Used 2002 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE Meredian Edition
It is my opinion that the 2002 Nissan Maxima is the best sports sedan for under $30,000. You can't buy a better car for the money if you factor in all the options and excellent reliability of this vehicle. My wife has a 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE with over 100,000 miles and the only thing she replaced was an $18.00 halogen headlight. Now with more power (255hp) and torque, this car is a pleasure to drive.
Great car, few gripes
Car stickered at $28,800 and after shopping around for other cars at the under $30K price, there was no other that offered the Max's performance, reliability, and amenities. The Audi A4 was VERY nice, much nicer interior and exterior, but for $30K you could only get the 1.8T - not fast enough for a $30K car. Ditto the Passat. The Acura 3.2TL Type S was nicer inside, but cost $5 grand more, and frankly didn't feel as powerful, the engine wasn't as smooth or quiet either. And "upgrading" to an Infiniti I35 just didn't seem worth the extra $2,000+ The choice was simply Maxima!
Oil Consumption
Had to replace engine at 61K due to excessive oil consumption. Was adding oil weekly driving less than 30 miles per week but rings still damaged cylinders. Bought car for known reliability. Very sad and painful experience. Wards 10 best VQ35. Yeah,Right!
A lot of car for the money...
Just purchased a 2002 SE. I did some homework and simply could not elsewhere find this much car for the money.
They don't make them like the used to...
I must say I have been a bit disappointed with this generation Maxima. My 97' SE was amazing, but somewhere in the crossing over, Nissan focused too much on power and not enough on the driver. The Bose sound system is a joke, the electronic seats are great but stopped working right after I bought it, the interior feels cheap and allows lots of wind noise. Fan for heater makes horrible grinding noise, so loud in fact it can be heard outside the car; how embarrassing! The styling and everything about this car feels old and worn out...I just want to get rid of it but I'm stuck with loads of negative equity!! Yikes!!