Purchasing a 2003;

Carpoint -

http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/newoverv...n&model=Maxima

Lists an "F1" transmission option for the SE - I haven't been able to find any info on this anywhere else. Can anyone verify this?

Thanks.

 

MSN Screwed up...the 2003 does not have the electronic manual (sequentional transmision)

It has a 4 speed auto with a gated shifter or a 6-speed manual stick.

 

Thanks - that makes sense - Wanted to get your thoughts a couple things.

How do you like the 4 SP Auto? Do you ever find that the car is "hunting for the right gear"? One feature I've read about that I like about the TL type S (5 SP Auto) sequential shifter - it's reportedly very smooth (more so that the Porche/Audi Tiptronic in fact) - & the extra gear would make for some extra punch going through the gears. Also, the Maxima's lack of a true independent rear suspension supposedly makes rough surface cornering a bit skittish.

Dollar for dollar, however - it seems that the Max is hard to beat.

emdee

 

Isn't the Porche/Audi Triptronic a true sequential manual transmission though? Like the BMW one?

 

Not sure - don't know enough about the TipTronic - just recalling what I read @ Edmunds or some other article on the web.

 

The 4 speed auto is pretty nice if you drive regularly, if you plan on racing it and hammering the pedal down, u can feel the gears change kind of slowly. If you are thinking of getting a TL Type S and you can afford that, get that instead. The performance is pretty much equal but you get a better "luxury" car. Also, if you are thinking of getting a Maxima SE, the ride is going to be a little bumpy. The GLE is pretty smooth.

 

I'm pretty sure it isn't. To my knowledge onle the BMW M3 SMG2, Toyota MR2, and Ferrari 360 and 575(?) have the semi-automatic as an option/standard. Of those, the M3 is the best one you can get for the money, though I'd bet that Ferrari's implementation is superior. The MR2's SMG is horrible from what I hear, you can make the shifts faster yourself.

 

check the TL boards. from what i understand, the extra gear is pretty useless since the top two gears are overdrive. great for fuel mileage and tip-shifting fun, but not the best for real performance.
our rear beam is really hurting the max's image, but the acura's got it's fair share of shortcomings.