Rep Power: 774

So my Legend finally died 410k (headgasket) and im not in the mood to go get it fixed right now. I have always loved the maximas, what you guys think?is it worth buying? I got my eye on one.

 
Rep Power: 854

I love my 03 Altima, and the Maxima has the 3.5 V6, lots of power, should be a really nice car.

 
Rep Power: 693

anyone know how it is on gas? 3.5 sounds like a killer with todays gas $

 
Rep Power: 738

the newer one should be more efficent with the cvt tranny

 
Rep Power: 0

DO NOT GO WITH A NISSAN, boys my dad bought a 04 altima brand new that year, he commutes in it, did oil changes every 5 k, transmisson fluid every 60-80k takes very well care of it, well last year his motor blew (piston rod went through teh cylinder wall). well he ended up getting a new motor in it with around 40k, and just today his tranny went, so with all the money hes put into this car he couldv got a new city golf or jetta by now, altima's and maxima's are known for being great cars and ppl can vouch for that, but my fathers done nothing but baby this thing and look what has happened to him....i travel around ontario alot for my job and i see alot of maxima's and altima's on the back of tow trucks and just look and shake my head saying to myself "wow another one"......i am very dissapointed with this car and i STRONGLY suggest u dont purchase that maxima...acually two days ago i saw a newer maxima getting pulled up the bed of a tow truck.....again mayb we just got bad luck its up to you in the end, just trying to save u a load of cash man

 
Rep Power: 774

The fact that you're suggesting that he could have bought a volkswagen, made in mexico...Pretty much sums up your lack of credibility when saying anything automotive-related. Moreover, unless your dad's altima was a 3.5, your comparison of it to the maxima is pointless.
Not only that, but there is nothing whatsoever wrong with the 3.5. Let's recap what uses that motor...Maxima, 3.5 Altima, FX35, Murano, G35, 350Z...Am I missing anything? Fact of the matter is, the demographic that will typically buy Maxima's are people who want a "luxury" car but are scraping at pennies to buy the car - Those type of people will more often than not, neglect the car. PS my parents happen to have an 03 Maxima..VQ35, no problems at all. Gee, must be one in a million.

 
Rep Power: 0

when i suggested the city jetta, it was for the commute u ****in goof, dont give a where its made, great car for the commute and the price, and yes we dont have hte 3.5 altima we have the 2.5, again agreed completely different motors and 6 cylinders are much more reliable then 4, plain and simple there just built better, so before you act like a smartass, face of the matter is, it shouldnt have happened at all and everyone here will tell u the same thing, moron, try givin some support here instead of replying like an idiot........btw there are a ton of 3.5's being hauled off the road because they've been broken down, shouldnt happen, especially with nissan

 
Rep Power: 774

I don't give a . I'd rather drive a smart car than one of those wetback assembled pieces of . Volkswagens are nightmares in every imagineable way.

And...again, I don't give a . Who knows what your dad did to the car? Everybody who blows their motor has a sob story, then the real story. Perhaps a neglected oil leak? Who knows...Regardless, it *shouldn't* have happened and ISN'T happening to the majority of them out there. There are flukes, but the majority of problems are due to ownership. End of story. Everyone WON'T tell me the same thing - Anybody who's worked at a shop on this forum sees it every single day of their lives. This has nothing to do with "giving support" - The fact of the matter is, the Maxima is just fine and just because your dad's 2.5(I have to stress this..since the motor is different, as is the transmission) Altima blew up for reasons unknown, it doesn't have any bearing on any other Nissan components.

Tons of 3.5's? Oh really...Yet you suggested a high maintenance VW for a daily? Right. Let's get a few things straight...The VQ35 is a VERY sound motor and having worked on a number of them, I can say that from personal experience. What about all those Civics I see being towed? And Corollas? Obviously, Honda and Toyota are absolute junk now just because of that. Owner neglect - Whether you'd like to accept it or not, that is the most common cause for problems, especially in newer cars unless it's something of the recall nature, which is a different story altogether.

 
Rep Power: 0

owner neglect eh, i'm pretty sure if its a daily commuter going from barrie to toronto basically right off the 400, not seeing any stop and go, at 160K car should be absolutally fine there champ with the regular maintence, like i said completely different motors and the 3.5 is definitally much more mechanically sound then the 2.5, but i'v seen those 3.5s off to the side of the road silly, nissan builds their cars like , and if it happened to i guaranteed u'd b absolutally pissed off too, i dont care who u are, what u'v worked on man, or what ur mommy and daddy drives, the motor literally blew up accelerating while going on an onramp, if it happened to you trust me man i'd b feelin for ya and ur sittin their talking smack, i dont care if this guy buys the maxima i'm just saying dont let it be his only option........mayb i came across the wrong way and i appologize for that but we my father didnt neglect the car or ignore a funny sound or what not..........he doesnt drive like an idiot or anything like that.......as i stated earlier many ppl can vouch for the reliablity of a nissan and thats why we first bought it, but we cant help but be disapointed

 
Rep Power: 774

Regular maintenance can mean alot of different things...and 160k in what, 4 years? 40k per year is pretty noteable, and I'm sure some of it would be hard driving...Not to say the motor should blow at that time either way, but I'm sure there was a reason for it, whether it be low oil or a failed oil pump...Who knows.
I've blown many motors, some from hard driving, others just for no apparent reason - I don't expect sympathy. Cars are a constant expense, it's life.
And of course there are other options: But to say that the Maxima is a bad option, in my opinion, is a pretty unbased claim. It's a good car for what it is...
And there's alot more to proper maintenance than just taking it into mr. lube or wherever for oil changes and whatnot...and alot of problems don't give advance warning with noises - Ones audible in the cabin, at least
Of course buying a newer car you might be disappointed, but who's to say the same thing wouldn't have happened with another car? You'll always have incidents where a brand new car ****s off and dies 100 miles off the lot..From, hondas to bmw's to volvo's...it doesn't matter what make, it happens. There is always going to be some bad apples and it's not just Nissan, let alone the 3.5

 
Rep Power: 0

he blew the motor the second year into it so maybe around beginning of 06?, he was defnially putting around 80k/yr on it i beleive, we've had this motor for awhile now(2nd) and probably has around 100k on it now, but we've had alot of exhaust manifold problems and i believe now 3 exhaust leaks, its just annoying, 3.5 is the better motor tho for sure, put go stick, i much rather replace a clutch then replace a ****in tranny

 
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*but go stick

 
Rep Power: 738

anyone that knows cars knows the vq35 is one of the top 10 best motors
maxima in general is a great sporty car

yes the early 03 3.5s had a oil pan issue and i know a numerous units
were involved but also covered by warranty

apart that it a very well made motor and can last well over 500 000+ km

 
Rep Power: 696

Don't buy a Nissan unless you get extended warranty. In 2.5 years I've had what would amount to ~$14000 in work done which luckily has been covered by warranty

 
Rep Power: 774

, after crunching some numbers i finally picked up a 04 copper orange maxima 6 speed.