I am torn between trading for a 5spd this June, still in the 95-99 range with around 70-100K, or keeping my auto and continuing with the performance mods.

I really need some serious input on this one. My ultimate goal is to have 1 fast maxima, real fast in fact. But I cannot convince myself which route is best for me.

Money is a BIG factor, being that I dont have any, but lets just pretend I have about.....$3500for starters.

Would you guys say an auto max with the works done to the tranny(VB, torque converter, etc.)is faster than a 5spd with the full works if they are both tricked out with a stock V2.

Enlighten me.

 

I was wanting a 5spd real bad once. My max is a 98SE auto, which I bought new. Car for car, if 2 Maxes have the same mods and same body condition and all, of course I'd take the 5spd, who wouldnt. But I'd take a nicely tricked out auto max any day over a stock 5spd.
To me, a car is more than a tranny. It's gotta have a very nice paint condition and engine condition. And living in the DC metro northern virginia, (we are tied for worst traffic in the country, along with Los Angeles), I almost dont want a stick anymore. When I feel like driving a 5spd max, I take my brother's 2k for a drive. But not on my way to work. One time I took his car to work, and my left leg had a cramp when I got to my cubicle.

Of course, people who buy 5spd Maxes are all enthusiasts and take care of their cars, so I think it will be very hard to find a ghetto 5spd Max. Its not like we're looking for a 5spd Corolla or anything.

My max is a beautiful pearl white 98 SE, and if I had to choose between a loaded 97+ SE auto with full bolt ons and a 50shot of NOS, versus a 95-96 5sd GXE with hubcaps and cloth seats, I honestly would choose the auto max.
Sure you could upgrade the wheels, install leather seats, add spoiler and sunroof on this particular 5spd, but thats mucho dinero.

My car looks so beautiful, people say "damn, too bad it's not a 5spd" all the time. hehehe.

good luck.

 

One guy at my local speedshop says that Nissan's manual transmission 3rd gear teeths are always stripped when running high boost from the pressure building on the plate.

He said automatic would handle better for the long run.

-A

 

Anybody that is a car enthusiast will want a 5-speed max, but not all of us are so lucky in finding one. I was tryn my best to find one with low miles but couldn't so i bought a 99 gxe auto which is still cool with me. and an auto with all the bolt-ons is still a fast car, may not be as quick as a 5-speed but the fatest max out there right now is an auto, Don's in texas. Now if you do have the money, an auto maxima will be faster than a 5-speed but i think that doesn't happen untill you can reach the 13 sec range (someone correct me if i am wrong). But hey if you got the money then go for it. I was gonna try an convert but have now realized that id be smarter to build up the tranny and add a healthy shot of Nos. But Its all up to you man.
Ryan

 

If you find a decently priced 5 speed I'd say go for it. You just have to be patient and wait. And since you said funds were tight, it doesn't seem like you're in a rush. I was lucky enough to buy my 97 5 speed last december for $9,000. and it only had 31k miles!!! And no, it's not beat up or anything. Very clean car. It was the victim of an ugly divorce. Husband needed money to pay wife or something... Just wait for the perfect car at the perfect price. If you do stay auto, you will always wonder "what if..." or "why didn't I...". If you get a good 5 speed, I don't think you will have any regrets except "what took me so long?".
I'm not dissing the auto's. I know a lot of you auto maximas here could easily hand me my butt, but if you are seriousely considering a 5 speed, you know that it's because that is the car you really want. besides...what else are you gonna do with your left foot? it's gotta get in on some of this rice killin' fun.

 

I've got an auto 99 se...it's performance in a straight line is
ok...but when i am driving hard on winding roads i miss the
flexibility of a 5 speed in picking the right gear for the corner...
if that doesn't matter to you then go for an auto...right now i feel like if my car was a 5 speed it would be perfect...maybe one of these days i'll do the 5 speed conversion...

 

See...another automatic owner who is very happy with their auto tranny, but knows that he'd be a bit happier with a third pedal.

 

This is what I am thinking too, its a very reasonable option.

On the Other hand, or foot shall we say.....
I have access to a 5spd, and I really like it and trust the owner and the condition of the car, but the speeds I am aiming to reach I wont be worried about shifting around turns anyway. I am primarily interested in going straight.

My max will be my second car in 2 years from now. The "sports car", and I plan on getting an 4x4 SUV because I surf and fish the beach alot. Having 2 maxes would be the best
.
Thanks for your input guys, its all legit.
Ayone else wanna help me?




Its like I always wanted a Chevy Z71, but I would never be able to decide wether to drop it or lift it, so I'd need 2 of them to be truly content. I guess Im spoiled

 

well, if you have all the mods you want on your auto right now, you can just convert yours to 5 speed like i plan on doing and if you have 3500 dollars that's more than enough to get everything with great parts. I want a 5 speed badly and i live in jersey which is descent traffic but not like New York and LA but still i know there will be times when i get hit up in traffic but it will all pay in the long run because having control of your engine, throwing that bad boy in 3rd just feels good you know...auto's cool but stick is the way to go, but like everyone else says, a hooked up auto is better and faster than stock 5 speed, but it's stupid to compare the two....

 

You did mention speed correct, well I say go with the 5 speed, if thats your worry. Clutch upgrade and flywheel or even Quaife will put you way far beyond a an Auto, nothing against an auto they are comfortable cars very. But if speed is your goal go with a 5 speed or 6 speed Max you wont regret it. Trust me.

 

Yes it is true that the 5-speed will be much quicker than the auto to a point, but after you reach the 13-12 sec range in the quarter the auto with vb and tq convertor is actually faster than the 5-speed with the same mods. the auto will shift much quicker and with more precision, but it does take alot of money to get there.
Ryan

 

If you are trying to run really big power, then maybe the 5 speed transmission might have some trouble -- but the automatic has its own flaws too -- Over time, the automatic can slip quite a bit when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear --

If you want fast, just get a 5 speed.
The purpose in life of an automatic is to reduce mechanical efficiency and low RPM acceleration for the sake of easier driving.
Automatics in many other cars are better in that the lock-up converter actually works in all gears for better economy and acceleration. But in the Maxima, it only works in Overdrive and even then it can't take hardly any torque before it unlocks further reducing efficiency and then demanding even more power from the engine. A lot of that might be the result of the transmission computer itself --

A maxima clutch isn't as stiff as clutches of many other cars.
I think its actually one of the easier 5 speed cars to drive.

The Maxima automatic takes a lot of money to make it perform better/faster. The 5 speed is good from the start and requires no special mods or money to be faster. You just have to know how to drive.