SillePimp

I might trade my car in or hand it down to my younger brother (one more year of payments). I test drove both the 2.5 manual and 3.5 auto. Man, I was surprised by how much this car puts out. I've never driven any of the previous Altimas before, so I was really impressed w/ both models. The salesperson was really cool about letting me drive them any way I wanted to. The 2.5 manual has some serious power, despite the smaller displacement. I got a mad burn out when I launched it at around 2.5k-3k rpms! I really wanted to drive the 3.5 manual, but the dealer didn't have them yet. However, the 3.5 auto isn't too bad either, but I think Nissan should have developed a 5spd auto for it. My family has purchased 4 vehicles (87 Sentra, 95 Truck, 97 Maxima, 02 Pathfinder) from the same dealership in the past and we're hoping that they can give us a huge customer loyalty discount (I'm looking at around $2500-$3000). I've also got the invoice prices printed out for all models. I'm going to think about it and may be have an answer by the end of this month.

Threxx

I saw them at the dealership the other day... very cheap interior IMO... I was very disappointed. The speedometer/tachometer cluster area seems really weird and somewhat "unnatural" as well.

Really when you get a V6 altima w/ all the options that a maxima GLE comes with... the difference in price is minimal. I'd go with the maxima without a doubt, the interior just feels so much nicer.

I have a '95 model se, I hear people talking about how the '95-'99 has higher quality interiors than the '00-'02... is that true? They seemed pretty comparable to me... I actually think the newer ones are a little nicer, if anything, at least asthetically speaking.

I wonder what is in store for '03 maximas? I hope they don't get much bigger!!

SillePimp

I forgot to comment on the interior. Yah, the instrument cluster is retro and unnatural but I think an owner can get used to it. The cloth seats look really cheap though. The leather option is the way to go.

maximaracer28

if you get the altima...contact me to sell me your mods