Nissan Stanza/Maxima (89-93) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Memnoch · 11-23-2003, 01:58 AM

I'm in the market to get a cheap-o car, but preferably one that will last a while. I'm particularly attracted to Nissan Stanzas (90-92) and Maximas (89-93). Has anyone owned one? Are they good buys? What kind of gas mileage can you expect to get? What price range should I be looking at to not get ripped off? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

pezking4 · 11-30-2003, 09:19 PM

I own a 92 Maxima SE 5 speed. It is definately my favorite car I've owned. I plan to always keep it, but right now its in resoration after being totalled in a hail storm.

The 3rd generation maxima (89-94) is an excellent choice and a good buy. For the money you pay, you will get a very reliable car with some nice options, and decent gas mileage; especially the 5 speeds.

89-91 SE models as well as all GXE models came with the VG30E engine. A very torquey engine for it's time, producing 160 hp and 182 ft/lbs of torque. I have seen many instances of these engines going for over 200k and sometimes even 300k miles. The VG is known as being the work horse engine in the Nissan line up, and was used in many of the platforms throughout the 1990's.

92-94 SE models came with the VE30DE engine

I love the VE engine! Some do not like the engine due to a problem with the design of the VTC (Variable valve Timing Control) system, which would sometimes starve from lack of oil with its location at the very top of the engine and tends to make a loud clicking noise upon failing, also causing power loss. However, with proper oil and filter selection this problem can be avoided.

You could get lucky like I did, and get a VE with redesigned VTC's replaced by a previous owner

The VE30DE was equipped with 190hp and 190 ft/lbs of torque. The engine feels most at home in the high rpm's, and so the VTC system is engaged at low rpm's to provide more torque.

5 speed VE maximas are highy sought after cars since in addition to the variable valve timing they also received a power valve controlled variable intake system (similar to the VQ30DE-K maxima of 2000-2001), as well as a VLSD (Viscious Limited Slip Differential), a fully independent rear suspension, and V rated tires from the factory.

I paid about $3000 for my maxima a few years ago, and it has been the best purchase I have ever made. I got dual power leather seats, a power sliding moonroof, BOSE stereo system, and a great performing sedan. I currently have 175,000 miles on the car, and I'm just hitting the point where I need to do a few major service items to the car (I'm finally going to replace the transmission after damaging 2nd gear, get new axles, and of course fix all the hail damage).

Sorry for such a long reply, I just love maximas, that's all

-Les

a few pics of mine...

MrGone · 12-02-2003, 12:29 PM

+1 with Pezking. the only difference between his car and mine is that I have black carpet, non Airbag steering wheel, and I have a few more mods, but his car is cleaner because he spends alot of time on it

MrGone · 12-02-2003, 12:40 PM

oh yeah, if you can, get a 92-94 SE, they tend to have cheaper maintence because it has a timing chain, not a belt.

Price, ummm kind of depends. I bought mine for $1400 but it had a bad tranny (I had to get it towed home and I swapped out the tranny). I'm up to about $3600-$3800 invested now. They are really good cars!

The really cool thing is they have plenty of power, and good suspension mods, so they can handle well, you can do even more mods to get the power up, but right now as mine is, I've only got a lightened flywheel on mine and I can already make the tires spin on dry pavement (not alot, but still), AFTER the clutch is engaged, and both Pezking and I have Limited Slip Differientials

Reliability isnt really an issue as long as you take car of the car, which is something you should do with all cars.

I have the stock suspension on mine (same with Pezking) and I just put a Rear Sway Bar on it and it now handles better than my Dads 2000 Maxima SE 5spd. Well actually the struts are showing their age, so his still feels stiffer, but with the larger Rear Sway Bar on my car I am very very happy, I never thought it could make the difference it has. I have some Eibach springs in the garage that need to be installed, but I'm waiting for some new struts. I'm buying a set of Tokico Blue's from another Maxima guy, they are used, but I'm on a very tight budget. Eventually I'd like to get new wheels so I can clear my 300zx brake's that I have, but again $$$$ I dont have right now.

So you can see, Pezking and I are maxima nut's

we also frequent http://forums.max-world.org feel free to stop by and hang out

11-23-2003, 01:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Memnoch Insane Location: Land of milk and honey - Wisconsin	Nissan Stanza/Maxima (89-93) I'm in the market to get a cheap-o car, but preferably one that will last a while. I'm particularly attracted to Nissan Stanzas (90-92) and Maximas (89-93). Has anyone owned one? Are they good buys? What kind of gas mileage can you expect to get? What price range should I be looking at to not get ripped off? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. __________________ Doing my best not to end up like Kathleen Chang.

11-30-2003, 09:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
pezking4 Crazy Location: NC	I own a 92 Maxima SE 5 speed. It is definately my favorite car I've owned. I plan to always keep it, but right now its in resoration after being totalled in a hail storm. The 3rd generation maxima (89-94) is an excellent choice and a good buy. For the money you pay, you will get a very reliable car with some nice options, and decent gas mileage; especially the 5 speeds. 89-91 SE models as well as all GXE models came with the VG30E engine. A very torquey engine for it's time, producing 160 hp and 182 ft/lbs of torque. I have seen many instances of these engines going for over 200k and sometimes even 300k miles. The VG is known as being the work horse engine in the Nissan line up, and was used in many of the platforms throughout the 1990's. 92-94 SE models came with the VE30DE engine I love the VE engine! Some do not like the engine due to a problem with the design of the VTC (Variable valve Timing Control) system, which would sometimes starve from lack of oil with its location at the very top of the engine and tends to make a loud clicking noise upon failing, also causing power loss. However, with proper oil and filter selection this problem can be avoided. You could get lucky like I did, and get a VE with redesigned VTC's replaced by a previous owner The VE30DE was equipped with 190hp and 190 ft/lbs of torque. The engine feels most at home in the high rpm's, and so the VTC system is engaged at low rpm's to provide more torque. 5 speed VE maximas are highy sought after cars since in addition to the variable valve timing they also received a power valve controlled variable intake system (similar to the VQ30DE-K maxima of 2000-2001), as well as a VLSD (Viscious Limited Slip Differential), a fully independent rear suspension, and V rated tires from the factory. I paid about $3000 for my maxima a few years ago, and it has been the best purchase I have ever made. I got dual power leather seats, a power sliding moonroof, BOSE stereo system, and a great performing sedan. I currently have 175,000 miles on the car, and I'm just hitting the point where I need to do a few major service items to the car (I'm finally going to replace the transmission after damaging 2nd gear, get new axles, and of course fix all the hail damage). Sorry for such a long reply, I just love maximas, that's all -Les a few pics of mine... Last edited by pezking4; 11-30-2003 at 09:30 PM..

12-02-2003, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
MrGone Tilted Location: WA	+1 with Pezking. the only difference between his car and mine is that I have black carpet, non Airbag steering wheel, and I have a few more mods, but his car is cleaner because he spends alot of time on it __________________ 1992 Maxima SE 5spd- Lots o mods. Maxima Guru 1968 Mustang Coupe 289ci Auto- Awaits 331 Stroker/T-56/Full Discs/and more.

12-02-2003, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
MrGone Tilted Location: WA	oh yeah, if you can, get a 92-94 SE, they tend to have cheaper maintence because it has a timing chain, not a belt. Price, ummm kind of depends. I bought mine for $1400 but it had a bad tranny (I had to get it towed home and I swapped out the tranny). I'm up to about $3600-$3800 invested now. They are really good cars! The really cool thing is they have plenty of power, and good suspension mods, so they can handle well, you can do even more mods to get the power up, but right now as mine is, I've only got a lightened flywheel on mine and I can already make the tires spin on dry pavement (not alot, but still), AFTER the clutch is engaged, and both Pezking and I have Limited Slip Differientials Reliability isnt really an issue as long as you take car of the car, which is something you should do with all cars. I have the stock suspension on mine (same with Pezking) and I just put a Rear Sway Bar on it and it now handles better than my Dads 2000 Maxima SE 5spd. Well actually the struts are showing their age, so his still feels stiffer, but with the larger Rear Sway Bar on my car I am very very happy, I never thought it could make the difference it has. I have some Eibach springs in the garage that need to be installed, but I'm waiting for some new struts. I'm buying a set of Tokico Blue's from another Maxima guy, they are used, but I'm on a very tight budget. Eventually I'd like to get new wheels so I can clear my 300zx brake's that I have, but again $$$$ I dont have right now. So you can see, Pezking and I are maxima nut's we also frequent http://forums.max-world.org feel free to stop by and hang out __________________ 1992 Maxima SE 5spd- Lots o mods. Maxima Guru 1968 Mustang Coupe 289ci Auto- Awaits 331 Stroker/T-56/Full Discs/and more.