1998 Maxima 28k-PROBLEMS Need advice

I just purchased a 1998 Maxima from a reputable Honda dealer, they took in trade. The car is in perfect shape and looks and drives like it just came off the showroom floor. But when I went for a test drive I noticed the car took some time before it started for me. It just seemed to cycle and cycle and then finally started and ran fine. Mind you it is fairly coldhere in N.E., but it should not take that long to start right? Problem I face is the car is already showing some minor problems and I have not even picked it up yet, and this Honda dealer seems ill equipped to diagnose this problem effectively. They think it is a fuel regulator;but from all that I am reading this could be a O2 sensor or knock sensor or something related to this. I guess I am having second thoughts on this car since it is having these problems, I am used to Hondas which VERY rarely have petty problems like this. Can anyone give some advice, should I stay away from this year Maxima? Is this a bad vintage? I want to have the car for well over 100K with minimal maintenance outside of normal wear and tear items. After reading the amount of people that have the same problems with their O2 and Knock sensors and fuel injectors, MAF etc. I am hesitant to complete this deal. Let me know what you guys think! Let me know if I am making something too big out of an easy fix. THX!



P.S. the hood hydraulics don't work well either. @ 28k!!!???

[QUOTE=skids929]I just purchased a 1998 Maxima from a reputable Honda dealer, they took in trade. The car is in perfect shape and looks and drives like it just came off the showroom floor. But when I went for a test drive I noticed the car took some time before it started for me. It just seemed to cycle and cycle and then finally started and ran fine. Mind you it is fairly coldhere in N.E., but it should not take that long to start right? Problem I face is the car is already showing some minor problems and I have not even picked it up yet, and this Honda dealer seems ill equipped to diagnose this problem effectively. They think it is a fuel regulator;but from all that I am reading this could be a O2 sensor or knock sensor or something related to this. I guess I am having second thoughts on this car since it is having these problems, I am used to Hondas which VERY rarely have petty problems like this. Can anyone give some advice, should I stay away from this year Maxima? Is this a bad vintage? I want to have the car for well over 100K with minimal maintenance outside of normal wear and tear items. After reading the amount of people that have the same problems with their O2 and Knock sensors and fuel injectors, MAF etc. I am hesitant to complete this deal. Let me know what you guys think! Let me know if I am making something too big out of an easy fix. THX!


hello. as far as for the '98 maxima ur looking into, keep in mind that from 1995-2001 everything in the engine bay is the same - atleast engine wise.

my 5spd 2001 now has 29k going close 30k miles on it and it still runs quiet and smooth like the first day i got it. like you noted, a '98 at 28k miles sounds swell. it would be very well worth it to look into the problem with nissan first instead of honda...how much more would they know about nissans? i'd be careful if it's really the O2 or knock problems because if it's easy/worth to fix or just some other minor, fixable problem, no one can beat the quality of nissan's V6 so look into it with nissan just to make sure.

this might be helpful:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=152673

Its the Knock sensor I had the same thing happen to me as soon as the cold weather started.Any how I would not pass up a chance to own a fourth gen because of sensor problem.Have the dealer replace it before you buy.Oh and have fun!

"When driving your Maxima hard, fear should not be an option"

Thanks guys! I really appreciate you taking the time to give some advice. At this point they are replacing the Fuel regulator. If this does not fix it the car will be headed to a Nissan Dealer.

I don't think you should have bought the car on they fixed the problem or gave you a bigger cut on the price. I had a 97 and it still ran great at 30k miles.

If I am understanding you correclty the car doesn't start right away when the engine is cold ?
what about of the engine is warm (i.e. drove to the store and started the car 1 hour later). Either way it wouldn't have anything to do with the knock or O2 sensor.

More than likely it is either:
-a vacuum leak, or
-a faulty coolant temp sensor

The car just cycles a little too long during both cold and warm starts. There are no check engine lights on at the moment. It sounds like it would be a crank position sensor, these are the symptoms when this goes. But who knows, it could be a number of things. Hopefully whatever it is is not too serious or expensive.