Since my super cheap Fusion was a pile I am looking at other cars for a comfy long distance DD that has a usable back seat. This is at a local dealer and I have always liked these. Will it last another 100k miles? I know that can't be guaranteed but will the VQ and the car survive that long. I remember hearing something about VQs and oil usage maybe.
http://www.machens.com/used/Nissan/2003-Nissan-Maxima-68e56ac40a0a00de4d416c43da204af4.htm
They're fun for sure! Link doesn't work, but if it's in good shape I wouldn't hesitate. Great looking car with a fun motor and trans too. It likes premium fuel and doesn't get great MPG's, but it's the last really good Maxima that Nissan made (i.e., the last one made in Japan).
Link fixed, it looks like with the manual they can manage upper 20s on the highway. If I drive responsibly and at the speed limit, I am hoping it will turn low enough revs to manage really close to 30.
I got over 30 mpg on the highway in my old '95 with the VQ30, so I bet with a 6 speed that's feasible. Mine was a 4 spd automatic. Driving responsibly will be the hard part...they are quite speedy. 
Nice, I am going to check it out later
Go for it. The 5th gen maxima (00-03) are a great highway car, the VQ35 should get you close to 30mpg at highway speeds and is a great engine. The transmission is stout. Lots of rear legroom and the seat are comfortable for long distances. The longish wheelbase and beam-axle rear suspension are right at home on the highway.
(former moderator at maxima.org here, so I could be a bit biased)
Highway mileage is easy on a car. As long as everything looks to be solid I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Went and looked at it. Rear wheel wells are rusty, back bumper the clear has water under it, hail damage on the hood. I am going to offer 3.5k tomorrow at the huge vw dealer it is at assuming it runs good. The interior is very clean other than the steering wheel that is coming apart. Overall it should serve my needs nicely.
My Dad has had two, loved them both, tons of miles, still using his 2nd one. Fun car too.
mine got notably better fuel efficiency with premium gas over regular unleaded. fyi. was a fantastic car the whole 6 years I owned it.
Well the dealer didn't like my offer of $4k. They seem to think that I believe that they are into the car for $5600, which is BS, and expect me to pay that. With the body as berkeleyed as it is, I stuck to my guns and told them to think it over. On a high note, it drives nice and the most things work as advertised. Now we play the waiting game.
The engine should run almost forever, one of my kids had an 03 w/ the 6 speed and had 240k miles when he totaled it. Probably would have lasted another 100k. I know the previous generation of Maximas had a severe problem with the radiator support rotting out but I'm not sure if these have that issue. Worth a good check under the car as it also supports the engine. They sure are a fun car to drive, we took his auto-xing once and it did pretty good. Premium fuel and expensive tires seem to be the only drawbacks. Good luck
I want one of these in a bad way. Do what you can to buy it without overpaying.
I'll be highly disappointed if I come back tomorrow and you don't own it.
The 6-speed ones were very quick cars. Back when they first came out, my older sister who works in the car business was at a local Nissan dealer. I was there getting an oil change on my '89 Maxima SE (another awesome car) and the delivery truck pulled up with the very first 6-speed car the dealer had ordered. I remember her boss came in to tell my sister that "it's here!!!" and tossed her the keys. While I was waiting, he told us to "go get gas" in the 6-speed Maxima. On the way back, we got into a stoplight drag race with a late C4 Vette and blew its doors off. 
Yes, I'm enabling you to buy one. If I ever buy another DD outright, these are on the short list.
I am going to let them stew a while but iI cant pay more than 4500 for it, because SWMBO says so.
I think your $4k offer was pretty fair. In good/excellent shape, they seem to go for around $5-6k up here.
I think those are the last of the good looking Maximas. They got fat and pudgey after that.
I found one a couple hours away that is a 2002 with 127 miles but the guy has a nice add and claims that it is damn near perfect for 6200. I am trying to get a hold of that guy.
And just found out that the nice one was totaled last week. E36 M3...
Keep your eyes peeled, friends. I am in the market for a nice, low(ish) miles, Manual trans 2002-2003 Maxima. I am willing to fly and drive for the right car. Cash limit is around 6k.
What about a later Altima SE-R? Thy were pretty much the same thing, right?
Yeah, just a little smaller and I am not sure the interior is as nice. Those seem to bring more money though.
You can get the 3.5/manual combo in the Altima without the SE-R package. I find them up here below $4K no problem.
There is one an hour away from me with the equivalent of 150K miles for $2800
Really? Interesting. I found this one on eBay. http://m.ebay.com/itm/281416099330?nav=SEARCH
I like the miles but not the salvage title with the 7500 cost.
In reply to singleslammer:
Long way from you. I am in Canada. 200K kms is equivalent to 125K miles. But I found these in 5 minutes.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/sudbury/2003-nissan-altima-sedan-cert-ready-to-go/1012250144?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/kitchener-waterloo/2002-nissan-altima-3-5-se-sedan/1011178310?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/2006-nissan-maxima-sedan/1010967703?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
One more:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/2005-nissan-maxima-se-sedan/592138136?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
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