Ask the Car People.SM


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 9 of 11

#73 of 99 Re: Camry vs Maxima [alexstore] by maximafan

Nov 09, 2006 (11:15 pm)

Replying to: alexstore (Nov 06, 2006 6:05 am)
I have to agree with you about the -- some
folks refer to this as "hesitation" -- on the
Lexus/Toyota cars. It's been a real adjustment
for me on the RX350 vs. my '02 Maxima. Sure,
I understand that it's an SUV and it's a heavier vehicle, and it does have good pick up
for an SUV. But there's something a little bit
weird about the shifting of the tranny on
the Lexus/Toyota cars.
 
For instance, I've noticed sometimes when
pulling, say, into a parking lot of a bank,
once I turn in, which by this time, I'm at a
very slow speed, it seems that the engine will
rev, and I'm pretty sure I'm not pressing on
the accelerator at that point, maybe just resting the foot on the accelerator before giving it a little gas to proceed. This is
strange behavior. I wish I could document it
better, but it doesn't happen every single time
so it's difficult to try to document this.
 
Similarly, if I'm coming to an intersection and
I do the similar coast to go into a turn, but
this time I need to accelerate, as I'm still on
a fairly busy road, all of a sudden it feels
like there's no power and I feel like I have to
stomp on the accelerator to get the car going.
Admittedly, I've often cursed when this happens
because I don't like this at all. Other times
this does not happen. Once again it's been
hard for me to document.
 
Other than these two idiosyncrasies, the car has
been great!

#74 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [maximafan] by barronc

Nov 11, 2006 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: maximafan (Nov 05, 2006 10:41 pm)
Too bad about the accident with your '02 Maxima, hope nobody was injured. Your Lexus RX350 is one nice car, I see quite a few around here. I'm enjoying my Camry, it has a nice ride, definately much softer than my Maxima but I miss the punch of the Nissan. My Camry has some hesitation which my Maxima never had. Also, my Camry is only getting about 14 miles to the gallon in the city. Good luck with your Lexus!

#75 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [rennie4] by barronc

Nov 11, 2006 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: rennie4 (Sep 26, 2006 1:13 pm)
Motor Trend November 2006 issue tested an '06 Altima SE-R and it ran 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. Quarter mile in 14.7. The car had 260hp. The '07 Camry SE ran 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. Quarter mile in 14.6. The car had 268hp. If Nissan bumps up the Altima's hp to 270 in 2007 the car probably will run under 6 seconds 0-60 and probably around 14.30 in the quarter. Both cars are quick but I don't like the looks of the Altima nearly as well as the new Camry.

#76 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [barronc] by lmacmil

Nov 15, 2006 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: barronc (Nov 11, 2006 2:04 pm)
I think the Max is heavier than the Altima so 10hp more isn't going to make it any faster. Certainly won't get under 6 sec or low 14s in the 1/4.

#77 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [lmacmil] by carnut21

Dec 06, 2006 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: lmacmil (Nov 15, 2006 4:36 pm)
I have an 07 Murano and my in-laws just purchased on 07 Maxima SL and sweet it is. My FIL said he paid $30,xxx and his 2000 Avalon was $34,500 and the only think he does not have on the Max is the date but comes with MANY more options. I know some consider Toyota the quality leader but I think this is perceived. We had a Toyota Sienna and had serious alignment issues that never were completely repaired and it used oil from day one but was reported as "normal." I think it might have started sludging (5k oil changes with Mobil 1 synthetic)
 
Recently saw a new 07 Camry in a parking lot and noticed the paint coming off the hood. It looked like the old Ford and GM products that lost their paint because of heavy coating/galvanizing on the sheetmetal. That is quality? Must be normal "racing" look.
 
With regard to style, the Maxima is much more attractive and appealing for both young and old. I know the magazines compare 0-60 and such but is this why we really buy the cars? I don't think so but it is nice but who is going to feel 0-60 in 5.9 or 6.1 seconds.
 
With regard to the CVT, I was hesitant at first in our Murano but after a couple if trips I wonder didn't this come out many moons ago!? Just smooth!!! It may not be for everyone but feel that 9 out of 10 will enjoy the experience and best of all it requires "no maintenance" best I can tell in the owners manual.

#78 of 99 Re: Maxima or Camry [carnut21] by carnut21

Dec 06, 2006 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: carnut21 (Dec 06, 2006 8:05 pm)
Drive the Max before you buy anything else

#80 of 99 Toyota or Nissan???? by wvgasguy

Dec 21, 2006 (6:22 am)

Untill Nissan can prove to me that they have fixed some things I'll not buy another one in the near future. It may be minor to some folks but here's my experience.
 
In 2000 I purchased a new body style Maxima. Loved it. However at 10,000 miles the rotors needed turned and at 20,000 they needed replaced. Then within 6000 miles it was giving me the shakes and needed turned so I traded it. (I drive 30,000 miles per year and do not want to replace rotors every 8 months).
 
In 2003 I purchased a 350Z. At 3000 miles the tires made a horrible noise, I had it aligned but the cupping continued and by 10,000 miles I was embarrased to show it off to my friends because it sounded like a truck going down the road. The tire whine was unbearable and I started writing letters. At first they said mine was not in the date range of complains (meaning most people were not putting a lot of miles on them and had not started complaining yet). By 12,500 miles I had it. I was finally able to get Nissan to take some responsibility and they replaced the front tires and "fixed" the alignment. At 15,000 miles the new tires were starting to cup again. I traded it.
 
In 2003 I also bought an Infiniti FX45 (high$ Nissan). I'll admit to it being the most satisfying car I've ever owned, BUT it too had to have premature brake rotor wearing and soon after turning them I had the shimmy's when applying the brake as I come off the interstate. I actually liked this car enough though to put up with it, but if I had kept it long term I imagine the brakes would have cost me a lot every year and a half. The biggest problem with the FX was that my tires wore out (evenly, nice wear pattern) at 12,000 miles. I was able to get Goodyear to replace them at 50% of the cost as they were expected to get 25,000 miles. Duh, that set was worn out at 25,000 miles (2nd set). I put a set of high dollar Bridgestones on it which seemd to help, but I traded it in May
 
I love the styling, interiors and performance of Nissan but I traded my cars and sold my stock in Nissan and am avoiding them until I'm sure they will make a car I can be happy with long term.

#82 of 99 Re: Toyota or Nissan???? [wvgasguy] by dmaljunk

Dec 26, 2006 (10:47 pm)

Replying to: wvgasguy (Dec 21, 2006 6:22 am)
undersized rotors is a known issues on some of the Nissan models. A powerful engine such as Maxima's or FX's needs sufficiently well designed rotors. Instead of replacing stock rotors with other stock rotors you should have purchased a set of cross-drilled rotors, there are plenty of them made for Nissans and then your issue would go away. Any car has under-developed parts or issues. Your experience with Nissan only indicates your personal dissatisfaction and if you wanted to make it a more pleseant experience then you could have. Your issues do not indicate Nissan to be a bad or worse vehicle. The only thing they indicate is bad service at dealerships. That is part of a buying experience of course...

Messages Page 9 of 11

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement