U guys dont know how lucky u are......
04-08-2001, 05:21 AM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 15
hi all fellow Maxima owners. I live in New Zealand, and about 2 yrs ago bought myself a Japanese assembled, newly imported 1989 Maxima, with about 110,000 kms on the clock. I was impressed by the looks, and when i drove it, the power and comfort. Not knowing anything about Maximas previously to this i was hooked! Now i've owned my car for a while now, and lately I've been thinking, hmm, a little more power would be nice, a nicer spoiler would be good.... AHA! Whaddaya know? No performance enhancing kits of any kind are available for Maximas here in NZ..... Skylines yes u bet, over here they are big news but the Maxima gets marketed as a family saloon over here, and therefore nada upgrades on sale..... Now this sucks the big one. I know my maxima has the capabiltity within it witha litlle tweaking to give a few little boy racers in their GTS-t Skylines and Madza 4WD DOHC Turbos quite a serious scare, if not downright downtrou-ing, but unfortunately stock-standard its a pipe dream..... DOH!
And another thing..... did u guys get the '89 max with the VG30E motor - thats the SOHC 3.0L V6 in manual? Because to my knowlege there is only 150 manual Maximas in my entire country, they're called XMS Maximas, 1995-96 models, factory lowered, factory installed CAI, perf. exhaust - full system, no emission laws here! factory standard with 17" ROH Z's and a body kit.... and i would kill to get my hands on one..... all other maximas here u see are auto, because they didnt start making the maxima here until about 1992, and previous to that all maximas where imported 2nd hand from Japan, like mine... imports are big business here if u didnt know....
So anyway, the moral of the story is, next time u sit and look at a Stillen parts catalogue, and sigh because u dont really know if u can afford that supercharger just yet, thank the good lord that u have the option of thinking that, because I'd kill to get my maxima tricked up and kicking a*** in town on a Friday nite!
And another thing..... did u guys get the '89 max with the VG30E motor - thats the SOHC 3.0L V6 in manual? Because to my knowlege there is only 150 manual Maximas in my entire country, they're called XMS Maximas, 1995-96 models, factory lowered, factory installed CAI, perf. exhaust - full system, no emission laws here! factory standard with 17" ROH Z's and a body kit.... and i would kill to get my hands on one..... all other maximas here u see are auto, because they didnt start making the maxima here until about 1992, and previous to that all maximas where imported 2nd hand from Japan, like mine... imports are big business here if u didnt know....
So anyway, the moral of the story is, next time u sit and look at a Stillen parts catalogue, and sigh because u dont really know if u can afford that supercharger just yet, thank the good lord that u have the option of thinking that, because I'd kill to get my maxima tricked up and kicking a*** in town on a Friday nite!
04-08-2001, 07:17 PM
#3
the 3rd gen max (89-94) came in GXE or SE here
SE is more 'sport-tuned' and came standard with a 5spd and auto as an option
GXEs are all automatic
from 89-91, both SE and GXE came with VG30E(160HP)
from 92-94, SE had VE30DE (190HP), while GXE kept the VG
SE is more 'sport-tuned' and came standard with a 5spd and auto as an option
GXEs are all automatic
from 89-91, both SE and GXE came with VG30E(160HP)
from 92-94, SE had VE30DE (190HP), while GXE kept the VG
04-08-2001, 10:41 PM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 15
Re: down under
Originally posted by carlmax5
hey dude how are the ausssie girls down there?
my ride- 96 Maxima GXE 5spead suspensions on Stage 4 & hi-flow intake.
hey dude how are the ausssie girls down there?
my ride- 96 Maxima GXE 5spead suspensions on Stage 4 & hi-flow intake.
04-08-2001, 10:52 PM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 15
Originally posted by «§»Craig B«§»
the 3rd gen max (89-94) came in GXE or SE here
SE is more 'sport-tuned' and came standard with a 5spd and auto as an option
GXEs are all automatic
from 89-91, both SE and GXE came with VG30E(160HP)
from 92-94, SE had VE30DE (190HP), while GXE kept the VG
the 3rd gen max (89-94) came in GXE or SE here
SE is more 'sport-tuned' and came standard with a 5spd and auto as an option
GXEs are all automatic
from 89-91, both SE and GXE came with VG30E(160HP)
from 92-94, SE had VE30DE (190HP), while GXE kept the VG
04-11-2001, 04:50 AM
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 15
Re: Kiwi also
Originally posted by MadMaxBrent
I've got a Jappa '89 also. You got the SS suspension? You can get what the US calls 4th Gen in 5 speeds other than the SMX ones. Very hard to find.
Where you located? I'm in Chch.
Brent
I've got a Jappa '89 also. You got the SS suspension? You can get what the US calls 4th Gen in 5 speeds other than the SMX ones. Very hard to find.
Where you located? I'm in Chch.
Brent
04-16-2001, 02:42 PM
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 313
I'll show you mine ...
The SS suspension (I think they call it Sonar Suspension) adjusts the damper rate of the shocks plus adjusts the responsiveness of the power steering. There is a switch on the centre console that lets you select Sport or Comfort settings. It doesn't use the air compressor setup you see on Mitsi's and Subs thank god!
I've got leather, sunroof, BOSE CD tape unit (different than the US market one - but just as troublesome)
I've got the same problem as you with trying to get performance parts for these cars. I see Link have now got a ECU replacement available now so we might see a few more parts around.
I'm saving up for a turbo or supercharger upgrade in a couple of years.
If you have still got your Cat on your car, get it taken out and replaced with a straight pipe. You'll get about 10% better fuel economy and more response from the car.
BTW - I've replaced just about everything on the car now so if you want to compare notes let me know.
Brent
I've got leather, sunroof, BOSE CD tape unit (different than the US market one - but just as troublesome)
I've got the same problem as you with trying to get performance parts for these cars. I see Link have now got a ECU replacement available now so we might see a few more parts around.
I'm saving up for a turbo or supercharger upgrade in a couple of years.
If you have still got your Cat on your car, get it taken out and replaced with a straight pipe. You'll get about 10% better fuel economy and more response from the car.
BTW - I've replaced just about everything on the car now so if you want to compare notes let me know.
Brent
04-16-2001, 02:48 PM
#9
I find it really odd that you guys in New Zealand/Australia/Europe would buy a maxima. Can I ask why? I'm curious becuase you guys get much faster cars over there than we do here. ie.. skylines/Cosworth Escorts/Merkurs/Wrx/Lancer EVOs etc....
04-16-2001, 02:59 PM
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 313
Why buy a Max?
The reason why I bought a Max was "bang for the buck." I could have bought a WRX or EVO but they have a very short life span, are way more expensive to run and repair. Also, every other bugger has one! Why be one of the masses ??
I also had to consider family matters such as where could I put the rug rats?
Most Maxs are bought by middle age people or families. They do nothing to them. Untapping the potential of the Max gives me more individualality than the Friday night racers with their "common" modified cars.
Most young ones will go for the Skyline, WRX road and are willing to sacrifice some of the creature comforts. I won't. So, I think it would be fair to say that BubbaJ and I would be in the minority for modding up Maxs.
Brent.
I also had to consider family matters such as where could I put the rug rats?
Most Maxs are bought by middle age people or families. They do nothing to them. Untapping the potential of the Max gives me more individualality than the Friday night racers with their "common" modified cars.
Most young ones will go for the Skyline, WRX road and are willing to sacrifice some of the creature comforts. I won't. So, I think it would be fair to say that BubbaJ and I would be in the minority for modding up Maxs.
Brent.
04-17-2001, 12:43 AM
#11
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 15
Re: Why buy a Max?
Originally posted by MadMaxBrent
The reason why I bought a Max was "bang for the buck." I could have bought a WRX or EVO but they have a very short life span, are way more expensive to run and repair. Also, every other bugger has one! Why be one of the masses ??
I also had to consider family matters such as where could I put the rug rats?
Most Maxs are bought by middle age people or families. They do nothing to them. Untapping the potential of the Max gives me more individualality than the Friday night racers with their "common" modified cars.
Most young ones will go for the Skyline, WRX road and are willing to sacrifice some of the creature comforts. I won't. So, I think it would be fair to say that BubbaJ and I would be in the minority for modding up Maxs.
Brent.
The reason why I bought a Max was "bang for the buck." I could have bought a WRX or EVO but they have a very short life span, are way more expensive to run and repair. Also, every other bugger has one! Why be one of the masses ??
I also had to consider family matters such as where could I put the rug rats?
Most Maxs are bought by middle age people or families. They do nothing to them. Untapping the potential of the Max gives me more individualality than the Friday night racers with their "common" modified cars.
Most young ones will go for the Skyline, WRX road and are willing to sacrifice some of the creature comforts. I won't. So, I think it would be fair to say that BubbaJ and I would be in the minority for modding up Maxs.
Brent.
04-17-2001, 01:38 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 129
Maxima's are belated praise!
Hi Im from Singleton, New South Wales Australia.
The Nissan Maxima was a car designed with Luxury in mind for bussiness class people, old people that wanted luxury and power to pull caravans and boats and upper class families. The Maxima here was not a strong seller at first because of front wheel drive. But the V6 power from the VG30E (Maxima's 1990-1995 Australia)opened up eyes. I brought a Maxima because of there reliability and power and comfort. They are a nice looking car with plenty of luxury features that even brand new cars still don't have. I used to have 2 Nissan Skylines before I brought my Max. They where nice cars but I find that my Maxima turns heads more than my Skyline ever did. I still get comments on how well the car looks and has been well mantained. At work Im called grandpa because Im the only one with a luxury car at the age of 21. But I think the Maxima is belated praise and is getting all the attention now then ever before. "Just wait till you drive it" Nissan Motto Australia....
The Nissan Maxima was a car designed with Luxury in mind for bussiness class people, old people that wanted luxury and power to pull caravans and boats and upper class families. The Maxima here was not a strong seller at first because of front wheel drive. But the V6 power from the VG30E (Maxima's 1990-1995 Australia)opened up eyes. I brought a Maxima because of there reliability and power and comfort. They are a nice looking car with plenty of luxury features that even brand new cars still don't have. I used to have 2 Nissan Skylines before I brought my Max. They where nice cars but I find that my Maxima turns heads more than my Skyline ever did. I still get comments on how well the car looks and has been well mantained. At work Im called grandpa because Im the only one with a luxury car at the age of 21. But I think the Maxima is belated praise and is getting all the attention now then ever before. "Just wait till you drive it" Nissan Motto Australia....
04-17-2001, 06:46 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 313
Well stacked ?
By lucky we mean that you have an option of a 5-speed and can get performance parts that are tailored for the Max. We have to use alot of "number-8 fence wire ingenuity" to get go faster bits.
Other than that we do seem to get a better spec'ed Max but like most things there are always trade-offs.
Brent
Other than that we do seem to get a better spec'ed Max but like most things there are always trade-offs.
Brent
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