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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

Messages Page 782 of 899

#7802 of 8981 litch by ramped1

Jan 18, 2004 (8:20 pm)

"The Maxima has always been a strange product positioned above everyday Camri and Accords, but below the true near-luxury brands. This 6th Generation is more of the same."
 
That may have been true in the past, but the family sedan market has changed dramatically since a decade ago.
 
Then, Accords and Camrys were primarily 4-cylinder cars with little to offer in the way of driving excitement. Then, the Maxima was a clear and outstanding alternative with it's V-6 engine and 4-door sports car moniker. He had a clearly defined market segment.
 
Today, Accords and Camrys each have excellent 6-cylinder engines and, though still not true sports sedans, they are reasonable alternatives. In my opinion, their interior material quality is superior to that of the 04 Maximas. That should unsettle Nissan execs who see the new Maxima as a near-luxury competitor.
 
In addition, when the Altima was conceived its mission was to draw market share away from the Accord and Camry 4-cylinders. It did not cannibalize Maxima sales the way it has since the 2002 redesign and the 3.5 SE option.
 
So, in essence, the 04 Maxima is pretty much fighting the entire sedan world - the premium model Accords and Camrys, it's own stablemate, the Altima, and also, given its price range, the near-luxury cars.
 
Given its circumstances, Nissan is eventually going to realize that the only way to move this product is to deeply discount, which it is doing. Ads are running in my local paper for $24.9K stripper Maxes. And, at that price, it isn't a bad option.

#7803 of 8981 ramped1 by kennyg5

Jan 18, 2004 (8:42 pm)

You have hit the nail on its head! Although Nissan would have liked to place the 04 Max in the near lux segment, it has failed to achieve its dreams. The competitors, such as the TL, have simply moved further upstream, and are able to realize the price/profit for the TRUE near lux market. Thus, like you have indicated, the only way Nissan can sell the 04 Max is to give deep discounts, and at $25k it is a viable option when compared with the Camcords.
 
If Nissan really wants to make the Max a near lux competitor, it must greatly improve the interior materials and decor, cure the torque steer, put in a few more gadgets (especially a much better stereo instead of the mediocre Bose "premium" system which is getting worse since the 4th gen), get rid of the bugs (such as steering wheel shimmies), improve on quality control, and provide better service to those Max buyers who are willing to expend more than $30k on a car.
A free car wash and a loaner car will help.

#7804 of 8981 by tomcat630

Jan 18, 2004 (9:50 pm)

It was easier in thr old days when it was Maxima/Cressida and Camry/Stanza. Then car classes and sizes all changed.

#7805 of 8981 For less than $1,000 by habitat1

Jan 19, 2004 (12:38 am)

I'd be willing to bet the Maxima interior, stereo, etc. could be upgraded substantially to compete with the 2004 TL. Some of my objections are just ugly styling quirks compared with the clean lines of the TL and 3-series interior.
 
So, rather than discounting the current Maxima to compete with the Altima, Accord and Camry, I'd suggest to Nissan to try again, get it right and, if necessary, charge a little more. The 2004 TL finally gives someone looking for a sporty FWD near luxury sedan with a 6-speed manual an alternative to the Maxima. But I don't think the Maxima needs to roll over and play dead just yet.

#7806 of 8981 lets face it.... by kyleknicks

Jan 19, 2004 (7:27 am)

the maxima will never ever be able to compete with the near luxo cars like g35, TL, etc... it's a nissan for crying out loud! as long and hard as the nissan exec's try... they'll fail 10 out of 10 times.. then you add in the fact that their products are getting weirdier looking every year,their plan will not happen. (unlike the clean lines and quality of the other cars) I would never dish out that type of $ for the service they provide at a nissan dealership. the service dept are subpar, the sales try all kinds of financing games..just to give examples... just my opinion

#7807 of 8981 Lets face it?????? by dklanecky

Jan 19, 2004 (10:26 am)

"it's a nissan for crying out loud! as long and hard as the nissan exec's try... they'll fail 10 out of 10 times.. then you add in the fact that their products are getting weirdier looking every year,their plan will not happen. (unlike the clean lines and quality of the other cars) I would never dish out that type of $ for the service they provide at a nissan dealership. the service dept are subpar, the sales try all kinds of financing games..just to give examples... just my opinion"
 
And which auto company has been the most successful in generating sales increases, profit increases, and market share increases in the last couple of years?
 
How do you rationalize your comments, even if they're "just your opinion".

#7808 of 8981 dilanecky by ramped1

Jan 19, 2004 (11:06 am)

Nissan certainly has had a good run lately. No one is denying that. And, I think everyone who frequents this board likes or has in the past liked its products.
 
Kyle's point, and mine also, is simply that when it is time to dole out $30K plus for a sedan, it's difficult to look at Nissan and a Maxima when so many other more attractive choices beckon. Actually, this point has been made and remade.
 
I would like to hear from more 04 owners. Why did they choose the Maxima, and how satisfied are they? Are they satisfied that they received value for their money? Does the Maxima exceed their expectations?
 
The lack of 04 owner participation here (and granted, there are other more popular Maxima forums) indicates to me that either not many are buying the car, or those that buy them don't have much to say. Anyone?

#7809 of 8981 dilanecky by kyleknicks

Jan 19, 2004 (11:29 am)

i acknowledge the fact that Nissan has done well the last 5 to 7 years in all aspects of sales, profits and market shares... but keep in mind, their positioning of the maxima is a completely new approach in their business...which i think most will agree, has not worked.
 
when they came out with the 95-99 maxima, it gained many fans and then the 00-03's built on that fan loyality.. and all the increase in sales/profits/market shares you were referring to were built on that timeframe.. i'm sure the 02-03 altima helped in this aspect also.. but moving the 04 maxima upscale to the near-luxo catalgorie, nissan can't compete with luxury badges.. thus my claim "nissan is still..just a nissan"...its almost like a Mazda Millenia will always be viewed as a Mazda and never a luxo competitor..it'll be sad if the max suffers the same fate.
 
Nissan did well because they had a niche, i'm not sure they have such niche anymore..

#7810 of 8981 Ramped1 by kennyg5

Jan 19, 2004 (11:31 am)

As mentioned in earlier posts in this forum, the 04 Max has been likened to an American Buick with more horsepower, and hopefully better reliability. If you were to view, hypothetically, that 04 Max owners as Buick owners, they probably may be less passionate about the Max than earlier gen Max owners, and that may explain the lack of participation on this board.
 
The foregoing is intended only as a flame, and should be taken literally for its contents or implications thereof. This disclaimer is attributed only to the author, and should not be construed as an endorsement by Edmunds or its very kind and understanding hosts

#7811 of 8981 cabin air filter by babe915

Jan 19, 2004 (9:50 pm)

has enyone replaced this filter if so is it behind the glove box and is it available in after market sales.

Messages Page 782 of 899

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