Nissan Maxima

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $34000.00 from WEST PALM NISSAN

Year / Model Reviewed:
2006 NISSAN

Summary:
I purchased a 2006 Nissan Maxima SE Elite Edition. The Elite addition is very over priced, it is basically just a bucket back seat and seat heaters for the back seat. It jumped the Maxima price like 3K. The Maxima has excellent pick up, yet terrible at gas. I have driven cars similar in its category and they do not waste as much fuel. The Maxima has a terrible turning ratio, when making U-Turns you can barely turn without hitting the curb or backing up.

Strengths:
Beautiful, horsepower, comfortable to travel in.

Weaknesses:
Gas, turning ratio, radio system (Bose speakers) not the best quality for a 36K vehicle.

Similar Products Used:
Lexus ES330

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $26500.00 from Lake Manawa Nissan

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Nissan Maxima SE

Summary:
This car has been nothing but a headache from day one. For a 26K car it is not built to quality standards. Problems so far...Suspension noise sounds like something is loose and banging around on the front end, dealer replaced struts but it didn't help, We took it in to the dealer 5 times to fix the headlight that kept going out (we finally paid our ouwn mechanic $300 to rewire it Because Nissan couldn't seem to fix it), The dash was installed improperly and needed to be replaced, the goodyear tires on this car are terrible, the sidewalls have blown out on 9 so far (they cost $325 a piece) We did finally get money from goodyear and put dunlops on it, then the final straw was at 50000 miles the engine started knocking, took it in to the dealer and the idoits said it was a broken timing chain and not covered (funny that the engine still ran), after 9 weeks we finally got the car back with a new factory long block in it, what happened you ask? spun the main bearing. The new engine leaks all over my garage floor and runs terrible. Please do not buy this car, I would expect more from a mid twenty thousand vehicle. I've had Fords that are more dependable. We bought this car because we bought a 1993 Sentra new and has been a trouble free car, Good thing we still have the sentra because when we need reliable transportation we jump in the sentra and go. I always buy BMW's, and the wife will be driving one soon.

Strengths:
Good power, nice styling, and roomy inside and trunk.

Weaknesses:
Mechanically unsound, poor quality control, poor fit and finish, terrible turning radius. Dealer service and support from Nissan are horrible.

Similar Products Used:
1999 bmw m3, 1993 nissan sentra, 1993 honda accord, 1993 bmw 325i

Price Paid:  $33000.00 from Ft. Collins, CO

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Nissan Maxima SL

Summary:
When I first purchased my dark blue 2004 Maxima SL, I was very happy with it. As time went by, however, the honeymoon was over and I realized that, at least mine, was simply an average car at best. The power, roominess, and equipment list is what first caught my attention and I still enjoy both of those aspects even today. It is the other, less noticable things that have now caught the majority of my attention (and ire).

After only about 4000 miles, the car developed a very loud rattle/thump in the right rear of the vehicle. After 19 (yes, nineteen) trips to the shop, the noise is still there at 50,000 miles and is worse than ever. All of the suspension was replaced..some pieces were replaced twice. The rear subframe was replaced, the back window was removed and resealed, the seatbelt mechanism was replaced. The list goes on and on. The dealer heard the noise every time and, everytime, they said they fixed it. We went for a test drive and, guess what, they were wrong. The noise is so loud at times it literally sounds like the ass-end of the car is going to fall off. Nissan Customer Service has refused to do anything about it citing the problem is not serious enough to warrant trading me out of the car.

In addition to the noise mentioned above, noise from potholes, uneven pavement, and other road abnormalities intrude far too much into the cabin of the car. Instead of a nice low rumble that you hear in other cars, there is a thump and whack as if the suspension has bottomed out (which it has not). It is very harsh and jarring and mine is even the SL version with the "luxury", smoother riding suspension.

The paint is peeling in several locations on the car...up by the right mirror and on the right front door moulding are the two worst areas. An area approximately 10 inches long has peeled completely off the moulding. Again, Nissan North America really came through...they claim it to be NORMAL wear and tear and won't cover it even though the car is only 2 years old.

These are annoyance items to be sure and really don't effect the safety or drivability (although it has also been in for several recalls, idling problems, stalling problems, emmision problems, brake problems, and steering problems), a person should not have to deal with them on a $33,000+ vehicle.

For me, my one experience with the Maxima is enough. I still use it as a daily driver and for my business and will continue to do so for a while. I was considering buying a vehicle from Nissan's Infiniti lineup, but Nissan North America's unwillingness to step up and remedy the problems after the dealership couldn't was the final straw. Instead, I bought a new BMW as my "weekend" car.

The bottom line for me is this- after owning an Altima (which was absolutely trouble free) I expected the Maxima to be even better. Unfortunately, it wasn't. Overall, the Altima is a better car and I could have saved about $10,000 by buying another one instead of the Maxima.

Strengths:
Engine, equipment list, roomy interior

Weaknesses:
Rattles, squeaks, thumps, bangs...you get the picture; sub-par paint job (at least on mine); questionable reliability; body panel fit and finish

Similar Products Used:
2006 BMW 330xi Sedan, 2002 Nissan Altima, 2005 Toyota Camry, 2004 Mazda 6

Price Paid:  $21000.00 from Star Nissan

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Nissan Maxima SL

Summary:
Very dissapointed after I paid over $20,000 for a USED Maxima w/ 48K by the time I was done with the paperwork it was 10pm drove home and heard thumps bings and bangs. I did not notice that on the short test drive I went on but it was too late to call the dealer. Called early morning they acted as if it were such a surprise to them when they checked it they told me it just needed a tire rotation. My husband than went over there had them put the car in the air and saw the struts were busted & the tires had tons of bubbles in them and needed to be replaced immediately. It was NOT just a tire rotation that was needed. So they are fixing the struts but refused on the tires said that was normal wear and tear but you would expect when they are selling a car especially for the amount I bought it for it would be in decent condition. And they refused to give me a loaner or rental and said "we're already investing $700 on your struts". Guess I can't go back now. Who knows what other problems this car has.

Strengths:
Nice look, good extra's, good speed.

Weaknesses:
rough ride (from what I know of so far), crappy dealers!

Similar Products Used:
2003 mazda 6 (I miss my trouble free Mazda6 which is what I traded for the crappy Maxima)

Price Paid:  $28700.00 from PA dealer

Summary:
Here it is and I got it, the just released 2004 Maxima. This is a beautiful car and the SE with automatic and 18 inch wheels handles extremely well, with only a trace of lean in corners. Feels very tight. More power than I know what to do with. I'm still in the honeymoon stage but inital impressions are very positive. The vehicle is library quiet at speed. I'll post again after I have more time with the vehicle.

Strengths:
Punchy engine, responsive handling, very quiet and smooth riding.

Weaknesses:
Climate control and radio controls are small and will take time to sort out.

Similar Products Used:
None really. I traded in a 1993 Altima that was extremely reliable.