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Older 2004 - 2015 Nissan Maxima Overview And Buying Tips
The Nissan Maxima serves as a fine bridge between the somewhat boring family sedan and the more expensive and performance oriented European sport sedan. It can be a solid choice for those seeking a combination of roominess, luxury and superior driving performance.
And in today's very high-priced used car market, many shoppers are now looking for "older" models that have aged well as a way to save significant dollars. The Nissan Maxima is one of those models and can definitely be a viable and more economical option at this time. And relatively lower mileage candidates can still be found out there with careful shopping.
The Maximas produced from 2004 to 2008 (the sixth Maxima generation) can still be found in today's market. There's two primary models from this period: the 3.5 SE and the 3.5 SL. The "3.5" refers to the liter size of the V6 engines (with 255 horsepower). The SE is the sport version of the sedan, with a firmer suspension and 18 inch wheels.
Standard equipment on the SE include more upscale features such as the 18 inch wheels, keyless entry, an 8-speaker CD audio system, and one-touch up-down front windows. And the more luxury-themed SL comes with a softer suspension, leather upholstery, heated seats, HID headlights, 17 inch wheels, wood interior trim and a 320-watt Bose sound system.
And both models come standard with safety features such as 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags. Many used Maxima models from this generation can also be found with stability control and traction control that had been added as an option.
In terms of transmissions, 2007 and 2008 Maximas are equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while earlier models are either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.
The seventh-generation, which debuted in 2009 and was produced through 2015, was slightly shortened in length for still better handling and a more distinctive look. The models were changed to the 3.5 S and the 3.5 SV.
This Maxima S is already very well equipped with standard features that include full power accessories, keyless entry and ignition, a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 18 inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, automatic headlights, a tilt and telescoping steering column, a trip computer, 8-way driver power seat, 4-way passenger power front seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer with an auxiliary audio jack and Bluetooth.
Standard on the Maxima SV is all of the above, plus leather upholstery, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, integrated turn signals in the exterior mirrors, a driver-seat thigh-support extender, power lumbar support and foglamps.
Also to be found are some SV models with the optional Premium or Sport packages. Both packages include heated front seats, upgraded leather upholstery and trim, driver memory settings, paddle shifters, a driver-side auto-dimming outside mirror, heated exterior mirrors, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, a heated steering wheel, rear bucket seats and xenon headlights.
The difference is the Sport package also adds a sport-tuned suspension, 19 inch wheels, metallic interior trim accents and a rear spoiler. The Sport package also offers high-performance summer tires as an additional option.
Older Maxima models from this production run can also be found with options such as voice-activated navigation, iPod integration and a rearview camera.
Overall, we believe an older Maxima with lower mileage is worthy of serious consideration for car buyers who value roominess, comfort and performance. And we can make some suggestions to help you save when buying one.
How To Get The Best Price
There are actually several different ways to buy an older Maxima at the lowest price, and even at wholesale. You can click on the links to each of the following methods to get the specific instructions.
First of all, here's a Lowest Price Used Car Buying Guide that details a super effective method, one that often beats down prices even to wholesale levels. And somewhat related to this, here's another excellent method that identifies Price-Distressed Cars Right On Dealer Lots. These are vehicles they are so desperate to unload they would welcome your wholesale offer.
In addition, you can also try the Public Auto Auctions in your own geographic area. While there can be a lot of junk vehicles at these auctions, there are often absolute gems sprinkled in as well. This article reviews what to expect at open-to-the-public car auctions and how to locate them in your own area.
Also ... for those of you who might be interested in a brand new Nissan Maxima, if the price was crazy good, here's info on exactly How To Get The Best Price On A New Maxima. This works just phenomenally well.
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