guitarn247

my wonderful college life has me doing a project for math class, so i figured id do a presentation on what else? my maxima, so im comparing it with 2 other cars (its competitors) and which car is the best to finance, so my question is: what are 2 other cars that the maxima is most closely compared to when you shop around for a car?

mad_maxx03

iTrader: (2)

I would say mostly:

Honda Accord / Toyota Camry or Avalon

Hell man, to be honest with you, I've actually seen a car and driver I think it was, comparing a Maxima to a Cadilac, how cool huh?

guitarn247

haha very cool, yes fun fun college life, doing all this to get a good job and one day pay for my brand new 2010 maxima on my own ...and oh yea support a family to heh

jjs

The way things have gone, I would say the Accord and Camry are more closely Altima cometitors. The Max's (assuming you are talking about 5th Gen) are more closely related to BMW 5 series and Acura TL's. I don't even want to hear anyone say 3 series...they are much smaller and not in the same EPA category.

If you are talking 6th Gen, it may be a different comparison.

JdoubleOe703

iTrader: (6)

i never thought of a category for the max because i think its between an accord and 5 series. The closest thing i can think of is the TL or 3 series(lol).

kenny

I would compare the Max against the TL and the Passat GLX. The Max is out-of-the league when compared with the BMW 3 series, much less the 5 series. The BMWs are more agile and lot more expensive (though less reliable), particularly the 5 series.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

motor trend had the 2k4 max against the new audi a4.

wheatley41

I don't know who said Camry, but I just put my 2000 MAX GLE in for the brake judder and they gave me an 02 Camry as a loaner. There is no comparison. Whoever designed the Camry must have been a 45 year old man or woman with 2 kids and no life. It should be renamed the Toyota Generic. No style inside and and it doesn't feel tight like my MAX.

Y2KMaxGXE-R

iTrader: (4)

What is your criteria for comparison? This is not the marketing class but math. With financing, are you concerned with value retained after the standard 5-year loan, the cost of the loan itself, or anything else?

VMosser323

iTrader: (1)

Toyota Avalon and Vokswagon Passat. The Acura TL is in the "luxury" class, as are the BMW's.

rujorujo

I agree, Toyota Avalon/Lexus and Volkswagon Passat, maybe the Audi A6 and BMW 5 but they are much more expensive.

dobiegillis

I thought the Avalon was a bit larger than the 5th gen Max. It seems like car publications are always comparing the Accord and Camry as the benchmark family sedans. Or perhaps the Taurus, but I'd stick with the lower end Japanese brands, or maybe the Passat to throw in a comparable European. Agree never compare to BMW. Not same class anyway around. If you're comparing new models, you could use the new Mazda6 but it is smaller and a little cheaper than the 6th gen Max. I'd basically just select 2 other cars in the same class with about the same base price. Use Edmunds.com or kbb.com for a starting place.

palmerwmd

VW Passat GLX
Toyota Camry V6
Honda Accord V6

Fred...

MONTE 01&97 SE

iTrader: (1)

Actually the 2001's really had no competitors, up to 2001 itr has always been a "tweaner" car. It could compete with the TL, Diamante and also with V6 Accord/camry although being much more sporty. For 02 is when Nissan started to move it more "upscale" more standard features; including HID's Trip computer etc. and it could compete with TLS/TL head on and other cars in that category and it wasnt compared to the Accord/Camry nearly as much!

jeepik

iTrader: (2)

you can not compare a maxima to any toyota

the camry is compared with the altima, and the avalon is too big to be compared to a maxima

same thing with honda, the altima is the comparisson to the accord

i believe the only car in todays market that competes with the maxima is the Acura TL, same features about the same price(comparing options wise)

pretty ideantical power plants, and have the same size

HIDManic

A while ago...Motor trends did a comparison on the max with some of its "competitors". It was a 2000 Auto Max that they did a review on. Max came out #1 according to their review (7.8 sec 0-60). The Pontiac was the fastest @ 7.6sec.

it was about a year & half ago...but i think they were the
- Toyota Camery V6
- Honda Accord V6
- Pontiac GrandPrix
- VW Passat
- Ford Taurus

I'm not surprised that the Max was rated above the others. The Camery had too mushy of a suspension...the honda had a bland style to it...the pontiac was subpar in terms of manuf quality...and the taurus there was nothing really positive to talk about...lastly, the Passat slow and the suspension was tight but got lazier with the ride. btw, those were their words as far as i can remember.

C430

Without question, the Max's top competitors include the Audi A6, Saab 9-5, and Volvo S80.

Yeah, I know, some guys on this forum are gonna be all over this saying that these are "luxury" cars, with better fir and finish,but that is baloney. They are all very similar.

I made a spread sheet that compares the following models:

03 Max, 04 Max, Audi A6, BMW 530, Saab 9-5, Volvo S80 2.9, MItsubishi Diamante, Grand Prix, Sable, Passat, Acura 3.2 TL-S. Whether the purists like it or not, these cars are all very close in size, weight, dimensions, and standard equipment. Some have more snob appeal, some offer more performance. The BMW 3 series is closer in price, but is a much smaller and slower car. Obviously, there are some significant perfromance differences with these cars, but the surprise is the Maxima's performance is similar or better.

The categories are wheelbase, length, horsepower, torque, displacement, transmission, drive line, power/weight ratio, HP/lb., front & rear head room/legroom. I am looking for an accurate source that will provide 0 - 60, 1/4 mile, slalom, lane change, etc. for these models.

Let the fire storm begin!!!

tbirdrob

I have tried to make this point before, and people just don't seem to understand. The Maxima's closest competitors are 15-30 THOUSAND dollars more expensive. There is nothing anywhere near the price range of a Maxima that has the same room, comfort, luxury, and performance in a four door, manual transmission layout. Audi A6 2.7T is the closest competitor, followed next not by the BMW 530, but 540!

The new Mazda 6 comes very close, but it's still too slow!

spauldingsmails

Caddy CTS: a cool, somewhat fast, near-lux, larger midsize sedan w/ available stick. The 2004 model should be even better (6 speed?, better engine?).

Fezzik

iTrader: (2)

When My car was in the shop I had a camery... Have u tried to do a tight turn in that car.... I bout ****ed my pants. Thought the thing was gonna roll on me. Hated it to death.... Now I drove a friends WRX for awhile.... now those cars are nice.

tary44

definitely TL (not type-s, type-s is compared with g35), is300, any 3series under 328/330 such as 320, 325, cts, etc
everyone knows that max is 1 level above accord, camry, etc
even from insurance company's point of view, they have the same quotes for max as tl, is300, etc

C430

I agree with you, some guys just don't get it. The Max com pletely outclases the Camry, Accord, Sable, Impala, Mitsubishi, and others.

I have already smoked a 530. The 540 has a v8, that is wicked fast.

Maxman2000

iTrader: (5)

I can't stand those new accords. They are too ugly.

C430

The 3 series is smaller and slower - does not match the Max. The Acura Type S is very close in all specifications. The Infinity I35 is a heavier, slightly slower Maxima.

Y2KMaxGXE-R

iTrader: (4)

Maxman2000

iTrader: (5)

NT2SHBBY

I'd say the 2k2-2k3 is most definitely compared to the Acura TL type S......at least thats what it was tested against in either C&D or R&T..not sure

Y2KMaxGXE-R

iTrader: (4)

this is stupid, there are so many cars out there, and without any defined criteria, you can do the compar all day long. Someone delete this thread

dobiegillis

I disagree on the Mazda6. I like the car a lot but it is not as big or as comfortable as an '03 Max let alone the new 6th gen. And it is slower. But the exterior styling kicks a** in my opinion. Interior leaves more to be desired.

Kojiro_FtT

wow, some of you guys have real high opinions of your cars. Comparing to A6, 5-series?

I'd say the closest are Mitsubishi Diamante and Acura TL. But many people put the Max next to the Accord in their minds.

jjs

I never meant it to be a complete comparison to a 5 series, just wanted to make the comparison based upon size of vehicle and comparable dimensions.

As has been said here, this needs to be more specific as to what criteria is being used for comparisons.

Kojiro_FtT

True. I took it to be "If I was buying a car, and the Max was one I was considering, what other cars would I look at?" Meaning similar price and class.

jjs

Gotcha!

C430

Other than 4wd, the A6 offers no advantages over the Max. Both cars are a pleasure to drive, the Max is a bit faster.

The 5 series is another great car, but so many 530 drivers end up seeing the tail lights of the Max. And after spending all that money!

All kidding aside, the point is not that the European cars are inferior in any way, they have tremendous status and are excellent cars. Nissan offers a comparable product for a much less money, without sacrificing quality. You can argue that the Nissan and Acura models are of higher quality and are more reliable, and you would not get much disagreement.

F23A4

Seeing as you have a 2K1 Maxima, its closest competitors were the Accord V6, Camry V6 and Passat VR6. The 2K2-2K3 Maximas still competed with those same cars but shared that competition with the Altima 3.5SE. (where the Altima 2.5 and previous Altimas were aimed at the Accord 4cyl, Camry 4cyl and Passat GLS)

just my $5 towards a $4.98 purchase.

Ranger Talon

When I was shopping for a new car, I compared the Maxima to:
V6 Altima
V6 Accord
3.2 TL
Passat
300M
CTS

C430

Criteria?

30% performance - including acceleration, braking, handling, maneuverability, responsiveness; must be way above the average car

30% reliability and long-term durability - never been back to the dealer for defects, target 200,000 miles without any failures - tranny, gaskets, motor mounts, engine issues, etc.; typical of the Japanese brands

30% - comfort and convenience, for long drives and short

10% styling - distinctive, yet not ugly, mundane, or a cop magnet

MaxAppeal

acura tl (closest comp)
passat glx(if you MUST have german)
grand prix (barely)

accord and camry are in the altima class

5 series? WTF, are you guys on crack! have any of you ever driven a 530i. there is a reason why its a $48K vehicle. 5 series comps to Lexus GS and Audi A6 only.

3 series is a better sell- dont get caught up on size. but 3 series more on the lexus is300 competition side.

C430

Definitley not on crack.

The 530 and A6 are not perfect, not made by magic elves in the Schwarzenwald.

F23A4