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Nissan Maxima 2004 Redesign
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Comments
I like the new design (Reminds me a little of the Lexus GS 300). Also, the rear quarter looks like the new 350Z a little.
My question... Are there any major leaps mechanically with this model? Have they fixed any major flaws?
As I said, I had a 1996 but someone rear ended me and it basically collapsed. I opted for a 1993 Q45 after that and am still driving a 1995 Q45 just for its size and feeling of safety. But I would like to get back into a maxima, just for its smaller enginge and lower cost of maintenance if for no other reason.
looks not good... hope they can improve it in 2004
http://www.nhtsa.gov/NCAP/Cars/2493.html
It's amazing how two tests can get different results! Hopefully I'll never have to find out who's right...the hard way!
http://www.nhtsa.gov/NCAP/Cars/2003MidS.html
even Camry has 2 five stars...
I want more pictures
I didn't like the thing in the middle of the grill on the '04 Max. Makes it look like a pig's nose. I think the grill on the current Max is it's best feature so I was hoping they wouldn't play with it too much in the '04. The spy photo grill looks too much like the current Pontiac or BMW grills, neither of which I care for.
Did you guys see the list of features/options for the '04? Someone posted this on maxima.org so I don't know how reliable this is...
3 transmissions available: 5sp Auto w/manual shift mode, 4sp Auto, 6sp Manual
Vehicle Dynamic Control available on both auto transmissions
Dual exhaust with 4 chrome tips
Power folding mirrors standard on SE (available on SL)
Skyview Roof standard on all models. Sunroof is an option. This skyview roof is narrower than a typical sunroof, but runs the lenght of the car. From the exterior it will appear as one solid piece of tinted glass, but from the interior it will be split into front and rear by a narrow beam that will be coverd by headliner material. There will also be sunshades to pull shut to completely block off light if desired.
Bose will be the premium sound system, not Rockford.
A rear center console will be available on both trim levels (reduces seating to 4)
Dual Zone Climate Control with rear AC vents.
Center display integrates displays of HVAC, radio, and trip computer (similar to Murano).
Optional DVD Nav system.
It will be revealed at Jan 5 Detroit Auto Show
It will be available as soon as March 5, 2003.
20 gal fuel tank
18' wheels on SE model
Cornering lights
speed sensitive wipers
tilt/telescopic steering wheel
6 colors: winter frost, liquid silver, spirited bronze, champagne mist, red opulence, radiant ember
Full size spare comes with VDC option
Helical limited slip diff on manual SE model.
Elite package includes rear center console, rear sunshade (power), and rear heated seats.
Rear door courtesy lights. Rear reading lights.
Sirius or XM radio available on both models.
Interior colors: cafe latte, black, frost, and burnt orange/black.
Two exterior colors from 2003 are still available: onyx and majestic blue.
18" chrome wheel option.
The "traditional" sunroof is an option on all models.
Multi-link independent rear suspension.
Auto tint rear view mirror with compass & home link
That skyview roof sounds cool. Also, I had cornering lights (and IRS) on my 92 max. I'm glad to see they are upgrading from the 5th generation to a 3rd generation :-)
I dunno guys, this car has $35,000 to $37,000 (loaded) written all over it.
I was the same way when the 1989's came out. I just had to have that car. I'm not usually a big car guy, but I am ashamed to say that I fell in love with the Altima design and am hoping that the Maxima is a bigger and better version of this.
I am not sure if I am going to be able to wait until the 5th of Janaury and the NY auto show!
I guess the phrase "a face only a mother could love" applies here.
I'm disappointed that Nissan didn't bring over the Japanese domestic market Nissan Teana design for the new Maxima--the new car looks ugly on BOTH ends.
I can almost guarantee that there will be changes to the front and rear end designs within two years of the introduction of the 2004 Maxima.
The fourth gen Maxima was released back in MY1995, by MY1997, it was facelifted.
Same for the fifth gen Maxima. It was released for MY2000, by MY2002 it was facelifted.
I would expect this to continue with the next gen.
I personally like the latest Maxima. Not as much as the Altima, but I do like it. I like the current model as well. I never really cared for the 4th gen. model. Especially the 1995-1996 with it's muy feo front and rear treatments.
And don't forget: it's impossible to satisfy everybody's taste. I hope in the near future the automakers will give the buyers an option to design their own front- and rear- ends, or instrument controls, and then release a vehicle especially to your taste... sound great, huh?
Murano- i saw one on the streets while driving and almost got into an accident it was so beautifull(most futuristic looking car out now)
Maxima- WHAT THE HELL were nissan designers thinking?? nastiest car nissan has made. All the lines and shape don't add up, and the back is shaped like a hatchback but its really a sedan, what kind of brilliant idea is that!?!
who ruined this ultra beastly car into some fruit looking geezer mobile. I mean sure it has awsome power, and everything else is nice. But its sure ugly and fat looking. ITs like meeting a nasty fat girl with a great personality or something. I mean what is this?!
You know how they say, in every family there is always an ugly child, yup thats the 2004 maxima.
Just wait a few more days and you will eat crow!
No crow on my menu this week... I'm confident that the new Max is every bit as ugly as the photos suggest.
Come on, use your common sense. The design staff that put out the Altima/Z/G/Murano/FX. Consensus, but not unanimous, opinion is that every one of them was a design success. That staff wouldn't put out the Max seen in the spy pics.
As for the other designs (of which the Altima, Murano and G35 sedan are highly overrated, IMO), nobody hits a home run every time. I doubt that any design team goes out with the intention of designing an ugly car, but sometimes it just happens. And it just has.
And you can keep the personal comments out of this discussion. Those of us who dislike what we've seen of the new Max aren't stupid because we don't agree with you.
See, I had the common sense to be able to compare those photos to the one early official Nissan photo and determine that they were real. Not exactly rocket science.
Now I can say without reservation and with complete confidence... that is one sorry looking automobile.
From some angles, the car looks like a Saturn ION "writ large." And the ION wasn't a beautiful car, either.
journalists has selected the Mini Cooper, the Infiniti G35 and the Nissan 350Z
as finalists for the 2003 North American Car of the Year while the Honda
Element, HUMMER H2, Nissan Murano and Volvo XC90 are finalists for the 2003
North American Truck of the Year.
3 out of 7 are Nissan. Only one domesticated, the Hummer. No Toyota, no Accord. Next year belongs to the Max and FX, looks like Toyota & Honda will have to breathe Nissan fumes for a while. Yeah!"
Hmmm... despite the bright signs early on, the North American International Auto Show has not been kind to Nissan. First they previewed the breathtakingly nasty looking 2004 Maxima. Then they previewed the 2004 Quest, the only vehicle that I've ever seen which has what looks like an oval wastepaper basket integrated into its dashboard. Not a pretty sight. I wonder if they'll have a special version with the interior done by OfficeMax...
Finally, as the quote above indicates, there was a preponderence of heavily promoted, highly anticipated Nissan/Infiniti vehicles among the finalists for Car and Truck of the Year. Nissan/Infiniti had 3 of the 7 finalists for these awards (350Z, G35 and Murano), but they were unable to score with any of them. The COTY went to the Mini Cooper and the TOTY went to the Volvo XC90. Guess Toyota and Honda will find the air to be free of Nissan fumes for the upcoming year. Yeah!
Sorry to be so smug... but due to the tone of the quoted post, I just couldn't resist.
The new Max will do just fine, but I dont like the new grille design.
As was your statement regarding how stupid we were to think that the spy photos were the real thing vs. disguised test mules. In the case of the maxima.org photos, they were the real thing, so I guess we're not as stupid as you suggested. And the new Max is every bit the styling aberration that those photos suggested it would be.
As for Motor Trend's COTY, by winning it, the G joins the ranks of such hallowed predecessors as the Chevrolet Vega and the Renault Alliance. So savor the moment...
Motor Trend used to have domestic and import COTY awards, and now combined the two. The domestic variety had many winners that turned out to be duds, like the X car. The import variety had many real winners. The combined award has more import than Detroit flavor, don't you think?
But I'm actually starting to like the look of the new Maxima from the front. Still don't like the rear, though.
As for it looking like an Ion - the Maxima's shape resembles the Altima, which came out before the Ion. Basically, it's a bigger Altima.
Worrisome that your minivan outlooks your flagship sedan!
The side kinda looks like a G35, but that is not a bad thing. However, I wish they could make the gap between the tires and the wheel arches smaller, like the BMW 540 with sports package. Low and aggressive but at the same times also classy.
afraid of the quality of the New Max being built in Tenn. The UAW are underpaid, overworked and some of its members are barely hanging on to their jobs by a thread! With all of the new computer operated machines taking the place of the workers we are bound to have major flaws in the car! Nissan has made a mistake and this may cost them in the long haul just give it a few years and they may be back to the finacial situation they were in the early '90s. I don't think this car will do as well as they think. Lets all pray that I am wrong!! I love my Nissan cars!