Time to say farewell to my 09 Maxima. As of today, 493,652 miles but the P0420 came on and decided to not invest in a new cat and go ahead and get a new ride.

So disappointed in Nissan sunsetting the Maxima and Q50s but that is a business decision they made so I have to respect it (didn't say I had to like it!!!

I did look at the Altima, but was very disappointed in that product ( I guess I got spoiled by Maximas) The Toyota Crown looked great too but had too much road and engine noise for me)

I bought a new Audi A5 (that quite literally feels a lot like the Maxima from a ride comfort perspective) and will be sure to post a picture of my final odometer reading on the Maxima when it gets delivered (ostensibly) next week. (of course, they didn't have the one with the colors and features I wanted on the lot!) But I have to admit to being a bit nostalgic given that it reminded me a lot of my MachII mustang from back in the days I lived in Germany in the early 80s.

 

That is amazing almost 500,000 miles. I am at 190,000 miles on my 2003. I would be happy if it got to 1/2 of yours at 250,000 miles.

What is the secret to getting a car to almost 500k miles?

 

Awwwwwwww @LtLeary , I had hope to see you register since you mentioned almost being there a few weeks back.

I too am riding the dreaded p420, getting 520+ miles on a full tank, and will run it until it’s time for emissions then donate.

them “4-Rings” are not easy to work on (actually doing a valve cover leak on a Q5 this weekend. Stealership asking for engine case @$3k, am going to yank off cover then reseal…

but in any event, you deserve a new whip.

you didn’t consider the new gen Max? My 17 In preservation mode until 11 goes…

hang around my Honorable friend. Send pixxx 👊🏾👊🏾

 

I must admit. I log in periodically just to see your mileage updates. There won’t be any reason to continue coming back. 204k on my 2010. Thank you for now allowing me a chance to catch up to you!

 

Maintenance, Maintenance, and Maintenance. A very old mechanic told me when I was a young man that my car was MY responsibility and that it would take care of me as long as I took care of her. I found that very profound and sage advice over these many years. Create your maintenance plan based on YOUR driving style and needs (remember, automobile manufacturers are in business to sell cars!) and stick to it. I always changed my oil at 5K miles with Mobil 1...same with the filter. Check all fluids every month...even if you did it a week ago. Be consistent in your schedule (if you say the 1st of every month, you do this thing or that thing, do it! No procrastination.) It is ok to adjust your schedule (for example I used to drain and fill the CVT/replace the external filter every 60K but took it to 100K based on the appearance of the fluid. Plan for the failures. I found that OEM alternators only last me 150K miles and the AC Compressor about 160K. So, I plan for the failures and at the first sign, get it fixed. Be proactive. When I had a leaky water hose going to the throttle body, I replaced ALL the hoses (except one that bit me a few weeks ago)) I don't let my fuel gauge go below 1/3 tank if I can help it in order to keep the fuel pump cool and working. Plugs every 125K and coils at 250k (don't you hate getting a p03xx code?!) I have only changed the brakes once (at 250K) but when I did, I replaced the rotors and "drum rotors" at the same time. When I had one CV axle start going bad, I replaced both. Same for the Tie Rod ends and Control Arms. All of the above pretty easy to do as a Shadetree mechanic. After my recent back surgery, I did turn over some tasks to pros (like my recent water pump but I had them replace the timing chain and guides....just because they were already there.) So, have I put more money into her than I had to? Probably, but it was fun work, nonetheless.

 

I did consider the 8th gen but discarded the idea as I can't get parts for the 7th gen (specifically most of the seals for the sunroof (although Richard66 hooked me up for the inner seal) I didn't want to buy a car knowing that parts would become non-existent. I tell my bride that I didn't want to replace my Maxima for the same reason I don't want to replace her...it fills my needs, and I am very comfortable in it. After I told her I bought the Audi she only said, "about time." I couldn't let that stand so I told her she had better be sure they kept making parts for her! Note to self and as a PSA for everyone reading....that comment sounded better in my head than the way in which it was received....I will be in the doghouse a while for that!

I hear what you say about the "4-rings" maintenance, but I couldn't help myself. Back in 81 I test drove an Audio 100 5 cylinder in Germany and became enamored with it. Time will tell how well I can keep up with the Audi maintenance. Who knows, I may "have to" (wink wink) buy some new tools to work on her!

I had the p0430 back 5 or 6 years ago and replaced the front cat (should have done both at the same time but if I recall, the bank 1 cat was on backorder) You can probably go quite a while resetting the MIL every other day or so. I had a friend who would hide the MIL with little child cards (like you would get in a pack of Cracker Jacks) until I caught her at it and fixed the issue.

I will make sure to post the final mileage when I pick up the new whip.

Lt

 

LtLeary, I replaced my 2010 Maxima earlier this year as well. A fellow at a gas station asked me if I wanted to sell my car because his son needed something good for school. I gave him the I don't want to sell price of $6k and he agreed to it. I ended up getting a 2024 Cadillac CT5-V and I can't be happier. I got a solid 11 yrs out of that car and got 23% of my purchase price back when I sold it. I considered the Infinity Q50, but it felt cramped, and I wanted something totally different from the Maxima.

 

Great advice and car maintenance is a lost art with today's Gen Z generation. Back when I was a teenager, we had no internet and no mobile phones. There was not much to do on a Saturday afternoon except to rip your car apart with your friends. I owned my 2003 I35 for almost 20 years now and done almost all my maintenance and repairs as DYI.

 

Good luck with the Audi Lt Leary.

 

I think I caused a young man an apoplectic episode when I offered his mother my services to teach her son how to maintain a car by buying him a 100hp max, older manual transmission ride that would need a lot of care and feeding. Seems that didnt fit with his idea that the porsche fairy would magically deliver a brand new ride!

 

many thanks! I dislike the waiting but am pretty sure i can live with it wben it arrives. At least I know it will be relatively unique around here.

 

I was wondering where you milage was. That's a fantastic run. Every time I look at my milage (currently at 187K I think yours is still running, so I've got a ways to go.

I had a huge scare this morning on my 2012. I dropped my wife's Pilot for an oil change, and on the way home I got steam from the front end and the temp gauge pegged high. I waited for it to cool a bit and I limped it back to the shop (mostly down hill). On the last hill the MIL light finally came on and the car bucked a bit. I was dreading that the engine was done for and I'd have to go car shopping. I love my Maxima and really don't want to get rid of it.

Diagnosis is the radiator failed and dumped all the coolant. It must have happened right in the mechanic's lot because there was a puddle under where it was parked. Plan is to replace the radiator, coolant hoses. thermostat, temp sensors, and hope there's no other issues. The mechanic said the motor is one of the best that was made so he's pretty confident.


Best of luck with the Audi. They are gorgeous cars. My FIL had Audis for years, but gave up because of the maintenance complexities.

 

what’s your MPG looks like w the code?

did you get rid of the car? If not get that 1/2 mil and report up

am yielding 27mpg w the dreaded P04 code over a year and think I have an exhaust leak when they replaced the Catz

Before the P showed, i was about 23mpgw both bad catz

 

Jeez, the best my MPG averages was 23-24. I'm at about 19.5 now. It might be related to going from daily commute to mostly around town, but my car was never that efficient. I got my cats replaced last year.

 

That's awesome. My 18 yo son wanted to learn about car maintenance and fell in love with classic cars. His first car was/is a 1966 Mustang with a 5.0 EFI engine out of a 1990's Fox body car. We've done a bunch of work on it making repairs, correcting things that were not done "right". He loves it, and it fits nicely with his plan to be a mechanical engineer. He can't wait till he's allowed to take it to campus next year - he joined to motor sports team and can use the on-campus auto shop.

 

That is awesome! Renews my soul seeing this. You have every right to be a proud papa. Kudos to your son and you from the Lt!

 

Respectfully, I won’t hijack @LtLeary Thread, my good friend over these years he’s in the milestone and spotlight - - would love to comment to your MPG dilemma, lots I could say

if he comments I will chime in.

it’s about him-and-us; not us-and-us…👊🏾👊🏾

 

Good luck with the new ride, the Audis interior are definitely a lot more upscale. You definitely maintained the Maxima like a boss! I'm about to hit a year and 15k total miles on my TLX. I was in the same boat, nothing Infiniti or Nissan interests me anymore. So many tried and true sedan nameplates getting discontinued in favor of EVs, SUVs or CUVs.

 

Mileage with the P0420? It had been going down for the last few months before the code hit, but I could tell the cat was going up based on the Long and Short Term Trims. Right now averaging about 26 mpg, down from 29 a few months back.

I haven't gotten rid of the car yet as I haven't gotten my Audi delivered yet (slowest truck ever from Virginia to Melbourne, FL) but I gave it away for my historical $1 and a bottle of Valpolicella. (This is a habit of pay it forward I got from my days in the service. We had a few "site cars" that were transfered from GI to GI with a promise of doing the same to the next guy (no matter how much you put into the car) and one I have done ever since with one exception...the dealer did not want to put $7 into a bottle of valpolicella. I had them give me $5500 in trade for that.

 

I will give away a spare Mobil One M108a oil filter that I can ship (what the heck, I will throw in the rest of my Copper Crush Washers too) to the first US Based address in the PM! I just need to clear out some shelves for the Audi Supplies now. Fortunately, my bride's car takes the same oil as the Maxima, so that I can use on her next service. I don't know what to do with the many quarts of Genuine NS2 (I had planned on doing another drain and fill at 500k but.....) Shipping will be a little costly so while I will give it away to a good home, I don't want to pay the shipping. If you are local to the Orlando Area, we can meet up and arrange delivery. I assume there is an external Filter too, but I haven't validated that. If so, you can have that too!

 

Very extra PM sent 😆😆😆

so from 29 to 26mpg. Sounds very Catzish than sensor and leak.

am about to do surgery on a Q5 oil pan (dammitttt have to raise the engine, then the valve cover, timing chai. Cover, pVC and fuel regulator….. Stealership want over $5K for their surgery, from me to friend, probono but buy the parts…….😆🧐

 

And Les7311 is the winner of the Mobile One Oil Filter and Crush washers. I will get that out in the mail this week. NS2 still up for grabs local to Orlando!

 

👊🏾🎶🎵😆🎶👌🏽😆👊🏾🎶👌🏽😆👊🏾🎶👌🏽😆👊🏾

first time ever winning something……(trying the megamil next…..)

 

Final Entry. The mileage was 494,383 miles! She was a trusted and steady lady who stood by me for all these years. Raising a Grappa (ok so it was 3 or 4) to her. New Audi A5 in hand. Time will tell if she becomes a favorite as well.

Final Mileage

Farewell dear lady.

 

Where’s the new ride????

show us some pix!!!

 

A bittersweet moment for sure. I tend to keep my vehicles between 10 - 20 years, sometimes more. For me, the excitement of getting a new car is somewhat overshadowed by the loss of the old. I have been fortunate that in 50+ years of driving and car ownership that I rarely had a car I hated/couldn't wait to get rid of. Oh some of my English sports cars tested my patience for sure, lol, but yeah...nothing really that I was happy to part with.
Enjoy your Audi, I have had several over the years and loved every one of them. I never found Maintenance costs to be that bad. You certainly had a wonderful car when it came to your Maxima.

 

Nice work, Lt.!