-VQ~3.0, simply the best V6 available(except the NSX's 3.2L 290 bhp V6)
-"bullet-proof" reliability
-exceptional build quality
-sophisticated & mature(some may say bland) styling
-viscous limited slip differential(SE only)
-easily modified to produce enthusiast levels of performance
-the definition of a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' (unless you factor in the Sentra SE-R, which coined the term)

-paint that can chip from even the lightest rock or road debris
-lack of exclusivity with SE model -- ie, SE should have been the SMX from the start or should have been as 89-94 SE, with 30+hp over other models
-only real diffences(other than asthetics) over other Maximas, are viscous ltd. slip, coils, damping, eurethane bushings, +1 wheels w/+10mm tire section width
-other than the lack of differences amongst the ranks, the Maxima as its own entity, is an exceptional vehicle

I can recall wanting a Maxima SE ever since i first saw a black on black 2nd gen in a movie (Boyz 'n the Hood, i believe). For many the styling is overly bland, but i like the sophisticated, BMW 5-series-esque stance. Then in '95 when Motor Trend pronounced the Maxima import car of the year, it thought I'd look into it( i was 13 at the time) and i imediately wanted one. Why? How about because it was and STILL IS THE FASTEST MAXIMA EVER! That's right, forget about all of the hype of the new, overweight, oversized Max that does 60 in 6.7, how about 60 in 6.6. To add to that, those who believe the new Max handles great, maybe it feels better, (which may be due to the increase in torsional rigidity and lack of chassis flex) i mean i did drive one, but the fact that my Max already had a modified suspension at the time didn't really make it fare, at all! Anyway, driving feel is good, but if that's how one judges handling limits, then go buy an Accord, because, due to the suspension geometry on the 3rd gen Max it doesn't feel as capable as a 4th gen, but the truth is that it can be pushed further and harder(i say hit a race track and race 'em). As they say, the truth is in the numbers- 2000 Max SE: .80 g, 62.0 mph through the slalom
'95 Max SE: .83 g, 65.1 mph through the slalom
'97 Max SE: .83 g, 65.9 mph through the slalom
Note: The numbers for the '97 SE are identical to a '98 Camaro Z/28, which wears 245/50/16 Goodyear GS-Cs
Anyhow, if someone is really serious about performance with their Max, then they can do as i did, which is to add linear rate lowering springs, a Stillen adjustable rear anti-roll bar, 17"x8" wheels(MOMO Sport) with 235/45/17 tires(Yokohama AVS Sport-- see my review on these amazing tires),
Stillen down force generating body kit and then expect to have white knuckle inducing cornering grip, at 300ZX speeds! Or, they can be really insane an go for Cattman Performance Coilovers and opt for spring rates as high as 500 lb/in, as i am planning on doing shortly.
Whatever the case, someone who purchases an SE will be not be disappointed as there is little competition in its price bracket. For many the alternative will be an Acura 3.2TL, and that's a great car, if you're considering a Max GLE, because even with its sport-shift sequential 5-speed, the handling of the TL is, if anything, laughable compared to an SE! So if you want to snooze through the twisties, buy a TL. Or go for a Max SE, perform similar mods as I and then prepare to enter and exit freeway offramps and onramps at twice the posted speed!
As for the Maxima in general and as a whole, it is a poised and so absolutely, thoroughly engineered that there is little to fault(other than the fragile paint, I've driven my car fewer than five times on the highway during the harsh Canadian winters we have up here, and the hood is thoroughly pock marked by highway sand).
On the luxury side, the Maxima has an interior with Merceds fit, finish, and oddly enough look, to it! Strange how that occurred. Anyhow, when equiped as my car, every last option, leather, moonroof etc., the Maxima does nearly become a luxury car, whereas cars like the Camry and Accord can't cut it with their cheap looking dashes and seating.
Also, if one is considering enhancing engine output on a new Maxima, think twice! The 2000 Max gets it extra 32hp from modified exhaust and variable intake. Now, for a true performance oriented person, the first thing to go on a car is the intake and exhaust, as i will be doing shortly with a Place Racing cold air intake, Cattman Y-pipe, Random Tech. Catalytic Con., and Stillen Cat-back exhaust. If someone did all of that to a new Maxima as compared to a 3rd gen, the results of final power output would be identical, but the 3rd gen(my car) would be faster! How? First off, there's nearly 200lbs in weight difference! IN making the new Max larger and quieter, it put on large sum of fat. Now, many of you gearheads may be saying that the revised exhaust lobe on the 2000 Max's cam shaft reduces back pressure by 40%. Well, in the all out performance modifications i am considering, as many others, back pressure is not an issue, in fact, some degree of back pressure is required in order to maintain low end torque, so that would make the modified 3rd gen Max markedly faster than a new Max, not to mentioned an exceptionally better handling car.
Finally, a 2000 Max SuperCharged PPG pace car was created by Stillen, which i was thoroughly impressed with, as the 308hp at the wheels was considerable, but then i found out that, that power was without any Catalytic Converters and the car had a race Y-pipe and straight-though exhaust. Even a '97 Supercharged SMX made 280hp with street legal exhaust. My 3rd gen will easily top 308hp with more torque as well!
When it comes right down to it, if someone is considering a used car, to carry five people in comfort and with a considerable dose of luxury and a thoroughly refined ride and powertrain all the while having the option of cruising at 142mph(that's bone stock, by the way), there is nothing else available for the money, and that's what makes the Maxima a "car like no other".

Similar Products Used:

nothing's quite like a Max SE, although few know of this, and that's how it should be kept

Great V-6 Engine, very powerful! Very nice design (interior & exterior). Elegance for less $30K. Very good stability while turning on the sharp corner. Very smooth steering.

Should have side air bag as stardard (you have to pay $500 for Meridian option to get side airbag).

I paid $23,800 for 2000 Maxima GLE for almost everything on the car, except 6-disc CD changer and Meridian option. I think it is a good deal. Before I purchased this car, I have another car on my mind. Honda Accord Ex-6, which has almost the same equipment plus side airbag. However, Accord seems to me not elegant enough. The interior is good, but compared with Mamixa GLE, it looks and feels too cheap. And it is smaller than Maxima. I spent 10 hours with two cars. When the dealer of Accord turned down my offer of $22,500, I went back to buy Maxima without any hesitation.

It is a wonderful and elegant car. It is very powerful and drives very smooth. The brake is very strong and smooth. Wonderful steoro.

Wonderful car. Only two thousand dollars more than Honda Accord Ex-6. But it is worth that money. You won't be regret when you own this car!!!

Similar Products Used:

The only competetor on my mind for the price below $30K is Honda Accord V-6
Ex

ENGINE IS AWESOME.LEATHER IS TOP QUALITY.BOSE IS GREAT.HANDLING MATCHES THAT OF PRICIER CARS.5 SPEED IS SMOOTH.17" WHEELS LOOK COOL.

NO KEY LOCK ON PASSENGER DOOR.

27500.IF YOU CAN AFFORD A FULLY LOADED SE AND CAN FIND A 5 SPEED YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.AUTOMATICS ARE OK BUT TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE 222 HP BUY THE MANUAL.

Similar Products Used:

98 MAXIMA SE 5 SP.GREAT CAR BUT NOT AS POWERFUL AS 2000.2000 COUGAR V6 5SP NICE CAR BUT DOES NOT COMPARE TO MAXIMA.

Styling, Engine Performance, Roomy Interior, Gas Mileage, Extra Options

The transmission delays shift from first to second. Speedometer

I recently purchased a Nissan Maxima 2000 GXE Super Black with Gray Interior and added the GXE VOP package, Convenience Package, and automatic transmission.

Styling - I personally like this years styling in the rear end. The rounded tail lights give it a new age look, but classy, unlike the bold tail lights found on the new chevy impala. I was skeptical at first, but they grew on me. The interior is rather nice, the silver highlights with a gray interior looks very clean. Nice big buttons on the radio/CD are easy to stab at when driving. The trunk is cavernous, golf bags, luggage, it can take it all.
Engine performance - This car likes to get up and go, which makes it nice when entering a full highway at rush hour. It seems accelerate better in second gear and at mid to high rpms. At 222HP, it is larger than most other V6's.
Roomy Interior - This year, like most prior Maximas have a roomy interior. The front holds large adults very comfortable and the back has more than plenty of room for two adults but you can force in 3rd if needed.
Gas Mileage - My commute is ~30 mi each way, I needed a car that had power AND decent gas mileage. I am currently getting about 25 to 26 mpg. With prices as they are, I wouldn't dream of driving a truck.

The only downfalls I can see might be minor, but here they are anyway.
The automatic transmission delays between first and second gear. It almost goes red-line before it decides to change. I would think this could be tuned/programmed. If you are looking for a sporty sedan this is the beast, however, if you love to drive, get a manual transmission.
Speedometer - My top speed in this car will never be 160 mph. My typical driving will rarely allow me over 75. I would have to drive 90mph to even reach half the speedometer. I wish they would have spread out the speeds from 0 to 100 and put numbers rather than tics.
Color - I wish I knew that super black was so hard to keep clean.

The first dealership that I went to was more concerned about haggling prices than selling me the car. The second dealership was much more cordial, I drove the car, was not sure, he gave me the literature and a business card. Absolutely no pressure. I came back in and drove again and decided this was the car for me. I haggled with Uncle Edmunds.com at my side and proceeded to get the car at invoice. I thought I did well since there was no trade in, no special rates and a low dealer holdback.

For the nearly ~1 month that I have owned the car it has treated me wonderfully.

If you want a sports car with four doors, this might be as close as you get with a great price tag.

Similar Products Used:

Altima - nice, but not enough pep and too small
Cadillac Seville - perfect, but out of my $$$ range

Great road manners, particularly on highway driving. I know styling is a matter of personal preference, but I love the car's looks. Accelleration is strong and smooth, braking and handling is reassuring. I have premium sound package so with my favorite CD in, moonroof rolled back and movin' down the highway at 90 mph, business travel is enjoyable.

Leather seats are luxurious but not supportive. On long trips, seating can get a little uncomfortable. Car needs 91 octane gas so with higher prices, fill-ups are pricey.

I paid $17,300 to buy from a Nissan dealer for the car when it was 3 yrs. old with only 34,000 miles. It was in flawless condition (not one ding, good Michelins) and got the dealer to throw in moonroof visor, pinstripes and mudflaps (they wouldn't go for the rear spoiler). One year and 15,000 miles later, I still get a rush when I saddle up to drive to work. Not one problem...just had the car inspected and it sailed. My mechanic even commented on the solid condition of the car. I would highly recommend a late model used Maxima GLE to anyone looking to buy a luxury/performance sedan for under $20,000. Cars like it.....0!!

Similar Products Used:

I rate it slightly higher than Accord V-6 in comfort and ammenities. I thought Camry v-6 performed better than the Maxima but Camry is dog-ugly and its upholstry and interior can't compare to the Maxima. The only car I can think of that comes close to the performance/price ratio of a Maxima is the Acura 3.2 TL. If you're looking a new Max's, you should check that car out.

This car(even though) its kinda old) has a great engine, especially if you have the 5 speed like I do. The interior is very comfortable even for people who are 6'5" like I am. Good factory Bose stereo.

Hard to put aftermarkets on the stereo. The sony cd player installed by the dealer bit the dust pretty quick, just decided to replace the whole thing.

I recommend this car to anyone especially the new ones with the 222 h/p engine. That will be my next car.

Similar Products Used:

One of my first cars, mostly a SUV and truck person.

Engine provides immediate power at all speeds. Very quiet and smooth.
The steering is very predictable and solid. The brakes work great.
I like the interior as compared to others in class. The clothe seats have
a rich look, and the dash is a little different than competitors. As
expected everything is put together well and the car feels solid in every way. I am impressed with how quite it rides.

After 9 months in the car I have grown bored with the styling and many aspects of the drive. Typical of Most Japanese makes the car lacks much driver feel. The Manual transmission has become a chore as it gives no feed back at all, and contributes little to driver involvement. The fun part is when the foot is on the gas pedal, with the powerful V6, but the steering/clutch/transmission isolate the driver, and detract from the Maxima as a sports sedan. Drive the Passat to see what I mean.
body styling is beautiful from most angles and disturbing from several. It is almost very classy looking, but the rear just doesn't complete the look for me.

Car is a great value. Mine cost $20,300 new with no options. Feels very refined and is very well built and durable.
Would I do it again? Probably do the Passat if I had it over. Concerned about operating costs and reliability, but it feels better/sportier than the Maxima. Although I would miss the great engine in the Max.
If you care more about reliablitly/durability/balance Japanese is the way to go, and the Maxima is the best they offer.

Similar Products Used:

prelude, accord, camry, passat.

The engin is a piece of work, quite smooth and responcive

The clutch is terrible!
Nissan needs to pay more attention to luxury detail
The auto climate control doesn't monitor cabin temp

I paid a little over $23 for this car so I got a great deal but I have some grips. First of all my clutch has a squeaking sound from day one and lately I'm experiencing some grabbing and slipping from the clutch. When I brought this up to the dealership after 1K miles I was told it is a known problem and the problem would go away after a 5K miles. I was told a break in period! It's only gotten worse and I've complained to 2 separate Nissan stores about it to no help. I called Nissan customer service and they basically told me to go screw myself. I told the rep that the service manager said nothing was wrong and that it was a normal characteristic of the manual but the customer rep didn't know of anything like that. I have the car on lease that ends this Sept, Thank God! I DON'T plan on getting a new Maxima, Nissan needs to learn to take care of it's owners!

Other than the clutch no other major grips but gas mileage isn't great. About 19 in city and respectable 25 on the highway. The cupholders are WAY too small to be helpful so 64oz drinkers need not apply. The auto climate control doesn't keep the temp stable. Either it's too hot or to cold, most times I run it in manual mode.

If you have the auto the car would be a great and perfect road car. Perhaps the newer model has fixed these things but I still don't think that the luxury is as posh but for the money it is!

Similar Products Used:

None in this class

Everything!!!
My husband and I leased this car in 97. We loved it so much that we bought out the lease in 98. We have had absolutely no problems with this car. I love the velour seating, very comfortable. Very fast! (automatic) Sunroof is terrific. Love the white gauges. Very sporty to drive. Good gas mileage. Lots of storag in trunk.

Our Maxima is white and the bumpers seem to be a different color from the body. With a car seat in the back (rear facing) there is not much hip room for the other passengers.

New in 97 about $22K.
I would highly recommend this car!! I have had no regrets. It is a great combination of sport, luxury and reliability.

Similar Products Used:

Altima - terrific car too, not as sporty, good gas mileage, one sensor went bad and was fixed under warranty
240 SX - ride is more firm, only problem was the antenna worked loose and rattled
Camry - I didn't think the finish was as good but just as reliable.
Yukon - Don't get me started on this one. I knew the service guy personally.

Smooth,but powereful engine,interior styling,comfort and room. Great wheels on the SE

Sloppy Shifter long throw shifter, paint too thin as in all Japanese imports - hood has alot of chips after 2 1/2 years.

After I was rear-ended on a major interstate, totaling out my Acura, I needed a new car fast. I looked the Honda Accord,which like most other Import Sedans (BMW exluded)does not come with a V6 - 5 speed combo.I bought a black Max SE (5 speed, leather, sun room, Boze, climate control) off the show room floor for under 23,500 out the door. After owning muscle cars when younger I am extermely happy with the performance (both engine and handling) of this car. I invested a few bucks in upgrading to the Stillen short throw shifter and putting on a K&N intake from Stillen which were both great performance investments. The growl alone under fast excelleration makes this car really fun to drive. Although I am not a kid anymore ( 46 yrs old) these few improvement really boost the fun in driving an already fun to drive car. I am contemplating investing in sway bars to beef up the suspension abit. The only problem I had, while these engines have an excellent reliability reputation, Igot one where the rings were put on wrong on one cylinder and had to be fixed. The service manager at my dealership is a friend and took care of it (no cost to me) and said this was a first and that i had nothing more to worry about. Since the repair the symptoms of oil usage are gone.I contemplated buying a BMW 328, but the size, performanceand sticker price could not justify a change.

Similar Products Used:

1993 Acura Integra GT which was much smaller with far less power.