Used 1996 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews
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I love my car
Lily, 04/16/2007
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car, it is incredibly fun to drive. It feels like it has more power than the numbers indicate, and the engine is incredibly smooth and light. I have never had any trouble passing someone when I need to, from a stop or on the highway. The steering feels a little loose, but when you get used to the car it can take turns and dip lanes beautifully. For the amount that I beat up on the car (a LOT, I push the car to it's limits more than I should) it has proved incredibly strong and durable. It has never broken down without giving me warning for months beforehand, and it was my fault for being to lazy to get it fixed. This car has sold me on Maximas forever. I love it.
Great First Car
Lonewolf, 08/01/2007
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My first car and I love it. Bought it with 113,000 miles and no problems so far. Everything in the car is solid. When shifting, 1st gear has a distinctive lack in power, but after that, it pulls like crazy. Fuel economy isn't as good as I expected, but the performance makes up for it. One thing I wasn't expecting is using premium fuel. I tried regular for a while and I ended up getting worst fuel economy and performance. Now I always use premium.
1996 Nissan Maxima for sale near you
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- 1996 Nissan MaximaMSRP: $1,1001,096 mi away
- 1996 Nissan MaximaMSRP: $2,1302,225 mi away
- GLE SedanMSRP: $9902,549 mi away
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Best Car Overall
Coastal Commuter, 09/03/2007
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This was a great buy and while we have other vehicles, this is still running with the original motor and transmission at 300,000+ miles. A real winner all around.
Buy a Maxima
the maxima lover, 05/15/2003
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My maxima has 135,000 miles on it and i have never had a problem with it. If you change the oil every 3,000 miles it will last forever.The engine is quick, and powerful. Definetly go with the leather seats, as the fabric smell after 100K. I have upgraded the audio system very easily. No cutting or re- wiring, just pop the new speakers right in. The stock speakers suck if you did not get the Bose option. I just bought a new 2002 maxima and i luv it!!!
Best Kept Secret
Rangermutt, 05/27/2003
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My wife and I have owned a 1999 GXE for 4 years now and it has had few problems - mostly limited to two oxygen sensors (which required the dealer to replace due to their location). I added alloy wheels and a spoiler and aftermarket radio/cd player. I rarely drive it but really enjoy it when I do. I think for the money it was a great buy and would buy another one after we drive this one another 4 years.
Fabulous Car!
lllarzzz, 05/27/2003
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought used @ 65K miles, has been perfect for 2.5 years. Most reliable car I have ever owned. Quite fast with 5-Speed, especially for a car of this size. Handles nicely. Would buy another one in a heartbeat... hard to imaging finding a more solid or reliable used car.
Best car I've ever owned
ruth, 05/30/2003
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Switched from Toyota Camry because of some minor cosmetic and etc. problems. This has been an excellent car with nothing but minor and expected repairs. A joy to drive
THE BEST
Tru, 03/11/2002
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A 4 DOOR SLEEPER
Enjoy the Ride!!!!
cds, 03/12/2002
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Maxima is a blast to drive. I have put over 118K miles on mine and I enjoyed everyone of them. When you step on the gas, you go. And it corners like a dream.
Poor Long-TermReliability, Nice Interior
procontrol, 06/13/2003
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Interior is very nice - roomy and comfortable. Mechanical reliability, however, is poor, relative to other imports I've owned (Honda, Acura). As you approach and exceed 100k miles, lots of things start to fail on this car and dealer service and parts costs tend to be very high with mediocre service.
Kudos to the Max
jscott, 06/26/2003
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Owned my '96 SE since '96 and have 128K miles of troublefree driving. Original clutch, timing chain, etc. Only replaced battery, brakes and tires. Runs great and body holds up in Northeast. Engine is remarkable--great fuel economy, acceleration/peformance, smooth running. I have all the options-- leather interior, power everything--so car is a nice combination of a luxury family sedan and a sport/touring vehicle.
A love affair with my Maxima SE
mspitt, 01/13/2011
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new and it is still "New" to me. Everyday I get pleasure driving it. I had to do absolutely nothing to this car (except regular maintenance) until 2006 when my mother's dog chewed some wires in two. Now at 180,000 miles, the only thing my husband has done is replace the struts. This car is what all car makers should strive for. Its reliability is unmatched and it is a joy to drive. I would buy another Nissan, but I prefer to keep my Maxima, fixing whatever goes wrong, and just keep driving it. I am convinced this is the "BEST" car on the road.
The Poor Man's 5 Series!
Lyon, 03/16/2002
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I own a SE with a 5-speed manual that I love to drive hard. I've owned this car for nearly six years and drove it over nearly 98K miles, and have never needed any mechanical assistance. No matter how hard I've driven it, its never left me on the side of the road or begged for anything more than the routine oil change. The car is just a joy to drive and still performs like few cars under $30K can. When I bought it in '96, no family/sports sedan under $30K could. I dubbed this car "The Poor Man's 5-Series" because for those of us who would give their right arm for an M5 (if you didn't need it to shift) but can only afford about $26K worth of car, the Maxima makes for a decent consolation.
Maxine
Ericba13, 03/21/2002
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love my Maxima. The rear is slightly ugly but after 6 years, I'm used to it. The car handles well, brakes are solid, and the car has solid power. I picked mine up for around 20K, and there was nothing out there at the time that could've given me the size, reliability, power, and pure fun of a Maxima for that price.
Max Air
Gator, 03/23/2002
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A Ture sports sedan. Fly on the road. For those like a 4dr sedan but still want some fun to drive. Accelaration is word class, interior is luxury. A reliable car as well, I bought it used with 60K mile. Now it has almost 100K, and I have never need any major service. This is my 2nd Maxima, my first one is a 94 GXE, which carries only 160hp. The 96 GLE is definte an upgrade. I have also tested 2001 and 2002 Max. Feel like my 96 is not any slower than the 255hp 2002 and even faster than the 225hp 2001 model, probably because of the light weight. I will drive it till the wheel comes of or until I can affor a BMW 5 series as I feel no other car has better combination of sporty and luxury.
Best Bang for the Buck
Georgia, 03/27/2002
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for my wife who uses it every day. I have not had to take it back for ANYTHING. Since we've owned it I've replaced the battery and tires. I would definitley buy it again.
One owner;200,000 mi +
tom, 12/25/2016
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Has been a great car. Repairs have been minimal and spread out over time -- clutch, structs, starter, water pump, radiator. Some I did myself, other I took to a good mechanic. not bad for 20 years. Still passes CA smog and mileage is 20/25 on regular unleaded, same as 20 years ago. Mine is a 5-speed and is getting hard to shift and getting to be an issue in stop and go driving.
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I literately drove to the wheels fell off
Cam, 03/18/2019
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
If I found this model of good condition I would definitely buy for a knock around car. This model made me loyal to Nissan until recently! My car had 350,000 in it. It started smelling of gas and knocking out gear. The maintenance was low. I lovvvvvvvvvvved my 96 Maxima!
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Longest I have owned a car
Kelly , 12/10/2019
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 1996 Maxima has 203,000 miles and shows no signs of slowing down! Nothing big or expensive has broken in this car!
First Car and Last Nissan
Alistair Kilroy, 03/07/2019
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
My dad bought this car for me in 1996. I loved the car for the first 20000 miles. After that, a terrible smell from the seats. The dealer said it was odor and they sprayed the seats. The spray only lasted 3 days and it did nothing. I lived with the spray until the end of high school. On the way back from graduation the brakes failed going down a hill and my car rear ended another stopped car at 80 mph. Car was totaled. Never will buy Nissan again.
My Nissan
Peter Sliwa, 06/10/2004
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I loves my Nissan, It's the best car I have had so far. Compared to my dads 1992 Mercedes S class, my car is much more fun to drive.