1989 Nissan Maxima SE review from North America

The clutch went out somewhere around 160,000 miles and had to be rebuilt.

The alternator went out at about 220,000 miles and had to be replaced.

The rear brake caliper pistons began to rust after the rubber boots surrounding them gave out. Eventually the calipers got replaced completely with junkyard replacements.

The mass oxygen sensor went out at about 230,000 miles and needed to be replaced.

The air conditioning stopped working at about 240,000 miles, though I've not bothered yet to have anybody look at it to figure what's wrong. Might be an easy fix, since it seems electrical, rather than mechanical... it just doesn't kick in when the button is pushed. Not a case where the compressor spins and nothing happens... the compressor just doesn't spin.

The clutch master cylinder went out at about 250,000 miles, followed shortly thereafter by the hose connecting the master to the slave cylinder. Since the clutch fixes it has a different feel, but works just fine.

I've noticed that the cigarette lighter doesn't power my phone charger lately, but don't know when that started.

There is a bit of rust that is getting started around the rear wheel wells and on the trunk lid around the spoiler. Nothing egregious, but slowly growing. Been slowly growing since around 200,000 miles.

Radio is getting flaky and no fun to listen to. The display went out at about 160,000, but the sound has been fine until about 250,000.

The steering wheel leather and the shift knob leather have given out.

The car handles and accelerates like a sportscar.

The cloth interior has survived 15 years and still looks great.

A tremendously enjoyable and reliable car. It never stranded me by the side of the road until it got above 150,000 miles. I've been stuck 3 times with this car: when the clutch went, when the oxygen sensor went, and when the clutch master cylinder went out. All at very high mileage.