As of October 2015 I still have my 2002 Maxima. 158,000 miles. I bought it used in 2004. Repairs other than brakes, tires and oil changes have been: Trans rebuild at 100k in 2009, new plugs in 2012 (?) new rotors and radiator 2014, valve cover gasket in 2015. Somewhere along the line i had to replace a wheel bearing, and repair something in the exhaust (maybe a hanger, or something, can't remember.) The car has a few issues but nothing major, I would still drive it anywhere, which is why i still have it.
I have often thought of getting something newer, but I really just cant think of a good enough reason to do so. The car has held up well, still runs great, and probably will out run most other cars on the road and gets decent mpg. (I managed to squeeze over 400 miles on one tank of fuel on a trip a few years ago, worked out to a real-world, not a guess,mpg of like 24-25. I have done no mods except a drop in k&n air filter. Contemplating a new sound system, as the CD Changer cuts out left channel, which it has done for years, i have just been living with it. It is a known issue with the Bose sound systems in the 2002-2003. Radio doesn't do it, just the CD player, and if you hit a bump, it might just cut back in, until you hit another bump. Wierd.
The front end could stand a repaint, several dings and chips, had several when I bought it though. Just time and age have made it more noticable.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of these cars even now, if i was in the market for any car.
NOT the 2004-2006. Beautiful, but I am thinking there were some issues there.
***note: the manual transmission cars eat clutches. I mean that. literally. I have read many forums, posts, etc with owners talking about this, even when they were fairly new. Amazing performance with the manual but plan on replacing the clutch, and not with the OEM unit. Something after market and tough. Maybe a nismo 350/370z cluth would work if you wanted to stay with nissan parts? Idk, not a mechanic at ALL! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!! :-)
Chami90655@aol.com
