Camry or Maxima?

[Vortex22]

The time has come and my mom needs a new car...

We've kind of narrowed it down to either a '02 Camry or Maxima. (Not sure about trimlines or anything like that yet)

The requirements are (obviously): reliability and value over performance (since it's a car for mommy)

Which one would you guys choose?

 

[boyRacer]

I would always pick a Toyota because i'm a freak... but i have to admit... that Nissan V6 kicks ass...(assuming your mom will buy a V6)...probably one of the best V6s ever... wouldn't a maxima be cheaper than a camry even with the V6?...dunno.

 

[Fausto]

MAXIMA!!

For that engine, if for no other reason.

Fausto

 

[StageLeft]

For your mom a camry. For anyone else a Maxima because of it's raging horses!

 

[Vortex22]

If only I had the $$ to buy a Maxima for myself

 

[Vadatajs]

I voted maxima, but fuel type might be a consideration. Maxima requires premium.

 

[astriy]

if you want a fun more powerful car go with maxima, if you want something more reliable and a better value, go camry.

 

[RKS]

<< The requirements are (obviously): reliability and value over performance (since it's a car for mommy) >>



The Nissan VQ is as close to bullet-proof as an engine can get. The Nissan, however, may not have as high a resale value as the Camary. The Maxima is probably a whole lot more 'fun' than the Camary especially is you get the 6 speed and combine it with the 3.5 240HP VQ.

 

[Thegonagle]

<< I voted maxima, but fuel type might be a consideration. Maxima requires premium. >>


That's for maximum performance. It runs fine (but produces less HP) with regular.

Car and Driver notes that the new Camry V6 also wants premium fuel. December's C and D has a comparo that includes the Camry, the Accord, and the Altima, all V6's with automatic.

 

[DuffmanOhYeah]

ALTIMA!!!

 

[Alienwho]

I drove the brand new maxima last week...and I REALLY want one. Man that is a sweet ride. Just take a test drive and you'll be hooked.

 

[Vortex22]

<< Just take a test drive and you'll be hooked. >>



Will do

 

[BigSmooth]

Reliability ratings from MSN Carpoint:
Maxima
Camry
So that's pretty much a wash, if not a slight edge to the Maxima.

As far as value, the Camry has the edge. If your mom really doesn't need a V6 (I think it's better to have some passing power, even for a "mom", but whatever) then a 4-Cyl Camry is obviously cheaper than any Maxima.
Also, any Camry will hold its value better than a Maxima. The feature content is good in the Maxima and you would have more bargaining room, but that doesn't make up for the depreciation hit.

Nissan is kind of moving the Maxima out of the "family sedan" market and replacing it with the Altima. I think the Maxima still has some advantages over the Camry even disregarding performance, but I think the Camry would probably be more tailored to your mom's needs.

 

[BigJohnKC]

Try the Altima - technically Maxima and Camry are different classes of cars...or so the Nissan salesman said. I liked the Altima much better, and there was more room in the front seat for tall people. I'd buy Nissan over Toyota any day...

 

[LAUST]

Both are nice point A to B cars, only issue with the Max is it's backend is funny lookin :/

 

[Vortex22]

She actually said that she wanted a V6. That's one of the reasons that I'm really pushing for the Maxima

 

[dman]

IMHO, the Camry is going to be a smoother, quieter, more reliable car. Based on history.

The maxima is going to be sportier and, if it's like it's predecessors, a bit less reliable. I haven't driven a maxima in a few years, so, things change.

Anyway, for your Mom I'd say Camry. For anyone with some testosterone, I'd say Maxima.

 

[spliffstar69]

Dont even worry about depreciation
get the maxima GLE

or even a Acura TL Type-S
if you got it like that

 

[Rent]

Well, go for a test drive in both of them.

I personally think any mom would like the Camry better simply because of name recognition.

As a guy, I'd personally jump all over the Maxima, but its a guy thing

 

[psteng19]

<< The Maxima is probably a whole lot more 'fun' than the Camary especially is you get the 6 speed and combine it with the 3.5 240HP VQ. >>


i believe it's 255 hp
Definitely go for the Max

Nissan ~ Driven

 

[Wingnut]

Maxima Maxima Maxima!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Camry's will only once again reign as the most common vehicle on the road because of the value and the design will once again tire very quickly if it already hasn't. Can you say... Taurus?!?

Freakin' Maxima SE's rip even with the now replaced 3.0, 222 HP motor! OMG...I can only imagine this bastard with a 3.5 240 HP psycho under the hood!!! Nissan is insane for putting that same motor in the ALTIMA but, Ilike it!

Suspension wise the Maxima SE is tighter and might not ride as smooth as a Camry (Don't know if the new Maxima comes with the indepedent rear or not) but, it would dominate on the twisties!

 

[BigSmooth]

<< She actually said that she wanted a V6. That's one of the reasons that I'm really pushing for the Maxima >>


In that case, it's just going to come down to personal preference. She should test drive both of them a whole bunch.
The Camry will still offer an advantage in resale value, but if she likes driving one or the other more, she should just go with it.

 

[dman]

Well, You can get a Camry v6 for a bit less than the Maxima based on KBB ($2000). Haven't compared all features so that might be missing something? Incidentally, the Altima V6 is about the same price as the camry or $2000 less than the maxima.... I'd spend the extra bucks a month to get the maxima.

That Acura TL is a bit higher (About $4000 more than camry) and the TL-$ adds about $4k on top of that.

Oh, my wife isn't very happy when I call her Toyota LE V6 the 'Gramry'.

 

[lsd]

<< Maxima SE's rip even with the now replaced 3.0, 222 HP motor! OMG...I can only imagine this bastard with a 3.5 240 HP psycho under the hood!! >>


You mean 255hp in the max
Enjoy the ride

 

[BigSmooth]

Wingnut: Maximas actually have 255hp these days, it's a slightly different version of the engine found in the Altima.

Unfortunately, they do NOT have an independent rear suspension, they have Nissan's "Multi-Link" beam-axle suspension.