So, I'm in my wife's cousin's car the other night. It's a Chrysler Sebring (yes, yes..her side of the family aren't the sharpest tools in the shed). It's maybe a '98 or '99. So I notice that the vents in the centre stack have a little lever beside them. There's a little stick man thing with blue wavy lines on the top and a little stick man thing without blue wavy lines on the bottom. I'll give you one guess as to what this is. BIG HINT - the 3rd gen Max had this SINCE 1989!!!

 

This just reminded me - I got into my wife's cousin's wife's Lexus RX330 the other day, and she was all impressed with the way her overhead dome light faded out instead of just shutting off. It really peeved her to learn that my 1988 (yes a SECOND gen Max) did the same thing 15 years earlier.

 

That is not impressive. What was impressive was the VE. Coil on plug ignition, valve timing control, dual overhead camshafts, and a variable intake. That motor was ahead of its time.

 

roger that


i have one of them things in my max i recken

 

digital dash, bose stereos, cd players, abs, v6 5speeds, keyless entry, automatic climate control, sonic suspension, pearl paint, 4wheel disc brakes, white face gauges. They had alot of rare equipment for the time.

 

The 3rd gen is one of the classiest import sedans to make it out of the late 80s.

 

I redid my brakes in my uncles *heated* garage. When I pulled off the rear wheels I remember he about crapped himself when he saw the discs. after that he decided to take a closer look at my "old car". After inspection said he enjoyed mine more than his 96 max.




[mmm, heated garage]

 

my 84 had rear disc too Standard! all models

 

yep, ive had some people work on my car, theyve said that for 92 this thing has some really awesome stuff. vvt, variable intakes.

the guy that was a dealer for scions was all like "the engine even has vvt" like it was something new.

 

I remember when I first got my Black 93 Auto I was sooooo impressed.


Now I could care less. People constantly remind me I have heated mirrors and all these other goodies. Ever sit in the back seat? it feels like its a whole 'nother car, lol. Atleast for me it does.

Anyway, now I hate my car. Stupid engine wont die. What a crappy car, engine that can take a beating and wont die, what were they thinking?!?!?

 

ok, well even that, its still cool. i impress the chicks. power seats and all that kind of stuff for under 3000.

even the body styling for a car in 89 was new, everything else was boxy, the max was all round and purdy. i remember my neighbors old bluebird, that was fugly

 

my father couldn't believe it had double overhead cams.......he was like, in a little four door??......oh hells yeah.........hahaha

 

Little four door, to me its a big 4 door lol. Anywayz I do agree that the maxima is very ahead of its time.

 

Little four door, to me its a big 4 door lol. Anywayz I do agree that the maxima is very ahead of its time.

 

naw, maximas are LITTLE 4 doors..a normal four door has 4 doors that are each 4-5 ft long, and a big 4 door has four doors that are 5-6 ft long..can't tell I'm an old cadillac fan can ya?

 

yeah, the body shape has subtle design cues that set it apart from other sedans of competing companies of the time. the 3rd gen, though growing old by today's standards, looks great. i remember back in the early 90's when i first began to notice them, i told myself that one day i would own one. now i have 2.

 

yes beautyfull cars , my 3rd gen is now my wifes but when ever
i have the chance to drive it is like geting together with an old girl friend we get in the hway and remenace of all times
god i love this car !!!



f\/cked im goin for a ride ....in my wifes car

 

or the blue side mirrors...I have been thinking and telling people this same thing about the maximas for a while like when I go to the track and people are complementing me on the white gauges and stuff, I just laugh like white gauges are new or something. Or the supposible sportier compacts are not fast at all and still lose to an 89 car with 230,000 miles on it.

I guess our cars could be considered a sleeper.

Back in the day and now.

 

Well if you put a Quest next to a 3rd gen the maxima is a bumper longer. Its a long car then not big

 

it also feels and is alot smaller/sportier inside as well

when i drive our 3.5, i feel like im in a luxo-tank with all that headroom.. although the 5th interior is ergonomically designed very well, i like the more compact/more concentrated layout of the 3rd

 

yeah, my dads 5th gen feels like a 3rd gen with the 5th gen 'bubble' around it, if that makes sense.

 

my parents 5th gen can beat your parents 5th gen

 

my 3rd gen can beat your 3rd gen

 

ha, my 5th gen, oh wait, i havent got there yet.

 

When I bought my first 92 SE in 95 (or was it 96? can't remember) everyone thought it was so impressive. My step-mom went out and bought a brand new 4th gen after driving mine. The car I have now (red one) was purchased by my brother because he liked mine so much.

I had a friend that I tried to talk into buying one, but he bought a brand new 95 Integra GS-R, because it was "sportier." We raced numerous times and he couldn't believe that a "big ol' 4-door" could hang with him. Plus, I had VLSD, leather, white guages, power seats, heated mirrors, etc. My car was also considerably quieter inside (even when his was stock).

He put on a CAI, header, full exhaust and racing wheels to finally pull away. However, he was into that car for about $25k+, while I paid like $12k for mine and didn't do anything to it but change the oil, wash it and wax it. Plus, we always took my car on trips because it had a bigger back seat. Daym Maximas are sweet!

 

i stumbled upon my sweet g-wagon coz i had 2800 to blow and i needed a car that would get to work/school. first i was almost gonna buy a 89 prelude coz the only wanted 1300, but then i ended up buying the max coz it was sooo much better.

my stepdad has had numerous cars, he was telling me that he rented a 94 se when he was working up north and he was gona buy one, but ended up spending it on a new house. a 94 se would be soo much sweeter than my gxe. but he was impressed that i found the car and bought it.

oh and how many cars in the late 80's and early 90's came with keypad unlock doors, that also roll down the windows, open the sunroof and pop the trunk????? i didnt know they made ecu's at that time that could fit in a car to do that.

 

Hey I almost bought my car Brand New in April 1993.......Instead I bought it May 2002. I think I was still as thrilled and impressed Then as Now! 180,000 miles and it still Walked all over Mom's Prelude. When I brought it home the first day my brother-in-law had to do a double take. He didn't know whos it was but he said "That is one sweet lookin 4dr". He has an Integra, wont rase til he gets some new head from another Honda of sorts. That was even when mine rattles. He still says miine is alot fancier than his ever was. His is 5 years newer!!!

 

All that waxing was giving your car a lower co-effecient of drag. Hence, it was as fast as the GS-R.

 

I've been a fan of the 3G Max sinced way back & was always gonna buy one. Finally, after 8 other Nissans, I bought a '93 NZ domestic Max in July 03 & man, I can't believe what a great car it still is after 10 years. Being the fully loaded (SEL for NZ) model, it has all the gizmos - and they still impress my buddies!
It's got a great shape to it - esp with the rear spoiler. Only thing is from the side it looks like it needed to be another foot longer in the rear end to balance the long hood. Cefiro is a better balanced "US" looking car from the side but doesn't have half the good stuff. Besides which, it's JDM...
Only the latest Max finally looks as good as the 3G.
Long live the 3G Max

 

Anyone's 3rd gen can beat Joe .

 

Non of this was so "rare" for late 80's/early 90's cars. I can name lots of cars that had these things on them with even earlier examples.

What was rare, especially in the 92-94 SE models, was the blending of all these features into one vehicle with such a sporting intent in a near luxury sedan (remember that Acura was just a few years old in 92). The features you mentioned plus the multilink rear suspension, VLSD, DOHC and Coil on plug ignition were an exciting blend for Dads who had to have a large car but didn't want to give up ALL the fun...

 

They're such great cars. I literally grew up with the car I drive. It was my dad's brand new in '88 (I was 5 then) and he drove it until 2001 and passed on to me for my senior year of HS. Through all those years, he went and looked at cars but always ended up leaving the lot in this car. Even now after he's passed it to me he still comments with respect for her features and quality. He says that hands down it handles better than his '02 Impala. As old as our cars may be, even in this day and age theyr'e still quite classy looking and do turn heads when theyr'e well taken care of. I get compliments on my car from random people. When I pass this car on I will deeply miss her. Keep these babies lookin sharp fellas, they're soon to be classic imports.

 

good come back. sorry joe, but you opened yourself to it.

btw, is your car on the road again?

 

i got a comment today from a honda kid, he was saying how he had one of those but parted with it for a civic, he wishes he had it back.

u have to admit though, for a 15-10 year old car, the max will bring in more hoes than another luxury imprt of its time. (with the right guy in the drivers seat too)

 

All of my friends that have driven my car. have told me not to get rid of it.

One of my friends with a 88crx.
he offered me money to buy the car off of me and trade me for his crx...

not to be a diick i didnt laugh in his face
but i dont thinnk that i will ever get rid of my baby 89 se 5 spd SHIFT_Vrooooommmmm!!!!!!!

 

well we shall never find out will we, too bad we live on opposite coasts

yep had the new clutch (same one - exedy st 1) put in by jeff at the end of jan and its been great ever since, just have to put the dash back in

 

hehehe, I get the 5th gen from this afternoon until sunday. All mine since my Dad is going out of town.

Looks like it will be sitting for 5 days or so.
VE Powah!

but if my mom lets me borrow her garage to put his car in, I'm stealing his wheels for 5 days