ImmaculatePro

hey, right now i drive a 98 maxima and honestly i like it alot. It is fairly old and since my dad gave it to me, im not paying anything for it. The thing is i want a little bit newer of a car and I also want to buy it myself. I will be financing it so i will also build my credit. I am torn between either and 00 or 01 maxima, or 00 or 01 tl. I post the same type question on maxima.org and they call said that the tranny is gonna go on me if i buy the acura. I know i will get a biased opinion depending on which forum im asking the question. But i heard from the maxima guys, now what you the acura guys think? Am i gonna be replacing the transmittion?

JetBlackAC

I had a 2000 maxima before selling that and getting my 03 tl type s with navi and on star, and I can promise you, you wont miss the max. The TL is a dream to drive.

Maximaboy1

I have an 00 maxima and an 01 TL...the TL rides much more smoothly, but the maxima's brakes seem to be better than the TL's...(less brake pedal input to engage the brakes required on the maxima). I also fear the tranny on the TL..but it's not gone yet so it's okay....I would get the TL though and just gamble with the tranny--the TL is more luxurious, comfortable, and aside from the tranny, more reliable in my experience.

sbuswell

get an 2002 maxima or 99 TL. 99 TL's have far fewer tranny issues then 00-03's do. 2002 maxima has VQ35 motor in it good for 255HP, very fast. 99 TL will be cheaper probably and they are more luxurious and smoother.

03CoupeV6

00 Maxima

The TL is head and shoulders above the 00 Maxima in terms of refinement and interior quality and general fit and finish, from my experience.

MOBB

Having Drivin Both (01 Maxima, 55k Miles, 00 Tl 70k Miles). The Maxima has a much smoother transmission, and tighter brakes thats about it. Everything in the TL is better than the Maxima, The maxima i find did not have enouhg power on take-offs bouncy suspension engine is not smooth and theres alot of road noise.

Go with the TL, But the tranny can basically shit on anyone no exeptions. I have a 2000 TL now with 96k miles and still running fine. Only time will tell.

DudeLuv

Also consider the financials....if this is the first car you are fiancing be sure you can make the payments....as you mentioned you are establishing your credit....you will probably need a co-signer....many banks/credit unions will finance cars year 2000 or newer and with under 80,000 miles only. Certain cars book higher, that is, are estamated to be worth more at the end of your loan term, 48mos, 72mos, whatever, and banks will lend you more on cars of higher current book value, so the trick is to find a ride that books through the roof at a low buy price.

As far as which ride, the TL is just so much cooler at the stop light than any maxi pad....nissan is the common man's car.....too common.
But with either car, find a clean, well maintained example with low mileage, clean carfax, etc. There are plenty of both out there.

Good luck!

t0ast

You're young so you probably don't care about this, but the Maxima has an average crash rating for the frontal offset. The engine and tranny supposedly pushes into the cabin and may pin your leg. Nothing too serious, but the TL has the better crash rating, and that's why we chose the TL in 03.

Also where are you located? If you're in the NY metro area, consider that the TL and maxima get their HIDs jacked like crazy. However, Nissan supposedly remedied the problem for the Maxima by issuing a TSB to strengthen the mounts for the headlights. You should check with their boards about that.

Honestly, don't take our word or their word on it. Take a few months, and lurk around both boards. You'll hear about the probelms both cars have as well as see what people do to their cars. If you plan do some modding, check out the pics and threads.

Either way, you will not be disappointed with either car.

03CoupeV6

Maxima didn't get HIDs until 2002.

bx-tls

I personally never like maxima, i never liked acura either before i came across my TL. So i say, do what i did, drive a bunch of car and go wit you guts

Lawaia

Pretty obvious what the answer will be. So we'll shut this down before it get's ugly.