The 2000-2003 maxima is when i first started experiencing Nissan problems. They overheated like clockwork and The electronics are extremely sensitive/poorly engineered. Nice looking cars tho. The 1995-1999 model wasnt as bad. From that point forward they havent been the same. The CVTs have been a nightmare and still are to this day, the catalytic failure that you mentioned earlier was widespread,the paint they use is the thinnest i have seen in the industry these days, the timing chain tensioner problem in 2004-2010 3.5-4.0 engines, even throughout the last decade they have had design problems with their heater cores and cooling systems. Their AC performance is one of most lackluster of any new car. The fit and finish isnt bad, they are user friendly and they have excellent seats. Compare a nissan interior (infiniti as well) to any competitor and it looks second class (my opinion) in terms of design, carelessly thought out. Nissan hasnt been the same since about 1994 in my opinion. Last year for 300zx was 1996, also an electronic nightmare in powertrain management but a car i could live with since they are sweet. Longterm reliability down, creativity/inspiration is absent, the Nissan enthusiast crowd is more active with the older Nissan models, not much care is given for new stuff except for the GTR. That is the state of Nissan in America and by now anyone that goes to buy one knows that huge incentives will be sitting on the hood to help push them out the door.
