This is something I'm seriously considering....for a variety of reasons,(and YOU all know what they are)
I'm not very happy driving my automatic Maxima...to put it plain and simple, I'm bored. I've driven sticks for the past 15 years but they have been 4 bangers with the sportiest of then being a 91 Celica GTS. Maybe not the quickest of cars but I would dive into corners with that car at speeds that would send my Maxima straight into the guardrail. I think I erred in a number of areas when buying my Max.

1) I pinched pennys when I bought the car, a base SE with automatic as the only option. Do you believe I had to barter to throw in splash guards and I totally forgot all about mats????? Who the hell forgets the mats??? I'm suprised the salesman didn't say "Um...you forgot to grill me about the mats"

2) I didn't care for leather when I was looking. After riding in my friends new Passat wagon with heated leather seats, I WANT HEATED LEATHER SEATS.

3) I didn't seem to care about a sunroof. Now I want one plain and simple.

4) I didn't wait for the color I wanted. The Gray Lustre is a nice color but I really, really love the Satin Blue...

5) I bought an automatic instead of a 5 spd

6) Who needs power seats? Just another expensive thing to break....damn it I want power seats after seeing and feeling how cheap and flimsy the manual adjustable seat is...

7) I could have afforded all of the above but I went the skimp route and am now kicking my ***.

I probably left some stuff out but those are the main things. Now I know I'm in line for a can of monetary loss whoop-*** to be opened up on me.

Here is some stuff I've been debating......first I probably don't want a 2K because of all the 1st model year bugs I've already fixed on my car. The 3 options thta have been kicking around in my head are

1) Picking up a loaded 5spd 4th Generation coming off a lease.

2) Biting the bullet and getting a 2K1 5spd.

3) Biting the bullet and staying in my car until the 2002 Max comes out with the 3.5(if that happens) I'm wondering just how much more the 2002 will be comapred to the 2K1....


Crazy ideas maybe but any thoughts?......yes I'm probably a moron for even considering another Maxima after the way Nissan has treated me but there is just something about the Max I like.....not sure what it is

 

Don't Maxima's all come with at least a power driver's seat?? An SE without a moonroof..I haven't seen one of those. I say keep the ride you have right now..unless you want to loose at least $2,000 on the trade, pay $2500 more for the extra options, and have to pay tax and license all over again on the new car (about $2000)..hmmm got an extra $6500 for a 2001?

 

It can't be that bad, but then again u choose an auto as an option over over things on an SE, u might have well bought a GXE.
Your suggestion about waiting till 02 is probably your best choice since u may not be as upside down on your trade, and if u get an 01 and the 02 comes out with the 3.5 then u will be really kicking your azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

I would say to hold off on trading your car. You will lose a bunch of money if you get rid of your car now. Think of it this way: you have already paid the depreciation on it so keep it at least a 3 years so you get some of your money's worth. Then, trade it in for the next gen Maxima (or some other car). Economically, that would be the best choice.

 

Without a doubt wait for the 2002 to come out with the 3.5L engine. When you buy a base SE Maxima you will not loss as much in your trade in as you would with a loaded Maxima.

 

I, too, desire the 5 speed; however, I've already decided to wait until the "newer" Maxima's come out. I like my car a bunch, so, I'm more willing to wait then you may be.

 

for 2002, start planning now for what options you want and what color. and never buy an auto unless it's for your wife.

 

If the 2002 has the 3.5, I'm swaping for a manual grey luster with heated leather seats and sunroof. I know I'm gonna take a bath on the deal but its soooo much more fun to drive. jnm2kse, wait until the 2002's come out at least. That way if the 2002's only have 222 again, you can get a 2001 at year end deals.

After driving that stick SE-A I kick myself daily for not holding out for a manual when I bought my car.

-Jon

 

Well as you can see my user name is tomI30. I owned a 1998 infinity I30 for about 3 weeks. I was not satisfied with the car and I couldn't get any sleep because the new body style was so much better (IMO). I now own a 2000 GXE and I love it!!! Yea I took a good hit on the car, but I now can sleep and I love my 2k max! If it's the stick that you want and you can afford it, then take the hit and enjoy now. I couldn't see myself waiting 2 years for the car that I really wanted. Yea my wife kicked my a$$ for it, but you forget about the hit after awhile. Peace of mind man, get what you want... Good luck

 

You know if you live in California, I know of a place that has all 2000 Maximas $5000 off MSRP. No joke, I have the ad. I am guessing that you won't get very much for the trade-in if they are already are having these crazy deals

 

By the way, maybe you should buy aftermarket leather seats. That's what I did. I got to choose between a million different colors compared to 3 that the dealership offers. It was cheaper than the dealer asking price plus I heard the leather from Japan is very thin and wears through easiler that the thicker American leather. I have seen it in a Lexus before.

 

I hear ya... I was in the same position as yourself.
The only difference was that I absolutely had to have
a 5spd. In Canada, my only choice was a bottom of the
line GXE or a 20th anniversary SE (absolutely loaded).
Didn't think I'd care for the leather heated seats,
sunroof, Bose, etc ... but now can't image not having
them.

I traded in a 1 year old Contour SE; took a financial
beating ... but hey, you only live once!

 

It got all the things you mentioned. Fully loaded....

I even leave the Stillen FSTB and Stillen RSB , and PIAA SW H4.



P.S. Did you send me an email two weeks ago? I got an email from Jeff. Is that you?


Laterz.

 

I, too am regretting my decision to get the auto. I wanted a 2001 5 speed sterling mist SE with C&C package, but could not find any. I got tired of waiting and succumbed after seeing the commercials during the baseball playoffs of 'my' car zipping through the dessert. There is nothing like a manual tranny for having fun driving. The power of the 5 speed is nice and I find it harder to drive an auto after 20 years of stick driving. I also feel like I will wear out the brakes after 2k miles I love my car, but wish I waited.

BTW, the blue color is only available in the Anniversary Edition and the SE does not come standard with the sunroof and the power seats. They are part of the Comfort & Convenience package.

 

I know exactly what you mean.

I went the skimp route when I bought my '97 Maxima. It was a GXE with c&c package and a spoiler. I wanted more! I ran accross my 2000 GXE and just had to have it. It came loaded with c&c package, sunroof, and premium cd/cassette stereo. I had the spoiler added when I made my deal, and then added the fog lights later myself. My car "basiclly" looks like the SE....I know it doesn't have the suspension!!

(I have honestly never even seen an SE without a sunroof or the c&c package.)

My advice is to buy what you really want the first time around..It is actually less expensive in the long run..Then you will have no regrets.

Wait to see what Nissan is REALLY going to do to the 2002 Maxima!

[Edited by warrlocked on 12-12-2000 at 11:34 AM]

 

that was me Dany...thanks but you sound like you've had as much trouble with your Max as me

Gregg I know about the SE C&C package...should have gotten it and the color I meant was the Satin Blue. not the Majestic Blue.

My heart is going "Go for it, make yourself happy" ....and my brain is going.....don't you dare

Hopefully this whole election mess will be over today and the markets can get back to normal...then I may have some extra $$ in my pocket

 

I say wait to see what actually happens with the 2002s. Do you really want to have your stick and then in 6 months have people talking about their 2002s running quarter miles in 3seconds?

 

meeeeee tooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! the damn woman took control again, and she doesn't even drive the damn thing!!!!!! aghhhhhhhhh! what the hell was i thinking? although, it is a ***** to talk on the phone, shift, and steer, all at the same time. it is even harder to beat on your wife or girlfriend yelling at you because you drive your auto like a stick! J/K! my fiance is alway screamin at me about driving my performance car/family car, like an integra type r!------she doesn't like the way i drove that either! LOL Q:what is a man to do A: grow some round fuzzy things!

peace and good luck with the decision...wait for the 02!

 

Hey jnm2kse......
...where did u get your chrome nissan front plate???????
I gotta get 1........

 

I bought it at http://www.auto-stuff.com

Really sharp looking plate.




[Edited by jnm2kse on 12-13-2000 at 09:25 PM]

 

Thanks I'm pulling out the credit card right now. Damn the page is under construction.
Thanks again o.k gotta go back to Altimas.net now.
Peace



[Edited by KJ on 12-13-2000 at 04:34 PM]

 

The leather found in pre-2001 Maximas is made by Seton Company in the U.S. from heavy native steers. The leather in the 2001 Max is now made by a different company as Nissan asked for too many price cuts and Seton backed out. Seton also makes the leather for many Mercedes and all Chrysler vehicles. There is no room in Japan to breed enough steers to support the large quantities of Maxes sold.

 

Know how you feel(I did get the 5spd)but no leather or roof and miss haveing them.Looking for a good place to get after market leather now

 

My bad! The correct site is http://www.auto-stuff.com


Sorry about that....

 

Thanks again, I see they have a good selection. I'll be ordering mine right about now.

Is it me or does Nissan have good cars for the money!?