is the 2002 maxima a good buy?

Green Machine 95 · #1 03-04-2005, 02:05 AM

I currently drive a 95' Olds Aurora. I love this car very much, I hate to love it. Everything about is amazes me, including the repairs....

I deliver pizza and driving a luxury v8 car for a pizza job is not a smart idea I guess...

I was looking at Hondas, Fords, Toyotas, and found some nice cars, but I always like the Maxima's. I know there fast, but I wanna know if they are reliable. I want to spend about 14k-17k and hope to find a nice 2002 maxima.

I also am intrested in the 2001...if its basically the same as the 02. I know the 02 has a little bit more power.

2 of my friends owned maximas. There the 90-94 models though.

I hate to give up my Aurora to any other car, but I guess if I can find a nice Maxima I might be happy.

Thanks

BP2K2Max · #2 03-04-2005, 12:23 PM

my 95 was sold at 167,000 miles to buy my 2k2, and was still running well. my friend had a 94 that ran all the way to 255,000 miles before the timing chain snapped and did damage to his valves. i also have a buddy who works at the local oil change express who says he sees all kinds of nissans come in there that are runnign strong, no engine knock or valve tap, and no oil being burned. I've had this maxima for almost 3 years and i haven't really put much money into repair work.

Green Machine 95 · #3 03-04-2005, 02:33 PM

is there anyway I can get an 03 with a sun roof without the BOSE sound system. I have Bose in my aurora and I want an aftermarket sound system, but changing the bose is very expensive...

BP2K2Max · #4 03-04-2005, 03:07 PM

i'm pretty sure you can get one with a sunroof and no bose. and i agree, i have the bose system and i don't like it. i needed a line output convertor for the subs and there is also a known problem with our head units(bose only) where the left speaker channel cuts out intermittently. the nice thing about is that there is a 6 disc in dash cd changer.

turk66460 · #5 03-04-2005, 06:57 PM

Nissan Maxima's are great cars, take care of the car and it will take care of you. I would recomend you getting a Nissan. I recomended few of my friends to get a Maxima, they got one and they are happy with the performance and very low Maintance.

Green Machine 95 · #6 03-04-2005, 08:30 PM

hmmm....turns out I can only spend up to 9k on a maxima, so I will probably look for a 95-99

what type of milage should I look for in the car? What should I look for period? Thanks

Also, if the BOSE system is in some 95-99 models, what models are they in?

I think I am going to look for an SE/GLE

VQmax95 · #7 03-05-2005, 12:54 AM

maxima>aurora
I'd take the Max over that Land Barge anyday. a heavy fwd V8 over a light(er) v6...hmmm...I've taken many an Aurora in mine. You won't be dissapointed.

Green Machine 95 · #8 03-05-2005, 02:02 AM

Im not here to discuss which car is better. I love both, for different reasons. My Aurora had the Authobahn pkg. It had a little more pep to it.

BP2K2Max · #9 03-05-2005, 11:47 AM

the GLE maxima's only come in automatic and the GXE models are governed at 130 mph or so, so imo your best bet is to look for an SE, unless you don't mind an auto tranny. SE's have a little stiffer suspension since it's the sport model, GLE's are the luxo model's.

i think bose is an option in all models so you'll just have to ask if the car has it or not, there's no set model with bose i dont' think.
for $9K i'd say you could find between a 95-98 Maxima well equipped and in good shape. blue book on a perfect condition 95 is $6800 private party. i bought my 95 with 98K miles on it for $8500 in 2000-01.

Green Machine 95 · #10 03-05-2005, 12:26 PM

Im looking to spend 7k-8k now heh....

how many miles is too high? what should I aim for

BP2K2Max · #11 03-05-2005, 12:54 PM

the lower the mileage the higher you should expect to pay. i'd say anything around 75K-100Kmiles is good for that price. i'd try to stay under 120K miles or so.

VQmax95 · #12 03-06-2005, 08:16 PM

I got my 95 SE with 42000 miles for about 8. Yeah, it might be a bit old age wise, but the engine was still almost a baby. Look around, Take your time. Don't settle on something just becasue you think you want it. Oh yeah, I wasn't trying to discuss which car was better...but sometimes opinions from owners are a good thing to have.

Green Machine 95 · #13 03-06-2005, 11:58 PM

I just wish I never got the Aurora, I fell in love with it. I am excited about getting another car, maxima, or camry, whatever is the best deal at the time I guess.

I always thought the (97-01)v6 camry wasnt as powerful as the (95-99) max, but numbers are just a tad bit better. I guess what it comes down to is if I want the best reliable car, I should get a 4cyl camry, but I want a v6.

BP2K2Max · #14 03-07-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Machine 95

I just wish I never got the Aurora, I fell in love with it. I am excited about getting another car, maxima, or camry, whatever is the best deal at the time I guess.

I always thought the (97-01)v6 camry wasnt as powerful as the (95-99) max, but numbers are just a tad bit better. I guess what it comes down to is if I want the best reliable car, I should get a 4cyl camry, but I want a v6.

the hp number is better on the camry but the weight of the camry is about 300 lbs more than the maxima. my friend has a v6 camry, the maxima eats it.

sbddude · #15 03-07-2005, 02:09 PM

I think the GLE comes with BOSE stock. I have a fully loaded '95 SE and i think the bose sounds great. You'll really love the maxima. If you like it, i really reccomend getting a 5 speed. As for the year, are you still spending 17K? If so i would suggest you spring for the 2002. 95-99 are all the same except for minor exterior changes, then in 2000 it got a new body style. In 2002, the engine was upgraded to 3.5L from 3.0 giving a significant HP boost. anyway, good luck with your search.

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