Nissan Maxima - 4th gen: 1995-1999

[MegaVovaN]

Hi all!
I am gonna buy a car when I finish high school. I am 18 now. I live in flat and hot Houston. I looked for a ride to go to university/work. In the topic I posted before couple people suggested used Nissan Maxima, and now I am in love with it! I love the 4th generation (1995-1999) looks and specs. The price is okay, too - better than Camry/Accord of same age.

So, I have some questions.
1. What is so bad about GXE (base model)? I read that SE is best - sporty handling, while GLE is luxury version which does not handle/accelerate/brake as sharply or responsively as SE.
2. I want leather seats. Do they come with SE?
3. What is the reasonable price to pay for 4th gen Max and what mileage it is OK for it to have?
4. Does ABS come standard? On GLE? SE? or all?
5. I want automatic transmission, but many people say I should learn stick and I am going to enjoy it...whats the difference if the car goes 0-60 in 8s on automatic and 7s in manual...

Thanks

 

[Aimster]

GXE: Standard (Basic) - Only options are Power Options

GLE: Leather, Sunroof, Wood Interior Trim, Heated Seats. Bose Stereo System, Luxury Suspension, Premium Wheels, All Power (windows, wheel, seats), [Does not come with Fog Lights] & Auto Climate control

SE: Sport Suspension, Sport Wheels, Fog Lights, Spoiler, Sunroof and the possibility of all the options as the GLE (just no wood). & it comes with white gauges.

How do I know all this? Ive owned several 1995-1999.
They are ok...

The reason Ive owned several is because I went from GXE - GLE - SE.

At the time I was young and I thought I MUST have Bose and that I must have the Leather.. When I got all that stuff... It didn't excite me anymore.

Bose in 1995-1999 is better than the Bose in 2000-2003
Quality in 1995-1999 is better than 2000-2003
Leather in 1995-1999 is better than 2000-2003

Http://www.maxima.org

Http://www.custommaxima.com (for maxima parts)

Enjoy

 

[isekii]

get the SE.
I think it gives the best of the car.
GLE has the softer suspension and standard leather
SE's do come in leather ( i think it was an option ) but most if not all SE's have leather on them. Atleast all the ones I saw.
ABS should be standard on the Maxima.

Nothing is wrong with the GXE, it's just a a regular Maxi without the options.

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: isekii
get the SE.
I think it gives the best of the car.
GLE has the softer suspension and standard leather
SE's do come in leather ( i think it was an option ) but most if not all SE's have leather on them. Atleast all the ones I saw.
ABS should be standard on the Maxima.

Nothing is wrong with the GXE, it's just a a regular Maxi without the options.

ABS is not standard on the Maxima. It is an option and it should be included in the GLE package. I dont know about the SE.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Hi all!
I am gonna buy a car when I finish high school. I am 18 now. I live in flat and hot Houston. I looked for a ride to go to university/work. In the topic I posted before couple people suggested used Nissan Maxima, and now I am in love with it! I love the 4th generation (1995-1999) looks and specs. The price is okay, too - better than Camry/Accord of same age.

So, I have some questions.
1. What is so bad about GXE (base model)? I read that SE is best - sporty handling, while GLE is luxury version which does not handle/accelerate/brake as sharply or responsively as SE.
2. I want leather seats. Do they come with SE?
3. What is the reasonable price to pay for 4th gen Max and what mileage it is OK for it to have?
4. Does ABS come standard? On GLE? SE? or all?
5. I want automatic transmission, but many people say I should learn stick and I am going to enjoy it...whats the difference if the car goes 0-60 in 8s on automatic and 7s in manual...

Thanks

1. The GXE is the "base" model with the least standard equipment - also some optional equipment are not available, but seeing that you are buying used, this is a non-issue.
Acceleration should be just about equal on all 3 trims. The only difference would come from weight, which is determined by how each is equipped.
Handling and braking will be better on the SE because of sport tuned springs/struts and bigger disc brakes.

2. Not sure, if so it's definitely not standard.
SE's have cloth as standard.

3. Question is too broad. Prices vary due to locales, options, year and miles.
Auto or stick? If auto, transmission is usually the first to go, as far as major repairs. The VQ (engine) is good for at least 200k miles if decently cared for.
Stick? Depends how good the previous driver(s) were and how easy they were on the clutch.

4. No clue on ABS.

5. Not sure I understand your question but you already stated the answer somewhat.
On paper, the difference is in acceleration times.
During driving, you'll notice less drive train loss so it feels more powerful, the ability to select your own gear (drop down a gear or two at will for passing or climbing a hill), and increased overall enjoyment in driving the car.
There's more, but I won't get into it here.

 

[Balt]

Not really any useful information to offer you, but I have a '97 SE w/ leather and I love it.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Thanks for the above info

Is there a huge difference in what year I am going to get? Or should I try to get 1999/1998?
Like, if I have two cars:
1995, 100k miles
1997, 120k
1999, 140k

which one should I pick? what's more important: age or mileage?

 

[Red]

What's most important is how well the car has been taken care of.

I had a '97 I30, which is very similar to a GLE Max. I loved the car. Now I drive a 5th gen... '02 I35 (picture in my sig).

Maxima's have a lot of value: they are roomy, have plenty of power, decent gas mileage, reliable, etc. Both the VQ30 and the VQ35 have a timing chain (not belt) so you never have to pay for a timing belt service.

You should be able to pick up a nice 4th gen for 5k - 7k.