5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.
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Looking for a newer car to replace a 99 Maxima GXE.
1) is there still a problem with HID headlight theft on these vehicles? Or is it just a "big city" issue?
2) any mileage level where these might fail (HIDs) and their replacement cost?
3) How is the winter traction with the 255hp?
4) These cars used to be limited with tire choice due to size-any good all season tires available now?
5) is the heated steering wheel worth while?
6) any known issues with the engine or transmission? Did this era of Nissan V6 have trouble with screws backing out of intake butterflies?
7) does the bose headunit fail after a few years?
8) is the indash navigation still good quality or is it "dated"?
9) Thanks in advance!!!
1) is there still a problem with HID headlight theft on these vehicles? Or is it just a "big city" issue?
idk if anybody will be interested in some 7 yo faded hid lenses.
2) any mileage level where these might fail (HIDs) and their replacement cost?
Ive 90k on them still pretty strong
3) How is the winter traction with the 255hp?
depending how you drive and what tires you have
4) These cars used to be limited with tire choice due to size-any good all season tires available now?
I just put some A/S Plus's on, theyre magical things
5) is the heated steering wheel worth while?
depending on you
6) any known issues with the engine or transmission? Did this era of Nissan V6 have trouble with screws backing out of intake butterflies?
tranny slipping and slow shifting can be seen on these cars unless you go manual
7) does the bose headunit fail after a few years?
yes it does, infact it started cutout when new
8) is the indash navigation still good quality or is it "dated"?
I think you can have updated map, but GPS's are soo cheap now.
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Life would be boring without the Maxima.
3) Winter driving... some SE models have a limited slip option that would be a welcome feature to have on snow. Regardless of LSD, if you get snow in your area, I strongly recommend a full set of (4) snow tires.
6) Known engine/transmission issues... a number of 6MT's have a design flaw in the 3rd gear syncros known as the "3rd gear crunch". Some have it, some don't, some worse than others.
6) Known engine/transmission issues... a lot of people claim their engine eats oil. Some do, some don't, some worse than others.
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NWP phenolic intake spacers, Cattman y-pipe, Cattman 2.5" cat-back, Frankencar short-ram intake, Apexi pop charger, UR crank pulley, ES motor-mount and sub-mount bushings, Racingline FSTB, Progress RSB, STS mod w/ES bushings, Brembo blanks, Hawk ceramic pads, Goodyear Eagle F1's -- 54,000 original owner miles
Looking for a newer car to replace a 99 Maxima GXE.
3) How is the winter traction with the 255hp?
Just fine.
255 BHP is only available at certain rpms, thankfully. Don't plan on sidestepping the clutch at 6200 rpm and having traction in the winter, sorry. Easily regulated torque at low rpms is what you want in low traction situations, which Max has in abundance. Drive it like a tractor in the winter....and it responds like a tractor in the winter!
4) These cars used to be limited with tire choice due to size-any good all season tires available now?
Lots of tire choices available. I'm running 16's real winter tires, tall and skinny, for winter. I've dragged the chassis through the snow, uphill. Snows and HLSD are great.
5) is the heated steering wheel worth while?
Oh God yes. VERY much so. When it's -20 when I get in my car, the steering wheel is also -20. Brr.
I like my tractor to have heated seats and steering wheel.
Cheers
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LTB II, CAI, H&R, Illuminas, ES shifter, subframe, engine mounts, sway bar bushes, Megan OE-RE, Watkins STS.
Looking for a newer car to replace a 99 Maxima GXE.
1) is there still a problem with HID headlight theft on these vehicles? Or is it just a "big city" issue? still have mine
2) any mileage level where these might fail (HIDs) and their replacement cost? still stock...104k miles later
3) How is the winter traction with the 255hp? better than an accord thats for sure
4) These cars used to be limited with tire choice due to size-any good all season tires available now? yes. go to discount tires
5) is the heated steering wheel worth while? dont have one, can't say
6) any known issues with the engine or transmission? Did this era of Nissan V6 have trouble with screws backing out of intake butterflies? that one youtube video was a fluke. i doubt its happened to me although i get occasional rattle i have yet to figure out what it is
7) does the bose headunit fail after a few years? mine is stock and still works
8) is the indash navigation still good quality or is it "dated"? everyone hates it
9) Thanks in advance!!!
enjoy the purchase. dont spend more than $7k please
6. rear valve cover on most tends to leak oil in to the spark plug hole. but easy fix just buy the 04 valve cover from nissan its like $50
8. for one thing good luck finding one with OEM Navi and two which was mentioned its not worth it just get a newer head unit with it built in.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G4nismo
i heard search is pretty good...
2002 Maxima SE - 6spd, CAI, 08 Maxima wheels, more on the way 1997 Maxima GLE - Stock and sold
1991 Sentra SE-R 18" Konig Toxxin's, HKS Short ram air, HKS muffler, short shifter, interior redone with red crushed velvet, and Alpine security. SOLD
1996 Maxima GXE - 5spd, A33 wheels, CAI, Y-Pipe - Sold
1975 CB550F Supersport -sold
1981 GS550T - Sold
1981 GS850L - Love every minute
198o GS750EX 16V - in the process
My 5.5 just came in this past friday, and I couldnt be happier. I would look for a model with lsd if snow is an issue. On a side note, I had no idea mine had lsd. I opened the door and saw the pedals and freaked out . Yes, I confirmed it with the "H" on my firewall as well!! Its a 6 speed btw 62k
My 5.5 just came in this past friday, and I couldnt be happier. I would look for a model with lsd if snow is an issue. On a side note, I had no idea mine had lsd. I opened the door and saw the pedals and freaked out . Yes, I confirmed it with the "H" on my firewall as well!! Its a 6 speed btw 62k
Nice find! How much did you pay and where are you? I am still looking for mine, but I am in no rush cuz I have 4th gen GLE with 92K that is really great.
Some engines eat oil. I lose 1/2 qt through the pcv every 1K. Goodyear makes an amazing all season tire called Assurance Triple Treds that now match the factory size. I have a freshly rebuilt tranny and still get a grind in various gears when cold. Crunch = grind. 3.5s tend to suck gas when away from the freeway. Plenty of easy power gains with a few simple mods. GAB+ Intake spacers+Block plate is less than $300 for 10-15 hp that I can feel
on the HID's, i have over 100k on mine, as do many other people. If you dont switch them on and off, like driving through a tunnel with it on auto, then they will last for a long time. On the theft issue, its just a big city, east coast thing
i bought tires twice, and never had an issue with finding good all seasons.. i had toyo proxes 4 (really good when new, but wore down FAST), and now i have bf goodrich g-force sports (not as good as the toyos, but hopefully they last longer)
good luck with your purchase man.. you'll like the car
don't forget to always have an extra quart of oil handy incase you get an oil burner!
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2003 6 speed TE
Looks: Superwhite LEDs Inside Smoked Side Markers
Performance: Stillen Intake with Custom MAF-TB Pipe, NWP Phenolic Intake Spacers, NWP Block Off Plate, Cattman Gen 3 Headers, Custom 3" Magnaflow Cat-back Exhaust
Suspension: Tokico Illumina Struts, Ebay FSTB, Progress RSB
Looks like all the questions have been answered well.
In terms of the heated steering wheel.... I live in Canada, so it can get pretty cold here in the winter. When I found out the 5.5 gens had heated steering wheels I thought it was the silliest thing ever. After the first winter with my 03 Maxima, I could not imagine driving a car in the winter that doesn't have one. In my car it heats up way before the heated seats do, so right after starting on a cold winter morning, it is the first source of heat (so I find myself hugging it with my arms and legs until the rest of the car warms up).
It's also nice not having to wear gloves when driving in the winter.
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2003 | 6spd HLSD | Eibach Pro Kit | Tokico Illuminas | FTSB | ES Motor Mounts | ES Shifter Bushings | Grounding Kit | Redline MT-90
not to hijack your thread but if you're in the NJ area my 5th gen is for sale. I would have gladly answered these questions but the other guys did a great job doing that already
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2k2 Maxima GLE Automatic
14.73 @ 93.8 on 1/2 tank regular pump gas w/o weight reduction
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SHIFT_LOTS OF OIL
DCMAX current mods- 4th gen intake, 2.5" custom catback, NWP block off plate, 00SE tailight w/overlays, Rewired fog lights, Eyelid, JIC coilovers, FSTB, 3.0 OBX headers, SSIM...
95 White GXE- 15.1 sold... now 14.9 (car next to me in sig)
00 Sterling GXE- 15.0 (ebay intake, exhaust) my next love and beauty (crashed n sold)
02 Sterling GLE- 13.84@100 2.1'
Very ironic that earlier today I was looking at a 2002 SE auto. I currently own a 91 GXE (221K)and am looking to upgrade. Big thanks to all of you for some great info.
. Yes, I confirmed it with the "H" on my firewall as well!! Its a 6 speed btw 62k
Linear Mode
