2009 Nissan Maxima CV 3.5

Summary:

Good car before it gets 50Ks on it

Faults:

Rear coil spring broke after 65K.

Grinding noise from the transmission after 60K.

Replaced rear shocks at 45K.

Enormous gas consumption in the city above 12L/100km.

Brakes and tires wear very quickly.

Driver seat too narrow and wears quickly; front part of the seat looks like it's falling apart.

Flex pipe of exhaust system is too low and during winter gets rusted very quickly - had to replace the whole unit after 90K.

Transmission oil is expensive.

After 50K, car became sluggish and it takes time to start on stop lights.

Difficult to pull out a spare wheel from the trunk when it is required - everything should be taken out from the trunk and ends up on the road.

General Comments:

Good looking exterior, but easily gets scratched. The car is good on highways, but it is terrible in city environments.

Difficult to park with limited space.

Fan inside is turning on automatically and it is annoying.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th October, 2015

26th Apr 2016, 15:37

"Grinding noise from the transmission after 60K." What did it turn out to be? Please share

"Enormous gas consumption in the city above 12L/100km." That's about what I'd expect for city driving with a 3.5 motor, 290 HP. It's NOT a small motor. I get the same in Boston, MA USA.

"Brakes and tires wear very quickly." - Is this due to the car itself or driving habits? I have a lead foot and am very hard on my brakes so I can see why in my case this car would need brakes and tires fast.

"Driver seat too narrow and wears quickly; front part of the seat looks like it's falling apart." - Wow, mine is solid and all my Nissan seats have been solid. I've owned a LOT of Nissans and this Maxima seat is solid as all the rest.

"Flex pipe of exhaust system is too low and during winter gets rusted very quickly - had to replace the whole unit after 90K." - Seems like 90K miles is a decent amount of mileage through winters. I'd not be concerned with that. If you said 50K maybe.

"After 50K, car became sluggish and it takes time to start on stop lights." What was this? Tranny?

"Difficult to pull out a spare wheel from the trunk when it is required - everything should be taken out from the trunk and ends up on the road." - All full spare tires are like this now. If you want use of the trunk you MUST put it underneath.

"Difficult to park with limited space." - It's a full size sedan! Not a Veloster!

2009 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5L V6

Summary:

Fast sports sedan

Faults:

The tire pressure indicator is always on; kinda annoying.

The lever for the fan level is pretty annoying; it doesn't respond too quick, like if I want to change from high to low, it takes a while to move.

Not sure on resale value/ability of the car to hold its value.

Nothing else, still very early.

General Comments:

The car is FAST!! 290 HP 3.5 engine, not much that can beat it. It's a proven motor, they have been using it for quite a while now.

So the CVT is kind of boring, it's geared low, so if you're just everyday driving, there's nothing much going on.

Yes, if you step on the gas, it's a rocket ship.

Steering is very precise.

The ride is very stiff, I've got the 19" rims, it's a huge change from the Toyota Avalon I was driving; it's a sports sedan, not a luxury sedan.

The interior is A+, wouldn't change a thing, it's the main reason I bought the car. I've got the sports package and tech package; definitely get the tech package.

I prefer the manual shift mode over paddle shifters, when I do use it, which is rarely ever.

The front view of the car is beautiful; if you ever rode in a Infiniti you will definitely recognize the view from the inside as far as hood goes. The side is average, until you get toward the rear fenders, that is very nice.

If I had it to do all over again, I actually would pass on the car, just because I'm more of a luxury guy. Would have bought LS 430 instead, but this is definitely a good buy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th March, 2014

17th Jul 2015, 13:25

I test drove one of these and I liked it a lot! It had great features, decent build quality, it was very comfortable, and I can count on one hand the number of sedans I can fit in comfortably.

There were two major issues which prevented me from buying it.

a) It has absolutely no low end power. If the CVT would let it continually run starting at 5000 RPM, I'd have been happy.

b) When I got it to 6000 RPM, it nearly torque steered off the road! This car really needs to be RWD or AWD or some combination.

2009 Nissan Maxima SV with Sport Package 3.5

Summary:

Best car I have had

Faults:

The mirrors have a feature, that when in reverse gear, they move down so you can see the floor to avoid hitting something, but they've stopped doing it, and I have to take them to the dealer, but is a recurring problem that never gets fixed.

General Comments:

It's an amazing car; it feels like you are part of the jet set. This car is luxurious and sporty at the same time. It's the best car I have had in all my life by far.

The sport version is amazing. In Sports mode you feel like you're driving a racing car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2010

15th Aug 2010, 17:49

I also own a 2009 Maxima, totally love this car. Fast as hell and super good on gas!!!

Had an issue with the struts and coils springs, but Nissan took care of it promptly!!!

Love the looks, styling and quality of finishing, in and out. Feels like an Infiniti!!!

All I can say is I'm glad to be back in a Maxima after my 2000 Maxima lemon!!!

30th Oct 2010, 12:11

I love the way this car looks, as well as Nissan's V6.

I just can't afford it right now :'(