It seems like every 2-3 threads I read, someone is talking about how they would rather have a 5 speed - and some people are crazy/committed enough to do it! It makes me wonder if 5 speeds are gaining in popularity in general, or just on this board. Thoughts?

Hell, I finally got ****ed off enough at my 98 Accord 4cyl Auto to sell it and pick up a 99 Maxima SE, eibach, 17", y pipe, catback, etc. Soooo much better....

 

If you dont have a 5 spd, you're not cool

jk

I think because the 5spd uses the Maxima to its full potention, unlike the auto with its sloppy shifts and laggy throttle response. Same as any car tho...its just more exciting to drive

 

A board like this is chaulk full of auto enthusiasts who tend to prefer manuals. It is just more fun to have the greater control that a manual provides...

I don't think that manuals overall are becoming more popular.

 

they are just more popular amongst enthusiasts... every enthusiast wants a faster car. A stock 5spd is faster or just as fast as a well modded automatic.

 

so anyway, its more exciting thats all. bye

 

its not so much that 5 speeds are gaining popularity, its that they ARE popular. i dont have on on my max, but i just leanred to drive one the other day (my friends 93 corolla)...and its the most fun ever. i guess its just opinion.

~wes

 

5 speeds suck, auto is where its at

 

Kashoggio

Way to represent your crew. I used to be an Auto guy, but now I am enjoying my 5 speed. I still like Autos for some of my family, but not for me. 5 (or 6) speed for me from now on....

 

Nope, manual transmissions aren't gaining popularity. However among the entry-level luxury sporty car market (*ahem* BMW), most makers are realizing they need a 5-speed or 6-speed manual to compete.

 

I agree. I've read that manuals only account for about 20%
of Maxima sales. Yet when I did a poll in my site, 46% stated
they had manuals.

Plus the auto magazines, being enthusiasts themselves, like
manuals too. I always sense their bias when you read their
articles (generally speaking). I mean , cmon, how many times have
you read when a mag writer talks about how smoooth a shifter is
(or conversely how notchy).

 

Actually, manual transmissions are gaining popularity. I cant remember where, but over the recent years they have been slowly increasing. It doesn't surprise me.

 

That may be true of Maximas, but I was recently cruising a local dealer's lot and couldn't find a 5 speed SE. One 'salesman' told me they don't carry many manuals since less than 5% (!) of all the cars and trucks they sell are stick shift.

I've never owned an automatic... and like to tell salesmen that I don't think I could figure out how to use one.

 

automatic= weaksauce!!

j/k

 

 

Now now...no need to flame. Can't we all just get along?

I mean, my parents had only automatics, so when they agreed to pay 50% of my first car as a college graduation gift, it was under the condition that it was an auto. Now that I'm making money, I've chosen to sell my auto and get a 5 speed.

My point? Some people don't have control over what car they inherit, or what their parents decide for them. For some other people, they might prefer to eat while driving - for them, I'm glad they're using an auto and not a stick.

 

hey, this subject is a little sour to me. I have never had a manual, but i was raised on a farm, and i have driven 14 speed tractors, and labored through pushing the clutch in those things when i was 12 years old. I do like 5 speeds, and when i was looking for mine last summer, I searched three states, I was willing to go pretty much anywhere within 5 hours. I searched wisconsin (hardly any maximas period), Minnesota (a few in twin cities, no decent 5 speeds), and then illinois. Chicago had quite a few maximas, but i found like 2 with a stick, one was a 99, and one was a 95 with 135,000 on it, and had been in an accident. I found the perfect car, and i decided to get it even though it was auto. I have learned to not mind it, but everytime I feel the stupid lag in autos, i get ****ed. I don't have enough money to make the 3 grand switch, so i will just wait my 3 more years, till i am out of college, makin the big bones, and get a 2006 V8, supercharged 6 speed Maxima.

haha, my dreams

so, don't hate, and make fun of us auto folks, some of us had not that much control, and it makes me dissapointed in my car

 

Yes, 5spds on a NA Maxima is cool, but once you start climbing in horsies (I mean really) gearing becomes less important. I guess people just like the fun, it's sporty, gives you something to do with your hands. If you're busy in your car like me (on the cell phone, fooling around with the gf, picking your *** and nose, well then...)

Hey, they do have 8sec autos out there, y'know.

-A

 

yeah, 1st and second generation maximas are at least 8 second 0-30 times

haha

 

1st gens are RWD, you can drop in a L28 from the famed 280ZX. Yes, that means turbo.

2nd gens are FWD, but are powered by the VG30E, some drop in the VG30ET from the 87-89 300ZX. Yes, that means turbo.

You should treat old school with a little more respect. I own both a 88 and 97, I can tell you that I enjoy riding the 88 more because its gonna be a bi**hin sleeper! 97 is turbo, the 88 is next (saving up cause it's not cheap).

Of course, any Nissan enthusiast would know that.

 

It was a joke more of because of their age, not because of what they had at their time. Personally i would not enjoy driving around a 1st gen with a turbo camaro engine, maybe its just me, but i doubt that is a goal of most maxima owners.

Its debatable to what an "enthusiast" is. But, I definitely consider myself a nissan "enthusiast", and "of course, i didn't know that". I don't spend my time learning about the older nissan cars, i am more of a modern car type of guy.