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Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting a Maxima to perform like a BMW. I just find that the "mines bigger than yours" horsepower bandwagon that many manufacturers have jumped on to be producing a lot of unsubstantiated claims. I will continue to let my own test driving determine which are real and which are bogus.
As for gear ratios having an "especially" significant impact on acceleration, perhaps Nissan should steal BMW's specs. If they can't get it right with a 6-speed (another recent bandwagon), just how many gears do they need? 7? 8?
-Kyle (2000 Max GLE - need to repaint the rear bumper cover due to idiotic NYC drivers)
After driving the 2002 Camry I cant see spending the money Toyota is asking. Nissan will offer me a better value on the Altima. I am taking a lot of heat for saying that more HP is a good thing if balanced with fuel economy and other things when considering a car.
My 2k Max has been maintence free so far (46,000) and Toyota owners feel Nissan's are second rate when it comes to quality. I like the new Camry for what it is, but please for 29K Camry (XLE) I can score big time on any trim level Maxima. God forbid I even bring up Maxima over there, they would chew me out for sure.
If you get a chance to drive the new Camry, please tell me if 29k is a good value for an XLE Camry.
As for the '02 Camry, I don't think its as ridiculously priced as some may think. If you max out on options for the '01 Camry XLE V6, you'll find an MSRP of about $28K -- pretty much the same as a loaded '01 Maxima GLE. So if the new Camry XLE w/o the nav system is about $29K, it only makes sense with more equipment and a better design. Of course I don't think that excuses Toyota from putting in one of the worst looking dashboard I have ever seen! It looks like something out of a 1980 Oldsmobile and Toyota rendered it when a bit of smoother edge and a modern stereo system. I believe that for the money, the Altima is a much better choice (at least on paper) and the new Maxima and Acura TL are much more reasonable choices than the new Camry.
The altima, I believe, won't come close to the GLE in price even when loaded up. So I think that a comparably equiped altima will undercut the Camry by a grand or two as well. The only thing the Camry has to its advantage is an optional nav system which I don't think that altima will offer.
I think toyota is banking on the loyal customers who will always buy the same car every 5 years.
WOW, I need one. I also saw the new 02 Altima SE but I couldn't drive it yet, it was a Corporate pre-production model, but the initial reports we're good. I'll be interested to hear what all of you think of the new models. Enjoy the test drives!!!
Duke
Reliability. If reliability is reflected in the resale value, a 3 year old Maxima holds it's value better than a Toyota Camary, and is therefore more reliable. Check out the used car site here on Edmunds.
While not as high as Toyota they are very reliable cars in consumer reports.
I already told my dealer 500.00 over invoice max, they said lets wait and see. They did the deal for me on my 2k SE (Max) when it first hit the street so I may not have to wait.
Unless there is some major flaw or uncomfortable feel about the Altima, this will be our next car.
The Maxima is known as a smooth, quiet running performer that features solid construction, superior handling and exceptional acceleration.
Maxima's regardless of year are one of the more anonymous sedans on the market today. Unless you're a certified car nut you'll barely notice it in traffic or on the highway.
Out of warranty engine, driveline and suspension parts are on the expensive side. They are popular as used cars, which means you won't find too many bartains.
The Maxima is a driver's car that also masquerades as a near luxary cruiser.
If you're looking for a quick, competent automobile that's eager to spring to life when called upon you've come to the right place. If this car doesn't put a smile on you face as you drive down the road, nothing will.
If you don't trade for a 2002 Maxima, you actually might want to trade for a 2003 Altima instead of a 2003 Maxima.
The 2004 would work better for me because I'll be just about ready for a new one then.
It may be only by one pound BUT it does show that the Altima no longer has the advantage in the weights dept.
Guess this shows that the Maxima WILL DEFINITELY BE FASTER in the 0-60.
taken from nissannews.com
All well and good. Except that a loaded up SE or GLE is going to sticker around $31k -- right in the territory of the Infinti I35 and the Acura TL and TLS, and prety near the neighborhood of the low level Lexus cars, the IS300 and the ES300. So, assuming you are selling to a "prestige" buyer persuaded by the marque, you're going to lose lots of sales to your sister company, as well as Acura and Lexus (not to mention low level European competition -- Volvo, Saab, and Audi all have very competitive sedans at this price point, and BMW is right in the mix, too). What is the compelling argument for the Maxima? It isn't price, and it isn't prestige or content...
What am I missing?
Price and performance of the Max make it the option for people who want some level of luxury, some of power but don't wanna chunk 30k on a new car. It's a true tweener car, bridging the gap between the mundane world of the Altima/Camcords and the much better 3 Series/upcoming G35.
The other issue is leasing -- Acura TL goes for around $370/mo in SE Michigan right now for a 42 month lease. Saab 9-5 SE is similar, as is Volvo S60 2.4T. Is Nissan going to offer the Max with similar equipment at the same price point? The 6 speed argument only goes so far -- most Max will be auto, and that's a 4 speed (unlike the Acura, the Volvo, the Lexus or (I think) the Bimmer).
Don't get me wrong, I think the Maxima is a great car -- I owned a 4th gen a few years ago. I just wonder whether its going to get caught in a crunch between the Altima below and the I35 above.
does the i30 sell at invoice, msrp or somewhere in between??
I just returned Sunday from Maui and the Big Island as well. It was uncanny how many new Maximas were on the road. I rented thru Hertz which did not offer a Maxima, so I was trying to figure out which rental company it could be.
I really don't have the answer to your question. Just thought I would confrim this strange phenomina.
BTW, if anyone is using Maximas for rental, I suspect it would be Budget.
Taking them off will make mounting and balancing difficult when you buy new tires.
This reminds me of a friend who bought a new car and didn't like the little, black things attached to the A-pillars near the windows. She took them off. They were guides put on to force the windows inward as they run up so they would press against the weather stripping, preventing leaks. They may not look right, but they are there for a reason.
fowler3
As for the K&N Filter...its possible you will be able to feel a *Slight* difference with this new filter, but unlikely. Yeah, it might add a couple horsepower, but most people can't feel this difference. A lot of people like the K&N drop in filter because you never need to replace it...just clean it. That in itself justifies the cost.
And as for the abundance of Maximas in Hawaii...maybe its proximity to Japan has something to do with it...Hawaii is KIND OF on the way to the west coast (although not really). Just guessing here..