Maxima Forums - View Single Post - 5th Gen "I AM NEW HERE BUT HAVE A QUESTION" thread

Succinct · 08-30-2006, 07:54 PM

NewB, 1st post. Thanks for having this thread.

I don't yet own a Maxima but have decided to find a 2002 or 2003 SE 6-speed with LSD. I have 1999 BMW 540 6-speed that is quite beautiful & fast, but is also quite expensive to maintain, especially now that I'm at the 130K point. I've put nearly $6K into it in the 22 months I've owned it, and only about $1000 of that was mods or elective. I've learned 1st hand that BMW = "Break My Wallet", so altho it's awesome to drive, I gotta get rid of it.

So I am looking for something hopefully close in luxury & performance to my 540, for about the $14K to $15K my 540's worth, but I'd like it to be more like my erstwhile '94 Legend GS 6-speed in reliability, which was basically trouble-free even after I sold it at 189K miles. That's why I've settled on the 5th-gen 02-03 6-speed.

Is there anything else I should look for in my shopping? Common failure areas other than oil consumption? Am I targeting the right model Max to purchase? Theft if HID lamps would not be an issue where I live or work.

My only previous Nissan was a 1982 pick-up that I drove to 217K miles and was running great when I sold it. I'm 44 and have owned about two dozen cars and like to spin wrenches. I have a lot of Honda, Ford, GM, and of course BMW E39 knowledge, but not much Nissan Know-How. Yet.

Thanks again for your help!

08-30-2006, 07:54 PM	#77
Succinct Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 iTrader: (0) Posts: 264	Thanks for this thread & a Noobie Q NewB, 1st post. Thanks for having this thread. I don't yet own a Maxima but have decided to find a 2002 or 2003 SE 6-speed with LSD. I have 1999 BMW 540 6-speed that is quite beautiful & fast, but is also quite expensive to maintain, especially now that I'm at the 130K point. I've put nearly $6K into it in the 22 months I've owned it, and only about $1000 of that was mods or elective. I've learned 1st hand that BMW = "Break My Wallet", so altho it's awesome to drive, I gotta get rid of it. So I am looking for something hopefully close in luxury & performance to my 540, for about the $14K to $15K my 540's worth, but I'd like it to be more like my erstwhile '94 Legend GS 6-speed in reliability, which was basically trouble-free even after I sold it at 189K miles. That's why I've settled on the 5th-gen 02-03 6-speed. Is there anything else I should look for in my shopping? Common failure areas other than oil consumption? Am I targeting the right model Max to purchase? Theft if HID lamps would not be an issue where I live or work. My only previous Nissan was a 1982 pick-up that I drove to 217K miles and was running great when I sold it. I'm 44 and have owned about two dozen cars and like to spin wrenches. I have a lot of Honda, Ford, GM, and of course BMW E39 knowledge, but not much Nissan Know-How. Yet. Thanks again for your help!