Used 2003 Nissan Maxima Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Nice Car
Its a good car with very powerful engine,makes driving a pleasure and very stable even at high speeds about 100 mph.we can get optional features etc at reasonable price
Nissan Maxima -- outstanding
How many 6-cylinder mid-size sedans can return a highway mileage in excess of 32 mpg? I can consistently achieve this economy with the 2002 Nissan Maxima SE with manual transmission. The 6-speed manual transmission takes some getting used to, but it is silky smooth, very responsive, and above all economical on the highway. With a mix of highway and local driving, I can average 30-32 mpg and still have the sporty feel and comfort of this first rate automobile.
Stolen Headlights
I Love this car have not had any problems at 35k miles, but my headlights have been stolen twice. If you live in the Northeast do not buy this car, it is a theives delight.
Maxima is the best!
This is the best car ever! It is fast, sleek, and beautiful! Ours is an SE silver exterior with a black leather interior. Its BOSE stereo system rocks the town! Everyone loves the car and gives me commpliments where ever I go!! It is built tough and it holds in an accident!
Fun to drive!
I bought this car used with 45,000 miles on it last year. City mileage is in the low 20's but I get nearly 40 mpg on the highway! The car has incredible power and handles like a dream. The ride is firm but very comfortable on a long drive. The headroom in the rear is too low for my 6'1" son.
2002 GLE
It has been six months since we purchased our '02 GLE and we have been very happy with it. We even added the rear spoiler to the car so it looks like the SE.
Buy you one!
I absolutly love it, it is fun to drive and it will haul a$$!
What a spectular car... performance plus
For the performance enthusiast! I have cloth, minimal extras, basically just the Sunroof is the only extra I have. I drive it for the performance. Its a little different with the variable intake and variable capacity muffler. You get boost when you need it and conserve gas when you dont. The trip computer is an added bonus and the 60/40 fold down seats add more cargo flexability. This is a great car for the performance enthusiast with the family in mind. The ride is smooth with the performance suspension yet handles turns like a race car. The Nissan Maxima 2003 SE is a perfect cross between the performance race car and the four door sedan.
Best under $30 sports sedan
Let's face it - there is no other sports sedan of this caliber under $30K. Nissan tried it with the Altima and that thing is sooo cheap it's scary. The only real downside is that it has more power than the handling permits - you need to toss the tires right away as a start.
funto drive
Owned since June-love the performance,but already see that the factory Bridgestone Potenzas HAVE to GO!With the power this car has,lousy wet traction and easy hydroplaning.Looking into winter tires,but a very hard size to find.
Want a fun ride, take it to the MAX
No car is perfect! Its neither the perfect luxury sedan nor sports sedan. Its a car that has the best of both worlds. What a car! A beautiful Fit & Finish; Leather; Heated Seats, Mirrors, Steering Wheel; 6CD Bose Sound; E/C Rearview Mirror; Electric Seats; Sunroof; Key fob that lowers windows; etc But most of all, those lovely Xenon HID Headlights; seeing is believing. Powerful engine & a tranny that shifts smoothly. The car handles wonderfully & holds the curves great. The Maxima is just a wonderful car.
Outstanding car!
Gorgeous car! Wickedly powerful, especially above 3000 rpm. Quiet, solid, well-handling; sized right for me.
Feel the force
As you enter the Maxima the true pleasure of power exudes from the very enviroment of the interior of the SE model. This feeling of power is reinforced the first time you push the gas pedal. Irritaed by the guy in front of you?? Give the gas pedal a twitch and look behind you for his expression. The Maxima is to the driving experience that sugar is to a child. GIVE ME MORE!!!!!
Should have bought an Acura
High points of this vehicle are the VQ 255 hp engine available mated to a 6- speed manual transmission. In addition the seating position for the driver is very good and is comfortable for 6 foot individuals. Exterior styling is attractive especially with the 17" wheels. Low points notchy shift feel. The clutch has been replaced 4 times and 2 transmissions have been installed, and Nissan service departments are horrible. Resale value is the pits...I would advise leasing instead of purchasing this vehicle.
03 Maxixma
The Nissan Maxima is the best car I have ever had. This is the first car I have purchased in my young life and I don't think I will ever buy anything else. The car rides so smooth it's like your riding on air. The power from the 3.5 V6 is amazing! I love the way it handels. And the way it accelerates. I have not had one problem with it.
It's Okay
I love my car!! But the turn radius is not the greatest. It handles good except when tight turns are necessary
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CAR AT A GREAT PRICE!!!
This is the best sedan on the market right now, and has been the best sedan on the market for the last three or four years. The engine, drivetrain, and suspension make this the easiest and most painless buy in the automotive world. I would pay even more than I actually did for a Maxima.
DRIVEN
This car exudes authority on the highway. Acceleration between 3k and 4k rpm is coffee spilling, head-thrown- back fun. The perfect mix of family sedan/screamin' rubber. 140mph feels like 60mph
The Best Car Out Under $30K
This is the best car I have ever owned. I recently traded in my 2000 Camry Le V6 for the 03 Maxima SE. This car screams personality and wants to be driven hard. The V6 in this car deserves every award that it gets. At about 3500 RPM the engine propels the car like a rocket. The handling in this car is indisputed and merging into traffic is a joy coming from the Camry. Do not believe all of the hype about the Altima. Not saying that it is not a good car but the Maxima is a step above. The interior when comparing the two speaks for itself. This is an excellent car with a alot of features that just wants to please the driver.
Not bad for what it is...
This is not a bad car for it's price segment. I liked the Maxima for its size, decent comfort, good mileage considering it is a large V6, horsepower. It handles OK, but big understeer, and huge torque steer. Good features like stereo with 6 disc changer, xenon headlamps, steering wheel controls. The leather is cheap, hard and thin. If I bought the car I really wanted (Audi A4), I probably could have gotten a better car for about the same payments since the residual is so much higher (53%). So I have 40 months to go before I get what I really want.
Fun, Fast, Comfortable....
Since I rarely ever buy the first model year of any car, I tagged on to the tail-end of this generation Maxima. The deals being offered make them a better buy than a simlarly equipped Altima! I could not pass it up - and I am happy I did not. Before you buy a new Altima 3.5, see if the dealer has a Maxima. They are a great value and a wonderful car.
First Month
I peeled the cheap lloking MAXIMA ans 3.5 SE chrome stickers off and added a billet grille.... It now looks great. Will add wood dash kit and poly suspension bushings for stiffer cornering.
Overall Great Car
Great driving car.
No Contest
After three months of driving, the 2002 Nissan Maxima SE is definitely the premier, under $30k, non-luxo sedan. The navigation system is easy to use, the seats are supportive yet comfortable, and the power alone could sell the car. Push it hard, push it soft, no matter how this Maxima is driven it accelerates effortlessly, the automatic shifts smoothly, and with all this driving mileage stays at a good rating (currently averaging 24 mpg, the EPA rating seems to be under cutting the Maxima).
Fun to drive and powerful!
Fun car to drive. Alot of power even with the automatic verison. Gas mileage is far less than desireable, but the need for speed contributes handsomely to this driver contributed problem.
Like a top
This is my 5th Maxima, each held for three years and an average 25,000 miles per year. No maintenance problems other than brakes and tires have been experienced. Just routine oil changes at 3-5k miles. The ONLY car found that does NOT give me a back ache after 2 plus hours of driving. Runs like a top.
Great Car for the Money
I have had this car for about a week now and it is awesome! I am 25 and it is my 8th vehicle - all previous were either ford or GM and they simply didn't last. I looked at the Accord (what were they thinking with that ass end??), Camry (30k for a camry?!?!), & VW Passat (too trendy and NO power). The maxima is actually similar to the TL & Lexus ES in size, performance, interior quality, and image. The appearance and performance really separate it from its tradtional competitors, and price only makes it a more attractive package.
What a engine wheres the rest of the car
I bought an 03 program car. The engine is perfect i never thought nissan could make such a perfect engine with power and torque it's great. But where is the thought on the rest of the car the interior needs help short people cannot use the arm rest up or down... The audio system is poor. The road noise is terrible and the se suspension is too rough i enjoy a great handling car and i like to feel the road but i don't like getting beat to death. Take a lesson from acura or bmw their sport pkgs are much much smoother yet handling is crisp. Plus rattles in the doors not sure i have ever had a rattle in japanese car until this one...
Picked Over Accord
I was ready to purchase an Accord until I drove the Maxima. Best car I have ever owned. I like the body style and colors offered. More horsepower with the Maxima. Great features. A true luxury car at affordable price. Interior is much more refined than the Altima.
SPEED, LUXURY, and all the goodies!
You've got to be kidding me, LEXUS IS? Not even worth it. This bad boy would smoke all in its class. I looked at the Lexus IS 300, Maxima SE, and Acura 3.2 CL Type-S. Bang for the buck, Maxima is the way to go. I torched the tires in second gear going up an Hill at a 50 Degree angle and it ran as well as my Supercharged Integra. If it weren't for love and kids, I would keep it, but instead, I am getting a sports car for me, and a family car for the family. Save yourself over 8 thousand dollars and get the Maxima, you will be doing yourself a favor. You will enjoy the interior (comfort), exterior (looks), and performance (Speed and handling).
Just got it
Bought the 2003 because my old car was a 5 speed 91 Celica and I just got tired of the shifting in rush hour traffic and it was time for a new car! Since the 2004 model was out, Deland Nissan offered great incentives to move the 03 and everyone at the dealship has been outstanding! Got an excellent deal, including what I got for the trade in. Since I've had the car less than a month, it has , of course, performed flawlessly. Great ride and handling.
Joe
Excellent Luxury Car!!!!!!!! This car is awesome, I have owned a 1979 280ZX and a 300ZX and you are back! I love you car and I like the 2003 over the 2004, it looks like a Altima!!!!! The grill is the only thing that make it looks differnt on the outside other than the moon roof the the moon roof, that do not open, who need shades? Joe Brooks Southern Air Inc.
The Max
Excellent car. Well worth the money.
All round great car.
The nissan maxima is an all round great afordable car. It has the performance of a sports car the head and leg room and comfort of on of those $40,000+ luxury cars. And not to mention the reliabilty of Nissan. I would recomend this car to anyone in the market for a quick great handling put the kids in the back type of afordable car.
Excellent value
I am driving this car for 10 month now and have 14kmi on it. Here are my minor complaints. Lousy tires. You buy a car like this for performance and the stock tires are a real spoiler. $500+ wasted. Ride and handling on SE are sporty, but not excellent, ride is a bit harsh, and cornering a bit sloppy. Some of the ergonomics could be better. Heater controls are hard to fine tune without looking. Two more rotary dials: for zone selection and for temp setting would be better. Power mirror control is too touchy and hidden under the steering wheel. Gas pedal is too far to the right and too close to the brake pedal. Seats are just okay, not really great.
Pleased with the '03 Maxima
It's a great sedan for those who like to drive - and yet have to consider the logistics related to hauling kids, etc. around town. Looking forward to keeping it for awhile - and expect I'll get my moneys' worth out of it.
2003 Nissan Maxima
I chose the six speed manual transmission with titanium edition package. The car is a lot of fun to drive and very well appointed. Before choosing this car I also test drove a BMW 540i and found them similar in comfort, performance and handling. The BMW, however, was not in the same price range or even close to it so I let the price determine my choice.
fear
We live in fear since buyng ths vehichle. We were not told that the headlights ,which cost $2000 apiece were being stolen in droves. You replace them they get stolen. Great car if you live in it and never leave it anyplace unattended
Dr. Nismo's Maxima
Love the car, 2003 Titanium edition Maxima SE. Fast, handles decent. Real power isn't until 3-5k RPM. Car has some much torque its an upper body workout. Only 1 problem, my left front Bose speaker keeps going in and out, dealer said they will replace it. Also Bose Subwoofer is distorted. Dealer said there is a "bulletin" out about this problem and can be fixed in a few hours. Apparently there add some foam or something. Not happy w/ the Bose. The 6 CD in dash works fine, speakers sound like Kmart audio. Car is nice and big inside. Dash is a little weird, the clock is deep into the windshield. The SE handles like a shopping cart over bumps.
Best in its Class!
First and foremost, the engine is an absolute gem! The clutch is smooth, making gear shifts a breeze. Order the limited slip differential with the six- speed because of excessive torque steer. The suspension is perfect for aggressive back road, or for calm highway driving. The interior is beautiful and user friendly. Although some have criticized the styling, it is truly gorgeous. The HID lights are wonderful. For someone looking for a wolf in sheep's clothing in the family sedan segment, look no farther.
Japanese Sports Sedan
I have had the car for a little over a week now and all I can say is WOW!! The acceleration is unreal and the fit and finish is top notch. Bose stereo is second only to Lexus' Mark Levinson. Got a great deal(bought at invoice) and the whole dealer experience was excellent, will definitely buy the '04 when it debuts.
Review Of Nissan 2002
Nissan Is not easy to deal with problems. I would avoid buying a Nissan. Try calling Nissan in Glen Dale Calf for help you will get the jerk around.
2003 Nissan Maxima SE
Traded my 93 Z for the 2003 Maxima. Better mileage, more room, same power, not as much fun to drive by a long shot, but so much more practical. Long trips are comfortable. Plenty of room for my 6 ft 2 in frame. Seat could go back a bit more. Don't like the spoiler, it's a dirt catcher and totally useless. Why do they make them for passenger vehicles? Bose system sounds fine. Can carry on a normal conversation during highway driving, the cabin is quiet. Plenty of trunk room. Rear seat folds down for a bit more room. Plenty of power for onramp merges and passing in a hurry. NOT a sports sedan, however, though it handles just fine. No problems so far.
My second Max
We just got our second Maxima. WOW!! What improvements they have made since 2000. The 255hp realy moves. The Titanium Package add's many of the extras we wanted, we also opted for the Meridian and Traction Control. The only thing we diddnt get was the Nav System. I have to say that this car is the best value for your dollar in the performance luxury market. This car is awesome to drive.
I'm not Kidding
I just received my Maxima yesterday and can already tell I made the right decision in picking this vehicle. The Horsepower is great, and the Stereo is unbelievable. Looks, feels, runs, and drives great.
Time Traveler
Most fun I have had driving in several years. Beats many more expensive cars in performance and saves at the pump.
Fun & Reliable
This car is a pleasure to drive! It's very quick with excellent handling and braking. The seats are very comfortable although head room in the back is a little tight for a six footer.
3 years old and love it
Have a 2000 GLE that I drive to airport and back. 3 years old now and just turned 10K miles, totally pampered. Still smells and runs like new. Haven't had one problem since I bought, only in for oil change / tire rotation. The way I'm putting miles on this baby I'll probably be getting classic car plates for it. Great car for the $$
SE/TITANIUM EDITION
SO FAR SO GOOD, NO PROBLEMS, I CAN FEEL THE BRAKES GRINDING DURING STOPPING, ROTORS SHOW RUST WHEN IT RAINS OR GETS WET, THEY SEEM TO BE OF LESSER QUALITY, LIKE MY PREVIUOS MAXIMA. LITTLE STRONG ON THE TORQUE STEER,OTHER THAN THAT THE PERFORMANCE IS OUTSTANDING
Combination of Comfort and Performance
The Maxima is not for everyone but for drivers who want performance and comfort at a reasonable price, it is a great choice. With 255 horsepower, 17 inch wheels, xenon headlights and an extremely comforable interior, it compares better with BMW and Acura than Toyota and Honda. I will not argue that a BMW 330 handles better and that an Acura 3.2 TL offers more luxury but both will cost at least $6,000 more than the Maxima. The Maxima is also faster than either of them. If you don't want another boring family sedan (Accord or Camry) and you don't want to spend the money for a BMW, you need to test drive a Maxima.