The 3.5L VQ engines (not sure what year they introduced them) are prone to burning oil but it's not too bad. It's a manual so you should be fine in terms of avoiding transmission issues (the 6 speed auto on the 04-06 models is literally a ticking time bomb). VQs have a tendency to have the timing chain need servicing somewhat prematurely so make sure to have that checked out.
Other than that they make reliable cars even if the paint quality of Nissan cars isn't the greatest. Electrics for that gen are usually rock solid as well. Crappy on gas but what would you expect from a heavy FWD V6? Good luck.
too big for my taste, but will be comfy if youre fat, i really always liked the back seats, the turning radius is atrocious tho
Lucas Perez
I'm lanky as fuck and would prefer to cop a Prelude or a 240SX (but lol ricetax), but I've heard good things about these and the price is undeniably attractive. Never heard about the turning though, I thought these were relatively sporty handling cars for the size?
Thanks for the info, my dude. What's the average MPGs on them? I'd expect low-mid 20s but I'm not looking for a Prius so that's fine.
Aiden Green
I don't know about the VQ25DE but fuck the QR25DE
all im gonna say
Easton Butler
Check the radiator support. On this gen they're prone to rusting out entirely.
Jonathan Walker
>cop a Prelude or a 240SX you might just start a shit-throwing fest here, be careful.
Gabriel Fisher
Also.
>NJ Plates
Bewary of niggers, they treat their cars like shit.
They are ok cars, but they handle horrible. I'm a NYC fag and after Civics, sand niggers and niggers rice them, thinking they are high performance racecars. Also they get stolen a lot so bewary user.
Godspeed user.
Ethan Rivera
2k is an ungodly steal for that car.
Something isnt right. Or, the owner is retarded. Bring a code scanner to see what codes it has. It will have at least one O2 related code, knock sensor code also likely but *everything* triggers that code. Watch out for other emissions codes. EGR is easy to deal with/troubleshoot, EVAP is a living hell to diagnose and fix.
Since its a 2001 itll have the VQ30DEK, rather than the 3.5. Upside is that the 3.5s all burn oil, some a little, some alot - no way to know unless you own it. The 3.0s are also god tier for their time and even today as far as reliability goes. On the downside, 3.5 is obviously more power. That engine has some serious balls for what it is - IIRC stock they make more torque than HP (both around ~200). With an aftermarket ypipe you open up about 18hp. Yes, 18hp from that alone.
Things to look for - tranny is #1. Basically the achilles heal on what is pretty much a bulletproof car. They arnt shit or anything but if something breaks over time, thats going to be it. However with that low mileage i wouldnt worry about that; just listen for unusual noises while accelerating, and see if it has any trouble shifting/staying in gear/etc.
Another common issue is coilpacks going bad. But they are easy to replace and cheap. Just make sure you get the right brand.
As a previous user said, check the lower radiator support, its the metal bar the radiator sits on, and where the engine cradle bolts to in the front. Nissan FUCKED UP with the design and ALL maximas 95-01 will wind up with a rotted out rad support, conviently where the engine cradle bolts to. Failure to replace this will result in the engine sagging forward, and obvious resulting consequences. Surface rust is expected, hell expect it to be fucked even - just make sure the seller is aware you know and chew him down because that job is a PITA.
>pic related, 4th gen max rad support
Max owner btw so feel free to ask me anything.
Grayson Butler
That gen is truly the best maxima. 3100lbs and still considered a mid size, 255hp with the vq35de, no massive reliability problems
Kayden Reyes
2001 is 3.0 though, not 3.5.
The 5th gen body ran from 2000-2003, but had two completely different engines. Probably because nissan rushed the car out for the new millenium but the intended engine wasnt ready (and considering the oil burning issues, its argueable the 3.5 never was ready)
00-01 have the VQ30DEK, which is the same as the 95-99s VQ30DE except it has variable intake porting for about 20hp more up top. Theres some other minor changes but basically the engines are interchangable.
On the other hand, the 02-03s have the 3.5. Which is obviously more fun but comes with its own set of teething issues as mentioned above. People also swap these into 4th gens all the time with (relatively) minor headache.
Both are great engines. The 3.0 however simply will not fucking die, it really is a solid motor.
