Where are the GOOD '03 Maxs?

Have you seen an Infiniti I35? Basically the same car but it only came with the auto trans. Nissan made them thru the 2004 model year.

Sure I've seen an Infiniti I35, don't want one of those either, too sedate. I am about to jump on the Infiniti wagon and find a nice used G35 sedan if I have to give up on a nice 2003 Max.

I agree. the 04-05 Max's look like crap! They are too round, and do not look sporty, they look like an old man's car, or a family car. F- on the newer max's. The best years to me are the 1986, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995,

I'm a 2000 Maxima SE owner who just found this newsgroup. I saw your post and being in the Atlanta area myself I thought I'd drop you a line as I might be able to locate a nice '03 at one of the auctions in the area. Let me know offlist if you'd have an interest at b_ingle@hotmailDOTcom (note spam blocker)

I frequently change out cars; most of the time, I end up getting rid of mine in about a year because of some problem, or I'm just tired of it.

That said, exactly two years ago this coming Monday I took delivery of a grey 2003 Maxima SE, and by God if it isn't the best car I've ever owned. I have NO desire to get rid of it, and plan on keeping it forever. I probably won't drive it forever, but keep it around as a backup car once it starts to show its age. It really is unbelievable how tight the car still is after two years, it is literally the same vehicle I drove off the lot. I guess years of driving GMs and Fords blinded me to how good the Japanese engineered their cars.

The other reason for their rarity, besides being one of the best cars you could buy at the time under $30k, is that the 2003 model year was only about

Maximas have been on Consumer Reports' "Most Reliable Used Cars" list for years. While I don't place a lot of faith in that mag, a lot of people do, which drives their popularity as a used ride up.

Good luck with your search, it's worth it. BTW, I don't mind the way the new Maximas look; I've seen one that is the same color as my '03 (sort of a Porsche grey), and it's pretty sharp. I can see myself buying one when that particular gen is about up and they're getting ready to replace it; this serves two purposes. One, you will get a hell of a deal on it because dealers want to move the "old style", and two, you will have very few problems with it because Nissan has had 4-5 years to work all the bugs out. Which probably explains why my '03 Maxima hasn't had as much as a rattle or squeak in the two years I've driven it over crappy Michigan roads.

The best Maximas to me are the 1997-1999s, and for the 99s, give me a RED SE-L 5-speed with Black leather. OH YEAH!

CD

Probably people are hanging on to them, as I am. Current max's are not even comparable.

I agree with you about the roads here in Michigan. It seems like I put around 40,000 miles on a car here and it really starts showing its age with suspension problems. I'm not a crazy driver either.

How many miles does your Maxima have on it?

The good 03s are called 1989-1994 !! Third Gen was the best. Fourth Gen not bad. Good luck. Bob

$8995 with

UPDATE: I bought a used 2003 Max SE today. Silver as a new dime with the chrome mags. Bose 6D, leather, roof. 38K miles. $15,994. Not bad.

Forgot to say, this is the Sheer Silver paint with the Titanium Edition package. Lots of nice styling touches....

Maxima's new Titanium Edition Package is a new option available only on SE models. The Titanium Edition Package features a Bose® audio system with AM/FM in-dash 6-disc CD changer, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags, in-mirror compass, floor mats and stainless steel sill plates with Maxima logo. It also offers titanium-tint color accents on the center console, titanium-tint accent stitching on the steering wheel and shifter, and alloy wheels with bright wheel finish.

Does this system have auxiliary input?

It's prewired for satellite, is that what you mean?

I think he's asking if there are any jacks to input an external player, be it an ipod, changer, or satellite radio.

CD

No, not on the front.

No, there isn't; even the early '04s weren't prewired for satellite. As far as aux in goes, the only Nissans I know to have a true aux in are the Titans with the Rockford Fosgate system.

I ended up replacing the 6 disc Bose changer in my '03 with an Eclipse deck, and then hooked up a Sirius PNP unit to the Aux in in the back.

Yeah, thats what I meant...thanks.

It's been a dealer option for over 2 years, they certainly do wire for sat.