Jdm Origin
12-04-2005, 07:06 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 155
The 3rd Gen. Maxima, as well as the Pathfinder and Pulsar were the brain-children of Jerry Hirshberg and the newly developed Nissan Design International (NDI) that was built in San Diego. NDI was created to be a separate entity and bring a fresh, new perspective to the Nissan lineup. Traditionally, the Japanese engineers had a bigger role in the car concept - and although the engineering of the cars was great, the designing was more utilitarian and not as appealing to foreign markets. NDI was given nearly complete freedom to design cars that were more appealing, as well as forward-thinking in the design and function. Until the 3rd gen Maximas were produced, the Stanza and Sentra had always taken their styling cues from their big brother. Sentra owners could step up to a Stanza, and Stanza owners could step up to the Maxima. This idea was abandoned for the most part by NDI, who instead wanted to make each model the best in it's class, not just watered down versions of other cars in the Nissan lineup. The 1989 Maxima was an almost complete redesign inside and out, and a statement of what was to come from Nissan. The station wagon option was dropped, and the vision of the 4DSC came to life. It was considered by many to be the first Infiniti, the lineup that now continues to push the envelope of Nissan's design, engineering, performance, and luxury. If you were to look back on the lineup of Datsun/Nissan over the years, you could see where NDI began to change the face of cars to come. I think their first project was the 1986 1/2 pickup, which was a drastic change from the previous model. At the same time, the Pathfinder was in the works - a vehicle that never would have been created for the Japanese markets. With the bulging fenders and integrated rollbar, this truck just plain looked tough, and was an instant hit in the (intended) US market. Subsequently, the Maxima was reborn, the 300ZX was updated, the Stanza was dropped and replaced by the Altima (they can't get it right all the time 
), and the Sentra went from a little tin can box car to one of the leaders in it's class and one sporty little ride.
So you might be wondering, 'well what happened to the 4th gen Max?' Well, the sales and production of the GXE model was much greater than the SE, and many of these buyers were using these cars more as grocery getters and baby toters. The market was not demanding the more aggressive and sporty handling of the 4DSC or SE as much as the more cushy GXE offerings. So for 1995, the Max once again got a makeover and most notably lost the rear independant suspension. Although there was a section of the market that disapproved, the sales of the Maxima continued to rise as it turned into a KSFC (kinda sporty family car)! The 3rd gen has always appealed to me since the first time I saw one, but after that (IMHO) things went downhill for the Maxima. Those that got hooked on the 3rd gens are now drawn to the new Altima's instead of the new bulky Maxima with the same engine.
), and the Sentra went from a little tin can box car to one of the leaders in it's class and one sporty little ride. So you might be wondering, 'well what happened to the 4th gen Max?' Well, the sales and production of the GXE model was much greater than the SE, and many of these buyers were using these cars more as grocery getters and baby toters. The market was not demanding the more aggressive and sporty handling of the 4DSC or SE as much as the more cushy GXE offerings. So for 1995, the Max once again got a makeover and most notably lost the rear independant suspension. Although there was a section of the market that disapproved, the sales of the Maxima continued to rise as it turned into a KSFC (kinda sporty family car)! The 3rd gen has always appealed to me since the first time I saw one, but after that (IMHO) things went downhill for the Maxima. Those that got hooked on the 3rd gens are now drawn to the new Altima's instead of the new bulky Maxima with the same engine.
12-04-2005, 08:13 PM
#17
Originally Posted by vansskaterfreek
these cars came from the gods.. they are powerful... and you can treat them like a $5.00 hooker... beat them....do what you want with them and they like it!!!!!
12-04-2005, 08:40 PM
#21
Originally Posted by vansskaterfreek
lol true....after a while them $5.00 hookers cannot handle too much of a beating
12-04-2005, 08:52 PM
#22
Why buy an altima w/ a 3.5, when you can get a Sentra w/ a 3.5! 
Sentra with VQ35DE swapped into it! You may have already seen this.
I really like the 5th gens also. But yeah, the 3rd gens were kinda ahead of other Jap. makers at that time, just think about what an '89 camry, accord, diamante/galant or whatever mitsu had looked like at the time.
Sentra with VQ35DE swapped into it! You may have already seen this.
I really like the 5th gens also. But yeah, the 3rd gens were kinda ahead of other Jap. makers at that time, just think about what an '89 camry, accord, diamante/galant or whatever mitsu had looked like at the time.
12-05-2005, 11:18 AM
#23
Originally Posted by twinkle
You're talking aobut the ones that hang out on the corner of broadway and morgan blvd in camden right, those ..... things, cause they sure arnt women, look REAL frail...and cracked out :-D
12-05-2005, 03:39 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 666
Originally Posted by 90pearlSE
The 3rd Gen. Maxima, as well as the Pathfinder and Pulsar were the brain-children of Jerry Hirshberg and the newly developed Nissan Design International (NDI) that was built in San Diego. NDI was created to be a separate entity and bring a fresh, new perspective to the Nissan lineup. Traditionally, the Japanese engineers had a bigger role in the car concept - and although the engineering of the cars was great, the designing was more utilitarian and not as appealing to foreign markets. NDI was given nearly complete freedom to design cars that were more appealing, as well as forward-thinking in the design and function. Until the 3rd gen Maximas were produced, the Stanza and Sentra had always taken their styling cues from their big brother. Sentra owners could step up to a Stanza, and Stanza owners could step up to the Maxima. This idea was abandoned for the most part by NDI, who instead wanted to make each model the best in it's class, not just watered down versions of other cars in the Nissan lineup. The 1989 Maxima was an almost complete redesign inside and out, and a statement of what was to come from Nissan. The station wagon option was dropped, and the vision of the 4DSC came to life. It was considered by many to be the first Infiniti, the lineup that now continues to push the envelope of Nissan's design, engineering, performance, and luxury. If you were to look back on the lineup of Datsun/Nissan over the years, you could see where NDI began to change the face of cars to come. I think their first project was the 1986 1/2 pickup, which was a drastic change from the previous model. At the same time, the Pathfinder was in the works - a vehicle that never would have been created for the Japanese markets. With the bulging fenders and integrated rollbar, this truck just plain looked tough, and was an instant hit in the (intended) US market. Subsequently, the Maxima was reborn, the 300ZX was updated, the Stanza was dropped and replaced by the Altima (they can't get it right all the time ), and the Sentra went from a little tin can box car to one of the leaders in it's class and one sporty little ride.
So you might be wondering, 'well what happened to the 4th gen Max?' Well, the sales and production of the GXE model was much greater than the SE, and many of these buyers were using these cars more as grocery getters and baby toters. The market was not demanding the more aggressive and sporty handling of the 4DSC or SE as much as the more cushy GXE offerings. So for 1995, the Max once again got a makeover and most notably lost the rear independant suspension. Although there was a section of the market that disapproved, the sales of the Maxima continued to rise as it turned into a KSFC (kinda sporty family car)! The 3rd gen has always appealed to me since the first time I saw one, but after that (IMHO) things went downhill for the Maxima. Those that got hooked on the 3rd gens are now drawn to the new Altima's instead of the new bulky Maxima with the same engine.
), and the Sentra went from a little tin can box car to one of the leaders in it's class and one sporty little ride. So you might be wondering, 'well what happened to the 4th gen Max?' Well, the sales and production of the GXE model was much greater than the SE, and many of these buyers were using these cars more as grocery getters and baby toters. The market was not demanding the more aggressive and sporty handling of the 4DSC or SE as much as the more cushy GXE offerings. So for 1995, the Max once again got a makeover and most notably lost the rear independant suspension. Although there was a section of the market that disapproved, the sales of the Maxima continued to rise as it turned into a KSFC (kinda sporty family car)! The 3rd gen has always appealed to me since the first time I saw one, but after that (IMHO) things went downhill for the Maxima. Those that got hooked on the 3rd gens are now drawn to the new Altima's instead of the new bulky Maxima with the same engine.
12-05-2005, 03:57 PM
#25
Originally Posted by rteenie22
ok I agree with a few of you. I see the resemblance to the older cefiro. noticed that years ago and thought that was our base until I noticed it was rwd. the 3rd gen also looks exactly like an evolutionary change to the 2nd gen (at least the front end). but what was this cars platform mate? did it have one or was it jus original???
12-05-2005, 04:30 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 155
If you read the book "The Creative Priority" by Jerry Hirshberg, all of what I wrote is explained in greater detail. It's been a couple years since I read it, but I'm pretty sure what I wrote is accurate - not just speculation. I would recommend this book to anyone that is a true Nissan enthusiast or interested in design - luckily I managed to pick up a signed first edition several years ago.
12-05-2005, 04:56 PM
#27
this might be interesting to some http://www.nissanusa.com/insideNissa...1,,846,00.html
12-05-2005, 11:08 PM
#29
I miss my VE
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 2,553
Originally Posted by 90pearlSE
The 3rd gen has always appealed to me since the first time I saw one, but after that (IMHO) things went downhill for the Maxima. Those that got hooked on the 3rd gens are now drawn to the new Altima's instead of the new bulky Maxima with the same engine.
12-06-2005, 02:22 AM
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 666
yes I luv that se-r. I hate hate red cars but that se-r in red is what I want but it seems they have discontinued it and we have already sold our last one. nothin wrong wit an aztec red 3g either
12-06-2005, 03:15 AM
#31
Originally Posted by 93turbo gxe
all of you all are nuts we cam from the honda accord
12-06-2005, 06:05 AM
#32
Originally Posted by rteenie22
but it seems they have discontinued it and we have already sold our last one.
s at Nissan for putting the lame *** QR25 in there and killing the cars potential.
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