I am planning on getting a Maxima within the week, however I have not decided on which to get. I love the SE cause it seems sportier however I don't really feel such a difference except for when i was doing 80+ and changing lanes on the highway. My plan is to find a SE with all the GLE options however SE's loaded in the maryland area cost more than a normal GLE...so is the white faced gauges and tighter suspension worth the money when i have future plans to do suspension mods? Would be better to get a GLE and do suspensions....or just keep a stock SE..
(which ever car i get i am changing the rims)

Thanks in advance for your time
Greatly Appreciated.
Mike
94 Caprice SS/9c1

 

Here's the deal...if you get a GLE, you can't get stick. So if you want stick, you have to get the SE. If you want auto, then I'd go with the GLE. It has all the options, plus you'll prob end up changing suspension someday anyway. Just my 2 cents.

 

I just wanted to thank Maxrod33 for his input.
I really do like the white faced gauges, fog lights, and spoiler on the SE but the GLEs are cheaper. So what i am basically saying is that I would probably put on fogs and a spoiler on the GLE anyway...so in your opinions would it pay just to get an SE since i would try to make the GLE more like the SE?
Also what do you all think about the I30?
i know its just a maxima with a infiniti grill and logo but i did see a I30 for just a few hundred more than a optioned out SE...so i thought i might check those out too..

Thanks Again.
Mike

 

Go with loaded SE. I have a GLE and have to live with that auto tranny. When I do finally buy a new one the slush box is history.

 

Depends if you want stick or automatic. If it's stick, SE is the only way to go. If you want automatic, get a GLE, since you'll prolly be modding out the suspension anyways.

Other differences between the SE and GLE is that SE has blacked out exterior trim and color keyed door handles. Plus SE has 16" alloys, GLE has 15". But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter if you plan to mod it anyways.

 

Spoiler=$250 painted and installed. Foglights = $200 max. If you want an auto, get a GLE and add the spoiler and fogs, you're going to change the rims anyway. I30 is more luxury Vs Sports oriented. Not quite as fast, but maybe a bit more luxurious. It doesn't look as good when modified. If you like stick, then definitely go with a SE Stick.

 

What year Maxima or Infinity are you looking for. If your talking about the years previous to 2000 then I would go with the SE because it already comes with black moulding, white guages, etc. You would probably get more money if you sold the 16" rims off the SE than you would the GLE's.

 

All GLEs come with fogs. GXEs don't.

 

I am looking for a 95-97 SE........i would not mind a newer one but i am not sure i can afford that with my big tuition payments.
i have been also considering a GLE or 96 I30.
I acutally test drove a 95 Acura Legend GS with a 6speed.
....its just TOO expensive for what it offers.
they were asking 17 with 67k miles.
...(thats about the going rate in the Maryland area. but i did see one for 15....still alot of 75k miles.)

What i really want is a 95SE with the cold weather package but they seem rare in my area. (i love heated seats)
I have seen GLEs with them....which is kinda why part of me wants a GLE.
but one friend did say i could just buy a set of J30 seats and drop them in....they got 8 way and are heated.
but its just easier to get one with heated seats already in.

Again,
Thanks for all your help.
Mike

 

FYI, SE's have fogs, not GLE's OR GXE's (in early models like you're talking about).

I think it comes down to price and specs. Do you want a 5 speed? If so, only 1 choice. Ditto for the white guages and color keyed trim. If you want auto and don't care about the other stuff, you can get the GLE (which by definition comes loaded for the most part) and then mod it after the fact. Tranny and cost are probably your deciding factors.

The power seat swap is probably expensive. Just replacing the power unit on my 95 GLE driver seat (not the seat, just the power box under it) is $700+ for the parts alone. Seems like Nissan likes all those little DC motors quite a bit...

Good luck. Let us know what you get. Unless it's an Acura and then just keep it to yourself...

-kev

 

Andy, Actually all GLE'S don't come with fogs. I own a GLE and it doesn't have fogs. All SE's have fogs. You should check your facts before you make a "sure" statement like that...no offense intended, just making a point.

 

Yeah, my '97 GLE didn't come with fogs or a spoiler either, but thats okay. Ebay usually has those items for a cheap price, like $80 for the OEM spoiler. I don't know about the fogs though, I doubt someone will sell them on there.

 

go for a '95/'96 because of the O2 sensor thingy. if you want flat out speed, get a '95 GXE 5-speed with the s/c package (remote keyless, driver pwr seat, no govenor) it's probably the fastest model/year. then swap out the headlights and grill of a '97 so it looks half decent. then you should have some money to do some mods with left over. that's what i got except i got an auto instead. still kickin my own A$$ but with Don's vb mod, i should be able to keep up with other stock 5-speeds, right?

 

Get a 95/96 SE. Even if you get an auto w/a GLE, Don's VB mod will be worth the savings. If you keep looking, you can even find a Maxima w/a cold weather package in TX (as if anyone needed it here). Good luck & check out edmunds.com for additional info.

 

I just called a nissan dealership. 98-99 GLEs do come with fogs.

 

change your suspension to your liking and add some wheels if necessary.

 

And 95-97's don't...we're both right, fair enough...lol.

 

Hmmm, the only GLE's I've seen w/fog lights are the 5th gens. You probably talked to the same Nissan salesman that told me the 2k1 AE only came in one color and it had to be an automatic.

 

ummmm....What's a vb mod? Sorry I'm new to that one...

 

Well, actually I talked to a dealer who I know very well. He said that 95-97 GLEs don't have fogs, and 98-2k+ GLEs do. I am sure he knew what he was talking about.


Andy

 

Well, I wish my max came with fogs...