The 1986 Nissan Maxima Was a High-Tech 1980s Sport Sedan 

If you tie Dougs hands behind his back he wouldn’t be able to speak.

My dad had a brand new 87' black Maxima SE. He dropped my friend home after school (back in the 3rd grade) & when he opened the door the max said "right door ajar". My buddy came to school the next day & told the class "Floyd's dad owns Knight Rider"!! 🤣🤣🤣❤

Oh man, I had a used one of these babies back in 1991 in my senior year in high school. This thing was absolutely awesome! And that cornering light was really great especially in helping you see pedestrians and helping them see you. Really miss this beauty!

I just love this look. Practical, serious. No unnecessary curves, just clean slate and classy. Unlike new vehicles it doesnt look like a bubble. This car can actually be sat on without sliding off 😅 It probably blended in quite boring back in the late 80s.. but today they stand out from all the bubbles. It actually looks like a car! 😮

When Doug was on a date in high school, he said this to the girl *every* time: "First, I'm going to kiss you. Then, I'll check out your quirks and features. Finally, I'm going to give you a Doug Score."

I had a 1987 Nissan Maxima in high school. I graduated in 2009. I was voted “the car that needs to be most pimped” in the yearbook. I miss this thing so much.

This car is beautiful. I love the straight lines and sharp angles.

My sister had the 1987 Nissan Maxima and it was way more advanced then this one. It had the Digital consul which was awesome. it also had a trip analyzer that would give you a distance from one locational another. You also forgot to mention on the automatic shifter the bottom on the side of its shaft that you would push in to conserve gas on the highway. That car was amazing

Man…I’d drive this even today. Such clean lines.

This car is very much inline with Doug's clothing choices.

I inherited my grandfather's 87 Maxima shortly before I got my license. "Nissandra" was such a great car! One feature you forgot was that the sound system could automatically adjust itself in noisy driving conditions. Mine had a power sunroof too! My dad sold it because the engine mount was bending, but everything else about the car worked so well. My other grandparents had a camry from a similar time, and I'm pretty sure the back seat was just as tight. Plus, a few times we stuffed a 6th passenger in the truck, which was indeed spacious!

So well built structurally, my mom was hit head on while driving this same model and survived due to the overall body construction.

those “SP-7” were actually made by PIONEER SP= speaker 7= 7”inches (5”woofer+2”tweeter)

This interior is more well built than most of Nissan's modern cars.

I very much enjoyed this memory lane trip! I had this car for many years, purchased brand new and drove it 104 (highway) miles a day round trip to my job. It just took those miles like a baby taking candy! Once I let a friend drive it on the highway, and he said, "What's this button for?" and before I could say, "Don't touch it", the trunk was open at 80 mph! You left that feature out, Doug.

I ordered a black 1985 Maxima SE in August of 1984 and finally got it the day before Thanksgiving 1984. The SE was the actual sporty version with a manual, blacked out trim, and a sport interior vs. the “luxury” version you tested. In 1996 I bought a used 1986 Maxima wagon as a second vehicle. I enjoyed both versions (“sporty” and “luxury”) but the manual SE was the most fun to drive.

My grandfather had one of these, brand new in 1986. I fondly remember spending a great deal of time locking and unlocking the doors with that keypad!

You just know some maxima owners would “accidentally” leave their doors open so that the voice would come on to warn them as a way to flex on their friends 🤣

Just randomly found your videos, I'm enjoying seeing these old cars. It gives me something to do at work at night while my patients sleep. The steering wheel and gear shift had me dying 😂 they were super old school lol, but some good technology had no idea some of these features was on a car from the 80s. You are good entertaining reviewer, love your reviews I seen so far.

I remember being amazed by the speed variable radio volume. It was state of the art back then.

Doug, the “loud” button (short for “loudness”) was different than just louder volume. It was a compensation for low level audio settings. When this radio was played softly, the “loud” button increased the bass and treble levels to maintain some semblance of high fidelity at low volume level settings. This is a very common amplifier setting during that era.

"the Loud button" oh, come on, Doug. That's the Loudness on/off button. It's used to boost the bass when listening at lower levels to make it more audible.

Doug, I remember when that Maxima body style debuted I saw one in my rear view mirror in traffic and thought "I want one of those" . I think it was the composite headlights and the beefy muscular body style. I still think they look great and this one brought back some great memories ! Thanks !

Takes me back, my dad was basically a minor executive in the specialized field of cost analysis of shipping cars at Datsun then Nissan. It turns out for the North American companies this was the largest part of the company’s cost. He had more than one VP he worked for dismissed for various schemes involving kIckbacks and corruption. Anyway his company car every year was a Maxima from 1980 - 1995 when he retired. These were the techie cars of the day and I always liked borrowing the latest. Yes, he had every option on each one and everything special ordered to taste. I remember the road sonar system… it worked well and was above par for today. Sometimes he would have two or three a year.. Nissan did not like mileage over a certain level. Sometimes he had several models when he leased one for mom, and/or a truck at very favorable rates. Nissan did all service and repair and provided company insurance on all the vehicular so was a really good deal in Southern California. But always very techie and stylish… he had one a diesel oh ‘81 or ‘82. He never got another though it would drive circles around my my Mercedes of that same year… just a better car! Dad was sort of distracted nerd driver he had a crash quite often … which 🥳 went on Nissans record not his. Dan Gurney was a friend back in those days and had the Toyota racing concession ‘was Toyota racing, I used his shop for my hobby cars… but never gave me free tickets… as Dad provided those and pit passes. Dan did not like my father but they where much alike in personality traits… and when Dan b_t-h_d about the Nissan I often borrowed parked at the shop… with all the Toyotas… I say my dad and Nissan is so much like you and Toyota… “No I’m NOT!” But he very much was. I borrowed one Maxima a day rental that got totaled at Dan’s shop but that is another story.

It’s amazing that Doug hasn’t separated it into “Dougscore” and “Dougscore Classic”

Imagine doing a handbrake turn and it just says ”Handbrake is on”

Great video on the Maxima!! I absolutely loved the mid 80's Nissan line up. I wanted a Maxima but couldn't afford one. This video was fantastic. It brought back lots of memories! Thanks again

My dad had this car back in the day!! This just brought back a lot of memories.

*You know a car company has fallen from grace when their old cars have better build quality than their current ones.*

I really like how he appreciates the car from that era. I was 17 in 86. My cousin had a '88. Very cool car, back in the 80's it didn't take much to satisfy people. Times were much simpler.

Thanks for the blast from the past. I owned one of these and loved it. Back in 86 I went to my local dealer in Columbia, SC just kicking tires, I wanted one so bad (don't know why), but it had to be black. The salesman did an awful job. I was in my early 20s and he actually said " you sure you can afford one of these?". I just retorted, do you have one in black? No. I left, went to Atlanta and got my black one and drove it back to Cola just to show the salesman, yes I can afford one. Great car back then.

The "LOUD" button on the stereo system is probably the loudness function, the audio engineering technique that consists of leveling out the high and low frequencies of an audio signal, very popular with the Japanese stereo systems at 70's and 80's, not just some volume up function

The Japanese in the 1970's and '80's were world renowned for being at the cutting edge of technology. Those voice messages were a great illustration of that.

Spends lifetime setting up the perfect equalizer setting. Making minor adjustments daily until the pitch is just right. Doug: 8:13

My father owned a 1987 Maxima, same color as this one. I was only a child then, clueless about cars of course. But I was fascinated by it. Now I know that was because it was actually a special 80s sedan. Thanks Doug for the awesome review and trip down memory lane

The original Datsun Maxima started in 1981 as an upscale-trim version of the JDM 910 Bluebird, or what we call the 810 Deluxe, with the initial result being known as the 810 Maxima, although this version was never actually sold in the JDM. Like the previous Datsun 810 we had from 1977-80, it was rear wheel drive and also used the same ancient L24 inline six-cylinder engine previously used in the 1970-73 240Z sports car, only it was also fuel injected (L24E). In January 1981, the LD28 diesel engine became an option, but only through the 1983 model year. Starting the next year (1982), the model was called simply Maxima, while for 1984, its last year, it saw the first official use of the Nissan brand on it.

This car is an absolutely outstanding condition, holy shit.

I can't believe how damn clean that interior still is after all of these years.

I had one of these in 1990. My first 'real' car after graduating from college. IT.... WAS..... A.... BLAST........... to drive with standard shift ! Had a lot of cars since then but I'll never forget this one.

Wow!!!! I remember this car in it’s era, I was about 5yrs old back then… it has been well kept💪🏾

My uncle had the voice alert in his 300ZX when the car started getting a bit worn out (he drove it hard) we heard a few new massages that the car had probably never played before, one of em being "oil pressure critical" xD

A friend's dad still drives the wagon version of this as his daily driver. He's the head mechanic at a large Nissan dealer and says it's the best car he has ever had.

The talking chime was definitely ahead of it's time. What a well built ride from the 80s. 👍👍👍

Thanks for explaining the map light procedure. In the rare event I drive on of these and need to look at a map I will be prepared!

When evaluating the tech in a car like this, Doug should take into account that IT STILL WORKS! Try a touchscreen from a random infotaiment system in 35 years from now...

Classic japanese car interiors: high tech and a lot of velours combined with generic switches, knobs and plastic surfaces that seem to come directly from a pickup truck. I love it!

I had one of these before. Same color. A very comfortable car. Loved it. Especially the Voice Warning system.

Great review and intro to the past as was highlighted by a decently preserved Maxima 3.0L auto. I have one in exactly same interior color but having the two tone paint scheme: silver lower and charcoal color above the body pinstriping. Also, I have an 87 with Marroon exterior. And both mine also have a factory sun roof.

just an fyi: "Loud" refers to loudness tonal compensation. At lower volume levels, the ear is not as sensitive to high and low frequency sounds, so the "Loud" button turns on equalization to correct for that below a certain volume threshold. It is always on in today's cars.

Still have my 1987 Maxima and it runs like a top, always getting offers to buy it still turning heads with my historic plates.

my 1985 Maxima in addition had leather seats, digital speed display and the MPG computer below the Equalizer. Also, the keypad would open all four windows , an awesome feature when weather was too hot so you can cool the car before you would get in. Amazing! I miss it. At 100k miles it broke the timing belt which destroyed the pistons , during a southern Utah snowstorm in 1992😢

I had one of these! It was my first Nissan and I have been driving them ever since!

If you lived in the 80’s, you wanted a Nissan Maxima.

I love 80's cars in Mint condition. They are so rare in this shape

i had an 86. amazing 6 cylinder with 5 speed manual. such a great car! it had a self adjusting radio based on ambient noise levels. cool!

I love the keypad entry. I wish more manufacturers still put this on their cars.

To be Fair; the car is 35 years old, personally i think it is not too bad looking, quite advanced features, seats look very comfy. In the day it was probably good value, by comparison too the opposition, and with Japanese Reliability!

Owner: Got my equaliser just where I want it Doug: Hold my beer

Dough i love urr videos… if anybody can do its you, it would be very nice to have an interview with the designers who build the car, to see what was their challenges and budgets I think a look behind the build will be the next thing i would like to see

Still one of my dream cars. Great review! 🎉

Hey Doug That maxima is older than you, respect it.

This is literally the generic car silhouette printed by most carmakers on levers to open the trunk or hood..etc! Lol!

I had an old Maxima like this in the late 80's. It was gold with a brownish factory tint on the windows. Loved that car. Such luxury for the time.😊

Lincoln had the keyless entry system on their 1980 models. Not sure if any other car makes did. Thanks for the great video! Love the Maxima!!

I can't believe he missed the soft closing doors or the double kickdown switch. Both pioneered with this car.

I swear my dad's chimed "the door is ajar" cause the old joke he used was "the doors not a jar"

Bought a new '86 Maxima in thunder black with 5 spd manual! It was so much fun to drive! That 3 liter V6 was very smooth, ahead of its' time!

80s cars were awesome! We had a 84 Cressida, 86 Land Cruiser Diesel, but generally all were great and can be seen on the streets today

5:15 Chrysler LeBarron saying "DOOR AJAR": "Haha I finally have a worthy opponent!

"LOUD" shortened for "loudness" is a common feature in many hi-fi receivers/amplifiers. It boosts lower frequencies and higher frequencies so that the frequency response fits our ears better at lower listening volumes.

I love the boxy look of this car! It's impossible to find these now.

Outstanding ! They had all gimmicks in the 1980is. I can remember that a father of a classmate had one of these 1988, on a excursion he brought that car and show all the gimmicks, I was deeply impressed, compared to the much more expensive German cars around with nothing electric inside, no luxury interiors for double the price it was totally freaking me.

The most surprising thing: the owner has bought Linglong tyres.

My grandmother had the first 1993 Nissan Maxima off the production line and drove it over 300,000 miles. First car I learned to drive stick shift in. Wild. Great car.

Doug I have a 1993 Nissan maxima fully loaded 20,000 miles the car looks like a time machine it was kept in Garage all its life. Showroom quality. If you want to review it in the future

My dad had this exact car in white until 2012!!! I learned how to drive on it. It had 350k miles on it and was still going strong. I can’t believe you reviewed this car lol. I didn’t even know this much about it and I grew up with it

The rims look like some ancient hieroglyphic pattern, I love it.

Fun fact: Doug’s first word was “THISSSS”

I bought a 1986 Nissan Maxima Sport model as my first car I bought after graduating from college. It was charcoal gray, and the sport model had all black (no chrome) trim, a manual transmission, and a power sunroof. It had a sportier interior instead of the luxurious velour in this model. It was awesome. Watching your video reminded me of many of the features. One of the coolest features it had that you forgot to mention was that the sound system could automatically adjust itself in noisy driving conditions. When you were listening to the stereo, and rolled down the windows or opened the sunroof, the volume of the stereo would automatically increase because of the noise from the wind. Also, if you were driving on an interstate highway and pulled onto the shoulder, that many times had a gravelly texture, the loud rumble would automatically cause the volume of the radio to increase. It was very COOL!

My buddy had that in 96 as his first car. We would all pack in and bump Redman “Tonight’s the Night” and cause trouble. The stock speakers actually banged. The good ole days.

I personally like the boxy styling

What if the lady on that pre-recorded voice is already dead, you're actually listening to a ghost reminding you that you left your key inside lol

Those warning sounds reminded me of Douglas aircraft alarms, pretty cool!

I love the voice messages! I hate trying to figure out what my car is beeping at me about lol

the Maxima's competitor was actually the Toyota Cressida rather than the Camry.

It's cool seeing this cars from era when innovation wasn't just stucking a screen onto dash.

Doug, loved your review on the 86 Maxima! My parents had an 86 Maxima wagon. In regards to the seat belts, I can't remember for sure, but I think at least the wagon version had 3-point shoulder belts for the outboard passengers, but not the middle. I wanted to offer one correction, though: you mentioned the next size down from the 86 Maxima being the Altima. Not quite correct, as the Altima didn't debut in the US until 1993. Before that, the next size down from the Maxima was the Stanza, and then, of course, the Sentra.

Everyone wanted a Maxima back in the day. It was a dream car for my generation lol. I still remember the “key is in the ignition”

Wasn't "Altima" yet...it was called the STANZA in the 80's

I found it, the most "car-looking" car

The Stanza of that era was based on this body but it had the 4 cylinder engine carried over from the prior gen stanza (my parents had both) amazing how full featured these cars were, stereo w tape deck and search capability ,sunroof, etc

Def gonna watch this. My second car and one of my favorite cars ive owned was my 1997 Maxima GLE.

This generation in wagon trim is one of the coolest cars of the 80s, in my opinion.

brought back some childhood memories. sad to see Nissan in its current stage.

I had The 1987 Nissan Maxima and I loved that car.it took a beating and kept going.Never Forget the find memories with that car 👍🏼

Up graduating from university, I traded my 1981 280ZX turbo for a 1986 maxima… both were good vehicles and appropriate for my changing transportation needs - the maxima had the 300 zx v6 and although it was FWD, it handled well, was sporty and quick, and the FWD was great in the New England winter snow

Oh also, lol. “Loud” on the stereo is an auto equalizer setting that adjusts the bass frequency based on the increase in volume. It lightens the bass the higher the volume. I actually like the loud feature because it delivers higher bass with less volume.

I'll take this Nissan over the crap they put out these day. Those seats so comfortable.

I had an 89 and i wish i still had it, amazing car it was, very powerful and stylish.

Omg this took me waaaaay back. I traded in my 1983 Datsun/Nissan Stanza, for this car. My grandpa now has it in his backyard. My grandpa just confirmed that It does still run with 119,000 miles on it. I don’t think it looks as good as this one but it’s a great car.