I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?

 

yes get it, get it now! you won't be disappointed and you'll become an addict like everyone on here. there are so many things you will be able to do with it and make it your own. so look around at these pages www.custommaxima.com and www.maximadriver.com and you'll understand...goodluck

 

GO FOR IT!!!

 

Yep, sounds great for you. try and find a 97 though

 

Is there any problems that i should know and look for about when looking at them? Like something that 95-96 maxima's are prone too and would cost alot to fix? I have heard that they are very reliable which is good because if i spend 8,000 on a car i cant afford to keep spending more just to keep it running.

 

97-99 max got little restyled & redesigned structure/a lot safer during crash tests. check hwysafety.org to see

 

as costcow said, the 97+ were redesigned with better structure quality to hold up in crashes...and if i'm not mistaken, there have been quite a few knock sensor problems in the 95s (or maybe it was something else, can't quite remember)...but I'm 16, I love my max, insurance costs are low, and it is still faster stock than a lot of cars

 

Hey if i found a 97 for under 8,000 that has everything i want i would go for it. But they are usually over 8,000. And the 95-96's are faster right?

 

either way, you will be happy. Go and buy right now!

 

5mph bumper test 95 vs 97

 

Knock sensor problems? what the hell is that? Wow the 95 get like crushed in at only 5 MPH while nothing happens to the 97!!

 

BUMP, i need to know what this knock sensor problem that 95-96's are suppost to be prone too is. And how to tell if the max i am looking at has it.

 

Apparently many 1995-1996 Nissan Maximas need this part replaced. I don't. It costs $110 from the Nissan dealer, and you can easily install this yourself. A classic symptom is the "Check Engine" light and a lack of power. You should be able to tell if there is a problem if you drive more than one. That is not a reason to choose a '97+ over a '96+, but those crash testing reports definitely are. BTW, I'm 16 and I love my Max. There are very few cars under $15k I would take over it. Welcome to the .Org.
-Cyrus

 

It only costs 110 (not installed i assume)? that not too bad at all. Do they usually go after a certian amount of miles or is it just random? O and nice max Vyrus, very clean looking!!

 

Yeah the KS (knock sensor) issue is not a big deal in my opinion. I don't think there's a specific amount of mileage at which they go bad, but I think most of them tend to go at 60k miles. And the '95-'96s have different bumpers from the '97-'99s as well in case you didn't know. Personally, I like the '96-'96s more but I think most people like the '97-'99s more.
And thanks for the compliments bro.
-Cyrus

 

Ok thanks for the info, i would oviously try to avoid buying a max with that problem but if i do buy one and the knock sensors end up going bad then it does not seem to be as big of a deal to fix as i thought it might be. If i buy one it will probaly have over or around 70,000 miles on it anyway so if they are not bad then, they will probably not go bad.

 

IIRC, the KS costs more like $180, but can be had with at least a 20% discount from the likes of courtesy nissan or other dealers on the forum.

Also, even though the ECU may be reporting the KS, it may also be reporting another problem, which causes a false alarm on the KS. It seems that bad o2 sensors can give a false KS problem. In my case, a coolant temperature sensor seemed to be causing a KS problem for me.
The dealer will want a ton of money for labor to replace the KS, though several people here found another way to do it in less than 20 minutes.

IMHO, the Maxima is a very good choice for you. I can't think of another car that I'd pick for your $8K mark. Especially if you wanted a 5 speed.

 

dont listen to these fools, 95 is the way to go! fastest out of the gen and just looks down right awesome

 

Yeah the thought it was the fastest. Carstats.com says that the 1996 GXE does 0-60 in 6.5 secs and the 1995 SE in 6.6, I would think that the 1995 GXE and 1996 SE would be the same time as well. Is this really acurate though becasue that is really quick for a car in its class. Those where both times for the 5 speeds.

 

'95-'96 GXE 5spds are the fastest 4th Gen Maxima. Reason being is their lack of weight via options and saftey equipment.

 

Are the autos considerably slower? Because if i where to find a max that had everything i wanted for a good price except a 5 speed tranny then i would probaly go for it.

 

The auto are considerably slower. They run between 7.5 and 8 seconds on the 0-60. Don't make the mistake many of us on the org have made by settling for an auto.

 

absolutely

 

DON'T DO IT!! I REPEAT DON'T SETTLE FOR A AUTOMATIC NO MATTER WHAT IT SUCKS!!! coming from personal experience get a stick max!!!! no matter what it takes.

its all about controlling the car!

 

dont listen to these fools, 97 is the way to go! fastest out of the gen and just looks down right awesome

 

If you want a stick, then don't settle for less. I got a auto on my last car and hated it, it was a 99 grand am, I liked driving my old 87 Sentra better because it was stick. So now my new car (99 Maxima) I looked and looked until I found exactly what I wanted in manual. Even had to take a train for 10 hours, pick up the car, and drive back for another 6 hours. I love my new (used) car and am glad I didn't settle for an auto.
**disregard my comments if you want an auto in the 1st place, manuals aren't for everyone.

 

something tells me the one on the right hasn't been tested yet. there is no way no it would be in perfect condition...

 

Yeah, get an auto if you feel like it....

 

Dude, you are looking at the most comfortable ride, most reliable ride, and with the 5-speed SE, you will NOT be disappointed!!! (SE 5-spd. owner right here )...GET IT BOY!!

 

IMO, 97-99 look better (at least from the rear)...I never really liked the rear on the 95-96, the reverse/turn lights on top just didn't cut it....

well, unless they were red/clears, then they look much better

 

Well i think that i should try and find a standard then even though they are a lot harder to find i think it would be worth it. If it takes a sec or so off the 0-60 time then it def is. Plus a stick makes pretty much ANY car more fun to drive IMO.

 

So ah is there anything else that i should know or that anyone wants to comment on?

 

find someone with a 97+ to try

 

I have a 95 gxe auto and I love it but I wanna get a 97+ stick in the future. IMO go with the 97+. The design is better both inside and out. There is nothing wrong with getting a 95-96 but if you can get 97+ for between 7 and 8k, GO for it. Maxima's are definetely the way to go!

 

Manuals aren't that hard to find.

This is what I did go to cars.com and do a search. I found 3 Maximas that fit what I want & color, called all 3 dealerships and haggled with them for 2 weeks going back & forth. I live in WI, and the cars were in MN, OH, & TN. Post the VIN# of the car here and see if someone can look up the carfax report for you. If that ends up okay and your happy with the pring call a local mechanic by the car and have them look at it (cost me like $35.00). The one in OH seemed like a better deal so I bought a train ticket for $40 bucks, rode their overnight and drove it home. Well worth the trip and it's always fun taking a road trip and driving home in a new car that is exactly what you wanted

Remember your paying a lot of money and will want to keep the car for a while so it's better to wait to get what you want then rush into a purchase and regret it.

 

It may take a while to find a good 5-speed but if you plan on keeping the car for a while it is definatly worth the time. As others have said expand your search outside your local area.

The speed difference between the different years should be pretty small, I would not let that be a big factor. If you are looking for a 'sports car' you will not be happy with the Maxima *cough*Eric*cough*. But if you want a practical car that happens to very quick for its class and actually competitive with some sports cars then you will be happy with the Maxima. I love My Max.