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Driver preferred Package, Traction control system, Vehicle dynamic control, power glass sunroof, colored splash guards, DVD navigation system
Is this a good price or should I work him down some? Any helpful response would be greatly appreciated. Thanx
I just picked up a 2000 Maxima GXE, and I'm trying to make the decision on whether or not to install a new stereo. I love the curves of the dash, and I'd hate to ruin it with a bulky neon stereo system and a cheap install kit. I'm wondering:
A) Does the non-BOSE system have amp pre-outs I can connect an amplifier to?
If not, does anyone have any good recommendations for a deck or install kit that fits well into the nicely shaped dash?
I found a cheap install kit from Circuit City. Course Crutchfield has one too. Which is better? Not sure but both are cheap and look ok to me. I have a '00 Maxima also.
Thx,
Carlos.
MODE select switch
Push the mode select switch to change the mode
in the following sequence: Preset A, Preset B,
Preset C, TAPE, CD and SAT (if so equipped).
Mine doesn't go to SAT (I have Sirius). Is this a misprint?
Thanks,
Mark
I saw 1989 manual which said 1000 pounds max but maybe a few years made a difference. Any ideas?
Why don't you give us something Maxima-related to talk about?
I dislike the 6th gen Max mainly because of the torque steer, the interior fit and trim, and the overall quality, which seems to be on the decline when compared with previous gens of Max.
now, the new Lexus IS is one good looking sports sedan...
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
However, times and things have changed. The 1995 Maxima (4th gen) was made in Japan and had the 3.0 liter V6. The 1995 Altima was made in the US and had the 4 cylinder engine. Back then, the build quality on my Maxima was on par or above Honda, Toyota and even Acura. Today, I am sorry to report, that's not the case. In an effort to compete on price, the Maxima has gone downscale in terms of build quality, IMO. We purchased a 2004 TL 6-speed last year and, in spite of my exceptionally good experience with a 1995 Maxima SE, didn't give the 2004/5 Maxima a second look. It seems to have become a big Altima or, worse, a Avalon competitor, and the interior looks like it was designed by committee. Back in 1995, the Maxima was the closest thing you could get to a BMW from Japan. Today, it has a lot more gadgets than in my old 1995 model, but is not as ergonomically or aesthetically attractive, IMO. Nor does the current model invoke the owner "passion" that the 4th and prior generations did. It seems to have morphed into mediocrity.
Bottom line, I'm not sure whether the Maxima vs. Altima is as clear cut of a decision today as it was for me in 1994.
i would think a loaded 6s with all the options would be on par with a 2001 maxima se loaded in many aspects
Unfortunately, all of those good seats come in cars that cost a lot more than the Maxima, but if your budget permits it, you might want to try out the new 3 series. For whatever reason, Acura, Honda (except in the S2000), Infiniti, Nissan, Lexus and Toyota have not figured out the ergonomics of good supportive seat design.
-- better gas mileage
-- more power and a smoother engine and transmission
-- wider and more comfortable seats
-- is wider generally inside; leg room about the same
-- nicer, more ergonomically friendly interior
-- quieter
-- definitely more comfortable on long trips
But the Mazda cost about $5000 less than the Maxima did new, so is a great second car, plus has the cargo room of the wagon. A great dog car also -- I would not allow my dogs in the Maxima!
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
Agreed. Also agree with other recent posts about fit/finish, interior, sportiness, handling, etc. about current generation of Max vs 95-99 (gen 4?).
Have a 97 SE with 171K miles and excellent reliability - it has essentially been bullitt proof. We have always had all service done at either of 2 Nissan dealers so I always wander around the showroom and look at latest offerings from Nissan. In my wanderings and observations, my opinion is that my 97 SE has better quality, fit and finish (including paint) and interior design than the current generation.
In the autumn of 2000, wife and I test drove an 01 SE from two different dealerships. In the autumn of 2003, we test drove the 04 SE. In all test drives, we got to drive the car ourselves without a salesperson and drove the car on suburban roads as well as the rural twisties that we had very good familiarity. Since each of us had put on many thousands of miles on our 97 SE, we had a very substantial basis for comparison.
The main thing I recall about the 01 model was that it did not handle as nimbly as our 97 and that it did not shift smoothly. On the 04 SE, the torque steer was noticable, the turning circle was too big and most of all, the car felt "ponderous".
In both cases, autumn of 00 and 03, we took a pass on buying another Maxima and bought another brand both times. Of course, still have 97 SE.
I too am wondering what will be the future of Maxima. Recall that Nissan had commercials on TV (early 90's?) where they tried to emphasize the sportiness of the car. Definitely could not do that today with a Max. Really don't know what Nissan is trying to accomplish with this generation.
I think you hit the nail on the head with the term "ponderous" to describe where Nissan has taken the Maxima.
Almost all cars have gotten bigger over the last 10-15 years. A Civic today is substantially larger than an Accord of the late 80's and early 90's. The latest 3 series by BMW offers nearly the same interior size as the pevious generation 5 series. And, to be fair, when I bought our 1995 Maxima, the decision was partly based upon the fact that it could comfortably carry 4-5 passengers.
But somehow, as the 4th generation Maxima evolved from a 3,010 lb "4 door sports car" to the current 3,450 lb version, it lost a lot of the sportiness, both in nibleness and in looks. Other manufacturers, like BMW and Acura, have done their "upsizing" with more finesse. My 2004 TL 6-speed weighs 3,400+ lbs, but feels much more nimble and sporty than the "ponderous" Maxima. The 3 series of today weighs 600 lbs more than the 1990 version, but is still the classs leader in handling and performance.
I will continue to defend my 1995 Maxima SE as the best balance of size, sportiness, and damn good build quality (as both of our cars attest). Whether or not Nissan can recapture some of that is questionable. The fact that a good portion of the market now cross shops the Maxima with the Buick (I mean Toyota) Avalon, is not a good sign. That would have been virtually unthinkable back when I bought my 1995 SE 5-speed.
Guess you haven't seen the specs on the 2006 Avalon....nor the reviews....
0-60 in 6.5....15 sec 1/4 mile.....280 HP......
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/toyota/avalon/100577983/photos.html
0-60 in 6.5....15 sec 1/4 mile.....280 HP...... "
Yeah I've seen the reviews. Interesting, In 2005 it takes Toyota a "reported" 280 hp to get virtually the same acceleration figures as my 190 hp Max SE 5-speed achieved over a decade ago. I guess if you put enough horsepower behind a river barge and you can get a 15 second quarter mile out of it.
"Avalon" and "sporty" are mutually exclusive terms. It's only transmission choice is a slushbox automatic. Its suspension is tuned to take you over railraod tracks without spilling your coffee. And the seats are designed to hold butts that are twice as wide as mine. Or at least twice as wide as my wife's. It may be a nice alternative to a big Buick or Crown Victoria, but the Avalon wouldn't make my mother in law's definition of sporty, let alone mine.
It appears that the Infiniti G35 sedan has taken over the role once reserved by Nissan for the Maxima, while the Maxima and Altima have morphed together into less distincitve cars. But, whether it was the Cresida of old, the Camry throughout, or the Avalon today, I don't think anybody with a sporting bone in their body would get too excited by these offerings from Toyota. So, again I say, if that is what the 2005 Maxima is competing with and being cross shopped against, it is a sad sign.
P.S. Look at the kennyg8's post subsequent to yours. The debate among 3rd & 4th generation Maxima owners was whether the IRS was better than the newer Multi-link solid beam axle. That's the kind of debate that driving enthusiasts have. And regardless of which side of that debate you were on, you knew that back in 1989 through 1999, nothing from Toyota or Honda even came close.
Suydam pretty much summed up the difference between the earlier generation Maximas and the Mazda 6. The Mazda is a great car to drive (It'll outhandle the Maximas all day), but it's power train is nowhere near as powerful and efficient as the Maxima's VQ 6. I am growing a little weary at the lack of low-end torque in the Mazda 3.0 litre V6. There's a lot of shifting at low speeds with the 5-speed automatic transmission. But, overall the Mazda is a very good car, and I have had no reliablity issues with it at all.
Like many of you, I never considered the new generation Maxima. What a shame what Nissan has done to the car.
not that the 01's aren't nice.. i have an 2000 and at 55k miles, its still running like new.. the 00 and 01's are basically the same car... with minor differences such as dimming rear mirrors, and stereo controls on the steering wheel...
the main issue i have on my car is experiencing brake caliper seizures.. once in a while.. the original rotors on the max is pretty crappy too.. i've installed brembo oem rotors on all 4 corners and there's no more steering wheel shaking when i'm trying to brake...
I have a question regarding the Maxima.
Im really interested in buying a new 2006 Maxima, but do you think its a good choice?? Should or could i feel confident with this car??
Ive been reading about some problems for some people. As per say rotor problems, needing tire rotations, paint wears, check engine lite.
Would i be better off with a Lexus ir an Acura TL??
Also, i was reading that the 2005 right now trade in value would be only about 19,000. Thats about a 14,000 depreciation in not even 1 year.
What do you think??
if you could swing it.. go for it... and it depends alot on what is it worth to have that luxury badge on your car or not.... good luck
That depends upon what you want and, as kyleknicks noted, your budget. I went with a 2004 Acura TL 6-speed after having a great 150k mile experience with a 1995 Maxima SE 5-speed. I could comfortably afford the price difference in 2004, and found the TL 6-speed to be both more refined and better performing / sportier feeling. Being that I am a bit of a driving enthusiast, the Lexus ES had no appeal to me whatsoever, but for those favoring an dull-to-drive but nice looking, ultra reliable Japanese Buick, it is the king.
As for resale value, I can still get $27,000+/- for my TL 6-speed w/ Nav that I paid $33.3k for in May 2004, after 20,000 miles. That's pretty good. But the prior TL's have taken quite a hit. I think Maxima depreciation has gone up recently, because the car is floundering and looking for it's place in the Nissan/Infiniti line-up and even among consumers. The 4th generation I had was produced for 5 years (1995-1999) with nominal changes. Prior to that, the third generation spanned 6 years, I believe (1989-1994). Since 1999, it seems that Nissan can't go more than 2-3 years without going back to the drawing board. Suggests they really don't know what they are doing.
Good luck
Out of curiosity, what has been your experience with brakes/rotors on the 02/03. I got 90k miles out of my front pads, 110k out of my rears, and at 155k miles have never had the original rotors touched. A freind who bought a 2000 Maxima had major brake problems within 25,000 miles requiring the rotors to be replaced and they were still problematic. She traded the car at 40,000 miles. Did they fix that problem for the 02/03.
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere