YACT: Nissan Maxima owners

[jtusa]

Looking to get a used car, something older 96ish, sedan, with good gas mileage. I figure if I get a car that gets 25-30+ mpg highway it'll half pay for itself in gas savings alone(I currently have a fullsize pickup as an everyday driver). Anyways, the Maxima has caught my eye, it's a slick looking car(I think so anyways) and not a super compact(I like my space). So, Maxima owners(or former owners), tell me your experiences? Satisfied with it?

Any others throw some suggestions at me for a car with the above specs.

 

[trmiv]

I'm happy with my Maxima. I have a 2002 SE, it's been a great car. Big enough to carry a ton of stuff in the trunk, but has great perfomance. Gets pretty good gas mileage for a car with the performance that it has.

 

[Balt]

I have a '97 SE, and yes I wub it. It's reliable, gets good highway gas mileage, has good acceleration, etc.

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: Balt
I have a '97 SE, and yes I wub it. It's reliable, gets good highway gas mileage, has good acceleration, etc.

What kind of gas mileage? GLE? GXE?

 

[Aimster]

21/28 for a 95-99 Maxima. 400Miles per tank is the average. Some have gotten 500.

This is for automatic. GXE/GLE/SE make no difference. Don't get a GXE. get a GLE/SE. I prefer SE. They are the same engine.
GLE = heated seats, leather, sunroof, automatic climate control (no spoiler, no fogs, chrome door handles, no white gauges)
SE = GXE with spoiler/16" wheels/fog lights/white gauges/sport suspension. You can also get GLE options on an SE. (no chrome door handles)
GXE = stock.

get a 1997.

 

[Turkish]

Maxima is a really nice sedan :thumbsup: It has one of the most spacious interiors IIRC.

 

[GoingUp]

just PM skoorb

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I have a 2001 Max SE w/5-speed, and my dad has a '96 Max GLE. Both have been quite reliable, other than a transmission problem Dad's car had - the tranny was replaced under warranty. My car has had no problems whatsoever in 43K miles. I am pretty finicky about cars, but have little to complain about (other than the crappy stock Bridgestone Potenza RE92s) - my Max is quick, handles reasonably well, and is very spacious and comfy.

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: Aimster
21/28 for a 95-99 Maxima. 400Miles per tank is the average. Some have gotten 500.

This is for automatic. GXE/GLE/SE make no difference. Don't get a GXE. get a GLE/SE. I prefer SE. They are the same engine.
GLE = heated seats, leather, sunroof, automatic climate control (no spoiler, no fogs, chrome door handles, no white gauges)
SE = GXE with spoiler/16" wheels/fog lights/white gauges/sport suspension. You can also get GLE options on an SE. (no chrome door handles)
GXE = stock.

get a 1997.

Thanks for the info, was just looking for a basic breakdown of the differences between them.

Why a '97?

 

[yobarman]

I :heart: my 95 Maxima. She's so fast and I don't treat her right on the road, but I can't help it.

Its so many steps up from my 1990 Lumina its not even funny.

 

[FearoftheNight]

yea my '95 maxima still holdin out

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: Aimster
21/28 for a 95-99 Maxima. 400Miles per tank is the average. Some have gotten 500.

This is for automatic. GXE/GLE/SE make no difference. Don't get a GXE. get a GLE/SE. I prefer SE. They are the same engine.
GLE = heated seats, leather, sunroof, automatic climate control (no spoiler, no fogs, chrome door handles, no white gauges)
SE = GXE with spoiler/16" wheels/fog lights/white gauges/sport suspension. You can also get GLE options on an SE. (no chrome door handles)
GXE = stock.

get a 1997.

Thanks for the info, was just looking for a basic breakdown of the differences between them.

Why a '97?

safer (different bumpers), different tailights, better steering wheel IMO, different in-dash radio unit, different wheels (better IMO), better cup holders.

Check out www.maxima.org

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: Aimster

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: Aimster
21/28 for a 95-99 Maxima. 400Miles per tank is the average. Some have gotten 500.

This is for automatic. GXE/GLE/SE make no difference. Don't get a GXE. get a GLE/SE. I prefer SE. They are the same engine.
GLE = heated seats, leather, sunroof, automatic climate control (no spoiler, no fogs, chrome door handles, no white gauges)
SE = GXE with spoiler/16" wheels/fog lights/white gauges/sport suspension. You can also get GLE options on an SE. (no chrome door handles)
GXE = stock.

get a 1997.

Thanks for the info, was just looking for a basic breakdown of the differences between them.

Why a '97?

safer (different bumpers), different tailights, better steering wheel IMO, different in-dash radio unit, different wheels (better IMO), better cup holders.

Check out www.maxima.org

Sweet, thanks for info.

 

[bolido2000]

I have a 96 Maxima 5-speed.
The car is very comfortable and it has been reliable. Acceleration is good and handling is decent considering its age. I get around 22-23MPG in mixed driving and around 28mpg in 80% highway.
97-99 Maximas have much better crash rating scores than 95-96, and Nissan probably fixed some bugs in the car (Check the TSB).

 

[Mik3y]

i used to hate nissan until my sis got one. its so fast and powerful and reliable. now, i wub it! :heart:

 

[luvya]

One thing I don't like the 96 maxima is the steering feel. It's way too light and doesn't provide enough road feel, other than that, it's a pretty decent sedan.

 

[Gooberlx2]

2001 SE 20th Anniv Ed.
I love it, it'a a fantastic autmobile. I wish it got better gas mileage, but I really can't complain 'cause it's actually a little better than my last/first car (1994 Ford Taurus). I'll get something like 20 city/27-28 highway. City is actually a bit lower now since I now live in a downtown-ish area and there's LOTS of stops and goes.

....my Taurus was actually a very awesome car.....mostly because the original owner put in an aftermarket suspension and lowered it a bit, so it could corner like a SOB (compared to regular Taurii) and had a nicely stiff ride/feel, no loosey-goosey BS. The other plus was that it was a taurus, so no one ever bothered it and I didn't really care when I fvcked up the front bumper. Had to replace the tranny once, but that was the only problem the car ever had (aside from usual brake stuff that'll happen anyway after 90,000 miles)

 

[ThePresence]

I have a 2000 SE. I love it!

 

[bootymac]

My brother has a 5 speed 1996 SE... let's just say, with the current gas prices, he ends up taking the bus more.

 

[Cooljt1]

i got a 97 se last year and have started adding mods. here are pictures of my maxima

 

[DainBramaged]

I have a '93 SE 5 speed and I love the car. So far it has been extremely reliable not to mention that fact that it is pretty quick. I would highly recommend a Maxima.

 

[faenix]

Maxima's are built ford tough.

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: faenix
Maxima's are built ford tough.

lol. Well seeing as how everyone here who has a Maxima loves it, it just might be the way to go for me.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Parents have a '98 SE. Hate the dang thing.

Yes the engine is great.

Interior fit/finish is terrible, not even close to being on par with the '88 Honda I used to have. The control stalks have a vague, undefined feel with no prominant detents for the turn signal. The shift lever for the automatic sticks and creaks when you move it. Basically, it feels like Nissan really, really, really cheaped out on the interior. And don't get me started on the A/C, which doesn't work worth sh!t.

The engine's great. Transmission (automatic) is acceptable. Handling is somewhat above average for a FWD car, but the Maxima is really too big to handle well. It's kind of a barge.

ZV

 

[virtueixi]

I've been in a 2003 maxima. Awesome interior and looks sharp, what more can you ask for? Xenons rock if you consider the late models.