YACT: For a used Nissan...

[Red]

For a used Nissan, would you rather have a smaller/cheaper car with more ameneties like a sunroof, cd player, etc... or have a bigger/nicer car with less options. Reason I ask... looking through Autotrader, I see 97ish Maximas for around $5,000 that seem pretty standard... power everything, but no sunroof / options. But then I can see like 98-99ish Sentras with sunroofs and other options for the same price. Is there a build quality difference between Econoboxes and their big brothers? (Sentra vs Maxima, Civic/Accord, Corolla/Camry, etc etc) ...

 

[DarkManXY2G]

With my family having owned both (Maxima and Sentra), I don't recall one having better build quality than the other. The Maxima was my dad's and it was the top of the line SE model with every option and the Sentra was my brother's and he had the standard options. The Maxima was a nicer car but they both performed exactly as they should and we never had problems with either. I think you should test drive bothand see how they feel. They will drive every differently.

 

[DurocShark]

I'd go with the Maxima for the increased power, and the better ride.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I would go with whichever was more comfortable for me to sit in. If the comfort was equal, I'd go for the one with more options.

ZV

 

[Red]

Thanks guys. Will parts be more expensive on the Maxima? I think the ride/performance will be much better in the Max, but will the gas mileage/insurance/cost of parts offset the ride/performance boost? I'm in college and I drive about 20k a year... I've tracked my gas mileage since I've bought the car, and my average over the past 13 months is about 29mpg. That equates to about $1,034 a year in fuel cost @ $1.50 gallon. Anyone have any real life Maxima fuel stats? If I were to drop to 23mpg, for example, I would be spending $1,300/year. $260 extra per year for a years worth of a nicer car is no biggy. Insurance, who knows. I would assume a 4 door Maxima / Sentra would have similar insurance. So then it comes down to part cost/frequency of repairs.

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Heh, we have a maxima and a sentra and they are both great cars! Reliable and drive great. Our sentra is ancient while the maxima is more new....I am waiting for the sentra to die, but she is still running great!

 

[DurocShark]

Insurance will be more about your age and record. If you're young, or have my record (heh) then the Maxima will prolly be much higher. If you're over 30 and have a clean record, a 4-door is a 40-door.

Call your insurance company and ask! Tell them what you're looking at, and ask what the changes will be.

Oh, and the 6 cylinder and much heavier Maxima WILL use more gas than the little 4banger Sentra.

 

[wasssup]

we have both as well, and although both have been problem-free, i'd recommend the maxima. The engine in our maxima has 140k miles, and still feels as if its new (and i use to abuse that car a lot )

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
Thanks guys. Will parts be more expensive on the Maxima? I think the ride/performance will be much better in the Max, but will the gas mileage/insurance/cost of parts offset the ride/performance boost? I'm in college and I drive about 20k a year... I've tracked my gas mileage since I've bought the car, and my average over the past 13 months is about 29mpg. That equates to about $1,034 a year in fuel cost @ $1.50 gallon. Anyone have any real life Maxima fuel stats? If I were to drop to 23mpg, for example, I would be spending $1,300/year. $260 extra per year for a years worth of a nicer car is no biggy. Insurance, who knows. I would assume a 4 door Maxima / Sentra would have similar insurance. So then it comes down to part cost/frequency of repairs.

My mom has a '98 Maxima and she gets about 26-27 mpg on a tank of gas. The only caveat is that the Maxima require that you run Premium fuel, so you'll end up spending about $1.70 per gallon on gas instead of $1.50. Aside from that, there are no real issues with the Maxima costing more in maintenance.

ZV

 

[wasssup]

our '93 doesn't require premium fuel

 

[CraigRT]

if i could find a 99 SE 5 speed in white.... I would so buy that car in a second.
but of course, none near me..

get the 97 Max.. that's the best body style for Maximas.... 4th gen for life!

 

[Aharami]

the sentra, being a smaller car, should be more fun to drive...although it's less powerful

 

[Red]

See, that's great. 26MPG @ $1.70/gall @ 20,000mi/yr = $1307, still only $250 more per YEAR than a Sentra. I know some people who spend $250 every weekend on alcohol / other stupid stuff. Now... insurance is a difficult question. I will be 21 at the time I purchase the car. I have a 5mph over speeding ticket from 11/2001. I guess they drop off after 3 years so not much time left on that badboy. Anyway... my insurance is horrible on the Civic (2-doors, high theft rate) so I think any foor door car is going to drop on me... but I need to get quotes of course.

 

[conjur]

Could start at http://www.progressive.com

 

[psteng19]

Both great cars.
If you're budget-conscious, get the one with lower miles, better MPG, lower insurance, etc.

The only way the Sentra will be more fun if it's the SE-R.
In most cases, I think the Maxima will be more fun. Plus it'll ride nicer and have more interior space.

 

[BigSmooth]

Depends on what you need, but although the build quality might be similar, the Maxima should have better materials etc. and even a stripper model probably has SOME amenities.

I'd go with the Maxima, myself - it's got a lot more room, much more power, and I don't love the previous-gen Sentra. The insurance costs aren't too horrible on Maximas IIRC. If you really don't need the room and want to save on gas, go with the Sentra or some other small car.

 

[Thegonagle]

Even without a sunroof, all Maximas have the basic power/comfort options standard. If I wanted a Maxima, a lack of sunroof wouldn't make me walk away from a good deal, because it's not like I'd be cranking my windows by hand and sweating without AC.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have an '03 Maxima SE w/moonroof. I get around 19-20mpg but then mine has the 3.5l engine (same engine that's in the 350Z). I also have to suffer with the horrible oxygenated gasoline here in California though which doesn't help mpg-makes it worse in fact. Almost all my driving is city though so I guess it's not too bad.

 

[EvilTwin996]

I have a 97 Maxima, and used to sell Nissans. I have driven hundreds of every Nissan model. The Sentra is an underpowered econobox, and in no way compares to the Maxima. I would (and DID) take a used Maxima instead of a NEW Sentra. Easy choice, if you don't include ownership costs.

Both are excellent choices for reliability, however. In 1997, the Maxima was rated #1 in reliability by JD Power (ahead of Toyota Camry & Honda Accord).