Test drive Nissan Maxima 2000 - 2004 sedan

Nissan Maxima (2000-2003)

If you are looking for a business class car in the maximum configuration for minimal money, then this is exactly what you need.
When the question arises of buying a used Nissan Maxima, the latest version with the SA33 factory code, launched to the market in early 2000, can be considered an ideal option. It can be found for $ 15--20 thousand, if you are very lucky: the secondary market for this model has not really been formed. The new Maxima has not yet had time to submissive to the first owners, and therefore, in the category of second-hand, she is a rarity. Much more real (and much cheaper-$ 10-13 thousand) the previous version under the code name A32, which was made for Europe in 1994-2000. The consumer difference between them can be simplified as follows: the new one in standard configuration is old in maximum. No, of course, there are a lot of technical differences (for example, in bodies), but in operation and repair of the version are very close.
Operators class. The car as a whole is reliable, and the new version takes into account a lot of things that were missed in the old one. The main enemies of Maxima are the bad hands of the exploiters. It is better if the previous owner is a private trader, even better - if a private trader is older than 40. These, as a rule, are cholest and cherish their car. But if a car from a corporate fleet (the model is very popular as a car-car in different organizations), then everything is very slippery. It is not customary to take care of the state -owned good. Behind the machine there are 2-4 drivers plus a couple more corporation employees have a power of attorney. Hence - merciless exploitation, crazy runs and lack of personal responsibility. True, the KAR company is served on an authorized service, but when I noticed this to an engineer of such a service, he strained: their condition is supported by the injection of money by buckets. It is worth remembering.
Triune task. Typical sores of Maxima are known. Let's start with the engine. At 120--200 thousand km of run, it may be necessary to replace the chain timing mechanism. There are 3 chains: 2 small between the ramparts and the large common. If the chain tensioner freezes, it begins to hang out, and after starting the engine, a frequent knock is heard, which after ten seconds, as the oil is pumped, stops. It is better to change all three chains and three tensioners at once. Iron costs $ 600, and the replacement work is $ 330.
It happens that the pump flows - the antifreeze goes, as a rule, through the drain hole, the motor is noisy. The pump must be urgently changed, although it is difficult - it is under the front cover of the engine, almost inside the chain mechanism. The pump itself costs $ 140 (with gaskets), and replacement - $ 240. Work is valued precisely because of the hardness of the entire node.
With long exploitation, somewhere closer to the fourth year, 1-2 ignition coils from the available six can fail-the engine engine and, of course, does not pull. This concern will cost $ 103 for iron and $ 10 - for replacement.
Maxima headache - spark plugs. The plant is regularly putting platinum NGK, according to the regulations, they should serve 60--90 thousand km, but 20-30 thousand km are actually walking due to manganese additives to our gasoline. When replacing it is better to put ordinary ones-they are 5 times cheaper ($ 4 versus $ 20 apiece), and they serve as much (20-30 thousand km). Replacement work costs $ 15.
After 60 thousand km of run, it is strongly recommended to rinse the injection system. You can clean with new -fangled ultrasound (about $ 90), but it is difficult - it is necessary to remove the nozzles, in addition, you can not check their performance. Better with liquid. For everything - $ 75.
The problem of three liters. After three years of operation, it is advisable to check the generator - it happens that it ceases to be charged to the battery or backlash appears in bearings. Previously, the new generator cost $ 1100, but now there is no need to spend such money - now Nissan is collecting broken generators and restores it. This is a normal rebilation, and you do not need to be afraid of it. There is a restored generator $ 374, and the replacement work is $ 36. Along the way, however, we note that the average cost of the bulkhead of the generator in Moscow is $ 150-170.
The transmission is generally reliable. Even in machine guns, breakdowns are rare. It happens that after 200 thousand km of run, the selector position sensor fails - the engine control unit does not see this position, and the engine will not start, since it can only be made on a clearly visible p or n. You will have to give $ 30 for the sensor, for replacement - for replacement - for replacement - for replacement - for replacement - for replacement - $ 21.
In 3-liter maxim with mechanics after 100-150 thousand km of mileage, backlash may appear in the differential bearings. Signs: rumble of boxes, leak the seals of one or both drives. Timely repair (replacing 6 bearings) will cost $ 700. Untimely, in the most severe case - at $ 1700. Feel the difference. Note that 2-liter machines did not have such problems.
   
The trouble came - you don’t know where. Trouble Maxim-front silent block of the lower front suspension lever. After 60 --100 thousand km of run, the outer sleeve exfoliates from its rubber filling. And delivery is only assembled with a lever. It costs $ 170 plus $ 48 for replacement.
It is very difficult to kill the tips of the steering rods (there Teflon bushings), but these details still break. And they are borne by $ 89 for iron, $ 21 for replacement, $ 30 for adjusting the collapse. The steering rods themselves, it happens, begins to play after 60--100 thousand km. Calculation: $ 63-traction, $ 21-replacement, $ 30-collapse.
It happens that after 120--180 thousand km, steering racks fail. The Reika itself costs $ 885 plus $ 110-replacement, plus $ 30-collapse, plus $ 15-Dexron II oil.
Maxim of the previous version is characterized by rapid wear of brake pads (10-20 thousand km) and discs (30-50 thousand km). Replacing both plus cleaning and sinking calipers will rise at $ 300 (iron and work) for front brakes and $ 250 for the rear. Well, if you have to change the rear calipers (usually after 100-120 thousand km), this will result in $ 540 for each (there is a precision fit). However, if you monitor the machine, then you can do only a replacement of dust gum - $ 100 with 2 calipers.
Country of Soviets. Valuable advice: do not put anything under the front seats. With all kinds of scrapers, you can easily injure the connectors of the side eirbegs located there-the system malfunctioning signal is light up. Diagnostics, distorting the connector and removing the error in the computer are $ 15. The case is very common.
In the end, I will note that you don’t need to be afraid of the named numbers - if you took the car from good hands and treat it yourself as a native, then with the most part of the nasty things you will most likely not encounter. With reasonable and regular maintenance of repair costs, you can meet $ 500-600 per year-for the E-class car, these are real pennies. According to the company, statistics, alas, the other is $ 1.5-2 thousand per year). The main thing is to remember the medical principle: to prevent the disease is cheaper than treating.
Text Sergey Sorokin, photo Alexey Ilyin, drawing Alexander Krasnov

Nissan Maxima QX 2.0 3.0
Length/width/height (mm) -4920/1780/1440
Working volume (cubic meter cm) 1995 2988
Power (L.S.) 140 200
Equipped mass (kg) 1400 1450
Maximum speed (fur./Auth., Km/h) 201/181 230/210
Acceleration to 100 km/h (fur./Auth., C) 11.3/14.1 8.3/9.6
Fuel consumption, medium (fur./Auth., L/100 km) 10.6/11.5 10.0/11.7
The price in Moscow (2000 release) from $ 21.5 thousand.
The cost of additional equipment
 
Rubber rug in the trunk $ 40-200
Children's seat Nissan $ 100-250
Heating of the rear seats double $ 260
Hands Free system for a mobile phone $ 90-120
Installation kit for the LCD TV $ 180-240
Faculty (with installation) $ 300
The cost of some service work with details and consumables
To (every 10 thousand, odd mileage) $ 100
To (every 10 thousand, even mileage) $ 200
Then 60 thousand km $ 500-550
Oil in the engine $ 78
Replacing front brake pads $ 100
Replacing the rear brake pads $ 90
Replacing spark plugs $ 125
Replacing air filter $ 26
Fuel filter replacement $ 38
Replacing belts of attachment equipment $ 41
Replacing the front shock absorber $ 150
Replacing ball support $ 98

 

A source: "Autopilot"