Nissan Maxima Sedan (1990-95)

The imported Nissan Maxima offered extra style and a sweet, powerful engine over the first Camry V6 and the early Magna. Later and better Vienta and Verada V6 models now force early Maxima prices into the bargain basement.

HISTORY
Launched in May 1990, the new front-drive Maxima import was a surprise new direction for Nissan Australia following the huge commitment to build the rear-drive Skyline in Australia. Although the Skyline was the more prestigious and substantial model in Japan, its dated styling and cramped cabin was killing it in Australia and allowed Nissan to charge a $10,000 premium for the Maxima.

This is the key to assessing the first Maxima. Despite its higher local price and slightly larger cabin, the Maxima was a class below the Skyline in engineering and build hence the rush of later grey import Skylines. Although both were sold with 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines in Australia, they were chalk and cheese. The Skyline engine was a special straight six derived from the earlier 280ZX sports car, the Maxima had a variation of the V6 seen in the 300ZX sports car and various Navara/Pathfinder models.

Both are outstanding engines but the Maxima engine is crammed across the engine bay for front-drive and its short stroke design demands to be revved harder which it thrives on. This can also force its electronic automatic transmission to work harder and makes some engine repairs difficult hence it doesn't share the Skyline's outstanding local reputation. The Maxima's suspension was also not as refined on local roads.

The real agenda was that Nissan was swapping over local production to a full front-drive range to include Pulsar, "new Pintara" and a stretched local version of the Maxima, very similar to the current Toyota Avalon. Nissan closed its local factory before the wider local Maxima could be launched, so the model had to survive as an exclusive import as prices of this first series crept up to $50,000. The most common used examples are the early Maxima M base model which sold new in the mid-$30,000 range. Its edge in build quality and performance is now offset by the cost of some imported parts.

Like the first Magna, this first Maxima series was a stretched version of a smaller front-drive model, in this case the last Nissan Pintara but not as much as originally planned for the abandoned Australian version. Instead of slotting the extra width into the middle like Mitsubishi, Nissan Japan followed the VN Commodore route and extended the body outwards over the smaller platform. This enables Nissan to claim a 1760mm width; a nominal increase over the Pintara which was inside the Japanese 1700mm width limit.

Even if it enjoys an advantage over most Japanese imports, it was not uncommon for imported Japanese cars and four-wheel drives of this era to include the wheel arch flares, mirrors or side repeater lights in the overall width to replicate the wider cabin measurements of Australian models. Family buyers who intend to carry three grown children across the back need to check that the Maxima is wide enough.

Under siege from outstanding new local V6 competition from Mitsubishi and Toyota which had generous wide body cabins, Nissan was forced to upgrade the Maxima in 1993 to make it the cheapest car available in Australia with a driver's airbag. The CD player was dropped to minimize the cost increase, a reminder of just how tough Nissan was doing it.

It was replaced in early 1995 by an all new Maxima, purpose-designed from the outset as a stronger wide body prestige model which lifted it to another level in style and refinement.

MODEL TIMELINE

To get up-to-date pricing information for the Nissan Maxima check out CarPoint's Car Value Guide.

CHECKLIST:

Running Gear
Outstanding engine will be running strongly long after the rest of the car wears out; a common Nissan characteristic. In this tight and hot front-drive engine bay, it develops new problems including broken exhaust manifold studs and failed exhaust gaskets that are difficult to fix behind the engine.

Cam belt needs routine replacement so allow for replacement if there is no record of when it was done. High aluminium content of engine and radiator requires regular flushing and replacement of Nissan-approved coolant. Neglected engines will soon display noisy water pumps, leaky radiators, blown head gaskets and heater cores.

Fuel injection components also do it tough with various sensors, solenoids and switches failing from age and heat. Injector seals go hard and leak hence ongoing petrol smell until injectors are replaced. Electronics including distributor, coil and other ignition sensors can also fail. Imported parts costs are high so check first for local changeover parts.

Automatic transmission is on borrowed time after 100,000km, typical of many Japanese front-drive transmissions especially if it has not been serviced regularly by auto specialist. Imported parts make it expensive. Check quality and warranty of changeover auto where fitted. Check engagement from rest in Drive and Reverse and all gear changes on the move especially overdrive fourth.

Front brake rotors can wear out quickly under front-drive weight bias. Check all steering joints for slop and power steering for leaks and wear. Rear suspension includes integrated strut legs which require replacement if rear damper inserts are worn but good local substitutes can keep costs down.

CV joints are unusually long-lived providing rubber boots are checked regularly and replaced immediately if they split. Front tyre wear is high unless switched front to rear every 10,000 km. Car may be due for four wheel alignment if odd tyres are fitted.

Body
Slab-sided body is vulnerable to opening doors. Extended bumpers frequently get shaved by untidy parkers and cheap repairs can generate colour mismatch in what was originally a high quality paint finish. Check all lights and fittings as the original parts cost.

Original alloy wheels and wheel covers costly to replace if gouged or scraped beyond the point of repair. Specified tyres are higher quality than average so check that replacements meet tyre standards as described on the ADR tyre placard.

Some early Maximas arrived here as grey imports so check further for local compliance and correct registration details if trim, options and rear number plate housing are different from local deliveries.

Optional leather trim may need rejuvenating or replacing if a leather conditioner has not been used regularly. Check sunroof operation where fitted.

Check operation of all electronic controls, especially ABS and climate control of Ti models. Air-cond may be ready for a full overhaul and gas upgrade.

Service data confirmed by Nissan experts Doncaster Service Centre (03) 9890 5844