I own two '96 Maximas, each with a manual transmission. I'm helping my neice find her first car, she just got her license a few days ago. I found a '97 with an automatic, low miles, pretty clean, and it's on her price range... but after driving mine, my dad thinks it's a little too much car for her. But I've never driven one with an automatic, are they really any slower than the manual? If not, I guess we might pass on it. What do you think? Just looking for some opinions. Thanks! - Danny

 

I drive a '96 with automatic and think it would be a fine car for her. It's not underpowered, but it isn't overpowered either, at least with the auto. Of course it doesn't have all the safety features of newer vehicles. Mine doesn't even have ABS.

 

Well I don't think girls should drive these cars, just get her a Toyota or something. Just my opinion.not hating but if it were me I would rather have a guy drive it. It will be fun for the guy than a girl.

 

Auto or manual they are powerful cars regardless,but you can get her to drive it around to see if she will think it's too much or perfect for her. The point here is auto or manual the car is always gonna pull hard it's all on the driver how it's driven.

 

It's a great first car, I'm loving my 98 SE. I think it sits right on the line between and it really depends on how she drives it.

 

This is probably the most rediculous response to a post I've ever read.

 

Just stating my opinion. Not saying to do it but that's what I think.

 

yep

I think you should get a car with abs though, either a maxima with abs, or something else with plenty of airbags.

A maxima is a great girl's car. Comfortable and a little sporty. My sister loves her 5th gen GLE.

 

Slow by today's standards

 

Sister had a 95 for her first car, then got a 2000. Now she has a 2016, still loves em!

 

what makes you think slightly above average HP is dangerous?

Like I dont get it... Shes still gonna have to abide by the same speed limits. And every modern car nowadays can speed recklessly if the driver wants to... It isnt the engine that holds drivers back from doing stupid things

Car is heavy/well built, has 4 disc brakes, modern safety features and enough passing power

There is no problem here and its kind of a ridiculous question tbh. Itd be more dangerous to put your daughter in an underpowered car that can barely merge onto the highway

 

I'd rather give my daughter a Maxima than a similar generation small eco box Honda Civic which will bent / crush like a pop can in a accident.....

 

 

Lol

 

You guys crack me up. My sister calls my I30 a grandma car. I think the young lady would fit perfectly in it. It would make her look more mature. Nothing wrong with a little extra power.

 

The 4th gen section delivering 7th gen lulz

 

I wouldn't put the max in the category of too fast. Consider this, I had a 94 3000gt. It had the same hp and weighed more than a 5th gen maxima. Most people wouldn't consider a 3kgt for kids first car, even though the max is probably faster. However a 3k could handle better.

In short, buy her a minivan.

 

Women drive powerful cars all the time.

She has to drive it to see if she likes it. Period.

Dont buy it for her or try to make the decisoin for her. Recipe for disaster.

My .02

 

I support this post Except for the modern safety features part. The Maxima is pretty safe, but far from having "modern safety features".

 

yep.

 

My Max was my first car. Driven it since I was 16. I didn't even know it was so powerful. Just did what I needed it to do and that's all that mattered.

 

^^ you can't count the redneck chickie's who grow up workin on cars, they're not your average day to day woman drivers. the average woman driver around here is ok, just not good with bigger faster "older" cars that require a skill set to handle and drive.every time i see a girl driving an older max i cringe after i see the car's condition. course, i do that every time i see an older max cause they don't look like mine. here ya go http://cars.about.com/od/helpforcarb...cars_women.htm