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2009 Nissan Maxima

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

You are in the Nissan Maxima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Sedan

Messages Page 66 of 70

#643 of 684 Re: 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA 4dr SV W/ PREMIUM PACKAGE [out4cat] by redbull

Jul 16, 2009 (10:35 am)

Replying to: out4cat (Jul 08, 2009 3:43 pm)
Congratulations on your purchase! I've had mine since November, and after 7500 miles I still absolutely love the car. I have had zero problems, and it is fast, comfortable, and beautiful with all the cutting edge electronics. I really love the air conditioned driver's seat, and the voice activated Navi works great (unlike the Navi in my wife's 2008 Highlander Limited, you can program a destination while driving). The iPod interface works great too.
 
I have Premium + Technology, dark slate with charcoal interior. Although not what you wanted, I think the black interior looks very sporty and masculine - I wouldn't have gotten it any other way. This is just a matter of personal taste.
 
I find it interesting that some who post here take pains to try and differentiate Honda, Toyota and Nissan with Infiniti, Acura and Lexus, as if it's some kind of class struggle with clear-cut lines of product differentiation. What about the GT-R? Is that somehow a lower-class car because it isn't an Infiniti? Before I bought my Maxima, I compared it to similar sport sedans at a similar price point: Acura TL (both FWD with similar power), Lexus GS350, Infiniti G37, etc. The Maxima compares very favorably in fit and finish, and quality of materials with all of these cars. What's in a name?
 
I did not like either the exterior or the interior of the new TL - but this is just subjective. The Maxima, IMHO, is better in both respects. Ditto the G37, I think the Max is better in both respects as well. I like the exterior of the GS350 a bit more, but the driver's seat is not nearly as comfortable as the Max. I was actually ready to sign the papers on a GS350, but the lack of padding in the driver's seat back caused me to walk away after a last-minute test drive. Why would Toyota skimp on padding in a Lexus? The salesman said it's because the GS is supposed to be more sporty than luxurious - that's not an excuse in my eyes - the car retails for almost $50K. The driver's seat in the Max is just perfect, the only one that I found to be better was the upgraded 20-way adjustable seat in the BMW 535i.
 
The G37 sedan with RWD and a real transmission on paper was more appealing to me, but the car is too small, and I just don't like the styling that much (the G37 coupe, on the other hand, is gorgeous though). Also the constant exhaust drone in the interior was irritating after awhile. And, the interior in the Max is more plush.
 
The CVT is okay, I don't mind it in every day driving. I would have preferred a real gear-shifting tranny though. The paddles are just a novelty, I haven't used them since the first week I had the car.
 
What about the exhaust sound in the Max? It has a rorty sound when punching it, but is quiet when cruising - to me the perfect combination. The Lexus had no sporty sound at all.
 
Fuel efficiency - My average for 7500 miles is now 21.5 MPG per the readout on the dash - and I am not at all shy with the gas pedal...
 
Overall, this is an excellent choice if you are looking for power, luxury/comfort and sportiness. Also, I get a lot of compliments on how handsome the car is in dark slate.

#644 of 684 Maxima wins JD Power "Best Loved" Large Car by go_mdx1

Jul 16, 2009 (11:50 am)

JD Power just came out with its "Best Loved" car selections. Maxima won the large car segment. Volkswagon's won at least 5 of the car segment. Since I'm not a huge VW fan, I gotta wonder about these selections!!
 
BTW: Here's the link to the article.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/autos/0907/gallery.2009_jdpower_apeal/11.htm- l

#645 of 684 Re: Maxima wins JD Power "Best Loved" Large Car [go_mdx1] by robr2

Jul 17, 2009 (8:35 am)

Replying to: go_mdx1 (Jul 16, 2009 11:50 am)
Volkswagon's won at least 5 of the car segment. Since I'm not a huge VW fan, I gotta wonder about these selections!!
 
We VW owners love our cars because of the driving dyanmics, dash stroker interiors, ergonomics and Euro panache.
 
We VW owners don't always like our cars because of the random CEL's, bad coil packs, sludging turbo engines and various electrical gremlins.
 
But they have soul!!

#646 of 684 2009 Maxima by smarty666

Jul 20, 2009 (12:01 pm)

Hi, I was hoping someone could clarify something for me; do the 09 max's steering wheel controls illuminate at night? because I asked the salesman when I went for a test drive last week and he said they didn't yet in the brochure it says steering wheel illuminated gauges? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

#647 of 684 Re: 2009 Maxima [smarty666] by strehlow

Jul 20, 2009 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: smarty666 (Jul 20, 2009 12:01 pm)
HI smarty!
I have a 09 Max SV with the Premium and tech package and my controls are illuminated in the red light like it is on the dashboard. I assume that all models are the same. It is hard to read what they say at night because the type is small and you have to watch the road but they are illuminated and it make them easy to find. Besides a few things I would do differently, the car is AWESOME. I am getting a lot of compliments, everyone loves it. And as much as everyone complains about the CVT and front real drive I don't mind it at all. It is nice to go from 20 to 90 in seconds without feeling the jerky shifts and as far as torque steer, I find it very non-existent and I have no problem controlling the car which handles great!

#648 of 684 Re: 2009 Maxima [strehlow] by smarty666

Jul 20, 2009 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: strehlow (Jul 20, 2009 12:15 pm)
Thanks strehlow for the information; I thought they were lit up at night; I think the salesman I had was new to the dealership because he didn't even have a business card to give me; I just finished up a Acura TL lease the buttons lit up which was really helpful at night and I figured the maxima would do that to

#649 of 684 Re: 2009 Maxima [strehlow] by flightnurse

Jul 20, 2009 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: strehlow (Jul 20, 2009 12:15 pm)
I have a 08 Atlima Coupe and am looking to move up, when I drove the MAX at night I too found the controls hard to read, my streering wheel controls are VERY easy to read at night, I found that to a problem for me, it seems that Nissan didnt think this through very well...

#650 of 684 Re: 2009 Maxima [flightnurse] by smarty666

Jul 20, 2009 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jul 20, 2009 4:05 pm)
I think the reason why the maxima's steering gauges are harder to read at night are a two-fold problem, one is that the red-orange lighting Nissan uses is extremely dim and difficult to see compared to makers like Infiniti, Acura, and Lexus who uses blue or white illumination which are brighter to see at night; the second reason is that the maxima's controls/lettering on these gauges seems to be smaller than that on the altima's steering wheel; so both the dim color illumination and smaller lettering contribute to the problem; at least they are illuminated compared to my 05 FX35 which has no illumination and I have to feel around for the buttons which stinks!!!

#651 of 684 Dual-Panel Moonroof by poodog13

Jul 21, 2009 (7:33 am)

Do either of the dual-panel moonroofs on the Premium Package open? I can't believe they would sacrifice the ability to open the roof in order to provide the second panel. My back seats are used like 5 times a year, and so I could care less about the second panel, I just want a roof that opens!

#652 of 684 Re: Dual-Panel Moonroof [poodog13] by dmccallum

Jul 21, 2009 (7:50 am)

Replying to: poodog13 (Jul 21, 2009 7:33 am)
Yes the sun roofs does open on the Premium Package plue it comes with a shade for the rear window. I've had my car for two weeks now and I love the Premium Package. I hope this helps

Messages Page 66 of 70

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