Used 2005 Nissan Maxima Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Not as expected!
subzeropr, 06/23/2006
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car has little more than a year with over 19,000 miles on it and it has already been in the dealer 7 times. 3 of those times was because of a short circuit that burns the interior and taillight fuse. The other four because of the struts. Service is horrible and they have not found the problem of the short circuit. The car moves well but the turning radius is really bad. Thinking of dumping the car and look for a more reliable car like the new 2007 Toyota Camry.
Truly Dissappointed
bigmixx, 09/01/2006
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought an 05 SE in Jan and now 8 mon. later I'm looking to get rid of it. The build quality of this car is horrible. I'm getting a clucking noise in the front everytime I take off, stop or turn. Dealer says they can't duplicate it but I hear it all the time. Entire dash squeaks, rattles, & cracks everytime the weight of the car shifts. Dealer wants to charge me to fix this as "adjustments" aren't covered under warranty after 12,000 mi. There's a vibration in the tranny when I shift from reverse to drive that the dealer says is normal (yeah right). Rotors have warped 3 times within 16,000 mi. wheel shimmies at 60 mph. I'm in the process now of trading it in on an 07 Camry.
2005 Nissan Maxima for sale near you
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Great Performance
YoYoMan, 09/19/2006
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Been a Great Car so far. Fun to drive, great for road trips. 33 MPG on the highway! Love the engine, friend has a 2005 Mustang GT and the Max gives it a run for its money. Looks spectacular with tinted windows and 18" Chrome Wheel Package.
Consumer Reports is accurate
esmith, 09/27/2006
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great car with a couple of minor drawbacks. My one big hesitation was the wide turning circle, which I read about in Consumer Reports. I went from a much smaller car with a turning circle of 30 feet to this one, with 40. It makes U-turns a nerve-wracking experience, but fortunately, I don't have to make those turns often. I also think the climate controls would be better in analog (levers or dials) instead of digital, since there are so many buttons on the center console.
Believe the hype
weezy, 10/14/2006
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a used 05 Max SE in July, black on black with 20,000 miles. For the money I paid, this car has really impressed me. Mine is black with black leather and the 18" chrome wheel package; with aftermarket window tints it looks awesome. I've gotten tons of compliments on its exterior looks. My complaints with the car are the same as others'..wide turning radius, some cheaper-looking interior plastic, etc. However, the car has much more upside than downside. Awesome acceleration, good handling for a car its size, great sound system, and better than expected fuel economy. Overall, a solid option for those looking for a blend of performance, practicality, and style.
I love with my 05 Maxima
LadyDe, 11/21/2006
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love my Maxima. For the first time in my life I was blessed to buy a dependable car. Glad I chose the Maxima!!. Ask me if I would buy the 07 or 08? Heck yeah!!
Fun car to drive
jinx, 01/12/2007
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Poor cup holder arrangement. Too much torque steer when accelerating, Visibility toward rear corners poor.
05 Maxima SE
Ron Hartley, 02/24/2007
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been a great car, it's the third Maxima we've owned. Wish it had Nav. It hasn't been back to dealer for anything but scheduled service. The tires on the SE are not great in snow even with traction control. Took it to Mo., and it got 31.7 mpg on premium. Do not appreciate the torque steer or the soft paint, otherwise love the vehicle.
maxima
Angel Baca, 03/03/2007
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a very fun and practical car. It turns a lot of heads with it's looks and drives really nice. I installed a K&N air filter and get about 29 MPG on the highway and about 21 MPG in town. Really enjoy. Test drove a Camry before this Maxima and it made my choice really easy.
Dollar store paint
Mark, 03/14/2007
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My first Maxima... and last. Impressed with the ride, very confident and comfortable. Good upscale features like xenon headlights, electronic console display. However, comes up short in several respects. Bose stereo is a rip off - sounds boomy. Paint is extremely cheap and if I look close enough there are areas where the primer can be seen. The dealer, of course, says these are paint chips which they are not. I am confident Nissan used the best paint the dollar store had to offer. The metal is thin and when closing the doors the car sounds like a big tub. Drive by wire throttle system needs improvement - there is notable lag. Overall, not a value. European rivals are a better buy.
Forever in the with the max
Jarvis Weber, 04/28/2007
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Definitely fun to drive. It's the sedan of all sedans. I also owned a 99 limited edition, found it to be a bit small. Very pleased with the larger body, 18 inch wheels and dual exhaust.
Not bad... not bad at all.
usmcbigguns, 05/22/2007
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Second Maxima for me and I have to say I am glad I went with another one. I am an outside sales rep and this car fits the bill perfectly, spacious, sporty, the right luxury features and Nissan reliability. My last Nissan I had (99 SE Ltd) had 176k on it when I traded it in for this car. If this one gets that same mileage I will be very happy. Ride is better then the old Max I had, turning radius is a lot larger though. Plenty of pick-up with respectable MPG. Any issues that I might have had with car I think were addressed with in the 07 Max (cheap and at first confusing controls, no aux input, cass deck? standard stability control). Great car... just buy it, you won't go wrong.
Good Vehicle to Date
Corrpro, 07/12/2007
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought the car new in Feb. 2005. I only drive it between 6000 and 7000 miles per year, so to date it only has about 15,000 miles. But it has been a very good car so far. Compared to my last 2 Dodge Intrepids (94 & 99) it is a much faster, smoother riding car. I love the features such as the heated seats and heated steering wheel. I do think that some interior improvements are needed, especially with the dashboard and controls. I haven't checked out the newer models yet, so maybe they have addressed this. As stated before, there have been 2 recalls, but I had no problem with either issue, and had them both taken care of during one visit to the dealership.
Good buy!
sd, 05/23/2008
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought it when it was 34K miles. Now it's 67K miles, no issues whatsoever! Pricey tires though, had to replace every year (but looks great). Some minor rattle coming from the center console. 20 mpg not sure whether its good or bad but somewhat high compared to my old 4 cyl Camry that was sold to get this one. Will buy M35 next after this one gets to be 100K.
UPDATE ON TRANSMISSION....
josh37, 10/24/2011
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have two other reviews on this car. I bought it used with around 60,000 miles on it. Drove perfect until around 119,000. Like ever other 2004-2006 maxima, the transmission started jerking, kicking, and slipping. I really like this car. I had the car put in the shop when it had 127,000 miles on it, to have the transmission rebuilt. They had it for about 2 weeks (shop was really busy). I picked it up and he said that he did not replace the transmission (took it to a private transmission speciallest, not nissan dealer) he put a Shifter Kit in it and flushed the transmission fluid and not the car has 132,000 miles on it and drives smooth, on occasions it will slip but hardly noticable.
05 SE v6 3.5
05 SE v6 3.5, 04/26/2021
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My Nissan has over 183,000 miles and still runs strong but yes the trans does slip a bit few minor problems but good car to me
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Owned my 2005 Maxima SL 14 years so far.
Jack, 06/19/2022
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this vehicle used in 2008 with about 22,000 miles on it. I'm retired and do not put a lot of mileage on it each year. At the moment, it has 59,500 miles on it. The trans fluid was changed at 30,000 and is about due a 60,000 mile service. I have maintained the vehicle regularly throughout the years. Regular oil changes, brakes, tires, a radiator fan assembly, and a couple of A/C hoses have been only things I have had to have work on. the car complaints site has a terrible review on this vehicle but so far, that has not been the case for me. This car is a much more reliable car than a 1990 Olds 98 I used to own that I essentially paid twice for. Once when I bought it and again in repair costs.
don't buy a book for it's cover
M Wirth, 03/12/2023
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We kept our Maxima in a garage when not in use. During bad weather rain, snow or slush we used our Mazda. Change all the fluids under Nissan recommendations per our service garage whom we trust. He mentioned the transmission issues before we purchased and stated clearly Nissan transmissions Stink. But we loved the Maxima inside and out, don't buy a book for its cover. The trans almost put us thru the windshield during a shift, too bad for Nissan, buy junk get junk. Now we have a Toyota and it works super...
not what i have experienced in the past
d hadfield, 08/12/2009
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
having been a previous maxima owner, I expected the same great performance as in the past. I sold my 2001 GLE and purchased the 2005 SE and have been disappointed in the gas mileage, the ride and the reliability. Give me back my older 2001.
Not so hot
Ralph Cole, 02/16/2005
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This was my 3rd Max and by far the worst. We have had the car in for replacement of the factory installed sky view (service recall issued), the rear window replaced (rattle), dash panel glass (keeps fogging),and resewed the leather seat to name a few problems. The 265 horses are hard to handle because the car is front wheel drive. Hey other than that, the car is great! HA HA