Am considering trading up from my 95 Maxima 5 speed. Have a wspd Y pipe and JWT intake. Wife enjoys the cars power also. Would I be disappointed buying a 2002/3 Maxima Auto vs. a 6 speed? Dealers dont have any 6 speeds for me to test drive here. Or is there little diff in peppiness. Remember I am used to driving Maxima 5 speeds for close to 200,000 miles. Love the idea of an extra gear... Any thoughts? Did a search and saw there may be issued with 6 speed trannys and clutch?

 

Drive them both. There has to be a dealer near you with one or one coming in, call around. Thats the only way to decide. Auto is quick also but not as much fun. I got the 6 speed to replace my 99 SE auto. Love it.

 

Forget about the issue with the clutch/tranny. I've had mine replaced and I don't know the difference from the old one to the new one. Don't let that be a factor in your decision, as Nissan knows about it, and the car would still be under factory warranty anyway.

Now, for the real meat and potatoes. Since you don't have a 6 speed around to test drive and enjoy, I won't compare the 6 speed and the auto. But I will compare "fun levels". Currently, you have a 5 speed. That means that YOU are in control of the CAR. If you moved to an auto (any year, make, or model), YOU have LESS control of the CAR than you would in a manual. Ok, not really enough to matter, but to some, it's a mind game.

So the question boils down to a few key things:

1) Do you drive in little-to-no traffic?
2) Do you like to race/rev your engine?
3) Does your wife drive a stick?
4) Do you want to save an extra 1 MPG in fuel (like it really matters)?
5) Do you enjoy being in total control of the car?
6) Do you want to save a few dollars on your insurance?
7) Do you enjoy driving your current 5 speed?

If you answered NO to most of these, consider looking at the auto.
If you answered YES to most of these, consider looking at the manual.

There are many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many other things that can influence your decision. The only way to know what is best for you is to drive both. Since your dealers don't have a 6 speed, consider calling a dealership in a neighboring town to see if they have any you can test drive. It's worth the few miles and gas to be able to determine whether or not you'll like your next car as a manual or auto (at least for the next few years anyway).

I personally have driven both. I liked both. However, I wanted to race mine. I wanted full control. I didn't care about gas milage or insurance. I'm not married. I don't normally drive in traffic (some from time to time). I love to rev/race my engine up and down (and the speedometer too). So I chose the 6 speed. But ultimately, the choice is yours.

 

Personally I'll never got back to an AT. No disrespect to those who prefer AT's. I've seen a few postings here where people regretted not getting a MT. In at least one case the person did the swap (I believe y2kevse did this). Just my $.02.

 

I've owned (four) cars. (Three) 5-spd's and now my first auto in a 2k2. I'm in Houston, where there's too much traffic. I opted for the auto b/c of this.

There's advantages to each as previously stated. But to dispell one of the myths. The auto is plenty fast. I've had several 5-spd mustangs and this auto seems quicker is every respect, and I'm never caught in the wrong gear. There's something cool about just being able to "punch it" w/out hesitation.

Having said that, there's nothing like rowing thru the gears. The truth is... (IMO) auto seems to take a little fun out of driving. I often regret that I didn't go "6". No offence to auto guyz...

 

I test drove both. I bought the 6-speed because I felt I would have alot more fun with it. That said I have very little traffic to deal with in my daily commute.

 

I had to track one down (a 6 speed).

It was easy to find and they did a dealer-dealer trade.

I think you shouldn't base your decision on being unable to find one. Try the nissan web site, they have an awesome inventory tracking system on there. I walked into the dealer with the printout and they made a call, witin 20 miinutes the car was on its way to me. The sales manager was surprised, he didn't have to use his system to track it down. I ended up with EXACTLY what I wanted. It was a beautiful thing

That said, here's why I always go stick:

Better gas mileage
Less HP lost to drivetrain
Fun to drive

In the past I thought of MTs as more reliable but I don't think that's an issue anymore. Most autos seems to hold up really well. But think about it, there are a lot more things that can go wrong on an auto, especially if it's beat on.

I was at the dealer today for my '03 getting some things fixed and the service manager said 6 speed is the way to go with the car. One of the lot drivers said the same thing to me.

So stick to you guns, track down the car you want because your gonna be stuck with it for a while.

 

Thanks for the insight. Am also considering a used 2002. Are there any major differences between the 02 and 03? Dealer didn't seem to know.

 

One of my biggest reasonings behind my AT is the fact that I'd have probably wrecked my car by now as I have -no- patience whatsoever when it comes to driving a stick in stop and go traffic. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a maniac, but unless traffic flow is moving, I tailgate like a ****.

 

with my 2K2 6 speed. Tranny and clutch have been fine. No issues at all. I really like the MT!!

 

Other than minor changes (like a new Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF) and the titanium package) nothing was changed from the 2002 to the 2003.

 

6 speed if no wife/no traffic

 

I vote 6 spd.

 

I'd imagine based upon your name "6SPD_HLSD"

 

On the contrary, 6 sp. w/ wife and traffic to make sure the wife doesn't want to borrow it...

 

i feel like a minority here with my AT... i like it too. i've driven sticks before and they're great fun, i sometimes wish i got one, but overall i'm happy i got the AT just cause of normal everyday driving. it makes it so much easier. ya it is a lil slower than the 6 speed, but then again i never miss-shift or anything. just my personal opinion though

 

...I LOVE my 6SP. The Maxima is a family sedan so the 6SP helps put some "sport" in the title. When I was shopping, I would only consider cars that came in a MT setup. Needless to say, my choices were limited.

At least drive the 6SP so you can make an informed decision. Screw the wife / gf argument. They can learn or get their own car. I taught my sister how to drive stick and she loves it. She recently got an automatic and keeps complaining how much she misses the stick. I have a feeling that if you are already driving a 5SP, you will regret an auto until you sell the car and get raped on the resale value.

As far as issues with the 6SP, I've heard people compain about the notchiness of it (compared to the earlier gens) but I think is shifts smooth. One thing I did notice is that the revs hold up after you put the clutch down to change gears. Not a problem, but just wierd. I was told to do a search for "hesitation" so you can check that out. Also the clutch catches high, but that is a Nissan thing..sure you're used to that.

ps: Make sure you get the HLSD if you do get the 6SP!

 

SO TRUE!!!! My wife said she wouldn't have minded if I got the 6-speed but I KNEW BETTER!! IMO KL99 is right about the fun factor; the 6speed will be more fun than the auto.

 

I am sure that you have weighed the two options already. If you like what you have now, I imagine that you'll like the 6 speed even more. If you wish that you had an auto instead of a 5 speed, then get the auto....







Get the six speed. You'll have fun tearing through those Iowa roads

 

I am leaning towards the 6 speed at this point but the 02 autos are selling for around 2-3K less. Wierd. If price were equal it'd be a 6 speed. And as for tearing up the IA roads-have a Suzuki Hayabusa for that.

 

i've never heard of anyone regretting getting the MT, but countless stories of those with the autotragic wishing they'd had gotten the MT

 

That's because the 6sp was/is limited production versus the auto.

If you have a Busa, deciding on whether to get an auto or 6sp Max is irrelevant as you have a REAL outlet for your need for speed.

 

Didn't know the 6 speeds were so limited.

Although I have the Busa. I do love torque. Only got 100 ft lbs on the Busa.

 

This is probably the best answer to the auto / 6 spd question I've seen - nice job!

 

My 99 SE did this also. I was told it had to do with emissions. It only affected the car when shifting at lower rpms.

 

It's simple!

You go with the 6-speed for one main reason. The 6-speed is the same close ratio transmission that is in the 350Z. It's a performance transmission. This tranny matched with the 3.5 will give you the best drivetrain available for the Max. The new 2004 Max will have the same 6 speed as the 2002/2003. However, the 2004 Auto tranny will be a 5 speed and the same one found in the G35.

I rented a Auto 2002 Max and I can tell you first hand that there is a pretty big difference in performance. You go 6 speed. You won't regret it.

 

get a turbo kit