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Nissan Maxima 2004 Redesign
What's new for the 2004 Maxima?
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http://www.edmunds.com/future/2004/nissan/maxima/4drsedan/photo_1.html
I also wonder if Infiniti will continue to have a thinly disguised version of the Maxima now that the G35 is on the market?
As for Infinity, I think the I35/G35 will stay just like Toyota has the ES300/IS300. The former is the luxury cruiser, the latter the sports sedan. It reduces the need for one car to try and satisfy both markets...
Good point about Infiniti probably wanting to keep a "soft" car like the I35 along side the G35. That's one more reason I doubt the Maxima will be RWD.
The Maxima's redesign will mostly affect the inner workings of the car, since it's being moved to the Altima platform. However, don't expect a very different exterior styling. The Maxima was last redesigned only a few years ago, for the 2000 MY, not to mention the facelift and power boost it got for 2002. Nissan likely won't stray far from the current styling. Also, don't look for a boost in horsepower, if any. 260 is about the limit. However, a 6-speed manual wouldn't surprise me.
As for "mtkaplan"'s picture, I've seen it before. More pictures of this "mule" can be found at www.brianv.net/newmaxima/ I belive that this picture is a fake. Look at the headlights and tailights, and the way the roof slopes down, and compare these, and the car's profile, to an Altima. It's far to close to an Altima to be anything BUT an Altima. I don't think Nissan will risk getting that close to the Altima in styling, as I said.
Now, the next Maxima is supposed to take on the role of being Nissan's "Upscale car". The interior is where this will likely come into play. This is where it will the most differentiated from the Altima. It will likely sport numerous luxury car features, and the whole design will probably not have the so-called cheap, "Plasticy" look of the Altima.
Of course, with the Maxima moving upscale, where does this leave the I35 to go? The simple answer: Don't be surprised if the I35 just dissapears, completely. Now that the Maxima is on it's level, and the G35 is blocking the next step up, the I35 has nowhere to go. The I20 will probably be cancelled at this time, as well.
The I35 will probably stay... It is infinity's counter to the ES300... It will just be an upscale Maxima like it is now.
The ES300 is just a fancy Camry. That doesn't stop it from selling. Especially with the G20 being replaced by the G35, there isn't an enrty-level draw for the Infinity dealers. Now the cars start at about $27k... That's around the range Lexus starts. Acura starts at around $20K with the RSX...
Maxima will stay FWD (not RWD as rumored).
Maxima will keep 3.5 VQ engine (not V8 as rumored).
Maxima will offer CVT transmission.
Maxima will move up in price/luxury. Also up in weight so down in sportiness.
Got this from a guy who works as a contractor at the Smyrna TN plant.
Infiniti is committed to an all-RWD lineup so a Maxima-derived I35 is out.
p.s. The picture IS the '04 max
g20=Sentra
j30=Older Altimas
i30/35=Maxima
Qx4=Pathfinder
g35=New Altimas(there is some debate to this though i.e. RWD,more HP ect.)
g35 coupe=350Z
FX45=Murano (?)
Q45=No Nissan Doppleganger
There's another theory being thrown around. It is almost certain that the I35 series will be axed after 2003, but for the 2004 model year, Infiniti plans to introdude the M45. The M45 is RWD and has the Q45 V-8 engine and is said to be a replacement for the I35. At the SAME TIME (model-year-wise) Nissan intends to launch the redesigned Maxima which is rumoured to be also RWD and an available V-8.
Could it be possible that the M45 will be the new Maxima's equivalent just like how the I30/35 has been all these years?
This is all just theory still though and also raises many questions to the "spy pics" too.
M45=New Maxima?
Let me set you straight.
G20 does not equal Sentra! The only thing they shared was the engine and that is not even true any more. G20 has a 145hp SR20DE wihile Sentras top of the line engine is the New QR25 wihich is shared with the base Altima.
J30 was on a modified Z platform how do you figure it was RWD plus it died years ago.
G35 is on the new FM (front midship) platform which is RWD not FWD drive like Altimas FF-L platform. Two totally different platforms only sharing a little bit of the rear suspension design.
G35, Z, G35 Coupe and FX45 share the RWD FM platform. Got it?
Q45 shares the same platform as M45 which has been arond since like 97. Q45's platform is a little longer though.
M45 comes out this fall as 2003 model.
M45 does not equal New Maxima. New Maxima will be on a stretched Altima platform with the possibility of AWD I doubt a V8 though.
Is everything clear now?
The interior was magnificent (it was a full scale mockup) with DVD navigation and beautiful gauges and dials similar to the Chrysler 300M look.
What distinguished the car was the vertical sunroof that went from the middle of the back seats all the way to the front. A narrow stripe of a sunroof (could not be opened).
They said that price will remain around $28000
and I remember 280 HP for the engine.
I'm ready to buy one next year!!!
Thnx for clearing this up
After seeing new Max, I think I am even comfertable going for the current 2003 but than how good it maybe, it will be one generation old next year. How much that counts? What do you guys think Max 2003 will stand after new max arrives.
With the midsize offering Nissan needed to be able to sell a 4 cylinder. The problem with the old Altima/Maxima combo is that a lot of people want the larger car with the smaller engine. Maxima has always had a 6. (V6 since 85, first generation had a 2.4L I-6 that was the same basic engine as in the 240-280Zs.)
So which is easier to advertise: "The Altima and Maxima both bigger and more powerful than ever!" or "The new Maxima, now available with a four-banger!"
Besides, with the last redesign the Sentra got to be almost as big as the Altima was.
-Brian
Also all this stuff about Nissans cars hurting each other is complete crap. Nissan is in a transition, they can redesign every car at once. just wait a year and everything will fall into place.
"...the large wheel openings to be filled with standard 17-in. tires, with 18-inchers standard on the sportier SE models."
Here's where it get's interesting: "Motivation will come from the current VQ series DOHC 3.5-litre V6 paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Expect at least 260 horsepower in the new car and more on SE models possibly coupled with AWD to handle that power. The new Maxima arrives at you local Nissan dealer in February."
Sweet, eh?
Should I get the current (2003) model or should I wait for the 2004? I fear the 2004 will be too expensive and I won't be able to afford it. I don't like the Altima's interiors so if I wait another year I'll be forced to look into Accords (not sure if I'll like Accords redesign either).
IMO 2003 Maxima is the perfect car... if they only kept this design for at least two more years so that I don't get a car that looks obsolete as soon as a take it out of the dealer : (
I don't recall a lot of chrome. The speedometer and all other gauges were beautiful clock faces. Crisp and clear with a iridiscent pearl background.
Everybody thought the car belonged to the Infinity line and not Nissan.
If Nissan decides to add the same trannie as the Murano it will be a boon. 7 speed tiptronic, wow!!! Also some of the internal stainless steel accents would also look nice as the Murano. If the Murano adds some of its flavorings to the Maxima it should be a really spectacular car.
http://www.arborwood.com/awforums/show-topic-1.php? start=1&fid=4959&taid=1&topid=19&nut=1032464510#7
NOTE: I split the link between "?" and "start" to avoid the 150 word limit. I don't really see the point for that, Edmunds.
Seeya
No way, give me the smoked out tails anyday.
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Well, the Maxima already got hit with a pretty good price hike for 2002, when the new Altima came out. I expect that the 2004 will go up a bit more, but probably not drastically.
Personally, I question Nissan's decision to build V6 Altimas in the $23-27K price range. That's forcing Maxima base prices up into Infiniti range, and there's just no good reason for it.
If I ran Nissan, I would have made the 2002 Altima 4-cyl only, and said, "If you want a V6, buy a Maxima". That arrangement, IMHO, would make a lot more sense in terms of making a clear differentiation between the models.
-Andrew L
A clear differentiation between Maxima and Altima is not only important but necessary. In fact, I believe it will benefit both consumers and Nissan.