1987 Nissan Maxima Sedan 3.0 litre V6

Summary:

Well built reliable car

Faults:

Power steering pump leaked.

Trunk light switch went bad causing battery to die often.

Air Solenoid went bad causing the car not to start on cold days.

Starter pinion went bad.

General Comments:

Very fun and comfortable to drive.

For the most part very reliable.

Fast acceleration.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th November, 2002

1987 Nissan Maxima six cylinder

Summary:

A great car and a sleeper when you see it

Faults:

What things have gone wrong with the car?

I initially bought the car through the internet on a yahoo auction, I paid $4200. A bit high. But I am a Nissan believer. I flew down and picked it up in Florida, car was spotless and had been freshly buffed and detailed.

On the ride from the airport it ran on three cylinders instead of six, appeared to be the spark plugs not firing correctly. Seller repaired. This showed up once again in Louisiana, until then the car ran smoothly. From Louisiana the car fired on three then six cylinders, intermittently, I believe this bumping and forceful jerking back and forth took out two of the motor mounts. I took it to my mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel injector harness was not making correct contact consistently which forced it to fire incorrectly. THIS had been a recall item when the 87 Maxima first came out. This work had been done by a Florida dealer, but factory installation specs direction was that it was to be soldered and not clamped. The dealer had used the clamped method. The repair shop did a timing chain and soldered the fuel harness.

Since the car had been sitting for many years the 700 miles of jerking effected many of the rubber seals and fittings.

To repair and replace many of those rubber fittings to enhance the life span of this car. The car has been a dream to drive, I installed a security system and a CD stacker.

I bought the car for my daughter to attend college, but she decided not to attend, so I am using it to drive to college from Austin to San Marcus. The car has pick up at high speeds, decent gas mileage, low insurance and no monthly car payments. I will save a lot of money in this purchase…..

I love this car it drives and handles like a sports car with room to sit like a full size car.

General Comments:

I remember seeing this car back in 87 and thought what a sweet simple classic design. Each day I drive it with it powerful six-cylinder engine I fall in love with a little more. An added benefit is I have a lead foot and this car is like new, the police see an old car of fifteen years old, they appear to not understand that it is speeding along quite quickly. It handles like dream, stops and responds quick, like a fast sports car I use to own a TR3... this is a great car...

The independent gas feeders to the cylinder make this a very quick responding engine.

Seals on trunk needs to be replace, shifts well, sound system since upgrade is awesome, sun roof works like new, AC will freeze you out.. Love my car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th September, 2002

23rd Sep 2004, 19:34

Great Review, I am in the market for a 1987-1988 model Nissan Maxima, and based on my research and particularly this amazing review, I am anxious to get one right away. Thank you very much!

26th Oct 2004, 01:22

Thanks for the amazing review. I can't wait to get an 87-88 model Maxima. I just love the design and overall the whole car. Thanks a lot!