Would You Buy Another Fourth Generation Maxima?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 105
wow everyone has some great choices for new cars but i'll ride out my max till i can afford the new skyline that will hit the states next year.
3.6L twin turbo AWD 7spd paddle shift, somewhere between 400-500hp. Thats what i'm talkin about
3.6L twin turbo AWD 7spd paddle shift, somewhere between 400-500hp. Thats what i'm talkin about
If i could buy a new 1997+ then i would be financing it right now. In the used market I'd have to go with an 00. But if nissan sold the license for the 4th gen to some other car company COUGH*CHINA*COUGH then id be a possible customer....
Originally Posted by Papa Squat
wow everyone has some great choices for new cars but i'll ride out my max till i can afford the new skyline that will hit the states next year.
3.6L twin turbo AWD 7spd paddle shift, somewhere between 400-500hp. Thats what i'm talkin about
3.6L twin turbo AWD 7spd paddle shift, somewhere between 400-500hp. Thats what i'm talkin about
dood where you getting your sources from?
Unless something unforseen like a crash happens i will drive my max into the groud and im predicting that's 3-4 years away. So im not really even thinking about what car im gonna be buying next. Sure i'd like a g35 or m3 as much as the next guy but who knows what else theyre gonna come up with in 3-4 years.
The only sure thing is that the next car I buy will be an R32 Skyline GT-R. Until I can afford that AND another car, I will drive my 4th gen. If it dies, I will buy another one and move what little cool stuff I have (FSTB, wheels, suspension, audio) to it.
Sure stuff wears out and breaks, but the important bits keep running. The interior is still rarely matched for space, the dash and instrument panel are simple and very well laid out, the engine is totally fine even for very aggressive street driving, the brakes are good enough with good pads, the handling is stable and safe, the body looks good, and the car is very easy to maintain. Toss in some relatively serious chassis stiffening, suspension mods, lightweight wheels and tires, and basic breathing mods, and it can become an excellent street car: smooth riding, well-handling, very spacious, highly versatile, easy to maintain, and painless to drive. I really can't think of another similar package for what a 4th gen costs.
I would love a 5.5gen w/ HLSD 6spd, but I don't think I would pay for one at this point. I would easily trade my 4th gen for one, but I can't help but feel that if I had the money to buy it I would have to spend it elsewhere.
If I had a lot of money, I MIGHT consider a Saab 9-3 Aero convertible. I absolutely love that car. But I still would not rather have that over my 4th gen and an R32 GT-R.
And of course, whatever happens, if it doesn't have a clutch, you won't see me buying it.
Sure stuff wears out and breaks, but the important bits keep running. The interior is still rarely matched for space, the dash and instrument panel are simple and very well laid out, the engine is totally fine even for very aggressive street driving, the brakes are good enough with good pads, the handling is stable and safe, the body looks good, and the car is very easy to maintain. Toss in some relatively serious chassis stiffening, suspension mods, lightweight wheels and tires, and basic breathing mods, and it can become an excellent street car: smooth riding, well-handling, very spacious, highly versatile, easy to maintain, and painless to drive. I really can't think of another similar package for what a 4th gen costs.
I would love a 5.5gen w/ HLSD 6spd, but I don't think I would pay for one at this point. I would easily trade my 4th gen for one, but I can't help but feel that if I had the money to buy it I would have to spend it elsewhere.
If I had a lot of money, I MIGHT consider a Saab 9-3 Aero convertible. I absolutely love that car. But I still would not rather have that over my 4th gen and an R32 GT-R.
And of course, whatever happens, if it doesn't have a clutch, you won't see me buying it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 475
yes and i have.. had a 96 GXE got rid of it and missed it so i bought my 98.. i might go with a 2003 next time, but i will always have a max as a second car. G35 or is400 will be in my driveway someday but next to it will always be a Maxima.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,955
From: a charming town in Connecticut first settled in the 1600s
d00df00d once again has hit the nail on the head. I really enjoy my 4th gen and plan on keeping it for at least another 2 years. I figure by that point the maintainence will become overwhelming and it will be time to sell. At that point I'd either look for a 5.5 gen or, if I'm sick of Maximas by then, a used Legacy GT. Mmmm AWD and factory turbo on a midsize sedan... homer simpson drooling sounds...
Originally Posted by ethnic6
I'm already researching the RX-8 or the STI... its summed down to these two, affordability, or just oh hell and buy the STI
I love my '99 4th Gen Maxima to death but it is time to step up to somthing a little more powerful and recent/modern. My next car will hopefully be either the Infiniti GT-R Concept or the Infiniti G35 Coupe Concept. My final decision will be based on final specs and what I feel is the better looking vehicle. 
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,803
From: Manitoba
Yessir! I have already been thinking about selling my Max to upgrade to a 5speed SE...I want a sunroof! I've shopped around a lot and for the money, this is the best car I could find. I could have bought a 5th gen but I specifically wanted a 4th...I love how simple and classy it is. I plan on sticking to buying used cars so that I can own more of my favorites once they drop in value. I think my next move would be a 300ZX and I would also like to get a 3rd gen and a 5.5 gen at some point...I can see a G35 coupe in the future too. Lots of Nissans and Infinity's are what I want!
100% chingon
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,003
If I could afford it, I'd try a 5th Gen.
What else is affordable? Not much. Honda prices are stupid.
As for BMWs... wait till you're asked $500 for some tiny replacement part. Then you'll regret it. And as for domestic ... well, aside from the fact that it's debatable whether GM and Ford will be around for much longer, domestic models are only good until the warranty period expires, then everything drops to pieces.
What else is affordable? Not much. Honda prices are stupid.
As for BMWs... wait till you're asked $500 for some tiny replacement part. Then you'll regret it. And as for domestic ... well, aside from the fact that it's debatable whether GM and Ford will be around for much longer, domestic models are only good until the warranty period expires, then everything drops to pieces.
Am i the only one in here that wants a truck instead of another car. Oh well i guess im a little redneck.
And as far as car i would like to buy one day V12 Vanquish is pretty high up there, or a Rolls Royce Silve Cloud (last hand made Rolls) or maybe classic like a 69 Shelby GT 500 (or preferably Jason Giambi's Super Snake)
B
And as far as car i would like to buy one day V12 Vanquish is pretty high up there, or a Rolls Royce Silve Cloud (last hand made Rolls) or maybe classic like a 69 Shelby GT 500 (or preferably Jason Giambi's Super Snake)
B
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 655
From: Silicon Valley
Originally Posted by RockfordMax
If i could buy a new 1997+ then i would be financing it right now. In the used market I'd have to go with an 00. But if nissan sold the license for the 4th gen to some other car company COUGH*CHINA*COUGH then id be a possible customer....
Well, I dont think I would. As much as I love my new car. Id have to up the game again. I mean I already have a 2nd gen that is mildly modded which is my first car ever owned and the 95 now is my new toy. So to keep the flow of upping my game. Itd have to be a 2k3 or 6th gen maxima that would be next. Of course I plan to keep this one for a long time so either way I still see myself with a maxima in the near and late future. If not a nice M5 or 5 series BMW would suit me fine. If left in the family the M45.
I love my 4th gen, and I thought I might buy another 4th gen but 97+ for the stillen kit. Honnestly I wouldnt, if something (god forbit) happened to my 4th gen I'd take it as a sign to move on, what I'm not sure G35/Z or another good upgrade.
Ive enjoyed my 4th gen and when the tranny goes eventually so will the car, but I figure I still have a lot of life out of it. When I do get my act together if the new g35 concept is anything like in the pictures im going that direction, the roof on that car is just so sweet not to mention the lines.
Originally Posted by l3ftonm3
Ive enjoyed my 4th gen and when the tranny goes eventually so will the car, but I figure I still have a lot of life out of it. When I do get my act together if the new g35 concept is anything like in the pictures im going that direction, the roof on that car is just so sweet not to mention the lines.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 305
Well, I think there are two trains of thought going on here:
1. Right now, would I buy a 4th Gen? For me, probably not - it would cost $9k for a well-taken care model, and for $15k you could likely get a 2000 S4 (my personal choice) off eBay, with extended warranty. Considering the two, I would choose the S4 in a heartbeat, even though I love my 1999 5sp w/LSD (silver).
2. Four years ago (2002), would I go back and not buy the Maxima? No way - it was a great choice. At the time I bought this used, it was a great car/deal to get it for $14k (less than half of sticker, with 50k miles and $3k of mods). The S4 (or any other really fast, quality RWD or AWD) would have been $25k+. As time goes on, the difference in price points decreases. $11k difference in value then is only $6k now - makes it considerably easier to pull the trigger and deal with higher insurance, etc., not to mention that $15k is reasonable for a nicely used car.
With that said, I've recently considered selling the Maxima and buying a 2000-2002 S4. Then I spend some time driving the old whip, and love the tight suspension, great interior space for my friends to relax in, clean interior, and knowledge that the engine will go on essentially forever. I'm tied to this old friend, G35 coupe (sweet!), CL Type-S (smooth...) and S4 (money!) be damned!
1. Right now, would I buy a 4th Gen? For me, probably not - it would cost $9k for a well-taken care model, and for $15k you could likely get a 2000 S4 (my personal choice) off eBay, with extended warranty. Considering the two, I would choose the S4 in a heartbeat, even though I love my 1999 5sp w/LSD (silver).
2. Four years ago (2002), would I go back and not buy the Maxima? No way - it was a great choice. At the time I bought this used, it was a great car/deal to get it for $14k (less than half of sticker, with 50k miles and $3k of mods). The S4 (or any other really fast, quality RWD or AWD) would have been $25k+. As time goes on, the difference in price points decreases. $11k difference in value then is only $6k now - makes it considerably easier to pull the trigger and deal with higher insurance, etc., not to mention that $15k is reasonable for a nicely used car.
With that said, I've recently considered selling the Maxima and buying a 2000-2002 S4. Then I spend some time driving the old whip, and love the tight suspension, great interior space for my friends to relax in, clean interior, and knowledge that the engine will go on essentially forever. I'm tied to this old friend, G35 coupe (sweet!), CL Type-S (smooth...) and S4 (money!) be damned!
Originally Posted by rome06
How is that even a hard choice??? STI all the way mayneee
i have been around maximas since 86' its been my dream car for over 20 years, i will drive maximas till they stop making them and then ill just keep buying them used and keep em' running. if i ever won the lottery in my garage would be 2 of every generation, one stick and one auto and for all of the sticks black on black.
i guess you could say im a little obsessed.
i guess you could say im a little obsessed.
i think the question should be... "given what you paid for your 4th gen, would you buy something different in that same price range?"
In my opinion when you weight reliability,looks,relative ease of modding vs. price it is unbeatable.
In my opinion when you weight reliability,looks,relative ease of modding vs. price it is unbeatable.
Originally Posted by maximabebe
Yup, I already did. I just picked up a 99 se-l crimson blaze 5 spd. =)
Originally Posted by tikiboom
i think the question should be... "given what you paid for your 4th gen, would you buy something different in that same price range?"
In my opinion when you weight reliability,looks,relative ease of modding vs. price it is unbeatable.
In my opinion when you weight reliability,looks,relative ease of modding vs. price it is unbeatable.
With that being said I'm glad to have my maxima, You cant get as much as we get in this price range, with this amount of power, confort, style, and reliability.
Originally Posted by Armelius
If yes what year/color?
If no what else would you consider?
Reason I ask is because I don't know many other cars that are as reliable and get great gas mileage and adequate horsepower than the Maxima.
If no what else would you consider?
Reason I ask is because I don't know many other cars that are as reliable and get great gas mileage and adequate horsepower than the Maxima.
Well, yes. In 2002 I got my first Max, a 95 GXE, and then in this past October, I bought another 95 SE. I'm not too particular on year, I like the 4th gens in general, but I got another 95 because it was cheap and I can upgrade the ECU...and it was a 5spd which I've had trouble finding around here. I'll have this "new" max for a very long time, possibly forever. It's low on miles considering the age now, 108K, but it's getting a complete overhaul with time. I see a 3.5 swap down the road for it once this engine goes. Even though in 2 years or sooner, I'll be getting a 2004 Acura TL, the Maxima isnt going anywhere.
Originally Posted by SVI30
I saw 3 generations older Passats produced for taxi in China, complete with hard plastic head liner and other cheap pieces. You wouldn't want one of those for your car. If they move the 4G tooling to China, it will be a totally stripped down car that you wouldn't want.
That might be true, but my interior is flawless, Swap that over, along with a VQ35 (because you KNOW theyre gonna throw in a daewoo 1.7l or something.... and youve got a new highly unsafe max lol.......
