5th Gen Maxima Owners.. step in

[Panakk]

I test drove a 2003 Maxima SE with automatic transmission. 255 hp??? Seriously?? You gotta be kidding me.. It was $16,900 with 28K miles on it.

Tell me what you think about the 5th Gen Max. Is it false advertising?

 

[crazygal]

Altima is faster!

 

[Aimster]

No it is not false advertising. It has the same engine has a g35, 350z , etc.

Fast car. Auto does 1/4 high 14s , manual can be in the lower 14s.

Watch out for torque steer. FWD.

 

[Panakk]

i'm talking about the 2002 & 2003 model not the latest fugly crap

 

[CraigRT]

get a 2001 20th anniversary with the 3.0L engine.. i like them better

better build quality before 2002.

the 20th anniversary can be had for even less, it's 227 HP.

 

[Aimster]

2002-2003 = 255HP.

 

[Panakk]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
get a 2001 20th anniversary with the 3.0L engine.. i like them better

better build quality before 2002.

the 20th anniversary can be had for even less, it's 227 HP.

why do you say better build quality? Isnt' the interior almost the same? The engine is the main difference 3.0 vs a 3.5. 227hp vs a 255?

Has anyone who has driven both versions notice a different?

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
get a 2001 20th anniversary with the 3.0L engine.. i like them better

better build quality before 2002.

the 20th anniversary can be had for even less, it's 227 HP.

I disagree and I can tell you why.
the 3.0L engine in the aniversary edition is 227HP and is really not as powerful as a 3.5L. Also all the aniversary items could be bought from custommaxima.com for very cheap.

I do not agree that the 2001 Maxima has better quality than a 2002-2003 Maxima. I think the 2002-2003 Maxima actually has better quality (they use the same material). If anything I think the older Maximas had quality problems until Renault saved Nissan and Nissan was able to push up their quality just a tad bit.

There is a huge difference between a 2001 Maxima and a 2002 Maxima. 2002 comes standard with many features that the 2001 did not have.

I could be wrong, just my opinion

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: Panakk
i'm talking about the 2002 & 2003 model not the latest fugly crap

yes. so are the other people who responded. it is claimed at 255 hp at the crank.
acording to most on maxima.org, after dynoing and compensating for drivetrain loss, people claim that its only about 245, which is clost to the altima at 240.

this is what the general consensus is, all the 3.5L VQ's are pretty much the same power.
altima- 240
2003 max - 255
g35s - 260
g35c - 280
350z - 287

yet, they all have the same engine. most power differences are due to intake and exhaust setups.

 

[CraigRT]

I've driven both versions of them.. I'm a Maxima finatic

I obviously didn't notice any deficiencies on a test drive with the 2002, but I hear they are not standing up as well as previous years. My dad has a 2000 and not a problem with the car. the 2001's are even better (the 20th anniversary package) just in the way they change some subtle things in the interior, and the greyed headlights.. its just a sexy car. if I were to buy a 5th gen (I am looking for a 4th gen right now) I'd for sure buy a 2k1 only. SE, 5 speed 🙂 I liked the drive on the 2k1 better than the 2002 as well. it just felt, a little better/smoother.

 

[Aimster]

I havn't driven the aniversary edition, but I have driven the 2002-2003 Maxima. Noticable differences .. steering wheel has nissan emblem, HID lights on 2002+ Maximas, shifter is different (looks better IMO), Clear taillights (can be changed if u want custommaxima.com), some other stuff .. but the main difference is the engine. It has a better grill also.

 

[Panakk]

Originally posted by: johnjbruin

Originally posted by: Panakk
i'm talking about the 2002 & 2003 model not the latest fugly crap

yes. so are the other people who responded. it is claimed at 255 hp at the crank.
acording to most on maxima.org, after dynoing and compensating for drivetrain loss, people claim that its only about 245, which is clost to the altima at 240.

this is what the general consensus is, all the 3.5L VQ's are pretty much the same power.
altima- 240
2003 max - 255
g35s - 260
g35c - 280
350z - 287

yet, they all have the same engine. most power differences are due to intake and exhaust setups.

Thanks man. I never thought of it in that sense.. Now it just opened another level of confusion.. Altima or Maxima? More research needs to be done?

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Panakk

Originally posted by: johnjbruin

Originally posted by: Panakk
i'm talking about the 2002 & 2003 model not the latest fugly crap

yes. so are the other people who responded. it is claimed at 255 hp at the crank.
acording to most on maxima.org, after dynoing and compensating for drivetrain loss, people claim that its only about 245, which is clost to the altima at 240.

this is what the general consensus is, all the 3.5L VQ's are pretty much the same power.
altima- 240
2003 max - 255
g35s - 260
g35c - 280
350z - 287

yet, they all have the same engine. most power differences are due to intake and exhaust setups.

Thanks man. I never thought of it in that sense.. Now it just opened another level of confusion.. Altima or Maxima? More research needs to be done?

I'd go with a Max, hands down.. but that's just me. Altimas just aren't the same, IMO.

 

[CraigRT]

dbl post

 

[Aimster]

Maxima > Altima. The interior of the Altima is not even close to the Maxima. However, the Altima has a better bose system than the Maxima. Not that this matters.

Oh 2002-2003 also have 6-speed if you are not getting an auto.

 

[Panakk]

I've driven the Acuras and Maximas. Seems like the 2002 Acura 3.2 TL is a much smoother car but just too pricey for what i get. Maxima seems to be more bang for the buck!!

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Panakk
I've driven the Acuras and Maximas. Seems like the 2002 Acura 3.2 TL is a much smoother car but just too pricey for what i get. Maxima seems to be more bang for the buck!!

that it is!
step into an I30 or I35 though and back up into Acura territory 🙂

 

[Panakk]

Do you guys put Premium gas in your Maximas?

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: Aimster

Oh 2002-2003 also have 6-speed if you are not getting an auto.

I am not sure but isnt there a difference b/w a 4speed auto and a 5speed auto. I truly dont remember this so i could be mistaken.

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: Panakk
I've driven the Acuras and Maximas. Seems like the 2002 Acura 3.2 TL is a much smoother car but just too pricey for what i get. Maxima seems to be more bang for the buck!!

I think a fully loaded Maxima would go great head-to-head with an Acura 3.2TL Type-S. However, they both offer the same amount of luxury/performance/options , but I guess it all really comes down with brand name and looks.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Aimster

Originally posted by: Panakk
I've driven the Acuras and Maximas. Seems like the 2002 Acura 3.2 TL is a much smoother car but just too pricey for what i get. Maxima seems to be more bang for the buck!!

I think a fully loaded Maxima would go great head-to-head with an Acura 3.2TL Type-S. However, they both offer the same amount of luxury/performance/options , but I guess it all really comes down with brand name and looks.

How can we really believe you Aimster? How is the theft recovery going?

 

[trmiv]

I love my 2002 Maxima SE. The engine is very smooth, with plenty of power.

Do you guys put Premium gas in your Maximas?

When gas was really expensive, I was putting in the 87 octane, which the manual claims is OK. But I noticed knocking with that. I then moved up to 89, which still knocked. I've since gone to the 91 octane and don't get the knocking anymore.

 

[CFster]

My two cents, being a wholesaler:

I've driven all of them and quality control aside, the new ones just look cheap inside.

Personally I drive a 98, and like that interior the best. The buttons from 2000 on just look flimsy to me. It's also a bigger car, so the performance increase going from 190hp to 225hp is negligable. Now, the new ones with 255hp get along quite well.

The Altimas were a huge disappointment as well - I really wanted one, I liked the styling and performance. Until I actually got in one.

The '04s Maximas have horrific torque steer too.

 

[DumbGuy]

Originally posted by: Panakk
Do you guys put Premium gas in your Maximas?

I have a 4th Gen Max and that's what it's recommended. Always use it no matter how pricey it is. 135k miles and still feels like new! Love dem Max's 🙂

 

[PoonDaddy007]

If anything try to find a 2001 SE with a 5-speed. Good value and performance.

I have a 2001 SE with an auto which I love. There are two things I wish I could change about it: Transmission and stereo. Just wish I had a manual. Also I have the Bose system in mine. If I could go back I wouldn't get the Bose and use the money on a better aftermarket system. The subwoofer tends to rattle the rear deck a lot. But it seems from your post you don't really care about the stereo.

Also, check out www.maxima.org for info on all generations. The forums help a lot (whenever they work). There are a lot of little bugs about the maxima you should look into. 5th gen's have some flaky paint and brake rotor warping. I've had to shave and change out my rotors before 30K so look into that if you decide to buy used. Just float around the maxforum and you'll find out a lot about them.