I have been searching now for another car for about 2 weeks.
Ever since I was in H.S i wanted a Maxima...
so now that i have the chance to get another car I want to get a 4th Gen Maxima..(SE).

But in the past weeks i have gone through many phases.
For about 4 days I was test driving J30s....but then i realized they got no traction and its rearwheel drive...
(I go up and down the north east MD-NY-MA so i want a car that can handle snow).

Then i wanted a Legend 6m...but there is no way i am paying 17+ for a 5 year old car with over 70k miles.
In fact i could not even find a base model thats value fit my budget. (the cheapest i found was a 92 base 4a with 110k mile.....for 11...WACKO)

Then i was back to the Maxima...
but the problem is that i keep thinking about the I30.
I know the I30 is a Maxima with Infiniti logos...but i seem to be sucked into the brand name thing..

so my choices are.....
96 I30, leather pkg with heated seats pkg
or
4th Gen Maxima, SE with everything. (cold weather pkg)

I did find a SE i liked but it had no ABS.
And I need ABS.

Overall which you think is better? they both have an 5m available....and i plan on doing some suspension mods..
how much more is the car insurance for the I30?
is the cost of maintence close to the same since they are the same car?

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TIME.
Mike

 

Well.. the i30 is *not* just a Maxima with Infiniti logos, sheesh. You're thinking about the Acura TL being an Accord with Acura logos. . The i30 has a lot of extra class in my opinion (GUYS PLEASE no offense) .. I think the i30 has a lot of appointments inside and out that the Max just doesn't have. I used to have a MAx, I loved my Max and love the new Maxes, but the i30 was definitely a step up from my Max as far as style, class etc. But I am really talking about the 2k's here.. I think they diverged a lot in the 2000 model year.. I mean the 96 i30 and 96 luxury Max are pretty damn close.

What year is the 4th gen you are considering?

 

Thanks for the HELP........
I totally agree that the I30 gives more class which is why I want one.......I like the fact that its quieter and more comfortable.....
I also love the options...
I am just trying to see if its the worth the extra money to get one.....

Personally, I am willing to spend more for the Infiniti..
I am just trying to see if its worth it...

Thanks Again.
Mike

looking for a 95-97...max
96-97 I30

 

i30t is the bomb if you can find one with manual
still a maxima
marketing.

 

I own both a 1995 Maxima SE 5-spd and a 2000 Infiniti I30t. I love driving both of them: The Infiniti is stately. The Maxima is really FUN to drive. The Maxima is the Infiniti's evil twin.

I believe you will get much better service from an Infiniti dealer than a Maxima dealer. In fact, I'm sure you will, if the dealers in your area are anything like the ones here in Memphis! The Infiniti folks have a professional demeanor, and they are more friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I give a slight edge to the Infiniti... Good luck.

 

If you want the car for the engine, get the Maxima. It's a better deal. If you're a sucker for the brand name (like you said), get what you want. I went for the engine, and bought a '98 GXE. That was a good deal IMO. I have slowly added options when I could afford them (spoiler, foglights, CD soon)

 

Thanks again
I would have to agree with bullseye that Infiniti does give better service.
I went last week to test drive the J30.....and the guy gave it to me for the day......he told me he would be at the dealership till 7pm so thats when i had to bring it back.
...
the nissan guy did not seem so eager to help me...

by the way...its partially the brand name but its also the convienince of not having to search for items.
It took my 10 months to find the bonneville seats for the caprice...in my opinion unless you put something in the car like recaros you should just find what you want...
(in my case leather heated)
Mike

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP