Best Nissan for reliablity up to 300k, MPG and snow traction?

[shortlid]

My Turbo SAAB 9000, 5-speed was just totaled. I need a reliable, mid sized car, that gets good MPG, and is FWD for the snow I have here in New Hampshire. Is a '00-'01 Altima a better choice than a '99-'00 Maxima? What should I look for when looking at these cars? I know Camry's are reliable but they are boring, and I am not a Honda fan.

[audtatious]

I would choose the Maxima. The VQ motor is a constant winner of Wards 10-best. There are tons of 4th gen Maxima's (VQ30 v6) with 200k+.

[SeVa-S13]

Of those, I'd pick the 2000 Maxima no doubt. The 5 speeds have an ok VLSD and the VQ30 motivates the heavier A33 chassis well enough with ~220hp. I think the tires they come with stock are Bridgestone Potenza RE92's; if so, get rid of them quick if the car's going to see ice/snow.

Anything being reliable enough to get 300k is probably more on how much you wanna spend on maintenance and how the people before you treated it. Frequent Mobil 1 oil changes with an OEM Nissan oil filter should help though.

[shortlid]

Thanks, I do see a lot of fouth gen's around here for sale for $5,000 or less. But what are the rust spots, and weak points of these cars at 100k plus? Would they be as good on gas as a 2.5 liter Altima, or as reliable?

[shortlid]

WOW great info on VLSD the 5-speed Maxima's!!! That is WAY better than Traction control systems. I will keep my eye out now for a 5-speed '00 Maxima. Anyother older Nissans with this great feature??

[audtatious]

Manual 1999 Altima is 21/28 and has appx 150hp

[SeVa-S13]

I'm not sure if it's standard with all manuals, but all VQ30 Maximas (A32;95-99 and the first A33's;00-01) had atleast a VLSD option. In '02, the 6 speed manuals started having an HLSD option.

[shortlid]

Awsome, so I could get a Max with 5-speed as old as '95 and it could have a LSD up front!!! Were they limited to certain trim levels, and how do the trim levels work with Nissan? The only option I need it to have is a moonroof and ABS, every else is extra.

[SeVa-S13]

Now that I do more research I can't guarantee the 95-99's having a VLSD. I know for a fact the 2000's and 01's had them as an option, but 4th gen Maximas aren't my forte'. All Infiniti I30's of the same era have a VLSD though, but good luck finding a rare manual one.

There are people in the Maxima forum that know alot more than I on the subject, I'm sure. =\