or an altima.

either way, i'm looking for a new car. The civic dx auto has run it's course and i need something a bit more sporty.

I'm a bit older, a bit wiser, and a bit better financial status.

So, i'm out looking for either a 2002 Altima 3.5 SE (auto or stick) or a 2002 Maxima (auto or stick). I got a friend would will can see if he can get me either one for under $19K (slightly used).

Problem is, i'm not sure which i should aim for...or just stick with the civic for a bit longer until i'm absolutely debt free (aka, no credit card bills)...considering the Civic costs $250/mo to operate (including gas and insurance).

I think the Altima looks 400 times better, but the Maxima is better built and runs quicker...also a bit more respected. So, i'm trying my best to make it not come down to looks alone.

So, your opinions... what should it be?

 

I say maxima

Both are nice quick cars. My friend has a new altima 3.5 SE with leather interior.... Just based on the interior, I say the maxima.

 

maxima, stick.

 

I second that.

AA

 

Look lets be honest If you are going to buy a 2003 which for 19" you won't but just to be fair the 2003 Alttima(3.5 SE) has 245 hp, and they improved the interior. If I was buying a car today and it came down to Maxima or Altima (I still prefer the Max looks) I would go for the Altima considering it is at the beginning of it's production cycle and has just about every feature plus some not available on the Max except the 6spd and HLSD.

Now for 19K I don't think you will get a used 2002 Altima or Maxima. If you can find one though good luck!

 

just stare at the tallights of the ALtima...
your questions will be all answered.

 

get a max with a stick

 

G35 coupe.

 

Ditto + leather.

Buzz

 

maxima's are much more classy, the altima is a kiddy car. i want to look young in my maxima but still have the class.

 

350Z + stick?

g35 coupe + stick?

or you could wait for the 2004 Max

Stereodude

 

Okay guys I think he is tring to stay in the 19K-25K range fom his post I don't think the G35 or 350Z are options here.

 

SO you are leaving your god foresaken CIVIC>.. moving from the compact to the larger size sport sedans. I did the same thing with my protege too..

I was in the same choice situation as you, between altima and maxima.

I considered the altima but it is way to kiddy like for me. IT lacks the class of the maxima, and I am very happy i chose the maxima over the altima.

THe altima has a 10x better suspension than the maxima, but the maxima makes up for it with 20 x better interior and build quality.

THe altima has the $hittiest interior I have ever seen in an import car. Even the 350Z interior wasn't all that great, as though the interior materials were cheaply chosen to save costs.

If i was you, pick the maxima, and enjoy the higher class of the maxima. YOu get the altima, and nobody will be able to tell how much u paid considering there are 2.5 S, 2.5SL, 3.5 S and 3.5SE.. ALl vary in price substantially.

At least with the maxima, people know that it is a higher priced car except for the cheaper GXE!!

ED

 

wont dont you wait unit 03 and get the EVo VII?

 

or stare at the taillamps of the 2002 Maxima and be disgusted?


look on the bright side, if i get a 2002 Maxima, i could straight trade someone for their 2000-2001 SE taillamps for those hideous 2002 taillamps. God awful ugly they are.


I don't get this "kiddy" image that you guys are tying to the altima. I don't see it. Maybe the 1g altimas... and sentras. But altimas never struck me as "hey, look at me, i'm a teenager".

the G35 is a nice car, but out of my price range. I'm a person who won't pay more than $25K for a car.

I can see some of the biased opinions in the thread and it's a given...I just need more well thoughtout replies. I had a 2000 Maxima 5spd and it was a blast for the most part. I didn't particularly like the clutch...and if it's the same in the 2002's... i think my choice will be the automatic (not to mention the laziness that can be tied into an automatic).

Mind you, i don't need a fast car. I have a race car. I just need a solid, moderately quick (not necessarily blistering fast), cheap to maintain, and isn't as cheap feeling or as ugly as a Civic.

Both the Maxima and the Altima fit this bill. Unfortunately, I haven't test drove the 2002 altima so I can't base a whole lot of decision on it. I need more!!

 

I say altima, it looks better outside, u're already used to CRX/civic interior so the cheap interior won't really bug you, & it got IRS

 

I'll go max all the way. No doubt in my mind!!!

 

Well if you have 19 grand to play with, why even get a FWD 4-door at all? You actually need 4 doors? You actually want FWD? I could think of alot of cars that I could play with for 19k. E36 turbo 325is comes to mind. 240sx turbo or sr30det. Volvo 850T5R. Miata turbo would make a great track/street/convertible. Why limit yourself?

 

wrx...

 

You had a 2k Maxima but now you drive a Civic? Anyway, the Altima will feel cheaper to you over time and I have no doubt it's overall quality is not as good as a Max's. It's not made in Japan and it's a first-year run so long-term reliability is unknown. Even initial quality ratings are not very good (check jdpower.com). If you do a quick search on autotrader for 2k2 Maxes, you will find very few under $20k. You will find a ton of 2k2 Altimas for under $20k (mostly 4 cyl) and certainly a lot more in the years to come. Nobody will look for the 3.5 sign on the back, they'll just see a common Altima. We don't know how the next Max will be accepted, it could be a big overpriced boat that may turn people off and the current generation cars may become sought after. Why did you get rid of the 2k Max?

 

...you'll see for yourself.

I was seriously considering the Altima since day one, it was going to me my first new new car. Finally when it was rolled out I went to the nearest Nissan dealership and test drove it. And I really liked it. Then I looked over at the Maxima sitting next to it and saw that the prices did not vary much between the two. I decided to test drive the Maxima also and I fell in love. The build quality, interior, and ride(255hp) is so much nicer than the Altima and was well worth the extra couple of grand. As for looks, now that I think about it, the Altima is a chic car. Real men drive Maximas!

Forget the leather, real sports cars don't have leather and it'll save you $$$

 

I appreciate the variety of ideas and even thought about a E36 3-series (anything but the 318)... and started to think along these lines...then the fact that I already have a moderately fast car that I race...

I don't need two.

I'm looking for a nice, reliable daily driver (as reliable as my civic) that I can walk up to after work and not be disappointed and ****ed that I have to fight thru traffic again in a 102hp reliable POS

actually, there's one in the paper here in Vegas for $19.5K. But, my friend owns a dealership and will be buying one from the dealer auctions (read: dirt cheap). Maximas are easier to find as they are used as Rental cars... whereas Altimas aren't.

I dunno, I might even just settle for a 2.5L altima...or even a Spec-V.

I'd like to have a 2dr with moderate power and very reliable. Solara came into mind, except it's boat-like suspension.

The WRX also came into mind, but, if i find one under $20K, it's been beaten up pretty bad. Plus, I don't want to buy a turbo timer and have to install it (i'm lazy).

 

I'll be different and say that...

...you might consider the new 03 Accord V6.

3.0L 240 HP SOHC VTEC V6. However, only 212 lb-ft torque, no variable intake manifold, crappy non-VTEC cams (poor low-end). BUT...it'll have a 5AT tranny with fairly aggressive gearing instead of the traditional wide-ratio 4AT, and a killer top-end. It'll be slow off the line, but once moving it'll be dangerous.

I can't stand the new AV6 sedan tails though. You thought Maxima tail lights are ugly? UUUUUUUGGGHHHHH!!! There's also a 6spd available on the new AV6, but only on the Coupe model which won't be released until spring next year.

Checkout www.hondanews.com for full pics and specs, or www.accordv6.com

 

You missed the point: he is trying to stay within a $19k budget. When do you think a 2k3 V6 Accord will come in that price, a year from now?

 

As the owner of an 02 Altima 2.5S I've got to say I find the Maxima far more attractive, but I wanted the luxury features that I just couldn't afford on the Max as well as the extra space.

Having driven both my Altima and an 02 Max GLE on the same curvy potholy road I've got to say the Max is tons more stable on the rough stuff, despite the lack of an IRS.

The Altima is just a really cheap big car...its got loads more room than the Maxand plenty of style on the inside (I find the outside terribly boring and derivative...I can't stand those taillights either) and even a few neat features (how many cars in this price class have an aluminum hood and trunk?). Nissan has basically done squat about the interior materials other than to offer titanium accent parts and changed the console armrest from plastic covered to leather (I think only on the leather cars).

If you want to nice quick near full size car for not alot of money get the Altima, but all things being equal I'd rather drive a Max. For $19k you are not getting a 3.5SE though unless its used or hot...that number is about $2k below invoice.

 

I got it! for $15K, I'll sell you my 2001 Silver Altima SE. And with the $4K you have left over, you can pretty much spend it on.....
well.......whatever!?

 

I remember you! You sold your car a year or so ago! I am glad to see that you are wanting to come back to a real car.

Get the stick!

 

Lancer Evo VII(VIII)!!....used in two years..
Maxima!

 

a civic isn't a real car?



thanks for those who offered some reasoning behind their choices.

 

long time no see!