Yet another car thread: Maximas & Ultimas, need help

[Pothead]

Ok so I went to 2 dealerships. One dealership my dad and I negotiated.

2002 Altima SE with moonroof, cloth seats, powered, loaded with 240 horse power
Sticker was $25,345

I'm trading in a 97 Eclipse RS, in excellent condition but with 97k miles on it, clarion security system, cd player, AC. keyless entry.

After haggling, they gave me a trade value of a little over $3500. Note I went to this dealership 2 months ago and they gave me $6000 for a Maxima, which they say now was a mistake.

Then I asked them for a price without trade: $22,050.

Finally they offered it with trade for a "little" under 20k.
-------------------------
Next dealership, very ghetto, several of the salesman didn't speak English that well. They had a "special" 2002 Maxima SE but no moonroof 255 horse power:
You had to take that model and color, no choice!
Sticker: $26,300
Sale: $22,900

So they were closing soon but he asked us what would take us to buy it. My dad said we would buy it at 18k with trade.
He talks to his manager and comes back.

The numbers he gave us seemed awkward. We wanted 5k (4900 to be exact) for our trade to get it to 18k.
His paperwork showed us our trade was worth $4115 and the final price was $19,990. Uuuuh what happened to that $1000 bucks? A 5K trade gives us 18k for the car but a 4,115 trade gives us $19,990. That smelled fishy!


What ya guys think?

 

[beer]

Could it be just a math error? The new Altimas are nice...but they aren't designed to compete with the Maximas....go with the Maxima if it's several grand cheaper than an Altima! New body style or not, it's still an altima.

 

[Pothead]

Essentially I can get an Altima with what color I want and a moonroof or a Gray Maxima with no moonroof for just under 20k.

The guys there said the engines are nearly the same except the Maximas have 255hp and the Altimas have 240hp

 

[cedman]

I just got an 02 Altima SE for $24725. It came with Bose, ABS, Side Air Bags, Sunroof and Spoiler, Automatic Tranny, yes an automatic cuz my gf can't drive a stick, and traction control. Essentially the engines are the same except that I've somewhere that the Maximas have less restrictive air flow or something thats why it has 15 more horses. All in all I'm reallly happy with my car. It's fast as h@ll even an automatic. If you go for a 5speed, you're really going to kick some @ss. I've read Altima Forums, that some people have gone almost 140 MPH on a stock Altima without any mods. Now thats damm fast.

You can't really go wrong with either car, but you really got to watch out for the dealers. You really got to haggle for the best price, especially if you are going to get an Altima.

 

[boyRacer]

<< that some people have gone almost 140 MPH on a stock Altima without any mods >>



:Q

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

<<

<< that some people have gone almost 140 MPH on a stock Altima without any mods >>



:Q >>



Why surprised? a '95 5-spd stock Maxima can go upto to 140mph..it was one of few cars that could do it..it was in a magazine.

 

[Pothead]

the salesman said he bought an altima and he is having a guy mod it with a kit which will get the Altima 25 more horsepowers. The altima is limited by the govt to 154mph.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Salespeople will say a lot of things to make a sale. Dont beilive everything they say.

 

[StageLeft]

I'd take the maxima over the altima ANY DAY.

BTW you're getting fvcking reemed on that trade-in. So a private sale it will save you a LOT of money. Forget tradeins...they are for lazy people

<< that some people have gone almost 140 MPH on a stock Altima without any mods >>

Well considering the 222 hp maximas could do at least 140-142 (the GXE was governed to 117, not sure about the other model though), a 240 HP altima could easily do 140.

 

[Aenygma]

Maxima.. it's a no brainer.

 

[Gulzakar]

maxima's are fugly and are for older people who need big FUGLY cars, get the altima.

 

[LAUST]

140mph huh.... they come from the factory with V rated tires?

Edit, it does, thats cool if you get the 3.5 se

P215/55VR17 V-rated Tires
(with manual transmission)

 

[StageLeft]

maxima's are fugly and are for older people who need big FUGLY cars, get the altima.

WTF?

 

[LAUST]

<< that some people have gone almost 140 MPH on a stock Altima without any mods >>


Mods don't really make the top end any faster they make getting there a LOT faster

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

<<

<< that some people have gone almost 140 MPH on a stock Altima without any mods >>


Mods don't really make the top end any faster they make getting there a LOT faster >>



Wouldn't exhaust mods that improve the top-end of the car allow it to reach higher speeds because the engine has more pull at say 5l RPMs than before?? Now I know you'll need a whole lot of power to increase speed once your above the 120+mph mark...but every bit helps?

And yes, all Maximas/Altima SE and even Maxima GLE comes with V-rated tires.

To the guy who said Maximas are for old people...your right..they are...so please don't buy one.

 

[Pothead]

Old people? I see so many Latin Americans, Hispanics, and African Americans pimping the Maximas up and racing them