Example pic.

Anyone know anything about this gen of Nissan Maxima? The example I'm looking at has 150K miles. The VQ35 has a timing chain, and not belt like a Honda. So I don't know what to look for or anything specific to ask about the engine.

And VQ requires premium fuel. Other than that, not much.

Anything you can share about the reliability of these cars? Is there more life in these cars?

I read great reviews about them when they were new. How about now as a 10 year old car?

Thank you.

 

I'm going to guess that aside from specific things to the Maxima or VQ, you're going to want to see that all of the following has been replaced or at the very least checked:

Cooling system, brakes, clutch, control arms and tie-rod ends, suspension and bushings.

The engine should have the timing chain tensioners checked or replaced as apparently it's something that comes up from time to time. Also by now you're probably looking at O2 sensors.

 

Heavy oil consumption, whining timing chains & guides, low oil pressure are the only VQ35 issues I'm aware of.

Other than that, those cars are pretty bulletproof.

 

Yeah, I owned two. 2000 and 2001. But honestly didn't keep them past a year each to know of any issues. Good cars.

 

Those early VQ35 engines were very susceptible to oil consumption. Some people say theirs is fine, others say they put in a ton. Usually is blamed on faulty pre-cat or piston ring design. Transmissions also can be a problem, but with it being a manual I think you are OK in that situation. I would add on the possibilities others have posted, but other than that its pretty solid since that engine is pretty bulletproof and was even on the Ward's 10 Best list. I have a VQ30 in my I30 which has been great, so I have no reason to think the VQ35 is nothing short of awesome considering they still use it today in just about everything. Also, check the lower radiator support for rust since it's common for them to corrode and require replacement, as well as rust on the rear wheel wells.

 

Oil Consumption
Noisy timing chain during cold starts - replace tensioners and guides
High pressure steering hose tends to leak
Oil leak from rear valve cover or lower bottom end of the motor

If the car has been taken care of well none of these are major issues.

 

The 4AT in the 5.5G Maxima had issues?

 

IIRC, that's an '00 or '01, and the 02-03 had a bunch of upgrades/improvements that make it much more desirable.

The ones I've seen up here all have some pretty ugly rust around the rear wheel wells, so make sure you check for that.

 

At least on Maxima.org it seems that the 4AT in them can sometimes be an issue. I think they pretty much just carried over the one they used with my VQ30. Although in Ramblings there's some discussion over members so maybe they can just be complaining over nothing. I know in the 6G a lot more failures happened with its 5AT.

 

4AT are pretty good trannies, the ones with issues are well into the high 100k to 200k mileage... Do the maintenance on them and they will last.

5AT are the trouble makers...

 

+1 to all the above. The VQ engines are generally quite reliable, nothing too specific to look out for. Most Maximas tend to be solid.

 

Though I picked up my 02 Maxima SE 4AT new, the only issues I had with it at during my four years of ownership was a bad MAF sensor and the curse of having Potenza RE92s.