Thinking of buying a 5th/5.5 Gen? Please post all questions and info here....

[Scott LaRock]

Puppetmaster EDIT:

This is a thread for all those interested in buying a 5th or 5.5 Gen and are trying to do some research, so please look through this thread and/or post all questions you have in here.

I've merged a handful of the most recent discussions on this to kick start this and hope that ALL questions regarding potential purchases can be kept to this thread. If you have some information you'd like to share with potential buyers, please feel free as well.

Consequently, all other new threads on buying 5th/5.5 Gens will be locked or merged into this one.

/edit


Getting rid of my 95 very soon and I've decided that I want to get a 00-03 Maxima or a 00-03 I35. I wanted to get some preferably under $10,000 and get it from a local car lot.

I've seen some decent ones but of course the miles are a little higher (100,000+). I'm not scared of mileage at all but other things on the car I don't want to end up replacing within a month so I wanted to ask you guys what to look for when buying a older Max/I35.

Here's a couple cheap cars I had in mind, keep in mind I just wanted to drive these cars for a couple years tops then upgrade again after I finish school.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=10

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=10

[SoonerFan]

what should you look for?

FAQ
stickies
all the threads about common problems

[Lontar1]

old cars = problems... unless you can get your hands on a decent one... you will not know until you drive it for a while. We are talking about 5-7 year old cars./.. have that in mind... the max are great cars with very good engines.. but anything can happen, also, please do a search there are a lot of threads about issues with the Max

[Scott LaRock]

Thanks.

I'll just take a mechanic with me.

my main concern is a solid engine, I can deal with a little issues now and then. Also, is the maintenance alot higher on the 00/03 as opposed to the 95/99?

[Lontar1]

Originally Posted by Scott LaRock

Thanks.

I'll just take a mechanic with me.

my main concern is a solid engine, I can deal with a little issues now and then. Also, is the maintenance alot higher on the 00/03 as opposed to the 95/99?

as I said.. old cars = maintenance.... but you will be driving a Max not an Audi....

[wyche89]

Originally Posted by Scott LaRock

Thanks.

I'll just take a mechanic with me.

my main concern is a solid engine, I can deal with a little issues now and then. Also, is the maintenance alot higher on the 00/03 as opposed to the 95/99?

an 00-01 infiniti would be an I30 with the VQ30 3.0 liter engine, which is known to be a very solid engine, but the cars in general are older and other parts may be more worn than the alternative...

the 02-03 would be an infiniti I35 with a VQ35 3.5 liter engine, which is more powerful, but is more prone to having oil burning problems due to bad piston rings.. (by the way, maximas of these years have the same respective engines as the infinities).. most people (including myself) don't mind adding oil every now and then for the added performance you get with the 3.5.. so it's a trade off, but it's up to you what is more important.. an older car with higher mileage, you're taking a bigger chance on more parts being worn than a newer car of the same model.. however, some older cars have been well taken care of and are very reliable

i realized i pretty much just talked in a circle there, but.. lol.. in my opinion.. you should be safe with a 5th gen (00-01) with under 100k that is in good condition because they are pretty reliable cars.. but if you can afford it, then go with a newer one in good condition to decrease your chances of stuff going wrong.. if you need help with a problem, us maxima experts are always here!

[Scottwax]

Go with an '02/03 if your budget allows. No replacement for displacement no matter what the VTEC crowd says.

[MetaOrbit]

If you're deadset on an A33, and want a minimum chance of needing parts replaced, perhaps keep an eye out for a '04 model I35.

They were in fact made through th '04 model year, and with bumper-to-bumper warranties from Infiniti lasting 5 years/60k miles and powertrain 6 years/70k miles, you could conceivably find a low-mileage example with the added insurance of some factory warranty coverage.

That said, I've had my '02 since new and besides brakes and tires, I've really only had to replace a wheel bearing (at around 100k miles, I'm now at 114k).

[Zack342]

Well I sold my 06 G couple last month and I am considering getting a 03 6mt 5.5 gen as an interim car. I was hoping to get some feedback from some of the folks in here on what one should look out for when looking for a 5.5 gen 6mt maxima. I am currently only looking at 03's and it needs to have black interior with HLSD. Thanks in advance for any help guys.

[SEmy2K2go]

Come on Zack. You've been around here long enough to know how to research this type of thing.

[SoonerFan]

as stated, all the information is here. you are buying the car, we shouldnt have to do the research for you.

[Scottwax]

Hope you have some time on your hands. I looked for 3 weeks in the Dallas area and really didn't find one, other than a high mileage black one. Didn't even bother looking, I will never own another black car.

[SoonerFan]

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Hope you have some time on your hands. I looked for 3 weeks in the Dallas area and really didn't find one, other than a high mileage black one. Didn't even bother looking, I will never own another black car.

maybe if you were better at detailing a car.....

it is a huge pain to GET a black car clean..and even harder to KEEP it clean. but when it is, its so sexy and worth it.

[wyche89]

Originally Posted by soonerfan

maybe if you were better at detailing a car.....

oooo, i wouldn't take that scott.. you might have to get gangster on him and electronically pop a cap in his ars

[MintVQ35]

What the hell is an "interim" car?

[ZIPPIN]

Enjoy the extra HP, but hate the oil burning. My 00 had 157XXX and never burnt a drop. Shifting is worse than any manual I have driven. Hopefully the short throw shifter and ES bushing will help.

[ICEMAN76]

Originally Posted by MintVQ35

What the hell is an "interim" car?

Main Entry: 1ad in·ter·im
Pronunciation: \ˈad-ˈin-tə-rəm, -ˌrim also ˈäd-\
Function: adverb
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1787
: for the intervening time : temporarily

[ICEMAN76]

Was there something wrong with the G-ride?? Is it not as good a car as I would assume??

[ICEMAN76]

[quote=soonerfan;6289203]maybe if you were better at detailing a car.....

Those seem to be fightin words to me!!!

[SoonerFan]

Originally Posted by ICEMAN76

Main Entry: 1ad in·ter·im
Pronunciation: \ˈad-ˈin-tə-rəm, -ˌrim also ˈäd-\
Function: adverb
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1787
: for the intervening time : temporarily

pretty sure he knows what the word means...he meant interim until what?

[Zack342]

Originally Posted by ICEMAN76

Was there something wrong with the G-ride?? Is it not as good a car as I would assume??

My G was a 2006 6MT "RevUp". The motor started consuming oil at around 6k miles, maybe sooner but that was when I first noticed it. Infiniti said they would replace the engine and the paperwork was processed but they had no definitive time frame as to when they would have a motor to install and from researching on my350z even a new motor "V2" did not resolve oil consumption on some cars. Not something you wanna hear when you spend $39k on a car. I would like to get a new G35 sedan but I have been told if I can hold off they will be updating it with the 330hp engine "G37" sedan.

Anyway back to the question which is I am looking for a fun reasonably priced car for the "intermin" until I decide on what I would like to get. I love my 4th gen but its had some body damage which i dont wanna fix. So I would like to pick up a 5.5 gen 6mt.

[NmexMAX]

I like the power curve of the VQ35HR better than the curve of the G37.

Just saw an 07 G (HR) for 28.5k here.