I am new to this site, but i am considering buying a used 2002 Maxima. I am trying to decide between an automatic or a manual tranny. I was going through the 1/4 mile timeslips and there doesnt seem to be much difference (perhaps I am wrong).

What type of gains should i get if I do purchase a manual. How good is the manual tranny. Does is shift smoothly, does it have long shifts. Its seems very hard to find a 2002 Max with a manual transmission and the fact I live in a big city (San Antonio) a auto would help with traffic. But I dont really want to give up to much performance wise just because of traffic. Thanks alot in advance. And please, dont bash the newbie.

 

performance wise, there isnt much different between the two. the manual 1/4 times are usually between 14.4-14.7 (with a best of 14.2) and the autos are usually around 14.8-15.1 (with a best of 14.4 i think). the manual cars have been dynoing at about 205 HP to the wheels. i dont recall seeing an automatic dyno slip though. so i am not sure what they put down. my guess is aboout 195.

the shifter isnt really that great. you asked if it was smooth. the answer is no. but it is not unbarable. the throws are kind of long but again, its nothing you can't deal with.

i would suggest getting the manual just because of the minimal performance differences and the fact that its just more fun. however, if you seriously think the San Antonio traffic may make driving a stick shift car a hassle then just go with the auto. if the traffic isnt going to be much of a problem, go with the manual transmission.

 

Traffic shmaffic. Anyone who drives a manny knows you do it instinctively after about a day. All you manny guys know what I'm talking about. Like when you get in to drive your wife's car and stomp on the floor board where the clutch SHOULD be.

God, I hate that argument. Traffic, wah wah, traffic.

 

I completely agree with getting a MT. In my mind there is no real decision there. The only consideration would be if you lived in some place like San Francisco where you have some major hills to contend with every day. The control you have with a MT is worth the extra effort for traffic.

 

AHH the manul auto debate. Discussed many of times. I bought an autotragic, I like when I am sitting in traffic and when im tired, also very good when getting road head. Even though thats still possible in a manual. If u are serious about modding I would go manual. The autotragics do not take power all that well. If u do N2O or TC or SC u will need to upgrade your tranny same with a manual, but remeber a new auto tranny is NOT cheap. If u want to know how much fun a manual is ask y2kevse he had a auto and swapped it out for a manual, I think he would be a good person to ask this question to. If I had to do it all over again I would of gone with the manual. That is my .02 Good luck

 

Where the hell in Iowa do you have ANY kind of traffic upon which to base your statements?????

Go to a REAL state with REAL cities and you will know what traffic is and how it DOES suck with a stick day in and day out!!!

Geez!!

 

Um, Des Moines. Maybe bumper to bumper doesn't count as real traffic. I dunno.

 

Bumper to bumper for how long?? Heavy traffic around the clock? I think not!

A total population, including outlaying areas of 700,000

http://www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/

...please...most of us who live in true city traffic, etc. easily have that as the actual city population, not including suburbs, etc. driving in and around the city...try dealing with over 2 million people constantly on the move, then throw in additional commuters...THAT is traffic and THAT sucks with a stick...

I own my 5 speed because I do not live or work in Houston proper.

What I am getting at is don't deride people who KNOW what they are talking about.

 

HAHAHA... I totally agree with you! There are definitly some people on this board that have no conception of what the word traffic means.

 

Jeez guys, take it down a notch. No need to get snippy or yell. Of course I do not think traffic in Des Moines is as bad as Houston. I have driven in Houston. I know the traffic is bad. I have also driven in LA, Chicago, St. Louis, etc.. I know what traffic is. I HAVE been across the state line, gentlemen.

Personally, I don't care how bad the traffic is. I would rather have the stick. As I said, it is instinctive after a while. That being the case, as it is with most, it becomes a non issue.

Sheesh. Sorry I got out of bed.

 

Fair enough...its just that comments like...

"Traffic shmaffic."..."God, I hate that argument. Traffic, wah wah, traffic."

are inherently derisive and condescending....

end of hostilities...

 

*** Ok. I could've worded that better.

*** Agreed, you son of a ..... j/k

 

get the manual 2k2 and you will be a happy man.

 

 

Depends where the most you spend your driving time.
I was thinking getting a MT, but when I think of the daily traffic in SF bay area and once in a while in the SF city with those up and down hills PLUS traffic and stop signs then I end up with a AT.
If I was back in mid west St. Louis, MT is the only way to go.

 

Well it all depends what you would like to do with the car.

If you just want it for performance, I suggest get the 6spd. Might be very hard to find used though. I live in San Antonio, and use to drive 5spds all the time. My last Maxima was a 5spd 2001. But, ever since I changed jobs and must drive 410 every day across town to work and from, I am in nothing but stop-n-go traffic. So I bought a Auto Acura now and really enjoy not shifting anymore. San Antonio, is a very congested city, not big like Houston, just congested.

Last I remember passing Gunn Nissan. they had a few 2002s used on there lot surprisnly. Might want to check them out.

 

i think it would be good to go manual. it isnt a stiff clutch stock and the max has good torque to putter around in diff gears with. you shouldn't run into much trouble. the only reason i drive an auto (in austin) was because i was given the car that way

ken

 

Never going back...

This is my first manual car, and I say I will never go back. Driving is a completely different experience with the manual. It's fun. Auto is just dull. Slamming through the gears, even in lower rpms, is fun. And the downshift, oh baby, the downshift is a blast.

I agree with the traffic shmaffic statements. I hit a lot of rush hour traffic. It's like blinking, you don't think about it; and yes I have smashed my foot into the floorboard a few times in the girlfriend's car.

In addition, I live in Rochester, which if you don't know is ice storm central. We compete with Buffalo for volumes of snow every year. And I actually feel safer and more in control with the manual when the bad weather comes.

 

You don't know what traffic is until you try to get out of the Lincoln tunnel in NYC on the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend....now that's Traffic!!!