Used 1997 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews
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I want my 95 back
Sam , 01/17/2006
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I totaled a 1995 Maxima GLE, so I decided to step up to a 97 SE. Over the last 6 months I have had over $1500 in repairs, granted it has never left me stranded, but that is what I spent on my 95 over the course of 1.5 years and it had 70,000 more miles on it. Also since my 95 was much less expensive, plenty of money was left over for aftermarket performance parts. Do yourself a favor and find a higher mileage that has had all the common problems fixed and use the money saved to increase performance.
Good Dependable Car
wingcomdr, 01/31/2006
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought as lease return with 29K-now has 94K. Great window visibility over the Camry and is a big reason we got it. Plenty of power. Drives very well and holds the road. Replaced muffler at 59K & 74K, starter at 61K & 88K, otherwise regular maintenance-fluid changes at regular intervals-have kept this car relatively free of costly repairs. Gas mileage city is 21-24 and hwy 26-30 based on records of every fillup since we bought it. Replaced original tires at 49K and put on Michelin xOne and have 45K on them-they need replacing in another 5-10K. All accessories work well other than antenna. A good solid performer.
Maxima 1997
mrfoxy57, 03/18/2006
1997 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the best used car i have ever owned. I'm 57 years old... The performance is awesome, the ride is smooth. the gas mileage is amazing when you consider the acceleration. I would HIGHLY recommend this car.
Nissan Fan
Nissan Lover, 10/29/2006
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am a Nissan fan...I have owned my Maxima for 5 years. It's time to upgrade and Nissan is at the top of the list. I didn't take the best care of my car but it has taken care of me. Not many repairs needed - I should have been more proactive and those my have been prevented....never left me stranded and always starts in the mornings. It's stylish I look good behind the wheel and allows me to show off with pick-up & GO! when needed. I would tell anyone that the Nissan Maxima is a great buy!
Reliable, Comfortable, Fun
Fandango, 01/27/2007
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my fourth Maxima SE 5-speed. All were bought used and ran for many miles without significant mechanical problems. All this one required besides the usual wear items was an alternator. The car now has 201,000 miles on it and is still going strong. With reasonable care, the power train on these will go practically forever, and the horsepower and fuel economy are great. The handling in corners is good enough to be fun, but as a sport sedan it should be somewhat better. Still, the car is comfortable, reliable and fun and a great value, especially when bought used. It's sort of a poor man's beamer.
97 maxima SE bought in late 2001
low1man, 03/24/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Mine has been a woderful experience with the maxima. When I bought it in 2001, 190Hp was still something to be proud of in a 4 door car. With the leather, moonroof, automatic climate control, and 5-speed manual transmission, the maxima combines luxury and sport and blurs the line between the two. She has been a wonder car to drive.
I love this car!
Jimv, 03/27/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had a lot of used up-scale cars including a few BMWs and Audis. They were nice cars, but the Maxima just does everything right. It's quick, comfortable, and excellent on gas. One of the best used car purchases I've ever made.
Love this car
brandon1031, 01/13/2012
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought this car with 120k, and now just hit 161k in a year and a half I can only say one thing-this car is awesome. I've driven brand new cars that dont drive as great as this. Normal things had to have been replaced but nothing that its to expensive. Love this cars power, reliability, roomy interior, and the bose stereo is phenomonal. Not completely crazy about the outside looks, thats the least of my problems. Would reccommend this car to anyone!
Every day it's better
wollomombi, 04/10/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is probably the best equation for a car out there courteousy of the VQ power plant. I found the clutch differnt (used to eurpoean) but once you compensate for that, it is a joy to drive. It really does accelerate to 60 in around 7 seconds and doesn't have any nasty surprises on dirt, snow or mud. Best tyre combo: Michelin Alpine (excellent with this chassis) Suspension is easy to stiffen and if you are a Mod nut you can go with the 267hp turbo kit. Last note, My wife drives this car better than I can and I had to teach her stick and I'll be shooping for a new engine before a new car with this one.
Good car
MAXIMAGUY, 03/19/2007
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased the maxima @ 60k miles. It now has 130k. This has been a very good car for me. At around 110k i replaced one individual cylinder coil, 120k i had to replace the alternator and 125k the starter. The cv joints are going, but that's not unexpected. I get around 23 mpg mixed between city and hwy. I drive too fast to get good mileage.
Perfect, great car, totally reliable
suecag, 06/06/2007
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned my 1997 Nissan Maxima GLE for 5 years (purchased from a private owner). I have never had any issues whatsoever. I have never had to get any repairs besides the regular oil changes, tires, etc. And it is perfect inside and out. It is wonderful to never have to worry about your car.
Maxima is Great
John, 09/10/2007
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased our Maxima new and it has been the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned. It is now 10 years old and the only repairs besides routine maintenance has been an alternator (recall), a starter and new front axles/cv boots, and oil sensor (leaking). The engine is still like new with only 73k miles on it. It's got some dings and scratches but we are going to keep it for a least 2 more years. It has been a great car.
Fun With Four Doors
simmi, 04/26/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Maxima SE with 56K on the odometer. I choose the Maxima SE because of its sporty appearance, award winning engine, high reliability ratings, and the room afforded to all passengers. Also important was the 5- spd transmission. Performance wise, this car is just about as fun to drive as my Mustang GT, but it sure is much more comfortable and convenient. I have never been concerned when needing to pass another vehicle. I have put over 30K on the car in two years and have had no major issues with the vehicle. Replaced a fuel sensor and timing belt. I love this car and plan to drive it until I am ready to buy a new Max.
The best!
bonton, 05/21/2007
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car when it had 40K miles on it and now, 5/07, it has 202K and still runs as good as the day I bought it. I have replaced an oxygen sensor, the starter, and the brakes. This is without a doubt, the best car I have ever owned in my 32 years of driving. I will keep it until they push me off the road.
Sold on Maxima's
bgrimme, 05/01/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car still rides, runs and looks like brand new at 141,000 miles. It's also the most dependable car I've ever driven. It still has the original exhaust system on it! Besides normal maintance items the only things that I've had to fix were the A/C and an Oxygen sensor and that was in the last year. The engine doesn't burn or leak oil. The car accelerates hard and tracks straight. Everything works on the car and for the most part there are no squeakes or rattles. It's an incredible car.
Outstanding Engine
reynard4, 03/08/2002
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We love our 97 SE. The engine is all that you've heard and more. It wont plant you in your seat like a '69 Z, but the power and torque range is broad and smooth. You can cruise at 60 and pop up to 80 to pass and the car just leaps ahead while maintaining a civil ride. The handling is quite good also and the car squats nicely under braking (4-wheel disc), with very little pitch. Not the biggest interior or trunk, but hey, when you're having this much fun, who cares!
Great car!
Derek, 01/19/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Car is very fun to drive and my first 5spd.
South Dakota Maxima from Iowa
CYCLONZ, 02/26/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my SE in Jan of 2003. prior to this i owned a POS neon. My first experience was in a 97 GLE which my brother in law owned. I never imagined what i have invested in till now.. The v6 is sweet, sound not so much (neon wins this one). However the leather and the performance is outstanding.. my baby hits the road and i am flying. I am sure one of these days i will get a ticket.. it will be worth it!
The best car ever, that is under valued.
Big , 06/01/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love my 1997 Max! It is the first new car I have ever bought and have had no problems ever. Everything is stock except minor maintenace like belts, brakes, tires and I have driven over 108,000 miles. I bought the GXE model in a 5 speed. She looks great and I have never had a problem out of her. Even today when most cars come with more than the 190HP in this model Max, I still smoke'm at the light. If you are looking for a car with all the anemities, even better power in the newer models, reliable and attractive, the Maxima is the best bet. Forget about Honda and Toyota, they can't touch the Nissan's.
The best car for the money
Tamer, 06/09/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
good looks , great performance , very reliable .
I Love it, I want a 2002
Fradom, 03/13/2002
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sporty, reliable, and fun
Grand Cruiser
Dajie, 03/16/2002
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just got back from another road trip, this time we drove from Salt Lake City Utah to LA and back. This car certainly made the miles go by fast. It's comfortable, sporty (I have the 5 speed model), reliable, economical. My dad has a 1998 Camry V6 XLE, I would never pick his car to go on a trip like this for as long as I own mine Maxima, and I am sure it will be for a long time.
Poor man BMW wannabe, that was never RWD
MaxRX7, 03/23/2002
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Good bang for buck. no comparsion to toyota and honduh.
4-door sports car indeed
Brian, 05/27/2008
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Fastest sub $30K sedan available with manual trans at the time. 11 years later still 0-60 sub 7sec. Very reliable sedan, sports sedan primarily, 4-door sports car second.
Discouraging
Kurt Glover, 11/23/2004
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought my Maxima August of 2004. I just traded it in (November 2004). I thought I was buying my wife a dependable car but wasn't. After 100,000 miles it starts hard, plus there is a very loud noise coming from the front end that no one can figure out what it is. Keep in mind, you must use premium gas for this engine...This car did not live up to it's expectations.
Superb car
jwaine, 08/23/2002
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Our '97 Maxima SE is one of the best, if the not be best, cars we have ever owned. Other than regularly scheduled maintenance, it has not required a single repair in over five years and 40,000 miles.
A car in its own league
snoopdade, 02/23/2003
1997 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Its is one of the best car buying choices i ever made.