meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

Maxima's have gotten significantly cheaper than what they used to be a year or two ago. the average 97 4th gen max used to be in the 8-9k area with descent mileage (under 100k) and good features. Now you can find one as low as 6k or less with under 100k. I dont plan to upgrade to a better car anytime soon (too broke and too happy with my maxima) but out of curiousity, what do u guys consider the next best thing for a maxima in the price range it used to be. Looking at 10k tops, what would u say is a good car to get with similar space, features, and comes in auto or 5 speed possessing luxury and a small amount of sportiness which can be stretched in the future with a journey through the aftermarket world...?

Ant96GLE

iTrader: (4)

Thats a hard one. For me it would probably be an M3 around 96 or so but even that is pushing it. Its hard finding one for that price range. And even an M3 doesnt offer anything close in regards to space. I tend to think we are one of a kind when it comes to those years.

geo1317

iTrader: (17)

there is not much out there, cause you cant really find a 97+ V6 sedan with a 5-speed for that kinda of money. maybe a 95 legend, a VR6 VW but thats about it.

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

doesnt have to be a 97, can be an 88 for all i car, just as long as it looks about as good and offers same features. But the 91-95 legend is a great car to compare as far as features and space. I actually wanted one before i got my second maxima. The Jetta VR6...wasnt a big fan of it because i thought it was too small (comapred to maxima) but never sat in one so who knows. Also a lot of females run at that car. Now that we got the ball rolling, how bout a honda accord like 98 5 speed V6? do they come in stick for V6? if they do i would say thats another good way to go. Space is almost the same, just a little weaker car but still... And what about a BMW 5 series like 93 or something? maybe a little newer for looks but u think its possible to find a 95 BMW 525 or whatever is BMW's lowest 5 series model for 10k or less? that could be pust in same spot.

geo1317

iTrader: (17)

those accord V6's where all AUTOs.

as for the BMWs, the 525 is too slow and getting a BMW for about 10k means it has alots of miles or there is a major problem with them. Also i would never buy a used BMW, they are just not reliable and repairs cost Waaaaayyyyyyy too much

polishpunk68

accord V6's are a lot slower than our maximas from what i hear

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

yea i know they are, power band is much smaller than ours. But V6 5 speed would have made me happy after adding a few mods on them. Too bad they dont come in 5 speed. Thats so dumb, just like how they have vtec and have such a low limiter...whats the use?

mforrest100

iTrader: (24)

How about a 5th gen? Polo just posted like a month ago he saw a 5 speed 2k max with about 90K on the dial being sold for about $9995 at a car dealer in Queens. Thats a good price to me.

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

thats not a bad idea, new style, little faster, in a way better looks. I see I see I see. That never crossed my mind

1996_SE

I would buy a fifth generation over a sixth any day. Though I wouldn't say 'no' to a new G35...

happyricefob

iTrader: (7)

personally maxima is probably the only car i can think of with reliabiable, luxurious, sportiness and reasonable price these days. so either...

[option 1]
honda civic hatchback 1990-1995 ($3000ish), either B16 or B18 swap ($3500ish), turbo system ($2500ish), other basic bolt ons ($1500). and run 12 seconds all day.

[option 2]
save up for a G35 coupe fully loaded black/black 6spd. (duh )

JeremyMarkham

Jetta VR6...Had one for a quick minute. I really think the Max had more power.
Accord V6, my mom has this car. For a V6 (compared to my max)...Weak sauce!

rik3k

I love my Max. 95, black on black leather. If I were to upgrade I'd get a 2k3 5-spd black on black leather again. If I had enough money though, I'd get a Cadilliac CTS (don't laugh). This car just blows me away. Sex on wheels is what I call it. Droooooooooooool.

Defacto

eeeeeeee!!! Mecca, why'd you even bring such things up?

I'm thinking similar things, considering my tranny is half gone POOF!!! I'll get to know Jeff@Maximum tuning pretty well now...But yeah, that's a tough one. I'd probably get a '94 BMW 540i or a '92 BMW 535i...but that's older....

VQuick

iTrader: (17)

I've always thought that the 1999 (?) - 2003 Acura 3.2 TL Type S is a good replacement for the 4th-gen max. A very attractive car, in a "conservatively" styled way. I dislike a lot of the new designs with huge scuplted bumpers and noses (hate the 6th-gen Max, but I think Nissan did the new style right with the 350Z and the Infiniti G35).

I don't like the look of the TL as much, but lowered/modded it could look very hot. Won't find many under $10K for a while, though.

lilgrebbie

I would go with a subaru impreza, infinity g20, Audi a4 or a6, or maybe some of the ones earlier mentioned. all good cars- luxurious but yet sporty (just like the max) My next CAR (but it might be a truck) would prob. be a subaru impreza wrx... but that will be a loooong ways a way.

scottcarlsonMAX

Good replacement for Maxima....another Maxima....any year or a Ferarri Enzo....but stick with the Max!!!

Shift_my vq

God everybody keeps talking acura tl,cl. That is not a good replacement car for a maxima. They suck. They are so ugly. So so ugly. I have a good video of my friends 5th gen, dusting a type s. Sorry guys acura,Honda, all terrible cars.

Sqard

iTrader: (12)

I like the TL looks. Been thinking the same question myself. I've been looking for the max of my dreams now for over a year and in the process i've been accumulating more and more savings. I can now move into the 15-17k range now, but 5th gen styling is just not for me. I like the looks of the TL and GS300(maybe 400 if i have the cash) but both only come in auto! I'd definately need to buy a manual car if i were to get something newer.

Sqard

iTrader: (12)

Speaking of the TL, whats the difference between the regular and type S?

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

i saw a bimmer. 540i sport, 6 speed, man was i drooling at that, it had high miles and was selling for $10,000, if i could find that again i'd jump on it

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

What about VW Passat VR6? They are bigger and still powerful, but not sure how reliable and I believe they do go with 5 sp. But I would still choose the Max though....

vsamoylov

a 98 or 99 m3 for me in the future. but will still keep max as a sporty daily driver car.

mad-max98

iTrader: (2)

are you on crack, our 4th geners look 1000 times better than the ugly heavy sloww pieces of s..t

AsthmaMax11

iTrader: (3)

Last night I was browsing the GTP forums. They have a nice aftermarket and respond EXTREMELY well to mods. They run high 14's stock and with a pulley and exhaust 13's are easy. They only come in automatic but also can come in 4-door and nice options too....

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

TL or CL type regular = 225 hp V6

TL or CL type S = 260 hp V6

The NEW TLs all have a 270 hp V6

The new CL . . . . ????????? Discontinued?

I wouldn't mind a used CL-S 6-speed. I used to like the legends, but most of them were under-powered. You gotta find a legend with the type II 230 hp V6, and the legend coupes had a 6-speed, too, though I prefer the sedan if it came with the type II engine and 6-speed. Those would be nice trades from the Maxima

DW

mungrin

Yeah,the only other cars that i think i woulda got instead of my max would be a big car.I was originally going to get a 95 740 IL for like 10 grand,than i was like screw this and bought a Max for 3800.The only wasy i would give up my Max would maybe be for an Acura TL,RL.There arent really any cars in our class for those years.My 96 Max drives much better than my friends 99 Accord and he knows that to.The only cars that i like from those years are mostly V8s so i guess those dont really count but there arent really any other cars,maybe a Legend but those look old now.

Wisky97SE

iTrader: (1)

Although they're not similar cars, I would look into a 94 LS400, quick, luxurious, (not too sporty), but who says you cant drive it fast?

sharkulator

iTrader: (5)

Maybe a lincoln LS, especially the big 8 cylinder ones. Not 10G's though. For the money vs the performance aspect, Max's rule. This insurance lady told me that Maxs dont hold their value like Honda's or Toyotas. But show me a accord or camry that can out run a same year max . . . You cant.

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

The TL-S i think came standard with navigation, more horsepower and maybe a few other things.

You guys are naming some really nice cars which definitely present a threat in competition to the maxima but you also forget to realize the price range we are looking at. In no way will you find a TL in good shape for 10k or under. In no way will u find a 94 540i for 10k or under. Basically the best replacement i've seen thus far is a 2k-2k1 maxima which can NOW be found for about 10k. Not bad at all.

Impreza's are totally different cars to the maxima, same with ferrari's, and camaro's, we're looking at 4 door family sedan with a taste of sportiness, mostly luxury. I would say the Lincoln LS is pretty good especially if u can find it in stick, V6, not sure if its faster than max but it definitely looks good, rides good, feels good.

Also someone mentioned the Cadillac CTS but the old style one's arent that great looking and the new one's which are are too expensive...

Iilac

iTrader: (65)

I would look into the first gen q45. Those cars can be monsters if modded right.

Kenneth

iTrader: (8)

Prelude, non-SH.

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

Not true Mecca, I just saw today in the Classifieds the 95 540i with 90K for $10K and few cents. Maybe the car was in accident previously, don't know.

HarrisH

iTrader: (1)

Umm you must be smoking crack. The TL and CL and I'm sure most people here would agree look beautiful STOCK that's with the OEM Body Kit ofcourse. You have to agree the TL is really a sexy car EVEN MY MOM THINKS SO! That's why I'm seriously considering one 2000+. And Acura and Honda are some of the most reliable cars and most are as fast as Nissans, some maybe not off the line, but when V-TEC kicks in forget it. And a TL looks way better than the 5th gen, in my opinion atleast.

Titan14

A4 2.8 or TL type S.....

Broaner

iTrader: (10)

I don't know about the aftermarket support, but I really like the IS300 looks. Thats the Altezza folks. In Japan those things mop up everything but the japanese supercars. Ie: Skyline, Supra. With some nice work I think they are on a similar level to a Max.