prudentcarbuyer

[Editted on 11/23/02: corrected the year of Camry from '96 to '97. Sorry about the original typo.]

I am considering buying either a '97 Camry V6 or a '96 Maxima....
and the Camry seems to have more power (195 hp), but Maxima
is probably a bit bigger.

Could you guys tell me any other things that I should consider
in choosing between these two cars? Have you guys thought about
Camry V6 before buying a Maxima? What were Maxima's strong points
that lured you from Camry V6?

Thanks for the help!

xsp00kyx

96 V6 camry with 195hp stock? i don't think so. and why would you question? Year to year Maxima's are always on top. Unless you're getting the new v6 camry SE instead of a 3rd gen you know what i'm saying? Maxima's are the way to go. haha

Jepht20

iTrader: (10)

there have been a few threads about this. they are pretty much equally fast depending on the drivers. it is rare to find a 5sp camry. if you're gonna get either make sure you get 5spd if you're looking for speed. both great and reliable cars. get whichever has better options and you think looks better. just make sure you drive one of each before deciding. best of luck with your decision and purchase.

Rogo02SE

Get the Max, both cars are good but I think the Max looks better.

99maximagxe

iTrader: (3)

yea i agree 195hp camry stock. thats not right. I looked in some specs comparing the mid-size sedans and the v6 camry for 2002 is only 205. How is a 96 195hp? Pick the maxima no doubt it tops the camry in looks and performance.

xsp00kyx

yes i had a 95 v6 camry and i loved that car. but now that i have a 99 max, i like this more. but i feel you, they are both very great cars. but if you're ever thinking about honda's then i suggest you resign from this .org. haha j/k

Street Reeper

This is all I could find

1996 Toyota Camry LE
Obtained from C&D October, 1996
0-60: 8.3 Transmission: Automatic
1/4 Mile: 16.5
1/4 Speed: 85

1997 Toyota Camry LE V-6
Obtained from C&D August, 1997
0-60: 8 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 16.2
1/4 Speed: 86

1995 Nissan Maxima SE
Obtained from MT June, 1994
0-60: 6.6 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 15.2
1/4 Speed: 92

1997 Nissan Maxima SE
Obtained from MT April, 1997
0-60: 7.1 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 15.5
1/4 Speed: 90

1996 Nissan Maxima GXE
Obtained from Car-Stats
0-60: 6.5 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 14.9
1/4 Speed: 93


Get the Max for sure. Remember if your looking at hp, don't just look at peak hp. What will get you a win is consitent hp across the RPM range. Thats why a Max with 190hp will beat a TL with 225, at least my 96 does The 95-96 are the fastest stock Max's since the 3.5 VQ , this should be a no brainer. Congrats on getting a great car, what color/model/trim?

Jepht20

iTrader: (10)

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=camry+maxima

munji

I've never seen a pimped out Camry, and I'm not sure if I want to

Jon91SE

A Camry has to be the most bland un-inspiring car on the road!

FutureX 2001

Camry's have 188HP up till 96 I believe. Then they got 195 or something like that. You'll be happier with the Maxima.

brodaiga

a ricer guy I know has a 93 camry, trust me, u don't want to see it...

JsL

iTrader: (5)

Toyotas and Lexus have smooth trannies...at least the camry, es300 and the GS 400. I've sat in all those before, and they are smooth. The camry and the es300 have the same engine, I think, but what I do know is I walk my friend's 99 es300 everytime with my 98 I30t auto.

In terms of looks, I think the 4th generation maxima looks 20x better than a camry and has way more potential. Have you seen pics of a lowered Max with stillen aero and rims? If not, go check one out!
Get a 95 5spd, practice, run a 14.9 and impress everyone

Don't forget the main reason to get a Max, because of maxima.org and all the modding and troubleshooting support here.

DTR Maxima

my aunt has a camary and i have driven it and its no where near as good a car. for reliability they are very close and last long, but maxima looks better, has better after market support, and my 97' SE maxima has way better handling and is relativly faster than her v6 LE camary, but its still a solid car, but for money, speed, looks, handling, the maxima wins hands down

The Gange

Edmunds.com says:
1996 Camry XLE
Base Number of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 188 hp
Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm
Torque: 203 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4400 rpm
Drive Type: FWD

Close, but no cigar

Gange

boo

Plus if your looking at weight/HP ratio (Edmunds again):

1996 Toyota Camry Midsize Coupe
2 Dr SE V6 Coupe
Horsepower: 188 hp
Weight: 3219 lbs.

1996 Nissan Maxima Midsize Sedan
4 Dr SE Sedan
Horsepower: 190 hp
Weight: 3010 lbs.

The Max does have more overall room.

And yes they did bump the HP up on the 97 Camry (Edmunds)
Horsepower: 194 hp
Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm
Torque: 209 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4400 rpm

Both are good, reliable cars but I would go with the Maxima.

boo

prudentcarbuyer

Thank you all for responding to my question!
I apologize for the wrong information I included in my first post.
Actually, I was thinking about comparing a 96 Maxima with a 97 Camry (both have about the same private-party price), but I typed in the wrong year. Thanks to some people for reminding me of this mistake.

Jepht20

iTrader: (10)

munji,
i know a guy who has a modded camry and it looks awesome. people call it the batmobile. i've also seen a green bright green camry with a body kit...i had mixed feelings but i'll tell you it looks way better than most civics or integras i see around. there are also some with rims on my campus and they look classy.

i don't you can honestly make fun of them because they're not all that different from us. you can make any car into "rice" but overall i wouldn't call modded camries(sp?) ricey.

don't get me wrong, i'm not saying i like them better than maximas at all. i'd go max all the way but they are still good cars and aren't that bad if done right.

Dev

iTrader: (5)

you just compared auto camry's to standard maxima's. thats not a fair comparison. these cars are pretty close performance wise. also, the 95-96 maxima's are NOT the fastest stock maxima's since the vq35, since the fastest stock 4th gen recorded a 14.7 on a 97 maxima.

and i agree with jepht20, why are you guys hating on camry's when they are pretty close to the cars we own?
people do mistake maxima's for being camry's, so if you think they're ugly or rice, you're hating on your own ride.

the advice from a maxima forum will obviously be to buy a maxima. go test drive both cars, check out the performance, handling, comfort, options, appearance of the interior and exterior, and see which car YOU prefer, and go with that.

Parsec

LOL, did someone say the 2003 camry ha 205hp? I drove my friend's '03 V6 camry (auto) and I felt that my '96 altima (auto) w/ intake and exhaust was noticably faster. And of course, neither even compares to my '96 stock maxima 5spd.

colinc

iTrader: (1)

That particular generation camry is very boring as far as styling. I really don't care for the interior either. Also, that 3 liter engine LITERALLY sounds like a sewing machine! The new body camry is MUCH better (even though it still uses that 3 liter. I would without a doubt go with a Maxima.

Brendan

http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...Toyota%20Camry

there is one picture in the middle of the page, the car has no decals or anything on it, it looks awsome i think. I also like how some automatically go off and doubt that a camry has that much hp just cause its not a maxima. My mom has a 99 camry and i can say it is pretty quick especially for a car that is not known for its speed what so ever, also the camry is 10 times smoother and is quieter. I'd say don't listen to what anyone says, buy what you want, i just figured since you asked i'd tell you. goodluck

brodaiga

All I said was this guy's car looks like crap, not all camry's look like crap.

95emeraldgxe

definitely go for the maxima, its a much better looking car.........more power.......lower rate of theft - its great!

Max Noob

iTrader: (5)

i bought my 95 5 spd Max se like 2 months ago.. while looking for my car, the camry and max were my top 2 choices.i test drove like 4 of each car from different private sellers and a couple of dealers.. i can honesly say i loved both cars..i ended up getting the max cuz it was a great deal.i found one being sold from an old lawyer.original owner with all papers maintiained well cept for 90k of small paint scractches.but nuthing great.. both cars are dope..i prolly would have been happy with either..but the max had a better deal to it... i dont regret getting the max .i love this car..esp cuz its a 5 spd...parts are faily cheap...and this baord is aweosme...the SE max handles better than a camry.. max may be a bit bigger but camry has more of a "boat" feel to it..you wont be dissapointed with a max..but again.this baord is kidna biased.. whatever you decide..both are great buys.. have fun

spiff56747

iTrader: (-1)

That car is absolutely hideous, its just as bad as any accord with an overdone body kit.

I like the previous generation camry's better.. The one before the one thats on that page.

blackkmaxondubs

Hey to answer you question, I have both vehicles and I treat the max as my number one car. I am working on both. The camry is my daily driver its is supercharged, dropped, exhaust. It is fast and feels good, great car, but the max hands down is more of a performance sedan. I like everything more about the max, except the ease to supercharge. The max is way easier to get parts and more options. My all motor max will run close to the supercharged camry in the 1/4 mile, but I'm in the process of adding nx express to the maxima.

98 Maxima SE 5spd, lots of mods, will be taking to dyno tune
2000 Camry Le V6 supercharged auto, est hp 285

95emeraldgxe

the only advantage of getting the camry would be TRD

Brendan

i know its hideous, i said that one picture of it in the middle of the page.

99maxi

iTrader: (2)

i think camry's are more reliable and hold their value more. both cars are very similar, i would say the maxima looks better, but the camry should have a more comfortable interior. i have driven a 96 V6 XLE and that car was really smooth. i also own a 88 camry with 22X,XXX miles and it is still going strong.

hacim105

iTrader: (6)

Ok like everyone says pick which one you want. The reason this place is biased is cause we all have maximas and we all love our maxima. Camrys are a good car but who cares. And this whole resale value thing. If you care about having a good resale value for your car go buy a honda. Otherwise pick a car that you like. The maxima looks better and may have better options. If you choice is between a auto camry and a 5spd maxima then get the maxima. If you don't care about transmission then pick which ever car has a better deal that's it.
But like everyone else said, you won't regret the maxima.

gtr_rider

iTrader: (50)

whats wrong with the camry's?







http://www.onlineshowoff.com/index.a...oided_Warrenty

Vyrus

iTrader: (4)

I like the bottom one a lot. Did anyone else notive they all have the same bodykit... seems like there is a Stillen-type-monopoly for Camrys too.
-Cyrus

Conrad283

iTrader: (2)

go with the camry, maxima's suck ....

munji

gtr_rider

iTrader: (50)

Actually, there are A LOT of bodykits for them, I just like that one..

http://www.tt-cc.com/Photo/blackwidow.jpg
http://www.tt-cc.com/Photo/blackwidow2.jpg
http://www.tt-cc.com/Photo/cambkit.jpg
http://www.tt-cc.com/Photo/cambkit2.jpg
http://www.tt-cc.com/Photo/carlsson3.jpg
http://www.tt-cc.com/Photo/blackcam1.jpg

96BLUMAX

iTrader: (3)

Maxima = more power/torque, luxury, options, and its not a toyota.

iregula

camry is just nasty

TheodoreSlimm

My 4cyl 99 SE-L altima will whoop up on a v6 camrys azz.

Parsec

Finally, someone who knows what I'm talking about.