Spokane, WA 5-1-2003 my age: 42, male.
The paint has chipped too easily, especially on the hood.
The front end alignment went off when my wife hit a curb hard in a snowstorm.
The engine smells when driving up hill.
The paint on the inside door trim rubs off too easily.
The brakes chatter badly when stopping fast.
The Maxima is our choice when shopping between the Accord, Camry or Intrigue. Maxima has the best combination of POWER, room, ride and quality of construction and durability.
We have been disappointed in the paint, however.
The power and overall silky-smoothness are incredible. I was passing cars on a recent trip @ 100 MPH without trying. WHOOSH, and you're all alone on the highway. This car goes SO fast before you even realize what happened. The Maxima does so in quiet and comfort.
Some nice features we have never had on a car before:
Automatic headlights
Automatic dimming mirror
6 speaker stereo with CD and cassette
Built-in garage remote
Dome light that dims like theater lighting.
Our Maxima has 50-series low profile, high speed tires which we will be changing. We will go to a 60-series for a softer ride and more wet/snow traction. We will report on the difference we notice at that time. Our freeways are rutted causing rivers that we hydroplane in. The city streets are full of potholes and patches which explains why trucks are preferred by redneck and royalty alike. The weather in winter is awful with frequent snow. We need good all-season tires so will sacrifice some high speed performance.
The Maxima is your best bet if you are shopping for a roomy sedan that is reliable and comfortable. The Maxima has more power than any comparable automobile available, a fact that street racers in their little civics try to test daily.
Geez, when you described the condition of your streets (and the rednecks and royalty), I had to flip up to the top to see where you are living--thought it must be New Orleans, pot-hole city, u.s.a.
I need strut and brake work--about $1500 or more; thinking of getting another Maxima (used) or something like an Acura Legend because can't afford BMW 325 cic which is what I really want.
My sensors are always acting up, and from checking the 2000, I see the problem continues. Car is hard to start, sensor replaced, stopped down the road, same problem. They can't fix it--it's intermittently failing. But I must say, rattled and rattly she be, the ole girl has never failed to start. This is the longest I have kept a car in my life ('95 GXE w/all the packages) --on our way back from evacuating for Ivan, I hit 100,000. But the ole girl's wearing out all over from living in pothole-city, u.s.a.
Well people tend to overlook the engine in this car. which to me is its biggest draw. The VQ series are award winning engines. The revised twin turbo version of the same engine in this Maxima used to power Super GT Skylines and Nissan Zs in japan.
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