Faults:

Struts, tires, etc.

General Comments:

The car itself wasn't bad. I had just never bought a used car before, and got taken to the cleaners on this one. I think the odometer was turned, it had been smacked up and the interior smelled. The performance, comfort and feature content were really good. The radio was nice for just being a base model, and I loved the fresh air vents that no one offers any more.

The car was built pretty tight, but the interior styling was totally dated and uninspired for the time.

Since it was the base model, it was very Camry like to drive, but the powertrain was smooth and responsive.

Faults:

I have to say, being as though this was my first car, I wanted everything in it. With the '94 Maxima, that's exactly what I got; power everything, sunroof, leather seats, heated mirrors, auto climate control; you know, the works.

I bought the car with high miles, but with a rebuilt engine. So initially the car had about 285,000+ miles on it. I had to replace the "idle control switch", "power steering hose", and now the "transmission". The display on auto-climate control doesn't work, I guess that isn't too big of a deal. Many people would have had enough once the trans goes. But the car is worth the fix and every little penny. I love my Max.

General Comments:

Overall I personally think that the 1994 Nissan Maxima is one of the best models that Nissan has come up with. It has very sharp cornering, as well as quick acceleration.

While on the highway, I found out that the cabin is very quiet no matter what your speed is.

When driving it, I really connect with my car, it becomes a part of me.

Faults:

Lots of shaking upon acceleration - I think the struts needed to be replaced, but I never did it.

Rear brakes made a whining sound as you braked and were just about to come to a complete stop.

Radiator hose blew at about 147000 and leaked coolant everywhere. Cheap fix.

Fuel injector went bad at about 148000 miles. Replaced injector and did tune up.

Car stuttered upon deceleration and nearly cut out.

Transmission slipped out of 3rd and 4th gear occasionally.

Rattles in passenger side door.

General Comments:

Very comfortable car. At the time I owned it I thought it was fast, but compared to other cars I've owned now (2000 Maxima, 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, etc.) I realize the power for this generation Maxima is just kind of average. Mine was a GXE with every option, and I got it for very cheap. I enjoyed the car, but it did have some issues as you can see.

I know with the mileage the car had the issues I had with it shouldn't have been unexpected, and I knew that was a risk I was taking. Not a bad car though, and problems were minuscule compared to all the bull I went through with my 5 spd 2000 Maxima.

Faults:

. I bought this car as a used vehicle with high miles and expected some dollars to be spent on running costs. The rear brakes locked up. Nissan uses an unusual system for rear disc brakes which have a hydraulic piston driving a screw against the pads. It gives multiplied power to the brakes, but as I found out they are expensive at $600 just to repair the rear end. The other item was the connecting rod between the two windshield wipers. It is a nylon ball and cup fitting which was inexpensive enough at $12 but a bear to replace. It took me two hours of playing mechanic, but once on all things worked normally. The starter motor went out, but in less than ten minutes I had the replacement installed. Two large bolts which are easily accessible made the replacement actually enjoyable, a rare event.

General Comments:

I think of Maximas as Japanese B.M.W's. They are solid, well engineered cars and they can scoot. My 1994 model had the five speed manual transmission and it could pull 60 miles per hour in second gear with some reserve still left in the engine. And second gear for acceleration was fierce,..lots of fun. The rear end set-up was good too. It was a full independent design and was/is better than my current 1999 Maxima with a solid beam rear end which can step out of line under cornering loads. I believe the '94 Maxima saved my life when I got T boned in the drivers side by a full size pick-up truck. I was impressed by the structural integrity of the body that its replacement was automatically another Maxima.