You need enough room for your family, yet you don't want to sacrifice luxury. And the 20-year old youth in you craves a fun and sporty ride. The 2002 Nissan Maxima tries to fill all those roles by upping its horsepower this year and adding sportier exterior and interior trimmings. Available in base GXE, sports-oriented SE, and upscale GLE models, the 2002 Maxima gets a new 3.5-liter, 255-hp V6 engine this year. While a 4-speed auto tran is standard for the GXE and GLE, the V6 on the SE is matched to a new 6-speed manual gearbox, to enhance driving performance and feel.
Aside from some fiddling with the grille and light design, many of the additions in 2002 have to do with more standard features. All of the Maximas now feature xenon headlights, which improve visibility, but apparently are a target for thieves looking for aftermarket parts for earlier Maximas. All models get 8-way power seats, while the GLE gets dual power front seats with a driver's memory setting. The base GXE is much more loaded than in 2001, with new 16-inch wheels, steering wheel-mounted audio, cruise control, a garage opener, CD player, and auto-dimming mirror. For 2002, the GLE gets upgraded audio and an optional navigation system. A trip computer is also new for all models this year, and a sunroof is optional on both the SE and GLE.
A roomy interior seats five, and rear seats split-fold and feature a trunk pass-through. Seat comfort overall is more supportive. The SE remains the choice of driving enthusiasts, with a stiffer suspension, performance tires, a rear spoiler, leather-wrapped wheel, and chrome exhaust pipes. Though drivers love the extra power, more aggressive styling, and family-sized room in the 2002 Maxima, many opt for the cheaper Altima, which is similarly equipped and is actually the Maxima's chief competition. Drawbacks to Maxima ownership include a wide turning radius, poor customer service, low fuel economy, and a so-so sound system.
4.5 Overall rating
(49 reviews)My first car, most powerful car in the family, love to drive, no work needed so far, brakes great, accelerates like no other, great mileage and $3.59 for a gallon of gas is great. I get around 21-25 miles a gallon and i can't believe that i have such a great car!
I owned a 2002 Maxima SE 6 speed manual and drove it about 90,000 miles in less than 3 years. I bought the base model and had the dealer install leather. I had owned a 1999 Maxima SE 5 speed manual prior to this and loved that one too. The 2002 has a much smoother transmission. The suspension is set up a bit softer than the 1999, which wasn't my personal taste, but my passengers seemed to like it. The interior is also very large. At the time, I had two young children in car seats and could fit three car seats across in the backseat. Not many cars that compete with the Maxima can manage that. Fuel mileage was good throughout my ownership. I see these on the road now and think they are probably the best Maxima that Nissan made.
In Auatralia this is the Top of the range Model which is the Ti, fitted out with leather trim, power and heated seats, heaps of fake wood trim, sun roof, climate control and the coolest sound systeml. It's very comfortable to drive, stacks of room inside and a decent size boot (trunk for you Yanks), the 3 litre V6 has plenty of poke and can keep up with the big Aussie cars.
I love this car. It's probably one of the best cars I've ever driven for the money. I highly recommend it. This one is special because it's the last year that the Maxima was made in Japan.
stillen intake, greddy evo exhaust, 20" Helo Black wheels, 245/40zr20 with Nitto NT-555 ZR's tires, all LED lights, ceramic brakes with cross drilled rotors.Stillen strut tower bar, sirius satelite radio. very fun to drive when the cops aren't around.
2002 Nissan Maxima FAQs
How many 2002 Nissan Maxima vehicles in Redding, CA have no reported accidents or damage?
1 out of 1 for sale near Redding, CA have no reported accidents or damage.
What is the fuel economy of the 2002 Nissan Maxima?
Depending on the engine and options, the 2002 Nissan Maxima gets between 20 and 20 MPG (or MPGe).
What fuel types are available?
Gasoline engines are available.
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