Now that its getting warm, I've been getting the itch to buy a newer car. I currently have a 97 SE that's pretty clean but I need some more POWER. Anyway, my dilemma is: should I spend more than $11K to get a 2001 20th anniversary SE or get something like a used Acura TL or Lexus IS300 (for more cheese obviously) OR should I just mod the hell out of my current car and only spend about $2-3 grand?? I'm not really sure what to do...I mean my ride is 10 years old but still runs nice but the newer cars have so much more OEM power and options now. If I was to mod out my Max I'd just get some new wheels and suspension but maybe figure out a way to boost the HP too...I have an auto so i can't get a supercharger (or at least I don't think I can). Someone talk some sense into me please! I need feedback before I spend a bunch of money and have a car payment...I really like not having a car note by the way. Any feed back would be appreciated.|
thanks

 

2k1 SE and the older IS300 are no faster than a 97 Maxima.

 

i say get a 02 maxima or maybe the IS300 but no hondas or acura's lol... IS300's are like 4th gen maxima's to me, just about equivalent in power, if your thinking about a 01 maxima ill say just mod the hell out of your fourth gen cause the 01 maxima isn't more powerful than a 4th gen IMO

 

its possible to SC an auto...

 

what's wrong with an acura TL? i'd browse around acurazine.com and read up on which model year to look into. 2nd gens are the ones with notorious tranny problems, the 3rd gens, pure sex.

 

*edited*

im actually having this dilema too. except ive had it for the past year and half. now that im finally graduting college and getting a full time job ill beable to fix the dillema. so IMO...ide get a new car. i was lookin at IS300's as well, or an A4. i drove my friends moms IS300 before and it was pretty quick (not to mention real fun to drive). same deal with my friends 01 a4 i drove. a4 was chipped + exhaust though...which i was planning on doing way more anyway if i got one.

and:

apparently you dont live in new england...56 and sunny yesterday....today 30 and a blizzard

 

Keep it, I get that itch to get something else every so often but but for MY budget range I definitely can't get anything I know I'd love like my max. I'm 24 and this is my 6th car. I bought my first maxima(which was my 5th car when I was 19) and traded the 97 gxe for the 96 se manual about 6 months after I bought the gxe. So as you can see I went through alot of cars b/c I didn't like them but then again I didn't have alot of money to workk with either. I do wanna sell mine and get a 97 or 98 triple black se 5 speed this spring once I sell my maxima and my gsxr.

 

IMHO tls are nicer on the inside but the outside just isn't as sexy as a 4th gen or even 5th gen maxima. The blue type s' would be the only one I'd consider.

 

for the price you get more than what you pay for with a maxima, plus acura's are more expensive to maintain, well in MD i can say, IS300's are sexy but stock for stock you cant tell the difference in power between the 4th gen and the lexus... comparison

02 maxima- Sexy look, more interior space, bigger body, faster, very durable, and a lot less than the competition

Acura- ???

IS300- more sportier look IMO

 

Re-heh-heh-heally?? (ace ventura voice) I did not know you could super charge an autotragic. I'm intrigued.

Anyway, I was definitely only considering a 2nd gen, type S TL...that's 260 "natural" horses with a navi system and a bunch of other bells and whistles. They are cheap too. Unfortunately, they are cheap cuz of the crappy Taurus like transmissions. Every TL I look at seriously has had the tranny replaced at least once. Fortunately, Acura corporate lets you check on ANY Acura's service history by the VIN#. (only for big stuff like the tranny though...probably cuz of the recall). Anyway, that's why I'm turned off of the TL. They seem nice on the surface but will have me cursing later...plus, they look like a fancy dancy accord to me.

I am a former Lexus owner so I'm partial to Lexus's. However, they cost too damn much for my grad student budget (that's why I sold my GS and bought the Max). But I've come across a NICE IS300 w/18's for a decent price. I've also seen a 20th ann. and an 02 Max that I like but don't want to put myself in a hole for a car that's not really that much of an upgrade.

Who knows...my car is still nice and the black/black still looks tight when its washed and waxed but I just want more! Anyway, thanks for all the feedback! I'll look into the SC for the auto though...as long as it doesn't cost too much. What else can I do to make me cure this itch?? So far, all I've done is put clear bumper lights on the front and added an integrated XM radio. Nothing else besides that stupid alarm beep mod that didn't work (my soldering skills suck I think).

Thanks again for the feedback!! I love the ORG! That's why I want to stick with a Max!

 

Jeez, I hope this isn't going to make me unpopular. But do you need a family/luxury sedan, or do you really just want to go fast? 11k could get you an ls1 if you just want speed and horses, which will be much faster than either of those. High 12's to mid 13's stock. You could keep the max for a daily driver. This is what I've done. Except the max is the daily driver and the bike, '05 636, cures my speed fix.

 

Ls1? I'm not sure what that is but I am looking for my daily driver...and it has to be a 4dr cuz I have 3 kids (although most of the time they are in the MDX and not my car). So I would be replacing my max not supplementing. Plus, I'm looking forward to the $5K or so that I get from my car to offset the costs of a new car. I'll wait till I'm going through my mid life crisis to get the TRUE sports car 2dr...M5 or Carrera or something like that!! (yes, I know the M5 is a 4dr but its a V10 with 500 Hp!!)

 

The f body/vettes are powered by a 350 horse engine known as the ls1. Well, the newest generation have ls2, a 400 hp engine. But they're not great daily drivers for someone wanting to move kids around a lot. And I suppose the wrx's and maybe the srt-4s are still a bit out of that price range, on top of being too ricey for your taste?

 

ok first of all my car can beat a TL in a quarter mile also is300s only come stock with 215 hp and a 97 vq35 comes with 235 factory hp so if i were you i wouldnt but one of those and i would turbo your car with a t3 to4e turbo and run 375 wheel hp. ive seen those set ups on cardomain.com but it also depends on if you are willing to deal with all of the problems and hassles of a turbo. thats what i would do, well actually i would buy a used wrx or an sti because i am a subaru fanatic.

 

Newer maxima will be slower but slightly nicer. IS300 will be about the same, straight line wise (I just put an end to one a few days ago, my car is stock with 180k) but is funner to drive and RWD, and not too bad at smoking its tires (trust me).

The TL is heavier but also has a decent engine and is a great all-around car. However I'm referring more to the latest (third I think) generation.

This has all already probably been said, but just another opinion I guess.

 

Well the only thing really wrong is that they aren't that fast and second like you mentioned is the tranny. I doubt he would be looking at the new ones because if you have the money you wouldn't consider a 2k1 AE Maxima.

 

1997 Nissans, and 4th generations in general, come stock with a 190hp 205tq vq30de. 5.5 gens and 6ths come with the vq35de. So I think you missed something in this sentence.

Either way I believe that stock 4th gens have always beaten stock is300s, as for TLs I'm not sure, but I'd believe that they were fairly evenly matched.

Boost your maxima, this way you have a 4 door, 3 kid hauler, that is a sleeper and can smoke a lot of cars on its way to get the kids or groceries.

 

Ok. Here is what you need to do first to make you not want to sell the maxima as much:

1. Coilovers-driving your car is going to be fun and not all floaty and boring
2. I'd say boost. I'm a turbo fan personally but a supercharger is equally as badass and capable of making your car faster than most of whats on the road today.
3. Visual mods....i still go "damn" everytime i see my car from the front w/ the lip.....



I would say get an 00vi to help with power, but its really not THAT much more power, i know because i have one.

 

Wow, so much misinformation in this thread.
Why? That is such an ignorant, narrow-minded statement.
Says who? What are you basing that off of?
There was no factory pre-'02 VQ35-powered Maxima. No FWD VQ35 has ever had 235 HP, either, so where did you pull that from? Nowhere?
Are you retarded? Do you have any common sense or knowledge of forced induction at all? I'm guessing you just pulled the "t3 to4e" crap out of your ass, along with the COMPLETELY random "375 wheel hp" number, which is not at all specific to "slapping on a turbo."

Almost everyone in this thread needs slapped and banned

 

@ Tatanko

 

Sad part is, I'm not even having a bad day. I just hate stupid people that much.

 

I understand you, I wasn't going to comment on things said in this thread, but was funny to see you posting pretty much what I was thinking.

 

I drove a 02 6spd this past weeken and i gotta admit, IT got some POWER. Hopefully thats what i'm lookin to get by the summer.

TL's are nice, but only if they came in manual i'd consider it. IMO

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Anyway, here's the deal. I've narrowed it down to 2 options: First, buy this Lexus IS300, listed at $13K (it comes with the chrome 18's and has 75,000 miles):



Or just mod my 97 SE and pretty much copy what this guy Lumberg has done...G35 Coupe 18's, S-Techs, new exhaust, and some other stuff (I won't put the body kit on though). http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=415307



What do you think??

 

IS300.


10char

 

The IS will look better, and feel more luxurious. I think with the 18's it will be noticeably slower. If you were going to spend $13K I;d think about seeing what else you could get in that range that is good.

if I got an IS though... it would have to get boost (that just me)
so if you dont plan on boosting it, test drive it and make sure your happy with its performance.

 

do you mind me asking where did you get those projectors???

 

eBay. They're E46 bixenon units (from a BMW 3-series).

 

thanks man

 

You're kidding, right? Third gen TLs come in 6 speed.

 

There is no body kit on that car. However it looks great. Stay away from S-Techs, they will make your car ride like crap. Get some Progress or Eibachs.

Oh yeah, +1 to Tatanko.

 

In those pics he doesn't have a body kit but if you look at the link, he has a body kit now...and I'm still doing my research on which springs/shocks to get. Maybe I meant to say H-techs? I can't remember. Either way, I'm starting to lean towards moding my car. I can add about 40 HP and upgrade the suspension and wheels for about $2K...I'd have that paid off in a couple of months. Otherwise, I'd have a $350+/month car payment AND the possibility of wanting to mod whatever new car I get.

 

you're thinking the right way. I got the new whip thinking that the mod bug will go away. wrong. I constantly have to stop myself from buying parts. stick with the maxima.

+1 progress or H&R (no suck-techs). I've had both and the ride is a lot more precise in the progress, comfort levels are similar. the progress are priced well so you'll have some money left over to spend on illuminas and not agx's

 

my sister had an 03 IS300 and its not even worth it. the only reason someone would buy it is because it says LEXUS on it. Its not THAT luxurious, she just got an 05 2.5GT legacy limited and thats way more luxurious than the lexus, and faster. My car would run the lexus. The G35 sedan w/ 6 speed manual is the obvious choice here even though its not one of the choices, I'm making it one now.. I drove the Lexus a lot and its not that impressive.

 

Keep the Maxima, assuming that things are mechanically sound.

Add a Y-pipe and B-pipe. Keep the stock muffler and intake.

Drop it on Tein H-techs and Tokico Illumina Struts, add an eBay FSTB and Stillen-Clone RSB.

Get some rims that you like (the 18" 350Z Rays rims are a nice touch) and run good tires.

You will have a little over $2K that way, but the car will be a very fun daily driver- even as an auto.

 

I'm scheduled for the 120K service in April, so I'll have them make sure everything is good to go engine wise and then I'll make my decision. I'm pretty sure I need a new muffler though...I can see serious rust on it and I think its the original (it was a TX car before I got it so this past winter was the first hard winter on the car). So if they tell me that everything is good mechanically then I'll just upgrade the exhaust and suspension/wheels and call it a day. That should buy me at least 2 years before I get this itch again.

I'm curious though, why do you suggest keeping the stock intake?? I thought that was the first (and easiest) HP upgrade you are supposed to do. I can understand about the muffler though...I don't want to sound like a loud a$$ lawn mower...however, I will probably be needing a new one anyway...whether stock or after market.

Thanks.

 

The stock intake is a great setup and aids in keeping low end power. You can upgrade to a different intake setup but depending on the type you get/install, will result in a gain and loss at certain areas of the rpm band.

stock is good for low end, mid range, but not soo great for top end but still gets it done. Most to all others will sacrifice low end, that sweet delicious low end that so many of us enjoy.

 

Ah OK...that makes sense then. Yes, I want to keep as much low end power as I can get. All I care about is being quick in traffic and skeet-skirting at stop lights when needed. I won't be going over 90 very often.

I'm assuming the y-pipe and b-pipe will upgrade my low end power correct?

 

Yes- Y&B help low-to-mid power. I would go for a stock or stock-replacement muffler- or the quietest AM muffler that you can find. That is just me, though- and I drive a Sentra.

I always say to keep the stock intake because the gains are not that great (particularly on an auto) from AM intakes and because the sound increase is obnoxious.

 

2nd gens too. Maybe he's looking at a '96-99?