00/01 vs 02/03
07-03-2010, 07:22 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Pullman, WA
Posts: 486
00/01 vs 02/03
Gonna be looking to get a 5th gen here shortly. I've had 2 4th gens so I'm just trying to familiarize myself with the 5th gens before I go looking at any. As you guys all have experience with them I was hoping you might be able to point out what changed from the 4th gen to the 00/01 and then from that to the 02/03. Obviously I know in 02 they went to the VQ35DE so more HP. I'm not positive but I think that was when they also introduced the 6 gear MT right?
I know a big thing with the 4th gens was finding the MT with LSD, do all MTs on the 5th gens have that or is it just the 6MT or are there models of both without it.
Besides that I guess really all I would want to know would be about common problems associated with the 5th gen. I read in one of the stickies that the VQ35DE suffers from oil leakage of some sort so anything of that sort of nature I should keep an eye out for. Generally just things I should be aware of when looking for a used 5th gen.
Edit: Also seem to remember a long time back reading that the fuel filter for the 5th gen is actually inside the gas tank?
I know a big thing with the 4th gens was finding the MT with LSD, do all MTs on the 5th gens have that or is it just the 6MT or are there models of both without it.
Besides that I guess really all I would want to know would be about common problems associated with the 5th gen. I read in one of the stickies that the VQ35DE suffers from oil leakage of some sort so anything of that sort of nature I should keep an eye out for. Generally just things I should be aware of when looking for a used 5th gen.
Edit: Also seem to remember a long time back reading that the fuel filter for the 5th gen is actually inside the gas tank?
Last edited by ffcbairn; 07-03-2010 at 07:25 PM.
07-03-2010, 09:30 PM
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 19
I'll let someone who can explain it better than me, tell you about the gens within the 5th. But I will tell you that you're right about the filter in the tank. And its not like the oldschool floaty ones, its actually part of the assembly.
07-03-2010, 09:50 PM
#3
2002-2003 Have HID headlights and various other cosmetic improvements.
The interior is also nicer.
2002 Was the first year of the 6MT.
Certain 2002-2006 Maxima's have the HLSD option, the trans-axle code will end in an "H" instead of an "A".
Some 2002 and 2003's have been known to burn some oil, but it's nothing that should deter you from buying one.
2002's and 2003's have some problems with the high pressure power steering hose and the rear valve covers (you can replace the rear valve cover with one from a 2004-2006 Maxima, as it only costs $40 for those years)
Other than that, I've had no problems with my 2002 6 Speed, and I have about 120k on it.
The interior is also nicer.
2002 Was the first year of the 6MT.
Certain 2002-2006 Maxima's have the HLSD option, the trans-axle code will end in an "H" instead of an "A".
Some 2002 and 2003's have been known to burn some oil, but it's nothing that should deter you from buying one.
2002's and 2003's have some problems with the high pressure power steering hose and the rear valve covers (you can replace the rear valve cover with one from a 2004-2006 Maxima, as it only costs $40 for those years)
Other than that, I've had no problems with my 2002 6 Speed, and I have about 120k on it.
07-03-2010, 10:14 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 595
Some issues also are the same across all years.
Garbage rear brake calipers are one that plague pretty much all years upto 03 and perhaps even beyond.
I've replaced the rears on my '02 and my dads '00.
Garbage rear brake calipers are one that plague pretty much all years upto 03 and perhaps even beyond.
I've replaced the rears on my '02 and my dads '00.
07-04-2010, 09:56 PM
#8
07-05-2010, 07:44 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,329
I prefer the 3.0 VQ. We have a 2000 I30 and a 2003 Murano with a 3.5L. The 3.0 seems much smoother and burns no oil at all compared to the 3.5 in the Murano.
Also, haven't some 3.5's injested screws that ruined the engine? Remeber reading something about it here.
Also, haven't some 3.5's injested screws that ruined the engine? Remeber reading something about it here.
07-05-2010, 10:25 AM
#13
I believe someone has tried it.
You can clear it with a 5mm spacer.
07-05-2010, 11:10 AM
#15
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 112
do yourself a favour and test drive both and go from there.
I have an 02 and personally love the car, but on 5000 km in about 6 weeks of owning mine
... just fun to drive and great cars for longer trips
good luck
I have an 02 and personally love the car, but on 5000 km in about 6 weeks of owning mine
... just fun to drive and great cars for longer tripsgood luck
07-05-2010, 12:17 PM
#16
the 3.5 is WAAAAAY more fun 
switch out the valve covers, a spacer kit, headers and exhaust if you can afford it and its a way meaner car than the 3.0 would be without booxt. good luck. and you get the upgrades in lights as well to hid
switch out the valve covers, a spacer kit, headers and exhaust if you can afford it and its a way meaner car than the 3.0 would be without booxt. good luck. and you get the upgrades in lights as well to hid
07-05-2010, 12:41 PM
#18
Nicely Put!!
07-05-2010, 02:15 PM
#21
Anyways my input, 5th gens are a tad more reliable than a 5.5 (no matter what anybody says) 5.5's are more prone to oil burnage but if u so happen to don't have any (like myself) then just enjoy the extra power.. 5.5 has a bigger and redesign front bumper, the interior is almost the same given the newer looking gear box in the 5.5... 6spd starts at 5.5's and not all of them are LSD which to me doesn't really matter other than bragging rights... if I was to choose, id go with the 5th gen 5spd for reliability and 5.5 for the power...
EDIT: 5.5 has a bigger modding market (not that we have a big modding market)
Last edited by Grand_hustle17; 07-05-2010 at 02:20 PM.
07-05-2010, 03:08 PM
#22
End up? Kind of started that way.
For someone not familiar with this model, you would be hard-pressed to tell the visual differences. They're really subtle, and a matter of taste, I suppose. Different taillights, fog lights, headlights, front bumpers, grill, burger, wheels, etc. Unless you know the cars intimately, most people wouldn't notice.
As to the engine, the cars weigh pretty much the same, but the 5.5 gen has 30+ more horsepower, so you can infer a difference from that pretty easily. A 5.0 gen owner may argue the 3.0 liter is "smoother", but that's a subjective opinion. The added power isn't subjective, it's just a fact because of the higher displacement and a few other design changes in the engine.
They both drive and handle similarly, although the 5.5 has a nice 6-speed manual in the SE. A 5.0 gen owner may argue that the 5-speed is better fitted for drag-racing, but that's a pretty subtle observations, and unless you track your car, it's hard to qualify that as something that matters.
I believe the 6MT in the 5.5 gen gets the best mileage of the bunch because of the 6th gear... if that's a priority for you, there's something for you to research.
It comes down to priorities. If you've got a good deal going on a 2000-2001, that deal may override a desire for a more powerful version of the 5th gen, the 2002-2003 model.
For someone not familiar with this model, you would be hard-pressed to tell the visual differences. They're really subtle, and a matter of taste, I suppose. Different taillights, fog lights, headlights, front bumpers, grill, burger, wheels, etc. Unless you know the cars intimately, most people wouldn't notice.
As to the engine, the cars weigh pretty much the same, but the 5.5 gen has 30+ more horsepower, so you can infer a difference from that pretty easily. A 5.0 gen owner may argue the 3.0 liter is "smoother", but that's a subjective opinion. The added power isn't subjective, it's just a fact because of the higher displacement and a few other design changes in the engine.
They both drive and handle similarly, although the 5.5 has a nice 6-speed manual in the SE. A 5.0 gen owner may argue that the 5-speed is better fitted for drag-racing, but that's a pretty subtle observations, and unless you track your car, it's hard to qualify that as something that matters.
I believe the 6MT in the 5.5 gen gets the best mileage of the bunch because of the 6th gear... if that's a priority for you, there's something for you to research.
It comes down to priorities. If you've got a good deal going on a 2000-2001, that deal may override a desire for a more powerful version of the 5th gen, the 2002-2003 model.
07-05-2010, 04:12 PM
#24
07-05-2010, 05:14 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 595
So, no.. It's not just for bragging rights.
07-05-2010, 05:35 PM
#29
if you say so... fastest N/A 5.5 maxima is using open dif and if sparks is using a non lsd then the second fastest max also, datdude20 (who possibly has the 3rd fastest is using open diff and teal max in NY and phantomV with the same)... i havent seen any to prove me wrong yet... im not disagreeing though, just saying, i havent seen any difference yet with HLSD VLSD whatever LSD
07-05-2010, 06:52 PM
#30
good tires and a skilled driver...dont need it
07-05-2010, 07:41 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 595
Always helps, Agree... My HLSD trans hooks up so much better than the 5 speed in my Altima did... The car was really fast, and it could just not put the rubber to the road... In the Maxima, I can floor it from a stop and it just pulls like crazy with no wheelspin. (not launching just rolling into it)
07-05-2010, 10:52 PM
#32
and my open diff max did the same thing...properly modified suspension, sticky tires, and proper throttle control...no spin, just pull...I dont think HLSD would have improved the launch at all...yeah I could make my wheel spin if i wanted too...i could chirp going in to 2nd
07-06-2010, 11:18 AM
#33
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 24
there no need to try and figure out which is better 5th or 5.5 gen....its very easy to see that the 02/03 is a better bang 4 yr buck...besides 30 more factory horse power...headlights(xenon hid)taillights..6spd...and yes there r lsd factory trans..many differances the 5th gen guys dont like to talk about
07-06-2010, 11:46 AM
#34
of course the newer years are going to have better features said that already, doesnt mean its the best bang for your buck id he gets a good *** deal on a 5th gen then he can't go wrong either way
07-08-2010, 10:55 PM
#36
No, I used a metric and standard rule and measured the inner spoke to the outer brake rotor surface and both 00 and 03 clearance were the same. So I was curious where the difference is since all Nissan Maxima front rotors are offset identical.....And yes I would say my spoke to brake caliper clearance is about .040"-.080" in the 6th Gen setup!
07-08-2010, 11:34 PM
#37
there no need to try and figure out which is better 5th or 5.5 gen....its very easy to see that the 02/03 is a better bang 4 yr buck...besides 30 more factory horse power...headlights(xenon hid)taillights..6spd...and yes there r lsd factory trans..many differances the 5th gen guys dont like to talk about
And taillights? Nah
Not all 5.5's are the best "bang 4 yr buck" (as you put it). For a generation approaching the ten year old range it really depends on what you find.
I test drove two 5.5's before getting my 5th gen. Good cars (and nice power) but the ones I drove rode rough (and I'm sure there were nicer ones out there I just didn't get to them is all). Hence I found my 5th gen and it was the best bang on the dollar.
07-09-2010, 02:04 AM
#40
that 3.0 better have forced induction to beat a 3.5
and if you had the money to mod it...why wouldnt you just buy a 3.5
