i am going to get a 5 speed maxima as soon as i get back home from college in like three days or so. what model should i get? i am looking for a 99 and i think that i want to get an se. are there any cosmetic differences in these models? which one should i look for? i am planning to add seventeens and a stillen lip kit to the car for starters, then frankencar intake most likely to get some more ponies and that beautiful intake sound. btw, that vq motor you guys are always raving about better live up to all the hype. just kiddin, cant wait to go test drive em.

 

get the SE, although it doesn't really matter which model you get, if you want fog lights don't get a gxe, i you want a spoiler go with a SE, basically the SE is the model you want . and the engine'll last for a while

 

oh yea, i have some five lug universal rims 17x7 with 215/45/17 tires. will that be too narrow for the maxima? can i use these rims with the maxima, cause i would really like to. ??????????

 

Depends on the offset, you might wanna save some money and go with a GXE if you are planning on doing suspension mods and the wheels. With what you save you could almost definatly buy springs and struts, and they'll be a hell of a lot better than the worn out garbage thats stock.

 

Read the FAQ.

Be more concerned about getting the mileage/options/color/price you want. If you get that nailed down, then the trim level doesnt really matter.

 

go for a gxe, according to the info u gave us, you will be modding it

 

I dunno, I didn't even consider anything but the SE when I was shopping. Just my mindset, I didn't want to waste all that time and money just to shed the unattractive (to me) style aspects of the GXE/SE. I wasn't really planning on modding the car anyway, but if I was, I'd rather toy with installing performance mods than taking chrome off the car, putting wheels on, and fog lights/gauges/etc in.

 

SE all the way if you dont wanna fuss....personally, i absolutely HATE the chrome door handles and grille...i know it can be painted, but too much of a bother...

SE -

 

i'd rather buy a 99 gxe in mint condition and low milage than a 99 SE in ok condition and higher milage, both at the same price.

 

good information guys thanks. in that case i will very likely get an se model. i definately want body colored moldings and grill and so on. however, i am worried about whether or not my rims will fit. they were previously on a 2000 galant. what is the range of offset that i could have on the maxima? i am guessing that since they both are similar size cars that the rims should fit fine. although i dont know if 215 width tires are too narrow. is that too narrow for the maxima. i read the faq but i am still not sure. thanks alot. oh yea, i have to keep the car relatively stock so thats why i want to make sure i get the best model where i have to mod the least to get the look that i want. stillen kit and frankencar intake is all i think that i will be getting. possibly a y pipe as well. depending on how fast the car is stock. thanks again this is a very good board, very helpful.

 

You don't have your max yet, your telling yourself the same line that all of us had told ourselves in the past: "I'm getting my car, doing this and this, and thats it." I'm telling you now, thats wrong, you'll get those mods and love them and then want more and more and it's a never ending cycle of money sucking and so forth. I'm telling you now, if you begin to mod and your a frequent visitor of this site, the modding will never end.

 

215 is what comes on the SE's stock...err or is it 205?, i have no idea anymore, i just woke up lol..

the car is pretty peppy stock, but the intake/ypipe combo will be a nice addition in case your gettin the mod bug....

 

well...let me tell you guys a little story. the reason why i am even looking at getting a new car in the first place is that my car was totaled in a very wierd freakish accident. the main reason why my car did not survive the wreck was that my car was lowered. some of you may think that this is a bull**** excuse but its true. the frame of the car was at a lower level than it was stock, resulting in instead of my lower bumper hitting the bumper of the car, my middle bumper hit it and consequently bent the frame which ended up at the exact level of the bumper of the car i hit. now, if it was up to me, i would lower the car an inch or so. however, being that my first car, mitsu galant, was a graduation gift to me from my parents and they will be buying this car for me, its not really my choice. i am allowed to get a new car under the condition that i do minor engine mods, like new air filter and stuff and do NOT lower the car. they have oked the stillen kit and more importantly to me allowed me to have a five speed as my previous car was an auto. thats why i have to keep the car stock, not cause i want to. believe me, my galant wasnt fast but it wasnt close to stock either. anyways, i cant wait to get the maxima and see what all the fuss is about. i am hoping to beat my friends celica gts but i dont think that i will be able to do that for a while. gotta learn how to drive well before i start racin. thanks again guys, and if you have any suggestions of any kind please feel free to post them. thanks.