Topic: your opinion on 2002-2003 altima, maxima, camry

[qiang]

Hi,

as my previous posts stated.. i am looking for a used car that

* good backseat space for my 5-month baby.
* good trunk size
* safty
* reliability
* resale value
* fuel economy
* automatic
* $12,000 + tax
* fun to drive (nice to have but least important)

based on the priced listed in auto trader..  i think these are good choices

Altima 2002-2003 : there seems to be more recalls on this model. but the reviews on canadiandriver is not bad. There are lots available on autotrader and craigslist

Maxima 2002-2003 : i have read that people prefer the pre-2000 model but i can't find much info on why not 2000+

Camry  2002-2003 : all around one of the most reliable car.

mileage is around 90k - 130k.

what do you think ? which mode would be a better buy?

[articsteve]

A 4 cylinder Camry in those years will be bullet proof but should carry a cost premium.  V6 Maximas mixed bag; poor gas mileage and iffy parts.  Altimas of that year should be the cheapest, but for good reason.

[dr_spock]

Camry if you're looking for resale value.  Not as fun as a Maxima.   Good room in the back for the kids or adults, trunk is big.

[sailor723]

We had an 02 Max for 4years on a lease....put about 90,000KMs on it with no repairs (warranty or otherwise). it was a nice car with only 1 real issue: Solid rear axle made it a little skittish on bumpy corners or concrete on/off ramp expansion joints if you pushed it hard. It also had about as much power as you'd want to put in a FWD car

[qiang]

A 4 cylinder Camry in those years will be bullet proof but should carry a cost premium.  V6 Maximas mixed bag; poor gas mileage and iffy parts.  Altimas of that year should be the cheapest, but for good reason.

I did a search on this forum and found this post by you at http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,49720.msg332683.html#msg332683

The 2000 Maxima SE.  Solid units.  Get transmission serviced and rad flushed out.

Under no circumstances buy the 2002 Altima 4 cylinder.  Bad car.  Host of major poblems.  Google 2002 Altima 2.5.

is 2002 Maxima v4 as good as the 2000 one?

[mdxtasy]

is 2002 Maxima v4 as good as the 2000 one?

Maxima's only came with V6's...and the 4 cylinder engines in the Altima were an inline configuration. 

[qiang]

is 2002 Maxima v4 as good as the 2000 one?

Maxima's only came with V6's...and the 4 cylinder engines in the Altima were an inline configuration. 

sorry. i meant v6. I am just little confused that articsteve recommended 2000 Maxima SE in the other post but have some issues with the 2002 model.

[mdxtasy]

New Maxima's look odd, have lots of power going to the front wheels, and the newer Altima offers similar car for less money.  Older Maxima's atleast looked good.

[articsteve]

sorry. i meant v6. I am just little confused that articsteve recommended 2000 Maxima SE in the other post but have some issues with the 2002 model.

I don't have any issues with the 2002 MAX, other than it's a mixed bag.  The V6 is not the same as in 2000 by the way so don't assume they are identical vehicles just because they look very similar.

That thread that you linked is nearing 2 years old.  I was responding directly to a question about whether or not a poster should get one for X $$$$ and based on price .   When you posted, you set sort of a baseline by telling us about a 2002 4 cylinder Camry.  In respect to that a 2002 V6 Maxima, which is a little rocket in comparison, will get very poor premium gas mileage and the parts will be much more expensive and complicated to remove and install.   

So if someone were to ask me what I thought about a 2002 Maxima I'd say beware of the fuel costs and parts are iffy, but price paid is what it's all about.  So what if the parts are double or the frequency of part replacement is double to that of a 2002 Camry 4 cylinder if you get the Maxima for 4K less.

Post specific examples of what your looking at and we will do our best to offer constructive criticism. 

 

[johngenx]

01-03 Subaru Legacy wagons and sedans are in the ballpark too, the wagon holds as much as two Camrys, gets only slighty inferior fuel economy and has AWD.  The Scoobs are very well made and have excellent reliability histories. As for safety, if you get the right model you get side bags, but regardless, all the Scoobs are well rated.

If you're looking at 2002-ish models, go for POOR resale value, as these cars have already lost a ton of value and are starting to bottom out, regardless of brand.

[qiang]

johngenx: thanks. i will do some research on Legacy.. there  appears to be one or two on traders.ca that around my budget.

there isnt any good camry for sale at this moment( if you read my post in another thread, the owner refused to give me the VIN# during the call).

There are plenty of Altima 2002 and 3 of them in my list:

2002 Altima 2.5S $11000   110,000km. 2nd owner bought from dealer. financed. service from nissan dealer. have 2 more yrs extended warranty from Lubrication (inc transmission, engine, brake, power train etc) owner mentioned paying off by going to the bank together and something like that...

2002 Altima 2.5S $12000  80,000km. 2nd owner. owner has all service record(from canadian tire). this one has sunroof.

2002 Altima 2.5S $12000 90,000km. 2nd owner.

price most likely final. VIN# check on all three good.  should i rule the first one out as i am not sure how the lien going to be payoff..

[2latecrew]

is 2002 Maxima v4 as good as the 2000 one?

Maxima's only came with V6's...and the 4 cylinder engines in the Altima were an inline configuration. 

2001+used 3.5l V6 making varying amounts of power (more than the 3.0l)
1999.5-2000 Maxim used the 3.0l V6 Making 220hp
1995-1999 Maxima used 3.0l V6 Making 190hp

The 3.5 is known to have issues with burning oil among others.
The 3.0 is known (other than some coil pack issues) to be bulletproof.  The 1995-99 were considered very reliable overal.

I almost bought at 2000 5speed (missed out) and although the looks are not for everyone  I think the 1999-2000 manual tranny SE were the best maximas. I like the interior better than the 4th generation. I think the chassis is a bit stiffer.

I have a 1999 (3.0l) GLE. and I get 28mpg or so on the highway.  Now I'm sure a 4cyl Camry will get better mileage. The Maxima also burns premium so your overall gas cost will be higher.

As was mentioned it all comes down to price/value. If you can find a low mileage Maxima say a 2000 I'd take it over a 2002 Altima 4cyl .

sorry. i meant v6. I am just little confused that articsteve recommended 2000 Maxima SE in the other post but have some issues with the 2002 model.

[qiang]

01-03 Subaru Legacy wagons and sedans are in the ballpark too, the wagon holds as much as two Camrys, gets only slighty inferior fuel economy and has AWD.  The Scoobs are very well made and have excellent reliability histories. As for safety, if you get the right model you get side bags, but regardless, all the Scoobs are well rated.

If you're looking at 2002-ish models, go for POOR resale value, as these cars have already lost a ton of value and are starting to bottom out, regardless of brand.

thanks for recommending the Legacy. seems to be a reliable car. not bad fuel consumption.  now it is Altima vs Legacy.

I found one that is 2003 wagon. $12895. 63000km. owner mentions that it was a leased company car and bought it from the company later on. haven't used that much. car is clean and accident free.

questions: does it use regular gas? how much do the parts cost?

i am going to arrange a test drive soon..

[articsteve]

2001+used 3.5l V6 making varying amounts of power (more than the 3.0l)

I believe the 3.5 is from 2002 on.  In 2002, the engine was replaced for the whole lineup with a 3.5 L VQ35DE that produced 255 hp (190 kW) and 246 ft·lbf (334 N·m) of torque

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Maxima


AVOID 2002 Altimas.  Lubrico warranties sell for $100.  It's a marketing ploy.  Consider it absolutely worthless.  Ask Barrie. 

there isnt any good camry for sale at this moment

PPL want too much for them.

The 03 Legacy offer is so superior to all 3 Altimas.  fuel is 87 octane and parts fairly normal.  Has timing belt in 4 cylinder but probably good for 6 years.

[mmret]

questions: does it use regular gas? how much do the parts cost?

i am going to arrange a test drive soon..

Provided you don't see a giant hood scoop on it, then yes it uses regular gas.

I wouldn't worry so much about parts on a Scoob, aside from that headgasket thing (I think) its quite good for reliability.

Looks like a pretty decent. Wagon is nice.

[johngenx]

Head gasket problems ae minimal on 00-02 and gone by 03.  We've had two 01's in the family and my Dad has an 01, and no HG problems.  Using the Subaru coolant seems to do the trick, so we do.

Parts prices are not any higher than other Japanese-based brands, but that means they're not bargains either.  Good thing they seem to require so few of them.  Our 01 Forester has 175K on 'er now and feels very good.  It's never been the bank-vault that our MB is, but the electrical and emissions systems are bullet-proof and the mechanical bits have held up like a tank.  The engine has Mobil 1 changed every 10K-kms and uses no oil and is tight and strong.  Ours is an AT version, and though it only has four speeds (bummer, Subaru) the 4AT has a rep for being reliable when getting fluid chanes every 50K or so.  Subaru often has a $59 special so I get it done every spring and the trans shifts great.

Our Forester uses 10L/100km in all city driving and aoubt 8.0 on the highway.  Our 01 Outback Wagon used closer to 12L/100km thanks to about 500 extra lbs of weight.

They use tires a little quicker than other cars we've had (save for performance cars) but the AWD system is worth it.

When I replace the Mercedes, 99% liklihood that another Scoob will come home.  We've had three of them and no disappointments.  If the dollar stays high, the new STi will be VERY tempting...

[1TSX]

My friend's parents own an 03' Legacy GT Wagon...no major problems, except it started "surging". Turned out it as a faulty oxygen sensor.

Other than that, its been great. Looks sharp for a wagon too. 

Also, quiang, the engine sound from Subarus might be a bit odd to you. Its due to the boxer style engine.

[qiang]

er. i made a mistake. the 2003 subaru carfax report shows 3 accidents. first accident said
"Vehicle involved in collision, hit while parked, Left side primarily damaged"
the other two only mention rightside and front primarily damaged.

haven't been able to reach the owner about that yet.

there is another legacy available: 2002, Limited, $10000, 137000km. 2nd owner. summer & winter tires. new brakes & timing belt. is it worth ? I am waiting the owner to give me the VIN to check...

[articsteve]

2002, Limited, $10000, 137000km. 2nd owner. summer & winter tires. new brakes & timing belt. is it worth ?

Not bad.  Two sets of wheels good.

When talking about brakes and particularily T-belts you need to ask for really specific details. For example, with the T-belt; what parts were changed EXACTLY and it needs to be visible on a invoice.

If no tranny service you will need about 2 in a row.  So factor in $500. for extra servicing after you get it.  Rad should be done as well, unless owner has receipt.

[qiang]

johngenx: thanks. i will do some research on Legacy.. there  appears to be one or two on traders.ca that around my budget.

there isnt any good camry for sale at this moment( if you read my post in another thread, the owner refused to give me the VIN# during the call).

There are plenty of Altima 2002 and 3 of them in my list:

2002 Altima 2.5S $11000   110,000km. 2nd owner bought from dealer. financed. service from nissan dealer. have 2 more yrs extended warranty from Lubrication (inc transmission, engine, brake, power train etc) owner mentioned paying off by going to the bank together and something like that...

2002 Altima 2.5S $12000  80,000km. 2nd owner. owner has all service record(from canadian tire). this one has sunroof.

2002 Altima 2.5S $12000 90,000km. 2nd owner.

price most likely final. VIN# check on all three good.  should i rule the first one out as i am not sure how the lien going to be payoff..

I would be uncomfortable buying a used Altima with the 2.5L engine, probably their least reliable powerplant in their line. (Oddly enough, no real problems with 2.5L in the X-Trail.) The 2.4L though was really bulletproof; a little rough around the edges but rock solid reliable. A Camry if you can find it or a Subie would be good choices, as others have mentioned. Good hunting! 

Altima seems have some bad reputation for 2002 2.5S all over the net..

Camry is definitely on my top list but i can't seem to find a good one for my budget in GTA.. the ones i found and like are not in GTA ( one is in ottawa 2002, 100,000km $12,000. another one is in 519 area 2003, 100,000km $13,500) i am really temped..

man.. looking for a good used car is consuming...:-(

UPDATE: oops.. i forgot a 0 in the mileage