I just purchased a 2005 TL NBP/ebony 6-speed with Navigation! My old car was a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6-speed so powerwise, they're pretty similar. The gearbox on the TL is so precise, especially compared to my old Maxima. I have a lot of studying to do tonight and in the next few days (perhaps weeks?) to learn all the fantastic features of this car.

A question:

I've read the recommended shift points for the car in the manual but I was wondering when other 6-speed owners shifted. In my Maxima, I generally shifted (for everyday driving) from 1st to 2nd at about 17mph, 2nd to 3rd at about 25mph, 3rd to 4th at 40 mph, 4th to 5th at about 50 mph, and 5th to 6th at 60 mph.

 

congrats on the new ride!!

 

Congrats

I've had my 05 5/AT ABP TL A-SPEC with Navi for about a month. I've loved every second of driving it so far. I had to get the AT so my wife could drive it. For an AT, it sure shifts nicely.

There are all sorts of cool features in this car that you will find. For instance, have you tested out the DVD Audio system? DVD Audio discs sound AWESOME. Great surround sound.

Have fun!!

 

Just cruising, I shift to 2nd at 20, to 3rd at 30, to 4th at 40, to 5th at 50 and to 6th at 60.

Usually, I just go by the revs though. I try to shift around 3-3.5K during regular driving...of course there are those times when I push the 5-6K range too.

 

Congrats.
I wanted a 6mt Maxima when it first came out. I ended up getting a 6mt Accord coupe.
How is the handling compared to the TL? I know the 5th gen Maxima has a beam axle rear suspension. Nissan just wanted to save some money.

For everyday driving I usually shift at 3-3.5K.

 

i just shift at every 3k

 

I shift between 2K to 3K RPM for everyday driving.
Then a few times a day visit 6K+ for some fun.

 

I can totally relate. I traded in my '02 Maxima SE 6-speed for my 6-speed TL. The Maxima felt torquier off the line, likely because of the larger engine. The Maxima also seemed to be easier to drive fast. I think part of that was better visibility overall.

The TL has a much more precise shifter (as you stated) and the handling is worlds better. I likened the 2002 Maxima to a Cadillac DeVille DTS...very fast, but a bit floaty with rotten handling.

You'll love the TL and all it has to offer once you get used to it.

 

You will love the 6-speed. I can't get my dad to stop speeding now!!! But thats okay as long as he lets me drive it.

 

Thanks all for your input. When I first test drove the TL 6-speed I did notice it didn't quite have the initial torque off the line like my Maxima did but that's about the only thing that my Maxima was superior (well perhaps the heated steering wheel!).

The gearbox and handling are just light years ahead of the Maxima's. I just love the feel of that gearbox!!!! I'm still getting used to the clutch as it has a much different feel than the Maxima's - I've stalled it a few time already but I'll get used to it soon I'm sure. Yeah, that rear beam axel on the Maxima was its achilles heal. Yes, it saved weight & money and provided a pretty stable platform but take corners on a road with any bumps and the back end bounced all over the place. Quite unnerving at times!

I can't even begin to compare all the gadgets between the TL and Maxima - no contest. I'm still a bit overwhelmed with it all but of course the two cars are in two different classes anyway. You can probably tell I have a special place in my heart for Maximas although I feel Nissan really dropped the ball with the 6th gen Maxima. I feel the TL is what the current Maxima should have been.

 

Congrats on the new ride. I love those front brakes. Wish I had a set for my S2k.

 

It certainly is a pleasure to drive. Mine's an '04 Anthracite/Ebony/6MT/Nav. Once you get used to the clutch (short travel and even shorter take-up), everything will fall into place.

Your new baby should be able to blow the doors off of your former car. Heck, I had a 2000 SVT Contour that had more throttle response than the 2001 Maxima SE Anniversary Edition, not to mention the fact that it would run rings around it in the twisties. But that's not a fair comparison because the SVT Contour would beat most any sedan in the corners.. including 3-series Bimmers.

Anyway, congrats on your new toy and hopes for a lot of enjoyment, too. It's one fine machine.

 

The '01 Max had 222hp, the '02 was bumped to 3.5L and 255hp.

By the way, I had an '01, loved it. But it's not a TL.

 

To downtown;

The Anniversary Edition had 5 more HP bringing it to 227. I test drove one just for kicks and was not impressed because I had my 2000 SVT Contour at the time. I also drove a 2002 TL Type S in March of 2001 and was not impressed with that either. Mostly because of the automatic transmission. There was a distinct lack of throttle response and I have a strong bias against automatics, anyway.

But my other TL (a 2005 model) IS an automatic.. I jointly own it with my wife and she is the primary driver. The automatic in that car is darned good with a ton of throttle response. Still, I'll opt for a manual transmission every time and that's what my '04 has... I love it.

Really, there are so many good machines out there now from which to chose it makes you crazy.

 

Anyone with a 6-speed TL should be shifting after 2 or 3k. You need to enjoy the car and let that VTEC breathe. Personally everyday driving around 4.5k and when I'm on it very close to 7k. Love the car... 04 6speed/SSM/Ebony/AEM CAI/20"Foose Speedsters

 

Yeah, my 2002 Maxima SE had 255 hp/246 lb/ft torque so I gained 15 hp and lost 8 lb/ft of torque with my new TL. I've noticed that the 3.2 in the TL does sound different and will rev faster than the VQ in the Maxima. The "pull" feels pretty much the same in both cars with the exception of right off the line - the Maxima wins there. However, since I'm still in the "break-in" period, I haven't been able to really put my TL through its paces to make a true comparison. It's quite frustrating having to baby it right now!

Trelos74: You have the color combination I was looking for! Unfortunately, there were none in my area with that color combination so I went with NBP/Ebony since it was my second choice. Besides, the dealer gave me a good price on the NBP/Ebony.
I'm going back to the dealer in a few days to get a decklid spoiler put on too.

 

Well I wouldn't want to be buying a used car from you lol!!!

 

A lot of the seat of the pants experience is also from gearing. See what ratios the max had compared to the TL. The TL might rev a bit higher than the VQ allowed... all depends... Also the 05 is drive by wire and a lot of those systems tend to start closing the throttle body when you get near the peak RPMs so they actually rob a bit of top end power.

I have both engine and I would to be able to see how a tl performed with the 280 ponies and 270 torque from my 3.5 VQ.

 

Believe it or not, the 2002 Maxima was also a drive by wire car. I was pleasantly surprised that my 2002 Max didn't have any lag or hesitation when accelerating.

BTW...I had a 2000 Maxima 5-speed before my 2002 and there was absolutely no contest in power and acceleration. The 2002 was a real screamer.

I still love my TL far more!!!

 

Congrats Yakuza. Have the same car 6MT NBP/Ebony with Nav.

 

JoganJani, sounds like we have similar tastes! I want to get the clear bra (paint protection film) and the ultimate pedals too. How hard was it to install the pedals?

 

Hard to say--I generally shift by feel or sound, whenever it seems appropriate, with a few exceptions. Obviously if I want to accelerate hard, like when some prick doesn't want to let me merge, I'll rev it higher, but I seldom go anywhere close to redline (I hardly ever go much above 5000). Also, there are times when I might normally shift but I don't do so because it would be pointless, such as if I see that the traffic light up ahead is red so I know I'm going to have to stop anyway (why shift then?).

I think as a general rule of thumb I agree with the other folks who have said that for most day-to-day driving, somewhere between 3000 to 4000 rpm usually turns out to be the right time to shift. I think if you're on the highway and you've reached a steady cruising speed it makes sense to shift into 6th even if you're revving lower than that, as long as the highway doesn't have significant upgrades that would just make you shift back down.

 

Congrats on the TL, I had to move back my seat because I was stalling the vehicle or revving the Hell out of it...try it, works for me...

 

Yakuza70, Congrats on your new ride...You'll love it..i had to have my car shipped down from CT. The 6speed SSM/Ebony wasn't available anywhere around me..

 

Mickey3c, Don't worry you wouldn't have to.. Going back in 07/07 when lease is up..Then I'll decide what car I'll beat on next.

 

Not very difficult. On the scale of 1-5 I'll say 1. You need to put some wooden block or something below the pedat when you drill holes. They have very good grip and are very light. Get crearbra ASAP to protect the paint.

 

JoganJani,

Thanks for the info on the pedal installation. I'll probably do that later this summer when I can get more $$. I'm having the clear bra installed tomorrow actually. I've been driving around full of paranoia on the freeway, avoiding following anything that could kick up rocks, pebbles, or dirt that might mar my front end. After tomorrow, I can drive with more security!