This is a really random comment, but is there anyone out there besides me who thinks that the Max could really use a Sequential Automatic Transmission (i.e.: Tiptronic, Autoshift, Sportronic, etc.)?

Now if I was hardcore, I would opt for the stick and shut up. But I'm lazy, and in test driving the 2000 GLE I couldn't help but think that it would help harness/rein in all of that VQ power for even better control & performance.

Is it/will it be offered in the upcoming Maximas? If its good enough for the G35 its good enough for the Maxima.

 

I think a better question is will the Maxima ever have a sequential semi-automatic gearbox like in the BMW M3 SMG2 and Ferrari 360. I know those cars are tremendously more expensive than the Maxima, but I always thought that those gearboxes were pretty innovative. Not only can the computer control the gearbox like an automatic, if so desired, but it can also give you all of the control with shift speeds that are simply amazing. The best of both worlds IMO.

 

I definitely agree with you there. The trans. on thet BMW M3 SMG2 is probably the best in the world right now, but the cost of it would be prohibitive to putting it in the Maxima. But I think that lower tech systems of the previous generation (like the Tiptronic in the VW Passat or the Multitronic CVT in the Audi A4) would add a new dimension of control to all of the power the Maxima posseses.

I can't tell you how much I wanted to downshift when I was test driving that 2000 GLE.

aaaarghhhh!!!

 

hmmmmm....even with tiptronic, it is still has that 20% loss of power from the torque convertor. I have seen a lot ppl getting the tiptronic and turned out that they never use it. To me, the OD button is good enough. If I want something fun, I would go straight to the 6spd. But I am glad that I have auto since traffic is really bad in Bay Area.

or maybe an auto Max and a 6spd G35 coupe....

 

This 'sportshift' and 'tiptronic' crap is just nonsense. It's still an automatic tranny and it still doesn't allow you to control the tranny the way you want to, there's lags in shifting, and it's really just a marketing gimmick.

What the Maxima REALLY needs is a 5spd automatic. There's already one in the G35, but that's a RWD car. I bet the 04 Max will have a 5AT.

The current 4AT has extremely wide ratios. The VQ has a nice wide powerband to work with this pretty well, but closer ratios would still give better performance. The only reason the Acura CL-S/TL-S cars keep up with 02-03 Maxima auto's is because of their closer ratio 5AT tranny's. If the Max got a 5AT to match it would be solidly ahead of these cars once again

 

Let me clear the air for a second here. I would never propose "autoshifting" as a replacement/substitute for a 5 speed manual. It would just be a welcome enhancement to the automatic. After having driven with Tiptronic in the New VW Passat 1.8 Turbo, I can tell you that it is more than just a gimmick. The lags are relatively small and one adjusts to them quickly. The car only has 170 hp, but I have smoked many a sticked vehicle with 200+ horses (and I'm about as amateur as they come).

Its true that it will never match a 5 speed manual (and it will never be the choice of those enthusiasts concerned with minimal 0-60 or 1/4 mile times), but in everyday driving the gains in control and acceleration (though modest) are significant. To be honest, being able to downshift for engine braking and grabbing additional torque when needed would be worth it to me.

The real question is, would anyone choose a regular automatic over the performance and control advantages of a Tiptronic (or similar) transmission?