my mom went to the dealer she got my max from a while back and asked if they were having another sale like they did on the newer 2000 modesl cause she wanted another one.. and they talked some and the dealer said thatin like 2002 the altimas were going to be bigger than the maximas?? is that true??

 

It's true, and with the optional 3.5 liter V6 it will be faster too. For more information go to http://www.freshalloy.com/

 

I seriously doubt the 2002 Altima will be faster than the Maxima. Both are getting the VQ35DE with the one in the Maxima in a higher state of tune and more likely than not pushing 30+ more horsepower.

Smaller, lighter car + more HP = Maxima will still kick the Altima's butt!

 

hmm i think altima should be faster, more HP, probably better handling than the older generation max.

 

It is all speculation right now regarding the speeds. It is a matter of whether you are comparing the 227 HP Altima with the 260 HP maxima or the 260 HP Altima with the 260 HP Maxima.

It will also matter on whether or not Nissan will designate the Altima as their new top of the line, or if it will continue to be the Maxima. If it is still the Max, i'd wager the Maxima will be faster - Nissan will make it so. Whether it be a better exhaust, handling, efficieny or all of the above.

Im more curious about the new price ranges these vehicles will occupy.

With the 190HP sentra, Nissan is totally kicking Honda and Toyota and VWs *** up and down the track when it comes to performance in each class.

 

According to well informed but unofficial industry observers the entire Nissan product line is being adjusted in price and content. In the future the Sentra will compete with the Civic/Corolla, the Altima with the Accord/Camry, and the Maxima with the Acura/Avalon. The future Maxima may have a V8 engine and Rear Wheel Drive, and be much more expensive. Drivers who like the present Maxima may gravitate toward the new Altima.

 

i'm thinking about trying to get the new altima when it comes out.. its bad ***...

 

also the dual exhaust is cool too

 

so is the maxima going to be top of the line or is the altima? i hope that the max stays above the altima though.. that would dissapoint me for some reason

 

Maxima will remain the flagship model.

 

Hey Matrix, I think you noted that the Max will have 260hp and the Altima 227.

I've read the engine choices on the Altima will be a 240hp VQ or a 180hp 4cyl... so the hp difference will only be 20hp. I could be wrong though.

Seeing that they're basically the same engine, with probably some induction/exhaust changes for more power, I don't think you'll really be able to feel that 20hp too much.

-V

 

Umm, 180 subtracted from 240 is 60. The VQ35DE will have 246lb-ft of torque, and the QR25DE will make 180. Even if your butt was numb, you'd feel those torque and horsepower differences.

 

the altima will have a 240 hp engine.. i have seen the car in person... it has the is300 style lights in the back and is pretty damn roomy... i think HID headlights are an option, but i'm not sure.

 

Ah
I was under the impression the present Maxima engine would be transferred to the new Altima. And only the Sentra would be using sub 200 hp engines

but its all good!

 

looks good to me

 

Its such crap that they would do this, making the Altima bigger and faster!! AHHH the "MAXIMA" deserves everything the name alone is the key factor hehe :-) n e way i hope nissan knows what there doing, i dont feel like being left in the dust by an "Altima" :-(

 

yups... horespower never hurt no one!

(btw, it looks like nissan's good at cutting costs! the VQ35 from the automatic Pathfinder is rated at 240hp, so they might be just taking it and putting it in the next Altima. they can probably then take the VQ35 from the 5speed Pathfinders, which make 250hp, put in a better exhaust on the Maximas/I30's and get their 260hp.... call it a long shot but...)

-V

 

The extra hp will probably come from the different cylinder head design. To keep up with the Maxima's more sporting image, Nissan had a better flowing head made for it. If you stroked a VQ from a 4th or 5th gen Maxima, you would probably end up with around 260hp.

 

whatever they do, my car will be out dated....bottom line.