1991 Nissan Maxima review from North America

Clock on dash illuminates when it wants to.

Rear windows do not function. They are stuck in the closed position.

Front rotors need replacement.

Rear brakes make a scraping sound and squeal. Shoes look OK.

Front bumper cover split on drivers side.

Climate control temperature slider malfunctioned.

Dual cooling fan motors have bearings that are failing.

Trunk liner has come loose from rear seat back.

I bought this car from a friend who needed some money for court. I test drove a new Maxima back in 1991 and didn't like the way it shifted. This car with 200K on the clock shifted just like the new one I drove in 1991. I assume this is normal for a Nissan 4 speed auto. The car is ugly, faded paint, molding, upholstery and interior plastic. Alloy wheels look bad too. The best mileage I have gotten is 27mpg. The A/C works!

Now for the good stuff.

The motor has had regular 3k oil changes.

New plugs wires and distributer cap/rotor

New timing belt

New front axle shafts.

New battery.

The motor runs very well for its age. It uses no oil. Idles smooth has acceptable power. The transmission shifts like the new Maxima I drove in 1991. Not saying it's great, but it doesn't slip. The car has been very reliable for the 2 years I have owned it. I change oil every 2 months and blow out the air filter every month. I WD-40 the cables and connectors every month and inspect the CV boots every 6 months. I add gas conditioner once a month. I have done this on all my vehicles I have owned. The Maxima motor in my opinion is well engineered. Periodic maintenance items are easy to reach. The biggest draw back is the transmission. It shifts to hard. Go slow it shifts hard, go fast it shifts hard, put it in gear it shifts hard. But it has 260K miles on it and it still shifts and doesn't slip. I would not hesitate driving this car anywhere in the USA. Due to its age the front seat is uncomfortable after 2 hours of driving. The last trip I took, 7 hours in a day, My butt hurt for a while.