Nissan
Maxima
Filter
Save Saved

2002 Nissan Maxima Owner Ratings & Reviews

Write a Review

2002 Nissan Maxima - A car I will pass on to my son

Adam C.
Arnold, Missouri
Overall
4.0
Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Style
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Fuel Economy
4.0
Reliability
5.0
I bought my 2002 Nissan Maxima from my father two years ago. He bought the car new in 2002. Since this time we have taken well over 50 road trips and I have only ever seen it in the shop less than 5 times for things other than oil changes and tuneups. My car now has 176,453 miles on its original engine still going strong. To this day it still jumps off the line with as much get up as it had when my father first pulled it off the lot new with me in the passenger seat. Every mile driven is a memory of my father. Driven through more than 30 states and never one time has it left us stranded anywhere, not even so much as a tire blown out (although that might just be dumb luck). I now serve as an east St. Louis firefighter so I need a vehicle that is reliable, and to this day my Nissan Max... (more)
Story
Got a call fully involved residential structure fire. I was the only fighter available at the moment and i was at home. i called the fire department from the next county over for mutual aid to assist. The drive from my home to the fire department is a 20 min drive when not in full code. I went full code emergence lights on to my fire department and arrived on scene in less than 15 min and was ... (more)
Pros
Speed, control at high speed, low fuel consumption, smooth ride, and sharp looks.
Cons
The engine is tight - hard to get in there and change a belt when needed. Burns more oil in its old age than my 1992 Dodge. WIDE turn radius.

2002 Nissan Maxima - Dependable and powerful.

Jason
Logan, Utah
Overall
4.0
Value
4.0
Performance
5.0
Style
2.0
Comfort
3.0
Fuel Economy
2.0
Reliability
5.0
The engine was very powerful and has a great transmission. It has over 256,000 miles with no maintenance to the engine or main engine parts. The interior (seats, plastic control knobs, and arm rest) is breaking due to wear. We have not had to fix much under the hood. I enjoy driving the car because of its power and reliability. It is has been comfortable to drive except the back seat is a little small for additional passengers.
Story
I drove it when I took my wife, friend and his girlfriend to go ice staking in a park. We had lots of fun and got cold and then got back into the nice car to warm back up. We were all able to warm up fast and then enjoy donuts and hot chocolate.
Pros
The Maxima is very powerful and fun to cruise on the freeway and over the mountains in. It has been extremely reliable. When we have had problems with it, they are usually minor. The car has a big gas tank, 18 gallons. I feel safe driving it and have not been left on the side of the road with it. The lights are really nice and bright, and you can see a lot better than most cars. You sit in a comfortable seat where you can see out of the car well. It has a really good heater in it, and the car warms up fast in the winter.
Cons
It is recommended that you put premium fuel in the car, so I didn't like the extra expense for gas, and it currently only gets 22 mpg driving in the city and freeway. The radio has poor reception because it has no antenna. The radio get reception through the back window, so when you go through the mountains, almost all radio stations are in and out. When there is a problem with the car since it is an SE addition, it is more expensive to fix. The shocks are beginning to wear out due to the previous owner driving up a rough road to his house every day.