I know this topic has probably been beaten to death but the search button is not working. I will be in the market for a used 02 or newer max or altima with the 3.5. I like both cars so its up in the air. I know the altima is rated @240 and the max 255 and its hte same engine. I don't know why nissan would do that. Which one would win on the 1/4 considering the weightr differences? I don't know why nissan would do that. Please fill me in and help me decide. Thanks

 

The Altima has a better chassis and a newer body style. The Maxima is the flagship and has a much better interior (IMO). You know your in a Altima when your sitting in it.

On the performance side, the Altima has better handling. In a straight line it is a toss up.

 

Its a drivers race!

 

Whichever Driver is skinnier Wins!

Before you race, pop some diet pills.

 

well put. hence get the maxima.

 

IMO the Altima is faster. Don't read into the hp number from Nissan too much b/c there has been talk that they are inaccurate. I drove both cars back to back and the Altima was definitely faster.

But the fit and finish of the Altima and road noise were horrible. Hence, I bought the MAxima.

 

much faster? did it feel faster or was it actually faster?

 

at the same time, that isn't a big enough sample size to draw worthwhile copnclusions...there are so many outside factors that you would need at the very least a sample size of 50 each to even start seeing data from which you can draw significant conclusions.

 

dood i dont think its much faster i think it the same or the max is a tad faster . remember its auto vs auto. i think maxima will win tho. but 5 speed altima vs auto max the altima will win. just my thoughts

 

I haven't seen automatic numbers, but Car & Driver got 5.9(Altima) vs 6.0(Max) 0-60 and 14.6(Altima) vs 14.7(Max) in the quarter. Manuals.

 

What Maximan said!!!!...I chose the Altima for a couple of reasons. I fell in love with the fresh new style....The interior room was a lot more. If I sat in the back seat of the Max...My head was burried in the roof (Not so in the Altima) I am only 5ft 9.


If I wee buying right now...it would be between the G35 and the 04 Max

 

not true. i beat a 5 speed altima, but it was a 2.5

 

 

I'm 5'11" and just sat in the back seat of my '03 Maxima. My hair touches the roof but I can sit up straight in the back seat very comfortably.

 

Either I have a long trunk...or too much hair gel

 

Which one is cheaper used with about 30k miles?

 

The Altima felt faster and was faster. Much faster - no. But noticebly. Felt faster and I did a home mile 1/4 test form 0-130 in each car. Started at the same spot on an entrance ramp and stopped next to a sign in each car then noticed where I hit 130. The Altima hit it well before the Max did. The shifts were harsher and more abrupt though. They were both auto SEs. Then again I bought a 6 speed Max...

 

comparing a 3.5 alti to a max, id say the max will be cheaper pending the options on the car.