Outstanding V6 engine. Has the power of a V8, but the fuel consumption comparable the the Honda's VTEC (4-cyl.) used on the Prelude. This car is well assembled. The interior looks classy and no cheap plastics (especially not the plastics used on those weak GM cars). Top notch 200-watt Bose stereo system. Great acceleration, handling, tight tuning radius, and very fun to drive. Ultimate highway cruiser, thanks to the suspension. Excellent reliability record. It nice to see that not all cars made by the Japanese are the type of cars that a Chinese or Cuban spy would love. The design (like the Lexus' GS) is something that you either love or hate. I happen to belong to the former group. Unlike the preceeding generation of Max's, this incarnation is a dye-in-the-wool sports sedan.

none. Well, there are some weaknesses, but finding those would be personal nit-picking.

price paid?: (orginal price $27k. price I paid for mine: $23.5k, thanks to a discount I got from my job.)
would I recommend it?: Hell yeah I would. I would definitely recommend the Max. over the Accord and Camry. Both are very reliable cars, but too vanilla for my taste. If I was 40 years older (i'm 28), then maybe I would consider those two.
Anyway, if you're looking for a ride that gives you the most bang for your buck, then be sure you put the Max. (any trim would do) on your shopping list. You won't regret it. I certainly didn't.

Similar Products Used:

Lincoln LS (V6): engine not quite as powerful as the Max., reliabilty is unproven, not quite the bargain as the Max.
Honda Prelude : very fun to drive, but do not have as much room for the tall driver, like myself (6'3"). Not very well-equipped for the price.
300M : not as fun to drive as the Max. Unproven reliabilty. Too many quality problems (but then again, this is Crystler (sp?)we're talking about here.
BMW 328: handling is slightly better than the Max., but it doesn't justify paying the $36-40K for one. Acceleration is about the same as the Max. Not as reliable as the Max. Also, unlike the Bimmer, the Max. has a real backseat.

The engine is as smooth as velvet. It has plenty of power and really comes on cam at about 3500 rpm.
For a base model, the GXE is really nicely equipped.
The car is quiet and the ride is smooth yet fun in the twisties.
The Maxima has style. It is not another jelly bean mid size sedan.
There is plenty of room and the trunk is good sized and expandable with fold down rear seats.
It is a blast to drive.

The power mirror controls are on the left side in an awkward location.
The five speed is not as smooth as my last Miata.
I would like to see the armrest adjuster be available on the GXE.
The SE tires and wheels should be an option on the GXE

The Maxima is a comfortable, smooth riding, luxurious midsize sedan that has a world class engine, a sporty suspension system, and styling panache. The Maxima is for people who need the room and comfort of a sedan yet who really love to drive. I have a 1999 Corvette that is a hoot to drive, but when I need a sedan, I am happy to get behind the wheel of my wife's Maxima and to let that little three liter engine sing. This is the only front wheel drive four door sedan that I have ever driven that in my mind qualifies as a sports sedan. My wife tells me that she is so glad that she didn't buy some suv lumbering hulk. Maxima's are fun to drive, and fun is good. Skip the suv's, pass up the Accords and Camrys and buy yourself a Maxima. My only caveat is that stay away from the automatic, and if you want to spend a little more, get the SE model.

Similar Products Used:

Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Mazda 626

Great V-6! The engine really moves this car effortlessly. The new styling for 2000 is very unique, especially the rear end and tail lights. Extremely comfortable on long trips.

Sometimes has trouble downshifting as you are accelerating. Rear defroster wires don't come down far enough on rear windshield, so the bottom 4 inches of window don't get defrosted.

I had driven a 1996 Maxima before this one. It was the most reliable car I ever owned. I test drove a number of cars this time, including the Camry, Volvo S70, and the Saab 9-3.
When it was all said and done, the new Maxima easily won out, with it's combination of roominess, styling, reliability, and easily the best engine of all the cars I tested. This is the best value in its class. I payed approximately high $26,000 range for a fully loaded, top of the line GLE, including leather, heated seats, heated side view mirrors, splash guards, traction control, wind deflector, sun roof,...you name it, its got it.

Similar Products Used:

1996 Maxima GLE

The motor is a technical achievement
Plenty of interior room (front and back)
Buttons and switches are easy to use
Very quiet, great for road trips
Good value

Fender gap, I have the 16" wheels and the fender gap seems very noticable.
The "auto" headlights don't turn on unless it is very dark outside.
I would prefer a variable fan switch rather than the 4 position switch (very nit picky)

I paid just under $23K out the door for a SE, 5-speed with little more extras than the floor mats and mud guards. I liked the automatic climate control, but was in a package. Only thing that I didn't get and wished that i did was a sun roof, another package deal. After my purchase, I told a friend of ours, who was looking at the Accord, to just take a look at the Maxima. She now owns a 2000 GLE and loves it. I guess Nissan has the local Colorado Honda dealers to thank for my Nissan purchase.

Similar Products Used:

I had my mind set on an Accord V6, the dealers turned me off, so I set out to drive every midsized sedan under $30K. The Daewoo was nice, but needed more power. The Camry made me feel 50 years old, the Audi and BMW were nice. The Taurus was very unimpressive, and wouldn't buy a GM unless they gave it to me. So when I went to Nissan, I was about to give up and settle on the underpowered Daewoo. One test drive with SE, 5-speed and I was hooked.

Styling, comfort and performance in 1 package. Best value in a HUGE segment.

A bit tight under the wheel. My wife is short and I'm tall, so some compromises are necessary

Paid 21800 after trade. Poor salesman hated my dealing tactics, but I got a great price on a great car. Know your figures before you buy. The GLE comes complete and wants for nothing else. I'm very happy with this purchase

Similar Products Used:

2000 Avalon, Camry, Volvo S40,S70, Dodge Intrepid, Ford taurus, Audi A4

Strong, smooth, bullet-proof engine: tight, firm European ride and handling; responsive steering; big trunk; spacious rear seating; ergonomic controls, and good headlight optics.

Ho-hum styling; notchy automatic transmission shifting; cheap Toyo tires, and oil filter difficult to access,

Took advantage of a generous factory rebate of $2500 plus dealer was anxious to unload the last of his 1999 Maximas.
Nissan continues to de-content the Maxima in hidden areas such as fender liners and wiring harness assemblies in order to give the customer more interior room and a world class engine. You still get more for your money with the Maxima than you do with a V6 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Just don't look real close under the hood or in other out-of-sight areas. Attention to detail and material quality are lacking on the Maxima in areas you can't see.

Similar Products Used:

1990 Maxima SE, 1985 Honda Accord SEi

-The Interior design.
-The Smooth Silky engine.
-The Styling.
-The One touch moonroof.
-I love this car!!!!

No( But it could use steering wheel radio controls and a Manumatic transmission)

Out of all the cars in the crowded Midsized family sedan market I'd choose the Maxima over any of them anyday. I love everything about this car. I first started out looking for a base GXE with the Comfort and Convenience pkg., sunroof and deluxe pkg(Median Edition), and ended up looking at SEs loaded up. If you are looking for a Midsized car I would strongly advise you to check out the Maxima.
Any model(GXE, SE, or GLE) would fit me.

Similar Products Used:

-2000 Honda Accord EXV-6
-2000 Volkswagen Passat GLX
-2000 Mitsubishi Galant LS or GTZ

Silky engine...lots of go. I have the five speed and the first time I drove this thing, my eyes went wide.
In 62,000 miles I have changed the oil and purchased new tires and that's IT. Still have 40% wear left on my brakes.
This is my second Nissan product and in more than 100-thousand miles, not one thing has gone wrong. I never had to return either car to the dealer for a manufacturer's flaw. Awesome Bose Sound system. The car does 125mph in 4th gear...downshifts smoothly into 3rd at 85. Have not pressed it in 5th. Feels like a big beemer...just a tad less nimble.

Zip. Zero. Perhaps a little more feel in the handling, but even on tight roads, this car rocks. My other car is a Porsche 911 and this thing keeps up. It is also more comfortable

Paid...get this...21,500 LOADED OUT in 1996.
Yeah. I recommend this car. It is the best vehicle I have ever owned, hands down.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 325, Mercedes 190, Porsche 911

For around $25K, you get a car worth $35K! I've run over 80k miles on my DARK blue SE, and I've not had a single problem with my car. I had a rear end collision that cost $10K to fix, but that's it and it's still going strong. This a car that goes 0-60 in under 7 seconds, this is a car that hold 5 adults comfortably, this is a car that is so quiet and smooth on long trips, this is a car that gets 24 MPG all around. I'm waiting for Nissan to offer the new Maxima in DARK blue so I can trade mine in. Otherwise, I may keep this car till it's over 200,000 miles!

I too have experienced some dash rattle, but mostly after the collison. The clutch is weak on this model. Most people change them around 50K miles, but since have more highway miles there's no need yet. The seats are too plain and lack a sporty feel. Other than that, I think everyone should give Maxima a shot no matter what kind of car you thought you wanted. You will love this car.

I kept my options simple: anti-lock brakes & sunroof. No convenience package, Bose system, and sticky leather. The car was only $200 over cost, around $24,500 "out the door!"

I love my car, I'll buy a new Maxima when I'm paid off, and I recommend this car to almost anyone. Unless you have too many children to cart around. :-)

Similar Products Used:

Honda Accord, Volvo S70, & Toyota Camry. The Honda is just too noisy with its double wishbone suspension. The Volvo is too expensive and rigid. The Camry is so bland looking. Granted they're all great cars to own, but i like the fact that I own a quick, smooth riding, economical, and spiffy looking car! Ha! Ha!

Powerful, smooth, quiet engine
Quiet interior
ABS Brakes
Excellent build quality

No real weaknesses so far. Maybe the tilt steering could go up a little more (I'm being picky).

None so far

I purchased my 2000 Nissan Maxima SE after trading in my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix due to sever quality control issues.

I have been driving the Maxima since January 7th and have found the vehicle to be outstanding in all respects. Subjective styling issues aside (i.e. tail light design issues), this vehicle is a lot of car for the money and is more car for the money compared to its primary competitors (Accord/Camry/Passat).

I have been very impressed with the drivability of the 2000 Maxima. The smooth very quiet DOHC 3.0 V-6 engine produces a great deal of power throughout its rev range (this is one of the top ten engines in the world according Ward's), the handling and steering is tight and crisp, The ABS brakes bring this car to a fast stop, the interior is extremely quiet and the ergonomics of interior switches and controls is very well thought out.

I would advise anyone in the mid-size sedan new car market to at least look and test-drive one of the new Maximas before buying. I'm glad I did!

Similar Products Used:

Pontiac Grand Prix, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry