whats up guys, i have an 02 maxima and my friend has an 03 and i notice a huge difference in the handling of the cars, for one the steering is much righer in the 03, like day and night to me atleast. then when i drive my friends 03 it feels like i can take much bigger turns with his car and feel very comfortable as appose to me taking those turns in my 02. does any one feel the same about this or is it just in my head, but im going crazy here, i also installed a fstb and a rsb, to improve my handling and it feels like a loose p*ssy compared to my friends 03, please let me know what you think

 

I'll just take a wild guess and say it is just the age and mileage of the cars. The performance of the suspension just degrades over time. It happened with my Altima 2.5S 5speed, though it I'm sure it'll still take a curb better than your SE new.

 

Cars are like snowflakes.

 

are you sure his car has the stock suspension? The suspensions are identical stock unless you somehow have blown struts which will result in poor handling.

 

Only difference is the Titanium Edition package option on '03-
thats about it(and maybe paint)

 

Actually there are more cosmetic differences. I have a 2k3 and Lumbee1 here has a 2k2. All the windows buttons are different; in my car, they are more flush with the assembly, while on his they stick out a little. Our steering wheels are different (mine is thicker, but not sure if it's because i have the HLSD package).
That and everything else already known are the only differences i noticed.

 

Does he have aftermarket shocks or springs? If not, then you should get some and then at least YOURS will be better
Does he have some better tires maybe ?

 

no he has completely stock, i let girls drive our cars and they notice the difference, but his steering wheel is much tigher and you notice it the second you sit behind the wheel even without driving anywhere

 

Is the car a manual? If so, does she have silver foot pedals? If so, then it's the steering wheel that comes with the HLSD package. Otherwise, i'm not sure. Unless, all 2k3s have that same steering wheel. Lumbee1 sat in my 2k3 and as soon as he grabbed the steering wheels he said that it's much thicker and better grip.

 

My '03 turns corners as if it has a RSB on it. The car rotates WAY better than the '01 when it was stock. I have no idea why.

 

I owned both a 2k2 and a 2k3 and they both handle the same..

HOWEVER!

My 2k3 does not suffer from
- warped rotor problem
- dimly lit check engine light

The 2k3 has the chrome door sills, compass mirror, and the sheer silver option

ED

 

...didnt know my 2K2 had a warped rotor problem; and I have an automatic.

 

Do you both have the same kind of tires (stock Potenzas). When I replaced the Potenzas (I hated them by the way) to Michelin Pilot Sport A/s, I noticed the car seemed to stick to the road much better. Just a thought....

 

NO NO NO

2k3TE DOES suffer - dimly lit check engine light...

Don't know about warped rotors yet...

Handling should be the same for all 5th gen SEs, except ( maybe? )limited slip ones.

 

I've got an 03 and I sometimes notice a dim check engine light. I meant to ask what that was a while back but I forgot. Does anybody know what it is, or if its bad? Sorry for the OT!