Thoughts on a 2002 Nissan Maxima GXE V6 w 230,000 mi?

[Cadcom]

My son is looking at a 2002 Nissan Maxima. I haven't seen it yet but really don't know anything about Nissans. (I'm a GM truck guy). Are these things good for 3000,000 miles or is 230k already pushing it? Son is 17 and just runs to school and around town. He currently drives my GMC Yukon XL but gas is eating.him up and evidently it ain't cool enough for him.

Pros or Cons on a 2002 Nissan Maxima?

 

[Captain Kaboom]

Any unfamiliar car with those miles…you could be 1 mile away from throwing money into a hole. I’d stick with the Yukon, gas for those short trips could be easier on the wallet.

 

[Cadcom]

Any unfamiliar car with those miles…you could be 1 mile away from throwing money into a hole. I’d stick with the Yukon, gas for those short trips could be easier on the wallet.

Yeah but the Yukon is sitting on 335,000. It ain't no spring chicken either.

 

[coolformula]

I don't know about that one. I would avoid V6's in general and stick with a 4 cylinder, better on gas and less spark plugs to change. (Toyota or Honda, avoid the Toyota 4 cylinder oil burners)



Things always good to check/change as soon as you purchase.

Power steering fluid
Brake Fluid
Transmission Fluid and filter (maybe.....if its never been changed or no records on this often people won't)
Oil and Filter
Struts (are usually 100% gone)
Brakes
Serpentine belt
Spark Plugs
Antifreeze coolant flush/refill
Upper/Lower radiator hoses (I hate when a 25 dollar hose leaves you broke down)
Alignment
Tie Rod ends (always seem to be shot on used cars that I get with 200k+)
Balls joints (at least check)
Tires (most of the time used cars with high miles have the cheapest crap tires that are bald in my experience)
Battery age (a good battery these days is 200 bucks and stinks to buy one right off the bat)
Test output of alternator to make sure its putting out 14+ volts
check for front/rear engine oil leaks
Check AC output with a thermometer while we still have some hot weather

If people would just do basic things, but around here people just will not do the basics on a car.

Buying a used car unless they have records can be a crap shoot, you buy a cheap car for 2-3k, thinking hey I need a cheap car, then you can easily dump 2-4k into it before you know it. Then its like should I have I spent 6-8k to start with to get something, but right now its hard to find anything affordable.

 

[WallsGa]

My son is looking at a 2002 Nissan Maxima. I haven't seen it yet but really don't know anything about Nissans. (I'm a GM truck guy). Are these things good for 3000,000 miles or is 230k already pushing it? Son is 17 and just runs to school and around town. He currently drives my GMC Yukon XL but gas is eating.him up and evidently it ain't cool enough for him.

Pros or Cons on a 2002 Nissan Maxima?

How much $$?

 

[Cadcom]

How much $$?

Seller is asking $2000. Prob offer $1800 depending on condition when we see it in person.

 

[WallsGa]

if the maintenance records are accurate and depending on the timing chain it could be a good buy. i mean, for that price if it last a year it’s a deal. I think the later Nissans (2004-2011 or so) have tranny issues.

 

[WallsGa]

Used 2002 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews - 315 Car Reviews | Edmunds

View all 315 consumer vehicle reviews for the Used 2002 Nissan Maxima on Edmunds, or submit your own review of the 2002 Maxima.

www.edmunds.com

https://www.cars.com/research/nissan-maxima-2002/consumer-reviews/

Nissan Maxima 2000-2003 problems, engine, fuel economy, driving experience

The 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima is fast, but is it reliable? What are the pros and cons? How is the gas mileage? What are the common problems? Read our review to find out

www.samarins.com

 

[C ountry]

My son is looking at a 2002 Nissan Maxima. I haven't seen it yet but really don't know anything about Nissans. (I'm a GM truck guy). Are these things good for 3000,000 miles or is 230k already pushing it? Son is 17 and just runs to school and around town. He currently drives my GMC Yukon XL but gas is eating.him up and evidently it ain't cool enough for him.

Pros or Cons on a 2002 Nissan Maxima?

Stay away

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

At some point in the late 90s/early 00s Nissan got in bed with Renault of France. I COULD be wrong but I believe the Maxima was one of the first Nissan models to get the CVT transmission which I would avoid at all costs.