Faults:

When I got it (from an auction) there was a small stutter in the engine, it was the crank angle sensor (distributor). $400 to fix it, and there have been no engine problems since then.

Interior has held up and is in *excellent* shape (velour inside).

There is no visible rust, however there is minimal peeling of clear-coat on mirrors and on roof corners.

CV joints (around 200$ by Midas when they go) going out soon...

Transmission, body, and engine are in excellent shape, no other repairs done or required.

General Comments:

This Maxima was a car unlike all the others at the auction. I bid, I won, I drove her home...

Hold on tight, because the Maxima has got it going on under the hood. I'm very glad cops don't eye this car down, but I think they should :). It would take a newer performance sedan or sports car to take me out in acceleration or handling. Still haven't found out how high the car tops out yet... =)

Inside is very nice and roomy considering its Japanese... I have comfortably seated 4 adults, and the 5th person could be comfy if they were a child... if there are only 4, the middle folds down for an armrest. The seats are perfectly formed in the front and back, and I have yet to feel seats in even brand new cars that are shaped as well as these. You'll sleep better here than on the sofa.

The value is very good, all though the cost of some things can be higher for an older car. You get what you pay for, however, as in this car I feel safe no matter what the conditions or where I'm driving. Gas mileage is respectable for a full size, giving about 20 city MPG and 28 freeway MPG (through my experience). Overall, if you keep the Maxima well tuned and treat it well, she'll treat you well. I know a friend that has 314,000mi on his '91 Maxima with its ORIGINAL engine and ORIGINAL tranny in it. My car is in excellent shape, and the Maxima is a hell of a deal.

Faults:

I had to replace the VTC (Variable Timing Control Sprocket) a couple months after I bought it. That cost around $850. It stopped the engine from "ticking".

Replaced CV (Constant Velocity) joints at around 170K and they have worn out again.

Front passenger door stopped opening after a part inside broke and cost about $200 to get fixed.

Clear finish on alloy wheels is peeling.

The trunk is rusting under the factory spoiler.

Drivers seat bolster showing severe wear.

Temperature selector no longer slides all the way cold.

Light on air conditioning, glove box, and ashtray only rarely work.

Lights on radio only work when the radio is turned off. The display is also missing bars.

Most recently the BOSE radio ceased to work at all.

Windshield cracked for no reason one day.

General Comments:

The 5 speed has been fun for showing kids in souped up Hondas what this car can do stock.

Sporty design with lots of room.

Great sound system for two years until it stopped working.

Faults:

Brakes needed new pads.

Knock sensor went bad.

Seats worn when I got the car (leather).

General Comments:

This car has unbelievable power for a big 4 door. When you put your foot in it you get nailed back in the seat. It keeps up with most of the new V6 performance imports out now.

The interior was ahead of its time for '92.

Faults:

Too much to list, but here's what I can remember:

Needed six new coil packs.

New Fuel Pressure Regulator at 101,000 miles.

New Fuel Pump & Fuel Pump Regulator came soon after.

Front axles were replaced two years ago, and are already going bad.

Bose speakers went out fairly quickly.

There's a lot more, but it's just too much to list.

General Comments:

When I first got this car from the dealer, it did pretty well for the first 15,000 miles that I had it, but it's all downhill from there.

After about 100,000 miles, this car really started to fall apart. It has been in the shop continuously for repairs.

Even after all this, it still has some upsides. It has a V6 engine that puts out 190 hp, and handles pretty good.

Before I bought it, I heard that these cars were supposed to be very reliable, but the one I own is disappointing.

This was the only import car I have ever owned, and because of this car alone, I will never buy another one again, let alone a Nissan. I have had nothing but good luck with GM, and I will probably end up trading my Maxima in for a Chevy.