Totally agree with you GhettoMax(3.0 smoother than the 3.5), there are big differences as far as of course the 3.5, HID's,etc. As a former owner of a 2000 SE and now a current owner of a 2003, I can say the reason I upgraded was cause of the engine.

 

Yes, there are differences!!! But they are minor, the 02-03 were not recreated from scratch and that is my point. Just live with it.

 

Actually I bought my 2k2 new 8 moths ago/went back 2months ago to test drive the '04- Heres what I found:
It was an '04 6speed SE tester w/900+ miles on the ODO

1. Its nose its straight up fugly man!
2. It looks like a Saturn ION on roids!
3. Theres less front headroom
4. Theres less rear hearomm
5. It had a center console in the rear(optional) but only fit 4
comfy
6. Its stopping power sucks (70mph-0 197ft C&D) WTF I could die in
that thing!
7. Dash/ buttons as cheap as the Altimas although neat
8. Slower than my 2k2
9. Heavier than my 2k2
10 Torque steer is worse on the '04- and the tranny kind of has a
weird power delivery issue(kind of has a mind of its own) If I
wanted that I'd get a AT-
11. I personally couldn't see that well out of that rear window-
Kinna like my uncles LHS- cant see shyt!

Other than the above , its an attractive package(somewhat)-the car feels more rigid and it handles a bit better(not a drastic change) but my case is that I fell in love w/my 2k2 the moment I put my seatbelt on - I didnt feel the same w/the '04

- and to be honest I went to the dealer expecting to drive out of there w/a diff. car-
So is it better- 10 extra horse u cannot feel? Sub par braking system? The reasons above are goona make me wait for a 7th gen

 

Any 2k-2k1 owner knows the difference- thats 4 sho! Every early 5th gen owner wishes they had 3.5

 

Lotsa tweaks and refinements. Definitley not the same car, just similar.

Beautiful car, best wishes and safe driving. BTW, my favorite color.

 

There is nothing wrong with the car. Still works like day one, actually better than day one since I got the TSB done for the TCM.

I live in Canada so keep in mind that the market value and currency are different. The trade in value is 21k for the 00. The price for the new one is 33k.

The differences I noticed between the 2 cars are:
- Heated steering wheel
- 6 disc in dash cd changer
- bigger/taller seats
- gated shifter
- HID
- taillights
- different bumper
- side skirt
- "Maxima" sill plate
- VQ35DE
- 17" wheels
- different muffler tip(s)
- trip computer
- steering wheel controls
- memory seats
- auto move back (exit) feature
- honks quieter when locking doors
- auto light turns on faster
- no full size spare

That's about all I can think of now.

 

jtaylor and blublue, I just asked one innocent question, and got nothing but hate. Know what, just go to hell . A true enthusiast is not the one who installs all kinds of christmas lighting on a 25-thousand dollar car, but the one who appreciates it. I bet each one of you suckers don't even know how to drive stick shift.

To most ppl just engine alone is worth about $10 grand to trade up. Some folks like the faster turning lights, side skirts, whatever, but it's just because they like different strokes. If my car is totalled today, I will go after 2k2/2k3. Littledog just provided us with some valuable info-Maximas dont depreciate as much in Canada! On this

 

Don't be so sure of yourself small fry...

 

i think they are both the same and yet different..

 

I can shift......past automagics

 

 

 

 

I guess on the exterior, they are "basically" the same. However, if you look at the meat of the car (engine, tranny), there's a much more powerful engine and availability of a 6sp (vs 5sp on 00-01).

Interior wise there are some subtle and not so subtle differences from what I could tell, but the 02-03 is definitely more aggressive looking than 00-01 (except AE), and much more powerful. The fact that it has a 0.5L bigger engine already makes the cars NOT "basically" the same.

 

these people just dont want to admit that they are stupid and fuked up by saying they are the same. they know just like we do that there is enough diffirent to never call them basically the same. unless you are an old blind woman.
the people with 2002/2003 didnt buy them because they had extra money to blow. they spent more money to get a BETTER car!!! and if it is better then that makes it DIFFIRENT!!!!!!!!!
and yes i can drive a manual

 

You need to grow up idiot, and stop using foul language in a public forum. Having said that, what do you mean more money? I bought my 01 in March 01 for probably right around what the 03's are going for now, so how did you pay more than me? My participation in this argument is over.

 

This post is about the guy who traded in his 2000 and got a 2003! All I did is question his reasons, and did not critique his taste! Why don't you trade in your 2000 for 2003, or you are afraid to loose 10 grand on your trade? Or better yet, you are still driving your daddy's GLE and he won't let you do anything with the car? How can you drive a manual if you are driving a GLE? Now stop smoking!

 

wow you guys are histerical

 

you told him that they were basically the same. and i (and other people)are saying that they arent. i dont trade in mine for a 2003 cause i cant afford it right now because i just bought a house. and as far as it being my dads car.. you can blow me. i have always worked for my own cars. im 28 years old working two jobs. and as far as me driving a GLE. it is the first auto i have owned my other vehicle is a 5 speed jeep wrangler. i bought the max cause i was moving across country and couldnt find a loaded SE before i left. i plan on getting a 2003 in a few years. why? because it is diffirent and better then what i have.

 

2003 maximas OWNZ ALL!!!

 

sorry i hurt your feelings
i bought my 2000 in feb. so im pretty sure i spent less then you did. and less then people spend on 2003s!! the people that bought 2003s could have spent less on a used 2000/2001 but didnt cause they wanted a newer car that was better. and NOT THE SAME!!!

 

yeah and they don't come with hubcaps either....

 

and you have the exact same car as me. well i should say "basically" the same. the only diff is you have a 5 speed.
why dont you trade in yours for a 2003? for the same reasons you asked me?
you are afraid to loose 10 grand on your trade? Or better yet, you are still driving your daddy's car and he won't let you do anything with the car?

 

and there is another reason they are diffirent!!!
the 2003 does not have hubcaps like the early 2000s.



BTW - FUC YOU and your ugly grill

 

all right then shutuf**kup punk kid

 

back at yo momma and them hubcaps, biotch!

 

littledog: I know that house in the backround! Whereabout in Vancouver do you live? I'll be back in Vancouver on Sunday for 2 days from Tofino on Vancouver Island where I am now, before I fly back to Phoenix. Any chance we could set up a lil meet? If i'm not mistaken that house in the backround of your sterling mist maxima is down the street from my aunts house where we are staying, 21st and Dunbar...PM me or email me back. Thanks!

 

damn all of this(5 pages of pure insults) because of what one idot said.all i have to say is that i have a 2000 sterling mist SE and i love the way the car drives so until i either buy a 2003 SE or trade my car in for that a 03 SE i can't put an opinion on it. but anyways even though i love my 00 SE i wouldn't mind having a 03 SE.

 

And the FX is the same as the Z.

I think the difference is obvious...and this was before the FM platform that is being used widely.
Was the old Max platform being used anywhere else?

Perhaps we should be calling the 2k2-2k3 the 6th gen instead?

 

You're a big man if can voluntarily afford to lose $10k.

 

im not going to do that. i was quoting what someone else said to me