1993 Nissan Maxima GXE from North America - Comments

Both rear windows regulators have been replaced (by myself) for less than $100 (for both.)

Had new shocks (all 4) and tires replaced for little over $2,000.

Power door locks quit working a while back, but I don't care. Key still let me in every time.

Digital clock comes on when it wants to. - big deal...

Quite a bit of noticeable road and wind noise at speed >50 mph.

Only get between 20-22 mpg on mixed city/highway commute.

Radio system still works with only front speakers. Every now and then all speakers will come on for about a minute or two then the rear goes out again. It sounds like the wiring is shorted out somewhere. The radio is mainly used for news, weather and traffic so this is sufficient.

Speedometer doesn't work sometimes. Quite a few times it showed 0 mph while I was driving > 65 mph. This doesn't bother me so I'm not going to have it fixed.

Steering wheel fluid started to leak a little (about 1 drop a week.) I put in a little bit of the stuff that's supposed to fill in the crack and fix the leak. It may take a few days for this to work, I guess. Will update this later.

Intermittent problem with transmission right now. It drives as if it got stuck on the 4th or 5th gear the whole time. Possible problem with the speed sensor that tells the trans. to shift improperly. This problem's been continuous for the last 2 weeks so I'm dropping it off with local Nissan dealer to have this diagnosed and fixed as necessary.

I've had 4 other Nissan's ('79 Datsun station wagon, '87 Sentra, '99 Max, and '01 Frontier Supercharged) and loved every one of them. All except the '93 Max. have been either sold or traded in.

I'm keeping this one as my daily commute. I've spent almost $4,000 on it for the last 12 months. I could spend up to $2,000 more this weekend depending on dealer's diagnostic. I plan to drive this baby til at least 200k miles. I figure it's still cheaper than making $300/mo car payment on a new car that I may not like as much as I do this one.

I like features such as heated rear view mirrors and selectable modes for transmission (comfort and power.)

Seats are comfortable and hug body well.

This '93 Max hasn't disappointed me at all since I bought it about 10 years ago.

This is an update to my own post.

Had the car serviced by local Nissan dealer earlier this week. It wasn't the transmission or vacuum leak as I thought. It was the fuel injection system that cost almost $1,500. It's running great again for now. Time will tell but I really have good faith in this car.

Another update to my own post...

I broke down and bought me a new radio, with 4 new speakers and even an amp. (all for about $450.) I also spent about $250 (for 100sf) on the sound deadening material called b-quiet. I laid that down on the floor, two front doors, trunk, and some under the hood. Road noise has been reduced by about 80 percent. Now the wind noise is more prominent. Will have to come up with something for it :-)

I'm so happy with my car...

I am the proud owner of a 1993 Nissan Maxima. I bought the car new and now have close to 190k miles.

I do the recommended service intervals. In the past seven years I have had the shocks, alternator, water pump, timing belt, all the door window drives, power steering pump, right axle, and idler pulleys for power steering replaced.

This past December I had the valve cover gaskets and injectors replaced. I will be replacing the power antenna myself next month.

Great handling car with H speed tires. Have not noticed what I consider any more than "normal" road noise.

Relatively recent intermittent problem are the door locks and combination entry. I can use the key to get in, so it is no problem. However, the key will not unlock and lock the other doors. A little inconvenience that I can live with.

It is a great car to drive and I hope to get another 110k miles. In another four years it will be considered a classic. Although I have had quite a bit of work done on it over the past few years, it still beats a car payment in my mind and it is fuel efficient 20-22 city and 30 highway. Even with the repairs on my Maxima, if I was to buy a hybrid car, the difference in fuel mileage would not make up the cost difference for the new car.

I am restoring a 1975 Datsun/Nissan 280Z. Having driven my Z car, I do believe the stickers on the rear windows of my Maxima; it is a Four Door Sports Car.