1994 Nissan Maxima SE

Summary:

A great vehicle to own

Faults:

New front struts.

CV Boot installed on passenger side one year ago, boot deteriorated - need new one again.

Fuel Injectors clogged had computer give error code #31 - injector 1. Fixed by using fuel injection fluid, ran on empty and cleaned it right out.

Stereo cassette player screen doesn't work.

Drivers side power window is not moving as rapidly.

Door keypad entries don't work.

Can't figure out where to drain the transmission fluid from.

General Comments:

Excellent vehicle. Not many complaints, just little things over time. I have had the car for almost two years, and have put less than $1,500 into it - including standard maintenance. I purchased this vehicle after I made the mistake of selling my 1990 240sx. The Maxima is a reliable vehicle and has the sedan look and the get up and go of a sports car . My car is 10 years old and is still running excellent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2004

1994 Nissan Maxima GXE 3.0 V6

Summary:

Nice car, bad transmission

Faults:

The only minor things I had to repair were the rear window belt, and both the front ball joints.

At around 79k I had to fix a leak in the exhaust manifold, which was making a very noticeable blow by sound. Cost over $500. Apparently this is common in the 3.0.

The transmission went out at 104k which lead to its sale. Apparently this is common also.

General Comments:

All in all this car was very good to me. It gave a very solid and high end feel. The motor still purred when I sold it, and was probably ready to go another 100k. The transmission thing really bothered me though. My car was always properly maintained and never spared any expense. My neighbors beat 89 cavalier has 157k on it. These cars are supposed to be "reliable Japanese vehicles", yet this problem is very common. I might consider buying another one of these, but I would only get the five speed. Funny that's what a popular consumer publication told me to stay away from. Also don't think all these cars are rocketships. My moms Buick Lesabre would have wasted that thing. It did handle well though. The keyhole for the door locks quit working after a winter of nonuse. Road noise in this car was nonexistent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st April, 2004

30th Jan 2007, 20:50

I'm sorry that happened to your car. Most everyone who has ever had a Maxima, including myself with three going on four of them, including a 1994, loves these things. They're positively indestructible. My 1994 had well over 170k on it when I sold it with the original transmission and was still running strong. (Even though I had beaten it to hell.)

And what's this about a Buick being faster than a 1994 Maxima? There's no way. Maybe yours had some problems with fuel intake or something, buuuut no. Haha.

30th Jan 2007, 23:34

Some of those Buicks will surprise you. definitely the one's that are supercharged.

1994 Nissan Maxima GXE 3.0

Summary:

This is a car that is underestimated greatly.

Faults:

The only problem I had with it was the front driver side strut went bad. It cost me $60 for the strut and $45 for the installation. Other than that, no problems.

General Comments:

For being marketed as a family car when it was first introduced on the market, it sure does act like a sports car. I've owned five other cars, and this is the one I'm going to keep and take good care of. I bought it with high miles and thought I would only get a few months out of it. I took it to the local Nissan dealer to have the oil changed, while I was there I asked about the mileage and they said that it had 200,xxx left on it. I believe it. I've taken this car to New York and Florida from Missouri and had zero problems. I replaced the radio in it. I kept hearing of the radio shorting out, so as a precaution I replaced it with no problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th August, 2003