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Nissan Maxima 2004 Redesign
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Comments
at the car show it grabbed alot of attention, the interior i=s really nice in tan, it is pretty high quality
is much better than what some ppl have said about it
For those who kept complaining about the Max design, Mitsu certainly doesn't share your complaints!
The Lexus HPX concept has lots of FX styling cues also. Very possible, and even expected, that styling of Murano, Z & G35 styling will be displayed by other manufacturers!
So I don't think there's much in the line of tribute to the Maxima here. But if there is, Nissan should take notes on the Galant's front end, as it has far more pleasing shapes to the grille and headlights than does the Maxima.
~alpha
http://www.nissanusa.com
Dean Bonham
To me on the Maxima, the headlight assembly looks a little cheap for a higher buck car. They could play around with changing the grille opening and grille some. Maybe make it more like the 350Z.
Overall the Maxima is fine. Its doesn't have the visual impact of the best cars. But it does appear crisp, which is envogue and has real clean lines. It doesn't offend in any way IMHO. I think the dashboard and console could've been different and more substantial. The door panels and seats are fine.
Skyview is flat out dumb. Why not a 2 panel sunroof like the Mercedes Cclass 2 dr?
At least you can still get the sunroof. If it was GM they'd make the skyroof standard and not give you the option of the sunroof.
But back to the 04 Maxima, I think the biggest mistake by Nissan was not making the 5 speed automatic a choice on both the SE AND SL. Just because the SL is the "luxury" version, doesn't mean that the buyers don't want a quicker downshifting, more efficient transmission.
WE ARE.....
~alpha
I just sent you an email. BTW, does alpha01 signify that you belong to a fraternity, just curious?
See that maxima TV ad with the black Max? me want.
I have the 04 SL Black with Frost leather and Driver preferred package.
I think the Skyview is one of the best things about the car.
It gives you lots of room and the kids (5 and 3) really think it is cool!
I have had several cars with sunroofs and really could care less if I ever had another. They are noisy, tend to leak and I just rarely opened mine.
With the Skyview, I feel like I get the best of both worlds without losing headroom.
As for this cars place in the car world. I really think this is Nissans attempt to compete with the Toyota Avalon. I think you will continue to see more refinement to the upper end (an more costs that will make it more in line with Avalon)while at the same time they will continue to improve the Altima and it will essentially be the direct competitor to the Camry.
That is the problem with a lot of the reviews, almost all of the tested vehicles are manuals, despite the fact that a majority purchase automatics. Car and Driver is especially biased toward manuals/ more "performance-oriented" testing; even their recent economy test, the cars were manuals, and the Protege won despite being noisy and having a choppy ride.
The bad reviews might help consumers in one way, by forcing Nissan to offer discounts more quickly. The only way, despite the reviews, to find out if the 04 Max is the appropriate car for people, is to go a test drive one in the form (SE/SL) that you are most likely to purchase.
If Honda can eliminate/minimize the Torque Steer on their 240HP Accord, why cant Nissan? In fact every manufacturer has found some way to deal with the Torque steer (Honda, Toyota, Audi, Cadillac etc.). Nissan still refuses to address the issue, and I dont understand it (that is the impression you get when reading the reviews, they make it sound like the torque steer is pretty bad on this car.)
"If Honda can eliminate/minimize the Torque Steer on their 240HP Accord, why cant Nissan? In fact every manufacturer has found some way to deal with the Torque steer (Honda, Toyota, Audi, Cadillac etc."
Torque steer has very little to do with horsepower, which is the figure you cite in reference to the Accord. The 240hp Accord produces only 212lb ft. of torque, where as the Maxima produces 255lb. ft. There in lies the problem.
To that extent, torque steer is still very much an issue in front drive Cadillacs. Audi's higher torque vehicles use Quattro. Toyota's highest torque front drive engine has not been introduced in cars yet (I'm referring to the 3.3L 240lb ft) and so its current highest torque front drive engine produces 220 lb. ft.
~alpha
Yes, that makes sense when you think about it, being that the Nissan Maxima produces more Torque in their FWD Maxima than any manufacturer I can think of ...
however, even back in 1995 when I was test driving a Nissan Sentra SE-R, it had terrible torque steer. All I did was punch the accelerator then all of a sudden the steering wheel had a mind of its own. The thing only had 140 HP, and torque lbs/ft was probably around 140 as well!
I only mentioned the 240HP rating of the Accord because I did not want my comparison to be confused with the four cylinder model. I probably should have stated the "V6 Accord "rather than the HP rating.
There is always going to be a torque-steer problem on high torque/hp FWD vehicles, that is a given. But I think most of the reviewers are complaining about is the fact that Nissan vehicles tend to be the worse of the bunch.
Take for example, the Nissan Sentra Spec-V. This vehicle has only 180 lb/ft of torque, but that thing has torque steer problem as well. This review sums it up: "Its hard to enjoy what is otherwise a nice, little sporty sedan with all that torque steer."
http://cartalk.cars.com/Info/Testdrive/Reviews/nissan-sentra-2002- - - - - .html
Going by your example, the Sentra should not be exhibiting that much torque steer because it only has 180 torque, far less than the Accord's 212. But clearly this is not the case.
Dont get me wrong, I love the Nissan Maxima. I always wanted one, and I am serioulsy considering the 2004 model. However, I think Nissan really needs to address this issue.
Nissan is probably using unequal length drive shafts, which is probably the main reason why their FWD cars tend to turn to the right when "torque steer" rears its ugly head. If you look at the Maxima's engine bay, you will notice the engine is positioned to the right.
Oh well, I still like the new 2004 Maxima.
Besides, I think the staff of magazines such as Car and Driver gets the fact that there is a correlation between torque and torque steer, yet they're the ones who criticize Nissan for their inability to tame torque steer on the Altima and Maxima. Clearly, "lots more torque" is no excuse for the torque steer problem. And Nissan should be able to do much better.
I still think Nissan should have offered an AWD system on the Maxima. That would have cured the torque-steer problem and given it a more legitimate claim to sportiness.
I agree with you that aggressive driving isn't economical, but if they had really meant the Maxima to be economical, they wouldn't have given it a 265 hp engine. So, depending on your driving style, some people may experience torque steer more than others... the point is that, with a "high performance sports sedan", you really shouldn't experience it at all.
I don't plan to do anything yet, but want to be prepared when hubby and I are ready to wheel and deal. My Altima 2.5S has leather seats, sunroof, wheel locks and something else I can't remember. No power seats. Dealer said that Ameritech bought a fleet of Altima 2.5S models and reneged on the contract. Therefore, he spruced them up with incentives so as to move them off his lot. Not sure if I believe story, but it was a great deal for me.
Anyhow, the Blue Book value of my car is $17,000. How would a trade in work? Thanks
Also, remember that if there are any rebates on the new vehicle you are buying, these rebates are taxed, i.e. they are subtracted from the final price after the tax has been added, not before.
The skyview roof panels do NOT open like a traditional sunroof, they are there make the cabin feel more open/less confined. I like the skyview roof, because a lot of people never open the sunroof anyway, and it isn't costing buyers any money.
I agree about the G35 vs. Maxima decision. The big difference I see is G35 is RWD, while the Max is FWD.
I would love for a salesperson to justify a $500.00 Dealer's charge.