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-bummed
This is my page where I have 2 pictures of the next Maxima.
My friend who gave me these said the next Maxima will now compete with the Avalon. It is much larger than the current one.
She is also sending me a picture of the 2003 Pathfinder.
Neat site, vinceburlap, I like your thumbnail pics of all the cars.
:-)
But let's give some credit. The U.S. carmakers are trying to give the public what they want, at a price often better than the imports. Let's hear it for people who buy the Intrigues, the 300Ms, the Intrepids, and all the others. Personally, yes, I'm glad I drive a Maxima, but I at least considered several U.S. brand cars before buying. I don't know if the U.S. car industry has lost people like me for good (I've only owned one U.S. brand - a Jeep, for 2 years - over the last 20 some years). I hope not, really, and when it comes time to replace the Maxima, I hope that there will still be some viable U.S. companies around with some attractive, affordable products to consider.
FWIW - the car I most liked, after the Maxima, was the Chrysler 300M.
By Nov. I had a new Satin Blue Pearl '01 SE, manual trans. w/ Conf and Conv package. While I'm in SUV withdrawal, I certainly don't miss all the problems I had while I owned my Jeep. I have no serious complaints about the Max. Just wish that I had gotten the darker interior, frost floor mats in the front are ready to be replaced after the winter driving.
I do not have any issues with paint chipping, I'm more inclined to think that it may be specific to the color. I do notice, however, that it chips easily from the couple of spots where inconsiderate idiots have knocked my driver/passenger front door paneling. While it'll probably cost between 20 and 50 dollars for a body shop to pop the paneling off and paint it up, it isn't so bad that it can't wait. I did have an incident at the local mall where someone who had a trailer hitch on their truck backed into me and left a nice little puncture in my rear bumper, which cost the insurance company approx $720 to repair.
I do have to say that the Potenzas that come standard with the Max's, are absolutely the WORST tire in both the rain and snow and I don't know how they got a good rating in Consumer Reports. Since I live in PA - it is key to have something that will get me through the snow! If anyone has any suggestions - I'm open to them!!
One thing I do notice on my car is that since day one it's difficult to put the car in 1st gear. I can't figure it out, even letting the clutch out and then back in it doesn't go easily - I haven't had to go back to the dealership yet for anything - At 10K and 8 months not a problem yet. I've been changing my own oil and don't have the time to call them up and have them check it out - anyone else with a 5 speed notice this?
As far as the breaking, it is a noticeable difference between the GMs and the Nissans. I occasionally switch the Max to ride in a rocket of a car, a Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air (Now that's some speed) and I find it much easier to deal with the clutch, because it's a little stiffer and you know when to release, the breaking doesn't require such a gentle push like the Max - it requires a hard tap.
I like to hear what everyone has to say - message boards are definitely a wealth of knowledge!! Talk to you all soon!
As for quality, one only needs to look at the JD Power web site to see GM and Nissan have almost identical quality stats. Nissan is not Honda (thankfully).
Peace man!
2003- looks like a cross between the 300M and the current Altima.
Kedsmax- check out Weather tech rubber mats. they hold the sand, mud and snow that come in on boots etc. They're expensive, $75 for set of 4, but they're great in my book (car).
I also drive a Y2K Max and would love to trade up for the 2002, except my wife would kill me.
I hope the 2003 styling changes will be enough to make me do it. Just as long as its a performance car and not my parents Avalon.
Compared to the new 2002 Altima 3.5 SE, the Maxima will have 20 more horsepower, optional navigation, and 6-speed transmission on the SE model instead of 5 speed manual on the Altima.
Is that enough to justify a large price difference?
Is that enough to justify a large price difference?"
Read the NissanNews articles more and you will see that there are way more differences.
But just think of it a 2002 Max with Nav, HID head lamps, 6-speed trany 260hp and can probably run a 0-60 in six seconds flat.
More interior room and a better all weather car.
Is the Lexus really twice the car? NOT
Here's a link to a paintless Dent Removal site that you might look into to fix your parking lot mishaps! I had 2 dents removed and was completely amazed at the results. These Dent Wizards are located all over the country. Most dealers have a paintless dent removal person that they use. Have fun with your new ride.
http://www.dentwiz.com/
George
I know there are plenty of "differences" between the two cars, but I do not see that much that is significantly "better" on the Maxima besides those noted above.
A rear power or even manual sun-shade would be nice on either since the Passat and I35 have power sunshades available and a manual sliding rear sunshade is available as a dealer installed option on Honda Accords.
Of course, in 2003 an all new Maxima wil come out that will likely make a big leap forward, but in the meantime, the 2002 Maxima seems like a somewhat weak product sitting next to a loaded 2002 Altima 3.5 SE.
The few people who opt for a 6-speed Maxima SE will probably have good performance gains over an Altima, but not that mush else to show for the extra cash spent.
Why buy a base strippo 2002 Maxima GXE automatic instead of a V6 Altima??!
I printed some of the pictures from Nissannews.com and I showed them to some family memebers, all except one prefered the new Altima over the Maxima. I personally prefer the Altima.
BTW, the Passat does not have a power rear sunshade, it is manual.
The Altima is a good looking car, but I had the uncharitable thought that it looks like what would happen if a Lexus IS300 mated with a Ford Focus. The front, especially the headlights, looks like the triangular headlights of the Focus. The side has a sharp crease, angling upwards toward the back. The rear lights look very IS300 like - round lights set into a clear frame. Personally, I didn't care for the color on the display model, which was a greenish-gold with black interior.
I didn't look into the inside all that much, but it looked basically well thought out and comfortable for four people, probably ok for five in a pinch. The seats looked good, with the same center seam that the Max (and I guess the current Altima) has, but more rounded on top.
Overall, here was a look of crispness about it, both inside and out. Certainly more cutting-edge than the current generation. I would guess that it will do well with a slightly younger market than the Maxima is designed for.
I can see the 2002 GXE being a hard sell next to a V6 Altima though, but I would thing they would not be that low production.
It will be available August 1, 2001
It still has those black and white gauges which will probably stop me again.
They should look at the Passat gauges.
Tried your suggestion and www.nissan.com is a computer dealer in North Carolina. Their website directs people to www.nissandriven.com, which appears to be Nissan's website, but only has 2001 Maxima info. Where did you see 2002 Maxima info (i.e. especially pricing)??
Thanks.
It is as follows:
www.nissannews.com
Good Luck.
But look at those damned black and white gauges
As for black on white guages, I've been driving with them on a 95 SE for 109,000 miles and I guess I've gotten used to them. Perhaps not as good looking as some European alternatives, but they beat the standard white on black used in many cars.
Personally, I'm dissapointed that a car as good looking as a BMW 5 series has a relatively unattractive "cockpit" (i.e. dash/instrumentation/radio/console design. I think they could take an aesthetic que from the Mercedes CLK. Guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
My mechanic (who doesn't sell tires) suggested that I replace these tires within the next 5,000 miles.
Does anyone have any suggestions for what type of tires I should purchase?
Brand?
Size?
Type?
I am from Chicago, IL and need a tire that can handle highway driving, and some tough winter roads.
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. You can E-Mail me at TPORREL@YAHOO.COM
The tires seem to have plenty of tread left, in contrast to the concerns of some posters last year who thought the tires would wear out in 20,000 miles. I'm curious to know what others are experiencing with tread wear and in heavy rain where it rains too hard and fast for the water to run off the road. Has anybody needed to replace these yet, and at what mileage?
I drive 95% highway miles and I also put on dedicated snow tires last winter for about 10,000 of the 60,000 total.
Mine are getting a "little slippery" in the rain recently (especially out of toll booths). I had just assumed it was due to overheated rubber getting hard over time. I took delivery of the car on November 12, 1999.
I also am interested in what people are using for replacements on the 17" wheels and what their general level of satisfaction has been?
thanks ... Norbert
I also have a similar problem on my 00' SE. I spent a little time investigating, and it seems to be coming from the seat belt latch to the right of the driver, and the long connecting piece attached to it that goes down the right side of the seat to anchor the latch. This piece is not 100% fixed in place (i.e. it has a little "play" to it to account for movement of the seatbelt). But, when it moves (which is almost any time I move), it seems to be causing a creaking noise, at least in my car. I'm going to have it checked out at my next service. It's not dangerous, but very annoying.