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Comments
People need to just drive more carefully when the conditions deteriorate. No technology will ever make fool-proof driving. it's up to the driver to take some responsibility!
Anybody ever put one of these in a Max? I got sucked in by the infomercial and ordered one. I received it but haven't put it in yet. I've got a 2000 SE Auto. Now after reading a couple posts over in the aftermarket section I'm feeling quite leary and as if I've been duped. I'd still kinda like to try it just for the heck of it, but I'm having trouble getting the gusto and may just send it back. If anybody's tried one before can you please let me know how it went, where exactly you put it, and any noticeable gain.
Thanks
It has every option except sunroof deflector and navigation. The dealer wants $28,300. Is that a good deal or just a fair price? Thanks
At least in my zip code, the max is sold at $500 over invoice, which I think is about $400 less than the dealer's offer to you.
Think about it, you probably paid around $70 for it, which means it probably costs around $10 to make. If it added an average of 10% hp/torque to an average car, every car manufacturer would be putting one in standard.
Try and equate it to this: You know those little sparkly fan/windmill thingees on a stick that you used to blow on when you were a kid (and they would turn)? Well, try and imagine that someone on the other side of the fan was feeling twice as much airflow as you were blowing...its impossible. Any air friction the tornado fan uses to turn itself is lost power...no way you are adding ANY power to your engine.
Return it!
Now for some clarifications and observations:
Gas - I have been using alternate half tank (about 8-9 gallons) fillups of 92 or 93 and the mid range 89. Performance is great with this method, and the cost averages out a little lower than all premium. I followed this policy with my 00 Max and it worked just fine...never 87 octane. BTW, my 00 had 28,000 carefree miles with absolutely no expense except oil changes and tire rotations.
Engine mounts - All 02 Max automatic have four (4) liquid filled electronicic control engine mounts.
Micro air filter - all 02 Max have this as a standard feature. However, it looks like you have to take the entire dashboard apart to clen or change it, perhaps best left to the dealer to do.
SE suspension - yes, noticably stiffer and I feel more bumps than I did with the 00 GXE, but trade off is acceptable with the tighter handling and cornering...this is definately no Chevy or Buick!!!
Steering wheel radio controls - don't know how I lived without them!!!
Anyway, I'm real pleased with my "upgrade" from the 00 GXE; Max is definately a lot of bang for the buck
Looks like a pretty good price compared with GXE that I was quoted (23.6k). SE adds 17 inch wheel,titanium gauges,spoiler,fog lights... it's a much better deal !
Also I was told that there is a special APR for 48 month loan => 4.9. For 60 month loan,it's 5.9 APR. This assumes that u are in tier 1 for credit rating.
Let me know what u guys are getting for this car.
Sterling Mist is attractive, seems to be a popular color. C'mon, c'mon, buy the car and start having some fun driving!
Semper Fi
In midstate NY, I always purchase 4 snows on rims for my vehicles, just for safety sake. For the Max I replace my 17" with 16" Blizzaks on Borbet rims purchased from Tire rack.
I believe TC only helps when starting out or going up some of the long, steep, slippery hills we have here. I think its worth the money, but don't expect it to save your butt in a slippery corner.
Yeah, I wish the '00 had those steering radio buttons, might be my justification to buy a late model year 2002.
Went over a fairly bumpy road last nite and I thought the rear end was going to fall out of it.
Does anyone know whats going on?????
djp2c - I can't help you on your spring problem. My SE suspension is rougher than the GLE and I have no problem with it. I like to feel the road. I am sure it is the solid rear axle that is probably bothering you. If only the Max had an IRS! Ahhhhhh, but then it would cost more. At least the Maxima gives you a lot for the money.
What a V6!
Interest rates in general have really been coming down. From a borrower's point of view, this is a good time to take out a loan.
And did you get the traction control? You're in TX, right? So maybe not as much of an issue there.
Well, left a little aside to help my son out! Told the Nissan folks I might bring him back for a new Sentra!
also, Nissan is still offering 3.9% on remaining 201s....
Were you able to buy the GLE at a few hundred over invoice, or are they holding the line on prices?
Your son will probably like the Sentra unless he's really tall. I just test drove one a few weeks ago with a friend. He loved the car but there wasn't quite enough room for his long legs - like the Maxima, the Sentra's steering wheel comes down a little bit too low for him. For me, it's fine. The interior design of the Sentra was one of the best I've seen anywhere, from standpoint of both looks and convenience - loved that little bin on the top middle of the dash!
Price was about 3% over invoice which I thought was fair because I was dealing with a "no haggle" dealer that has an excellent rep, great service dept plus they offered more for my trade in...
For example, a competitor offered a lower price but then tried to "job" me on the trade allowance ....like $3.6K less!!!
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First off, the dealer seemed quite happy to match Carsdirect numbers. I think with some effort, I could probably have done better than that. But I was satisfied with the price.
As others have experienced, the car was delivered w/ 45 PSI in all tires. No big deal really, but you'd think they would check.
Also, the instructions that come with the owners manual for programming the Homelink transmitter for rolling codes are just wrong. I would go to the Homelink website for instructions, it will save you some aggravation.
All in all, a pretty good dealership experience. BTW, we love this car!
Thanks for any input!
I'm shopping for my 1st car (a maxima).
Edmunds lists invoice as 24,894 (including destination). And Carsdirect.com lists invoice as 25,294. Why the discrepency??
Since Maximas are not selling as well as Altimas in the DC area, i was going to negotiate with a price of 1% over invoice. Is this reasonable considering the current economy?
As far as reliability, my 1995 SE with 115k miles has been completely trouble free, and still looks great. I have a friend with a similar vintage Camry XLE V6 with only 85,000 miles. His has not held up quite as well. Mechanically or appearance wise. He attributes part of that (paint deteriortion) to the fact it was built in the states and has vowed to never buy another "US import". I don't think you can extend this one experience into a generalization, but I would take some comfort that the Maxima is still assembled in Japan. Also, look at the little things. When I bought my 1995 Maxima, it had original equipment tires that were top of the line, all wheel disk brakes, etc.. Neither the Accord or Camry matched up. After 115k miles those kind of things have made a difference.
As I've posted before, even though I am likely to be getting a BMW 5-series as my next car, the decision to go for the Max seven years ago proved to be a great move.
Numerous reports on the new V-6 Altima report much torque steer there, and the Maxima's engine is even more powerful.
Four wheel alignment with 4 tires is coming in around $550.00 w/tax. I guess it's a roll of the dice!
I've found that they have the best prices and a huge selection of tires in your size. Plus it gives you access to information from people who have actually bought "X" brand of tire. Very good site. Even if you don't buy from tirerack, it's still a good place to research the different brands (i.e. treadlife, snow traction, rain traction, etc, etc, etc).
Goodluck.
My wife has very slowly taken over the Max, and I have been relegated to driving her 98 Altima SE. Great car mechanically, absolutely zero problems, but very slow and boring compared to the Max. It has 69K miles, and I am ready for a new ride. Here's my dilemna:
Should I buy a loaded 2002 Altima 3.5 SE for 2% over invoice (around $27K), which I have been quoted by the local Autonation dealer?
Or should I buy a 2002 Maxima GLE for invoice at the same dealer for $26K?
The Maxima has more power, is more luxurious, and is a better deal. However, the Altima is sportier and won't be redesigned in 2004 like the Max. I really am torn and any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!