1997 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews

1997 Nissan Maxima

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1997 Nissan Maxima

Kelley Blue Book Retail $1,975–$2,675  

Average Rating

4.9 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:4.7 out of 5
Performance:4.8 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.7 out of 5
Interior Design:4.8 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.9 out of 5
Reliability:4.8 out of 5

15 out of 15 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

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Old Faithful~

by FLFishinGal
from Tampa, FL | February 20, 2013

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I purchased my Maxima LE back in '04 and now have 198K miles on it. It's been my commuter for the past 9yrs traveling 25+ miles one way each day. I've replaced the starter twice and the alternator a couple times and replaced the CV joints. Those are my only larger than "oil change" maintenaces I've done. I've just noticed that the AC is not blowing as hard as it should, but considering it's daily trek in the Florida heat and sitting out in the sun, not garaged- it's been very forgiving and reliable. I have a little rust that was there previously when I purchased it and it's still in good shape considering. I get 30mpg easy w/ 75% of my miles being highway miles. It has great power for its class w/o being a gas guzzler. I would have complete peace of mind passing this vehicle down to a teenage driver for their first car. Great value for the money!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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bulletproof

by road warrior
from | February 3, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"bought the car new , used it yeararound , the se with speed adjusted steering is awesome , i have had snow coming over the hood in numerous wisconsin winters and still made it to work . Great car !"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

Primary use for this car: N/A


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Great Used Car

by maxdude11
from Peoria, IL | December 26, 2010

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"Got my 97 Max used in Chitown last fall. It has nearly 200k and still runs great and has no leaks and burns no oil.... The only issue I have is I need to replace an A/C pulley because is started making a roaring/whining noise, but in the part's defense it does sit at the bottom of the engine and is exposed to a ton of road salt every winter. Other repairs have just been routine maitenance... The body does have some rust, but that may be due to the previous owner not washing, waxing, etc.... as he should have....."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Best car on the road

by Max
from texas | May 29, 2010

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"I got this 97 nissan maxima last year from my uncle who is the original oner of it for the past 12 years. When I got the car in March of 2007, it had 88k miles. Now a year later it's comming up on 103k miles. In that time the only thing i've replaced is the battery. overall the car is very well desinged inside and out. Beleve it or not for a car that's 13 years old there are very few squeaks and rattles. The only issue im having is with the transmission, case in point when it's running cold the shift from 1st to 2nd is hard, but the other gears shift smoothly. And it only does this untill the transmission gets warm, after that you barly notice it's shifting. performance-wise, this is the fastest car i've ever had. i dont know what it tops out at, but i can assure you it will do at least 122mph. it'll keep up with most cars costing 40-50k. fuel-wise i can get aroud 18-20 intown and 25-28 on the hwy. and with an 18.5 gal. tank, i can go around 500 miles on a fill-up (havent tryed it yet). I plan on keeping this car untill my daughter is old enough to drive, whitch won't be untill 2024. so thats at least 14 more years. overall if your looking for a very good desinged and reliable car this is the car to have"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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6 out of 6 found this review helpful

BEST CAR EVER

by Manbone
from Bradenton, FL | March 6, 2010

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought this car new in 97 for $23,000 best car buy I ever made. I have had vary few problems. The car has 180K and still has same power and comfort. I now have three kids so I need a bigger ride. I hate to sell it, but it looks like it has held it's value. I should get about 3500 for it. I would recommend this car for someone who needs a reliable fun car with great gas milage. Also the paint job looks factory new. Just change the oil, wash, and wax. Happy driving."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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0 out of 0 found this review helpful

Love my Max!!

by BevMaxima
from McDonough, Ga. | December 6, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"Bought her used in 98; now has 154,500 miles, have replaced 2 starters, and in 2009 the MacPherson struts, otherwise it's just oil changes, brakes and tires. 23 mpg around town, 32 on cruise control/Interstate. Fun car, fast, still looks good even though it sits outside all the time. Just keep her waxed, the tires black, and I hope she lasts me another 10+ years."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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Best Car I've Ever Had

by In Love With My Maxima!
from Stroudsburg, PA | May 18, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I am proud to say that my 97 Maxima now has 302,003 miles on it and is still running strong. Only on it's second clutch and in 3 years I've never had to put any money into this car. I will never get rid of this vehicle! Best car ever made!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

259,000 Miles

by Brodie
from Salt Lake City, Utah | March 6, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought my 1997 Maxima new and never took it in for a warranty problem. It now has 259,000 miles and I have never done any engine repairs. I am replacing it with a 2005 Acura RL."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Love it!! Love it!! Love it!!

by RoadKing
from Los Angeles, CA | January 10, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought my 1997 Maxima SE in 2002 with 87K miles. Seven years later -with an odometer reading of 249,055- I'm still amazed at all the wonderful trips and trouble-free fun-filled miles in this vehicle. He's practically a member of the family... Why do I love it? (where do I begin?) (1) Spacious interior: plenty of room for 5. (2) AMAZING power: I drive a stick-shift model, and can easily blow pass everyone even on a steep road. I can't do nothing but to look at the other cars in the rearview mirror, and to smile while they shrink and eventually disappear. That says something about a 12-year-old car with 250K miles on it!! (3) Excellent gas mileage: sips like a 4-cylinder, but roars like an 8-cylinder. I get about 22/27 mpg. (4) Reliable. Even when there was a period of 2 years without an oil change...and I didn't even look under the hood (I was bad, really bad!). (5) Bang for the Buck: I paid $8K for it in 2002. Looking back at how much fun I've had, I would have gladly paid 3X the money. If a car is a "depreciating asset" my Maxima is NOT a car. After all the neglect, abuse and wear-tear, my clutch had to be replaced once and now the air conditioner does not cool as it should...But who cares?! I've given it so little and gotten so much more. There's no such thing as a perfect car, but my sweet Maxima is probably as close as it gets. I have friends driving fancy BMW's and Mercedes. They complain about reliability and costs, yet they can't comprehend why I'm "clinging" to my old car. I just don't want to break their hearts about the money they paid for the car that they got... My car could probably outlast me, but I'm shooting for 300K miles and perhaps pass it on to a family member... Don't know what my next car would be, but if you are considering a Maxima I would recommend it hands down. And perhaps years later, you can write a review like mine. Good luck."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Having fun


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3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Best four door I've ever owned

by Family guy who really enjoys cars
from Salt Lake, UT | October 18, 2008

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"My maxima has plenty of room for a car of it's size and I get great mpg for a V6 (22 in 95% city driving). The engine is amazing. It has lots of power for a car that's over 10 years old. Being able to roll the windows down with the key fob is a wonderful feature on a hot day. Handing is better then average for a front wheel driver, though you can definitely tell it's weight is up front if you are hot in a corner. The leather is still doing incredibly well. It's a great car and it loves to driven."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


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