2012 Nissan Maxima SV Sport
Summary:
Excellent
Faults:
CVT feels like it's going over a rumble strip when the RPMs are below 1500. Took it to dealer for a check. They changed the transmission fluid and did a CVT computer reprogram/software update. Although it's a tad better, it's still an annoying quirk of the way the CVT operates. I googled it and it's known as "CVT Drone".
Other than that, just the usual brakes and oil changes so far.
Update at 67K miles: The window rubber kit inside the driver's door had to be changed at 62K miles. The driver's window was scraping when I tried to open the window. This cost me $500 to repair. Also at 63K miles, the blower motor for the interior climate control started squealing and chirping. Had to have that motor replaced. That cost $500.
General Comments:
Very fast. Overall very comfortable interior. The reason I always go with Nissan/Infiniti cars is I love the ergonomics of all their cars. All the buttons and knobs, the center console and shifter are all laid out perfectly, in a way that's intuitive to any driver. I also HATE fat steering wheels. Nissan tends to have thinner, grippy steering wheels, not fat, slippery ones. This is much better when driving long distances. I don't get hand fatigue in these cars, nor butt or back fatigue because the seats are good.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th April, 2016
17th Apr 2016, 03:33
In the last several years, transmissions have been scrutinized as a neglected path to fuel economy that could yield significant results - if optimized.
The result has been the emergence of somewhat aggressive upgrades of the link between the engine and the drive wheels - the transmission.
No matter what new-age solution is chosen (dual-clutch, CVT, or stepped torque-converter transmission with more than 6 forward speeds), they all exhibit "unexpected" behavior.
If you follow transmission history, awkward transmission behavior was part-and-parcel with progress. More progress usually entails more awkwardness until the "bugs" are worked out. As long as they work out the bugs (instead of brand their way out of the bugs), and reliability is reasonable, I'm OK with it :)