mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

From the october 2002 issue:

"What ever happened to the real Maxima?"

or

"That's the Maxima's dilema. Surrounded by increaseing numbers of rear- and all-wheel-drive competitors, it has reached its development zenith. And infact, this is the last ride for the current platform. The next generation will share the latest Altima's foundations, a change that should produce improvement but will leave Nissan's top sedan commited to the performance drawbacks of front-wheel drive."

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

*Unless*, Nissan makes the move to make an AWD option on the Maxima. It does share the same platform with the Altima and Murano - which is AWD.

victor

iTrader: (1)

i think they were calling out the 4th gen maximas too. i want a 1st gen.

TimW

iTrader: (6)

I guess I need a Nissan Technology Assurance Maxima License. That way, I always have a car payment and they just send me the newest whatever they are making.

Thats a silly arguement by C&D. Everything cycles. They are dumping tons in R&D right now, but will spend the next few years on that platform trying to cut every penny possible.

Virus

iTrader: (1)

What month was this in?

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

I just read that, the part that jumped out at me was:

I thought the next maxima was going to be V8 and rear wheel drive?

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

Those were rumors, nothing has come out of it yet. As far as RWD goes, since the 6th gen will be using the Alt platform only two things can come out of it ... FWD or AWD (Murano).

I hope that since it can support AWD that it'll be available as RWD but i doubt it.

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

The Altima / Murano platform uses a transverse engine. The chances of Nissan deleting the front drive system and using rear drive only with a transverse engine would have to be slim to none.

hawkdog

I'll tell you what I didn't like about that article....the bs that said a CL-S auto can hang with the new 6 speed max. I've always thought C&D to be reasonably good drivers with reasonable test results, but that's just BS. Kiss my grits, C&D.

maximadave

iTrader: (10)

the editors at car and driver also says the G35 does 0-60 in 7.1 seconds (they can't drive worth $hit and they are bunch of old farts)and motor trend can get 6.2 seconds from 0-60. motor trend is more accurate on their numbers in my opinion but they haven't tested the 2K2 6-speed yet

here's to you car and driver

Triple8Sol

iTrader: (29)

But the G35 is based on the Altima platform, has the VQ35DE, and it's RWD right?

max2001se

It does have the VQ35DE but it is built on the FM platform (like the new Z). I believe the Altima platform is known as the FF-L. However, I don't know exactly what the differences are besides engine location and RWD vs. FWD.

maximadave

iTrader: (10)

my point is the variances between c&d (7.1)and motor trend(6.2)on the same car

Virus

iTrader: (1)

Car and Driver always seem to have biased reports while Motor Trend seems to be more accurate and unbiased.

02MaximizedVQ

I always buy Motor Trend at the Magazine rack. I've been reading it for almost 10 years and nothing else comes close. And nine times out of ten, they have the fastes and quickest test times. Plus they seem very unbiased and fair.

Jesse

[maxi-overdose]

iTrader: (3)

G35 is known as Skyline in Japan....another platform that has a history of 20+ years in R&D.

AznWontonboy

Yea, I got that issue too. Whats funny is C&D got a 14.7 out of the CL-S, but 16.0 out of the TL-S. So those magical headers dropped an automatic Acura's times down 1.3seconds? Thats better than a supercharger! Road and tracks times vs. C&D times for the G35 are close to 1 second. I've had enough of C&D for this year.

ajahearn

iTrader: (3)

I recently got a subscription to C&D and I have to say I'm very disappointed with the technical content. If you take a look at the August Letters to the Editor you can see several people have pointed out errors in their assessments of different cars. The only response they gave was that the reviewer was out of whack.

Finality

There are rumors that the I35 will be AWD for 2004 to differentiate it from the I35 so I'm not sure what that leaves the max with... Maybe a RWD system?

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

If that rumor is correct then expect the Max to be either a FWD or AWD system. I don't think the Alt platform supports a RWD configuration. Also, since the I35 is a Maxima there's a good chance Nissan will just fumble up the front/rear fascia to make it look different.

Finality

Maybe but I really think they are goint to push there Infiniti platform now especially now that they have all the extra $$ ie a diff suspension for the LX470 vs the Land Cruiser. Most people really like the Infiniti but cant see paying the extra $$ just to get a simple and very average face lift.

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

I see your point, but in all essence the I35 has been and will always be the real Maxima.

If anything, it's the US/Canada Maxima that will see a different light of day - so to speak.

maximised

A buddy of mine is the finance manager at Nissan and he told me the reason they upgraded the altima is cause they are getting ready to put a V8 in the max, so we'll see...


p.s. any 5th gens getting rid of their front seats??? I want!!!