...to build an Accord that will run with the Maxima's 1992 VE technology. I didn't go from a stand-still, but on the highway the new Accord coupe V-6 will roll. It took 11 years and about 50 extra HP, but they have finally done it. Doesn't look to bad either and i hear that they will be offering a 6sp tranny in the spring. Still not a fan of Honduh, but at least now they are trying to keep up with the Jones.

 

they're not trying to keep up. they cannot be ranked in the same class. 50morehp.

 

They have 240hp now. I was saying it took 50 extra HP over the 92-94 Maxima, not the current one. Its nowhere near keeping up with the new 2k2+ Maximas.

 

It's also a completely different market of car. the Accord is a "family sedan" per se, not a "Sports sedan". it was built for economy, safety, versatility, and reliability. It was NOT built for speed.
Now the market is demanding it and Honda technology can support a highly reliable engine that will rev to 7 grand and make tons of power, so they're putting it in their cars now.

FYI, honda technology has always been superior to what nissan is using- they just keep it under wraps and refine it much longer so they don't end up with issues like exhaust studs snapping on all 3rd gens, failing VTCs on VEs, and constantly failing igniton coils on 5th gens.

how many problems do you hear about honda engines like that?

 

I agree with matt. If nissan didn't go cheap on some aspects of the car (ie used rear wheel drive instead of front wheel drive), we would all be on a better boat...

But i'm not complaining... have to go, have to fix my alternator wiring (there is a frayed wire and i have to go replace it).

 

although many of us think hondas are bad etc etc etc, they make some of the best engines. We have a 1988 honda accord and it still runs without trouble. Their engine might not be best performing ones out there but many people buy them for their dependability....well thats just my 2 cents.

 

True, they do make good engines, but I still like torque

 

it's tru, but i've been driving a friend's prelude for the past few days, and i have to admit it is quick and when v-tec kicks in it's some fun but i need the torque for the lauch. When i stomp on it, the prelude feels like there is barely anything there it takes a while for the power to kick in.

 

i couldn't even imagine driving an s2000. it would probably be like a turbo off of a semi spooling on a maxima.

 

turst me, once that little SOB gets moving you seem to forget what torque is...

 

oh i know, but it just takes forever to really get some power to the ground

 

who doesn't love the instant pull of a nice engine? honda make good engines but i'll still take a healthy dose of torque

 

have y'all noticed that almost all nissan motors, even the ones in the new cars, have lots more torque than most honda's and toyota's in it's class...

 

I love my Maxima and I enjoy driving it. Nissan makes some solid vehicles. However, if I could go back in time, I would not buy a 3rdGen Maxima. There are simply to many "issues" with these cars. VTCs, exhaust studs, weak auto trannies, window regulators, gas tank filler necks, knock sensors, and even the stupid clock.

As much as I love my car, sometimes I wish I had an Accord or a 'lude. Their reliability seems to be top notch. I have never known anyone who owned a Honda that has had to put the amount of money into repairs that I have. (same mileage) This is not to say it doesn't happen. However, as a general rule, Hondas appear to be cheaper to own and more reliable.

 

their higher resale value is proof enough!

 

well the prelude that i'm driving at the moment is a 2000 model and it already had to get arebuild tranny, the motor blew up on my way to houston with my friend so it spent about a month in houston getting fixed, and it has a few other problems.

 

Damn!!! why so many probs...and the motor "blew up", how??

 

and just how hard does your friend drive that car?

 

the prelude messing up like that is untypical of a honda but it shows an example of a honda with problems, (i think the car is cursed)

 

but why did it happen??? I'm sure there was a reason...

 

Where should i begin....hmmmmmm? I got it? Since you love the good, reliable, boring but perfect Honduh so much, why don't you go out and get one. Honduhs have "issues" too its just that you don't know about them until you own one. Let me give you a list of common problems that the accord that was out with the 3rd Gen Max had: Breaking interior door handles, ignition switch locking, windows falling off of track, rear window leaking, idle air motor going bad, just to name a few. I do agree that Honduh builds more reliable cars, but there is no way in hell i could own such a BORING car. Plus, the Maxima gives you more things to do on weekends, like fixing the things you mentioned.

 

i have no idea why the motor blew, we were on our way to houston which is 6 hours away going speed limit, but usually it takes us about 5 hours (a little more or less depending on the mood we're in when we go). I think it was a freak accident. B/c nothing was wrong with the motor, there were no mods done to it. It just heard a clink and then BAM and we pulled over and there was a hole about the size of my fist in the block....

 

the tranny blew some how. I think they said that water got into it, maybe b/c we drove the car through a flooded street, i dunno, but my maxima has like 4 times the amount of miles as the prelude and it's running off the original tranny, but i have a rebuilt motor....

 

Sure, sure, we could get into a ****ing war here about relability, technology and such between a honda and a maxima. (Seem's a little ironic that the Honda's gettin so much support on a Maxima board...) The important thing is that everyone and their grandma owns a Honda and I don't wanna drive something that my friends grandma drives.

I personally love the Max just because it is unique and looks way better then just about any other car produced at that time. (in the same catagory of course) Personally I like the idea that Nissan agree's with Detroit when it comes to putting some ***** in the lowend of the powerband.

 

Stand firm Maxima, FASHIZL is here to defend your honor. Never mind that you were never insulted in the first place.

I bought my Maxima (111,901 miles) on February 26, 2001. I purchased it from the original owner. She was a middle aged upper middle class female who had taken care of the car and had it dealer serviced when needed. The interior was flawless and the paint was in excellent condition. I paid her $4100. The car now has 143,345 miles on the odometer.

To date, I have performed the following repairs. Some where done by me, other by a professional mechanic. The list below is COMPREHENSIVE. Yes, I am aware that you will replace brakes on any car as well as timing belt and other tune up items. However, when taken as a whole, I feel that the amount of repair work done is excessive.

Would you sell a car after pumping this much money into it? I couldn't sell it for the value of repairs performed, not to mention the amount wouldn't be enough for a Honda.

So I drive her, take car of her, and enjoy her. And I regret the day I bought her.


upper / lower radiator hoses
(2) distributor cap, rotor, plug wires, plugs
battery
alternator
belts
vehicle speed sensor
front main oil seal
camshaft oil seals
timing belt
timing belt tensioner
water pump
thermostat
(2) O2 sensor
(2) outer cv - boots
hood struts
environmental control module
antenna assemebly
(2) antenna mast
y - pipe (rusted / leaking flex section)
muffler
balljoints
front and rear rotors
front and rear brake pads
front caliper seals
wheel bearings
starter
exhaust studs
rear exhuast manifold
tie rod ends
sway bar bushings
output shaft seals
cv axles

future:
transmission (slips on upshifts)

 

2 trannys
3 clutches
2 throw out bearings
22 wheel lugs (twice repaired)
1 driver's side CV joint
2 passenger's side CV joints
driver's and passenger's sides axles
rear window
driver's side speaker/amp
2 hood struts
exhaust from the manifold back
2 exhaust studs
2 distributors
4 sets of wires/plugs
rear driver's side fender well
2 radiators
3 thermostats
that friggin clock
all seals around power windows
driver's side window regulator
2 sets of struts
3 sets of springs
front sway bar mounts
3 batteries
1 starter
2 alternators
4 sets of pads
1 front, 1 rear calipar
rear rotors

those are just the things that crapped out. Those aren't even the things I broke from abuse...

I don't regret buying a third gen, though. Maybe THIS third gen, but hey ya win some ya loose some. I knew a month after I got the thing that I would never be able to sell it without taking a huge loss.

 

I agree. That's also why I don't (and never have) owned a 4th gen Maxima .

 

I third that statement... When I bought my Max, I bought it realizing that it IS indeed a 10 year old car (It was 8 when I bought it *sniff*, I feel old)
I knew I'd have problems... But I am absolutely in love with that her.
I've owned several cars in my short driving career (5 years) and out of them all, my Max is the ONLY one that I've had running for more then 3 months, let alone 2 years, even with the problems it has.
I love it so much, I actually don't plan on getting rid of it... I'll be moving to Florida in a couple months, and when I do, it's getting paid off and going in the garage as my project car...
I plan on changing peoples opinions of the GXE... It WILL be a badass car when I finish with it