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Nissan Maxima vs. Toyota Camry

99 messages,  Last post on Mar 16, 2009 at 2:40 PM

You are in the Toyota Camry Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 7 of 11

#52 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [pat] by gateway2

Sep 26, 2006 (6:42 am)

Replying to: pat (Sep 07, 2006 9:31 am)
You are right Pat. I am doing exactly that right now....comparing camry to maxima and G35 and Acura TL. Fully loaded the camry price approaches the other three vehicles.

#53 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [gateway2] by urbancar

Sep 26, 2006 (11:25 am)

Replying to: gateway2 (Sep 26, 2006 6:42 am)
I had, when reading the post about relative "quickness" of the 07 Camry vs. 07 Maxima done a quick lookup of the technical specs from various sites, e.g. Yahoo. I was genuinely curious, and mistook the torque figures for the 4 cylinder as those for the 6. MEA CULPA.....
 
In that context, I thought that the prior comment was the classic HP = performance characteristics, and tried to illustrate the differences.
 
Indeed, the 07 Camry has a new and impressive engine. The peak HP weight ratio is better (268/3461 (LE version, per Yahoo) =0.77) vs. 255/3579 (SL version, per Yahoo) = 0.071). This is about a 9.2% difference in peak HP/wt. ratio between the two.
 
The Maxima engine still produces a slightly greater amount of peak torque (252 ft pounds vs. 248). These are substantially equivalent figures.
 
However, the Maxima's characteristics are still different, in which peak torque is produced at 4400 vs. 4700 rpms, and peak HP for Maxima at 6000 rpms vs. 6200 for Camry. Without driving the two side by side, it is still an open question which of the two cars would be quicker in a given midrange of accelleration, e.g. executing a pass at highway speed.
 
The coefficient of drag factor is interesting, but tends to come more into play at higher speeds.
 
The drive train loss factor may favor the Maxima over an automatic version of the Camry (my general understanding, without having this quantified) is that the current Maxima CVT produces less loss at any given point, and executes shifts with less loss at those times.
 
I would not dispute an expert reviewer/magazine figure for 0-60, in which a slight edge goes to the Camry (likely mostly a function of about 100lbs greater curb weight for the Maxima).
 
All in all, in terms of pure speed/accelleration, the two engines/drivetrains seem very comparable, with the Toyota having the edge off the line, and at a very long distance, and my semi educated bet (without having driven the two side by side) of the Max still having an edge in midrange accelleration.
 
None of this affects the great ugliness advantage of the Camry. However, I do have to admit having made a serious wrong assumption on the specs. My apologies.

#54 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [urbancar] by rennie4

Sep 26, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: urbancar (Sep 26, 2006 11:25 am)
The 2007 maxima with cvt just ran to 60 in 6.2 seconds with 255 horsepower. I will admit the camry might be faster by a smidget. I think you should be looking at the new altima that will be producing 270 horsepower and willl weigh some 200lbs lighter thatn a maxima plus it is on a new platform that will give it better handling characteristics. The altima should be running less than 6 seconds all day long and will likely be way more fun to drive thatn the camry.

#55 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [urbancar] by drjames

Sep 26, 2006 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: urbancar (Sep 26, 2006 11:25 am)
lol, forget about your "semi-educated" and why don't you make it an "educated bet" and look up top gear acceleration numbers, 30 - 50 mph and 50 - 70 mph times? Then, you'll know that the Camry V6 is faster period.
 
As for looks? lol... now you're trying to use a subjective argument?

#56 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [rennie4] by drjames

Sep 26, 2006 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: rennie4 (Sep 26, 2006 1:13 pm)
Completely Agreed rennie4, the Altima is the natural competitor for the Camry. We'll have to wait and see some comparison numbers.

#57 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [urbancar] by bv050506

Sep 27, 2006 (9:58 am)

Replying to: urbancar (Sep 25, 2006 4:18 pm)
Sorry it's taken me a little while to get back as I've been on vacation. I'm not alsmming the VQ, it's a great engine. I don't know about the CVT tanny enough to comment. The Maxima is rated at 6.5 0-60 and the Camry 6.1 and 99.9 in the quarter mile. That's movin' especially for a car that is thought of like the Camry is. Not a sports car! anytime you can get a car to 100mph in the quarter it's a fast car. The difference isn't huge, but the Camry is quicker. By the way its not 161 pounds of torque, more like 262 at 6000. I need to drive the new Max to know which one is quicker. I think at 200lbs. lighter the Altima will be quicker and under 6 sec. as others have stated.

#58 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [bv050506] by maximafan

Sep 27, 2006 (9:50 pm)

Replying to: bv050506 (Sep 27, 2006 9:58 am)
I agree that one would have to drive these two
cars back to back if you're wanting to compare
the two vehicles, specifically the acceleration
part. I was wondering, are the quotes on the
0-60 times on the Maxima for the '07 model that
were quoted from Road and Track and Consumer
Reports?
I recall that the '06 Maxima had a 0-60 in 6.1
or 6.2 seconds. I believe that comparo was
from Car & Driver.

#59 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [maximafan] by bv050506

Sep 28, 2006 (11:37 am)

Replying to: maximafan (Sep 27, 2006 9:50 pm)
I know the quote on the Camry is R&D for the V6 '07. The 6.5 was an estimate for the new Max by Car and Driver. I won;t pslit hairs with anybody about 5.9 or 6.5 or whatever. Both are quick and great in their own right. But the Camry would not be thought of as a Max would and yet it hits 99.9 in the quarter mile, which nobody would have dreamt! Its faster but sure doesn't look it. quciker and far superior in gas mileage. Carry on!

#60 of 99 update from Motor Trend by bv050506

Sep 29, 2006 (5:25 am)

The most recent Motor Trend speaks VERY highly of the Camry. It beat the others it was compared to, although the Maxima was not in the group. The Altima SE-R was and the Camry still came out on top. If you are still considering a Camry, it is a must read. They even loved the tranny! The quickest in the group, albeit by a fraction at 6.1 0-60. Not sure if the comparo was of the 2007 Altima with the 270hp engine. I think that will go under 6 seconds for sure. I'm still waiting for some press on the new Max and the CVT tranny which sounds superb.

#61 of 99 Re: update from Motor Trend [bv050506] by maximafan

Sep 29, 2006 (11:39 pm)

Replying to: bv050506 (Sep 29, 2006 5:25 am)
bv, I saw the article in Motor Trend also.
That was a 2006 Nissan Altima SE-R. The 2007
SE-R apparently won't be available until sometime in the spring.

Messages Page 7 of 11

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