2002 Nissan Maxima SE 3.5L, V6 from North America
Summary:
Too much power without adequate controls
Faults:
TCS, ABS and Slip lights have come on eight times while driving, since the year I owned the car, thus making these systems nonopertational till repaired, despite that the dealer repeatedly fixed them.
Hood very visibly and noticeably vibrates at high speeds which results in loss of road grip.
Steering tends to have a mind of its own and tends to pull out of hands on bumpy and slippery roads, also vague steering feel.
On loaded vehicle rear suspension bottoms out.
Extremely poor traction & below average handling in winter even with winter tires.
CD player skips.
High wind noise in the rear compartment.
Rust on fuel filler port.
Head lights always looks foggy.
Inferior quality interior materials as compared to 1999 Maxima.
General Comments:
The car has 255HP and should have been a rear wheel drive to minimize torque steer and which robs it of adequate traction and handling on slippery and bumpy roads. I enjoy driving it in summer, but hood vibration, vague steering feel, wind noise and bad suspension limits my enjoyment.
The engine and transmission are superb.
The car looks beautiful.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 9th November, 2005
19th Apr 2006, 09:49
I read your review and couldn't agree with you more.
I have noticed the same problems with TCS ABS & SLIP and the other ones you mentioned, when I bought the car it had 150k with wrong size low profile Kumho tires on, which made car dart like crazy in any direction on bumpy roads, so I bought some Bridgetones Turanza tires, which are not cheap, but it made a huge difference, and which by the way I think are the best tires out there for Maxima. Love the engine and its power.
Good bang for the buck.
18th Jan 2006, 08:44
Your experiences (wind noise, suspension issues, etc.) make me wonder if this car hasn't been in a serious accident. Also it has high mileage for a 1 year old car (49,0000).