 4th and 5th gens.

 

The original post was pertaining to maximas...

It was supposed to be a "joke" as in not to be taken seriously since I drive an I30 and not a maxima. Just forget it.

 

It depends on your driving style, and mainly maintenance. My 5th gen with 221k is running and starts up as if it had 40k miles. I've never had any problems since I bought the car. The only thing I have done to it was oil changes, and replaced the ignition cylinder (Key would no longer turn and it was a pain in the *** to get another key re programmed. I paid $200 for a key -_-). Although, I do wish we had the option to roll the windows down with the remote like in the 4th gen I believe? I know the 5.5 gen does it but not our 5th gen. Ha .... lol

 

people always tell me "dude you left your windows open" and I'm like

 

^^ i get that alot too. what ive found works is to ask them whats on the floor aon the passenger side befor they get in then roll the windows down with the remote the reaction is hilarious. i love my 99 they get alot of sh*t but i love it, auto climate control, NATS, all power. mmmmm maxima

 

sounds like i ruined your day or somethin dude.

 

it depens what u r looking for me personality 4th gen thats why i got it, i love the body style.