Hi,
I am about to purchase a 2000SE or a 2001SE AE. Both are similiar in milage, condition and both are silver mist with black leather. Should I spend the extra $2500cdn for the AE? Also, how many AE's did Nissan make for US and Canada? Thanks.

 

go with the ae...body ground effects, an ounce more hp, and all around better styling ques...sills, engine cover, shifter, steering wheels controls, temp in rear veiw(i may be wrong about that, but the rear view mirror is diff.) i have a 00 se and would rather have gotten the ae if i had the option. good luck and enjoy either one!

 

If I remember correctly the Canadian AE's did not have the body kits.

I think someone posted some time ago that the estimated production figures for AE's was around 8,500 (not sure if that was all North America or just U.S. figures).

Another selling feature of the AE is the VLSD (not sure if all CA Max's had that or not, but the only 2001 models in the US with the limited slip diff. were the AE's.

Now, get ready for all those posts about 'just get a 2k2+...more hp, etc.'.

For me, the AE is just fine and I have no need to upgrade to basically the same car. If I trade, it will be for a totally different vehicle. The situation here is somewhat different though in that you are looking for what I assume is a first Max purchase.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!!

 

Get the AE. After I got my '01 SE, I regretted not spending extra on the Comfort & Convienence package, and I regretted even more about cheaping out on the AE. Now I find myself adding things to my SE to make it more AE-like. With the AE, you get:

1) The I30 muffler of that year to give you 5HP more than other '00 and '01 Maximas.
2) Body kit.
3) AE version of the six-spoke 17" wheels.
4) AE headlights.
5) AE badge on the trunk.
6) AE engine cover.
7) Slightly different leather.
8) AE chrome door sills.
9) AE carpet floor mats.
10) AE keys.
11) AE shifter.
12) AE pedals.
13) VLSD.

I think Nissan made something like 10,000 AEs for North America. If you're in Canada, AEs did not come with the body kit for whatever reason, but I think you get everything else.

 

No brainer. Go with the AE! Body kit, or not, there is just something about those cars. I have a loaded 2k max that I bought when the AE's first came out. I kick myself everytime I see one!

In my opinion they are the best Maxima's ever made. They are just mean looking, especially in black.

 

Thanks guys and girls!
I will be getting the AE for sure. Too bad about not getting the body kit up here. Anyone have a pic of it? Thanks again.

Joe

 

Sure are! But I guess I am biased!

Really though, if you can put up with trying to keep a black car clean, they are great to take out on the road after a 'bath'!!

 

man i wish i had gotten the AE.. i regret it so much...instead of spending so much on body kits and all the extra **** i could of gotten it on the spot

 

i really don't think i have seen any ever here on long island. any1 have a pic or link?

 

check out my homepage for pics of the AE kit

 

I love my AE. Especially with boost.

 

First of all I still love your car! The AE is the way to go too bad nissan never offered the AE bodykit as a dealer installed option for the 2002 Maxima they could have made a lot of money by doing so.

Here are some good pictures of a stock AE Maxima.

AE Maxima

 

As an FYI, the only Maximas in Canada that had VLSD before 2002 were SE's - both manual and auto variants. Also, the AE "replaced" the SE in 2001 I think.

2002+ has HLSD only for stick, no more VLSD

 

I'd buy the car with less rattles and windnoise.

 

wanna know something weird, the Canadian 01 AE came with the same muffler as the 2000 (i.e. no downward facing muffler tips)...me thinks the 5hp addition over the 2000 SE was a marketing ploy.

no body kit for the Canadian AE

can't forget the steering wheel mounted audio controls!