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Nissan Maxima 2004 Redesign
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Comments
http://www.freshalloy.com/site/cars/nissan/2004/maxima/spy/home.shtml
I'd have to say that I agree with the comment above about it having strong hints of the Saturn Ion.
Anyway, I'd guess the front will have the extremely vertical headlights and low grille ala the G35.
It does work with Mercedes and BMW, and VW though.
As for its looks....I am not sold on it yet, but then I never am until I drive a car.
I agree though with the 'variation' aspect, it seems that someone is using the same set of puzzles, and perhaps force-fitting them a bit too much to produce new models.
I guess it depends on the success of the theme, and how extensively the maker uses it throughout the line. Where Nissan differs from BMW, MB, etc., is that these others don't extend the same theme between a mainstream brand and a luxury brand. With BMW, a 3-series and 7-series are both indeed BMW's, even if they sell for different prices. With MB, the same thing.
However, you're seeing very common themes between Infinitis and Nissans. Perhaps too common... at least that's what I'd start to think if I were in the market for an Infiniti. If the luxury brand has a really solid reputation, such a strategy may have a halo effect for the mainstream brand (such as the Passat's obvious Audi heritage). However, Infiniti isn't the established successful brand that Audi or Lexus are, so that strategy could backfire, making the luxury brand lose its prestige because it looks too much like the mainstream brand.
Another issue is that personally, I'm not a big fan of the "tarted up Passat" look of the Altima anyway, so I don't find the prospect of a stable of Altima-inspired Nissans and Infinitis to be all that appealing.
My final issue with the new Maxima is the "Ford Taurus" look of the rear end. That along with the Saturn Ion look from the side doesn't exactly say "premium sports sedan design" to me.
But that derriere...
One thing I'll say against the new Max design, it doesn't break new ground like the Murano. The Murano is all new, so Nissan could go all out. They dont want to offend existing Max fans with a radical departure. They dont want to go taurus with the new design.
I know you mean something different, but the Max's new rear screams "Taurus" to me.
OK, lets kill the Max. You think the Alty 3.5 is a convincing alternative to Passat W8, ES/Avalon, TL? Gimme a break!
That's a fact of life... the same thing happened with the 2003 Accord.
I'm not inclined to make a lot of judgments based on spy photos, but the best shot of the new Max is from Nissan itself, so I assume it's what they consider a good, representive photo. Didn't leave a very good first impression with me... we'll see if additional photos and/or seeing it in person changes that impression.
Looks like 04 Max will be priced around $30K. Good luck, Nissan.
Looks like 04 Max will be priced around $30K. Good luck, Nissan.
If the asthetics inside the new Max be like Murano as rumured then kutos to Nissan. The big question " Will it have AWD???". so, it can compete with the likes of the A6,A4, and 330IX. I hope so. The real anouncement won't be till Jan 5, 2002, I think at the LA auto show. Domo Arigato Nissan , nice job.
I believe Nissan has the whole package better than most; fast, roomy, luxury and not that expensive. Let's wait till January.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
http://www.maximafreak.com/2k4/dscn0003.jpg
The side looks very good, the back resembles a Mercedes a little, but the front just doesn't work with the rest of the body. I think Nissan could have done better.
Thanks for easing my mind about my recent '03 SE purchase. I feel much better now.
At least from the picture, the grill looks too droopy, but otherwise the rest of the car looks very promising.
I still think that, based on the price of the Murano, the price of a fully loaded SE will be 37k ish (with nav), 35k ish without. In a couple of years, heavy discounting will likely knock 5 or 6k from this price...29-30k for a car (plus taxes, title, and tags) is a lot of coin!
Have you guys read from the Murano forum the people are paying sticker?!?!? I never would have thunk that folks would be paying $525-$550/month to lease a Nissan! That's a lease! Wow!
journalists has selected the Mini Cooper, the Infiniti G35 and the Nissan 350Z
as finalists for the 2003 North American Car of the Year while the Honda
Element, HUMMER H2, Nissan Murano and Volvo XC90 are finalists for the 2003
North American Truck of the Year.
3 out of 7 are Nissan. Only one domesticated, the Hummer. No Toyota, no Accord. Next year belongs to the Max and FX, looks like Toyota & Honda will have to breathe Nissan fumes for a while. Yeah!