How many of you considered the Maxima SE before you bought your tls?

When I test drove in 00, my thoughts were:

TL adv.
5 speed tiptronic vs 4 sp automatic
nicer exterior
more luxurious feel

Maxima SE adv
smoother shifting engine
better suspension
more sporty feel
larger back seat with split folding

Of course, with the 2002's, both cars have raised the bar.

Knowing full well that I'm on the TL-S forum, and without starting a p&&(ing match, I was wondering what you guys thought (I'm looking for auto so stick is a non issue)

 

I was considering the 2002 Max or I-35 all the way till I learned that their was no manumatic shifter and 5 speed automatic trans. I went with the TLS because it had mostly everything that I wanted Infiniti/Nissan to put in their cars and more.

 

No 5-speed auto and SS -- not for me. Price is too close and I owned a Maxima before getting my CLS. When wife's Nissan goes south, we will probably be getting a TLS...

 

my choices were

530i
A6 2.7T
S60 T5
GS300
TL-S

the price varies quite a few bit here, but given it's resell value, I thought they're quite compatible.
and since I had to get an auto. I quickily trash all my other choice and went with the TL-S.

 

forget my previous post...I was just bashing at my own $.02

I would still get the TL-S, simply because of looks.

since the performace of are gonna be similar, I wouldn't worry about it....

thumbs up for the Maxima interior too!

the TL-S have stiffer springs than TL...but many still went ahead and changed them.

 

TLS wasn't an option when I bought mine, but I was cross shopping the Max when I bought my '01.

What eventually swayed me was:

4spd Max vs. 5spd TL
Sport Shift
no NAV option on the Max
Figured reliability might be a smidge better on the Acura

Looks was a wash between the two.

That's pretty much it. The Maxima is a nice car, and I would consider it again if I was in the market.

 

Consider the 01 Max SE 20th Anniv edition before I bought the I30t. But the deal on the I30 is too good to pass by. Infiniti had better warranty and better customer serivce.

 

I've owned and driven a 5 speed SE for the last 11 years. Would probably have bought another one if they hadn't turned so danged ugly. I like both the exterior and the interior of the TL-S better than the Max.

 

The new Maxima SE comes with a six speed in Oct. The new and bigger engine give it better acceleration. It will give the TL-S a run for its money. Now with all the stadard equipment matching up to the Acuras it will be a hard choice to decide. Please give a fair comparison only if you driven one in person. I personally will wait for the 6 speeds to come out before comparing it to our car. We expect the same from others when they compare our car to theirs. Lastly the automatic is not to be ruled out. I've driven it and it got some balls under the hood.

 

This is scary, but I think I'm starting to understand how the Lexus folks feel when people like me compare the TL to a GS430. In my mind, the Nissan Maxima is so pitifully pathetic compared to the TL that I would never even consider it. I've had two Maximas for rental cars, and they were terrible! No power, cheapo interior, very uncomfortable seat, poor exterior fit/finish, cheesy radio, lots of road noise... I just don't see the comparison, even if they do cost roughly the same.

 

I think during the next 5 years the line between "economy" midsize and "near luxury" midsize sedans is going to blur to the point of irrelevance.

For some reason the economies of platform sharing seems to benefit the economy model rather than the high-end model. While the Accords and Camrys will begin to get 200+hp engines, better suspensions, etc. which will bring them to the price/performance sweet spot, the TL will have an increasingly difficult time differentiating itself as a more luxurious model. Previously "luxury" items like leather, navigation and CD changers will begin to creep into the economy badges' standard packages. The differentiators will ultimately get confined to engines, incrementally better handling characteristics and owner services (not one of Acura's strong points).

Of course manufacturers can begin arbitrarily withhold certain features from their "economy" models, but this too is an uncertain strategy, as whatever one maker withholds another maker is offering.

The only real solution is to take further advantage of the common platform economy to pump even more value to the top line models, such as offering RWD or AWD, better integration with cell phone/internet services, better service (please!), and an agressive campaign to maintain the luxury image of the brand (a la Lexus).

 

I've see the 2002 in person, and have reviewed the interior extensively.

It's quite nice!

I like it better than the TL-S, but perhaps that's because I'm used to the TL-S now. The plastic is cheesier than the TL-S, that can be argued however.

I don't like the limited 3/36K warranty Nissan has .. I like the 4/50K warranty Acura gives w/ their vehicles.

I don't think Nissan is smoother shifting than a Tl-S .. I think the 4-speed would be less entertaining to drive. If you don't get the SE, I don't think you'll be pleased w/ the inferior McPherson struts in the rear, they tend to crack and leak at 25-36K miles in my personal experience. The SE uses superior suspension components, so I cannot comment on those.

The Nissan BOSE system is superior, only because it has two more speaks (possibly four more), and I've heard the acoustic quality .. it's very nice.

The rear-end .. ugh .. why didn't they just wipe the slate clean and revert to the pre-2000 body style??

 

DITTO, DITTO, DITTO!!!!!!

Yee is a man after my own heart. Those were precisely the same cars I considered before choosing the clear choice and obvious winner

 

I thought it was just me. Don't know if they are similar but I think the Bose in my wife's Pathfinder sounds much better than the one in my TL.

I'm not complaining about the TLs system, just that in comparison, the Nissan version is a little better

 

In my previous Maxima the Bose (while it worked) was much better sounding than my CLS system. They used the 1-ohm speakers for a ton of power and even though the speaker cones can't compare to MB-Quartz (and others), they did have a acoustic labyrinth to help with bass.

They took a different approach in the CLS/TLS than they did in the recent Maximas. I can't comment on the NEW 3.5 Maxima...

 

I considered the Maxima early on and even took one home for a day. I really liked the lighter feel and the stereo sounded pretty good. In the end it seemed too much of a premium for what you got. I mean the interior is more spartan than the TL and the body design is getting long in the tooth.

I also looked at the MB320, Audi A4, Mazda Millenium, BMW330i. Acura was the last one I looked at. I thought for sure I would end up with the MB or BMW. But after test driving the TL and thinking about the differences, I decided to save the $10K+ and go with the TL. 5 months later I traded the TL in for the TLS and couldn't be happier.

Unless the BMW dealer would have sold me the 330i I wanted for $33K. No dice. The wanted $39K. It was loaded of course with Xeon and Dinan chip as well.

RUF

 

I considered a Maxima before I bought my 98 Accord EX V6. It was too hard to find one with the exact options I wanted and I read a review somewhere about "unsettling braking under certain conditions" that kind of made me a bit hesitant. Also, I didn't like that fact that it did not have 4 wheel ind. suspension.

Before I bought my TLS, I drove a 330i, a used 528i, Volvo S60 T5, MB C320, Audi A6 2.7T, and S4. The BMWs were too small and too expensive for what you get. The Volvo was nice but a bit small and just didn't wow me. Same for the MB. The S4 was dangerously fun but too small. The 2.7T was awesome and would have been my first choice but I drive 40000 miles a year and it just didn't seem sensible to put all that mileage on a $45000 car. So, I went with the TLS.

 

I looked at Maxima SE Annv. Edition.... decent car, engine/tranny is smooth as you experienced... but 4-speed auto really ticks me off.... Looks at IS300, 330Xi and Audi A4... all great cars.. IS300 is abit overpriced, IMO.... 330Xi is decent, probably the best performer of the bunch, but waiting time is too long(2-3 months), and is a bit pricey consider I am using the car in winter also....

A4, great car again, Quattro is great... but new model is just around the corner.... not worthy it buying one now....

Looked at Jetta GLX 5-speed and Passat V6 4Motion as well.... again, decent cars... but with just 4K CDN differences between Jetta GLX and TLS(and not to mention that Jetta is WAY smaller compare to TLS), I picked TLS.....

Andy Kuo

 

I own a '97 Maxima SE and after relegating it to transporting my wife around, I was going to replace it with the '01 20th Ann. Ed. Maxima SE. Took one for a test drive and just couldn't get comfortable in the thing. There is no headroom in there (I'm 6'4"). The TL-S could stand to use another inch of headroom in its own right but it's workable. I also couldn't get over the a$$ end (what can I say, I'm an a$$man like Kosmo).

Also considered, but rejected for various reasons (main one listed):

2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro - too expensive, too slow
2001.5 VW Passat 4-Motion - what's with all the chrome, slow, poor warranty
2001 Subaru WRX - $2000 over MSRP, I don't think so
2001 Lexus IS300 - Too small, RWD with 18" sucks for us New England folks

Also, IMHO the Bose/Clarion setup in the Maxima is far superior to the TL-S. An installer at a high-end stereo shop said (at the time) that my OEM Clarion (non-Bose) stereo in my '97 SE was one of the best he'd ever heard. And I agree.

 

While I respect your opinion, I have NEVER heard a person complain about a Maxima being underpowered. What exactly were you driving?

 

I think it was a Maxima GXE.

 

I thought they all came with the same engine...

the only diff would be the sport suspension...

 

All maximas come with the same engine - you have to go back to the 3rd gens to see different engines.

Comparing a GXE Max to a TL-P is a reach, let alone a TL-S. The only Max to compare is a GLE or a loaded SE. The GXE you rented didn't even have Bose or auto climate control.

The biggest advantage the Maxima offers in the manual transmission. There are rumors of a 6 spd TLS, but I'll believe it when I see it in print on Acura letterhead.

The 2002 Max has a 6 disc in-dash, available Navi, 255 hp (Nissan originally claimed 260). Most everything else is similar to the 2000/2001 models.

Drive 'em both - you won't go wrong with either choice.

 

Maxima has butt ugly tail lights...I like the rest of the car though.

 

LoL

 

I was driving a QX4 for a while with the BOSE system... I think it sounds a whole lot better than the TLS. Besides having more speakers it also has a more powerful amp.

 

My Maxima had the Bose system (which is replaced now) and it didn't have a powerful amp, it had several powerful amps. One built on the back of each speaker. Pretty sure they still do it that way on the newer ones. It was really more than decent for a factory system but not super duper great or anything. Not like what I've got now.

 

I agree with Goaub that the bose sound system in the nissan is better than the acura. The Tl-type S has the worst Bose sound system I've listened to. Acura should be ashamed of such a piece of crap.

 

LOL! Underpowered?

 

My 92 SE (which went to $hit due to cheap-o caps) had the one power amp and acoustic labyrinth per door "unit" (the rear speakers had their own power amp modules, but no were “open air” units – trunk was the “enclosure”).

There are still is an amp per speaker in the CLS (sorry not sure on the TLS), but the amp was built into the speaker unit in the Maxima. They also used 1 ohm speakers -- they looked like $hit, but sounded pretty nice, and had a much higher output than my current CLS.

So with CLS/TLS they went with bridged amps (in one big box) and 2/4 ohms per speaker (4-ohm tweeters and 2-ohm speakers)

With the 92 Maxima SE I had they had went with the 1-ohm speakers and the door speakers had the "acoustic" labyrinth to increase the bass output and tailor frequency response. The main difference was in "implementation" -- it is as though they kept one designer doing "some" of the work, and had a different guy do the rest...


BTW -- Someone mentioned the "POWER" of a MAXIMA -- and I had a 1992 SE (which was a 4-valve) variant of the Z car engine and the GXE has a 2-valve. I had an 4-speed auto with 190 HP, and the car was killed off the line by just about everything!!! Once it was flying on the freeway, it was very fast. I never liked the lack of gear ratios in that car and couldn't even pass trucks on Mullholland (I'm not kidding).

 

First off, it's not the engine in the Z. The 1992 SE used the VE30DE while the 300ZX used the VG30DE. Different blocks altogether. Plus, the 4th gen 190hp engine produces an extra 15 ft-lbs of torque over the 3rd gen. Second, it's an auto. You lose a lot with the auto. Trust me, I drive one and curse it everyday. 5-speeds are minimum 1/2 sec faster, with the older auto trannies probably losing even more power. And like you said, the auto gearing isn't designed for speed. But let's try and keep this on topic. We're not talking about an ancient decade old model Maxima, we're talking about the brand new 2002 Maxima, which is superior in every way.

 

how about a Stillen Maxima?

 

My wife has a 2000 Pathfinder. That Bose system is much worse than my TL-S Bose system. I assume that the QX4 has a much better system.

 

Guys --You nailed it, nice car the Maxima but you know it is going away real soon, has an inferior warranty and has a crude twist beam axle and those taillights------yuck! IMHO! QuickRick

 

I said variant -- not the exact engine...

AS far as the "issues" go -- I like an auto, and even if they come out with the 6-speed, I will keep my slush-shift. Now, when car #2 which is a stick goes away, I'll look at stick vs. stick.

So, in the "current" era, I rode in all of the cars through 1992 GXE to 1997 SE/GXE (Myself, sister, and best friends all drove the vehicles and we looked like a club event -- ok...)

I just couldn't tolerate the 4-speed (in any) without the SS. Perhaps with a strong box (in the new one) and the addition of a supercharger, it would make a difference in passing at 20-40 MPH. The differences in my "current" vehicle compared to the 2001 manuals I've run into are a joke. Granted I have the headers, AEM CAI, and very light SSR Wheels and I've had some fun with my buddy's earlier 92 Maxima 5-speed manual and he just says forget about it. It isn't worth the comparison.

So, if someone is shopping 6-speed vs. 6-speed, I would consider looking at the Maxima (new 3.5L) again -- I still don't like the back end.

Yes, my opinions...

BTW -- I also liked my 92 SE's suspension better than the later versions...

 

But, really, they're not even close. EVERYTHING is different, except the Nissan symbol and maybe the door handles, since Nissan likes doing that kind of stuff.

And yes, the auto tranny is pretty average. Nothing special, but it's not cr@p either. I can't speak for the 3rd gen auto tranny but I know mine isn't very sluggish, and I have no trouble passing people at any speed. But I am aware that my car could do more with a manual. I was surprised myself to find that they did not go with a 5 speed auto. I guess they just couldn't get one to market soon enough to put it on the car. My hopes are that by 2005 it'll be rear wheel drive with 280 hp. But as it stands, I have yet to drive a 2002, although I have heard they have no trouble spinning the tires going into second when you really go.

The suspension was probably "better" (ie, it felt more responsive in turns but the newer ones actually hold the road better) because it was a lighter car lower to the ground. Plus, I'm not sure if this was on the 92 or not but I think it might have been a fully independant suspension as opposed to the stupid rear multi-link beam suspension that 4 and 5th gen have.

And yes, those tail lights are ugly. Very, very ugly. At least the 2002 are a very slight improvement over the 2001. Very slight.

 

Update:

I took my wife to see the Maxima SE (2001 Anniversairy editon) and the Tl-S both in the showroom only as we were in a hurry.

Her conclusion, which is not a car enthusiasts one was that the TL-S interior was much nicer and that if it was "only a few thousand more" then she would prefer it.

Anyhow, I thought I would also mention that when I posted the same question on Maxima.org, many people alluded to the zillions of posts here that complain about failing transmissions and rattles. (TL-S and CL-S).

I am definately leaning towards the TL-S right now but if they are clearing out the 01 Maxima Anniversairy editions and I can get one in majestic blue for invoice cost AND if I have to pay close to MSRP for the TL-S in Eternal Blue then the difference will be close to $8,000 Cdn which I will have to seriously evaluate.

I'll keep you posted, thanks for the honest and fair responses.

 

i think the maxima is headed in a different direction - just not sure where. the reason i say this is that the new altima with the v6 is a much better design than even the new maxima with the 260hp engine. it actually has the full independent suspension that the maxima needs. i read a review in the latest issue of automobile mag where nissan allowed their testers to try out both new cars back to back (go figure). they said that with 260 hp, there's lots of brute force but the rear beam suspension just makes it feel clumsy specially after having driven the new altima. oh yeah, btw, the infiniti i30 has this same setup and probably the new i35 too! i didn't even know this as i was toying with the notion of checking out the infiniti's. after getting that info about the suspension - forget it...

 

Given the price on the 2002 Maxima vs. a TL-S, I'm not sure I would buy one. Having spent considerable time with a 2000 3.2TL, my `97 Maxima SE, and more than a little time in 2000 and 2002 Maxima SEs... I have to say that the TL-S is easily worth $32k or $33k for one.

I'm very impressed by the improvements in the 2002 Maxima over the 97's and even the `01's. It seems much nicer on the inside and more responsive with the new engine- midrange power is much more improved than I expected. I've only driven automatic `02 Maximas and the automatic seems more responsive than before, but not quite as good as the TL.

I'd probably consider paying $27k or $28k for a loaded `02 Maxima SE. Anything more, IMHO, and you'd be better off with a 3.2TL. As much as the Maxima's power and refinement have both been improved, I just don't think the Maxima is or should be a $30k car.

 

My first choice was the A6 2.7T from among the TL-S and the BMW330i. BUT....with all the options I wanted, it was $45K..which they would discount to $41K. I just couldnt justify the extra bucks over the TL-S. Acura gives one dynamite package for the money the the TL-S. .....oh yeah...the Bimmer was just too small.....:p