4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.
View Poll Results: Which do you own
GXE
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SE
386
67.60%
GLE
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16.11%
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Whats the biggest differencs btw?

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Old 10-16-2006, 05:39 AM
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Whats the biggest differencs btw?

I am looking to buy a car used of course and i wanted to know whats the biggest differences between the GXE,SE,GLE and know i am not asking what the acronyms mean i want to know as far as what the car offers
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Old 10-16-2006, 05:43 AM
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GLE- had the most options, most similar to an I30. Auto trans. only.

SE- can be equipped like a GXE or GLE but came with fogs/spoiler/white gauges.

GXE- basically entry level model although it could be dealer-optioned with things like leather, sunroof, fogs, Bose.

The GXE is usually cloth int. with manual climate.

There is plenty of info in the stickies.
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Old 10-16-2006, 05:45 AM
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The 4th gen Maxima was offered in three trim levels for the US market:
GXE "The essential Maxima"
SE "The Sportiest Maxima"
GLE "The luxurious Maxima"

All trim levels have the same engine, so performance differences between them are pretty much nil. The best way to tell which trim level you have is to decode the VIN Plate. This is due to much part swapping and trim upgrading, even transmission swaps that can be done.

TO DECODE THE VIN PLATE:
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The sixth character is the trim level designator, defined as follows:
E = GXE
G = GLE
V = SE

There are some feature differences that can help you determine the trim level on site. Keep in mind that most of these can be changed aftermarket by the owner, but as we know the VAST majority of Maximas on the street are bone stock...

GXE
Black guage faces
Cloth seats
Basic stereo (BOSE optional but extremely rare)
Probably no sunroof (optional but very rare)
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
5spd or Auto trans
No spoiler
No fog lights
Steel wheels with hubcaps
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C


SE
White guage faces
"Sport" Cloth or leather seats
Basic or BOSE stereo
May have sunroof
Black outer window trim
Body color door handles
5spd or auto trans
Spoiler
Fog lights
15" blade-style (95-96) or 16" 5 spoke (97-99) alloy wheels
Body color grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C or climate control
"Sport" suspension
Electronically controlled front engine mount on automatic transmission cars
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
(In Canada there is a model called the ES which is like an SE minus the BOSE, leather, sunroof, and spoiler (All standard on a Canadian SE). But, it does include the VLSD trans.)

GLE
Black guage faces
Leather seats
BOSE stereo
Sunroof
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
Auto trans only
No spoiler
No fog lights
15" honeycomb (95-96) or 15" blade-style (97-99) alloy wheels
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Fake wood color dash and door trim
Fuzzy A-pillars on some years
Pop-out drawer (not flip-down) below radio on some years
Climate control only
Electronically controlled front engine mount
Liquid filled rear shock mounts

Keep in mind that spoilers, foglights, mudflaps and wood dash trim could be had as dealer-installed options on all levels.

Other options like heated seats, traction control, ABS and the like were offered on more than one trim level, so they are not a reliable indicator.

Send me a PM if you think of things to add to the list.

CREDIT: MZMTG from the 4th gen FAQ
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Old 10-16-2006, 05:46 AM
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^^what he said^^

GXE is the base economy model.. ie. few options
GLE has all the options, leather , heated seats, maybe a spoiler is the only option
SE has a "sport tuned suspension" and a spoiler. You could option up the SE to almost GLE levels with leather, heated seat, acc, bose, etc.
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Old 10-16-2006, 06:12 AM
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SE and GLE also don't have a speed limiter, which the GXE has... So if ur going to get a trim go for the SE
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Old 10-16-2006, 07:05 AM
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Fully loaded SE>all just because i said so
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Old 10-16-2006, 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by ethnic6
SE and GLE also don't have a speed limiter, which the GXE has... So if ur going to get a trim go for the SE

I thought the GLE also had the speed limiter... maybe I was wrong.

SE is the best imo, you can actually get all the options that the GLE has and more, like the sport guages and lack of a limiter (maybe there isn't one on GLE?). Only thing is GLE has a smoother ride if you don't take turns harshly.
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Old 10-16-2006, 07:24 AM
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I think everyone can agree on SE maximas are the coolest out of the bunch
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Old 10-16-2006, 07:33 AM
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i like my GLE just becaus i feel like a king when i drive it
but a stock spoiler would have been nice
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Old 10-16-2006, 08:06 AM
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soooooo, no one knows how to read the FAQ'S? just couldn't wait to get to 16 huh?
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Old 10-16-2006, 09:36 AM
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man..now i wish i had an SE...
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Old 10-16-2006, 10:01 AM
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Get a loaded SE with a 5 speed. Its pretty much the best one, unless you plan on getting a lot of custom parts like custom leather. In that case, save money and get a GXE.
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Old 10-16-2006, 10:20 AM
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I have a SE Limited which is the best and rarest with a 5spd.
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Old 10-16-2006, 10:24 AM
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SE with Deluxe Package or the SE-L
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Old 10-16-2006, 10:57 AM
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ha really... My GXE has every option. But its 1993

Power Everything
Glass Sun Roof
Digital Climate
Leather
Auto Tranny
Had the Alloy Rims
Bose Stereo
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Old 10-16-2006, 12:18 PM
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get SE, slightly stiffer suspension stock spoiler makes the back look better (my gle had an optioned spoiler though) nicer looking wheels and wider rubber. Also fog lights would help a lot because I can't tell if my lights are on when its raining
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Old 10-16-2006, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Cdg2125
SE with Deluxe Package or the SE-L
what's extra in the delux edition? the only option i don't have is traction control but thats because of the manual transmission.
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Old 10-16-2006, 01:08 PM
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get a 5MT SE with all the luxuries of a GLE you will not regret it ... trust me ...
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Old 10-16-2006, 01:55 PM
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here are the areas to look for if you want a fully loaded SE. Heated seats, leather interior, auto climate, sunroof. Everything else will just come with the car if these features are on there. Fully loaded SE greater than all...i miss mine sometimes....
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Old 10-16-2006, 03:08 PM
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I might have the rarest max of them all (if not please tell me), but its a 99 se-l 5-speed crimson blaze red. (and yes the tranny is a stock five speed that came with the car.) by the way if anything get a MT its well worth it.
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Old 10-16-2006, 03:17 PM
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SE-L's are the COOLEST!!! I don't know why, but I sure do like the SE-L badge on the side....
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Old 10-16-2006, 04:20 PM
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I thought the SE-L with VLSD was the rarest?
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Old 10-16-2006, 05:41 PM
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Maybe dunno
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Old 10-16-2006, 05:56 PM
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I put se but when i went to carfax it said my car had all three packages?
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Old 10-16-2006, 07:18 PM
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I got the SE with bose and 17inch rims.. the 20th AE. Its pimp so get an SE.

Originally Posted by ethnic6
SE and GLE also don't have a speed limiter, which the GXE has... So if ur going to get a trim go for the SE
there's no speed limiter on an SE?! i didnt know that... i havent exactly maxed out, the roads here suck.
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Old 10-16-2006, 08:50 PM
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... ur not suppose to max out in the road, because then u'll get pulled over, if u want to max out go to the tracks...
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Old 10-16-2006, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by drewsblackmax
I put se but when i went to carfax it said my car had all three packages?
came from a chop shop??? lol
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Old 10-16-2006, 09:21 PM
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GXE
Black guage faces
Cloth seats
Basic stereo (BOSE optional but extremely rare)
Probably no sunroof (optional but very rare) good thing mine is rare..
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
5spd or Auto trans
No spoiler
No fog lights
Steel wheels with hubcaps
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C

wish i had SE rims, its hard to clean the sawblades...


oh if you can find a low mileage, black leather interior, stick shift go for it, its worth it.
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Old 10-16-2006, 09:33 PM
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Now I know I have a GXE. pretty sad but I still love it very much
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Old 10-16-2006, 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by maximilia
SE-L's are the COOLEST!!! I don't know why, but I sure do like the SE-L badge on the side....
I can't stand the se-l's wheels, they look dirty even if they are clean as hell.
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Old 10-16-2006, 10:40 PM
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plus the SE has better looking steering wheels...
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Old 10-17-2006, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Blackwind
soooooo, no one knows how to read the FAQ'S? just couldn't wait to get to 16 huh?
This contributes less to the world than OP's thread, he wanted to get everybodies opinion, not just a bunch of technical specs on maximas, he wanted to know everyones likes and dislikes which cant be found in the FAQ, so pack it. And next time you want to give somebody crap, do it right. Just because he didnt read the FAQ, doesnt mean nobody knows how, just not him.
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Old 10-17-2006, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by CaTalyst.X
This contributes less to the world than OP's thread, he wanted to get everybodies opinion, not just a bunch of technical specs on maximas, he wanted to know everyones likes and dislikes which cant be found in the FAQ, so pack it. And next time you want to give somebody crap, do it right. Just because he didnt read the FAQ, doesnt mean nobody knows how, just not him.

Flaming the flamer....nice lol.
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Old 10-17-2006, 01:20 PM
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How about the Maxima SMX that was a special edition from stillen. I think that would be the rarest.
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Old 10-17-2006, 01:39 PM
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The SE-L is the best..............
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Old 10-17-2006, 03:00 PM
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I have a GLE AND I have the following...

Black guage faces
Leather seats
BOSE stereo
Sunroof
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
Auto trans only
No spoiler
No fog lights
15" honeycomb (95-96) or 15" blade-style (97-99) alloy wheels
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Fake wood color dash and door trim
Fuzzy A-pillars on some years
Pop-out drawer (not flip-down) below radio on some years
Climate control only
Electronically controlled front engine mount
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
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Old 10-17-2006, 03:44 PM
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GT GT!!!
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Old 10-17-2006, 04:12 PM
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Not counting the Stillen SMX which I do not consider a production model because the tuner is not in-house, the 1999 Crimson Blaze with black leather interior and all options with 5 speed is the rarest Maxima.

OBD1(and2?) '95s are also pretty rare. Emissions and package options also changed between 1995 and 1996 so depending on options some of those cars could be VERY rare. Especially Starfire of Neptune Blue Pearl.
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Old 10-17-2006, 04:49 PM
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wow i just found out my car is a GXE from the sticky post with the vin thing....depressing because i have all the gle options cept auto climate control..now my user name is wrong....
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Old 10-17-2006, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 95GLEMAXX
wow i just found out my car is a GXE from the sticky post with the vin thing....depressing because i have all the gle options cept auto climate control..now my user name is wrong....


that sucks man, kinda funny though. i think i saw somewhere you change your username, but i think you have to request it.
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