Used 2005 Nissan Maxima Sedan Consumer Reviews
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never a problem
bought a 2000 max se, still have it @ 70000 miles... not a single problem, not even a light bulb... my new 2005 max se seems even better built... I thought my 2000 was peppy... the 2005 is really fast. These were my first non chrysler/gm/ford cars, I had been use to going back to the dealer the first week and from then on. Now, the only time I go is to buy a new car.
good car for first 3 yrs
purchased my 2005 maxima on sept 2004, commuted every day from nj to queens, the commute was long but driving was enjoyable.in 2008 transmission was jerking, was told i needed a new transmission, had to buy a new one from nissan for $3,000 & the piece after the catylytic converter had to be replaced for another $800. car had 108k milesmy mechanic is a nissanmechanic, he told me these trans is not strong enuff for the engine, after 100k miles, th timing chain needs to be replaced, & the gaskets in engine start leaking esp, the one by oil filter. also replace valve cover gaskets, changed new tires, will ride this car to the ground since its paid off, had a good run with this car, will getnext
- 3.5 SE SedanMSRP: $4,997140 mi away
- 3.5 SE SedanMSRP: $7,295318 mi away
- 3.5 SL SedanMSRP: $10,995340 mi away
Don't buy any Maxima between 04-06.
We purchased our car in Nov.of 2008. The car ran beautifully for about a year. Then around mid 2009 the car began jerking. The jerks became more and more violent as time progressed. We then had it checked by Nissan, but it was too late for the power-train warranty. Thankfully we purchased the CarMax Ext'd. warranty. Had the job done by AAMCO,and about two months later the problem arose again. They then replaced the valve-body,and its now running "better", but not like before. I truly love my Maxima,but I feel Nissan has neglected many of their customers. I just wished that Nissan took some responsibility for their actions. Overall it is a GREAT car. The 07-08 is a much better choice.
Our Maxima
We are in the Real Estate business with the most plastic individuals around. They all drive $70,000 vehicles and above. I have driven in and driven Mercedes, BMW and Lexus and I have to say I like our car more. The Maxima is more comfortable and handles as well and we bought it in December and I still am not tired of the look. The cabin is so comfortable even when I am the passenger and even better behind the wheel.
2005 Nissan Maxima
My Maxima is very comfortable to drive and handles easily. Dual control a/c is very effective and the bose sound system is superb. A very fun car to drive. Road surface noise could be improved. Certain types of paved road surfaces tend to get amplified inside while other surfaces are not heard.
The Nice Max
The Maxima is one of the hottest cars on the road.Although critics say that you pay a premium price w/o a premium name plate,who cares about a name plate.Part of my attraction to the car is that not many 3.5 SE are on the road. I would take this car over a 3 series BMW any day of the week.The Maxima is one of the best "values" currently on the market.The only other car I would choose over the Maxima would be the Acura TL, but at $10,000 more, there is hardly any comparison in price to value. The reliability is unbelievable.I would challenge any car, BMW, Benz, Lexus included to a durability and relibility test.If you want nameplate get a BMW or Benz, want value buy a Maxima!
Good Car + Investment
I bought it Used, on 2007 at a Nissan Dealer with 9,000 miles on it(Aprox.) Although is a Buy Back/Lemon Law Classified. I got a good Price and the Car was Just like New. the reason for the Owner to Return the Car was for some Gases Fumes from the Engine getting Inside the Cabin Area. They Fixed but the Client did not want the Car back. Dealer took it Back by Buy Back Program(AKA-Lemon Law Statues) Since, the Car did not have any mayor Problems with it. Just the Regular Maintenance Parts & Services. The only thing the Car was Fixed was the Sway Bar and some other Front Steering Parts but under the Warranty during 1st 3 months. It is a very Powerful Car and have Lot Space. Great Family Car.
Be aware
My Maxima started having major electrical problems at 5500 miles. The seat and steering wheel move on their own when using the unlock button on the remote control on a random basis when the remote is assigned to one of the memory positions. Nissan claims that this is normal since 3 brand new Maximas on the dealership's lot do this too. The exterior mirrors move out of position on their own while the vehicle is in operation and occassionally when the remote is used. This vehicle is in violation of my state's lemon law, the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act and US Commercial Code, legal action is currently being taken against Nissan.
A+++++
this car is awesome. buy it! great styling, very powerful, and fun to drive. great all around. lots of interior room, excellent air conditioner.. what more could you ask for?
2nd Maxima
My 2000 Maxima with 67K miles has not needed ANY repairs (just one set of tires, front brakes, and oil changes) in the 5 years I have owned it, so I bot another one. The 05 seems even better!
Maxima SE Fully Loaded
This is the best performance sedan to buy. The 5-speed auto is great and the 6-speed is awesome. The engine growl sounds sweet during its breath-taking accelerations. It has plenty of features not known to this class. For example, a heated steering wheel. This car is great!
Smooth, Muscular, Stylish Power
This car is an amazing value. Luxury features, powerful 265hp V6, smooth automatic transmission (which you can shift yourself if you like), a unique muscular look, huge 18" performance tires and wheels (I could go on and on about how cool this car is!) Compare it with a Toyota Avalon and see that you get more for a lot less money.
Almost a year
I've had my second SE almost a year now. I drive between 2500 to 3000 per month. As with the '03, the '05 is a fantasic car. It's comfortable, stylish, and fast. I can easily get 28 MPG doing 80 and got 32 MPG at 70. Look no further for a good car. The torque steer is noticable, but love the power when you step on the gas. You'll get used to it. Get the sun roof to really enjoy the car, it's worth the extra money.
Stick with toyota
After having 2 Lexus and a Toyota, I wanted a change. I bought a 2005 maxima from an older gentleman that never drove it. It is a fun and fast car to drive, but that is it. The rides stinks. It is the loudest car I have ever owned, the sunroof broke with in 3 months of owning it, a switch had to be replaced in the heater, and everything squeaks or rattles when you go over a bump. By far the worst turning radius of any car. It is like driving a tractor! This by far the worst quality of a vehicle I have ever owned. Not to mention the resale is horrible! Good luck getting rid of this car without at least 3-5k out of pocket. Junk!
Garbage
Nissan corporation does not stand behind their product. Transmission completely failed after 112k miles all they had to say was too bad. Will never buy anything Nissan ever!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
4 door sports car
I have most other imports and find the maxima se, as good for less $$$$$$$$$$$$$. I should have followed my fathers lead to Maximas years ago. Bravo to Nissan on the 05 Maxima.
Loads better than the Avalon
My wife has had a 2000 maxima SEL...had it for 4 and half years..milage was just a tad over 38000..She has been wanting a gold color Avalon. To me the Avalon is a nice car with good history..but dull..dull..dull...and I talked her into getting another maxima, with the color she wanted and at a better price than the dull avalon...i like it..she will learn to like it...Its a lot more car for the money, and lots more fun to drive..now..lets just hope my wife is as convinced as I am...thank you...ron oliver
I bought a Headache
Recently I bought a 2005 Maxima without enough prior research (In fact I went to the dealership to buy a Honda and the Salesman convinced me to buying this one instead.) Now, after reading all these horrible reviews about 2004-06 Maxima, everyday I start the car fearing that the transmission is going to fail......it is a real pain to drive a car that we cannot trust....
Best
I bought my 05' Maxima when it first came out with the EGR valve. I love this car very much. There are also tons of performance mods available for this car. Everything from headers, body kits and even Chip tuning. I am over 320BHP. I have had zero issues with this car since I bought it. I would recommend everyone look into upgrading the suspension for better handle if you are not into modifying the engine.
Nissan maxima
This car is great! After turning in a 2001 Sebring LXi, which was excellent, I purchased a Maxima SE with everything except Navigation. The seats are comfortable, the heated seats are warm, the heated steering wheel is warm.. And better yet..It is so powerful..265 Horses..That thing goes..I love it!
Can't get repair parts from Nissan
I loved my Maxima until the air conditioner died while on vacation (38000 miles) and now a coolant part which failed will be on back order for a total of 5 weeks before it it ships. I can't drive the car which only has 57000 miles on it. The Nissan consumer department hasn't helped so beware of the support you get after the purchase.
Poor craftmanship
I purchased my vehicle in 4/2004 and I must say, I was quite happy with the performance of the vehicle. In terms of driveability,The car handles corners very well, overtaking was never a problem performance I would say was superb But I had a few problems with my vehicle and the list are as follows. At around 300 miles I encountered my first problem with my right front strut. It began leaking fluid.The front rotors was warp.The strut was replaced and the rotor resurfaced. At around 4500 miles I noticed waterleaking into the terior from the sun roof. The front driver's doors and passenger's would touch if the drivers's door opened simultaneously with the passenger door.
Maxima continues to rule
The 18 inch low profile tires look nice, but are very expensive to replace after hitting potholes. The vehicle has a lot of top end speed but take a little time to accelerate from 60 - 100+. The interior is stylish and controls are easily accessible. The large display screen makes setting radio, clock, maintenace, etc. easy. Would buy it again....
lots of fun
Great quality for the money. This car has so many bells and whitles that tech lovers such as I should keep themselves occupies. Lots of little, thoughtful touches from stereo controls to design details and customization abilities makes this a well thought out car. Although thirsty for gas, the rocket ability of this car makes it worth the cost. Feels like it could take off if it had wings. At high speeds though I could sence some instability in the rear (in the SL) especially when changing lanes but we shouldn't be driving that fast anyway. I bought this at the beginning of winter so I can't wait to roll down the windows and open the sunroof this summer. So far I love it!
Comparable to my BMW
I have owned 2 BMW's and one Lexus. I truly believe I am sold on the Maxima. It handles well and is definitely fun to drive, especially long distance. It hugs the road and I feel very safe and comfortable in it. It has excellent gas mileage on the freeway, I can't judge it in town yet. Most definitely comparable to the BMW. Lithia provided excellent staff and service.
LEMON
I will have to say that this car has really cost me an arm and a leg. This car has been to the dealership over 20 times since I purchased it in 2005. I had to replace several front end parts at 30,000 miles or less. Also, at 72, 000 miles I had to replace the transmission. Nissan was very awful at fixing their own products. This car has literally broke me in the past two years. My maxima is in the shop at this time getting a hub and strut assembly for the front right. I am very upset about purchasing this car. I have replaced almost every part on the car with the exception of an new engine. I will never purchase another Nissan.
Beautiful Max Very Safe
I purchased my beautiful 05 maxima sl in early January and unfortunately got in an accident in the snow a month later and totaled it. The back end fishtailed going around a curve, I did a 360 and I hit the gaurdrail twice, once in the front and once in the back. Unfortunately, the car was totaled, but I was perfectly fine. The airbags didn't go off, I was able to drive the car for another week after the accident, but it would cost too much to fix. Car was amazing, roomy, had all features including a heated steering wheel! Fast too! I will purchase one again when I get my check from ins. Buy this car, just be careful in the snow. Very safe and tough. High quality.
Maxima Fun
Folks, this by far is one of the best cars I have had the pleasure to own. What a dream in performance and the power under the hood makes it a fun car to drive. I love the interior space, I am 6" tall and can move the seat all the way back and another 6" person can be directly behind me with plenty of room; You do not give up trunk space for this either.
Great Car
The car feels heavy and solid,and is as fast as a rocket. The sound system is amazing. The design inside and out is exciting and practical. This car is worth the money. Gas mileage is around 26 per gallon. The dashboard is layed out well. Braking is also very good. This is a car that is built to last. Built in the USA.
I love this car!!
I have had my 2005 Maxima for 3 1/2 months and still get a thrill when getting in it! I look for excuses to take it out! I researched the Acura TL and the Camry along with this one, and the Maxima came out way ahead. My husband (who is not a car fanatic) even loves getting in it. The space inside is just perfect for our family of 4. I get a kick out of the looks and comments I get when out driving . You cannot go wrong with the Maxima.
Nissan Maxima
This car handles very well on road. It is very comfortable sitting. It is very quiet on the road.
Great looks, no reliability
I have had my Maxima for about 3 years now and I love it. This car performs, as well as offer great style. I take care of my car and I would expect it to last. Sadly it has me fed up with its annoying problems such as when I put the cd player on, the left side speakers don't work, the transmission jumps, the back of the car spins out easily, there is even an annoying flickering sound. Sometimes it reeks like rotten eggs, and the steering radius is horrible. I love my car, and I might not ever part with it. It has only 40,000 miles and when I can afford it I'm gonna have to get a new transmission, cat converter, cd player and new finger valves.
Couldn't Be Happier
The reputation of Nissan's engines are what drew me to the make. I originally set out for a Pathfinder, but after driving the Maxima about 2 inches, I was sold. The Maxima is the perfect blend of family sedan and sports feel/performance for me. I satisfy my family's needs without having to resort to a minivan or a pedestrian sedan. I love it.
Maxima Cranks
Bought the car second hand, just love it!!. Have had no troubles with it other than new rotors which is normal.The Maxima is SO QUICK off the line and can surprise Mustangs and other muscle cars. She's good on gas too. LOVE IT!!
Great Performance-Lousy Interior Quality
I have owned this car for over a year so I feel qualified for an evaluation of this vehicle. The overall performance i.e., steering, breaking, acceleration is remarkable however, the overall quality of the interior plastics is cheap. I have had the rear deck repaired to stop the vibration noise of the some components of the stereo system (it took 6 months for the dealer to repair) and the columns between the front and rear doors as well to the rear deck have been repaired or replaced. The gage that sensors the amount of mileage the cars has until empty is useless because it stops working when the tanks has less than 2 gallons.
Great Car
I have owned numerous cars in the past from luxury to high performance. This car is the best car I have EVER owned. I have never, not once, had any mechanical failure or difficulty in regards to the engine. The only problems that I had were initially, when I bought the car, the right rear window mechanism broke 2 times in 2 weeks. It was replaced both times.
Fun car, few complaints.
The Maxima is overall a great car. It has quick acceleration for a car of its size, and provides a nice ride. It has so many great features like memory and heated seats, satellite radio, and everything else needed to make a car feel like home. The exterior looks amazing, especially with my optional "amazing" package, with great looking bright chrome rims and grille. I have gotten so many compliments on an awesome looking car. The paint does chip easily though, and I have spent a lot on detail work. Inside, everything feels fairly nice, although some parts are a bit cheesy. The controls are overly-complicated, but manageable. The Bose stereo sounds good.
Awesome
This is a really fun car to drive. The power that is available when wanted/needed is exhilarating; the responsiveness is incredible. The exterior has a speedy "swept back" look; the cockpit is futuristic and the interior is very roomy. Nice touches like heated seats and steering wheel, auto dimming mirrors inside and out, accessible 12v outlets, etc, add to the enjoyment. The only drawback with the car is that it is front wheel drive. With the HP available, when one really steps on the gas there is a noticable "torque steer" that is very disconcerting at times. Some may not like the audio and HVAC controls in the center stack as the buttons are numerous and small but they'll grow on you.
Proud Owner
I sold my 2001 BMW 325i and bought a 2005 Maxima SE, and am very happy with the choice. The car has great looks, comfort and ride. Finally enough room to accomodate car seats or co-workers.
BEST Car I've Ever Owned
Fast and easy to manuever! I feel very safe- it's solid and has the front and window airbags. The controls, especially the steering wheel radio and cruise controls are very convienient and easy to use. I use my seat warmer every morning after work & I live in FL - I swear it helps my back. I did get rear-ended: the car did fine but I had cracked paint on my rear bumper. They had to replace my whole bumper. The pearl white was a difficult color to match. A specialist had to come help the body shop match it. It took longer, but they did a good job.
Love at first site....
My wife had asked me to go test drive a new 05 Altima for her that she was going to buy. When I was at the dealership I walked past the show room and for the first time I saw a 05 Maxima. I could not keep my eyes off her. After I test drove the Altima, I asked the salesperson if I could test drive the Max. As soon as I put the car into gear I was sold. I could not believe that the way it drove out performed it's looks. The car is just AWESOME. It is so fun to drive. It is extremely quite and when needed it "Gets up and goes" better then most vehicles. My buddy discribes it the best, "It's like riding on Ice".... smooth.
Staying with the Maxima line
I purchased my pathfinder le almost 2 years ago with 12,000 miles.. The car now has 35,000.. I have never had any problem with this car, it handles the snow amazingly since I live in Chicago. Much better car than 4runner or envoy. It has great look and performance and I am 100% satesfied with my purchase and I would buy it again.
luxurious vehicle
Wonderful car to drive fun full of power. If there was one thin I could change would be the removal of the cassette player, then add a 6 disc cd player instead.other then that we love the car.
Fantastic Car
My Nissan Maxima is a fantastic vehicle. It's very powerful at all speeds, extremely comfortable, very quiet, looks great, very fuel efficient, gets 27 mpg city, 46 mpg highway, has great seating and trunk space. Great dealer service. I can't imagine a finer vehicle for even double the dollars. I highly recommend the Nissan Maxima.
110% Satisfied
I've had SUVs, sports cars, sedans, coupes, and my Maxima is the best combination of all of my favorite things in each style of vehicle I've owned. It has the heavy-feeling ride of the SUV, the handling of the sports car (alot of ZIP!), the interior comfort of a sedan, and the cool feel of a coupe. If I had to replace my car tomorrow, I would go buy one just like I have. My brother has a Mercedes (big whoop) and I like my car tremendously better than his. For $33K, I couldn't ask for anything that meets my needs any better. Besides, it looks awesome on the road!
Love my Nissan
I actually paid cash for a brand new 2002 Mercedes CLK 320. That was a very big mistake. I never liked the car and felt that I wasted all that money!! I finally got rid of the M.B. and purchashed a 2004 Maxima and absolutly love it !! I find it so comfortable and easy to handle. I've heard people complain about the wide turning, but I don't find that any big deal. I love the look of my car reliability too! If I were to change anything, I would make the instrument panel easier to read. I find myself squinting to read the print. I think my husband's next SUV might be a Nissan too !!!
Transmission Gone @ 70K
I am very disappointed with my 2005 Nissan Maxima. My transmission is shot. Started around 60K.... been to the dealer several times. Nissan N America claims they are unaware of trans problems for this car. I know that's bull. Two many "Nissan Heads" are having this same problem. Is Nissan going to own up to this or what? This is my 3rd Max, unfortunately it will be my last! Mr Mech, do you have any advise for this $4,000 trans repair?
Much better than expected
We've had our Maxima for approx. 1 month and wow! We looked at the Accord, TSX, Avalon, and the Infiniti G35. The Maxima is almost exactly like the G35 but for a few thousands less, the Accord was just too boring. The Maxima has exceeded all my expectations. The leather is top notch (black interior), the satellite radio is great, the engine power should be in a vehicle that costs thousands more, etc.
So far so good
We got this can in Nov 2004. So far no sig. problems. We've had the steering wheel shake that everyone is complaining about, but it is tolerable. Performance is great. Should have a LSD or be AWD with as much power it has. If you shut off the TC, the car just smokes the tires! Lots-o-torque steer. Navigation is fun, but difficult to use. Sirius sat radio is alright, but we are used to an add on unit in the old car and this car's sat radio just does not compare to the features of the stand alone unit.
2005 Maxima
This is by far the beast automobile I have ever owned. The car is well designed, and the powertrain will not quit. With the Bose stereo playing hot east coast beach music, it's almost like being in Heaven!