Used 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M) Consumer Reviews
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Eating Oil
coyote, 02/15/2010
Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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
Limits of FWD
RastaMax, 02/09/2004
Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased the SE model figuring it would be a good combination of sport and utility. The car has lived up to some of its expectations and fell short on others. Its still a pleasure to drive with its powerful, torquey engine which undoubtably is to much for the FWD platform. Torque steer is abundant especially with the overboosted powersteering. I spent a lot of money to get it to handle like a "sports" sedan(bigger wheels, better tires, lower, stiffer springs and shocks, sway bar, strut brace)Its an excellent engine inside a good looking shell on top of an under performing chassis.
It's okay, but I wish I'd gotten a G35
dlc, 11/29/2005
Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall, a nice car - no mechanical issues whatsoever. It's powerful, especially as the horsepower takes over, and would really benefit from rear-wheel drive as torque-steer can be problematic. I find the gearbox and handling a bit squishy, but I'm coming from a Miata. The trunk's hinges extend into what would be usable space, reducing the trunk's capacity. The back seats appear to be reasonably comfortable, but I've never sat back there! Significant wind noise from the sunroof wind deflector. I would be a much bigger fan if the mileage were not so bad, and if the trip computer didn't lie about it, which it consistently does in most/all '02 Maximas (making me believe it's intentional).
Waste of money
murjose, 10/12/2004
Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car looks great and runs great for the first couple thousand miles. However, I have always had a loud clunking noise from the front suspension. Nissan is unable to fix it and keeps replacing parts, but at my cost. The car is cheap and cost a lot. Buy Honda. I will next time. I am hoping that someone steals this car and I never get it back. Thats how much I hate it. I bought it brand new.
Blast to drive but......
Txstinkbug, 07/07/2002
Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.