2001 Maxima Questions. (Poss New Ownr)

[Only One Max]

Hi Guys, Im looking at buying a 2001 Maxima, but have a few questions.

How are these cars? Any problems area's?

What is the life on the timing belt/chain?

What are the audio options? (Watts and # of speakers)?I guess It can read MP3 Cds being a 01... ( i like the look of factory, and DO NOT like to put in aftermarket, so this is BIG thing for me. LOL. From reading around, i see 1) 4 speakers am/fm/cass2) 6 speakers add CD player3) 7 speakers 200 Watt add Bose & subwoofer.

Im looking to buy this. about $6500 and has 67K miles on it. But what trim is this? im guessing its a SE with the Comfort and Convenience Pkg or a GLE.... I dont know.

How are these car to insure? I am 18, working, and already have another car (2002 Elantra) and thats about 1400/year with almost min coverage.

How are they in the snow? (you know NY has snow! LOL)

Do these cars have DayTime Running Lights?

Crash test looks goodhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7HzMeZr2uU

Any thing else i should know about these cars? Any transmission problems (*Cough Cough 3.2 Acura*)

Thanks Guys!!
Modified by Only One Max at 10:33 PM 8/4/2008

[MinisterofDOOM]

Welcome to NICO!

If it's an SE it'll have blacked out tail lights. Otherwise they'll be red. I think those are SE wheels (don't remember for sure, though).

No daytime running lights. That's something Nissan has never done (much to the chagrin of our Canadian neighbors, for whom the feature is now required).

Being FWD they're pretty well-behaved in the snow. The low-end torque means you'll be doing a lot of tire-spinning at stoplights in the winter, but aside from that you should be good.

Timing chain is "maintenance free" and shouldn't ever need to be replaced. No expensive/labor-intensive belt-change intervals to mess with.

Problem areas are generally engine electronics, like ignition coils or MAF, etc. Mechanically the cars are as bulletproof as they get.

[Gman8990]

thats a steal to be honest.. i got my 99 maxima with 103k for just under $6,000

[MCovington]

AT 6500 that is a good buy if it has been taken care of. It looks loke a SE model. Look at the back end on the right side of the trunk lid it will tell you. The SE models have a little stiffer suspension and the gauges are white with 17" wheels. I have a 01 Infinity I30 and they are the same car. I looked at a 01 Maxima before I bought the Infiniti and they were asking 9800 and it had 91K miles, got the Infiniti for 9700 with 81K miles instead. These are nice cars with plenty of pep and good gas milage around 28 HYW and 24 City. They do require mid grade or premium gas to keep it from spark knocking and messing up the motor. Smell the trans fluid off the stick, see if it smells burnt and if the color is pink. Open the oil cap and shine a light in the motor see if you there is any sludge in there. My MAF went out at 89K and had to replace it. No other probles so far now it has 91 K on it now. I like the Maxima but the Infinity is a little more plush inside with auto climate control and lether seating, and a electric rear sunscreen.

[Only One Max]

Okay so i pick it up most likely this week some time. It is a auto. I still dont know what options this car has. Can you drive you with fog lights and parking lights on, or do you need your headlights on to use the fog lights? Like with every car we owned that had fog lights, only the 2002 Sonata could you do this with.. Is it the same with the Max? i have to go and look at it in person, and test drive it. the car is 2 1/2 hrs away (about 140 miles). I will keep you updated. Thanks for the replys.

[reknab]

I have a 2001 Se Anniversary Maxima with a 5 speed trany. I just hit 90k miles. My MAF needed replacing as well a while back. I just had to replace the front struts as they were totally shot at 89K miles. I was a bit surprised as the struts on my 86 Maxima still function fine with 225 k miles. And I drive like an old lady. Granted the roads around here are the worst. I ended up putting Eiback springs and koni struts and shocks all around. A big improvement to the handling.

My hydralics for the clutch went out at 88K, and my throw-out bearing is not what it should be but these are neither an issue with an automatic.

I have six speakers plus the Bose sub-woofer. It sounds good but I'm not so sure about 200 watts? It has CD and cassette but only one CD in the player. And no MP3 jack.

Cheers

Other than that these cars are solid and reliable.

[Only One Max]

So i like this car so much, i am going to take it. I am going to the Bronx. about 140 miles from where i live. I have never been to the city, but sure looking forward to it. I go down tomorrow or the next day, and sign the papers, and what not. I will keep you posted.

[davskins97]

I have an '01 Max. I had 2 of my 4 O2 sensors go out between 30,000 and 45,000 miles. I had a wheel bearing go around 40,000. All 6 ignition coils (wouldn't replace just one) at 37,000 miles. I would suspect all of those issues to have been resolved on one with 68k on it.The 7 speaker Bose system sounds decent, but it won't play MP3's or plug any aux items into it. I yanked mine and put in a Pioneer with Ipod integration. Can't live without that now, but that's just my opinion.All the above being said, I love my car. I paid $16,500 for mine 4 years ago with 23,500 miles on it and basically every option. I didn't mind buying parts or paying repair costs because it has been worth every cent.Make sure you have good treads on your tires when the snow comes around. The torque in my stick shift coupled with partially worn tires makes it difficult to get around in the Wisconsin snow.Can't believe my car is only worth $6,500 at a dealership. Now I know there is no way I will be getting rid of it. When it comes time for me to get a new car I will keep my max for my son.