Faults:

At 146k miles, needed new fuel injectors, exhaust manifolds, new water pump and timing belt. Currently experiencing transmission problems.

General Comments:

In the early 1990's, this was a car ahead of its time. You still see many on the road today. In many respects, it was ahead of its time: The SE model had a Dual Overhead Cam engine with variable valve time, and coil-on-wire ignition rather than a single coil and distributor. Both the GXE and SE featured an independant rear suspension. In a time before Infinity (or other luxury brands such as Lexus or Acura) even existed, it represented a very powerful, front wheel drive performance sedan. At 165 HP, the 3.0 SOHC engine is no scorcher, by today's standards, and the 3.0 DOHC engine at 195 HP is not fast by today's standards, but in its day, any car that could hit 60mph in 7sec with an automatic was fast. Well built and still a fairly modern design even by today's standards. It's an old car, but many of the design concepts: photo-optic sensor for distributor cap, variable valve timing, coil on wire ignition, independant rear suspension are things still present in today's cars. This was a 1989 design!

Faults:

Due to poor care from the previous owner (looked like they never changed transmission fluid) the transmission went out. Basically melted.

The odometer started tweeking at about 90,000 miles.

Power steering have me trouble once an then fixed itself somehow.

Driver side window fell off track once.

General Comments:

This car has a lot of get up and go in it for being a family type car. Tackles hills well and give you that little extra when you need it.

Quiet and very smooth running engine. Nissan knows what they are doing.

Respectable car. Tell people you drive a Maxima and everyone agrees it's a great car.

Never spent money on anything rather than maintenence and a couple things that are bound to happen to an older vehicle. (excluding the transmission)

Faults:

So far...

The left front CV half shaft had to be replaced at 189,450.

Front fog lights not working. Left one is broken from hitting a curb.

Dash Clock doesn't work right. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.

It has the dreaded VTC problem. Put synthetic oil in it and now is quiet most of the time.

General Comments:

So far this car is perfect compared to my previous car the Plymouth Sundance. When I bought the car in December 2004 I knew the CV was going to need replaced. The Maxima is smooth and quiet and is faster than most four door sedans. I love passing people in the maxima its great! It really is a 4DSC!

Faults:

Transmission replaced at 125,000

Cost $1200

Bose System is awful. (problem prone)

Bought another Bose Radio from a junkyard

Bought another head unit from E-bay cost $40 bucks. It works so far.

The Bose systems seem to be problem prone.

General Comments:

Great Car!! Very Reliable.

I would buy another.

Powerful. Worth buying a well kept used one.

Faults:

55K miles: Variable Timing Cam, common problem, fixed under warranty.

Passenger side CV boot at about 85K

Drivers side went at 130K. I dragged my heels about fixing so it also cost me a half-shaft replacement.

114K: Transmission rebuilt $1500. Could have lasted longer, were it not for my abuse of it.

Window are slow, need to be lubricated.

Power antenna mechanism fails to raise/lower the mast. I'm told it's an internal clutch.

Struts got really tired of my driving habits, so I put some fresh KYB's in last month. WooHoo! Fun again!

Power steering hose went out slowly starting at 100K or so. I eventually fixed it myself at a cost of about $70 for the parts/supplies.

Front Main seal started leaking around 120K miles. Again, might not have happened if I didn't love to drive this car at 9/10ths so very much!

General Comments:

A smart buy, even after 7 years! For my needs as a father of 3 and a residential Realtor, this car has been fabulous.

Roomy and elegant in leather, the interior has held up extremely well. I observe no rips or tears in the seats, and no discoloration or fading of the black leather, either. I am also very impressed with the lack of squeaks, rattles or loose parts inside.

Performance in both acceleration and handling is superb for what this car is: a 4dr family sedan. The VE30DE motor loves to rev and sings a beautiful song above 3500RPM's. Synthetic oil is best for preventing a repeat of the VTC breakdown. That mechanism has to be very will lubricated. The bottom end is pretty stout, though. I did a compression test at 140K and all six were above 170 lbs psi.

The 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS have saved me at least a dozen times from something bad happening. That over-confidence caused me to crash my wife's Taurus!

The only complaint I ever had was a poor cup holder design. This can be simply and cheaply remedied with a unit from an 89-95 Taurus, or Saab 900. Looks stock, too.

Later year Maxima's have a more powerful engine, but lack an independent rear suspension. I've driven them. They don't corner or respond anywhere near as well as the second gen with an IRS. When I crank the wheel over hard, I expect the vehicle to follow! The later Maxima's I've driven have under-steered so badly that I found them unsafe. I'm spoiled.

I think that another 100,000 miles is not out of the question.