1999 Nissan Maxima SE 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Excellent value and big bang for the buck

Faults:

One of the two bolts that secures the A/C compressor to the engine block (via the compressor bracket), loosened and eventually broke. This event ruined the pulley on the A/C compressor pulley. I then had the compressor replaced (along with the condenser, etc) at a total cost of about US$1000.

Left rear tail light bulb burned-out at around 35000 miles. I've seen this on many such cars, so maybe it was a widespread defect.

Low quality Toyo tires (OEM) wore out at 38000 miles. Replaced them with a set of Bridgestone Potenzas RE920 which I loved!

Low quality battery (OEM) died within first three years from leakage.

Noisy interior fan annoyed passengers when fan was in '1' setting.

General Comments:

Although the car was purchased December 1999(and built in June 1999), the car was of the 2000 (new body) style. However, it was sold with the smaller 16" wheels rather than the standard 17" wheels sold on these cars in the latter half of 2000.

The hydraulic clutch along with rock-hard suspension provided a "sporty" feel in a spacious family sedan.

Handled the road well.

Hydraulic clutch created a slightly more difficult driving experience.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th August, 2004

1999 Nissan Maxima SE 3.0 from North America

Summary:

The best sedan for the money

Faults:

6 coils @ $56 each = $336.18.

Labor to check for problem and then replace coils = $151.

Shop supplies and tax = $32.67.

Total cost = $519.85.

Mileage was 57,753.

General Comments:

Great car for average to large adults. I'm 6 ft, like the size of the seats in both height and width, very comfortable and roomy interior.

Excellent power and handling after lowering the car and making a few performance part additions.

The build quality is top of the line, and I've had no problems with the materials.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th August, 2004

1999 Nissan Maxima 3.0 from North America

Summary:

It's a rotten car I've ever experienced in 29 years of my driving cars

Faults:

Over six months ago. It got the engine light on. My wife and I brought it to the original dealer for fix. They said there is a coil was bad, but they don't know which one yet. Therefore they suggest do a 60K turn up ($950.00). They told me next time when the engine light come back then they will replace that coil to save money for us. After that we start experience engine knocking and shutdown engine. Begun with the cold weather. It hard to start, had to keep the acceleration up for for than 10 min otherwise it stop the engine. Then when at the intersection waiting for green light. I can feel the engine car misfires randomly. We brought to the dealer again and they replace one coil (don't remember which one). After brought the car home, the car still has the cold start problem and engine misfires. We brought the car back to the dealer again a few week later. They replace all the coils. Take the car home. The next day the symptoms are still there.

The car back to the dealer again. My wife demand put the old coils back and the car still running after the test.

But the next day the car still got back to the same problems. A few days later we brought the car back to the dealer. They said it was the transmission problem. We OK-ed for replace it. The next days the symptom came back. We report it to the dealer and brought it back to them. Because there was no engine light and their diagnostic didn't find any problem. They suggest us to take car back and use it until it shows up the engine light. Since then we have been using the car with the same simptom of misfires without any engine light indicator. I would like to mentioned that we live in Minnesota, the car problems started since late December, specially during that month through March. After the cold weather, only the engine misfire is still remain. But I bet when the cold weather come. The hard start engine will show up also. We currently don't know what to do with the problem. Still finding the best possible solution without the rip off from the dealer.

General Comments:

We had been impressed with the name "Maxima" therefore bought the car in 1999; first to get a newer car for the current Toyota Camry 1985 - but we are now feel sorry for the bad move. The Camry is still running as the back up and for my children to use.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th June, 2004

12th May 2005, 14:50

Have you ever tried to replace spark plugs or wire set? My car misfired when I was idling and it turned out to be a weak connection between the coil and the wire.

27th Dec 2006, 15:27

Hi, you must have a rare 'lemon' here.

I own two Maximas (a 1992 and 1999 model). The 1992 model I bought second hand with 117000km on the clock 8 years ago. She is still going strong today (273,000km) and has proved an exceptionally reliable vehicle.

My 1999 Maxima I have had three years now and have put on 60,000km in that time (now clocked up 276,000km total). It too has been free from fault in the time I have had it.

Guess we all have different experiences with each manufacturer - I am only too pleased with the Nissan product here in New Zealand.