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Comments
Thanks....
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?s=54090a7c3d48b0fef9123ed5cd2c90c6&threadid=29351
Oh yeah, I'm getting even better gas mileage than advertised...27 mpg .....
in any way on your transmission shifting problem.
The TCM fix "quickens" the shift between 1st and
2nd gears. In my case, as stated earlier on this
board to you, there was a marked improvement in
the shifting characteristics of the Max after the
fix and the car continues to perform flawlessly
to this day. This is one hell of an automobile and
I would not hesitate to trade on a new one just
like it!
berbel
As I've posted before, I find there is a significant difference in the handling of the SE vs. the GLE. The SE has much less body roll and feels tighter on twisty roads, on ramps, etc. If you are at all inclined, combining the SE suspension with the new 6-speed transmission produces the best performance sedan from Japan, IMHO. I wouldn't put it up against a BMW 5-series, but I'd put it up against just about any other sedan under $40k in its size class.
If, on the other hand, you don't care that much about handling and driver involvement, then the GLE is probably a bit smoother and quieter over the bumps.
The SE vs. GLE decision is really one that everyone needs to decide for themselves. Go for an extensive test drive with both if you are still on the fence. Either one will last just about forever, based upon my experience - so make sure you get the one right for you. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
I actually thought that I saw figures suggesting an even greater performance disparity. And my own seat of my pants suggested that my 1995 SE 5-speed was a lot quicker than the GXE automatic we almost went for (my wife was pregnant at the time, but thankfully SHE ruled out an automatic). I believe the 0-60 ratings were 6.7 for the 5-speed and 8.2 for the automatic in 1995.
This doesn't have to be the case. BMW manages to get damn close to matching their manual performance with their 5-speed automatics, at least on the 330 and 530's that I tested. The Mercedes/AMG C32 has a really impressive automatic that literally flies through the gears. I doubt I could beat it with an M3 6-speed, even though the professionsals can.
I suspect that with the newest generation of cars coming out of Nissan (G35, 2003 Maxima, etc.) Nissan will retire its antiquated 4-speed automatic and greatly improve on this front. I would personally still go for a stick for the fun factor, but hopefully the new automatics won't penalize performance for those that want or need to go that route.
P.S. I just had my Maxima (118,000 miles) checked out at the dealer before deciding to keep it another year or two. According to the service manager, there is no discernable slippage on the clutch and based upon his estimate, I could probably go another 118k miles on it. So Nissan clearly knows how to make a solid and reliable 5-speed manual.
I'll have to dig that issue up when I get home, but I don't remember anyone being "disappointed".
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/bg/reviews/reviews.xml
Just select Nissan and then Maxima.
Personally, I go for the automatic myself, as do something like 95% of all buyers, but someone who wants the clutch is not likely to be disappointed with the car.
Here's the big question...I have looked everywhere and cannot find a single 0-60 test on either the auto or the manual.
Anyone know what it is? And from what source?
Enjoy the ride. . .
"Nissan hopes that consumers with additional cash to spend will continue to believe that the Maxima is the better car. It's not."
and
"The Altima crashed over sharp bumps, and when traveling over lumpy pavement at high speed, one driver called the car "skittish." Still, we all agreed that the Altima was more fun to drive hard than the Maxima."
How can they say that when they only did a one day "first drive" at the Laguna Seca Raceway???
Must be we are STUPID in thinking that the Maxima offers more for the money (interior quality AND better built quality).
I'm just venting!
Ok, I'm done.
Enjoy that drink!
Is this for real?? This might totally turn me off against considering the 02 Max vs. the 01. I'm really wondering if i should be paying $26k for the new Max when the '01 one is going in the DC area for $18.9k
"How will Nissan be able to sell the Maxima with this all-new Altima sitting right next to it in dealer showrooms? That's the question our staff kept asking as we spent a week with the redesigned Altima, which oughta be nominated for some kind of 'Most Improved for 2002' award."
My bad, it was not clear the way I phrased it.
The 2002 Max is maybe half a second or better quicker 0 to 60 mph than the 2001 when you compare like transmissions.
The problem with Edmunds Altima vs. Maxima comments is that they have to play in the fairytale land where everyone pays MSRP. When you compare at MSRP, Altima 3.5 doesn't do too bad (as long as you don't load it up). Unfortunately, in real life the Max goes for as much or LESS than the Altima 3.5, so that whole camparison goes out the window. At least for now.
Question #1- Is torque steer a problem because of increased h.p.?
2. Will this car last 200k? (my current 5-speed Taurus SHO has 170K on the odometer)
3. Can I put 18" wheels on this car, if so what size tire?
4. Anything else I need to know before buying?
thanks for your help,
ron
As for lasting 200k miles, I think it depends on how you take care of the car and the type of driving you do. My '95 has 118k miles and is in near new condition with absolutely no repairs required beyond routine maintenance. I am confident enough in its durability for another couple of years to decide to keep it and get a third car instead of trading up to a BMW 5-series at this time (we got a Honda S2000).
Lastly, and this is just my opinion, I wouldn't waste my money to put 18" wheels on a Maxima. At 255 hp with 17" wheels, the Maxima is already stretching the handling extremes of a front wheel drive car. Adding 18" wheels will only increase your tire replacement costs with no discernable increase in performance. I go through my Maxima tires at $450/set every 50k miles (15" in 1995). I'm now looking at spending $750/set every 12k miles on the Honda S2000. Do you really want to endure that expense for a car that you expect to keep for 200k miles. If you are prepared to spend upwards of $10k on wheels and tires for 200k miles, I would get a BMW 530i sport instead. The Maxima is a great car, but it's no 5-series.
Just my 2 cents.
Tire size: you would probably look at a 235/40R18. A good site is www.tirerack.com
I did a quick check and noted about 4 or 5 tires in the 18" size that are the same price or cheaper than the 17" Bridgestones ($150 per) that comes standard on a new max. If you live in an area that gets snow, I would save the orginal 17's and swap them every winter. I bought new rims for my '00 just to look a little different.
Also check out www.maxima.org for more ideas and opinions. That is a great max site.
Goodluck!
1) Got my choice of Paint Color AND Leather Color
2) Got dealer installed Tinting
3) Got my Car in one week
4) Paid marginally more than MSRP of the Altima
In the end, it was a no-brainer. I got everything I wanted, and didn't have to wait. I also noticed that the Lease and Finance Rates on the Maxima (at least up here) are negotiable as well, while there is no dealing at all on the Altima. Like you said, in the end, you could end up paying more for the Altima.
I thought 6.8 for 60 months was already good. Can I do better?
Contact me by mail if you want:
Amazing2@cyberdude.com
Thanks.
BTW, congrats on your new wheels!
I got my SE in Gray Lustre, with only Sunroof, and floor mats. I listened to the Bose system and for the price decided it was'nt worth it. I have already purchased Infinity 652i's for the front and rear doors. I have also purchased one 8" freeair subwoofer, which I plan to mount in a similiar configuration as the Bose version. To power the subwoofer I will be using a Soundstream amp fed from a line level converter off the rear speakers. I will not be replacing the head unit unless it is absolutely neccesary.The total cost of the equipment so far is $400. I plan to do the install this weekend and will post the results.
It's the revenge of the bird poop!
http://www.se-r.net/multimedia/videos/misc/birdpoop.mpeg
BTW, congrats on your new ride!
I got a question.
Does anyone notice how freaking huge their Maxima SE's turning radius is? My wife and I just bought an Audi A4 for her, and that thing feels like it can do a 180 in an alley way, while my Maxima feels like it needs the width of a freeway!
Why is it?
I've long gotten used to it, but i've always thought it was very weird....
ideas?
gymshoe - Your Max has 17" tires, while the A4 has 15". Plus, the A4 is about a foot less in length than the Max. Combine them and it's a huge difference.
My 90 M3 could do a U-Turn in an alley though! ~
I do agree with mirth in his explanation. I also think that front drive cars turn wider than rwd as well.
Got my 00 Max out of the shop yesterday. The tranny shifting problem is fixed finally. The problem was when cold mostly but happens other times as well, is that it slips shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. They replaced a solenoid per the TSB and it is good as new. Took some fighting, but it is fixed.