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Nissan Maxima vs. Honda Accord

574 messages,  Last post on Jan 05, 2010 at 12:42 AM

You are in the Nissan Maxima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Honda Accord, Sedan

Messages Page 38 of 58

#370 of 574 rodut by speedracer3

Mar 19, 2003 (7:48 am)

"History showed that governments and companies don't change their policies for decades. From my point of view the 1997 Maxima I owned was not a different car from what the Maxima is today"
 
You are wrong, the 1997 was a totally different car than the current Maxima, and the company has gone through a total overhaul in the ealry 2000's.
 
Let's talk about tranmissions, Honda can't seem to build a good automatic transmission. My old '89 Civic jerked you abruptly when the car shifted between first and second. I test drove a 2000 Accord auto when I was shopping for my next car and Honda still has not fixed the problem. Honda makes a good stick shift, but what's the use, since you can't get it on a V6 sedan. Your only choice is Nissan here. BTW...the 2004 Maxima uses a close ratio 6 speed tranny (taken from the 350Z), that you can't even get on an Accord sedan.
 
Let's talk suspensions. Sure, the Accord suspension is more sophisticated, more expensive. But it is tuned for "boredom", the ride totally aliantes the driver from an enjoyable driving experience. I don't care how much the suspension costs, the suspension tunning on the Maxima is just head over heels more enjoyable to drive than a Camry or Accord. Anyway...all of suspension talk is moot since the 2004 Maxima comes with a fully independent suspension.

#371 of 574 What to do, what to do by mjw24

Mar 19, 2003 (12:05 pm)

Hello everyone,
 
I've been reading the boards on this fantastic website for a few months now in an attempt to come to a decision between the 2003 Accord EX V-6 and the Maxima GXE or SE (can't afford the GLE). And the more I read the more confused I become.
 
Postiives for the Accord include an excellent reputation for reliability and safety. Fuel economy is pretty good for a V-6. The interior is nicely laid out and the seats are comfortable. And resale values are very good (although I plan on keeping my new car for 5-8 years). Negatives include the styling (awful back end), it rides like my wife's Odyssey (I'd like something a little more "fun" to drive), and it's pretty expensive relative to my budget ($22-24K).
 
Positives for the Maxima include the the styling (I love this car), the award winning engine, and the currently low prices for the '03s. The negatives for this car are poorer than expected gas mileage, premium gas requirement, lack of side and curtain air bags, paint problems, and the overall cost to maintain the car including insurance and the famous headlight theft problems.
 
Maybe I should try and hold out and find an '03 GLE at a rock bottom clearance price so I could get the side airbags and traction control (very concerned about safety).
 
Bottom line is I'm looking for a sporty sedan that I can haul my young family around in that is still fun to drive and is safe.
 
My head says Accord, my heart says Maxima.

#372 of 574 mjw24 by speedracer3

Mar 19, 2003 (12:22 pm)

Go with the car you enjoy more, after all you will have to drive that car for at least 5 years. If you go with a 03 Maxima keep in mind that you should be able to get invoice or below on the outgoing model.
 
Good luck

#374 of 574 mjw24 by jcw915

Mar 19, 2003 (3:47 pm)

Hey,
 
If safety is your number one concern, go to www.highwaysafety.com
Also, if safety is very important to you, I do not recommend a maxima. Try volvos, volkswagen, lexus, mercedes, toyota, 04 accord. If your budget is around 25k, I would recommend you buying a used 2000+ mercedes E class or C class with low milage. Those cars are built like a tank.
 
If you're going to drive a car to the bottom, then there's no point in worrying about resale value.
 
The SE comes with SIDE AIRBAGS as an option. IT is the titanium edition option. I don't recommend the GLE. The transmission isn't as responsive as the SE. Also, for the price of GLE, you can probably haggle 8 hours at an Infiniti dealer for a I35 for the same price as the GLE, AND they'll have better service then the nissan dealers.

#375 of 574 accord = $$ maxima = $$$$ by jcw915

Mar 19, 2003 (3:49 pm)

Come on guys stop aruging about the freakin accord vs maxima. It's pretty hard to compare the 2003 accord with the 04 maxima. The price difference is ALMOST 10,000 after the options. Might as well wait for the 2004 acura tl and then compare it to the maxima.

#376 of 574 Chat tonight! by pat

Mar 19, 2003 (5:22 pm)


 
Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another
round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat.
Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability)
against other Town Hall members.
 
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html
 
Hope to see you there!

#377 of 574 speedracer by bodble2

Mar 20, 2003 (12:32 am)

When you said "current" Maxima, were you referring to the '03 or '04? If you meant the '03, then I'd say there's not a whole lot of difference between that the '97. Just more power, a few of luxury items -- and more torque steer. Nissan more or less just tweaked the styling from 1999 - 2000.

#378 of 574 bobble by speedracer3

Mar 20, 2003 (6:59 am)

"Nissan more or less just tweaked the styling from 1999 - 2000"
 
Not so, Nissan totally re-designed the Maxima in 2000. The engine was the same but was totally tweeked, and the suspension was modified for the larger car. Go drive a '97 and then a 2000, two different animals.

#379 of 574 Go drive a '97 and then a 2000, two different animals. by bodble2

Mar 20, 2003 (10:55 am)

I did. I stand by my opinion that there is not a whole lot of difference. They may have done more than just some styling changes, but overall it was more tweaking than redesigning. Now, from '03 to '04 -- that's a redesign.

Messages Page 38 of 58

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