2004 Nissan Maxima User Reviews

Pros

awesome power

Cons

turning radius

Purchased As Used

The best looking car Nissan ever designed. Great power, ride comfort and Bose Stereo. 100,000 miles so far and only had problems with the heater control valve. Owned a 1997 Maxima and retired it at 275,000 miles even though it still ran like new

Pros

Power,Style,Comfort.

Cons

Better M.P.G

Impressive car,very satified with interior and exterior finish.Looksgreat in white.Will recommend to friends.

Pros

comfort, heated seats, heated steering, bose, trunk space

Cons

turning radius

I leased my car in 10/04, drove cross county (COMFORT)!!!, great stereo system, feels like your going 60 when your at about 90, was going 110 to 135 across the Salt Lake strip area for about an hour and didn't feel I was going that fast....a little noisy but not bad....I have had it for 13 months now and have 28K on it.....I drive fast and for long periods at a time (SF TO LA on I-5, about 5.5 hours) and its a joy to drive....everyone comments on how they love the sporty looks, the comfort and especially the power....I have 2 roommates with S430's and they like driving my car....for the price I feel its a really good value.....when you can light the tires up in an automatic on dry pavement you know you have some power....lease or buy one.....better than a BMW!!haha!!why waste your money.......read morehide

Pros

sexy body, power, all interior comforts

Cons

gas usage, turning radius, steering wheel rattles & shakes when hit bumps, body pulls in water

Upgraded from a '97 altima to this. What an upgrade -- wow. Though not like my mom's Lexus, still, it is nice. I think all the reviews are all relative to what we're comparing with and accustomed to. When I compare with my Altima, I can give very high praises. When I compare with my mom's Lexus, I can point out faults and weaknesses. And since this is a low-end luxury car, I don't think it is fair to compare to high-end luxury cars.

With that said, speed is fast, the feel of a luxury car is there for the most part. I love the looks of the body except the huge shield-looking Nissan emblem on the front grill. It looks rather tacky. I have the 5-speed AT with clutchless Manual. The clutchless Manual seems to consume the gas FASTER than in AT. Rather weird. My friend as the Acura TSX, and his does the same also. So I avoid the clutchless Manual mode.

When it rains and there is heavy puddles on the side of the roads, either left or right, my car seems to drag and pull on the respective side. I had experienced this with my Altima as well. But none of my previous cars or any other brand car have I ever experienced this before. I thought it was just my Altima, but it looks like my new Maxima does the same thing.

When I hit potholes on the road, my steering wheel suddenly shakes and rattles and FEELS like it became misaligned, but it hasn't. But I don't like the FEELING of it. Again, my Altima did the same thing also, but no previous cars I had owned or driven ever did this. Only my two Nissans.

The Maxima is about the same length as my mom's Lexus, yet the turning radius is much bigger than mom's Lexus.

Overall, not a bad car. Ride is comfortable. All the feels and impressions of a luxury car is there....read morehide

Pros

Instant power at any speed. Corners like a slot car. A blast to drive. Mod styling but ugly grill

Cons

should be rear wheel drive. Suspension too firm. Interior looks cheep. Dials small, confusing

To drive this car is to love it. The miles melt away as you laugh out loud withe every mash of the excelerator. While it straightens the sharpest corner it does so at the expense of ride comfort. I prefer a little softer suspension but that's just me. The interior looks cheep and the dials and buttons on the console are small and hard to use without taking your eyes off the road. Torgue stear is manageable but annoying and rear wheel drive would be a major improvement. The heater blows cold air at idle I don't know why. Overall a fun fun ride....read morehide

Pros

Nice looking machine

Cons

Problems and Headache

I brought the Max 04 SL, Majestic blue last Dec 03 and a month later the fuel pump gone bad.It took Nissan 4th attempts to figure out that it was the problem.Then, headliner fell off, glove box hang, front struts gone bad, driver side weather strip came loss,fan makes noise when ac/heater on,dash board makes noise as well,smell engine burn when on a long trip just to name a few...This is a HEADACHE CAR.I file a BBB claim and can't wait to settle this claim...I thought this is a reliable vehicle but I guess not...So DISAPPOINT and ANGRY about this car....read morehide

I've had my 04 SL for about 4 weeks and I love everything about it except for a few minor things. This car is fast and powerful and is a very fun and comfortable car to drive. Some of the things that went wrong is the sunroof makes a loud clanging noise when closed, the heated seats seems to turn on and off by itself (not fun when its a warm day), one of the lights on electric window button is dead which will be fixed when I go see the dealer. Overall, it is still a good value for the price....read morehide

The transmission is SO smoothe, that you scarcely notice when it shifts, because the motion remains absolutely forward moving. Great torque in the higher gears, as well as on the low end. Turn of the overdrive, slam 'er down... and you are GONE! And with a smile plastered all over your face. This car is a blast to drive, handles as if it were part of you, and will NEVER have anything wrong with it. Change the oil.... rotate the tires.... follow your maintenance schedule (not expensive like most).... and you're done. An amazing, AMAZING machine. Oh yeh... the BOSE speakers will blow your mind. It's like blasting down the road in a fast moving concert hall!...read morehide

Finish wore off on door panel and console in 2500 miles. Bad strut took 1 month to replace. Rear window brake light sounded like tin can.
Car drives fine and motor and brakes very good.
However hate to get into car every time and understand the poor quality of a $32000 car.

This is a reliable car. But its mpg for city driving is 15-16 mpg instead of Nissan's claim of 20 mpg.

Owner of 2004 Maxima SE