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Nissan Maxima
8981 messages, Last post on Feb 09, 2011 at 1:37 PM
You are in the Nissan Maxima Forum.What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Sedan
#6856 of 8981 alpha01 / 2004 Maxima by habitat1
May 11, 2003 (12:58 pm)
The 95-99 Maximas have 190hp and 205 ft-lb of torque. My 1995 SE 5-speed weighs almost exactly 3,000 lbs. Which partially explains why the 1995 is quicker than the heavier 2000/2001 with only marginally more torque - and nearly as quick as the 2002/2003 with more torque, but more weight yet.On the 2004 Maxima, yesterday's Washington Post had a reputable dealer advertising all 2004's at a minimum of $1,000 off MSRP, with 32 in stock. This does not bode well for an "advance" introduction of a 2004 model. Any guess how much below invoice those will be going for in August 2004??
With Nissan going funky on the design of the 2004 Maxima and BMW trying to steal defeat out of the jaws of victory with its 5-series redesign, I'm just hoping my Maxima is good for another year or two until things get back on track.
#6857 of 8981 habitat by alpha01
May 11, 2003 (1:52 pm)
My guess is that Nissan wont let the MY 04 Maxima run all the way through Aug 04. The 05 will probably be introduced summer next year, with few alterations.Although this is an assumption, I base this on Toyota's March 2002 introduction of the 2003 MY Corolla. The 2004 Corolla is now being released- with minimal to no changes. So it spent about a 15 month tenure as a 2003 model. Perhaps they will run the 2004 MY Corolla 15 months, thereby getting it back on track with the more normal Aug/September releases.
Also, thanks for answering my question. Here's another one: The 3.0L V6 in the 99 Max- how far does it date back? I know it goes at least to the 1989 MY Maxima, when it produced 160hp. But does it date back to the 1985-88 Maxima (which I absolutely LOVE, and would purchase in a second if I could find one in good enough condition at a reasonable price)?
Finally, I was interested to read your comments with respect to acceleration of the various model years. My buddy's 99 Maxima (which has a cold air intake, by the way), while damn quick, was noticeably less so off the line than the 2000 GXE we tested at the same dealership- both automatics.
~alpha
#6858 of 8981 alpha01 by lmp180psu
May 11, 2003 (6:55 pm)
My friend has a 99 SE-L automatic, which I helped him find last May. He purchased it with 45K miles and now has 62K miles. He has had to do mostly routine maintenance (brakes, 2 tires, 60K tune-up). The car is really smooth except for a recent(couple months) problem in the "feel" of the pedal when accelerating; the problem is a rubbing/"sandpaper" like feeling especially when accelerating. He already had his throttle cable replaced but that didn't solve the problem. We are going to try to "experiment" soon with the slack in the cable to see if it is too tight/loose.Regarding the automatic, the only "annoyance" is that from a rolling stop( e.g. accelerating from a stop sign), the power is leisurely, then the transmission kicks in and the acceleration is very quick and smooth. I've heard from maxima.org that this is a normal occurence for the auto. The steering I feel is also a little light/not enough weight.
He only has the BOSE as an option (no sunroof, leather etc.), but it rocks!!( love the bass)
#6860 of 8981 Maxima acceleration by p100
May 11, 2003 (9:17 pm)
I own a 98 SE with a 5 speed manual transmission. I recently tested a new 03 SE with a 6 speed manual and it did not feel substantially faster off line than mine. The engine in the 03 produces 65 more horsepower than the 98 engine, but the power seems to develop at high RPMs and the off line torque increase appears marginal. 0 to 60 times are not drastically less for the 03 model. I could feel the difference when shifting the 03 at high RPM, as the 03 enigne appears to rev up more willingly, and pulls stronger at high RPM than the 98 engine. In summary, the difference in performance somehow does not feel like additional 65 horsepower, but more like 25 or 30. This could be also due to the fact that 03 is a heavier car than the 98 model.#6861 of 8981 alpha01 by habitat1
May 12, 2003 (5:01 am)
The 3.0 liter V-6 in the 95-99 "4th generation" Maxima was a completely new design. Quoting from the June 1994 issue of Car and Driver: "The other new ingrediant in the Maxima recipe is the engine. It is still a 24-valva 3.0 liter 60 degree V-6, but virtually no parts interchange with the previous powerplant." "...for the enthusiast driver, the engine's running character is more notable...a short stroke design and concerted effort to lighten the weight of all rotating and reciprocating parts have given the new V-6 a lively free-revving feel."As far as the acceleration of the 95-99; 00-01, and 02-03 models, I was comparing manual transmissions. In 1995, the 5-speed was considerably quicker than the automatic. Perhaps the 2000 GXE automatic was quicker than a 99 automatic, but I think the 5-speeds were quicker in the 4th generation version. Frankly, I would never buy a Maxima with an automatic. As good as the 3.0 and now 3.5 liter engines are, the 4-speed automatic is a dinosaur.
#6862 of 8981 Why not buy an '04? by berbel
May 12, 2003 (8:50 am)
Attn: ramped1In 6852 you asked why aren't some of us buying an
'04 model.
I have an '00 SE loaded with everything. It's been a great ride and I was eagerly awaiting the '04 as
I was seriously considering a trade. Then, I got
hammered with a reality check!
To purchase the same model I now have, equipped
the same way, would sticker out at $34,000.00-
35,000.00 big ones. This amounts to a "huge"
percentage increase over the just slightly over
$30.000.00 my present SE stickered for.
Wanna know what else annoyed the (^%^#%$(*& out of
me? The HID lights that were "standard" over the
last couple of m.y.'s are now an "option." To add
insult to injury, to get the HID's.....they have
to be ordered with a "package" which may include
additional "options" that I may or may not have
any interest in having.
The fact of the matter is that looking at the Max
from a purely "financial outlay" perspective, you
might say that now it's competing with the G35 or
cars of similar dollar value, which incidentally,
doesn't make sense to me.
Frankly, I've started looking around at other makes
which is something that I definitely had not thought of doing since I liked the Max so much and
was determined to stay with this particular make
and model. Sorry for the "wordy" response!
berbel
#6863 of 8981 test drove a max - shocked by blueguydotcom
May 12, 2003 (9:32 am)
I just started officially looking for a new car this weekend. My first stop was BMW. I asked to drive a 325i with manual and the only one available was a stripped version. Nice handling but about as much power as my Jetta 1.8T (and lacking the constant thrust). I also tried out a steptronic 325i with all the goodies. The sports package makes the car feel better but that engine's useless - especially for 30k eurodelivery price.Headed over to Infiniti and tried out a G35. Or I attempted to. My tale of woe regarding that drive is located here ( http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Boa- rd=UBB25&Number=67397599&page=0&view=collapsed&sb- =5&o=&fpart=1#Post67397864 ).
After that debacle, I tried to get into a TSX but they lacked manuals. Tried to take out an A4 V6 manual but again no dice. Saab's 9-3 about put me to sleep. Slipped into a Jetta GLI and found that the new 200 hp/200lb-ft of torque V6 and six speed really liven the car up but it's not my bag.
So finally I stopped by Nissan. More a lark. I wasn't enthralled by the pics of the Max but figured I'm out so...
I hop into the car and fiddle with the seat and the telescoping/tilt steering column. Wow, unlike the G35 I found my sweet sitting position instantly. I love telescoping wheels. Not sure why Infiniti doesn't have it on the G but they do on the FX.
Anyway I motor off noting that the interior materials feel nice. At least on par with the Infiniti and in some respects higher.
Clutch pickup is smooth and predictable. Wow, feels like home (I owned a 91 Stanza 5 speed for 7 years). I motor onto the freeway and punch it. The VQ roars a bit but still the sound is deadended nicely vis a vis the more raucous G35. Uh-oh torque steer. The car pulls pretty hard to the right. I recall this test model lacked a LSD and VDC. Could be a wise choice.
Once on the freeway this thing flies along confidently with no fuss. Very smooth lane transitions, quiet, sturdy. The backwindow's a tad small though making rearward visibility tough. Even in 6th gear I note the car can pick up speed rapidly to pass. If I really want to boogey I throw it into 4th and the car jets forward. Oh this is working.
I inform the salesman of my needs - power, luxury, reliability and handling. He suggest I take and off-ramp and then leads me into some nice rolling hills and steep inclines.
It's out here that I begin to really feel connected with the Max. I'm flipping through 35-45 corners at over 70 and the car's drawing a perfect line. Slower cars are overtaken with ease as I slip into 4th and sometimes 3rd to rocket by everybody.
Transitions are nice and flat. The car never feels as large as it really is. Reminds me of a poor man's 745i (if you haven't driven one of those, do so, it's sublime). All I can think of while negotiating the corners is this car is: very stable and confidence inspiring. And darn quiet.
The u-turn I make on a side road reveals the car's got a large turning radius. Oh well, that's not a big issue in the scheme of things.
The trip back down the mountain and back to the dealership is ultra-smooth and swift. Pulling into the dealership my excellent salesperson gives me more info on the car, we discuss express kidnappings in mexico (odd topic but amusing) and he understands I'm still in the looking for the "right" car mode.
All told I'm very impressed. The car's handling isn't BMW-perfect but it's not a wallowing pig like a Passat or ES300 for instance. Unlike say the IS300 this thing's got guts galore and tons of room. The 6 speed felt much nicer than I had expected. Do i wish it were RWD? Yes. Am I taken by the body yet? No. I only like the trunk but the car's functional, swift, comfy and in my opinion a pretty nice deal.
I haven't settled on the Max as I want another shot behind the wheel of a G35 with a manual and a real test drive (like my Maxima or BMW drives). I'd also like to get my hands on a 330i just in case that extra dollop of power for the BMW puts it over the top. Plus given the max's reputation for falling prices i expect to get this car at invoice, which doesn't seem possible this month.
#6864 of 8981 habitat by alpha01
May 12, 2003 (9:44 am)
Thanks for the info- looks like I lied to my friend about the engine dating back to 89. Sorry to say, but more Maximas are sold with autos than shift yourself gear boxes- I am interested by your statement "the 4sp auto is a dinosaur". I disagree. How many 1999 vehicles had something better. The unit in his Maxima is after admittedly only a 30 mile drive for which I rode in the car, really well matched to the engine.~alpha
#6865 of 8981 Why So Low? by parker19
May 12, 2003 (10:53 am)
The Max is already being offered in my area at just above invoice. Any one have a theory on that?To POST a message, please
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