This is getting input on a parallel thread to the altima.net website.

What are the pros and cons of buying an 03 altima or a 03 max?

Rick

 

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interiors- MAX 1, ALTIMA 0

 

You will likely get a loaded Maxima SE (minus Navi) for less than a comparable Altima SE 3.5. There is no comparison on the quality of the interiors...the Altima feels very plasticy (more fitting of a Sentra). There are a number of features on the Maxima not even available on the Altima too. The Altima does handle great though.

 

The only downside of the 03 Max is that the resale will be hurt next year when the new 04 comes out

 

Max Pros: More luxurious interior. Considerably less road and wind noise. With same options it will cost the same as the Altima, maybe slightly less. Seems like a more well built car.

Max Cons: Solid rear beam. Altima will handle better in the curves. Bose system rattles badly.

Altima Pros: Roomier than the Maxima which makes it better for taller people. Independant rear suspensions provides better handling. Bose system sounds much better than the Max's Bose system. No Bose rattles.

Altima Cons: Interior plastics have a cheap look and feel. Car doesn't feel solid, ie: slight rattles on the interior and the door doesn't sound solid when closing. Wind and road noise is noticeably higher than the Maxima.

Both are great cars. I feel the Maxima was has better price/performance for your dollars.

 

The rear beam suspension on the maxima is actually better for handeling in the corners. IRS is better for bumpy roads though.

 

Dude forget about the maxima or altima, just get a real car, EURO. Then join a real fourm.

 

I just bought my 2002 Max SE, and considered the Altima. I drove the Alty, and it's pretty nice. The main turnoff is that the interior is ugly, and cheap materials. The Maxima is a little classier, nicer interior, a few extra horses, an extra gear on the manual. The Altima 3.5SE loaded is still cheaper than a comparably equipped Max SE.

 

But, a GLE will be in the same ball park. The SE will cost a little more. Depends if you want auto or manual. Unless you have the new M3, I don't want to here about it. I'd be pretty ****ed if I bought the old engine M3. BMW's are definately nice cars, but price/performance, well you'll get both high price and high performance.

 

get a real raping for real $$$$'s every time anything goes wrong...

BMW..."bleeds many wallets"

 

Dude, test drive both and you'll see that the Max is so much nicer!

 

Also remember that everyone has different tastes. I really did go into the dealership to buy a 3.5 Altima and tried my best to like the car. The salesman insisted that I drive the Maxima to make a more informed decision. I'm glad that I did. I'm not just stating this because I have a Maxima and think I have the best car in the world. You may like the Altima better. It appears to me that more people are griping about their Altima's than are Maxima's. What are your thoughts on both cars?

 

awwww, look fellas, mommy let skippy play on the computer again.

 

and Skippy needs a nappy!!

 

it's true - you should test drive both cars and see which one you can see yourself in - I thought I was definitely going to get the altima. However, I ended up getting the maxima b/c I didnt like the altima's interior...

 

I think skippy got his forums mixed up,
I dont think that mommy and daddy explained
to him that little boys should only speak when
given permision to speak. Bad skippy Bad

 

I went with intention to buy a alty but after comparing drives and prices Max just seemed the way to go. Interior also was a big factor.
But they are still nice.

 

what kind of car do you drive? "then join a real forum"???....1st you need to learn how to spell forum, MILAKA!

When you learn how to spell forum, could you please define it for us, so we can conform to those standards.

 

First off, in the Altima vs. Maxima debate, people who haven't actually gone and looked at/test driven both cars should not open their mouths. I had intended on buying a Maxima from the start, and ended up getting it last weekend. I did consider the Altima 3.5 SE though, and a salesperson even steered me in that direction. All I know is where I looked, the Maxima SE 6sp I bought costs about 3-4 thousand more than a comparably equipped Altima. As of today, the Maxima is the better car, period. The Alty is good, the Max is better. Plan and simple

 

I was in the same dilemma. Testdrove both Altima 3.5 SE and Maxima SE. IMO, exterior styling and road feel favored the Altima. Road feel probably makes Altima a better commuter.
Everything else (road handling, interior, price, power) favored the Maxima.
Notice I made distiction between road handling and feel. As mentioned before, Altima's ride is very smooth in all kinds of roads, even bumpy ones. That's not the case with the Maxima.
Maxima feels more sure-footed, as long as the road is smooth.

I would suggest renting an Altima for a weekend and then a Maxima, and spend some quality time with both.

 

Only three BMW's have more luxury, room, AND performance than a Nissan Maxima. The cheapest one is $58,000. Where's the comparison?

(540, M5, and 745 for those who were wondering)

 

Hey .Org

I can shed some light to this discussion, since i went to NISSAN today. Sat in both cars today 03' Max and 03' Alty... I agree that the Altima interior is ugly and cheap feeling. The Maxima is more defined more luxurious...The HP is almost the same. My dad actually liked the Altima styling a little bit over the Maxima, But he did like the Maxima's HIDs, My dad was also drawn to the Altima's taillamps as well. I myself loved the 03' Maxima, but i love my Maxima which is a 00'. When its all said and done, its a matter of preference IMHO!

PS- My dad got NISSAN Consumer Affairs and our local dealer (NISSAN OF QUEENS) to get our tranny fixed.. NISSAN CA is contributing $1k and NISSAN OF QUEENS is picking up the rest! so there is hope when talking to a dealer. But it helps that my dad has been a NISSAN customer for 10 years the guy we spoke to actually said "This customer has been with us for 10 years, I DONT WANT HIM TO PAY, he has been with us for 10 years" exact words he used.

 

Can someone give us the power to weight ratio for each of these two cars?

 

yeah, the alty was a consideration until sat in the maxy and the alty was history... never did get to test drive a 5spd 3.5se atly but didn't need to... the interior and gauge pod alone drew the red tape... I see myself more in a maxy anyhow.... the alty looks more like a chick car...

 

Yes I agree. My girlfriend got the Altima se 3.5. She agrees its a chick car.

 

i like Altimas..it's really amazing how much the car has evolved since its inception...it just has more of everything compared to the car it replaced. more power, more room, more style and definitely more attitude. but, the interior quality of the Altima isn't up to par with that of Maxima. granted, Maxima interior isn't all that great either but the Altima interior has alot more room for improvement. the rear lights, well, quite honestly, the Altezza lights are cool, but it's kinda getting old now..

 

I just saw a silver HID-equipped Altima with a load of passengers. Sitting low, it looked as good as a GS430!!! I admit the Altima has some good hardware, especially the rear suspension. However the cost of the rear suspension on the Altima proves Nissan's wisdom with going beam rear on its Maxima. I think Nissan saved more than $90 with going rear beam on the Max and a lot more when compared to the Altima rear suspension. Yeah the Max may have a bit more imprecision going around patchy pavement corners, but how many of us everyday drivers really discriminate so hard on a $30k sedan that offers so much else.

For me, I'll take the Max and enjoy it stock.
For the dude who wants to trick out the styling by putting slick rims/tires along with lowering springs, then the Altima may be the way to go.

 

That's what I've always said. The exterior has the lines of the Lexus GS series. But then once you get inside, it's a letdown.

 

for the manual tranny SE of each:

MAX: 3239 lbs, 255 hp ---> 12.7 lb/hp or .078 hp/lb

ALT: 3178 lbs, 240 hp ---> 13.24 lb/hp or .075 hp/lb

 

I totally agree. On the outside it is one of the most beautiful mainstream cars on the road, but once you get on the inside you think you are in a Neon.

 

So the Max has more hoursepower per pound of weight with a manual. Is this also true when equiped with automatics

 

This is not true... Overlay an Altima dyno plot with a Maxima and you will notice that they are practically the same. IMO 255/240 numbers are fluff and they are really the exact same engine.

Anyway, just drive both cars and decide for yourself. There really is no one answer.

 

Intelligent comments like this make this board fun Why don't we all just buy a Ferrari instead?

 

i agree, why do we bother with this "fake forum" according to M3smkU

 

Driving both the 3.5 Altima and the 02 max many times,they feel like the same HP and the Altima feels a little stiff but I agree,they got the Altima body right,and performance up to the max but the inside just kills the car.