1989 Nissan Maxima SE VG30E (SOHC V6)

Summary:

Never has let me down, the greatest car ever

Faults:

Engine wise - new head gaskets twice, new A/C compressor, one alternator. Everything else done to the engine has been routine such as new belts, hose, and changing the oil every 3000 miles on the dot.

Replaced door hinges after 385,000 miles.

General Comments:

Original engine and transmission with 387,000 miles, and I would drive this car across the U.S. without thinking twice. Definitely one of the best cars ever made. Still fires up at the first turn of the key, no matter how cold or hot. The inside of the car has held up just as good with no cracks or tears, and for the outside the paint looks brand new, because it probably has about 2000 coats of wax.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd August, 2006

1989 Nissan Maxima GXE 3.0 Liter V6

Summary:

Best Car Available

Faults:

Nothing went wrong with this car for the short time that I owned it.

One thing that did prove to be an issue was due to the neglect on the part of the previous owner. Rust had spread through one of the hindquarters and road sand would collect inside of the trunk.

General Comments:

I sold it thinking that I was getting an excellent deal on a 1994 Camry; the Camry turned out to be a lemon.

I have regretted selling this car since the day that I brought it to its new owner and am currently buying another one of the same year.

The car handled beautifully and the engine never skipped a beat, starting quickly in any weather.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 2004

1989 Nissan Maxima SE 3.0

Summary:

Excellent car for the long run

Faults:

The clutch went out somewhere around 160,000 miles and had to be rebuilt.

The alternator went out at about 220,000 miles and had to be replaced.

The rear brake caliper pistons began to rust after the rubber boots surrounding them gave out. Eventually the calipers got replaced completely with junkyard replacements.

The mass oxygen sensor went out at about 230,000 miles and needed to be replaced.

The air conditioning stopped working at about 240,000 miles, though I've not bothered yet to have anybody look at it to figure what's wrong. Might be an easy fix, since it seems electrical, rather than mechanical... it just doesn't kick in when the button is pushed. Not a case where the compressor spins and nothing happens... the compressor just doesn't spin.

The clutch master cylinder went out at about 250,000 miles, followed shortly thereafter by the hose connecting the master to the slave cylinder. Since the clutch fixes it has a different feel, but works just fine.

I've noticed that the cigarette lighter doesn't power my phone charger lately, but don't know when that started.

There is a bit of rust that is getting started around the rear wheel wells and on the trunk lid around the spoiler. Nothing egregious, but slowly growing. Been slowly growing since around 200,000 miles.

Radio is getting flaky and no fun to listen to. The display went out at about 160,000, but the sound has been fine until about 250,000.

The steering wheel leather and the shift knob leather have given out.

General Comments:

The car handles and accelerates like a sportscar.

The cloth interior has survived 15 years and still looks great.

A tremendously enjoyable and reliable car. It never stranded me by the side of the road until it got above 150,000 miles. I've been stuck 3 times with this car: when the clutch went, when the oxygen sensor went, and when the clutch master cylinder went out. All at very high mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd September, 2004

1989 Nissan Maxima SE 3.0

Summary:

A rust bucket on wheels

Faults:

The crank seal went a week after I got the car, the paint on the bumpers are chipping, the rear windows don't go down, the brakes were replaced 5 times, the speakers cut in and out $800 I put into the car after I got it, and the fuel pump went twice in the matter of one year.

General Comments:

I will never buy a Nissan ever again they are such pieces of crap, all Nissan's are rust buckets.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd June, 2004

24th Jun 2004, 10:12

Uh, well, the car was already 14 years old and had 140K miles on it when you bought it, and you have managed to get another 16K mles out of it in just a year, so it must not have been that bad.

And it's your own fault that it is a rust bucket. You bought a rusty car, then you complain about it. Wasn't the rust apparent before you bought it?

24th Jun 2004, 20:02

What an uninformed review this is. If you live anywhere with moderately snowy winters (where salt is likely used on the roads), of course there's a good chance a 14 year old car will be rusting. Unless the previous owner (s) were meticulous in rust proofing, which most people aren't, winters will eventually catch up to any car; Nissan or otherwise. If you didn't bother with a proper visual and mechanical inspection before you bought the car, then fine. But don't blame Nissan for your lack of good sense.

25th Jan 2006, 14:11

You must not have taken good care of this car. Mine has 189000 miles and runs fantastic. A lot of power for a V6, but the most important thing is that it is very comfortable.

30th Jul 2008, 13:20

HELP! Does anyone know how to get the rear power windows rolled down on a 1989 Nissan Maxima. I have checked everything. I think! Thanks to anyone.

26th May 2009, 21:33

I bought a 89 Maxima with 180k miles. Runs great and plenty of power and easy to do maintenance. Just because you don't inspect a car that you buy, or might not even pop the hood and/or look at the bottom of the car. Nissan makes great car. Owned 4 and happy with every single one, even the newer 2004 Maxima.