I am currently in the market for a used car and been eyeing a 7th gen Maxima (especially a Premium trim)

Let's just assume that we are only talking about the Premium models as well with the dual-panel sunroof and all.

It seems to me that the 2010 versions are the "best", or at least most-full featured. While I hear the future models have different tail-lights, and exhaust pipes, they took away several features also like the rear audio/HVAC controls, etc. I know whether or not they were needed is a topic of debate.

The 2010s also added DVD playback and removed the CF slot from the 2009 models.

What do you guys think?

 

In that sense 2010 trumps 2009. CF slot was necessary to update navigation, whereas with 2010, you can order factory DVD and perform upgrade yourself. 2010 added BT stereo playback and reworked screens.
Another removed feature is a trunk close recess, not sure what year eliminated that piece. It seems that 2010 had more recalls/tsb's than 2009, but thats just my impression.
I solved BT playback with wireless gateway. For Nav updates, you must use dealer if you have 2009.

 

I know 2011+ changed the exhaust tips and removed the rear-seat audio/HVAC controls and 2012+ changed the tail-lights.

But did anything else change since 2010 like the navigation did from 09 to 10, etc?

 

The 2012 greatly improved the TPMS system. Before 2012, there was simply a little glowing light on the dash, with no clue as to which tire.

 

The rim packages are different with the newer ones, the warranty is different...if u have a 2009 or 2010 your transmission is covered 10 years/120k, with the new ones just having the basic warranty the grills are different with the new ones. People here will tell u the newer maximas seem to be having more problems then say the 09 and 10

 

Oh really now?
That seems to further solidify my gut to only look at 2010 Maximas. :/

Can anyone else back this up?

 

Yeah the 09's seem to be the most reliable

 

Imo the 5.5 gen is the best but thats just my opinion.you know the saying

 

Very good.
Since best is such a relative term...my 2010 has never left me stranded by the side of the road!

 

2010 has the 120k extended CVT warranty which in my mind is a win win situation and that alone I say its the best year for the current generation Maxima.

 

Get newest as possible so longer warranty coverage?

 

My 2013 had separate readings for all 4 tires but no way to know which tire was which

 

Never heard that before.

My 2012 has a climate controlled drivers seat, not sure if available before that? And I like the smoked tail lights.

 

I bought a used '09 SV with 22k on it in December of 2011 and put 26k on it before trading it in for a leftover new '12 last month.

The '09 was great; the only problems I ran into were the manual tilt/telescopic steering column motor had to be replaced separately -- first the tilt motor went and that was fixed under warranty and shortly thereafter the telescopic motor went and got that done under warranty as well.

Also, right before I traded it in I noticed that just after starting it and letting it settle to at least 1,000 RPMs before driving as I always do, the car would make a bit of a whining noise when I would cut the wheel to the left (power steering I believe, but I didn't look into it because I knew it was being traded in).

My '12 is too new to say anything because I'm the only owner and there's just over 500 miles on it now, but obviously so far, so good. I'll admit that reading some of that stuff (engine knock, etc) made me cringe after I bought it, but I stay on top of service and interior and exterior maintenance like you read about, so, fingers crossed and here's hoping!

 

My 2010 has the climate controlled driver's seat.

 

Yes, there are at least a few more I know of. Smoked headlights on sport models. Dark grille. Backlight on gauge cluster is not orange. There are probably some more minor ones.

 

I think the best year was '03. I know not a 7th gen but it was.

 

The OP is not asking which generation is best, he want to know which year for current generation is best.

 

I understand that, re-read my post.

 

Besides the navi and BT in the '10, buy an 09 and mod the body into a 12 or 13 :-p. The tpms location monitor is useless, go to the dealer and get the nitrogen air mix in your tires and your tpms light will never come unless there is a leak!

 

If you refer to Consumers Reports for unbiased data from many readers the 2012 & 2013 are the most reliable. The 2010 had worse than average electrical issues which were improved to average on the 2011. I would go with the 2012. I have it for 2 years with 0 problems.

 

I read somewhere that a '12 owner had intentionally lowered the air pressure in three of his tires (one tire at a time), and marked which light was associated with each wheel. Not being a '12 owner, I didn't pay much attention to exactly what he posted.

I did not respond to his post, but did think that he would need to remember which wheel moved where whenever he rotated his tires.

 

As does my '09. The climate controlled driver's seat was available only as part of the Premium package on the '09 and '10, but is part of both the Sports and Premium packages on the '13 and '14. Someone else here will have to say whether it was part of the '11 and '12 Sports package.

 

True, but we need to keep in mind that it is fairly normal for newer cars to have less problems. Consumer Reports often has cars showing very few problems early on, but problems seem to build up as the years go by. That is why most cars show up in CU with most of the black ***** (problems) on the left side of the ratings (earlier years) and more orange ***** (less problems) on the right side (later years) for almost every vehicle.

Of course there are exceptions and variations. The '12 Maxima has half-black ***** for body integrity and body hardware, which no other year Maxima has, but generally speaking, the older the car, the more likely there will be problems. That would be why I might lean to the '12, although my '09 has been absolutely perfect in every way.

 

Wait, what on Earth are those? And why would only the '12 Maxima have them and Nissan would decide to remove this in the '13 and '14?

 

Black ***** lol love it how about five star rating maybe . Lmao and yes my 2011 sv has a rating of 5 stars and two heated seats .

 

Hahaha! Awesome! Love waking up and reading posts like this!

I think Nissan tried to remove the black ***** for the 2012 but the masses kept complaining

 

I have a 2012 with a sport package. It only has heated seats.

 

I swear my 2010 has black ***** of steel

 

You are generally correct however keep in mind the following:


1. The rating are relative to all other cars so highly reliable cars that age well like Toyota and Honda will have red ***** on the left side as well.


2. Car manufacturers recognize issues and in an effort to control warranty costs will make improvements in subsequent year models. Nissan did this with the steering wheel motors and the CVT. Therefore, newer 7th generation Maxima's will be more reliable than earlier generation.


PS my wife still drives a 2005 Buick Lesabre which Buick had many years to improve upon. Other than a battery, brakes, tires and oil changes the car has is flawless and I can't see myself getting rid of it. It just shows that practice makes perfect.

 

True, which is why I ended my earlier post with:

'generally speaking, the older the car, the more likely there will be problems. That would be why I might lean to the '12, although my '09 has been absolutely perfect in every way.'

 

I was ready to explain that 'body integrity' meant fit and trim of body parts, hood, trunk, doors, etc, and 'body hardware' meant things like door handles, hood and trunk latches, etc, then realized you were having a little good humor with 'bodies' of a different sort.

Sometimes we need a little humor.

 

2014, duh. LOL

 

I deserve it for not drinking my coffee that day like I should've.
Dahahahaha, this forum rocks.

 

That's the only way, kind of a pain

 

Think about it, how can there be any real data for 2013's that have been driven any miles ? Th CR report needs time to collect the data, prepare and publish so my guess is the data is up to ~ September 2013. How can a 3 , 6 or even 9 month old car be deemed reliable ?

If you read how CR does it newer model year ratings some of the data is taken from previous years when there has not been a significant change made to the car.

The majority of Maximas will be basically problem free but to think these cars are the rocks that Nissan built from 1996 - 2003 is incorrect.

 

This is what I hate most about my car. I cannot stand these stupid sensors. I live in Chicago in a section of the city which is neglected as far as the roads are concerned, not to mention it was -55 degrees with the wind chill the other day (not sure if the cold temperature would kill one). Anyway, my point is I replaced all four sensors a year ago, and two are bad. WTF? I'm guessing the horrible roads and constant bumping around intertwined with the drastic temperatures just kill those things and they aren't cheap.

 

this.