neil1101

i just bought a 2000 max se 5spd. in my spare time i've read a bunch of car review editorials on the new body style. I've come to the conclusion that most of these reviewers are fools and/or nissan haters. I love the shape of the car, it looks like no other sedan in it's class. What's so attractive about the boring, pedestrian camry, or the sedated looking accord? the maxima is not bland nor extreme, and to be honest, everyone i've asked loves the shape and style. Who the hell are these reviewers trying to impress with their bigotry? Toyota, Honda, Ford??? My days of reading car reviews are over, the fools who write them are in bed with the auto industry execs.

vito1281

I agree with you 110%. But it's not just the automotive reviewers who don't like the shape of the 5th gen Max--a lot of people on this board don't like them as well. To each his own...

spudmanmike

iTrader: (1)

Alot of people don't like changes. They wern't too extreme, but still. Wait until the '04's come out

DrVolkl

Funny...I like the way it looks...quite a bit..and it's my first maxima. It's actually gotten better looking with age.

spudmanmike

iTrader: (1)

Sounds just like me!

bk2kmax

When I first saw the 5 gen Max I knew I had to have one, the reasons you stated for your attraction to it are the same as mine. I think the 5 gen just takes time for some people to grow on them.

When I first got mine and drove it to work, everyone there was like oh that your new car and it seems like after I got the tint and bra they were like did you get another new car that car looks better than the other one.

I was like chester cheetah, I,I,I, when they asked I had to look back at it to see what was so different about it that made them think it was a different car, I guess with a white car it's like that.

Anyway, everyone has their own individual taste and we can't expect everyone to jump on the 5gen bandwagon, I say good for them maybe they'll buy something different, that way I'll be more of a one-of-a-kind type of vehicle on the road, instead of the I wannabee like everyone else Accord, Camry crowd.

BioMaxDDS

iTrader: (1)

i think my 5th gen look better & better as each day goes by

neil1101

i compare it to everything else on the road. other than the Acura TL there is not a better looking sedan on the road. The Geritol, Viagra popping old farts who critcize the Max find solidarity and comfort in the soothing lines of a PT Cruiser/Neon. Nissan is geared towards the young, anyone over 40 who critique Nissan's should provide a disclaimer that he/she is too old to provide insightful input.

2002Maxxxima

You know I started noticing the little things about my max that are different, things other people wouldn't notice. Like our side markers, for example. Most cars don't have side markers, and those that do, usually just have front or rear and not both. And to make it even more unique Nissan didn't just make ours simple rectangles like everyone elses.

I don't know, I just thought that was kinda cool.

GhettoMAX

I'd have to admit that when I first saw the 5th gen Maxima's rear-end I thought it was the ugliest looking car right with the last generation ford taurus.

It grew on me though (NO NOT THE FORD!) and now comes the 7th generation accord sedan now thats an ugly looking rear end.

as for the question "Why does everyone bash the max's styling?" well not everyone hates the max's styling, the some who do have their opinions.

MaximaDisciple

IMO, honestly, I think a lot of people don't have a very good sense of style. Most of these car reviewer guys are well over forty, still wear those Levi's that taper at the bottom, Izod polo shirt with deck shoes, and top it off with one of those leather braided belts. I wouldn't take any of thier opinions on styling seriously.

Like you, when I first saw the 5th gen I thought now that's a nice looking ride.

GuZo

iTrader: (6)

When 5th Gens came out, I loved the front, but the back I knew had to grow on me. It did and I am proud of the car I drive.

The market is huge on cars, many models of cars to accomodate each person's tastes, most people here say the new Accord is ugly, I agree myself but it's just opinions and I am sure that there are people who love it.

Just something to think about.

02MaximizedVQ

LOL!!!

I've always liked everything about the 5th gens. This is the only, THE ONLY, car in this price/size segment I would buy, and I'm 25.

neil1101

nissan's in general, are not meant for old people (40+). Their styling and power are too extreme. Most people, over 40 prefer a ride softer than their plush, overweight ***** and styling more subdued than a parapalegic on vicatin.
If and when I ever turn 40, I'll admit defeat and trade my max for a camry/accord.

jjs

If that is the case, then please explain why manufacturers like Caddy, Lincoln, Lexus, Infiniti, MB, BMW, etc. ALL produce cars pushing, if not exceeding, 300 hp for markets that are clearly for the 40+ set (and under who can afford them)?

I can tell you for a fact that myself, a year away from 40, do not have an OVERWEIGHT ****, nor do I think any car has power that is too extreme.

Perhaps if you grew up a bit and really considered your arguments, you won't make this kind of immature generalization again.

MONTE 01&97 SE

iTrader: (1)

Well the 5th gen is a unique design and an original with that rear end and front. It really improved in 02 witht he addition of the side skirts which do something to the car, I get lots of compliments on my 03 SE way more than on my old 97. Everywhere I go someone says nice car or I like that what is it. Road and track loved the styling in the 2000 Comparo (July) against other cars, it was a bold move and Nissan is continuing that with the 6th gen although it is more of a copy cat design and doesnt say Maxima like the 3rd to 4th to 5th did! Imust say nIssan was really bold when they changed the 88 to 89 design which was 95% different looking than the 88.!

1SICKLEX

I think the only bashing I have read about the Max is the rear end styling, nothing else. The new front end looks Skyline-ish (they did this on purpose). Looks good to me. The last 3 generations.

Now, this is funny but the I 30/35 is the same thing and that car's reviews (the few) say how bland or cookie-cutter it is? I dunno, I see LOTS of older people in the new Maxima. What power and styling is too extreme? You should come here www.clublexus.com and see what some of these old, overweight, pathetic people push.

Cthemall

i love my 2k MAX, even though it dont have the HID and the Grill on 2k2-2k3 max, it still looks very nice. now the tail may not the be best looking thing on my max, but who really cares? its the other drivers who will be looking at my tail most of the time

2k1GrayMaxSE

RIGHT ON!

I'm 46 and do not have an overweight **** (although I am taking meds high blood pressure and chlolesterol) and bought my Maxima just because of its performance envelope and because it offers much more than those overpriced German on Japanese makes (BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Acura). I don't like "old-fartmobiles" anymore than some of "less life experienced" members of the .org.

I too hated the 5th Gen's rear end treatment when I first saw it but now, having owned one for a couple of years, I realize how distictive looking the entire car is when out on the highway- NOTHING ELSE LOOKS LIKE IT! A 5th Gen is easy to spot in traffic due to that rear end. Try picking out a Honda or Toyota at a distance in traffic- it will be an excercise in complete frustration (unless, of course, the Honda has been slammed to the pavement, rides on monster 20" chromed "bling-bling" wheels, and equipted with a huge wing on the back end that looks like it belongs on a 747- oh, and an 8" diameter chromed "fart can" exhaust sticking out the back making a noise somewhat like a duck with severe flatulence. Now THAT's distinctive styling!). And we hardly
ever see one of those, do we?

MiniRX7

I personally think the rear of any 5th gen is the uglies design i have ever seen...

Personally, i think the front end has grown on me, and now i really appreciate the front end, but the rear of my car will never grow on me..

HOWEVER... i didn't buy my car for looks anyways becuase i am a strong believer of perforamnce over looks.. and i need a car to fit the following criteria:

1. 4 doors
2. Leather - at least higher end interior
3. V6 - lots of power
4. Standard transmission
5. Luxury (electronic climate, power seats, etc)
6. 14 second 1/4 mile
7. Most importantly, Under $45K Cdn

And voila you have a maxima!!!

I know i could have got an altima, but i dont' think it filled criteria number 2 and 5 very well..

Besides, i think the 2k2 maxima front end is WAY better than the 2k2 altima... and the interior of the alimta.. BLAH>.

I dont understand why altima made car of the year... In fact the interior alone should have detered that... I spend most of my time INSIDE my car not outside staring at it... And also altimas have like NO negotiated price and thus the same price as a negotiated price for a maxima..

Oh well, thats my 2 cents.

ED

Dave B

The 5th gen lacks timeless styling and it already looks very dated. The problem with the 5th gen is that is lacks very clean lines from the rear of the front windshield on back. It's just ugly and progressively gets worse. The back end is pretty bad. It looks tight, tall, narrow, and high off the ground. The front clip of the 2K2 was definately and improvement and if Nissan would have used rectangular driving lights, the front end would look great and if the styling would have been used throughout the entire car, it would look good. The interior of the 5th gen is pretty nice. If Nissan would have smoothed out the edges and flanks, blended in the fender flares instead of making them looked tacked on, made the rear end more the like the 4th gens full butt, reduced window glass, and added some upward rake from the front to the rear, I think the 5th gen would have been a very big seller.

The 3rd gen definately has the best stock styling and the 4th gen definately takes the cake when you modify the exterior. I will admit the 95-96 4th gens were probably the ugliest Maximas to the hit the streets, but just a couple tweaks and the 4th gen looks strong, sleak, low, and aggressive.


Dave

DrVolkl

I totally disagree. The only ugly backends are on the ones with the total red tail lights, and that has more to do with crappy plastic. I think the older max's have all the styling of a 87 mustang. Plain and boring. The new edge design of the 5th gens is going to only get better with age. How can you not love this car!
sweeeet

MONTE 01&97 SE

iTrader: (1)

I agree the 95-96 GXE were not that goodlooking, neither was the 00-01 GXE's(those rims oh my god) it something about the GXE I dont like. I liked the GXE in the 89-94's more than the SE although!

vito1281

C'mon guys, looks are VERY subjective. Everyone has their own taste, and ideas of what looks "good". That being said, I think that the 5th gen is the best looking one of them all, esp. the 02/03. I REALLY like the front-end on them, and also like the back. The taillights are the perfect size--not too big, but yet not too small. I may be one of the few that likes it's chromey/titanium looking accents. I think the car looks original, and does not replicate any other manufacturer. When you see the Max on the road, you don't mistake it for anything else (unless it's some retards thinking it's an altima, which I don't see how they can mistake the two).

Anyhow, that's just my opinion, and everyone is welcomed to theirs, but I personally vote for the 5th gen (02/03 specifically) as the best looking!

hubbabubba

I agree that the backends are the ugliest part of the car, but it has definitely grown on me. I don't know how anyone can say the rest of the car is ugly though, it's BEAUTIFUL!! I think it has great curves throughout the body. Sure, the back will always be it's one negative, but the rest of the car is beautiful.

Whenever I get to see the car from the top, side, and at an angle, I am in love!!

I really wanted to get an Altima, but everyday, I'm glad I didn't. The look of the maxima is very unique and sporty, and I don't see many that look that way to me.

There will always be those to criticize the max, but I'm with anyone who loves the 5th gen looks!!!

Maxmann

First, to a few of the <25 on this board, do some research and you'll find out that the demographic of the Maxima is as follows:
-median age is about 47
-3/4 are married, w/ only 1/4 having childern at home
-Family income >$80k/annually
-want uncompromised luxury, styling, and performance
-can afford to spend more to get what they want
-have a special bond with their car (Maxima is "for me")
-are self-aware and confident
-are "young-at-heart", i.e., still want to have a little excitement in their lives
-Maxima owners see themselves as individualistic, adventurous, confident, and assertive; accord and camry buyers tend to be more conservative and interested in making a "safe" choice
-Maxima buyers seed a car for themselves; accord and camry buyers seek a car for their family first
-camry and avalon owners tend to be older; the median age is >50

So, the part about "...turning forty and trading in for a camry or accord..." makes no sense. You'll be forty sooner than you think, and you'll realize that your taste and desire in autos may not have changed that much. When I was your age, I loved Maxima's. I still do. It is a state of mind. I've had the "older persons" car in the form of a 1993 Lexus LS400 which we drove for 7 years (bought used). Guess what, 2 months ago my wife (who drove the car) decided she was ready for something new. Know what she got? A 2003 GLE. All the while she was driving her Lexus, the more she rode in my 01, and later 02 Maxima SE, she realized it rode better, was more exciting and powerful, and more stylish...oh, and did I mention she will be 41 in 2 months??

Oh, by the way, I don't have a "fat ****" and never, ever, will compromise and purchase an automobile of the masses. So, don't be so quick to judge there, my friend...

Ok, now the styling part...when I first saw the 5th gen, I wasn't even aware it was coming out, but I thought the front grille needed help, and it finally got it. On my 01 SE/AE, I always thought it looked like a big black hole from a distance. The rear was always a favorite part of the design to me, on the SE that is. I never warmed to the all red tail on the GXE/GLE. And I love the new chrome/titanium look of the 02/03. The car has an awesome profile, racy and sporty, front end lights and grille are striking, it is the perfect size and I don't think there is a bad angle anywhere...just like the guy pointed out about the side markers...they're not just lights, they are a styling element...too cool.

With the 04 coming out, I predict our 5th gen, and particularly the 02's and 03's will become much desired. And who said these are dated? In my opinion, they should have gotten another year out of it. It would have given them a little more time to fix the 6th gen.

At the end of the day, it is a matter of personal opinion, but I will say that everyone, I mean everyone that sees my car goes on about it. I've never been happier with a car, and I've had many. Now I've got 2 in the garage...it just can't get any better than this!!!

srm

MaxSand02

5th generation Maxima's tail-lights are the most hated feature.

I think Nissan could easily sell 30% more Maximas last year if they would make nicer tail-lights.

Why did I buy Maxima? I did because of power, speed, history of reliability, Japanese assembly, the affordable price, very good interior, HID,... , but despite of the ugly tail-light.

Don't get me wrong. I am not difficult to please. I like or at least I am OK with most car's rear styles. I don't have anything against Alteza like styling. Why could not Nissan make a tail-light with 3 light circles, in a way like on Altima? I guess half red -half yellow circle is the origin of my dislike. Somehow I accept it on VW Beetle.

By the way outside North America you would not find these ugly tail-lights. There Maxima looks more like US-sold I35.

DrVolkl

I don't understand everyone's hatred for the rear-end of the car. Have you ever seen a white or silver 02/03 from the back, it's great. The only thing they screwed up was the yellow turn signal coloring, which can be easily fixed.
You want ugly rear ends? Look at the new accord...or for that matter, look at any angle of the new accord.
Look at the back the new BMW 7-series. That's a joke.
Do you really like the way an A6 looks from behind?

I think our cars look phine!

Dave B

The rear end of the 5th gen is The altezza look was over in 2001 yet Nissan is holding on to it as if this horrendous trendy design will make a come back. I do agree that the 2K-2k1 SE black housing on a black Max were by far the best. The advantage of that color and model was that it hide a lot of the Maxima's ugly rump. The way the bumper blends up into the corners of the boy is just plain aweful.

IMO, the new 7-series is amazing. The rump is a little strange, "butt" it was purposely designed for aerodynamics (at least that's the excuse). The butt of the A6 is FAR better than any Maxima. Audi of today just knows how to execute timeless styling with artfully clean designs. There's nothing tacked on and "of let's add that too" about Audi's. Too bad Audi's aren't very reliable because I love their design.

As for the new Accord, the only holding back the 4-door from looking impressive is a 1.5" drop, 18" rims, a set polished tip poking out the bottom, and a slightly different grill. The rear is a bit strange, but it's still better than the 5th gens. I'd definately consider a 2004 Accord sedan if Comptech can design a set of headers for the V6.


Dave

cwerdna

Eek, I have a silver 2K2 Max. I dunno, the rear styling has grown on me a little, but I still dislike it. The rest of the car to me looks fine.

I picked the Max only cuz it was a great value IMHO for the amount of power it had and nice interior. All the other cars I test drove had signicantly less power.

I kinda wish I had a 4th gen tail while retaining the rest of the 5th gen body.