I am purchasing a 98 Maxima but it has no lettering with respect to which model (SE, GXE, GLE).

How do you tell the difference?

THis one has sunroof, BOSE, white gauges, fog lights, spoiler, sport wheels...

Also, is there a difference in motor, trans and/or suspension between the '98 models?

Thanks!

 

the car u described is an SE - engine wise they are all the same, but the SE version has a stiffer suspension .........u can tell the difference by the common traits........GXE has velvet seats, black guages, crappy stereo, and hubcaps most likely.......GLE has leather seats with wood interior and bose stereo........SE got white guages, spoiler, better rims

 

This subject is covered extensively in the "4th gen FAQs" thread up top.

 

you are 100% correct mr. moderator sir!!!

 

You should be careful, because if the car has no mods on it already and has no badges, the reason it has no badges is probably body work, i.e. wreck. Be careful.

 

My 97 wasn't badge and I know it was fine from doing a carfax report.

 

Do any of the 98s have labeling with respect to SE, GLE, etc.?

Also, I couldn't find this topic under FAQ's. Can someone show me?

 

#1 - Neither of my Max's have been badged with a model...just the Nissan logo and 'MAXIMA'.

#2 - I don't really trust carfax all that much. When I was thinking of selling my 97 GXE, which had been in two pretty good accident ($2500 and $3500) neither showed up on the report.

 

Only the 97-99 GLE are labled with the GLE badge on the trunk.

 

the se-l had that big a$$ badge on the side for 99

 

I bought my 97 SE new and it has no badges that identify it as an SE either. I think they added those on the later years, but hey look kind of ugly IMO.

 

SE has sunroof, boose, leather, white speedometer, spoiler

 

CarFax has no way of knowing if a vehicle was in an accident. Nor does anyone else, except you, the body shop, and involved insurance companies. It's not as if body shops report the VINs of vehicles they repair (though I think maybe they should).

They can only report the status of the vehicle's title, which is on public record in most states I'm aware of. The title will be branded if a vehicle is totaled by an insurance company, flooded, or something of the like.

 

I am an owner of an actual SE Maxima, and I don't have a sunroof, bose, or leather. These 3 equipment features you listed aren't standard on the SE..

Aside from the differences listed by the other members, one other key visual difference in the 97-99 Maxima is the steering wheel.
Here is a pic of a SE steering wheel:



Here is a pic of a GXE/GLE wheel (GLE shown)


SE wheels are leather wrapped regardless if the car seat material. The "Nissan" logo is in the circular recess which is at the center of the airbag. The yellow arrows point to the portion of the steering wheel which has a different textured "perforated" leather, etc

GXE/GLE wheels...well, anyone looking at the above pics should be smart enough to see the differences. Difference between GXE/GLE wheel: GLEs are leather-wrapped.

The shape of the "hub" on the SE steering wheel is different from the GXE/GLE.

 

SE maximas are the only ones that have the white guages. How do i know because a guy at courtesy nissan told me. I got a 95 and it came with the bose, moon roof and all the other toys. Guess the previoius owner was a baller...holla And about Carfax the only way they know is if the insurance company reports it. The only way the insurance company knows is if you tell them.

HOLLA BACK!!!

 

they should have badges for all trims!

 

why?...what difference does it really make? other than a couple extra HP ...but a lot of people shave theirs off anyway, but really, what special good is it to have the badges?...i just pay no attention to mine...my parents would kill me if i even thought of shaving the rear...after paying extra for the gold package when they bought the max

 

My report was actually close to accurate as far as the mileage goes. It was 50 miles off and the lot it came from was 50 miles away.

 

GXE's and GLE's both have chrome grilles in the front, chrome window trim on the outside, and also chrome or gold plated door handles, SE models come with body-color grilles, door handles and also black molding around windows...

 

Did you mean to reply to me? I won a GXE so I already know this.

 

Sorry buddy,
but you are wrong!

Vehicles that are involved in accidents in which there is a police report written MAY show up as having an accident history on carfax. Carfax has access to DOT databases in many states and municipalities (they don't advertise which they do and don't have access to, unfortunately,) and from those databases they are able to pull VIN numbers that identify those vehicles involved in accidents.

I live in a small town in Idaho, and in 1997 I was pulling a boat with my explorer that came off as a slowed for an intersection. The boat and trailer did a 3mph roll underneath another vehicle at the light, doing less than $500 in damage to that other car.

My VIN number was included in the "accident" report, even though it sustained no damage. Did a carfax on that explorer last year, and guess what! Yep, had an accident history, at 94,000 miles, which is what it had when that happened. I called carfax and provided them a copy of the report though, and had it removed.

So, yes CARFAX CAN and often DOES report accident histories that are not salvage titles.