Nissan Maxima

bcohen

In case everyone hasn't seen, Edmunds just added a new Maxima GLE to their long-term fleet to see if it is worth more than the Altima. Should be interesting.

eblum

I have 60,000 on my 2K Max. I have put a 1,000+ miles on the Avids so far..I have to drive 110 miles a day to and from work. So far I have been really impressed with their cornering and their quietness.

Has anyone replaced their windshield in their Max?? I am moving from PA to NJ and need to replace it to pass inspection. Any advice on a shop or company? Any pricing experience??

jg28

can you get the all red taillights from Courtesy too?

roar1

You can get the red units from Courtesy Nissan.
They run $111 ea. but if you tell them that
you are a Maxima.org. member they will cost
$98 ea.

But quite frankly, the clear "02's look
Muuuch better..... hint, hint. :-)

roar1

What does your bumper look like after 60,000 mi.
My wife drives the 2k2 Max but I drive the 2k
Max. ( 41,000 highway miles ) and my bumper
looks like "CRAP".

I'm trying to track down a" reasonably " priced
3M clearmask kit to throw on the "02 before it
gets screwed up. Nissans vinyl bumper is too
soft ! I had an '86 Max and never had any problem
with the vinyl bumper on that car ( 210,000 mi.)

albatros43

Anyone know a good place to find a replacement Toyo for a 2k1 max (16")? Area dealers and tire companies are charging close to $200/each for this tire (255 55 91H R16 Proxes A05). Why are these so expensive? From what I see on this board, I could get much better tires for half the price at tirerack.com. Unfortunately, I only have 13k miles on my max and only need one replacement for an unfortunate incident in which a curb "jumped" out in front of my car :-).

bigmoneymike

Hi all,

I have a 96 GXE with 71k miles on it. Yesterday, the little yellow check engine light went on and wouldn't go away. I don't know too much about cars, but reading from the car manual, this sounds like it could be something expensive. I haven't noticed the car running any differently before the light went on.

Anyone shed some light on why this would go on? And how much I should expect to pay to correct the problem? Also, is this something that only the Nissan dealer can fix, or if I get it checked at a local shop, can they make the light go away?

Thanks for all your help.

gubtel

Hey Bigmoneymike-

Your CE light might just be an oxygen sensor. I had one go in my '95 Altima. Unfortunately, I had to go to the dealer and have them hook it up to their diagnostic computer to find the problem and get it fixed. None of my trusty mechanics had the diagnostic dodad to figure out what 02 sensor it was. Still, fixed fast and for under $100. Hope that's all it is.

G

eblum

Roar1,
My bumper has some nice chunks missing from it. I agree, it is way too soft. I bought a Nissan mask for it and it scratched the crap out of the hood. I drove from Philly to Pittsburgh on the PA turnpike and little stones got under the hood piece. What a waste of $100.

albatros43,
Scroll up and you will see some recommendations on replacement tires. I have the Yokohoma Avid V4's and like them. I wanted the Dunlop SP A2's, but they are on national backorder. There are some other good ones out there.

vocus

If the hood mask scratched your hood and it was properly installed, you might try telling the dealer about it. They might be nice enough to fix the scratches for you. Worth checking into.

kvsm3

For those folks, who want replacement tires, I would definitely try the Tire Rack.
I have a 99 Maxima SE and just purchased Bridgestone Potenza S03 Pole Positions and they are excellent tires that improves handling alot!!
The Tire rack price is $134 each.
Its definitely worth it!

tiger8

The May 27 issue of "Automotive News" has a picture of the 2004 Maxima which will debut in March 2003. It will be front wheel drive, slightly larger than the Altima with which it shares a platform, and slightly more powerful than the Altima (as it is now). It will be built in Tenn.

So much for speculation about AWD, V-8 engines, etc.

It's very different looking from the current model, very rugged, a bit like the Lexus GS, but with a horrendous blind spot between the rear window and the rear side windows. As such, it's very distinctive looking but sacrifices function to styling.

maxamillion1

I want to see this car! Post pics of it PLEASE!

tiger8

I do not have the picture of the '04 Maxima with me. What you need to do is call around to local libraries and ask if they have "Automotive News." Most likely place: university libraries or very large public libraries. It's the trade publication of the auto industry. Maybe it's on line.

porknbeans

It is on line, but unless you want to pay for the online subscription you will not be able to see anything. I get their free stuff sent to my email, but don't subscribe.

tiger8

By the way, the picture of the '04 Max. in Automotive News is not a spy photo; it's an official photo from Nissan.

vocus

I know their website is http://www.automotivenews.com, but you have to be a member to get in like someone else said. I don't know how much a membership would cost though.

roar1

It's hard to believe, but its like Nissan doesn't want to
sell cars. Isn't selling cars and making profits the whole
point of car manufacturing.

Let's debut the '04 Max in some obscure publication
so no one will see it.

BTW, when was the last time you saw a Maxima
commercial on TV. In the Mid-Atlantic area I see
plenty of Altima commercials and one or two
Pathfinder blurbs. No Max. ads !

Come on Nissan , you're making some money now
so ADVERTISE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

getz1

http://www.brianv.net/newmaxima

Here are some unofficial looks. I think the side view is pretty close to what will make production.

-Getz

porknbeans

Automotive News isn't some obscure publication and Nissan is probably reluctant to start advertising until:

1) The release date is closer and
2) The inventory on the existing Max is lower.

I don't think Nissan wants to strand their current inventory with the dealers so they have to discount them even further.

roar1

I probably did'nt make myself very clear, and I apologize.
My remark about Nissan's advertising was not really directed
towards the '04 Max. but towards all other preceding Nissan
vehicles , in particular the Maxima.

Maybe it's a geographic thing. I don't see any TV commercials
for Sentra's, Frontiers, Maximas. Occasionally there is
a Pathfinder commercial, and I'm sure the whole world knows
about the " Altima" .The Altima is the only car they are pushing.

If you want to sell something , you need to keep it visible to the
masses. I guess Nissan only has money for 'print ' ads............
and Altima TV spots. We all know the Max is a fantastic car, but
Nissan needs to shout about it.

vocus

Since they are about to redesign the Maxima, maybe they wanna get everyone to buy their new products (the Altima) instead of the Maxima. Nissan did cut production of the Maxima down a good bit when they introduced the Altima as well. So maybe that's why they don't wanna advertise the Maxima, because it's considered "old product".

gkatz1

For the love of everything holy, POST THAT PIC!

wayde

just went to the local library to see this official nissan photo of the new max - don't waste your time. it's the same SPY shot of the max that we've seen in earlier posts - only from the side. can't make any distinguishing design traits out as it is taped up.
sorry to deflate your hopes gkatz1, but thought I'd let everyone know not to worry....

bodydouble

Ugly. Disappointing.

OK, alright. Two words

gkatz1

That shot has been around for over a week. It is highly disguised, but in my opinion, the end result will be very nice. Where did anyone get the idea that was an official Nissan picture. It is so obvious that that car is a disquised prototype.

tiger8

Automotive News, which is about as authoritative a source as you can get in the auto industry, did not describe their photo of the '04 max as either disguised or a prototype. They captioned it as the '04 Maxima, period. My guess is that that is the way it's going to look when it emerges next year.

amazing2u

Well if it's the same pic as shown at http://www.brianv.net/newmaxima/ then it's a Test mule!

tiger8

Checking Auto News again, it is the same picture as posted above. In any case, it gives us some idea what the new Max will look like when it emerges next March.

bodydouble

I have a pair of lightly-used, almost-new, BF Goodrich snow tires from a '95 Maxima SE taking up space in my garage that I'm giving away. Only catch is you'd have to come to my house to get them and also take 1 oem TOYO tire off my hands (I had a puncture in one tire and decided to replace by the pair and kept the good one for a spare).

BTW, I'm in the Vancouver area in British Columbia.

habitat1

I recommend "Henderson on Corporate Strategy" by Bruce Henderson for your reading pleasure. He is the founder of Boston Consulting Group.

It is evident that Nissan considers the current version of the Maxima to be a "Cash Cow" - reasonably good market share but low growth. Advertising dollars beyond a minimal amount to keep the cash flow going with the current Maxima would be a waste of money by Nissan. Sound business strategy dictates you allocate your serious advertising dollars to products that have highest growth potential. The Altima has always been the stepchild in the Accord and Camry market segment. There is huge growth potential for Nissan if they can become more dominant with the redesigned Altima.

P.S. I have yet to see a single television advertisement for the S2000, so don't feel bad.

roar1

I'm definitely NOT the one to be telling Nissan how to spend their advertising
dollars or even suggest any type of marketing strategy. When the Xterra
made it's debut , I thought it would be a sales ' flop '. I figured, who would
want an entry level SUV with a spartan interior when the trend was and still
is towards vehicles with more car-like luxuries and amenities. Boy, was
I wrong !! Go figure ! BTW, thanks for the reading tip.

I know this is off-topic. I'll try harder next time. ;-)

jeff186

Here in the Northeast (NJ), I've seen full-page newspaper ads each months for the past half year, about the Max and the cash rebate/low-finance deal that seems to get renewed each month. The ads are in daily newspapers. Also, I've seen tv ads on the same theme. Though you guys are correct, Altima ads/promotion far exceeds what is done for the Max. I went to a Nissan dealer recently and struck up a good rapport with a salesman. He told me that Max says have fallen steeply and he attributed that to customers instead opting for the Altima. Interestingly, the salesman offered a better deal on the Max than the Altima...higher % off the sticker price. And I agree after driving both, the Max has the nicer interior hands down...Altima dash is cheap, cheap, cheap.

dcmike

Hi everyone. Long time reader, first time poster. Finally went and tested a 2002 GLE today. Beautiful car, seemed like plenty of space for my family (also own a 2001 Highlander Limited). I was a little disappointed in the ride - seemed a little on the harsh side (engine was a blast though!). Anyway, negotiated the following deal- 2002 GLE, Sunroof, Side Airbags, Traction Control, Meridian for $300 under invoice and $1000 rebate. What do you think? I will probably go drive it again this weekend to test the ride quality (may rent one for a weekend just to make sure). Usually buy Honda, but don't like the look of the new Accord spyshots...

tiger8

$300 under invoice? What's the invoice? My experience lately is that dealers, knowing people like to bargain up from invoice, find ways to inflate the invoice price one way or another. Is the dealer's invoice the same as Edmund's? If it's truly $300 under the actual invoice plus $1,000, then obviously it's a good deal.

The Achilles heel for Maximas is their ride (until the 2004s change the rear suspension). If that is paramount to you, look elsewhere.

bodydouble

Is the '03 Max on sale already? All the details are listed on Nissan (Canadian) website, including prices, colours, etc. That's got to be some kind of record for early introduction for a carry-over model.

dcmike

According to the dealership, the invoice (with options) is $26,894.00. Per Edmunds, the invoice (again with options) is $26,494.00. Out the door price ($300 under invoice and $1000 rebate) - $25,594. Edmunds TMV price with options - $26,973. I think it's a good price, but as I mentioned in my earlier post, I am concerned about the ride quality (I drove our Highlander after being in the Max, definite difference in ride quality).

maxamillion1

The Acura TL Type S came out in early March of last year. The facelifted 2003 Acura CL recently came out in March as well I believe. MY changes are starting to happen earlier each redesign or facelift.

bigbadboss101

Yes, they are at the dealership. I didn't see the interior but the 2003 have polished looking wheels. Didn't pay enough attention to find other differences. There is a silver color car though.

bodydouble

The TL/CL both had fairly significant changes though -- the Type S for the TL & the 6-speed for the CL. I figure, for the Max, the early intro may be to compensate for an early intro for the all-new, redesigned '04 Max.

mirth

Sounds like a good price on your GLE. Enjoy.

maxamillion1

...and it too was released before the new Maxima. The only thing it really received this year is the Onstar option. I do agree about the CL's changes though.

bodydouble

Didn't they debut the Type-S in the TL, or was that even earlier?

tiger8

As stated earlier, the all-new '04 Max will debut next March. Thus the relatively early intro for the '03. Traditionally, new models were introduced in early fall, Sept. or October. That's been changing lately, with cars being introduced at all times during the year. But obviously in this case, Nissan wanted a decent run for the '03 before the '04 is released in March.

dklanecky

Take a tire pressure gauge along with you for your next test drive of the Maxima. Dealers are notorious for over inflating tire pressure on new cars.

Mine had 44lbs in each tire (00SE) when I took delivery!!

jrutledge3

I just bought a 2002 maxima gle, and i do not like the way this car rides, is there anything i can do to make the ride smoother. ja

wux

Have you also considered Infiniti I35? Which will be about $1500 more than Maxima but comes with few more features such as rear window sunshade. I also had a hard time to decide between I35/Max and 3.2TL but bought I35 at the end for $26,888 + tax (MSRP$30865).

tiger8

I have a '97 Maxima SE. Not one repair needed in 57,000 miles. Remarkable. The ride leaves something to be desired, however. As we all know, it's that rear suspension. At the same time, I replaced the tires on mine and the ride is now less harsh. Got Michelins XVT or some such. It's still not great, however. On the other hand, the SE had hard-riding sport tires as original equipment (Toyo something). The GLEs probably have pretty soft riding tires to begin with, so I don't know whether different tires on that model would improve the ride. If the ride is too firm, you could use slightly lower air pressure to soften things up a bit. But that's the nature of the beast. Enjoy the engine, the power, and the reliability and block out the bumps.

dcmike

I haven't looked at the I35, mainly because the nearest dealer to me is about 30 - 45 minutes away (Tysons Corner, VA or Gaithersburg, MD for those local to the DC area). I am curious - is the suspension any better in the I35 or does it have the same beam setup? Will Nissan dealerships service an I35? I think I may wait until the unveiling of the new Accord before I make my final decision (I heard that the press will be seeing it tomorrow). If Honda drops at least 220hp in it (with an independent rear), that may be my next move. Hopefully someone will post pictures.

tiger8

I35 has same suspension, same ride as the Maxima, I believe.