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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 811 of 899

#8094 of 8981 Re: I am a new 04 owner... [ericu #7813] by larry4ny

Apr 18, 2004 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: ericu (Jan 21, 2004 12:56 pm)
Thats great to hear about 2004. I did not know the new model had 18 inch rims. Geeze, thats incredible. I am currently an owner of a 2002 SE model fully loaded. I bought it March of 2002 from a fleet dealer, and paid 27144 with tax and fees about 30k. The only experience I have had with my MAX is the idiot lights came on"serive engine soon" "ABS" . Don't know what Nissan did to fix it, could have been the "gas cap" Nissan said it was not on tight, maybe the brake system got wet who knows. I haven't seen those lights in a long time. Thank g-d ! I will say this car has incredible handling, I dont notice this turn ratio problem. This car hugs. I changed the tires to V rated instead (lower performance tires). There use to be Z rated. Maybe that made a difference. Also without question this car offline SCREAMS power 255HP. When I need to pass, take offline there is no question or doubt in mind or the maxima to MOVE!
 
I am sorry to say this but you can not compare in any shape or form american cars to Nissan. I hope that comments come out as positive. But it's true Nissan Honda Toyota all have one thing in common "reliablity". People buy from companies that have proven over and over again reliablity.
 
Pictures of my maxima: http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/com.hp.HPGuestLogin?username=larry- - 4ny&password=89487389

#8095 of 8981 larry4... by blh7068

Apr 19, 2004 (1:45 am)

Nice pix...
 
I also have an 02 SE..majestic blue with frost leather. Loaded sans nav, meridian pkg, and trac control. I am having some trouble with the drivers power seat, even after the tsb service for back/forward inoperation was performed. Overall it has been a good car with minimal issues.
 
 I currently have the original tires(crappy potenzas) that have been a topic on the maxima boards . I too plan going to a v rated tire when the time comes.
 
What tires did you buy and what ride difference have you observed?

#8096 of 8981 Leaving Nissan by habitat1

Apr 19, 2004 (4:43 am)

Sorry to say that after 9.5 years and 152k miles, I'm heading over to Acura for my next sedan. I haven't fully decided on selling my 1995 SE 5-speed yet; may keep it as a back up vehicle.
 
The switch to Acura shouldn't be taken as an insult to Nissan. I still think highly of the company and if my budget were limited to $25-27k, I'd probably go for a heavily discounted Maxima SE 6-speed. But the Acura TL 6-speed with Navigation at $33.3k ($2,000 under MSRP) put me in the league of BMW and Mercedes as far as quality of interior and overall refinement. It became too hard to justify a $52k+ E320 CDI. Similar to the $33k Honda S2000 making it hard for me to justify a $58k Boxster S.
 
I sincerely wish all of you Maxima owners the same good fortune I've had (and may continue to have) with my 1995. After giving it a good wash and wax this Saturday, someone at the grocery store asked me if it's a new car. Makes it very hard to let it go. And perhaps I won't.

#8097 of 8981 6spds rare? by lichtronimo

Apr 19, 2004 (8:13 am)

I've been searching dealer inventories the last several weeks in anticipation of buying a Maxima this fall. I want a 6spd. and want to test drive one in advance. However, none of the dealers around me seem to ever have one. I realize I can order the car with the prefered transmission and other options, but I need to drive one before comitting.

#8098 of 8981 TIRES 235/50-17 by bdlfe

Apr 19, 2004 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: merlion (Aug 10, 2003 12:55 am)
Anyone installed tires that are sized 235/50-17 on factory GLE rims or SE rims for that matter? Has there been any problems? The OEM size of 215/55-17 has only Bridgestone Turanza EL and Goodyear RSA in that size and tirerack people don't give it good ratings. I'm debating on 225/50-17 or 235/50-17. The latter would be the closest to the original size in terms of speedo and odo readings. I'm just wondering about any ride and driving issues.
 
Thx.

#8099 of 8981 lichtronimo... by bowke28

Apr 19, 2004 (5:32 pm)

some dealers would agree to an order if you agree to certain terms:
 
1) that if you dont like the 6-speed, you will take an auto instead, or some other car in inventory.
 
2) that your deposit is non-refundable
 
if you were ok with these terms, i would be comfortable doing a deal with you. therefore, i think other dealers would too.

#8100 of 8981 habitat by kennyg5

Apr 19, 2004 (6:53 pm)

Congrats on your prospective purchase! The 04 TL seems like a better car than the 04 Max, and almost all of the Max enthusiasts polled in another forum agree. I believe they all take issue with the 04 Max's interior fit and finish as well as its apparent declining reliability. Many, however, think that the G35 is a good competitor of the TL, primarily because of the RWD (although there are also rumblings against the G's fit and finish).
 
If Nissan can improve the fit and finish of the 04 Max and get rid of those first year bugs, I believe the Max stands a good chance to compete with the TL, particularly given its lower price.
 
Like many pre-6 gen Max owners, I enjoy all my Maximas (3rd, 4th and 5 gens) and believe they are reliable, as evidenced by CR consistent rating of the Max at or close to the top of the reliability scale.

#8101 of 8981 Re: larry4. by beanctr

Apr 19, 2004 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: blh7068 (Apr 19, 2004 1:45 am)
blh7068,
 
Might want to check out the Kumho (South Korean Made) brand of tire. I recently bought the Kumho Ecsta KH11 (W rated) for my 02 SE and like them so far. Only have 3K miles on them so can't speak to treadwear but I like the grip. The price was reasonable too. I had heard good reviews about the tire from other online sites, so I decided to give them a try.

#8102 of 8981 lichtronimo, bowke, kennyg5 by habitat1

Apr 20, 2004 (3:25 am)

lichtronimo, bowke:
 
I called my Nissan dealer last night just to check the availability of a 6-speed to drive before I seal the deal on a TL 6-speed. Nothing in stock and nothing specific in the immediate future. The GM of the dealership offered to sell me one completely to my specifications at or below invoice (whether ordered direct or traded), but he admitted that finding a 6-speed to test drive first would be difficult. Apparantly, Nissan has cut way back on the percentage of manula transmissioned Maximas since I bought my 1995 SE 5-speed.
 
As far as putting down a non-refundable deposit or making any other concessions to the dealer on taking an auto if you don't like the 6-speed when it arrives? Sorry, but that's just BS in my book. In the past couple of months I have test driven (2) G35 6-speeds, a 530i 6-speed, 330i 6-speed, (2) TL 6-speeds, a E320 CDI, and a few others. The 6-speed Maxima is NOT a "hot" car. It is fading into obscurity and the fact that the dealerships don't even have anything to tempt me and other Nissan loyalists is not helping. The likelihood of me ending up in another Maxima in 2004 is low, but if I had been reasonably impressed, I likely would have recommended it to others to consider. In the past 9 years, I have been cited by no fewer than 8-10 buyers at my dealership as influencing their purchase decision.
 
kennyg5,
 
Thanks for the congrats. For what it's worth, I did seriously consider the G35 6-speed. Notwithstanding it's RWD platform, I didn't notice a significant advantage in handling and actually slightly preferred the steering feel of the TL. In addition, the TL engine has less low end grunt, but seems to more freely rev to a higher redline. But the real deal factor is the interior / amenities. As my daily driver family sedan, I am willing to give up some performance in favor of interior fit and finish and amenities. The G35 is not bad. But when I got into the TL, with the voice activated 8" Nav system, hands free phone, exceptional audio system, and extremely clean design with high quality materials, the G35 didn't stack up. Even the 530i has a tough time competing with the aesthetics and amenities of the TL's interior.
 
I have greatly enjoyed my S2000 for the past 30 months to the tune of 17,000 "no frills" miles. But in replacing my 152k mile Maxima, the TL feels more like a car I can live with day in and day out form many years.

#8103 of 8981 Terms and conditions... by lichtronimo

Apr 20, 2004 (5:56 am)

I might agree to taking an auto if I didn't like the 6spd. given that I've pretty much settled on the overall Maxima package. I had a Maxima rental for a week, which really sold me on the car. It obviously was an automatic. The 6spd. isn't a deal breaker given I spent an hour and a half in traffic the other night trying to reach one of my clients. I really like the G35, but the interior is too small. Same applies to the TL, which doesn't feel much bigger than our '01 Accord.
 
When do they start producing 2005s?

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