Im shopping between a 1999 TL and 2001 Maxima, and I was leaning towards the TL until I found out today about the transmission problems...

(The two cars Im looking at are about the same in price. mileage, and features.)

Has anyone here picked one car over the other or cross shopped the two? I know its a TL forum but does the Max have any glaring major problems similar to the TL transmission issue...?

Any comments are appreciated...

1995-1999 4th gen


2000-2003 5th gen

 

The only problem with the Max is that its ugly other than that its a all around good car

 

I had a 99 Tl and I loved it, I actually sold it to my mom and she is driving it today. I wouldn't worry too much about the tranny as long as it is still covered under the extended tranny warranty, I had mine replaced once in that car and never had any problems otherwise.

Before I bought my 99 I was doing a lot of car shopping because I am extremely picky about what I will drive. I really wanted a TL-S but it was out of my price range, I wanted something sporty but also classy with some luxury to it, the TL always stayed in my mind. I went to an Infinity/Nissan dealership to see what they had that would match what I was looking for. I test drove several Maximas but they just didn't have what I wanted. I even tried out some I30s(the Infinity version of the Maxima) and I didn't think they matched up to the TL, plus the dealer made the mistake of having a TL out there with them so I could compare nearly side by side. The interior was nicer, the body styling is sexier, and it outperformed the others.

I've always liked Honda/Acura interiors, they are symmetric and they have a nice flow, especially the 2nd gen TL.

I'm glad I got the TL, I never looked back or thought I could have done better for the money. The TL is far tighter than a Maxima and Acura is better than Nissan. Last time I bought a car I went straight for the TL-S, didn't even think about buying anything else, they grow on you.

It comes down to what you really want in a car but you can't go wrong with the TL or really any other Acura for that matter.

 

perfectly stated from experience. I have driven many max's and they are nice, but not luxurious IMO. The I30 is ugly, but a great car other than that. the TL is everything, very nice looking, sporty, reliable, better gas mileage than a max and luxurious enough for most. The TL will out handle the Max anyday of the week also.

 

I'd say 5.5 gen maxima or higher if you get one. Otherwise TL FTW!!! Even then I think you'll like the TL's styling and interior and handling much more than any Maxima.

 

I beg to differ, I owned a 94 Maxima SE (4DSC) with a 5sp. That car was a blast to drive, great durability, performance, and awesome build quality. I know its nowhere near the TL as far as gizmos, but it kicks it in the butt in build quality. The 3rd gen was the last of the real maxima's IMO. Loved that car

 

Take the TL over those newer gen maxima's anyday

 

you should google for a...ahem...nissan forum.


ps i love my TL

 

Yeah, but that's the 3rd gen that Nissan put the 300zx V6 in, and finding one of those in a 5sp isn't easy, and it's 5 years older than the TL he's looking at. I will agree that it is by far the best Maxima model ever though, great looking car too...but it's still not a TL. A friend of mine had a 94 5sp Maxima and I used to kick the crap out of it with my TL.

 

The maximas are pretty cool. My cousin rolls with a maxima crew in brooklyn, and most of them have 4th gen maximas and some of them are worked pretty nice. I kinda like the 4th gens better though. I still woop his tail on the belt pkway if we roll out once in a blue...

 

I used to have 95 and 03 Maxima. I really didn't have problem with the auto tranny except for the 03 Maxima. I had the car for about 2yrs and the tranny was fine, but after I added the headers I had some problem with the tranny. If you want to find out more info on the Maxima. You should check out Maxima.org Forum.

 

O/T - thread belongs in Car Talk.