xtantmaxima

Some girl rearended me about a month ago and I finally got around to taking the car into the shop. It was just a license plate indention so it was no big deal, but the girl claimed it and I got a rental car.

They gave me an 03 Taurus which is why I'm writing this thread.

I will have to say that driving this car that had 30,000 less miles and 3 more years of product development only reaffirmed my appreciation for the Maxima. I will say the ride was very smooth and quiet but I think that has to do with the 15" tires on the car. But, what really got me was how slow this car was. You would think that a car 3 years newer than the Max with a similarly sized V6 (3.0L) would have caught up in terms of performance, but, alas it has not. Also, the interior really annoyed me, especially the bench seat. The car just looked old and devoid of any style/value which is why I'm glad I have the Max.

However, it doesn't mean that I didn't have any fun while I had the car. I did get to take advantage of the damp parking lots and get some ebrake assisted 180s in (not easy with a foot brake) and driving the car on the limiter was quite enjoyable. Flame all you want but it's fun.

C430

Most rental Tauri have the 3L pushrod "Vulcan" v6, which is a great engine but certainly not a Max competitor.

If your rental had the 24V Duratec, that's another notch closer but still no Max competitor.

cabernet

I owned a Taurus just before my Maxima. At 90,000 miles every component on the car broke. You name it - it broke. I had it in the shop monthly for at least $600 each time. I knew all the tow truck drivers in my city on a first name basis. When the 3rd transmission went out at 115K (first one failed at 95K) I donated it to the homeless. American cars have high quality control - they are designed to last exactly 90,000 miles - no more, no less.