1996 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews

Fun has Four Doors

Written by: DDW on 12/04/2008

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I sold my 1996 Lexus LS 400 and bought this Maxima. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? This car has most of the amenities of the Lexus like leather, sunroof, Bose stereo, etc but is infinitely more entertaining to drive. I have a 5-Speed SE model which has a quoted 0-60 time of just 6.6 seconds. The steering is light but the car responds willingly. The engine is incredibly refined and has torque at virtually any RPM. In mixed driving I'm averaging nearly 33 mpg thanks to the manual transmission (I do a lot of coasting). It has more room inside than its compact exterior suggests and has better visibility than anything sold on the market today. This is a lot of driving enjoyment for just $2500

Favorite Features

The engine. You don't even need to down shift to pass, just squeeze the gas and go. Roomy interior with high-quality controls and materials. Smooth 5 Speed manual. Fuel economy. Glass headlights and fog lights. Bose stereo. Powerful and quiet A/C. I'm 6'4" and fit fine.

Suggested Improvements

Considering that this is a 13 year old car, I'm amazed at how well it has held up. Could use better cupholders, footwell lighting, bigger mirrors, one-touch sunroof, firmer steering feel and auto headlights.

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Amazing

Written by: my baby on 11/03/2008

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

Ive had this car for about a year and haven't had any problems besides for an alternator because I got subs. I got it at 105,613 and now I'm about 125,698 but I haven't seen any loss of power or handling. This car is very fast for it size and weight. It's very comfortable and has a smooth ride. I don't think I'll ever sell my car. I have people coming up to me now thinking it's a newer car than it is. This car is so much fun to drive even with an automatic

Favorite Features

Interior is very advanced for an older car Great performance for size and weight, smooth ride even after 12 years

Suggested Improvements

better gas mileage

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Reliable and sometimes fun

Written by: JohnSmith on 08/29/2008

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

This car is overall a pretty good car. I haven't had any trouble with the car super reliable. The overall exterior design is a bit sleepy and boring, especially the rear end... sort of blends in a too much. Interior build quality is decent, not really up to par with competitors. Stock suspension (even the SE sport version) is pretty soft and not very sporty. 4 door sports car? Not if it's FWD.

Favorite Features

VQ30DE an unstoppable engine... super reliable and quick, cooler than the Honda Accord, overall interior design is simple.

Suggested Improvements

Stock suspension needs to be beefed up, better exterior design, better interior build quality, premium Bose stereo should be improved, no FWD

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Totalled yet still drives perfect

Written by: Maxima rules on 08/09/2008

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr GLE Sedan

Review

I bought this car from my dad 3 yrs ago and it only had about 70k miles. About a year later I was involved in a front end accident (not my fault) and the car was deemed totaled by the insurance company. They gave me a check for more than I bought the car, I turned around and bought the car back from the insurance company for $700, drove it off the lot and to this day I have not fixed it. All I do is oil change it every 4 mos or so, change tires and brakes, and drive drive drive. It's at over 115k miles now and still drives amazing!! Maxima's are a beast!

Favorite Features

Reliability!!

Suggested Improvements

none

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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96 Max

Written by: Chris on 07/28/2008

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr GLE Sedan

Review

This is my second car I have had. I had a Mitsubishi Mirage but didn't like it and wanted to have a better looking car. This car is awesome. The interior is my favorite part I have black leather and I feel like I'm in a town car. The back of the car is a bit boring, but I put 18" chrome rims on it and everyone is like what when I say its a 96. They thinks its a 2003 or something. The car does stall on me occasionally and it does get annoying but I think I just need to clean out the fuel line. I now I have 160,000 miles on it and its a lot faster than people think.

Favorite Features

Definitely interior, speed, leather, my sound system even though I upgraded.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders, they're square who gets square cups. Back end but I think I might just get new lights.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Best Car Overall

Written by: Coastal Commuter on 09/03/2007

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr GLE Sedan

Review

This was a great buy and while we have other vehicles, this is still running with the original motor and transmission at 300,000+ miles. A real winner all around.

Favorite Features

Great speed and pick up along with an audio system that rivals any others I've heard. Excellent space inside.

Suggested Improvements

One area that I have found that is a little weak is the air conditioning. This could be better.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great First Car

Written by: Lonewolf on 08/01/2007

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

My first car and I love it. Bought it with 113,000 miles and no problems so far. Everything in the car is solid. When shifting, 1st gear has a distinctive lack in power, but after that, it pulls like crazy. Fuel economy isn't as good as I expected, but the performance makes up for it. One thing I wasn't expecting is using premium fuel. I tried regular for a while and I ended up getting worst fuel economy and performance. Now I always use premium.

Favorite Features

Torque, build quality, bullet-proof engine, sport suspension (SE).

Suggested Improvements

Front seats need more bolstering, rear of car looks a bit plain, paint quality could be better, 1st gear needs more pull like other gears

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I love my car

Written by: Lily on 04/16/2007

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr GXE Sedan

Review

I love this car, it is incredibly fun to drive. It feels like it has more power than the numbers indicate, and the engine is incredibly smooth and light. I have never had any trouble passing someone when I need to, from a stop or on the highway. The steering feels a little loose, but when you get used to the car it can take turns and dip lanes beautifully. For the amount that I beat up on the car (a LOT, I push the car to it's limits more than I should) it has proved incredibly strong and durable. It has never broken down without giving me warning for months beforehand, and it was my fault for being to lazy to get it fixed. This car has sold me on Maximas forever. I love it.

Favorite Features

The engine :-) I love love love it. This beautiful engine, I cannot stop raving about it.

Suggested Improvements

Definitely needs snow tires for driving during heavy snow. Other than that, the steering could have a tighter feel (this is also my fault because I beat up my suspension). Sometimes to be at a comfortable reach to the steering wheel, I have to move my seat up more than my legs would like. That's it.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Comfortable Fun Reliable

Written by: JvGinPDX on 12/21/2006

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I purchased the car about a year ago from a dealer. The car had 100k miles on it, I have driven it 13k miles. My previous car was a Porsche 924, I liked the sporty handling of the 924. I wanted a larger car, I am 6'3" tall, not many cars are comfortable for a tall person. I test drove a 94 Toyota Camry, it was a quality car, but boring to drive. My Maxima SE handling performance reminded me somewhat of the Porsche. The four wheel disk brakes saved the day when I noticed a car stalled right in front of me on the freeway. I the brakes stopped straight and true when I slammed on the brakes. (I have ABS) The Max more power than I expected. I have just done basic maintenance on the car.

Favorite Features

The amount of interior room. The comfort. Wonderful handling and brakes. Getting over 30 mpg on the freeway in 5th gear. Overall reliability. I have also owned Nissan pickups. Nissan seems as good as Honda or Toyota, but seem to sell for less money.

Suggested Improvements

The car side mirrors have considerable blind spots. That is my only concern about the car. Perhaps someone who is not as tall as me may not have this problem. I wish the car was a foot longer, it needs more trunk space.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great car, very reliable

Written by: Michael on 11/08/2006

Vehicle

1996 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr GLE Sedan

Review

Bought my Maxima at 3 years-old and coming off a lease with 30k. I've driven it 100k in the last 7 years and the car has performed almost flawlessly. Well equipped with leather, moon roof, Bose premium audio and alloys. I drive it as a commuter car in town and a lot of business trips on the highway and it performs great in either case. Maintenance has been routine, minor items (brakes, exhaust, battery, tires). Only hiccup was a new anti-knock sensor that put me back $700. The 3.0L V-6 in these cars might be one of the best drive trains ever built.

Favorite Features

Smooth running engine. Comfortable, functional cockpit.

Suggested Improvements

Hate buying premium fuel when gas prices are high.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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