2003 Nissan Maxima SE 3.5

Summary:

Great handling car, but the quality needs to be better

Faults:

Battery died twice on the car, and the radio stopped working.

Windshield noise (still not resolved).

Passenger door noise (still not resolved)

General Comments:

Great acceleration, but absolutely hate the torque steer.

The car has sporty intentions with better than average styling. I felt that since this was Nissan's flagship model, they would have made the quality of the car better.

When you hit bumps with this car on a cold day, the windshield makes a cracking sound. Took it to the dealer 3x, and they could not figure it out (even with a new windshield).

In addition, the passenger side door in the back has wind noise (sounds like there's a hole there or something) that protrudes into the car.

When taking this car for servicing at the dealership, we always feel ripped off, enough said. Took the car in to get its radio fixed, and the car sat there for a day, and they charged us 200, saying they "looked" at it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th May, 2012

2003 Nissan Maxima SE 3.5

Summary:

Piece of junk

Faults:

The motors mounts went at 110000kms; $700 per mount installed.

The transmission started shifting really hard from park to drive. Dealer said it needed a trans service. $300 later and about 200kms, it started doing it again. Dealer couldn't find any codes, said I would have to bring it in when it was doing it, and they would have their trans specialist drive it (if he wasn't booked, yeah right).

All of the buttons on the dash started to chip and flake.

The cup holder doors all broke, and we started seeing rust around the sunroof (we live in an area where cars don't really rust).

General Comments:

This car has been absolutely disgusting. We paid good money for what we expected to be a high end luxury import car. We got a piece of junk.

We had heard good things about Nissan, we owned 2 before the Maxima (a Sentra, and an Altima), and we expected this car to be a great addition to our family.

After reading all of the reviews and comments on this site about exactly the same problem we were having, we decided to cut our loses and ditch the vehicle.

Just from the way Nissan handled this issue, and seeing all of the other people having the same problems and getting nowhere, I don't think I will buy another, or recommend a Nissan to anyone I know.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th November, 2010

2003 Nissan Maxima SE 3.5 V6

Summary:

Solid, tough, fast, reliable car with poor turning radius. Great all around

Faults:

Front struts had to be replaced.

Exhaust system replaced past the catalytic converter.

Standard worn parts such a brakes.

Transmission currently hard shifts and has for the last 50 000km. It recently started to turn the tranny fluid dark. I have simply been changing more often.

Radiator went at approx. 160,000 km. Replaced with aftermarket.

Drivers side window motor went at 165,000km. Replaced with a used one.

Car started to burn a little oil.

General Comments:

The car has been a great car all around. Minor issues include poor turning radius, and higher parts cost. But when getting creative with aftermarket or used parts, it is not so bad.

I drive this car extremely hard for work (not joking, it gets driven hard). This includes quick starts in very low temperatures, and then max pedal to the metal accelerations, curb hopping, high speed cornering, driving in excess of 150 km/h frequently, with a high of 210 km/h. I am a P.I. and use it as a surveillance vehicle. Abuse is an understatement. I am surprised it has lasted this long.

If you can find one in good condition, this car is a great car that can take a beating. On one situation I pulled a U-Turn in a construction zone and the front right tire dropped over a foot; all kinds of scraping and noise, got it back onto the road and the steering wheel was off alignment. I took it in and all they did was correct the alignment. Not a single front end item needed repair. Only now am I getting a humming in the front from a likely wheel bearing (213,000km will do that).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd August, 2010