Nissan Repair: 2000 Maxima - chugging along at times and declining gas mileage, fuel filter replacement, gas mileage

Question
My 2000 Maxima chugs along at times, like it is misfiring.  Suddenly, it will correct itself (no certain time - has happened when driving and when idle). The "service Engine Soon" light is on.  My mechanic said there were many bulletins out for my car and too expensive for him to investigate.  When this is happening, the exhaust smells like gas and WD-40, there is very little pick-up, the transmission takes a long time to shift to next gear, and the gas mileage is reduced by approx. 30%!  Could this be as simple as a sensor or fuel filter replacement?

Answer
Casey,

Get a new mechanic.  Before you do that go to Autozone or Checker and get the codes read for free.  They will tell you what the code is and what parts you need.  The 2000 Maxima (I have one personally) had a service bulletin on the coils.  There are six of them and they do fail.  About $300 bucks from rockauto.com for all six and all that is needed to replace them is a ten millimeter socket and a screwdriver.  There are no other service bulletins that I know that would cause what you are describing.  Email me back with what the people at Autozone or Checker say your codes are.