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Sedans Nissan Maxima 2009 Nissan Maxima
681 messages, Last post on Oct 08, 2009 at 11:05 AM
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Replying to: carnut35 (Dec 11, 2008 7:09 pm) Sorry it's taken awhile to respond, but better late than never. Regarding performance, Edmunds tested the 2009 Maxima SV sport at 6.3 seconds 0-60. Edmunds Test. That Edmunds number feels just about right based upon my buttmeter and comparisons to two cars I own: a 2004 Acura TL 6-speed that is in the 6.0 second range and a 1995 Maxima SE 5-speed that was tested by virtually every automotive rag at 6.6-6.7 seconds. So, on the one hand, you can make the claim that the Maxima certainly isn't slow. But, look at it another way. It now takes 100 more horsepower (290 vs. 190) for the CVT Maxima to shave a whopping 0.3-0.4 seconds off of my 14 year old Maxima's time. By comparison, a 300 hp 335i is in the 4.9 second range, so calling the Maxima "class leading" is absurd, unless you are picking a different class than "sport sedan". Even the (70 fewer horsepower) 328i is quicker. How much does the CVT have to do with underachieving performance? A lot. Surely FWD vs RWD is a factor when comparing to BMW. But the weight of a 2009 Maxima and 335i are neck and neck. Fuel efficiency is another weakness of the CVT. It get's decent EPA ratings (as did my 2004 TL). But the actual fuel efficiency reports I've heard back on the 2009 Maxima are pitiful - according to my Nissan dealer, the 2009 executive demo that he drives has averaged 17.8 mpg in 6,500 miles in highway biased mixed driving. Test drives account for less than 200 miles, so that's not much of a factor. By comparison, my 1995, with only 5 gears and running at 3,000+ rpms on the highway has averaged 24.1 mpg over 155k miles. 20-22 in the city, 28-29 on the highway. That said, my biggest gripe isn't with the "numbers". I just can't accept the numbness, hesitation and disconnected feel the CVT causes in what is supposed to be a "sports" sedan. It's not just evident in hard accceleration, it rears its ugly head when I'm taking a left turn at 10 mph. I simply want a transmission to feel more direct and responsive. I'm not asking Nissan to punt the CVT against the wishes of buyers that don't care about responsiveness and direct control. I'm simply asking for the option of a short throw 6-speed manual on behalf of those of us that do. Is that really to much to ask for in a car that labeled as a 4DSC?
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Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 16, 2008 7:00 am) Mileagewise I'm geting 23 in city/freeway driving (1100 miles) and I'll post my highway mileage after I take a longer trip. As far as the CVT it has been very smooth. As far as I'm concerned the CVT is never in the wrong gear like an auto can be when you slow down to 30, the trannys in 5th and you punch it. There's always a hestitaion as it drops 3 gears to catch up. |
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I am all up to speed feedback about colors, CVT, quality, avg mileage and looks of the new MAX but have 1 question for new owners, does the exhaust note sound like the note in the 350/370 Z or G37 coupe? I noticed the new design of the exhaust tip on the 09 Maxima is similar to the one on the Z and G, just wonder if it sounds the same. In my 07 I get a pretty nice engine sound from the cabin but outside the car is just as silent as a Buick. Priced an SV in a local dealer stickering at 37k and red tagged at 31,500 plus tax. I am shocked this price is better than the broker price that red-bull got on his. I did not go for it because these cars all had charcoal seats. The dealer had 27 Maximas in stock, 8 of them were set at 31,500.
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http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/show_image.pl?image=http://memimage.cardom- ain.com/member_images/5/web/3125000-3125999/3125599_8_full.jpg?480210-276
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Replying to: out4cat (Dec 16, 2008 3:41 pm)
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Replying to: tracguy (Dec 16, 2008 3:53 pm)
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Replying to: out4cat (Dec 16, 2008 3:41 pm) The Max is definitely quieter inside with respect to the Infiniti G37 coupe to my ears (not sure about the sedan) - one reason I passed on the G is that I felt the somewhat constant droning sound would eventually get irritating over time - I like how it sounds in the short term though. That said, the newer gen G sounds much better than the previous gen G35 coupe, it's less "buzzy" sounding. I had a 99 Camaro SS and bought it new - it had a great V8 sound with a manual transmission, but after about 30K miles the exhaust noise had definitely worn out its welcome, and I vowed to take the long term into consideration with any future automotive purchases. From what I understand for the new Max Nissan "piped in" some of the sound to give the car a sportier sound for the driver as there is so much sound deadening material it was too quiet - and that's why it sounds robust upon acceleration but very quiet on the freeway. I really like this tradeoff. Auto pricing is always about supply and demand - and I need to point out that mine stickered out at $39,205 - about $2,200 more than the one you are indicating at $37K. The price I got was $35,457 - $200 below dealer invoice. This is a good result considering that the SF Bay Area dealers aren't carrying inventories of more than a few new Maximas each. The one I got was the only one in California with the color combination I wanted - and I bought it the day after it came in off the truck. Two other reasons why mine cost more than the ones that have been sitting for months at your dealer. I have a business relationship with these guys, and dealerships are hurting right now. It wouldn't have been appropriate for that business relationship going forward to lowball them too much, they have to make a living too. All in all I'm happy with the price I got. |
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Replying to: out4cat (Dec 16, 2008 4:39 pm)
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Replying to: redbull (Dec 16, 2008 4:54 pm) Point taken on the long term effect of a lively exhaust note, I am very happy with the engine hum I hear when I step on the gas on my 07 but can agree that I also love the quietness that takes over when I let go of the gas pedal. I saw a black 09 parked by my job today and except for the fact that it was filthy dirty, I liked the look. Only the similarity in the trunk design to the Altima stands in the way of falling for the new design. You hit the nail right on the head with the FX looking like a shark, I am glad I am not the only one with the same thought. I had also read an article somewhere that backed up your take on colors that dealers stock most and are most popular. I would love to see what the new car looks like in the dark green that was available in 01-03, coral sand, and pebble beach (all colors from the previous model). Living in northern VA without a garage and being a clean car fanatic, I cannot see myself getting the dark slate like yours, or black. My life is quite different than when I lived in Florida and had a garage to keep those colors shiny, oh well. By the way, speaking of shine, I use Pizzaz Carnauba wax from www.topoftheline.com and love what it does for my precision grey color, imagine what it will do for yours being darker. |
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Replying to: out4cat (Dec 16, 2008 3:45 pm)  
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