1987 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

During the year or so I owned my Maxima, I didn't find many mechanical defects. The problems that did occur, I believe may have all been because of misuse by the owner (me).

The first and by far most painful problem with the car was when I used it to take out a horse fence on a country road. I had only had the car for about 2 weeks, and was just getting good with the manual transmission, so I took the car out on a windy country road to play. I spun out in a turn and hit the corner of a horse fence. The corner post I hit (it was about as big around as a telephone pole) did a lot of damage to the right rear end of the car. All of the suspension links on that corner were damaged, and I believe the brake rotor was somehow bent.

Because of the age of the car and my limited income (I was 16 at the time) I bent all the links back into shape, and reinstalled them. Remarkably, this method held together well, but was not near as good for the fast driving I tried to use the car for.

A few months later, when again traveling above the posted speed, I slammed on the brakes and the right rear locked up, causing me to spin and hit a mailbox. This incident busted out the triangular window in the right rear door. I replaced it with a piece of plexiglass from a home improvement store for under 10 dollars.

The transaxle, which the previous owner had replaced a few years before, gave out under my harsh driving habits also. Actually, the throw out bearing broke due to repeatedly "dumping" the clutch. This only cost about 20 dollars for a new one. The procedure though, took about 2 days to completely pull and reinstall the transaxle.

Even though I ran this car as hard as it could possibly be run, I never had any trouble with it that I didn't cause. The transaxle did get pretty sloppy as far as shifting goes, but I also take credit for that, as I don't think this would have happened under normal circumstances.

I was really impressed with the power and longevity of the 14 year old motor, and would quickly buy any other Nissan product with this motor (300zx, Pathfinder, Hardbody pickup).

I would recommend this car to any teenager looking for a first car that will be relativly inexpensive to maintain, and have plenty of room for friends, and plenty of power for street racing, though it is not fun to get speeding tickets (as this car helped me do twice).

Now I know why is driving license here in Europe from 18 years...

I HAVE A 1987 NISSAN MAMIMA THAT HAS ALWAYS HAD A ELECTICAL PROBLEM THAT DRAINS THAT BATTERY CAN ANYONE HELP OR SUGGEST

SOMTHING. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE BATTERY TERMINAL, THANKS PLEASE EMAIL ME

STEVE H. foosballsteve@sbcglobal.net.

I own a nissan maxima 1987 the only thing wrong is the sensor light stays on and one of the belts have to be replaced often. It will make the car die when it breaks. It shows the batttery gauge draining then it breaks.

Gee, dude, if I were the car, I would have left you stranded LONG ago. You should be arrested for Auto-abuse!

Hey Steve H.

I also own a 1987 Nissan Maxima and I love my car and would never sell it (unless the price is rite ha ha ha!)

however when looking for a short you have to find the wiring harness and unwrap the tape and follow the wires one by one till you find your short or if the problem pertains to a certain item in the car go through the wires one by one and try to find the short, Nissan cars are great, but the older models have always portraited electrical problems and how it starts is when installing aftermarket electrical parts or car stereo etc. but the only way to prevent it is make sure you keep all wires in order and covered with electrical tape or wiring tubes.

Good Luck On Your Journey!!!

Rick.

And for the guy in North America.

Nissan Maxima can take a lot of beating, but I think you need a heavy duty SUV like a hummer so it does not fall apart on you when your off roading and mail box dodging

ha ha ha!! but good luck with your car and take care of it and it will take care of you.

Thanks

Rick.

Uh to the guy with the drive belt breaking, more than likely its over tightened, the drive belt connects to the alternator, and as it breaks, the alternator quits working as good, which explains why the battery gauge is going down. it also might not be tight enough, causing to slip off the pulley and get ripped by other pullies.