2006 Nissan Maxima Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the A33, J31 and J32 Nissan Maxima from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 as a used buy.

Nissan Maxima is the largest car sold in Australia by the Japanese giant. For some reason it’s frequently overlooked by those shopping in the family car scene.Maxima is about the same size as the Toyota Aurion and isn’t a lot smaller than the Commodore and Falcon. It’s well worth including on your short list.The Maxima can carry four adults and a child with ease. Five adults will fit if they don’t mind doing some squeezing up, but that applies to all cars of this size.Though it's not quite as good on really rough corrugations as cars that are specifically built for Australian roads, it copes reasonably well with Aussie dirt roads. Ride on smooth surfaces is quiet and comfortable.Handling is softer and less responsive than that of the local sixes, but the Nissan is safe and predictable and will suit all but sports sedan enthusiasts.Nissan couldn't seem to make up its corporate mind on how the Maxima should look; it was somewhat unusual in the pre-1995 models but then went mainstream for a few years.Maxima from late 2003 then went the radical route in its shape, something that increased buyer awareness and certainly helped sales. But the 2009 model went back onto the conservative track, though it is still a handsome machine and suits many shopping in this usually conservative class.Maximas prior to the 2003 model, use a 3.0-litre V6 engine. From the 1995 model, a twin-cam 3.0 was installed. It has plenty of low-down torque and immediate throttle response so appeals to drivers of cars set up in the Australian fashion. The twin-cam engine is also noticeably smoother and quieter than the old single-cam one. The 2003 Maxima received an excellent 3.5-litre V6 and it’s better still.In 2009, Nissan Australia made an interesting move introducing a small 2.5-litre V6 as an option to the 3.5-litre unit. The smaller engine has more performance than you might expect, but traditionally buyers of six-cylinder family cars in Australia want plenty of grunt and the 2.5 may disappoint those people.Nissan Maxima is unusual in having a manual transmission option in a market that’s normally auto-only. However, the manual was only offered during 1995 and 1996 and only in the lower-cost model. This five-speed unit is not common and could be difficult to resell. Then again, if you are doing a lot of country driving where few gear changes are required, a manual will save on fuel.The automatic transmission had four forward ratios until becoming one of the early adopters of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in 2006. The CVT gives a little more performance and there's some reduction in fuel consumption. But not all may like the different sound and feel it displays. It's an acquired taste so give it a good long road test if you haven’t experienced a CVT before.Maxima model names have a somewhat confusing history. The lower-priced versions, called Maxima M in the pre-1995 models, Maxima 30J until October 1996, Maxima 30S Touring, and currently Maxima S, come well-equipped, with air conditioning, alloy wheels, power windows, cruise control and a quality stereo.The topline cars, tagged Maxima Ti then Maxima 30GV, then back to Maxima Ti again, are positively luxurious, with power-operated front seats, leather trim (not used in all early Ti models) and ABS anti-lock brakes. Additionally the 30GV and later Ti variants have climate-controlled air conditioning, a power sunroof, dual airbags, a built-in alarm system and foglights.From 2003, the lower-cost model became the ST-L, with the Ti tag being retained by the upper-crust variants, a further upgrade to the Ti is called the Ti-L and is loaded with good gear. Spare parts prices are often a little higher than average for this class, reflecting the fact that the Maxima is fully imported. We hear very few complaints about prices so owners obviously consider them acceptable.The good home mechanic can do some of their own maintenance and minor repair work on older models, later ones are pretty complex in places. Underbonnet access is good but make sure you have a workshop manual before diving in too deep.The Australian Nissan dealer network is long established and works well with outlets in virtually every area, even those deep in the outback. The latter may not always keep spare parts on hand for the Maxima so you may face a wait if unlucky enough to have problems in the bush.Insurance charges, though usually higher than for Aussie family sixes, aren't excessive. There can be a bigger than average range of premium charges so it's smart to take time to shop around.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe engine should start almost the moment you turn the key and idle smoothly and quietly immediately.A smoking exhaust is probably a sign of expensive wear – and the older Maximas are often getting towards their use-buy date.If the automatic transmission is slow to go into gear or harsh in its changes it could be due for an overhaul – though you may get away with simply having it serviced.Check the brakes pull up the car in a straight line and that one wheel doesn’t lock before the others. If ABS is installed you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard braking. If it’s too harsh have an expert look it over.Make sure there are no suspension noises when the car is driven on rough roads. This could indicate the car has had a rough life in the bush.Look for body damage or repairs following a crash, an inspection of the front tyres for uneven wear and a look over the seats, door trim and carpets for signs of rough use.Always have a professional do a final inspection as these are relatively complex cars and it’s easy to miss some items.CAR BUYING TIPIf shopping for something out of the ordinary try looking for a car club featuring the model.The gals and guys there can be a superb source of information. 

Nissan Maxima has enjoyed sales success in Australia over many years.

Now Nissan has introduced a mid-life Maxima facelift and jiggled the line-up.The exterior upgrades are hard to pick. The cars have new bumpers, a revised grille, fog lights, new LED tail-lights and slightly different alloy wheels.On the inside, the changes are a bit more visible. Nissan has added new leather trim and replaced faux woodgrain bits with dark plastic.The engine, a cracker 3.5-litre V6 with four valves a cylinder is unchanged. It doesn't quite match the 350Z's output, being tuned for refinement over performance, but still puts out 170kW and 333Nm.The new gearbox is the most important addition. It is a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which uses a chain and two pulleys to constantly change gear ratios. The idea is that the engine delivers optimum power and improves fuel economy. For the driver, it feels as if the car has one gear, with no step changes.Two problems prevented CVT technology from sweeping across the car world: the unpleasant sound and reliability concerns.The Maxima range now includes the upgraded base ST-L and Ti. The range-topping Ti-L is gone. Prices start at $39,990 for the ST-L and hit $44,990 for the Ti.It is a good car, but it could have been great. A marshmallow-soft suspension set-up might put bums on Maxima seats in the US, but in Australia it just spoils a nice car.The mid-corner body roll of the big Nissan is extreme to the extent that it lurches through turns. Its floating suspension movement was so bad on a pot-holed, undulating, twisty country road I almost became sea-sick.Some work on the steering would also be welcome. The present system offers little feedback through the wheel.All this means you are not tempted to push the Maxima hard, despite the engine's terrific punch. The car, however, does deliver excellent ride comfort on smooth highways. The sumptous leather seats feel like soft lounges. The best feature of the revised Maxima is the CVT automatic. It works a treat with the 3.5-litre V6. Thanks to the steady flow of torque on tap, it doesn't sound like the clutch is slipping because you can hardly hear the engine working away.There is no juddering as it pops up into the next gear. Nissan has added a self-shift mode, so you can shift between six pre-set ratios.Nissan says the CVT delivers fuel economy benefits. Official fuel-use figures are reduced from 11.2 litres/100km to 10.8/100km. We found the Maxima ran at 10.4 litres/100km doing a fair chunk of highway driving, which is reasonable but not great considering it drinks only pricier premium fuel.It is a nice big car with a luggage-swallowing boot and good legroom.The interior looks good; several people who saw the Ti test car thought it cost a lot more than it does. It is not perfect though. The steering wheel, for instance, doesn't have buttons to control the sound system; a feature expected these days.As for the sound system, the speakers are powerful enough but the in-glass antenna struggles out of town.The keyless entry key-fob might impress some, but feels like an afterthought.Most cars with similar systems have an engine start-stop button. The Maxima doesn't. You can get into the car without having to take the key out of your pocket, but you still have to turn a plastic dial covering the ignition barrel on the steering column.Overall, the car is excellent value when you consider all the metal and equipment you get.

The first Nissan to deliver on this promise was the soft road Murano and the prestige Maxima sedan has just followed suit.Compared with the previous model's four- speed automatic transmission, fuel consump- tion has dropped from 11.2 litres to 10.8 litres per 100km – a reduction of 3.5 per cent.More impressive, however, is that in a week of testing we bettered this figure without even trying, with the 70-litre tank delivering an average 10.2 litres per 100km.Maxima is powered by Nissan's acclaimed 3.5litre V6, the same engine that can be found under the bonnet of the 350Z sports car but in a different state of tune.The V6 generates 170kW of power at 5600rpm and 333Nm of torque at 2800rpm.It prefers premium unleaded petrol.CVT is standard on both models – ST-L and Ti.Instead of set change points, CVT as its name suggests continuously varies the gear ratio to achieve the ideal balance between power and economy.Although a sequential "M-Mode" is offered where drivers can change gears manually (with six gears from which to choose) there is little need or reason to do so most of the time.Previous CVT autos that we have tested have had a "zoomy" feel, but not so with this one.It's smooth and punchy, providing just the right mix of power and economy for the executive in a hurry.As well as the addition of the new transmission, Maxima has been upgraded with new look front and rear bumpers, dual rear exhaust outlets, LED tail lights, redesigned headlights, front fog lights and alloy wheels.Inside, the application of leather and new metallic finishes creates a stylish modern ambiance.Our test vehicle was the top of the range Ti with all the bells and whistles.It comes with a full complement of luxury features including leather and climate con- trolled airconditioning, but still has a somewhat spartan feel.It's not so much what is included but what is missing that grates – reach adjust for the steering wheel and heated front seats spring to mind.At the gimmicky end of the spectrum Ti comes with an "intelligent" key system with no need to take the ignition key out of your pocket to start the car.A hard key is built into the remote which is a good thing because it played up a couple of times, refusing to start without the key.Still, we like the car and at a starting price of $39,990, it represents excellent value for money.The Ti goes for $44,990.You get leather and electronic stability control with both, but the ST-L misses out on curtain airbags.