Im intrested in moving on up to the 5th gen (4th gen owner currently)

Im mainly intested in 260 hp stock, so my question is are the 2002 to 2003 the only ones that run 260hp or are the more differences between the 2001 and the 2002.

 

It's 255hp, and really it's 240.... but that's not the point. The engine is the main difference of course, transmission and such. Looks a little different up front and on the sides, but interior is same style. There are many little differences, try that search up there in the top right for more....

 

Let me try to reply before all of the people who are tired of telling people to use the "Search function", instead of just answering you and flaming you.

The 02/03 are not 260hp they are 255hp, yeah I know not a lot of difference but they have throttle by wire and variable valve timing, the lights on the rear and front plus the grill is different.

The engine is 3.5 litres and the thing is a beast and the best family sedan bang for the buck wise.

There are other smaller differences as well but I'll say go and test drive one, I guarantee you'll buy it then.
Good luck

 

the leather seats on the 2000 and 2001 look WAY more grandma-like than the 2002 and 2003...

just a interior styling difference...one that would have kept me from buying the 2003 Maxima...I would have either a)kept my 1998 Maxima or b) bought a G35 or 330ci instead...

Yes, I think the 2000 and 2001 Leather seat cushions are that ugly.

but yeah, I dyno'd my car, 204 hp at the wheels...SAE corrected.

That's just like an Altima...




bobjohnson, you may want to look at Enterprise.com, they sell fleet 2k2 Maxima's for cheap, but they are automatics...and have been broken in by renters...so they weren't pampered.

You can get great deals on brand new 2003's also. with low financing at the dealer, they are offering 0.9 for 36 months, and 2.9% for 60 months...and can be bought $1,000 under invoice...cause the 265bhp 2004's are out..or about to be out...in the next few weeks.

-vq

 

thanks.
Im wondering why they just didnt do the 255hp at 5th gen beggining.
It just never made much sense to see a 4th gen engine in the 2000s

 

btw it aint WHP, that means WHEEL HORSE POWER. The actual rating is 255 CRANK HORSE POWER.

Dixit

 

they didn't have the 3.5L out yet...the 3.5 first came out in 2001 on the Pathfinder...but there aren't as many emission restrictions on a truck engine...so it was easier/quicker/cheaper to develop.
But the 2000 did have a little more horsepower than the 1995-1999 model...but not much more torque.

5th gen/4th ggen
HP 222/190 32 horsepower increase
TQ 217/205 12 ftlb increase


-vq