Faults:

Timing chain tensioner doesn't bleed out the air at start up and was allowing the timing chain to rattle badly... Nissan issued a service bulletin, but after warranty period its your problem. Will be worst when car is started after sitting some time. $185 in parts, $800 in labor, or a long weekend. This was correctly in late 96 models and for all 97 and later models.

Knock sensor, $150.

Rear O2 sensor, $80.

One CV is worn causing a hum at highway speed. Boots are OK yet, which is odd.

Power steering belt tensioner pulley...$45 mail order part, $70 dealer price.

Reverse switch in the transmission...$30.

Clutch assembly needed at 80,000.

Clock was dead.

Power antenna is stripped... big surprise.

General Comments:

After all the work above was done the car is great. This car I think is a poor example of the reliability of the Maxima. The first owner was a salesman, a smoker, who must have NEVER washed it in the four years he owned it, nor done any routine service.

The car is quiet, powerful and comfortable.

Ride in the SE is stiff, but the performance payoff is well worth it.

The shifting of the 5 speed is not very inviting. Synthetic oil in the transmission helps some.

No fun at all to work on... easily the most difficult car I have ever owned.

The engine will be hard on tires if you like to use it.

The remote door openers have an incredible range... perhaps 70 yards or more.

A/C is ICE cold.

Interior is smooth in appearance, and easy to clean.

Surprisingly not too bad to insure, even without ABS (a rare option).

Probably not the best value out there, but truly a one of a kind family car.

Faults:

The power window regulators on all 4 doors have failed. The plastic used in the guides and rollers cracks and allows the cable to bind up. Replacement is the only repair and is a chronic problem for this series of Maxima. Replaced myself for around $80.00 each from the dealer.

Water temperature gauge has failed.

Lights in the radio have failed.

General Comments:

The most reliable car I've ever owned. No major mechanical or electrical problems. Normal maintenance and care should allow the car to go over 200k miles easy.

Performance has always been above par. I've never abused the engine by over revving or even trying to see how fast it will go. Daily cruise down the interstate at 75 MPH for 30 minutes and it's never let me down.

Faults:

This is the most reliable car I have ever owned.

There was one time when I turned the engine off and the ABS module continued to run even after I had locked the car and walked away. I disconnected the battery and let the computer reset itself and it was fine.

The BOSE system is incredible to hear, but very costly if you ever run into problems. I had to replace the head unit after it stopped working shortly after I bought the car. Because it was a BOSE CD/Cassette head unit, the dealer quoted me almost $1,000.

General Comments:

This car is a sleeper. It's one of those cars that you can drive fast in and never get pulled over by the police. You don't draw the attention of a Camaro or Mustang.

This car has too much body roll for the power of the engine, and handling it takes some adjustment at first.

It has a timing chain, so you never have to worry about the belt snapping causing volatile detonation (destroying the valves and the heads of the engine).

No low-end torque was a big let-down when I first purchased this car. It does not have very much power until you get above 2900 RPMS. Once you tack it up, it continues to accelerate when other cars start wheezing. This is because of it's Hemi-style heads. It loves the highway.

The heated mirrors were a nice convenience living in New England and having four seasons, but this car cannot handle at all in a snowstorm.

I have learned over time that Nissan uses a very soft paint. You can scratch it with almost anything, even a fingernail. It takes a lot of patience and maintenance to make it shine.

The morphing gauges (offered in the SE) are very easy on your eyes both day and night.

It is a very reliable car, I haven't seen my regular mechanic in two years now. I don't miss him either!