Last from the Maximas built in Japan, the 2002-2003 model holds special appeal for many people, not only for the higher quality assembly associated with Japan, but also because it had some good standard features like xenon lights and the upgraded 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine.
In my particular search, I was in a position to locate a 2002 Maxima GLE for $7,000 ($5,830 US) on the road, with 120,000 kms (74,500 miles) onto it. Which makes it the best value I have seen for any car, period, thinking about the age, condition, quality, kind of automobile and reliability. Obviously, your search will be different.
Most of the SEs and all of the GLEs you will find can come standard with a lot of things, like automatic heating and cooling, leather seats, power seats, Bose audio system with subwoofer, moonroof, xenon lights, 17-inch rims and tires, heated seats and steering wheel and much more. GXEs lack many of these features, but they are still the same car underneath.
The features are a big draw, out of the box the reliability, which carries a very good reputation. Doing my research, I found the 2000 and 2001 models had some issues, however the 2002 and 2003 are fine. The example I acquired was absolutely flawless. The interior was in brand-new condition (no wrinkles about the leather even) and drove like a brand new car – no squeaks, rattles, or bad noises of any sort. It was spectacular when compared with other cars I have seen of the identical age and mileage.
One of the bigger features of this Maxima is the use of the 3.5-liter version of Nissan’s VQ V6. This engine is used in several Nissan and Infiniti products, but perhaps made most famous within the 350Z and G35 cars. Nissan/Infiniti make use of a fancier exhaust to give the engine a more exotic sound in those cars, and it is a real shame that the exotic exhaust note isn’t contained in this car. This engine has won lots of awards, as well as in some ways it’s not hard to understand why. It’s incredibly smooth and fast-revving, and produces great power all the way from idle to redline, building smoothly without any dead spots within the rev range.
Things i personally can’t stand about it is that it makes near to 50 hp less within this Maxima than it does in some other cars, which is a massive difference. I also don’t like that the sound has no character into it. This is not a large issue to many people, but to some car enthusiast much like me, it matters – it may sound pretty utilitarian, like a Ford minivan V6 or something. Lastly, I dislike how it requires premium fuel. It really Should have premium, otherwise it’ll switch on the check engine light you, and that i hate the idea of putting premium right into a standard non-premium sedan, let alone a $7,000 car or truck.
My other complaint using the Maxima is that the suspension just doesn’t have the best balance. It doesn’t take in the bumps all that well, but the ride car obtain a little choppy and harsh sometimes, and also being floaty. The SE is a lot worse still. The rear suspension isn’t independent, therefore it does just a little left-to-right dance on expansion joints on the road, but will be able to go beyond. I simply really dislike it includes a suspension that is equally as harsh as my other car, a Volkswagen GTI VR6, but handling prowess could not be more different.
Though it has its own drawbacks, the Maxima is a well-made, capable, comfortable sedan. It’s roomy enough for four from the largest adult humans you can find (five if they are not huge) and it is wealth of features is a great big plus. It appears to become perfectly targeted towards North American buyers, and that’s why it’s a success here. To date, it has been exceedingly reliably for me personally, and it, overall, leaves people in disbelief when they hear the price. If a midsize sedan is what you are looking for, the 2002-2003 Maxima is a superb bet.