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1992 Nissan Maxima Reviews

You'll find all our 1992 Nissan Maxima reviews right here. 1992 Nissan Maxima prices range from $2,640 for the Maxima M to $5,720 for the Maxima Ti.

Our reviews offer detailed analysis of the 's features, design, practicality, fuel consumption, engine and transmission, safety, ownership and what it's like to drive.

The most recent reviews sit up the top of the page, but if you're looking for an older model year or shopping for a used car, scroll down to find Nissan dating back as far as 1990.

Or, if you just want to read the latest news about the Nissan Maxima, you'll find it all here.

Nissan Maxima Reviews

Used Nissan Maxima review: 2000-2014
By Ewan Kennedy · 16 Feb 2016
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.
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Used Nissan Maxima review: 2000-2012
By Ewan Kennedy · 08 Mar 2013
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. 
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Used cars for sale under $7000 review
By Bill McKinnon · 06 Aug 2012
No matter how schmick the car looks, though, at this sort of money there are probably one or two expensive time bombs lurking within it.
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Used Nissan Maxima review: 2009-2010
By Graham Smith · 27 Jul 2012
Graham Smith reviews the 2009 and 2010 Nissan Maxima as a used buy.
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Nissan Maxima 2012 Review
By Karla Pincott · 27 Mar 2012
The medium-large Nissan Maxima sedan suffered two decades of being underdone and overlooked, but the current model has a bit more to offer. It's better priced, better-equipped and - yes - better on the road, too.Sadly, while the Maxima has been improving its road manners and appeal, the market has been moving away from it. The large car segment was down 21 per cent in 2011, and has dropped 44 per cent over the past four years.The medium car market is similarly in the doldrums at 8 per cent down last year. But the remaining buyers - anybody out there? - should be giving the Maxima another look.TECHNOLOGY Nissan has always done well in the V6 department, and the Maxima range has two - the Murano-shared 3.5-litre V6 in two spec levels and the single-spec 2.5-litre tested here. The engine develops134kw of power and 228Nm of torque driving the front wheels via a constantly variable auto with a six-gear manual-shifting mode.The official fuel economy is 9.5L/100km, which - even if we hadn't logged a litre more per 100km - starts to look thirsty these days against smarter rivals like the Ford Mondeo Zetec.DESIGNIt's come a long way from the previous dowdy models, but the Maxima's design is still very much on the conservative side. It stands out a bit more now with touches of chrome bling, while there's an upmarket impression from the stylish alloys and light clusters.The interior echoes the premium bid with leather everywhere and a good-looking dash. But the foot-operated park brake seemed an overlooked relic from the old Maxima - and the lack of reach-adjustment on the steering column was at odds with the reach for better quality.Some of the plastics still feel cheap -- and we were disappointed to see part of the centre console had sprung out of alignment. We were barely able to slide a thick magazine into the miserly door pockets, but had to applaud the decent boot capacity - which is just as well, because with the rear seat not folding, the 500-odd litres you see is all you get.SAFETYIt gets six airbags, stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes with brake assist for emergency stops and brakeforce distribution to compensate for uneven loading. The current model has not been crash-tested by ANCAP, but the previoous one scored four stars and this one should do as well.VALUEThe 250 ST-L is ridiculously well-priced from $33,990, with a good standard feature list that includes Bluetooth with sterring wheel controls, six-CD audio with iPod compatibility, dual-zone climate control airconditioning, leather upholstery, powered front seats, powered side mirrors, foglights, xenon headlights, LED tail-lights, foglights and 17-in alloy wheels. Maxima is slotted into the large car category, but is more truly a large-medium. Commodore will give you more shoulder room and bigger wheelbase, but at $37,990 for the Equipe you're shelling out $4000 for the extra steel - and not really gaining any extra kit.Likewise, the Falcon dwarfs it, and while the mid-sized Mondeo is slightly shorter it offers about the same amount of room. The decider is under the bonnet.LX's 2.3-litre four-cylinder is staid but if you want a driver's car, shell out the $37,740 for the Zetec and get the torquey 149kW/300Nm turbo 2.0-litre (with better fuel economy at 8L/100km - and 187g/km CO2). Plus it offers extra equipment, including a driver's knee bag, nine-speaker audio and voice recognition. The Toyota Aurion offers a touch more room, and a lot more power and torque from the 3.5-litre V6. But for $2000 more than the Maxima it looks 20 years blander inside and out.DRIVINGIt's not a sports car - let's get that straight for a start. But it doesn't drive like a bowl of rice pudding either. A slightly brisk push through some winding road will betray barely any wallowing and very little understeer, but show it's controlled and agile for something this size.The penalty for that is feeling the bumps more over bad sections, although the ride quality overall is pretty good.The speed-sensitive steering (borrowed from the 350Z) is responsive and accurate as you climb up the speedo, but feels strangely vague at lower speeds.However, the CVT is one of the few we've met that you could happily live with. There's less annoying drone than we've heard in others, and it matches well to the peppy engine for most of the rev range.Its only falter is when you try to quickly extract a bit more for higher speed overtaking - in this case for a couple of semis that decided to close their gap - and at that stage you \start thinking you need either a proper set of decisive gears or a bit more engine capacity.VERDICTThe Maxima is a comfortable, generously-equipped and roomy sedan that drives capably and offers fantastic value for money. It's got nearly everything right - except the market timing.NISSAN MAXIMA 250 ST-LPrice: $33,990Warranty: Three-years/100,000kmResale: 65 per centService intervals: 10,000km/six monthsThirst: 9.5 litres/100km 91 RON, 226g/km CO2Safety equipment: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and BAEngine: 2.5-litre V6 petrol, 134kW/228NmTransmission: 6-speed continuously variable automatic, FWDBody: four-door sedan, seats fiveDimensions: 4850mm (L), 1795mm (W), 1485mm (H), 2775mm (WB), 1550mm/1555mm tracks front/rearWeight: 1522kgTyre size: 17 x 7.0Spare tyre: full-size steel
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Nissan Maxima 2009 review
By Neil Dowling · 27 Aug 2009
Will cardigans ever make a comeback now that the Mitsubishi 380 is gone? It's possible thanks to the existence of rival carmakers who indulge in the ordinary. Nissan is one. The Maxima has, since birth, been a smartly-engineered sedan whose potential appeal was shot because of bland styling.The second generation model, the one that ended early this year, was marginally better and clearly appeased those buyers itching for the return of the wool cardigan. Now there's a new, bolder Maxima. One with a more aggressive snout and stylishly thin side glass. And yet, gauging from the cabin, it is still a cardigan car.The pleated leather seats suit the Maxima's conservative overtones, appealing to part-time lounge room retirees who like space, comfort and the slightly sanitised smell of fallen steers.Indeed, this is a car that my father would like to drive and in which my mother would like to be driven. It's not a young man's car, despite marketing efforts that may imply it's the older brother of the 350Z coupe. They share an engine block, dearest, not a heart.Against rivals such as the Holden Berlina V6 (which is in the throes of a major drivetrain upgrade), the Falcon 6GE (one of the best-value large cars around), the Honda Accord V6, Skoda Superb 1.8 (gasp! Truly, 1800cc) and the impressive Toyota Aurion Presara, the Maxima hits hard but the return punches are harder.While this new Maxima is a step above its predecessor — particularly in its much-needed new look — it doesn't reflect value. I like the simplicity of the body style and the cabin but most people still think it's stark. It has all the features and more of its rivals, it just doesn't make a show of them.Everything works perfectly, though I still can't see the benefit of foot-operated park brakes when there's room for a conventional handbrake in the centre console and even technology around for an electronic version that takes up the space of a postage stamp.The keyless entry and start suits the car and, dare I say, the more mature motorist who is inclined to forget the keys. I speak from personal experience. The Maxima Ti version tested wants for nothing and, at $46,990, is good value for money.Most of the attention will centre on the car's roominess — it's generous, especially the boot — and its comfort. There is much to praise about the ride comfort which gently absorbs life's irregularities and does the whole motoring thing in a quiet, unfussed manner. As I said, a cardigan.The spark of life comes in the form of the engine which is a retuned version of the previous model's 3.5-litre V6 and not the 370Z's 3.7-litre unit. It feels sharper, more responsive and delivers its liveliness with a guttural tone. Though the continuously-variable transmission — an automatic gearbox without traditional cogs — is effective and smooth, it softens the engine's delivery and at times feels like the right pedal is being cushioned by a big marshmallow. Egg the Maxima along and it'll put up a good show — especially when you select the transmission's manual mode — but its preference is to cruise.
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Nissan Maxima 2009 review
By Ewan Kennedy · 15 Jul 2009
Nissan's Maxima has always been renowned for providing value for money, but now the new Maxima 250 ST-L sets new standards.
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Nissan Maxima Ti sedan 2009 review
By Neil McDonald · 03 Jul 2009
A television advertisement featuring the new Nissan Maxima provides us with an unexpected slice of reality.The big six sedan is shown crawling through peak-hour traffic, which, if we're honest, is where we spend most of our time driving.The object of the 30-second ad is to reinforce the point that handling and performance are not the most important criteria for people buying a new car.Ultimately though, if that was the case we'd all be wearing cardigans and driving bland white budget cars.But Nissan is sending a message that its car not only has the performance but is a comfy place to cope with the daily commute.Visually, the Maxima, which shares its platform with the Murano, has sharper looks in keeping with its refined mechanical package but most people will be hard pressed to spot the difference between the old car and the newcomer.Although the car sits on the same 2775mm wheelbase, it has grown between 5mm and 15mm in length, is 15mm taller and has 30mm wider front and rear tracks.Nissan has also used ultra-high-strength steel in the body to deliver a stronger and safer car.With the newest Maxima, Nissan has broadened its appeal by adding another smaller capacity 2.5-litre V6 to the line-up.The entry $33,990 2.5-litre V6 ST-L joins a larger 3.5-litre V6 available in the $37,990 ST-S and range topping $46,990 Ti.Nissan is clearly aiming the 2.5-litre at some of the four-cylinder Japanese competition from Mazda, Honda and Toyota.The entry ST-L's 2.5-litre V6, like the bigger engine, is mated to a continuously variable X-tronic transmission with six-speeds. It develops 134kW at 6000 revs and 228Nm at 4400 revs.The larger V6, available in the mid-range $37,990 ST-S and range topper $46,990 Ti, has grown in power from 170kW to 185kW at 600 revs, but torque is marginally down from 333Nm to 326Nm at 4400 revs.Standard kit on the ST-L includes leather, dual-zone climate control, front, side and curtain airbags, electric front seats, multi-function steering wheel, a six-CD six-speaker stereo, push-button start, 17-inch alloys, xenon headlights, LED tail-lights, stability control, load-through ski-port but no split-fold rear seats.The ST-S sports model adds a rear spoiler, "intelligent" ignition key, rear parking sensors and heated front seats.The range-topping Ti ups the ante with a rear spoiler, sunroof, electric seats with memory, satellite navigation with a large colour screen, Bluetooth, reversing camera and a DVD-capable high-end 11-speaker Bose surround-sound system.The Nissan Maxima has always promised so much, but never really delivered. It was a car bought by retirees and an older demographic who loved the hush-hush cabin, standard features, Nissan reliability and that silky V6.However, it was never a standout against some of the sharper handling Japanese competition. But Nissan is hoping to change that.Out is the softer roly-poly marshmallow ride of the old Maxima. In its place is a sharper, crisper suspension with better control and less pitching.Don't think that for one moment that it has been transformed into a sports touring sedan.The ride remains supple and composed, but the changes to the suspension have delivered a more resolved ride and better rebound control from harsh bumps.The steering feels tighter and the extra body rigidity aids the whole car's dynamics when you do start to push it harder.In sharp corners the Maxima will wash off speed with some understeer but overall it is reassuringly competent on a windy mountain road, which could not be said about the previous car.In our eyes the design is crisper but Nissan has been too conservative with its styling.The swept-back standard xenon headlights and LED tail-lights smarten things up but few people will notice it on the road.This is a pity because at the heart of the Maxima beats a beautiful V6 engine mated to a continuously variable transmission.Nissan's V6 has won accolades for years and it's easy to understand why. It's smooth, quiet and very responsive.It is also surprisingly frugal when you drive with economy in mind. We managed high sevens on the highway and 10.5 litres/100km around town.The CVT works far better than we remember too. There's a distinct kick-down feel now when you prod the accelerator hard to overtake and the gearbox will mimic a conventional changedown when slowing down a hill.There is none of that slurring or slipping clutch feel in the new CVT.The Ti's leather-trimmed cabin is well executed and has an appropriate quality feel.Equipment levels are appropriate for the price with sat-nav controls that are intuitive and easy to use, cushioning leather seats and a sunroof.But there are some minor niggles.The sat-nav and in-car information graphics provided by the system are a little low-rent when compared to some other local and European systems.There are other quirks around the cabin, evidence either of some cost cutting or just a lack of design forethought.The foot-operated park brake might be okay in North America but it is a inadequate in a car with high-end aspirations in this competitive segment.The steering wheel is also not reach adjustable, there are no rear door pockets while the ones at the front are impossibly narrow to be of any real use.The heated front seat switches in the Ti are hidden under the centre console lid. Why? We don't know. There seems to be plenty of room on the console but Nissan has chosen to put them out of sight and in doing so made them difficult to access.Some owners may also be put off by the narrow opening of the boot. Large objects will need to be juggled to fit. The Ti's DVD and audio gear, which is positioned under the rear parcel shelf in the boot, may also foul luggage if you're not careful.We've complained previously about the Maxima's front seats lacking support and comfort.This time around Nissan Australia took a closer look at the seat design and they now have better cushioning and improved back support.Significantly, they remain comfortable after a long stint at the wheel.Minor niggles aside, Nissan has addressed some of the dynamic flaws with the old car to deliver a better handling big sedan.But the Maxima Ti's biggest problem are its rivals.There are still more engaging cars for the price in both the growing medium segment and established large car segment.The Ford Falcon G6E and Holden Commodore Calais come to mind.Many buyers will also cross-shop against the competent Honda Accord V6 Luxury and Toyota Aurion.Continuous improvement has delivered a refined and capable car but is that enough against today's competition?
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Used Nissan Maxima review: 1995-2009
By Ewan Kennedy · 08 Jun 2009
Nissan Maxima has enjoyed sales success in Australia over many years.
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Nissan Maxima sedan 2009 review
By Stuart Martin · 21 Apr 2009
The Maxima – which shares its underpinnings with Murano — has been given a second engine choice, a sharper set of clothes, an upgraded features list and a leaner pricetag.The new car - now sourced from Thailand - is between 5mm and 15mm longer (depending on model spec), 30mm wider overall (track width is up a similar amount), 15mm taller but sits on an identical 2775mm wheelbase.The tare weight has also remained close to the outgoing model, with Ti gaining just over 30kg.Nissan says the new car - on sale from June 1 - has been made using more ultra-high strength steel, which has helped the engineers increase torsional rigidity by 40 per cent.The entry-level ST-L is offered at $33,990 and only with the new 2.5-litre version of the familiar V6 and the continuously-variable transmission.The 2.5-litre V6 produces 134kW at 6000rpm, with 228Nm of torque peaking at 4400rpm, with the claimed fuel consumption figure of 9.5 litres per 100km.The 3.5-litre V6 has had a 15kW increase to 185kW at 6000rpm, with torque dropping by seven Nm to 326Nm at 4400rpm (up from the old torque peak of 2800rpm), with only a slight increase in fuel use to 10.2 litres per 100km.The standard fare includes leather, dual-zone climate control, dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, power-adjustable front seats, a six-CD six-speaker sound system, 17in alloy wheels, xenon headlights, six airbags and stability control, but no split-fold rear seats.The larger V6 is available in the $37,990 ST-S and $46,990 Ti models.The ST-S sports model adds a rear decklid spoiler, the intelligent ignition key, rear parking sensors and heated front seats above the entry-level features list.The range-topping Ti has gained $6000 in price for the equipment list that adds a sunroof, position memory for the electric seats, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, a reversing camera and a DVD-capable 11-speaker Bose surround sound system.The sales breakdown is expected to be 60 per cent of buyers opting for the 350 models and Nissan is aiming to reduce the Maxima buyer's average owner age from mid-50s to below 50.The lolling, wallowy Maxima is a distant memory.The new car quickly displays an adherence to both sides of the ride and handling duties of a suspension system.There's still a skew towards ride comfort but no longer is it a bouevarde ride tune that would satisfy plump U.S. rumps.The steering is light and won't top the medium-large brigade's "steering feel" list but touring along Victorian country roads the Maxima felt composed and comfortable.Looking sharper with the swept-back standard xenon headlights and LED taillights, the new Nissan flagship has a more prominent shoulder line and looks good in the metal, without being stunning.Nissan is aiming to lower its average owner age below 50 but the new sedan failed the bustop test on the launch, with none of the dozen or so school students giving the new sedan a glance.Which is a shame, because the new car has plenty about it worth liking, leading off with the V6 powerplants.The smaller V6 is smooth and spins up quickly through the rev range, although the midrange punch is a little less intense than that offered by the larger engine.Both engines claim to have more than 80 per cent of peak torque on offer from 1600rpm, but the larger V6 remains the more impressive unit.While the Maxima now has two engines, the transmission remains a continuously-variable unit, which has a manual change six-speed mode - both V6 engines work well with the unit but the extra 98Nm of the 3.5-litre helps keep the CVT calmer.The leather-trimmed cabin is standard range-wide and is very quiet and comfortable, with ample room for four adults - even at 190-plus cm there was enough rear headroom in a non-sunroof model.The dashboard's centre screen and the instrumentation suffer a little from sun glare; the former has lost the cowling of the previous model, which means the screen is nigh impossible to see when the sun enters from some angles.The new Maxima models could do with a little more differentiation but as a driving package there's been plenty of improvement, making it worthy of inclusion on a medium-car shopping list.
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