Road trip report - Y2k Maxima SE, CT to Dixie

[AlienBug]

Took a road trip to Myrtle Beach from Connecticut this week. A 750-mile speed run each way, plus about 50 miles of running around each day.

Took the 2000 Maxima with 142,000 miles, and it cruised happily at 80 the speed limit all day. On the way down I added one bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner before making a full-to-empty run. On the way back I added 2.6 ounces of TCW-3 to 13 gallons, then refilled with Shell premium without adding anything.

Averaged about 26 mpg there and back, and about 21 for the tank we burned putting around South Carolina.

Thoughts - If it weren't for the creeping rust, I might keep this Maxima forever. It is comfortable and the VQ engine provides effortless power, at the cost of fuel efficiency. I have never driven a car that eats up the miles like this car does. Pop a book-on-CD into the Bose and I'll happily pull a 700-mile driving shift.

The AC in this car is brilliant. LOVE the auto climate control. I set it to 71 and from T-storms to 95-degree heat I never touched it.

The trunk, not so much. The curved arms that support the trunk really eat into cargo space.

Oil was Castrol syn-blend, with about 4,0-00 miles on the fill when we left. About 6k now. Did not burn a drop.

 

[gfh77665]

That makes me want to buy a used Maxima!

 

[FZ1]

Looks like it burned 2.6 ounces of oil,to me.

 

[ECUpirate]

I had one for 2 weeks as a rental in 2001. Fantastic car IMO, I loved it.

 

[bourne]

My first car was a 4th gen 1997 Maxima GLE. Still miss it. Ive been eyeing the newest body style as a replacement for the Acura in a few years time. Love the mid range torque in a VQ. Drove my 4th gen till 227k miles and then traded it in for the Acura. Been wanting another one for a while now.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: AlienBug
...

Took the 2000 Maxima with 142,000 miles, and it cruised happily at 80 the speed limit all day. ...

 

[double vanos]

I wish the new ones came with a manual transmission as an option....

 

[bayoubill]

Originally Posted By: double vanos
I wish the new ones came with a manual transmission as an option....


+1


I wish all cars did... sucks that they don't...

 

[dparm]

Those older Maximas were awesome. My mom had the Infiniti I30t (same basic car) and it was rock-solid up until the day we sold it.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I have an 02 and plan on keeping it until it's no longer feasible to maintain. It has a different engine than the 00, but I've had it for 4.5 years and the only thing major that needed to be replaced so far was one of the pre-cats so I can see it lasting for a while. I think there are very few cars in the same segment that are as well made.

The front seats are perfect for road tripping. I think it is more comfortable than the 04 Camry in the family.

 

[needsducktape]

My GF had a 1997 that hit 200,000 miles on it. She actually took it on trails so she could hike- NEVER burned a drop of oil and NEVER broke down (not even 02 sensors and the little things)

My 2003 which had a lovely 6 speed manual drank oil like it was going out of style. and had tons of little issues like wheel bearing, tie rods etc etc It only had 105,000 miles on it when I sold it.

I loved the way my newer 3.5 (2002 +) drove but I feel the 3.0 VQ motors (of the 90s) where much more proven.

 

[bowlofturtle]

I wish mines to be well into the 200k but not at this rate.

Rust is killing it slowly. Plus my brother has it and he only averages 6k a year. So it will easily rust up before the 200k mark.

Other then suspension work its needed nothing but a few sensors. Always got 24 MPG on it.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I had a '99 Maxima with a 2L V6 and 5-speed when I was in the UK. I loved it. I just lost interest in Nissan after Renault took over though, as the quality went down.