Anyone come across one?? My buddy has an 04 Maxima Elite, and Im wonderin how it will come out.... That thing looks like a boat!

 

My wife has one in the SL version. You may not like the car but it rides very smoothly and comfortably. The acceleration is excellent and on long road trips we have averaged between 28-30mpg. I would like tires other than the Continental all seasons but overall it's been a good car to date.
The car actually weighs less than the TL according to some specs I have read.
That doesn't stop me from seriously considering trading in my 350Z for a TL. The Zcar is a lot of fun to drive but I need an all weather car being I live in the North East.
I will see what happens when I talk to a dealer or two this week or next.

 

My wife also has an 04 Maxima SE w/Driver Preferred package (which makes it the sportier one with all the goodies of the luxury one). She LOVES IT, for sure. We were originally planning on purchasing the SL, but when we were buying they were scarce. So we went with the SE. I believe the suspension is a little harsher than the SL. It rides on 18" rims in Goodyear Eagle 45's.

I ordered a TL on 12/31/03, and I think it rides much better than her Maxima. Come to think of it, I think that a lot of the features in the TL are better than the Maxima. But shhhh, Don’t tell her.

 

Yeah. Just keep complaining occasionally about how you like her's better, and find one or two things that you can point out to her from time to time when she's driving you in her Maxima. Have her always drive you places. She'll never figure it out ... unless you accidently let her drive the TL. Then all bets are off!

 

I agree. While I'm sure it's a nice car, that thing's a boat.

 

Its a boat compared to previous Maximas. Also the engine seems a bit rougher than the older VQ series.

 

I don’t actually think its a boat. As far as I'm concerned it’s a rocket. At first I really liked it (because I was jealous) however now that I'm getting a TL its just "OK" to me.

It is fast though I and I do enjoy driving it even though it’s an 5AT.

As far as it being rough, I can’t say. I had a '95 maxima and it put out 220HP and 190 Torque. A far cry from my wife’s 265/255. But it seems smooth enough to me. It just rides like a '78 Chevy C10 pickup though. But corners pretty dam good otherwise.

My wife sat in the TL (but never went on any test drives with me cuz I didn’t want to take her to hear her complaining about me buying a new car). I could tell by the snicker (or rather smirk) in her facial expression that she really liked the TL even though she said it was "OK"

Days later, she seemed excited that I was buying it and made the comment "You’re going to let me drive it at least once, right?" I said sure (knowing full well it will be at least 3 years before she drives it!).

 

A 95 Maxima put out 190 hp and 205 TQ.

 

Its a toss up becasue the Max that has that Elite Package has quite few goodies not vailable on the TL.

 

The Elite package was definetly not for us. She was completely happy with the Driver Preferred. To be honest with you I dont remember what the Elite package offered more other than the Navigation. Perhaps thats the journey package. I know one of them also offeres higher end rear seating and such, making it a 2+2.

 

It sounds like even Nissan enthusiasts are lukewarm abou the new Maxima, after being spoiled by super cars the last few years. I regularly visit Fresh Alloy and found THIS-click on a recent visit.

 

My wife has the Maxima SL with the preferred package and the car rides like a dream. I did not get her the elite package because you lose the middle seat in the back. The journey package was impossible to get. The Maxima has a heated steering wheel which my wife loves and a power adjusting steering column. The Maxima also has power folding side mirrors which I expect will save me some money over the life of the car.

That being said I love my TL. The Navi is greatly improved over my 02, the sound system is the best I have heard, the handling is great as I do not have any vibration problems with the tires. ( I may still put the Michelins on for better bad weather handling & put the EL42s back on when I trade the car).

Note the Maxima was delivered without defects. The TL has a defective door molding and some bumper scratches which are scheduled to be fixed. It is taking a while because I want a loaner car. I wonder why all the loaners are in use for over a month.

Bottom line: Both cars are great.

 

Amen to that! BTW my wife loves the heated stering wheel as well. Plus the fact that the driver seat moves back and the wheel up when you enter and exit.

Ours too came delivered without any defects.

Howerver I'e not recieved my TL yet.

 

Test drove both vehicles and the Acura was a much more refined vehicle. The interior was nicer. The Maxima SL has a heated steering wheel which my wife loved but aside from that, the TL seemed more plush... IMHO
Maxima is a very nice vehicle with an exceptionally responsive powerplant.
I noticed a lack of head room on the passenger side of the Maxima which was annoying during a short ride with my wife behind the wheel.

 

Exactly!!!!! My comments as well.

The engine in the Maxima is very strong, and the 5AT is mated to it very well. However I never feel quite "At Home" in it. Its certainly comfterable, but not as much as the TL. I think that the interior looks and feels better in the TL than the Maxima.

 

Thanks for your input guys! ... But it wasnt really what I was going for... I drive around with my friend that has the new maxima almost every day, so I know about all the little features and about its performance, but one thing that Im still kinda wondering about is.... Will the TL beat the new maxima?? those kinda things, performance wise... AT vs AT, AT vs MT.... Thanks again!

 

You read my mind.

 

TL horsepower rating is only slightly higher than the Maxima. Torgue figures are almost the same with the Maxima's torgue kicking in a lower rpm.
My guess is the Maxima will feel more responsive accelerating in the lower rpm range. The TL needs more engine speed for maximum torgue to kick in.
I believe the TL will out handle the maxima in all situations. IMHO