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Used 2002 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
318 reviews

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5 out of 5 stars

Never selling

Colin, 04/03/2023
2002 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This year marks 20 years since I've had my 2002 6-speed maxima, and I still absolutely love driving it. Simple, analog, in touch with the road, roomy, good gas mileage, insanely reliable, and timeless looking. They'll never make a car like this again. I do have other vehicles but I still take this on 1000+ mile road trips and have no worries about doing so even with over 250k miles. There's only been once that it's left me stranded and that was the alternator. Some simple tools and a parking lot replacement, and I was back on the road. I will absolutely keep this car until my dying day unless another driver wrecks into me and totals it. Love love love this car.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

2002 Maxima 3.5 GLE

White Cheddar, 09/11/2019
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wow Nissan! After 18 years, we've racked up an unbelievable 240,000 miles on this baby. This car was bought brand new, in AZ, was garage kept for maybe half its life. Had to replace the alternator once, the starter and that's it. The transmission is finally giving out , due to years of stop and go on the 10 and a recent teen driver. Leather interior is still perfect, a/c is cold and the paint is still pretty nice. Great car I'm gonna regret selling

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2002 Nissan Maxima for sale near you
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3 out of 5 stars

Great first car! 2002 Nissan Maxima

Breana Marciel, 02/28/2017
2002 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Cars have been around for over a hundred years and there are so many models and brands to choose from. A great first car and one that will never let you down, I recommend the 2002 Nissan Maxima, if you are looking for good gas mileage, comfortability, reliability, and a exceptional performance. Nissan focuses on “enriching people’s lives” being environmental, safe, reliable, performance, and life on board. The company’s life term goal is to reduce Co2 which is what I like! When I earned my driver’s license when I was seventeen, I was surprised with a 2002 Nissan Maxima on my driveway from my parents. They told me they have heard positive feedback from other owners with the same car and came to a decision to buy one for me. I have been loving this car ever since. The Maxima was given to me from another couple here in Colorado, they have taken phenomenal care of it and now it is in the hands of me. As far as gas mileage goes in this car, they recommended to me to use the highest-octane gas while fueling my car. It may be more expensive than regular, but you can feel the difference while driving instead of hearing the valve rattle. Also, a plus is that you do not have to take continuous trips to the gas station a full tank for me lasts a little less than 2 weeks commuting to school and work, with a tank capacity of 18.5 gallons. Everyone can agree when buying a car, if it is just for you or your whole family, you want to make sure it is a comfortable car since you may commute to work, school, activities, or traveling. With the 2002 Nissan Maxima what I like is, it provides a back seat big enough for adults, deep cushions, electronic adjustable seats, all seats accommodate most body types well, cargo net for storage on the sides of the doors, A/C as cold as ice when you start the car, cruise control great for traveling, power steering, front reading lights, and very spacious throughout the car. It does only provide a CD player and a tape player which is a little of a downfall for me because I like to listen to music on my phone I worked around that and got a tape with an aux cord which worked out well! but I also wished to have heated seats since I’m always cold and is always great for mornings and nights. These comfort features are very helpful and convenient for me I really liked having all these features since I do a lot of driving to the mountains, to work, and to school. When it comes to looking for a reliable car, you want what is best. That’s what my parents made sure of doing, so they know I am safe and in a reliable car. The Maxima was built with a large windshield and a wide rear window for great visibility all the way around which lowers the chance of getting in an accident. It is very helpful and convenient that this car has large gauges so they are easy to read for me and even for elders. With the finest illumination at night as well. Most newer cars now, have so many buttons and switches they had to include making it hard to see and most people including me wouldn’t know half the buttons or what to press. I also haven’t had any problems with my car since I got it in 2015, I just maintain regular maintenance to the vehicle such as oil changes, transmission tests, car washes, checking brakes, etc. It is also great knowing and sharing with others that this car has been seen in every type of weather and never left me stranded. When buying a car one always looks for performance which does not disappoint in this car. What I liked while driving around in my car was quick acceleration, great brakes not too little tension or not too much, and phenomenal handling. With a great performance in a car I am able to rely on it to my daily commute to work and school. What I found out when I first drove the car that I didn’t like too much was the turning radius is annoyingly broad which results in making tight parking situations a bit challenging, I would do a lot of three point turns. That was just the only disadvantage of the car. But, if I want to update my car’s performance, it is easy to find the parts and not as expensive as if you want car parts for a newer car. Overall I love this car and I am glad they chose this Nissan Maxima as a first car. I would recommend this car to anyone. The 2002 Nissan Maxima is great on gas mileage being a little bit more expensive didn’t set me back, I love all the comfort features the car has to offer it is more than enough, everyone can rely on this car it is great as long as you take care of it, and the performance is good many owners of this same model loves their car and it has lasted them for many years and more to come. I rate this 3 stars out of 5!

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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4.13 out of 5 stars

dfc review

dfc, 06/05/2003
2002 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good value for someone wanting a sportier ride with some luxury. The V6 is torquey and feels like a small V8. The brakes and steering are also good. If you are a spirited driver, the suspension will leave you disappointed. The body rolls heavily and the springs/struts are are tuned for comfort rather than performance. The 6speed gears are spaced well but the throw seems extra long and the feel is very notchy - like working a big screw driver in bowl full of marbles! Nissan could take some lessons from Honda. Dispite the shortcomings, the V6 does make up for them and is perhaps the best sport sedan available for under $28K.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Best value for your money

bwinter7, 04/20/2007
2002 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have owned a 93, a 97 and an 01. I had the 01 for about three months before somebody in an SUV sandwiched me between a snow plow and himself. I am convinced the design quality save our lives. I then bought my 02, and I have never been happier. The six speed, and all the little changes new to that year are that much better. In terms of power, luxury, performance and desirability, try to find something better. That Nissan 6 cylinder is one of the top 10 best motors ever made. All of my Maximas had well over 200k on them (except the 01) and never a motor problem. Everything else starts to go, but the engine will still purr like a kitten. Take care of it, regular oil changes etc., it will last

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