Hello, I am new to this board and hope to learn alot of information, I used to own a 2000 milano red Si, but last Saturday it was stolen

I want to make the switch over to a Nissan Maxima, I have always liked Maximas, and they are the only sport sedan in my range that has a manual transmission option. Within hours of my Si being stolen I knew only a Maxima could fill the gap

I was wondering if someone could explain the different trim levels of the 4th gen Maxima and some hp numbers and weight. I am sorry if this information is posted really often or if this is frivioulus, but I really want to do some extensive research before I go Maxima shopping. Any information that could help me in this quest would be highly appreciated.

thanks, sean

 

Get a SE trim with a 5-speed.

 

Hey there!

There are a few posts at the top of the 4th Gen forum that
include all sorts of information (basically, FAQs). The info
you're looking for is there...

take care,
FLO_BOY

 

SE = "sports edition" ....on the 97+, comes with stock white face gauges, 16" SE rims, spoiler, bla bla bla....if you take a look at the FAQ at the top of the page, it has all the trim levels and their main features/options....

max has 190 hp, and 205 lbs/ft of torque (almost double of that SI )....be sure you get a 5spd.....

and as for SI's....my auto smokes one w/ i/h/e

 

Mmmmmm. Excellent choice 4th gen.. base hp is 190 i believe.

You wont be disappointed and you have Everything on the org for groupbuys and Help. sorry i dont know a weight..

Bolt-ons For maximas run about the same and actually alot cheaper than some si parts. good luck and WELCOME!

ps.buy a 5spd

 

Go to this link and you should get a good idea of the trim differences.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....en+differences

Basicly, you can get all the GLE trim features with an SE Trim package as options minus some chrome (door handles, grille, etc). The main thing to remember is that the GLE only comes in Auto and the GXE or the SE come in either 5-speed or Auto.

As for HP and weight numbers, they all have the same exact engines and all put out 190 at the crank. There are negligable differences in weight between the two which is about 3100lbs + or - a couple hundred lbs.

 

Sean,

95-99 Maxima's come with 190hp/205ft-lbs of torque stock. Torque...something your probubly not too familier with with that Si. 90% of that torque is available around 2000rpm I believe. 4th Gen. (95-99) Maximas weigh typically 2900-3150lbs. The 95-96 are going to be a little lighter then the 97-99's, given the same trim level. 95-99 5speed Maxima's do 0-60 in 6.4-6.7 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.8 - 15.3. Member Veetec did 14.7 in his bone stock 97 SE 5spd. Member TheBlue did 14.2 with intake/y-pipe/catback in his 4th gen 5spd max. That equates to a 0-60 time of around 5.7.

Good luck with your decision. You are going to love not having to downshift and revv high whenever you want power. The great thing about 5spd Maxima's is their total sleepers. Expect lots of When your stock maxima is the fastest n/a import at the track, becuase I gaurentee it almost always will be.

 

and next you gonna be saying your 5spd is faster than my auto? excuse me mister perfect..

 

You talkin' to me bish? You know i'd beat your autotragic maxima in the 1/4th by around 7-10 car lengths. I would destroy you off the line. But I can understand your denial...I was once an autotragic owner too. Until this day came:

 

where do you live again?

 

10-13 hours away from jOo

 

meet you half way so we can do taht swap?

sorry for whoring your thread up sean

 

sean the 95-96 are 200lbs or so lighter because of padding and such, the reason for the diff is because on the 95-96 they tested collisions ... ie backing into a cement pole at 5mph, and they sustained alot more damage then the should have, so 97-99 models added more padding thusly reducing damage done to the rear, i dont know about other areas they improved upon, but i can tell you that
A) 95-96 the stillen body kit does not look as good- ie front lip
B) most people with a 95-96 switch bumpers with a 97-99 because of better lighting, ie headlights are clearer.
C) 95-96 5spds are the fastest of the 4th gen maximas
D) its harder to get red/clear tails for a 95-96.. only one person that i know of makes really good ones and they cost 200+ ????
E) some 95-96 have a problem with the starter in which you have to tap it some times to release the extra charge so the car will start ????? 100k+ mile cars have this prob..

other then that they are pretty identical throughout the years...
i would opt for a GXE myself - cheaper price since you may swap out suspension parts and the SE suspension then becomes negligable...

some other things that come to mind ... DO NOT GET A MAXIMA with BOSE system if you plan on modding your system out because the BOSE system is a biotch to change over.

other then that i dont think i have anymore to say, good luck, if i think of anymore ill post.

 

get a 97-99 se

 

This is true, but in a real collision, ie 30mph+, the 95-96 is JUST as safe as the 97-99. It's just the 97-99's are more dent-resistant at very low speeds.

The 97-99's also have heavier wheels, and little features like that which add to it's weight. It's really not that significant though and shouldn't be the deciding factor in your choice.


That's your opinion. I happen to like the 95-96 kit more I like how the front lip flares.


I highly doubt the 97-99's have better lightning then the 95-96's. The 95-96 use glass headlights while the 97-99's are plastic. The 95-96's are much better quality.

Agreed.

They are very rare, but CustomMaxima is supposedly coming out with them soon. And they are not close to $200+, I got mine for $165 through DavidL.

Now this is true. The 95-96 starters suck. You will definatally be replacing that probubly within the first 100,000 miles.


GXE sucks. If you get the GXE, you get the cheesy chrome door handles, hubcaps, no spoiler, and no options whatsoever. An SE looks good stock and should tide you over for a long time with most of it's parts.

It is pretty complicated, you gotta get it re-wired. The rear speakers come with their own amps. I had two 12" Infinity perfects powered by a HUGE amp using my stock bose system. I removed my system last year to help pay for the 5spd swap. The bose system, when combined with a good aftermarket headunit, can sound amazing. Mine sounds great and has surprisingly deep bass for small 6 1/2 speakers. People often ask if I have subs.

 

An other one that did the switch from Honda to Nissan good. I use to own a 1990 accord with lots of miles served me well but it was time for something better and I too choosed the maxima. I just purchased a 98 SE 5 speed of course 2 weeks ago and lemme tell you it's a blast to drive.

 

Save about $1000 to rebuild the transmission cause it has a higher then average probability it will eat a bearing.

 

Welcome

SuDZ

 

First off, I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome and information, I can already tell that the Maxima crowd is much more mature and friendly than the Honda crowd that I am used to at the other forums, thanks again guys

I have always been a Honda fan, but I could never get over the fact that Honda has all small displacement, torque-less engines. Alot of hardcore Honda guys rave about thier reliability, but I have found otherwise. My best friend of many years owns a 90 Maxima, and I have always loved his car, and would jump at the chance to drive it whenever I could. His car NEVER left him stranded and was MORE dependable than my first Honda (I have owned two Hondas, my 93' which was newer than his Maxima wasn't near has dependable. I didn't own my Si long enough to find out)
I helped him do alot of stuff to his Max, like install his stereo system and perform routine maintenance, and everytime I worked on his car with him, I couldn't help but notice that everything about his car was higher quality, and had much more little details. For Example: Honda dosn't even consider adding courtesy lights for ignition and keyholes, and Honda dosn't even put a full interior on the trunk, and just many other little things that set his car apart. So, with the encouragement of my friend (who feaverishly loves his Max), I have decied to make the move.

Hopefully the insurance process dosn't take too long with my stolen Si, and I can get into my 97 SE Honda loses another one.

P.S. Those are impressive 1/4 mile times you guys were posting, I look foward to building up my Max, and I a one of those all go NO show guys. I like the look on peoples faces when stock looking cars pass them

 

congrats on looking into a maxima, its a great car with a good amount of mods for it. you should check out custommaxima.com to check out what is available for the max. I agree with what everyone says: get an SE, the 5spd rules. i wish i waited a lil longer and held out for an SE but i thought i couldnt find a better deal on my max. This org is a great place to find info, but dont think it isnt like any oher forums. We do have haters and people who like to flame. As long as you dont mention 20 in chrome wheels, altezzas, wings, graphix, neons, or anything else like that you should b fine. J/K i love the org.

 

Ok having both the Si and the Maxima in the household, (Both Pretty Much stock) let me give you my detailed comparison.

Engine: Maxima can accelerate more effortlessly, obviously because the car has something called Torque . It is smoother all the way through the powerband, and with some kind of intake setup it can sound just as wild as an Si does.

Transmission: Driving a Maxima 5spd after driving an Si doesnt feel so good. The shifter is tall and the throws are much longer. You will definitly want to invest in a Short Shifter. Certain gears in the maxima move up and down while applying throttle, I havent experienced this in the Si.

Suspension: If you love to corner agressivly the Maxima in its stock form is definitly not for you. Even in its sport Trim the ride feels slushy and sways back and forth, and side to side. The car Dips down upon braking and lifts foward upon acceleration. The rear of the car is not as forgiving as the Si's.

Operating Costs: Both cars are under warranty. Although I bought the Si Used, its service records indicate nothing mechanical has ever failed. The Maxima has already needed its O2 sensor replaced, and has had its fair share of Check Engine Warnings. And just this past weekened, The Maximas stock battery Died, at only 66,000KMs.

I'm not trying to convince you out of a Maxima, because I think they are great cars, I almost bought one myself. I am just telling it how it is from the perspective of one who has both cars parked in the garage.

 

welcome lost?.

 

get a 95-96 SE 5-speed. good luck finding one tho.

 

welcome to the org.
You will love that 97 SE, just like I love mine 97 SE.

 

Welcome to the org,since you prolly already know the spec and all on the Maxima,good luck for finding the 5sp though.

 

oh and dont forget obd1 vs obd2

 

95+ are obdII....

 

welcome to the jungle..

not as much fun saying that without sigs..

 

97-98

 

if you plan to mod dont' get an SE.. its a waste of money

 

why is that?

 

because you pay $3000 - $4000 more for stuff you replace anyway..

wheels
suspension
spoiler(some people)
list goes on..

 

oh ok. I'm glad I got a good deal on my car then.

 

From some of the research I have been doing on this site, (incited from the earlier post here comparing the two, thanks BTW) one of the Maximas major downfalls is the suspension I really loved my Si's suspension because it was soooo precise and stable, the car hugged curves and was very stable at 120+ mph.

Is there any hope for the Maximas suspension?? What kind of mods have you guys done to your Max's suspension?? My Si had ITR springs and Koni yellow adjustable shocks, and it was WONDERFUL. Does Koni make adjustable shocks for the Max?? Any suspension advice is appreciated

thanks, sean

 

coilovers are availbe JIC, CATTMAN and i think TEIN. lots of different spring choices. adjustable shocks/struts also kyb and tokico.


check the same places you would for honda springs. or look at banners at the top of the pages.

i have kybs, sprint springs and a front strut bar plus 18 inch rims tires. my gxe handles sweet.

 

So even though the Maxima uses a rear beam, are roll bars available?? Are there any ways to fix the inherent problems with the rear beam?

 

yes a rear sway bar is available and highly recommened by users. its from addco or stillen.

what do you mean by "inherent problems" ?

 

I am sure that the rear beam suspension does its job, but I don't think it could perform as well as a fully independant double wishbone setup. The wheels are less likely to stay perfectly perpendicualr with the road in all circumstances.
It might not necessarily have problems, but it is still not the optimum setup.

What are your opinions of the Maxima's rear beam setup??

 

My GXE came with a spoiler.

And Power Seat, intermittent wipers, and a sunroof.

No options my azz! - The only thing I'm missing is that heavy and hot leather. - Oh, and the white gauges, but that cost $35 to fix.

IanS

 

yeah - on the GXE - the power seat, intermittent wipers and sunroof were all a part of the comfort and convenience package...spoiler was prolly an extra 300 bucks ontop of that when first purchased