My 95 Max was totalled and I'm going today to look at a 1999 Maxima SE Limited Edition today with 108K miles on it that I can buy for $6,500...maybe less. Supposedly this car is in very good condition and still owned by the original owner. Never modded. Or, I could possibly buy a 5th generation Max, probably a 2000 model, with 70-80K miles on it for $9,500 in similar condition. Would it be worth it to be a 5th gen model over the 4th Gen SE? Let's say that the mileage was the same on either the 4th & 5th Gen. Money is the only difference. Would you still fork out the extra money for the 5th gen and if so why? I'm really having a tough time on this one.

 

I have read many reviews (C&D included), and they all reported that 2000 model are slower than the 4th gen, by around 1 second. They were testing models with manual transmission.

Sam

 

I've raced an auto '00 Maxima and it really wasn't a race, I pulled from the start. The extra hp they gave the '00-01 doesn't make up for the extra weight.

 

OK, I think it is safe to say now that the 4th Gens are faster, but does the 5th gens have ANY advantages other than style and resale value?

 

Just go with your gut feeling. You posted in the 4th gen forum so yeah, we're biased, at least I'm admitting it, but if it were a 02-03 I'd get it, but as far as 1995-2001, I'd get the 4th gen. And in 2000, there are still a few bugs with the, then "new" model that were worked out in 01.

 

Probably get flamed for this but I would get the newer model as I like the style better... and the first thing I would change would be the headlights to the later models... 02 or 03... forgot which one but it's the one w/ the dual bulbs.

 

I have a 99, and partner has a 2000. The 2000 is nice and all, but it feels a tad state-womansly when I am feeling like slamming on the accelerator. The 99 is the best that they could have done with the 4th gen and the 2000 is the basic slate.

Also, SE Limiteds have traction control, heated seats and side airbags... or at least mine does.

 

it's a biased opinion but i think the 4th gen are much better looking than the Y2K cars. plus they are much faster AND cheaper!!!

 

Get a 98, 99-01 have the coil pack Issue, Get a 5spd dont get auto, But if you want a 5th Gen, I say you get a 01 5spd, There nice when fully loaded!

 

5gen has a much better interior imo. i have had a 3gen a 4gen and i drive my gf 5gen regularly and 5gen has the best interior, 4gen the worst.

5gen has better handling stock

4gen has better low end power

5gen has better high end, and also feels a lot smoother accelerating

as far as which one is more powerful its a toss up- jeremysride2000 has a 2k1 with the same mods as my 99 except i have a y-pipe. on the highway i SLOWLY walk him, and i imagine that when he gets his y pipe he will own me because the 5gen high end from the (variable intake?) is sweet. and also he ran a 15.6-15.7 with an intake only, which is right in with all the other 4gen autos.

just some of the things i noticed.
good luck

 

I don't know bout the speed difference but I can definitely attest to them being cheaper... hehehe

 

So your options are 99 for $6500 or a 2K for $9500.

If it were me Id buy the 99 and put 3K worth of mods on it

 

DING! DING! DIING!! We have a WINNER!!

 

Well, I just go back from looking at the 99 SE LTD and it was a real crap box. My 1995 was in 10 times better shape plus I wouldn't have bought a piece of gum from the guy much less a car. Oh well. Thanks for all the great replies. I did love my 4th Gen, but I don't want to miss out on anything either since I generally drive a car to the wheels fall off and then just buy another.

 

Me too, look at my sig, 209k and counting!!

 

why buy a '99 when you can just buy a '96 and convet it and save yourself some $$. i regret buying my '99 SE. i would buy a '96 or a '97

 

Yeah, and you could do the ECU mod, and engines, if it in fact were to go bad, are only in the 400-600 dollar range used, low miles.(50-70k)

 

i would definitly go with the 99, that's what i'm looking to get right now, i like the look better, and like it was said, the 2000 would probrobly be slower. I would take the 99 even if they were the same price, so for me it would be no contest. if it was a 2k2, with a 3.5, then that's a different story.

 

before i purchased my '99 SE with all the options, i was either looking at '99's or '00.
i could have bought a '99 with all the options or buy a '00 with fewer options (gxe)..
so i bought the '99 SE with all the options (i still do not regret picking '99 over '00).
but like i said b4, if i knew that you can do cosmetic conversions to make a '95-'96 look like a '97-'99 (front bumper, headlights, grill, rear trunt and spoiler), i would have purchased a '96 and saved myself some $$

 

i did too--- the 4th generations all had higher ratings than the 5thers--but it wasn't by much!--mainly power issues----if i totalled my 98 today, i would go out tomorrow and get another 98

 

They also got the 04 slower than what stock guys are running on here(15.0 compared to here 14.6), and same story with the '03's. Just because a magazine tells you something, don't believe it.

 

My sister has a 2k auto Max and it drives nice. I have not really pushed it being that it is her car, and also her first car (my first car was a 1977 Buick LeSabre ), but it feels like it has a good amount of oomph. On the highway at higher speeds I would think that it has more get up than our cars due to the variable intake right? Maybe I will take it out for a spin when she comes back from Mexico.