Nissan: Maxima News

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Old 02-05-2003, 09:36 PM
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Nissan: Maxima News

By MARK VAUGHN


Attention Maxima performance devotees (and we know there are lots of you): Your car is back. And it’s better than ever.

Gone is that silly beam rear axle, the floaty Camry feel, the conformist styling. Now you can pull out those “4DSC”(4-door sports car) stickers again and start driving.


The 2004 Maxima not only has an independent rear suspension and a more powerful, 265-hp 3.5-liter V6 driving the front wheels, but comes with an optional six-speed manual and a helical limited-slip differential. It is as fun to drive as an Altima, but with just a little more luxury cachet.


2004 NISSAN MAXIMA
ON SALE: March
BASE PRICE: $28,000 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 3.5-liter, 265-hp, 255-lb-ft V6; fwd, five-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3432 pounds
0-60 MPH: 6.3 seconds (est.)



So, like that character in the opening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the Maxima (through its voice-controlled nav system) could say, “I’m not dead yet!”

It looked like it might be for a while. If you’ll recall, Nissan was so proud of its new Altima when that car was introduced a year ago that it seemed the Maxima would fade away. After all, the new Altima had more room than last year’s Maxima and it had a V6 engine for the first time, same as its upscale stablemate. Nissan detailed how it would reduce Maxima sales and allow Altima to cater to buyers looking for a midsize sedan with V6 power.

But it turns out rumors of the death of the Nissan flagship were greatly exaggerated. While Altima was being aimed at megasellers Camry and Accord, a step up from where it used to be, the 2004 Maxima was being moved upscale with premium equipment and pricing to compete with the Acura TL, Toyota Avalon and the V6 versions of the Audi A4. Nissan whittled down the model count to two, the performance SE and the luxury SL, eliminating the entry-level GXE to ensure Maxima’s up-level standing.

The dimensions of the 2004 Maxima also put it back on top, size-wise, in the Nissan sedan lineup, but not by much. Its 111.2-inch wheelbase is an inch longer than the Altima and at 193.5 inches overall it’s two inches longer. Interior volume is bigger than Altima now, too, but by only half a cubic foot, 103.6 vs. 103.2. Nissan could only stretch the platform so much.

Outside it looks very much the same as the Altima. Park the two side by side and you might have trouble telling them apart, with their nearly identically pronounced C-pillar and rear decklid combinations, and the creased edges along the tops of the fenders.

The Maxima carves its own identity with interior appointments and luxo touches, though. Take that sunroof. While all sunroofs in automotive history have gone sideways across the roof, the standard-equipment Skyview Roof is mounted longitudinally, right down the middle, allowing views straight up for both the front- and rear-seat passengers.

The Maxima also offers what Nissan calls an Elite Package, with rear bucket seats and a rear center console, so all four occupants can luxuriate equally. The optional navigation system comes with the 3-D Birdview seven-inch display they like in the Japanese home market so much.

Then there are all the luxury features you’d more or less expect: eight-speaker sound, optional six-disc CD changer, dual-zone a/c, blah, blah, blah. A lot of the blah blah blah is on the Altima, too. So is this really just an Altima in Maxima clothing?


“It’s a wolf in wolf’s clothing,” said Peter Marcin, senior manager of Nissan sedans. Well woof, woof.

While both Altima and Maxima get the 3.5-liter V6, Maxima’s version makes 265 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 255 lb-ft of torque at 4400, thanks to unique intake and exhaust tuning, compared to the Altima’s 245 hp and 246 lb-ft. So you’d think maybe the Maxima could easily beat the V6 Altima down the quarter-mile, right? Maybe.

But the Maxima weighs 200-plus pounds more than a comparably equipped Altima, so maybe it couldn’t. We got 6.32 seconds 0 to 60 with the Altima. Nissan is not releasing performance figures. We’ll let you know what the Maxima does when we take one down the drag strip.

Steering and suspension are the same basic geometry in both cars. The front suspension is a simple strut attached to a subframe, while the steering is engine speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion. In the rear there are lower A-arms and trailing links attached to another subframe. Antiroll bars ride front and back. Nissan offers two different suspensions on the Maxima, softer on the luxury SL and stiffer on the performance SE. Take your pick. Both are better than the hopping old rear beam.

Maxima gets meatier tires on bigger wheels than the Altima. The SL rides on H-rated 225/55R-17s and the SE gets higher-speed V-rated 245/45R-18s. Promising stats.

So it sounds like a pretty fun ride, yes?Our actual first words behind the wheel of an SE with the big tires and the five-speed automatic were something like, “Whoooo” and “hooo!”

The Nissan executive with us thought we were mocking him. And his car. But really, sir, it is fun!

The Maxima feels tightly bolted together. There’s no play in the steering and any suspension movement is tightly controlled without being harsh. And that engine—broad torque and power curves, smooth, acceleration through the entire rev range, quiet until you mash it... aw heck, anyone who doesn’t love the 3.5-liter VQ engine family is a communist.


We spent a couple of hours on winding two-lanes, knocking the five-speed automatic up and down through the gears, and actually had more fun doing it than we might have had trying to heel-and-toe. Those who fancy themselves good heel-and-toers will no doubt prefer the six-speed manual, which we also drove, and liked. You’ll get quicker 0-to-60 times with the manual transmission, for sure. Those seeking nothing but luxury will appreciate the softer shifts of the four-speed automatic (yep, three transmissions!).

So the Maxima is fun and luxurious and all that, but it costs between $28,000 and $35,000, more or less (prices will be announced closer to the car’s March intro in showrooms), and the Altima with the five-speed manual and the 3.5-liter V6 starts at under $23,000. That’s a whopping big discrepancy to justify to the spouse. But Maxima buyers are Nissan’s most loyal and Nissan is counting on them.


Plus, Nissan is actually planning to lose Maxima buyers to the Altima, a strategy we never fully understood when it was explained to us several times in a row at the Altima’s introduction. They’ll make it up on volume, see?

In any case, Altima sales did go up from 150,000 to 200,000 last year, still less than half the Camry and Accord juggernauts. Maxima sales dropped only 4000 units and stayed right around the 100,000 mark. So total Nissan sedan sales went up. Maybe they really know what they’re doing at Nissan. The engineers certainly do.



Gabriel,
2001 CL Type S
2001 Lexus RX300 Silversport
Old 02-05-2003, 09:37 PM
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Notice the +5HP on the TLS Those a$$es. They did the same thing with the Altima when the Accord came out (245HP vs 240 HP). They really wonna make sure they have the HP crown in certain segments. This will only continue.
Old 02-05-2003, 09:41 PM
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Old 02-05-2003, 09:44 PM
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So wait a minute. G35= 260HP and Maxima= 265HP. Right. What the heck?
Old 02-05-2003, 09:45 PM
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3 transmissions? Why?
Old 02-05-2003, 09:46 PM
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A $35K Maxima. Imagine that. More than some Infinitis. Hmmm....
Old 02-05-2003, 09:48 PM
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We need more power CLSers.
Old 02-05-2003, 09:54 PM
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no we dont...fuking think looks soo hideous...i dont care if it had 300 hp...shit it kinda looks like an ugly-fied jetta.

but yea nissan is moving really fast...i hope cl gets a significant update in '04...
Old 02-05-2003, 09:58 PM
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265hp huh...................hmmmmmm.........still looks like straight ASSCRACK!
Old 02-05-2003, 10:07 PM
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265 hp in 2004 (nissan maxima)

260hp in mid 2000 (acura-cL)


hmmm, almost four yr. difference but only 5hp diff, plus $35K price tag? granted the max has more tq than the CL-S....
Old 02-05-2003, 10:09 PM
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Originally posted by unsure
265 hp in 2004 (nissan maxima)

260hp in mid 2000 (acura-cL)


hmmm, almost four yr. difference but only 5hp diff, plus $35K price tag? granted the max has more tq than the CL-S....

Nice way of putting it, though the correct year for the Nissan is 2003. The model year is 2004.
Old 02-05-2003, 10:16 PM
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That car is so ugly, I don't care how much power it has, it's still awful looking. I like the style of the current Maxima's, its unfortunate that Nissan had to chage the styling so drasically. I'd buy myself a G35 before that piece, and pay the extra $$ because at least I'd be driving around in a car that looks somewhat decent.

Yuck! What were they thinking?
Old 02-05-2003, 10:18 PM
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Too big to be anywhere "sport sedan"... Nissan guys are hating the new "look"...
And what is wrong with center console?
Old 02-05-2003, 10:22 PM
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Originally posted by nikon01
That car is so ugly, I don't care how much power it has, it's still awful looking.

Yuck! What were they thinking?
OK then. I guess we will be spanked on the highway by a yucky, ugly a$$ car. Does that make you feel better now?
Old 02-05-2003, 10:29 PM
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it may be a nice car, but it looks ugly to me. inside and out.
Old 02-05-2003, 10:30 PM
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$28k for base model???????

i see accords and camry sales going up up and up!!!

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Old 02-05-2003, 10:30 PM
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wow that interior reminds me of the g35 and the z

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Old 02-06-2003, 12:31 AM
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The G35 sedan is a rear-wheel drive car. I sat in the 2004 Maxima at the Detroit Auto Show this winter and I gotta say I love the sunroof - instead of being the width of the car, it's the length of the car...kinda nice for the passengers in the rear.
Old 02-06-2003, 01:48 AM
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Maxima SE is competing against not only the sport sedans from the other companies, but also its own brothers Altima 3.5SE and Infiniti G35 sedan. But I like this idea.

Nissan Maxima 265hp 255lb-ft of torque, FF, 5A/6M
Infiniti G35 sedan 260hp 260lb-ft of torque, FR, 5A/6M
Nissan Altima 3.5SE 245hp 246lb-ft of torque, FF, 4A/5M

Seems like this 3.5L VQ6 engine is being used on many Nissan/Infiniti vehicles:

Nissan Murano
Infiniti FX35
Infiniti G35 coupe
Nissan QX4
Nissan Quest(2004 model)
Infiniti I35
Nissan 350Z
Nissan Pathfinder

11 vehicles using pretty much the same engine.
Old 02-06-2003, 03:42 AM
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as many have said, an ugly car with alot hp doesnt mean anything. in fact, i hope that any ugly car has enough power to get away from me quick. the faster it goes away, the better. btw everyone, does anyone think that the rear end is nice. i think the front is the only ugly part. the rear is not so bad when you compare it to 03 honda accord. this is all imo though
Old 02-06-2003, 06:54 AM
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The front grill has to go (maybe a nice one from NISMO), and I hate the "sunken" rear window. Brake lights look like they could have been from a GS400. Not only do you get sticker shock from a $35k Maxima, but wait until you have to replace a set of 245-18" tires every year. If I'm going to spend $35k, it sure won't be on a Nissan!

I didn't read if it had the unbearable torque steer like on the Altima either.
Old 02-06-2003, 07:19 AM
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Originally posted by gavriil
Nice way of putting it, though the correct year for the Nissan is 2003. The model year is 2004.

I stand corrected
Old 02-06-2003, 07:20 AM
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Originally posted by davo-cls
The front grill has to go (maybe a nice one from NISMO), and I hate the "sunken" rear window. Brake lights look like they could have been from a GS400. Not only do you get sticker shock from a $35k Maxima, but wait until you have to replace a set of 245-18" tires every year. If I'm going to spend $35k, it sure won't be on a Nissan!

I didn't read if it had the unbearable torque steer like on the Altima either.

exactly

i would take a g35 coupe instead and be able to lug arnd 3 of my friends instead of just 1
Old 02-06-2003, 07:27 AM
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My last car was a 1990 maxima SE and for the most part I loved it... especially the 5 speed and the responsive V6. Would have bought another somewhere along the line except I HATED the "jellybean" styling they used for '94 thru '03 models. The pix you posted of '04 model make me interested again - too bad I'm not in the market for another car right now!
Old 02-06-2003, 08:17 AM
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No thanks.:thumbsdn:
Old 02-06-2003, 08:22 AM
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that car looks terible, its waaay too big, the tail lights look like shit, the windows on the sides look like shit, the front end looks like shit, the gauges and dash look worse than the G35.....what a POS....265 hp....who gives a fuck, id rather have a CL-S or TL-S with headers any day of the week
Old 02-06-2003, 09:55 AM
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Interior looks completely STERILE!

Rear end looks HIDEOUS!

I used to like the Maxima... It USED to be a great value for the money... but there is NO WAY IN HELL I'd pay $30k for THAT.... $24, maybe...

Seing a lot of these "new" cars makes me soooo glad I bought my CL-S
Old 02-06-2003, 10:29 AM
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ILLLL

That is absolutely disgusting!!!!!
Old 02-06-2003, 10:30 AM
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this car is still as ugly as shit
Old 02-06-2003, 10:58 AM
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Old 02-06-2003, 11:15 AM
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Its got more HP and TQ, plain and simple. The styling however thats just plain

The only thing i do like about the new Max is the Elite option with the console in the rear. Nice idea.
Old 02-06-2003, 12:08 PM
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I saw this car in the Detroit auto show. Simply hideous. It seriously looks WORSE in person.

I think this the midsize sedan Aztek

265hp and 255torque through the front wheels. Torque steer anyone?
Old 02-06-2003, 12:58 PM
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Did you guys see the tires? 245/45R-18s STOCK on the SE....
Wow, that's pretty fucking pimp, and it sure makes upgrades a whole lot easier (245/19 will fit for SURE).
Old 02-06-2003, 01:05 PM
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IMHO, this is one heck of an ugly car. At the Philly car show, I said out loud "damn that's nasty" and this other guy heard me say it. He thought that I mean that in a good way ... but I really didn't. I didn't say anything because he seems to like the car.

Again, I think that this is one heck of a fock job. Looks like the car fell off the ugly wagon and got run over by all it's wheels.

Old 02-06-2003, 01:53 PM
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"Nissan....your GM is showing"
Old 02-06-2003, 03:57 PM
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i dont care how much HP it has..i would NEVER drive that car..HIDEOUS!
Old 02-06-2003, 04:05 PM
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Just for the record, most of us Pre-2004 Maxima owners share your sentiments on the 2004 Max. (Though the rear bucket seats is a cool option.)

Luckily, Nissan offers several other sedans around the new Maxima's price range.

Peace.
Old 02-07-2003, 09:56 AM
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That car is horrible inside and out. What they heck were they thinking. A 35k Maxima, are they nuts. They are nuts. I'd get a G35 sedan (equally ugly) anyday over this car, just for the RWD and dealer service.

I just can't believe this is the new Maxima. They are RUINING this car. It is SLOWER than the ALtima with MORE POWER.
Old 02-07-2003, 10:17 AM
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Originally posted by gavriil
OK then. I guess we will be spanked on the highway by a yucky, ugly a$$ car.
I do hope that you are able to reach that point in your life when you stop looking over the urinal wall to see if his is bigger than yours. Hey, look ... there's an 80 yr old in a Reliant next to you ... why don't you spank her by showing her your taillights!
Old 02-07-2003, 01:10 PM
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I do hope that you are able to reach that point in your life when you stop looking over the urinal wall to see if his is bigger than yours. Hey, look ... there's an 80 yr old in a Reliant next to you ... why don't you spank her by showing her your taillights!
lmao!


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