Nissan has produced a remarkably neutral-handling FWD car. You’d have to do something stupid to get into understeer discomfort. Those who bitch about FWD have to think outside the squares and learn FWD technique. In the last 40 years, most Monte-Carlo Rallies have been won by FWD cars.

Car however is not without some really dumb Nissan Japan design/specification flaws.

Ergonomics:

Lack of adjustable lumbar support for the front seats.
No axial adjustment of the steering-wheel.
Reflective aluminium chequerplate on the dashboard often totally blocks out the driver’s door mirror visibility.

Frustrations:

a) I curse Nissan every day – when I get out of the car only to realise I want something from the back seat and find the other three doors locked. The automatic door locking is ridiculous and makes no sense.

b) I curse again the lack of a “time delay” factor by which the electric windows can be closed AFTER I have turned off the ignition and half stepped out of the car to realise a window is not fully closed.

Practicalities:

a) Rear vision when reversing is very poor due to C-Pillar design, rear seat headrests and invisible boot lid.. The reversing sensors should be standard on both models. Not just on the sun-roof model.

b) The Dunlop Sport tyres are known noisy tyres and contribute negatively to destroy the otherwise quiet ambience of the vehicle. A bad choice Mr. Nissan.

c) Reflections of the bright aluminium chequerplate on the dashboard often totally block out any images in the driver’s side exterior door-mirror. (A sunny day manifestation).

d) Zero stowage facilities for any accoutrements of rear seat passengers.
(The pockets in the backs of the front seats are totally useless since they open but 2cms.
Good for only for stowing a few sheets of A4 photocopy paper !

________

I can accommodate all of the above shortfalls as a trade-off for the abounding benefits of the car in general … EXCEPT for the lack a lumbar seat adjustment and lack of steering-wheel axial adjustment. I would not buy another Maxima unless these two items were addressed. But after a year with the Maxima I have developed nothing but contempt for Commodores and Falcons which by comparision are just “chucked together”.

One of the world’s great car-makers did not “spoil the ship for a 10 cents of tar”.
It spoiled the ship because seemingly it has blind spots on all these issues on every model which it produces for the Australian market. Last month I had some business in Tasmania and hired a Nissan Tiida. Driving such was totally familiar in that it had all the same design specification shortfalls …. without exception.

Graham

I am looking at a TI also, not for myself, but for my mum. We have just added the TI to the short list that already contains the newer Camry’s and Altises,newer X-Trails and an 07′ Sonata.

The TI that we have seen in the yard has 150,000kms on the clock and has a tag of $13,990 with a quiete extensive 5 year warranty.(Originally a Hire Car then privately owned)

I would love some more feedback on vehicles with more kms. I am very impressed with the car. I currently own a modified 180sx built for the twisties and tempted to get something very similar myself! for a change of scenary. If all goes well, i will be taking it to a Nissan specialist we know to give it a good look over.

I am a big fan of Nissan engines and my mums current 86 RB30 is the only vehicle that she has had without engine issues. My Sr20det with 150,000kms and standard internals, twice the factory boost and tuned aftermarket ECU etc. has not skipped a beat.

Mark

I have a 04 maxima Ti. I’ve had the car for just over 2 years. no regrets whatsoever. Besides the battery dying, everything is great. I found it so effortless on the highway. Accidently doing 165km. You need to check your speed regularly because you cannot feel the road underneath you. I cant wait for new models to come out. How about a VQ37 eng 3.7L with RWD. I think this will attract more buyers. But for anybody thinking of buying one, I highly recommend the maxima. Great performance with good fuel economy. The best value for money luxury car you will drive. Great engine & quality build.

Im looking into buying a second hand 2004 Maxima Ti, had a look at a few between 15k to 19k. Most of them seem to be in good condition. I like the maxima, it’s a nice, luxary car and a pleasure to drive, however, i am worried abt the resale value. My other options are 2007 Civic VTi and 2004 Subaru Liberty although they are in total different categories. any ideas on what i should do?
thanks.

It has everything I wanted, leather trim, sunroof, superb engine with the bonus of good fuel economy, heaps of room, magnificent built quality and it has never missed a beat. It is one of the first cars that I have had where I have not had to make a claim for any warranty issues!!!! More than I can say for the EF Fairmont wagon I finally got rid of (had it since new as well). That car was on the verge of self destruction. Appalling quality, gas guzzler, unreliable, wore out tyres every 40K, obscene price for spare parts.

If this is the standard of Nissan vehicles, you can keep your Holdens and Fords, I will be back again in another Nissan product.

Anyway a bit off the point. The Maxima is meant to be a quiet, smooth, and refined car. Not an exciting car or a sports car.