Totalled My Car...Need Maxima Help.
03-01-2005, 11:19 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 84
Totalled My Car...Need Maxima Help.
Hi, I had a 97 Lexus ES300. I just got in a horrible accident and totaled my car. I loved it to death, it was quite, fun, and VERY reliable. I need some new wheels. I was going to go back to Lexus but the $200+ insurance bill every month turned me off. I got some consumer reports books and found the Maxima. I have always like Nissan/Infinity just like I like Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus. I am planning on getting a manual (for the first time).
These are things that the car must have...
Be fun to drive
Be reliable
Be pretty quick
Have a nice ride quality
Be able to upgrade easily
I went to www.car-stats.com to look at 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. If all the 4th generations had the same engine then something must not be right. This is what I found...
95 SE
0-60: 6.6 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 15.2
97 SE
0-60: 7.1 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 15.5
98 SE
0-60: 8.2 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 16.5
96 GXE
0-60: 6.5 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 14.9
98 GXE
0-60: 6.6 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 15
Now, I thought the GXE was basic and the SE was the most sporty Maxima. According to this the GXE is the quickest. Is this information accurate?
Anything else I should know? Thank you.
These are things that the car must have...
Be fun to drive
Be reliable
Be pretty quick
Have a nice ride quality
Be able to upgrade easily
I went to www.car-stats.com to look at 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. If all the 4th generations had the same engine then something must not be right. This is what I found...
95 SE
0-60: 6.6 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 15.2
97 SE
0-60: 7.1 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 15.5
98 SE
0-60: 8.2 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 16.5
96 GXE
0-60: 6.5 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 14.9
98 GXE
0-60: 6.6 Transmission: Manual
1/4 Mile: 15
Now, I thought the GXE was basic and the SE was the most sporty Maxima. According to this the GXE is the quickest. Is this information accurate?
Anything else I should know? Thank you.
03-01-2005, 11:31 AM
#3
Sorry to hear about your loss. I wouldn't rely too much on my 
information, but I would assume it's because the GXE is the lightest trim of all 3. The stickies have information regarding all trim models and their respective weight(s). And yes, the GXE is the "essential", the SE is the "sportiest", and the GLE is the "luxurious" Maxima. Looks like those 1/4 times are all based on stock cars, something that doesn't mean anything due to the fact that Max's are very upgradeable. Hope that helps, somewhat. Look at the stickies for more info.
information, but I would assume it's because the GXE is the lightest trim of all 3. The stickies have information regarding all trim models and their respective weight(s). And yes, the GXE is the "essential", the SE is the "sportiest", and the GLE is the "luxurious" Maxima. Looks like those 1/4 times are all based on stock cars, something that doesn't mean anything due to the fact that Max's are very upgradeable. Hope that helps, somewhat. Look at the stickies for more info.
03-01-2005, 11:35 AM
#4
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 684
Sorry for your loss, and the Maxima has everything that you describe there. I just recently bought a 2005 SE and I still have a 00 GLE and just sold a 99 SE-Limited. They are beautiful, timeless cars. They never look old. Have fun looking for a Max. Have you driven one yet? If not, you are in for a nice ride.
03-01-2005, 11:37 AM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 84
Nope, never driven a Maxima, never even been in one. I know that Nissan/Infinity are great cars though.
What trim would you suggest for me? I do want something quick, all me previous cars have been pretty slow. Thanks
What trim would you suggest for me? I do want something quick, all me previous cars have been pretty slow. Thanks
03-01-2005, 11:37 AM
#6
you'll never be able to tell how fast a car is just by looking it up on a website or in a magazine.
yes, all of the 4th gens do have the same 3.0 liter 6 cyl. in them.
there's no difference in tuning between the GXE, GLE, or SE.
SE's come stock with stiffer suspension, so there's your "sporty" advantage over your GXE or GLE. no matter what trim you have, a stock maxima still does not handle like anything remotely close to a sports car. aftermarket suspension upgrade is a must if you're going to mod the car at all.
weight differences between trim may attribute to some speed differences. GXE's have the least amount of extra weight on them. no spoiler, no power seats (usually), smaller wheels (although from what I've heard, the stock 15's on the GXE's are actually pretty heavy. too lazy to look this up right now), no sunroof, etc.
this is either an automatic 98 with 4 people in it and the air conditioner on, or a 5 speed with a six year old driving it.
the other numbers you have posted make a bit more sense. a 5 speed stock 4th gen with a good driver should be low 15's in the 1/4, with high 14's possible with an excellent driver under good conditions. an automatic will usually be a 3-4 tenths slower.
good luck if you decide on a 4th gen. they last forever if you treat them right.
yes, all of the 4th gens do have the same 3.0 liter 6 cyl. in them.
there's no difference in tuning between the GXE, GLE, or SE.
SE's come stock with stiffer suspension, so there's your "sporty" advantage over your GXE or GLE. no matter what trim you have, a stock maxima still does not handle like anything remotely close to a sports car. aftermarket suspension upgrade is a must if you're going to mod the car at all.
weight differences between trim may attribute to some speed differences. GXE's have the least amount of extra weight on them. no spoiler, no power seats (usually), smaller wheels (although from what I've heard, the stock 15's on the GXE's are actually pretty heavy. too lazy to look this up right now), no sunroof, etc.
98 SE
0-60: 8.2 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 16.5
0-60: 8.2 Transmission: Unknown
1/4 Mile: 16.5
the other numbers you have posted make a bit more sense. a 5 speed stock 4th gen with a good driver should be low 15's in the 1/4, with high 14's possible with an excellent driver under good conditions. an automatic will usually be a 3-4 tenths slower.
good luck if you decide on a 4th gen. they last forever if you treat them right.
03-01-2005, 11:49 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
If you are looking at a 4th Generation Maxima in a manual, opt for a 97 or 98 SE. If you are looking at a 5th Gen in a manual opt for a 2002 or 2003, with a 6-speed. I am not remotely interested in the 6th Gens. I would be inclined to pick up an Infiniti in 2 or 3 years after someone else has eaten some of the depreciation.
03-01-2005, 12:17 PM
#16
If you intend to mod performance-wise, the 99 is the WORST to go with.
Relative age and security (the 99 was the first Maxima to come with an immobilizer system) make the 99 great, but exhaust, ECU, supercharger in most cases require a different, often more expensive (and sometimes nonexistent) variant of whatever mod you plan to add.
Relative age and security (the 99 was the first Maxima to come with an immobilizer system) make the 99 great, but exhaust, ECU, supercharger in most cases require a different, often more expensive (and sometimes nonexistent) variant of whatever mod you plan to add.
03-01-2005, 12:22 PM
#18
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Fresh Meadows, NY
Posts: 634
These are great cars reliable sport fast Id recomend that you get either 97 or 98 , 99 have alot of new emittions restrictions well as for modding they you need to drop the car, maybe if you have money go forced induction if you dont have money like that then you should change your y pipe and get a 2.5 inch exhaust and you be set. you will love the noise the car makes and how fast it is.
03-01-2005, 12:31 PM
#19
Originally Posted by DK SPL Audio
Got it, thanks.
Looks like the SE is for me. This is my assumption...
Any 4th generation SE manual will have the same 0-60 and 1/4 times, correct?
Any year that you guys would recommend over another? Thanks
Looks like the SE is for me. This is my assumption...
Any 4th generation SE manual will have the same 0-60 and 1/4 times, correct?
Any year that you guys would recommend over another? Thanks
03-01-2005, 12:32 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 919
Where in bloomington, MN do you live. I live in the same city...
There are quite a few of us MN guys that are more then willing to help with anything you need or have questions with.
You can also start looking in the Uppermidwest Forum, thats where we set up lists of who is in your city/state.
Welcome to the family.
There are quite a few of us MN guys that are more then willing to help with anything you need or have questions with.
You can also start looking in the Uppermidwest Forum, thats where we set up lists of who is in your city/state.
Welcome to the family.
03-01-2005, 12:53 PM
#23
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 84
I am looking for one, PM me. I am getting $6K back from the Lex (bacause I stilled owed a lot of money on it) so that is around my budget. I want something really nice though, I want to drive it for many, many years. Thanks
03-01-2005, 01:03 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 490
Alright the main difference between 95-96 and 97-99 is that 95-96 had different uglyer bumper, different uglyer back end, differnt tails, and a slightly different interio. Oh and se wheels were different. I recommend you get 97+ i like the styling much more, and IMO they look both sportyer, and more atractive. Good luck.
03-01-2005, 07:05 PM
#28
i would try and look for a ncie 97 5spd with low miles. if you want to mod your car, a 97 is your best bet. it has the nicer looks, and you can still do everything including ECU. I went with a 99 not knowing that it was the worst one to mod, but i also wanted a low mile maxima. i mean i just got my car last april, with 26k miles on it, you dont find many of those.
03-01-2005, 07:27 PM
#29
Originally Posted by lexx426
Alright the main difference between 95-96 and 97-99 is that 95-96 had different uglyer bumper, different uglyer back end, differnt tails, and a slightly different interio. Oh and se wheels were different. I recommend you get 97+ i like the styling much more, and IMO they look both sportyer, and more atractive. Good luck.
key words: "IMO".
I happen to prefer the styling of the 95-96. let the guy form his own opinion.
03-02-2005, 08:52 AM
#34
well i'll be the honest guy out of the bunch and im not gonna blow smoke up your crack.... maximas are lots of fun for many reasons. we tend to be fast, its easy to work on and we have a good amount of mods out for our cars. but once u swap out suspensions u WILL lose the nice quiet stable ride u had stock. you will gain a great handling car but noises that u could have never heard in your lexus would creep up on u.
i think we came from similar car since i had a c280 before i got my max and it was a world of difference in ride quality, creature comforts and so on. but what my max lacks in some things it makes up in being cheaper to mod and now i have a manual.
but dont be mistaken cause once u buy a max get used to things like knock sensors, the never ending ses lights, and odd noises that have chicks asking if your cars is gonna break over a bumpy road.
but u can burn almost any n/a honda from the same model year.
i think we came from similar car since i had a c280 before i got my max and it was a world of difference in ride quality, creature comforts and so on. but what my max lacks in some things it makes up in being cheaper to mod and now i have a manual.
but dont be mistaken cause once u buy a max get used to things like knock sensors, the never ending ses lights, and odd noises that have chicks asking if your cars is gonna break over a bumpy road.
but u can burn almost any n/a honda from the same model year.
03-02-2005, 10:12 AM
#36
Originally Posted by DK SPL Audio
Does anyone know the correct 4th generation SE 0-60? I have seen so many, seems like 7.1 and a 15.5 1/4 is the most common.
03-02-2005, 10:38 AM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just so you know, www.car-stats.com is way off on many vehicles. First off, it says our Maximas do 15.2 or 14.9 with a manual. That is complete BS. After a few good runs and some practice, a decent driver can hit 14.7, with a bone stock manual that is. It's been done many times before.
Also, take a look at my favorite car of all time - The 2003 or 04 Benz E55 AMG. The site says it does 1/4 mile in 12.7, which too is WAAAAAY off. Go to Benz forums, there are videos there of guys doing 12 flat with bone stock E55s!!!
Also, take a look at my favorite car of all time - The 2003 or 04 Benz E55 AMG. The site says it does 1/4 mile in 12.7, which too is WAAAAAY off. Go to Benz forums, there are videos there of guys doing 12 flat with bone stock E55s!!!
03-02-2005, 10:55 AM
#40
-You should get 97-98 SE Maxima OR a 97-98 I30 5 speed on both cases (same car, but it's a luxury ride).
-The I30 would probably cost you a bit more, but well worth it. I got mine almost a year ago and couldn't be happier.
-Trust me you are gonna surprise ppl on how fast these cars are.
-The I30 would probably cost you a bit more, but well worth it. I got mine almost a year ago and couldn't be happier.
-Trust me you are gonna surprise ppl on how fast these cars are.