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2009 Nissan Maxima

684 messages,  Last post on Dec 12, 2011 at 12:37 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Sedan

Messages Page 26 of 70

#242 of 684 Re: Small 2009 Maxima? [schmave717] by habitat1

Aug 24, 2008 (6:55 am)

Replying to: schmave717 (Aug 23, 2008 4:17 pm)
Habitat - You must be a great negotiator. I'm told most dealers won't budge off sticker.
 
You've confused me with someone else regarding that post.
 
However, anyone that would pay MSRP for a Maxima is nuts, IMO. And to that extent, maybe I am a good negotiator, or simply not a sucker. I bought a 2002 Honda S2000 for $1k under sticker when the Edmunds "Fair Market Value" was showing $3,800 premium for my area, a $6,000 premium in California. I bought a special order 2004 Acura TL 6-speed right after the new model was introduced - for $1,000 over invoice and roughly $2,800 off MSRP, when the dealers were asking full sticker. I bought a 2005 911 S Cabriolet a few months after the new 997 model was introduced - and at the height of the economy/stock market - for $10,000 off MSRP when all 4 Washington DC area dealers claimed $1,000 off was the most they could do. Lesson: Don't listen to sales people, take your check to the boss.
 
Nissan isn't Porsche and the Maxima isn't a hand built limited production S2000. Some dealers may be banking that the new Maxima is their short term opportunity to make up for lost time and trying to charge MSRP. But that will end very quickly, IMO. The sticker I saw on the 2009 Maxima was north of $37k. That is an absurd price for a car that has lost all of its driving enthusaist appeal, IMO. Let's look at a quick historical comparison:
 
1995:
Maxima SE 5-speed = $21,500 (my actual price)
BMW 540i 6-speed= $48,420 (base MSRP, no options)
 
2008/9:
Maxima SV "Sport/Technology/Do-Dad supreme" CVT = $37,500+/-
BMW 535i 6-speed = $49,200 (base MSRP; includes 4 year maintenance)
 
In 14 years, the price of a Maxima has nearly doubled, while the enthusiast appeal has diminished, thanks to a rubber band CVT transmission, bloated curb weight on a FWD platform and American (v.s Japanese built) fit and finish. Over that same 14 years, BMW performance, fit and finish and reliability have all improved dramatically. The fuel efficient 535i 6-speed outperforms the old M5, let alone the 540i 6-speed and the relative price for that improved performance has gone up by next to nothing over 14 years.
 
I'm not suggesting that someone stuggling to afford $37k jump up to a $50k BMW, but hell, you can still get some damn nice Japanese sedans for $25k or under. The Maxima really doesn't offer anything that they don't in driving dynamics - just more do-dads.
 
I will put up the keys to my TL and 911S that I would be able to negotiate a "near invoice" price on a Maxima in 4 months or less from now. But it wouldn't matter - it would still be a gross overpayment for a car that I wouldn't find as much fun to drive as rowing through the gears of my 1995 Maxima.

#243 of 684 Re: Small 2009 Maxima? [billevee] by billevee

Aug 24, 2008 (9:10 am)

That was my post on the Lexus. I paid $34,700 which was about $300 over Edmunds invoice. I got premium package but no nav as that was like a $3,500 option..I'll get a top of the line GPS for $700!!
 
Absolutely love the car. I test drove both the Lexus and Max..The max had the revved up sound (something suitable for a teenager) and had better cornering (If thats what you are looking for). The ES was extremely quite but has a FEW less horses..Don't think this matters unless you are out to race the car..

#244 of 684 Re: Small 2009 Maxima? [habitat1] by flightnurse

Aug 24, 2008 (9:44 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Aug 24, 2008 6:55 am)
Habitat1 wrote:
1995:
Maxima SE 5-speed = $21,500 (my actual price)
BMW 540i 6-speed= $48,420 (base MSRP, no options)
  
2008/9:
Maxima SV "Sport/Technology/Do-Dad supreme" CVT = $37,500+/-
BMW 535i 6-speed = $49,200 (base MSRP; includes 4 year maintenance)
  
In 14 years, the price of a Maxima has nearly doubled, while the enthusiast appeal has diminished, thanks to a rubber band CVT transmission, bloated curb weight on a FWD platform and American (v.s Japanese built) fit and finish. Over that same 14 years, BMW performance, fit and finish and reliability have all improved dramatically. The fuel efficient 535i 6-speed outperforms the old M5, let alone the 540i 6-speed and the relative price for that improved performance has gone up by next to nothing over 14 years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
 
Interesting comparison, but the problem I see with that is this. The 14 Yr old Max was a good car for its time. The New Max is a far better car, safer, quiter, and drives better IMO.... Again yuo can not compare the two cars..
 
The 535i base price is $50,625 and where are you going to find a base 535? Your not.... Well unless you order it from your local BMW and do a Euro Delivery Plan. But the average price for a 535i I have seen here in PHX area is $55K, about 20K more then a mid level Max... But how can you compare a Max and 535i anyhow? You can't... So its a mood point.
 
Regarding your comment about your Acura TL, you say the complete oposite of what the car mags say about it in rain and snow. Now granted I have no first hand knowledge of the TL in rain and snow, but I find it interesting that the car mags which are more critical about cars then the average person just love the TL....
 
BTW, a 535i is fuel efficient if you stay out of the turbos, but that isn't any fun at all...

#245 of 684 by traindriver

Aug 24, 2008 (10:01 pm)

Habitat1 wrote:
1995:
Maxima SE 5-speed = $21,500 (my actual price)
BMW 540i 6-speed= $48,420 (base MSRP, no options)
 
Hmmm, it has been nearly a decade but I remember pricing a new 99 SE A/T MSRP $32-33K at around $29K with the Nissan VPP supplier discount. Same body style as a 95. +/- $7000-8000 jump in 4 years seems a bit questionable. Did I miss some key info. somewhere?

#246 of 684 Re: Small 2009 Maxima? [flightnurse] by habitat1

Aug 25, 2008 (4:43 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Aug 24, 2008 9:44 pm)
The 14 Yr old Max was a good car for its time. The New Max is a far better car, safer, quiter, and drives better IMO....
 
Name a single car that hasn't "advanced" to some extent in the past 14 years?? Start with the Accord and end with the 535i. The problem is that the Maxima has lost ground relative to its competition, at least amoung driving enthusiasts. That "safer and quiter" came at the expense of a 20%+ increase in curb weight on a FWD platform. And "drives better" in what regard? It certainly isn't as nimble as it used to be and even some grandmothers would rather have my 14 year old 5-speed manual transmssion than a CVT. Any breathing enthusiast would rather have the short throw 6-speed in my TL. It seems that Acura woke up about the same time Nissan fell asleep.
 
For all of the decade and a half of advancements you might want to credit the 2009 Maxima with - and I might want to dispute - one thing is abundantly clear. There are only about one fifth as many Maxima buyers today as there were back then. And if any of those remaining buyers in 2009 think a CVT and 4-DSC are compatible, they need to take their bipolar medication.

#247 of 684 Re: Small 2009 Maxima? [habitat1] by flightnurse

Aug 25, 2008 (10:01 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Aug 25, 2008 4:43 am)
Habiat1 wrote:
 
And if any of those remaining buyers in 2009 think a CVT and 4-DSC are compatible, they need to take their bipolar medication.
 
FIrst off, and which medication would that be? Again what does Bipolar and cars have to do with it. Just because you have more cars then others, and own (currently) a 911 doesn't make you a sports car authority.
 
I happen to like the new Max for what it is, for the price there isn't a car in its league (the TL is higher priced) so again, why do you keep comparing a BMW to a MAX?
 
If you look under the skin of Nissan in the 90's the comapny wasn't doing very will, and lacked cash to continue developing the cars they had been, i.e the first Gen Sentra SE-R, 240SX,, the Z car and of course the MAX. Yes Nissan kept making a MAX but it lost its edge and Acrua took up where the MAX left off. But, now that Nissan is making money and it shows in thier line up. The problem with Car people is this, we are a small # of people who buy cars, since we don't have enough cash to buy the newst and coolest car each year, so the car companies built what is going to sell.
 
I guess I have moved on in my life to care for the all time best handleing car, since our roads are too crowded to use the car to its half potential, I would rather have a car that looks, drives well and can be fun to drive when needed be. I guess that is why I don't want to own a M3 or M5... I'd rather take a NEW MAX or my current car, 08 Altima Coupe.

#248 of 684 Re: Small 2009 Maxima? [flightnurse] by habitat1

Aug 25, 2008 (3:16 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Aug 25, 2008 10:01 am)
Let me be as clear as possible. A CVT transmission and a "4-Door Sports Car" are mutually exclusive. Period. If Nissan is going to label the Max as such, they should at least have the integrity to offer it in a proper manual transmission. A 1995 190hp Maxima with a 5-speed manual was capable of 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. A 2009 290hp Maxima with a CVT manages it in a whopping 0.3 seconds faster. During that time, the 328i to 335i went from 6.6 to 4.9 seconds. Nissan certainly knows how to piss away 100 horsepower - and your gas money - by using a CVT transmission in an obese FWD platform.
 
I happen to like the new Max for what it is, for the price there isn't a car in its league (the TL is higher priced) so again, why do you keep comparing a BMW to a MAX?
 
Please understand, my issue isn't with what you like, it's with the devolution of the Maxima relative to its competition as a competent sport sedan. As for pricing, re-check your figures. The Maxima I saw tipped the scales at $37.5k. That's HIGHER than a fully loaded TL w/ Nav. Comparable to a decently equiped 328i 6-speed. And way the hell higher than the top of the line Accord, Camry or Altima. As for comparing the Maxima to a 3 series, I did that because in 1995, so did Road and Track and Car and Driver when they named it Car of the Year. It is unfortunate that now it is actually much closer in price to the BMW, but much closer to an an overpriced Camry in driving dynamics and sports appeal.
 
...so the car companies built what is going to sell.
 
Reminder, the Maxima LOST about 80% of it's sales from 1995 to 2008. Nissan lost its passion for keeping the Maxima true to the 4-DSC label and brand loyalty went into the toilet. The CVT-only 2009 model isn't going to get the enthusaist back. And it doesn't matter that only 10-15% of the 1995's were SE models with manual transmissions. That's the model that won awards and got a ton of free positive press in the process. The halo effect was huge. Not anymore.
 
I would rather have a car that looks, drives well and can be fun to drive when needed be.
 
Nothing wrong with that, but....a CVT is "fun to drive"? Sorry for my old fart narrow mindedness, but I can't buy that any more than I can accept that sychronized swimming and twirling streamers are Olympic "sports" but baseball has been dropped.
 
Let me make an honest suggestion. You don't need to think M3 or M5 is the alternative. Go out an test drive a $37.5k Maxima against a similarly priced, well equiped 328i 6-speed and then give me your honest driving impressions. The Maxima may have a few more do-dads. And a spec sheet that shows it has 60 more horsepower. But, if you have the heart to be honest, I think you will find that the BMW will be noticably quicker, exceptionally better in handling, steering and braking, 15-20% more fuel efficient, and, at least by my definition of "sport" a HELL of a lot more fun to drive.
 
I'm not a BMW salesman, not even an owner. Just a former Maxima owner that feels like Nissan let a great thing get away.
 

#249 of 684 OT Nonsense by fthaler

Aug 26, 2008 (7:40 am)

Can you move your rants to another board? Some of us feel comfortable making our own decisions about what car to purchase. we don't want to be called names. We're looking for relevant information from other people in our situation. Clearly you are not considering purchasing a 2009 Maxima. We don't care about your opinion on how the vehicle's being marketed. Oh, and we're not interested in hearing about how great your 15-20 year old cars are.

#250 of 684 Re: OT Nonsense [fthaler] by habitat1

Aug 26, 2008 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: fthaler (Aug 26, 2008 7:40 am)
Skip my posts if you (or "we") don't want to read them. But I think 155k miles in a Maxima entitles me to an opinion just as much as you, "we", or whoever.

#251 of 684 09 Maxima Riddle by out4cat

Aug 26, 2008 (3:47 pm)

What do you get when you mix the following things?
- The front grill of a Scion TC/Honda Ridge line/previous Pathfinder
- The hood of a past generation Ford Taurus
- The fender flares of an old Isuzu Rodeo/Old Chevy Blazer
- The trunk and tail of a Toyota Camry/Altima/Lexus ES
- Side window design and interior design of a Lexus ES
- A/C vents from current and past Pontiac
- Same seats as the Altima
DO YOU GIVE UP? You get the new 09 MAXIMA
The previous model at least resembled the Lexus GS series, mid range luxury, as opposed to the ES, entry level series resembled by the current model.
As the owner of an 07 Maxima with CVT, fuel guzzling machine, that is the worst transmission ever put into a car. My 07 has one extra gear compared to the 04 I traded in, it also has 10 fewer horsepower and 18 inch wheels vs. 17 inches and still gets me 4 to 5 fewer miles to the gallon than the 04, go figure.
All of that coupled with 5 of the eight colors available being some shade of black, the fact that the sport package restricts you to the grey seats and not the beige seats, and some tacky trim around the shifter and doors, and you get the idea that the new Maxima is so off the mark it is a miracle why someone would buy/lease one. Nissan needs to realize that the flagship car of a company should afford the buyer more choices in trim, color, package combinations, and interior apparel. Oh and they even changed the 4 tip exhaust pipes for the 2 tip pipes, I give up. This model resembles the Altima sibling more so than any previous model, why pay the difference.

Messages Page 26 of 70

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