Used 2002 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews
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Better than the others
My wife just wrecked our 2002 maxima. Bought it used with less than 30K on it. Radio was a piece but the car ran and drove flawlessly for over 7 years and 155k miles. The dammed low-profile tires you have to run on these is the worst feature. All I did was change the oil regularly. It was in the shop for struts and then again for a steering rack. Total additional cost over regular stuff was like $2,000. Almost made the mistake today buying a an 2001 accord w. 73K on it till I read about all the problems with trannys and abs light garbage on those era of Hondas. I am looking for another nissan
Best Maxima Ever!
Bought as certified used with 22K miles, now have 122K miles and this car is still awesome!I haven't had any major problems at all with this car. I plan to drive it well past 200K miles.
Eating Oil
Purchased the car new in 2002, fun car to drive initially.6 speed gear box and acceleration can get you in trouble with law enforcement.I have owned car for 8 years and had little or no problems.Problems began at 120k, electric cooling fans out,power plug cig lighter quit working,car started making a clacking noise that sounded fatal.Car towed to shop, found low oil on stick , noise from lifters clattering due to electronic timing off and air in system due to low oil. Car maintained meticulously with Mobil 1 syn 5w30 reg change.Repaired and back to normal. Happened again same problem.Car eating oil, no smoke or serious leaking. Mechanic friend chk pcv, stuck on Saturn and ate oil.I have to ck
Best Mid-Size Sedan for under $25K
Compared to the other competitors in the mid-size sedans under $25K category, Maxima provides the best combination of performance, reliability, luxury, and convenience. I researched this against all it's competitors: 1. Camry/Accord/Taurus - way too boring 2. Passat - nice, but the engine is anemic. 3. Impala - questionable styling 4. Intrepid/Concorde - too boaty, reliability questions 5. Grand Prix - don't care for Pontiac's styling inside or out
First Maxima
Just bougnt my first Maxima (GLE) w/roof and front side air bag. Got a good deal and very friendly service at the dealer. Loved it the first time drove it. Quiet and fast! Everyting is easy to control, even the audio controls are built on the steering wheel. Love the trip computer, too, but not the number on when you see your average gas milage.
3 Week Rental Car - 2002 Maxima SE
We had the pleasure of driving a 2002 Maxima SE for 3 weeks as a rental car while we were waiting on our car to be repaired after an accident.My wife and I both really liked this car.The car had a lot of room and could easily and very comfortably seat 3 adults across the backseat.The V6 was strong and fun to drive.It had a lot of power and was not sluggish when you needed the acceleration.The suspension seemed a little stiff and did not give as smooth a ride as we would have thought, but it was a SE suspension therefore more geared toward performance I think.
Better Than the Altima
I went to the dealership expecting to own a new Altima Se, but when I drove the maxima I was Hooked. I admit the Altima may be a tad bit sportier, but what the maxima lacks here, it makes up for in comfort,refinement and style. I have always wanted a sports car, and at 34, am finally able to afford one. However,time and family(two toddlers) have changed my taste, style and needs. The maxima makes me feel young and sporty again when I need it, but is comfortable, convenient and beautiful the rest of the time. Overall, a wonderful combination for a young at heart family man.
Replacement cost of xenon headlamps
First, the motor runs great at 140K. The trans has started making noise. Undrivable right now. When I replaced one of the xenon headlamps, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor, we're not talking about the whole assembly, just the bulb itself. At the Nissan dealership in Victorville, CA $258.00 for the bulb!! Can you believe it? I went on line and found the cheapest to be $159.00 My suggestion for someone who may not want to pay that much is when the xenon goes out, run your brights instead of replace. Bright bulbs cost $8. Oh, the spark plugs are internal. Tune up costs $418.00 to replace 6 spark plugs.
2002 Maxima GLE
Fantastic to Drive. This is my second Maxima. Larger than an accord, better looking than a camry. Can't beat the value!!
I love my 02 Maxima
If you want performance, an awesome sound package and a sweet interior then please opt for the 2002 Maxima SE. THe tightened handling capabilities, hold this fierce engine to the ground.
Having fun with a six speed
I absolutely love it. It has been a good car for me. Buying it with 50,000 miles was miraculous. Especially with it being a six-speed. The car looks great and has beautiful horsepower. With it not being driven much I have had to replace the sprockets on the timing chain and little things along the way. But overall it's a wonderful car I would recommend it to anyone.
Completely Satisfied
I do a fair amount of driving in relation to my work, so I wanted a car more powerful and roomier (I am 6'3") than my Mazda 626. Completely satisfied with that choice. Lots of leg and head room, even with a sunroof, which is a power sunroof. Plenty of get- up-and-go, accelerating quickly and smoothly, and handles very well, even on curving mountain roads. Interior is leather with faux wood trim. A bonus is a built in dash 6 CD changer, with a great Bose sound system. I am convinced that a comparable Toyota Avalon or Acura or Honda,etc. would have cost 3- 4000 dollars more. Mileage so far appears to be 22-24 in town, and 26-28 on the highway (using regular unleaded gas).
Best car in it's class
This is really a very good car. I've been driving Maximas since 1995. It's the best car in it's class(Honda Accord, Toyota Camry etc). Has the best V6 engine, very powerfull and very vell balanced. Previous year (2001) was not thet good: very unbalanced (very poor brakes for the power like that-215 hp). But this year -- excellent. Cars like it -- 0 (V6, 255 HP and the funny part -- only $24000 with the sunroof and everything power). ENJOY!!!
Great Car
Just passed 3500 miles on odometer. Car performs flawlessly. Plenty of room for 6'4" driver. Averaged 27.9 mpg on 1200 mile trip thru the desert in 100+ heat. More than happy with this car.
First time Nissan Owner
So far so great. Dealership was good to work with and we made a great deal, better than Edmunds TMV estimate. Everything is great about the car, but it could use better insulation. Wind and road noise at highway speeds.
Keeps on going (FAST) w/140K!
When I traded a 2000 Acura TL for the Maxima, it had about 25K miles. I drive about 30K per year and wanted something that had a lot of power with a manual transmission that also got decent gas mileage. Roominess was also important to me since I have a family. I got exactly what I was looking for, and the car now has about 140K miles. The Maxima is the perfect commuter for my needs. The V6 is amazing. I think it may be the best motor in any car I've ever driven. Torque is plentiful and available everywhere in the rev range. The 6 speed is not the slickest, but it keeps you involved, even though you do not have to work very hard shifting because of all of the torque. This is a great Q-ship.
Worth the wait
I have wanted a Nissan Maxima since I was 22, and I am now 27 and finally can afford to own one, and all I can say is it's worth the wait! I love to drive it, I've only had it for a week, and already have 500 miles on it. The power s enough to keep me interested, and I have a 12 second Mustang. The tranny is great, and it is ohh sooo smooth on the hi-way.
Comments on Maxima GLE
Owning this car has been a generally satisfying experience. I am VERY impressed with my dealer's response to warranty situations. Things to fix iclude: Fix SLIPPERY steering wheel on GLE model ... dangerous!!! Needs more comfortable driver's seat with more secure hip gripping ... tendency to slide around on turns with leather upholstery. Less jouncy suspension option.
Luxury-level sports sedan
The build quality, smoothness, quietness and sheer power are on a luxury car level. I have two new Maximas, 7 months old now and with a total of 13000 miles between the two. Absolutely not one single problem with either car the whole time. How can they make such a complex machine so perfect?
You kidding me!!!
This car is great! This car has more hp then most V8's. For the price there is not a better car. I drove the TL and the ES300 and this car performs better then both. Alot of bang for your buck!
Blast to drive but......
Just went on trip to Smokies. AC went out and spent 8 hours total on road back and forth to closest dealer twice to finally get it fixed somewhat. It still cools but the compressor sounds like its about to grenade. Other than that ohhhhhhhh what a car.
Best bang for the buck
I went to town to buy either an Accord or Camry, but ended up coming home with a Nissan Maxima SE. I've had a '97 & '99 Accord, so I know they're good cars. I took a '02 Camry SE for a 10 mile test drive and liked the ride, but wanted to try the Maxima too. It's a great car, lots of power, and very comfortable. The things I don't like are the taillight design and not having the steering wheel controls (cruise, stereo, etc) illuminated at night. I really like the intense headlights and the stereo system. The moonroof and rear spoiler are nice too. For all I got on the Maxima SE, I would have only gotten a 4-cylinder Honda or Toyota.
Best V-6 made. Period.
This is my second new Maxima. I love the power, styling, interior design, reliability and above all else- the engine. Name another midsize 4 door that has a 6-speed, limited slip differential, 255hp and does 0-60 in 6 seconds for under $27,000! There's very little I dislike about this vehicle, and with Nissan's reputation, an engine that's consistently on the 10 best engines list and a base price of under $25K, I think it's a no brainer.
maxima gle
so far have had no problems, have 1400 mi, fun to drive, good family car yet sporty, smooth and powerful engine have all options except nav.
Ok until around 90k miles
Great vehicle for the last few years. However, around 90k miles the transmission broke. Replacement rebuilt transmission $4200, beware of higher mileage vehicles.
Nissan is Good
The only car I drove that outperformed the Maxima was a 540 6-spd, but it was two years old, had over 30k miles, and was priced about $10k more than the Max I purchased. No other car priced under $35k can match the Maxima's blend of performance, quality, and content. My only major complaint is the paint quality - the car is five months old and has almost a dozen paint chips on the front bumper. Great car - loads of passenger space, good looking, fantastic engine and transmission.
3rd Maxima--this one is the best
2002 GLE loaded---can't beat the value compared with the competition. Great engine, steering and brakes. Have fun!!!!
Most fun to drive the car
This is the most fun I had to drive a car. It's very powerful with lot of horses and it's got all the comfort of a luxury car...
Beautiful car!
I absolutely LOVE this car! We got the SE with cloth interior and a sunroof. It is a fun car to drive and I'm the idiot driving around smiling all the time! The powerful engine is magnificent and it handles really well. This is my first NEW car and first time Maxima owner. I don't think I will ever get another type of vehicle again!
its a great car
its has a very powerfull v6 and verry comfortable its fuel economy is great. nissans build quality cars that last forever
Great Value
We bought ours and have really enjoyed it. It has great acceleration and can pass other cars on the highway easily when we need to. It gets around 24 mpg in the city and about 28 mpg on the highway. I did my research and I think Nissan has a better product than the comparable Toyota. Not to mention that you have to buy Toyotas part-by-part. Very irritating and costly "package" deals.
Get the '02 now!
Just pulled the trigger on a new SE 6- speed in Super Black. With Bose system, sunroof and various other minor options we paid $950 UNDER invoice ($24,300). Nail down a year-ender now. The redesigned 2004 Maxima debuts next Spring, and Nissan is going to move the car upscale to more clearly separate it from the Altima. That means you'll be crossing the $30k threshold easily. Best performance sedan I've driven since my '89 Taurus SHO. Both thumbs way up!
2002 Maxima SE 6-speed
Had this car for two months now (2000 miles). Replaced a 1998 Honda Accord EX- V6 Coupe with this car. I am very satisfied with the ride even though is is not as smooth as the Accord Coupe was at high speeds (+70MPH). The clutch motion and engine are extremely smooth. The 6-disc sound system is par at best. The rear deck subwoofer sounds muddy and can only handle half the power without distorting. Wind noise at moderate speeds is noticable but bearable. In short, the Maxima has the ergonomics and all of the comforts that an average commuter is looking for; not exactly a Lexus, but the performance and lower price make this car a great buy.
Don't buy this car
Seats are uncomfortable to sit in for over ten minutes, poor paint quality cause more chips than I can count, poor quality glass scratches and chips easy, interior materials scratch easily, two recalls already and only had the car 6 months, service is terrible (takes twice as long to perform service as they say, no dealer will schedule recall service on weekend because they don't want to lose money (inconvenience for those who have jobs), engine is strong but at times the engine and transmission tend to buck, terrible aerodynamics(at highway speeds any wind gusts make the car lift and make it difficult to control) Save your money and buy something else.
GLE Review
The GLE Maxima is a well built 4 door sedan. After owning a 99 Maxima and now a 2002 Maxima I'm still concerned that the bose spearkers are to powerful for the doors. There seems to be some vibration coming from the door panels. Also, I was a bit disappointed to see that my Maxima is averaging around 19.7 miles per gallon. Considering the day we live in, this is lousy MPG performance.
2002 Maxima vs. 2002 Altima
Owned a 2002 Nissan Altima, there not as close as critics say they are !
WORTH IT - BUY IT
We looked at several full size cars, such as the Chevy Impala. While they were priced under the Maxima they did not come close to the craftmanship, design and performance of the Maxima. The car handles very well. It has a smooth ride and yet it drives like a performance car. The 3.5L engine can really accelerate the car well. It is pure fun to drive.
Still a great value
The Maxima is a great all around car. It has the performance of a sports car in acceleration and handling and the refinement of a luxury sedan with ample room and amenities. The six speed manual is a blast to drive and it is great on gas (close to 28 mpg in mixed driving). What more could you ask for for a price in the mid 20's.
WOW
Driving this car is a pleasure. Lots of vehicle for the money. Test drove the Avalon which did have a better ride, but cost lots more and had less gadgets. Very happy with this purchase.
Initial thoughts
These are my initial thoughts: - Superior engine performance. Smooth as silk. I am still way under the 2000 mile mark, but the quality of the engine is unmistakable.(10 points) - Comfort. Cabin needs to be quieter still. Nonetheless, I will compromise here. (8 points) - Fuel economy: This is not a Toyota Echo! - Build quality: I strongly believe that the quality of the big 3 Japanese autos (Honda, Toyota and Nissan) is flat out superior if the product were made in Japan. These 2002/2003 Max are the last of that breed. - Interior: Very pleasant. - Exterior: I felt a slight odd styling, clear feeling of a stop-gap between the 2001 and 2004.
Fourth and last new Nissan
Engine pings most of the time, and sometimes feels sluggish. Dealers have been NO help in resolving these issues. All Nissan Corp is willing to do is say that they "understand my frustration." Early on, "drive by wire" throttle would abruptly shut off under full acceleration, dropping engine to idle at the worst time. Dealer was familiar with this problem and installed a new throttle stop. 6 months later, I got a recall notice for a "potentially dangerous" defect with the throttle. It took them 6 mo to notify owners of a dangerous fault! Cheap rear beam axle thumps loudly when crossing speedbumps. Windshield creaks in its frame. Bose stereo sounds muddy. Disappointing!
Maximum
I had been waiting many years to buy a Max., for various reasons I purchased other cars instead. Boy, am I glad I waited! The power, luxury, and performance you just can't beat for the money. Think about how many cars you can get for under 30K that can do 6 to 7 seconds 0 to 60. Just make sure that when you plant the gas padal you are holding on tight to the steering wheel, you get major torque steer. Great fit and finish, except the position of some of the controls and the richness of the sound from the Bose system. Other than that thrilled, simply thrilled! You want a sedan that will make your blood pump and get you past just about anyone quickly on the highway? Drive this car!
Family sedan/ Sports car
I am very happy with my Maxima. This car had really high ratings in consumer reports and has a very smooth ride. Exceptionally quiet on the high-way. I know several people that have owned maximas and not one is unhappy.
Check out the 2002 Maxima
I fully researched this car before I bought and found very high reviews from Consumers Reports, Edmund's, and others. I had previously owned a Maxima and a 300Z. This car was everything I expected EXCEPT the rough ride with 4 passengers. It tends to "bottom out" when going over a dip in the road. With two passengers it is not a problem exept it does not take rough railroad crossings very well.
Not a TL, but good
Comfortable, fast, handles well; whar more ciould I want?
Speakers
The left speaker on the 2002 maximas is defective from the factory. It works intermittently and is very annoying, don't replace with another Nissan speaker. It doesn't solve the problem replace with and after market speaker only, the system will work like new. Also rear suspension very giggly on high speed sharp turns causing wheel hop which might cause a crash.
A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing
A Great Car With Plenty Of Punch Even Into The Triple Digits. Ride Could Be A Bit Smoother. Nothing In Its Price Range Can Even Come Close. I Would Call It The Poor Man's BMW.
Updated review
I bought this car four months ago. It has relieved me from driving my 2007 IS 350 out of leased miles. The real MPG is about 25 mpg hwy and I'm not an agressi. It is roomy and well-built. The engine has lots of power and a reasonable amount of torque. The quality of the leather is above average. It's nice to see that all the electric features still work @ 112k Mi. The ride is stiff thus noisy but not unlivable, I think it needs shocks. The color is a pearl white and it has aged gracefully. The '02 Maxima is a great solution for people who need to commute but don't like to drive smaller cars and still get mid 20's per gallon.
great car
great car with great luxury I love the engine the most and everything about it
2nd MAXIMA...LAST MAXIMA
This car has been problems from the time it was about 3 months old until now. I have had the car in the shop 7 times now in 9 months. Bose radio was replaced, hood shakes when going highway speeds, electrical problems, and it has also died on me 4 times in the last 2 weeks. Dealership can't fix several of the problems.