Well, just went to my dealer today and got a chance to talk to him while he was getting my car cleaned. He verified everything thats been floating around about the new Altima getting the V6, showed me the renderings of what the car will look like (ITS SWEET!!!). We also talked about the new changes for the Maxima; V6, 3.5L, 265HP (possably 285HP!), maybe RWD but not definate and a much larger body style. He also mentioned that they were getting in a blue Max sometime in the next couple of weeks (5 speed too!) and we'll go out for a spin in it. Im planning on taking a bunch of pictures of it as well, and ill post them here. He also is going to be one of the first to own a new Z!!! I cant wait until those hit the showrooms. :-)

 

Here's the deal from a Nissan inside source...2002 Altima, new platform, larger than current 5th gen Maxima, 240HP 3.5 V-6 in limied numbers. 2002 Maxima, FWD, 270HP 3.5 V-6. Then in 15 months, a new Maxima built on the ..guess what Altima platform with 290HP 3.5 V-6 but still FWD...The new Z car will have 300HP 3.5 V-6.

Take your pick..

 

I don't know where you are getting your "inside" information but I can tell you one thing, you can bet your *** the 2002 Altima will NOT be larger than the current 5th gen Max!! The 2002 Altima will more than likely be slightly smaller than (or about the same size) as the 4th gen Max. And, as for the Altima having the 3.5L still RUMORED for the 2002 Maxima I will believe it, when I see it.
I would also look for the 5th gen Max (after the 2002 slight refresh and rumored 3.5L) to go through AT LEAST 2005. Probably an all new Maxima for 2006.

I have heard everything from the Z will have the 3.3L to the 3.5L...but that is another story!!

All these rumors get to me at times...it would not be logical for a car company to jump one of their cars in one class (Altima) over the size of car they have in other class (Maxima). In fact, I can't think of one time that ANY car company EVER did this!! Please use common sense or a disclaimer when reporting rumors. Something like...."I know this is hard to believe but I heard..." At least you have covered yourself and you don't look dumb.

[Edited by warrlocked on 12-23-2000 at 02:22 AM]

 

Why would Nissan change the Maximas body style in only two years of product cycle? One thing that they do is to introduce special editions and maybe increase the power two or three years into a cars life cycle and for the maxima it's 5years, so I can alomst bet the farm that it will not be much different till 2005, maybe new headlights or tail-lights or bumpers, but bodystyle NO Way!

The HP increase... I have a feeling that the 260 + Hp that they are talking about is going to come in the form of a Maxima SE-R, and they will keep the same engine for the rest. It would make no sense to change all of the engines in every trim level.....

The Maxima SE-R would be the logical choice for Nissan since Acura will come out with a TL type-S with 260HP.

So.... if I were your I would not worry about a dramatic change in the Maxima body style or the "new" engine. It will be offered as a SE-R editon or somthing to that effect. I will bet my dog and my fish on this

 

I agree...The redesign cycle for cars is usually 4 or 5 years. I don't see Nissan dropping the current body style on the Maxima at least until 2004 if not 2005. As for the SE-R lets see....

 

The dealer is just trying to keep you interested so that you keep coming around as a potential customer. What is so special about this salesman that he knows more than anyone else. Even the car mags don't have the real story yet. I've heard that Nissan is famous (infamous) for rumors that never happen. It just doesn't add up, at least not in the next year or two. It will be interesting to see the new models when they come out though.

 

i say nothing is confirmed until they release it

 

EXACTLY!!

It amazes me how ignorant people are when it comes to how car companys operate. A new car from the ground up...costs HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!!

 

I agree...we'll know when we know...but if it were up to us, what would you guys do with the next Max? Assuming it is moving up scale a little more, and that it has to be priced aggressivly still, how would you spec out the car? For example, would you spend a big part of your budget on moving it to a rwd platform or keep it fwd & spend it on drivetrain & chassis improvements??

 

Put a 3.5L V6 engine in there and tune it to put out close to 300 hp. Make it RWD for sure. Add a six-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. I bet there is more, but I can't think of anything else at the moment.

 

the maxima still needs some improvements, does anyone konw of anything else they will probably do to the max other than a better engine? for example, a tiptronic tranny, memory seats, power tilt/telescoping wheel, more rear storage space, etc. these are some of the things that i would like the maxima to have, cause come on, we cant have out superior max's be compared with accords and camrys, can we?

 

Of course, Its all rumors, as I am agreeing with what the majority of you have said on here BUT its just nice to talk about, dont ya agree? i mean, come on, the excitement has got to come from somewhere! Its nice to speculate what the future holds for the Maxima, and ultimately, us but dont be so hypocritical of things. Im not asking you to believe everything everyone posts here, but theres just too much downplay. Anywayz, Merry Christmas :-)

 

Isn't nice to be in a forum that it's members are all so nice to each other???

As for my information posted here about the new Altima and Maxima's...I guess the proof will be in the pudding!

For all you know I could work for Nissan...I actually don't anymore, but used to by the way, and have been in the automotive industry for 10 years altogether.

Merry Christams to all the open-minded .org members!!

 

The automotive press has been super critical of the 5th gen body. Sales are not as high as they thought it would be and a lot of people think its because of the more radical design. They might throw in the 3.5 liter to keep the Altima cannabilizing its sales. Nissan didn't put THAT much money and effort into the 5th gen. It's more evolutionary. I believe the reports I see from Car and Driver, Road and Track, and Fresh Alloy. Yet... I will believe it when I see it.

I believe...

3.0 standard/3.5 VQ option in 2002 Maxima in 5th gen body
3.0 VQ option in upsized 2002 Altima

 

if the maxima is going to be larger i think its only going to come in an automatic ,it's been said that the altima will replace the maxima,i wonder what will be done with infiniti?

 

They might throw in the 3.5 liter to keep the Altima cannabilizing its sales. Nissan didn't put THAT much money and effort into the 5th gen. It's more evolutionary. I believe the reports I see from Car and Driver, Road and Track, and Fresh Alloy. Yet... I will believe it when I see it.

I believe...

3.0 standard/3.5 VQ option in 2002 Maxima in 5th gen body
3.0 VQ option in upsized 2002 Altima [/I][/QUOTE]

That would make more sense to me as well. I wouldn't look for the 2002 Altima to get the 3.5L..that just wouldn't make any sense. More than likely the Altima will get the 2.5L standard and will have the 3.0L (190-222hp ?) in the SE and GLE.

And yeah, I will believe it when I see it.

 

not that much effort? i thought it was in development for 5 years? not to mention all the advertising down the drain, and the 2000-2001 owners would basically be screwed. i can see a new enigine, but all other max's stayed with the same design for 4-5 years. its a fine car the way it is, and i think it would be a mistake to change it so soon. and by the way, the only reason that you said it was 'evolutionary' was cause you read it at fresh alloy, sorry, but im starting to get annoyed by all this NEW ALTIMA NEW MAXIMA talk. i dont want them to change my baby!

peace out

 

I have to disagree with you here.

It does cost hundreds of millions to do a complete "from the ground up" makeover on a vehicle. As a matter of fact, a refresh of a platform (2000 Ford Taurus) can easily cost 100 million or more.

 

If you look at Maxima's history:
1st Gen: 81-83 - 3 years
2nd Gen: 84-88 - 5 years
3rd Gen: 89-94 - 6 years
4th Gen: 95-99 - 5 years
5th Gen: 00-? - ?

This would indicate that Nissan will go at least 5 years on the 5th generation.

 

Yeah, that is what I have been telling everyone for sometime...Don't ecxpect an all new Maxima until at least mid 2005 as a 2006 model. I would be very surprised to see an all new Max before then.

 

The Altima will be due for a change in 2002, after the 2nd gen being around for 4 years. The Max will not. Now they may put the 3.5L VQ in the 5th gen in 2002, who knows. Like others said, it would make sense b/c the Altima will have the 3L VQ, and would be just as powerful as a 5th gen Max. Big time conflict there, and Nissan would be smart to avoid it.
Now maybe 2004 or 2005 for the 6th gen Max. Nissan might make a front and rear styling change since a lot of folks seem to not like the 5th gen's looks(IMHO, I could go either way). Just like they made the changes from the 95+96 to the 97-99 in the 4th gen. Just worry about being safe on the roads so you'll be around to see what Nissan does, aight?

 

No... that would indicate at least 3 years.

 

Sorry, but...uh the 2nd Gen Altima came out as a '97 model. '97-2001....5 YEARS dude!!

 

Well, as for the topic of the Infiniti like, this is supposed to be the decisive year for the G20. They said that sales are pretty low at this point and its not a copetitive engine, so they will look at either making it a V-6 or dropping the model all together. Of course, we are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Q45. (OH BABY!!)

 

IN A MAGAZINE I WAS READING, AN ARTICLE SAID THAT THE 2002 MAXIMA WITH THE SAME BODY STYLE WILL HAVE AN SER MODEL WITH 250 OR 260 HP. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT THAT. AND THE ALTIMA WILL HAVE A V6 SOON BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY LITERS

 

In September of 1997, I got a pre-owned '97 Altima with 15k mi on it. It was the old body style, trust me. The '98 was available in mid '97, though. I can see where you're coming from.

 

this shows the years the altima was built... im sorry to say but in model year 1997 it was still the old shaped altima... new one came out in 1998
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/overview...=Home&pos=Find

 

Sorry about that. I know it came out in '97 so I thought it was a '97...I never was too flattered by the 2nd gen Altima styling, that is probably why I forgot. Only four years...Nissan is desperate to get rid of this car. They HAVE no choice but to do a helluva lot better on the 3rd gen Altima....it's do or die time.

 

found some info on http://www.motortrend.com

2002 Nissan Altima: Redesigned on new platform, the Altima grows in size to compete with Accord and Camry. Engines: 2.4-liter four and 3.0-liter V-6.

2002 Nissan Maxima: Engine increases to 3.5-liter/260- horsepower V-6.


goto http://www.motortrend.com/future/2002_2.html and scroll down to nissan and you will see...

not much info but atleast settles some arguments here...

 

This is probably the most accurate chart for nissan's future models.

<a href="http://www.freshalloy.com/cars/nissan/nissan_matrix.html"><font face="Verdana" size="1">

Check out Nissan Model Matrix</font></a>