I know this isn't about needing help, but does anyone know what the mystique is regarding the 1st generation, in other words, why some people seem to love them so much? I've seen ads for 1983s that were only for sale because the owner died or because it was part of an estate. An 84 that was bought after trading in a 91 Escort, and an 84 that was sold by a husband that caused his wife to divorce him. Can someone(s) enlighten us what is up with this particular generation? Thanks

 

Mystique = good looking babe wearing body paint.

84 Maxima = rear wheel drive = don't make RWD anymore = have to buy really expensive European of Japanese to get = much better things to do with hard earned $$$.

 

That's a good point:}

 

My European RWD car roxers my soxers.

S

 

I might expand upon that. Not just RWD, fuel injected INLINE 6 running through a 5 speed manual to the rear wheels with an independent rear suspension. Sweet... (unless you have the slushbox but even that is verrrry nice)
Later,
Johnny

 

Only if it was a DOHC inline 6. mmmmm......RB......drooooolll.... But I'm not knocking the L24E. It's a great motor.....but just think of things that you could do if you had money burning a hole in your pocket.

S

 

The 1st gen maxima/810 was truely ahead of it's time. It was basicly a Z with 4- doors. Same inline 6 2.4L motor, same strut front suspension and the same rear independant rear suspension. In fact most of the mods for the Z, you could use on the 810. I have a friend that put the later L28-T out of the 280zx turbo in the 810. Just fits right in. Even the turbo ecu plugs in if I'm not mistaken. Not until Nissan made the feable attempt at the Infiniti M30 (auto only yuck) that Nissan brought a rwd sedan here. Then it was the porkish Q45 that no one wanted.

 

That would have been better, but I wonder by how much? My Suzuki has a DOHC SFI 2.5L inline 6 with a 4spd o/d slushbox and the Max had much more punch. L28 or not it shouldn't make that much difference. I dunno, just my thought.
Oh, yeah, nice to be back.
Later,
Johnny

 

Does the same suspension stuff apply to the wagons as well?

 

It would for the front, but the rear has a straight axle on leafs much like the pickups have.

 

Yeah, I believe the rears on the wagon is a sort of live axle deal...I can't remember exactly.

S

 

You're both right. Leaf springs in the back were used on the 1981 and 1982 wagons and live axle on 1983 and 1984.

 

Ok... is that better ('84 wagon) as far as strength goes? Will it have an affect on brute handling vs. the sedans?

 

Better than the leaf springs. Nissan characterized the wagon more for hauling stuff than sporty handling. So, if you're talking about tougher with regards to loads, yes, it would be better. I don't know how that would affect handling. Since the sedan has IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) it should handle better than the wagon.

 

Load limit on the 1984 sedan is a mere 600 pounds. Not a real heavy hauler by any stretch of the imagination.

 

Hmm, I thought it was 900 pds total (passengers and cargo)

 

The load limit on my 82 Sedan (diesel) is 900 lbs.
(From the glove box label)