1996 Nissan QX 3.0 SEL 3.) petrol

Summary:

Luxury bargain of the century

Faults:

Nothing at all. This car has not had a fault.

General Comments:

Great comfortable car which is a bargain. £2,500 or thereabouts will buy a QX SEL with less than 100K on the clock and for that you get electric heated seats, cruise, climate and full leather. This is an absolute bargain.

My only criticism is that it drinks a bit of petrol, but if that bothers you, you shouldn't be considering a 3.0 V6 automatic. Balance this against the cheap garage bills (stay away from the franchise) and total reliability and you can't go wrong.

This is not a sports saloon, nor does it pretend to be so. It is, however a very reliable and comfortable luxury saloon which can be picked up for pennies.

If you can find one, buy it today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2005

21st Jul 2005, 11:06

I still would argue about that it is not sport saloon,

Steve Millen or SMX has made from 1996 Nissan Maxima 3.0L manual 5 speed with minor changes relatively good sport saloon, that takes 0-100 km/h (0-60mph) =6,4 s.1/4 mile=15.1 s.

Very good results for luxury sedan, I would say it is sport saloon.

1996 Nissan QX SE 2.0

Summary:

Lovely when working, but a money pit for any significant repairs

Faults:

Timing chain jumped on start-up at 89000 miles. £2200 to check/fully rebuild engine. Radiator blockage and water pump seal failure at 160000 miles cost approx £500 to repair. Near side front lower ball joint needed replacing at 165000 miles costing approx £400. Power steering fluid cooler failure at 170000 miles cost £120 to repair. Timing chain jumped on start-up at 176500 miles (87500 miles after previous occasion) despite regular high quality oil changes and always depressing clutch before start-up.

General Comments:

Lovely smooth and relaxing driving experience.

Nissan give dealers no official guidance on changing timing chains, but they have jumped without warning twice on me and it costs a fortune to check and repair engine. Not willing to pay our a second time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th February, 2005

1996 Nissan QX LS 2 litre V6

Summary:

Second hand bargain

Faults:

Rear shock absorber lost oil and failed.

Car failed to start then flooded.

Car failed to start then flooded (again)

General Comments:

Large, spacious refined car. Very comfortable, particularly long haul on motorways. Surprisingly economical, around 28mpg (UK). A reliability problem has not yet been satisfactorily solved by the Nissan dealers or a Japanese car specialist, but even this has not totally dissuaded me from finding another one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2004

1996 Nissan QX Maxima 2.0

Summary:

Low price bargain

Faults:

I had to replace the rear brake pads at 83000 miles. But hey that is all that has gone wrong with the car in 43000 miles!

General Comments:

Totally reliable car. I bought this car at 61000 miles with full service history (ex company car). I have now completed 103000 miles, besides the rear brake pads and a set of spark plugs I have only changed the oil and filter each year plus the air filter and it has run and run. It still has the original exhaust on but the rear box is onto its second and last skin. It has just completed it's MOT and the mechanic said it may require a brake pipe for next year but otherwise it looks really good!

Brilliant for long distance motorway travelling. Travels for miles at unprintable speeds.

40+ mpg on motorway at 70+ MPH. Good economy on motorway, comes down to high 20's if you use it around town.

Bounces a little on undulating roads. The suspension is a little bouncy on bumpy roads but it is a big car and it is really designed for motorways.

As for the guy who said about the QX being a boring Nissan. I have had a number of comments from people and all good. As it is a rarely seen car people like to see what type it is and they always comment positively.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd August, 2003