Hey guys.

I am considering buying a 2001 Maxima. I've been checking the dealerships out within the Austin and Houston area, but it seem that no one has a manual Trans. SE on their lot. I was wondering what percentage of SE's are manual? I know GXE's come in a manual transmission, but I refuse to drive another auto again. (I had a 1993 300ZX 2+2 auto, sold it because of the continuing engine and electrical problems and lack of interior room. I've looked at the GXE models and I would like to know the difference between the SE and the GXE (other then the exterior trim and suspension). Is it worth it to order an SE for $3,500 more then the GXE? I am on a somewhat limited budget. Is it worth it? Thanks for your help.

 

Definately stick to your guns on the manual... many of us here didn't and are now regretting our auto trannys. Secondly, if you plan on modding your car... you can get a gxe and have better than SE handling for less than $1000 (eibachs and tokico, probably could fit in an FSTB and RSB too).

 

I visited a Nissan dealer here in Memphis this week. They had ONE new 5-spd Maxima on the lot, an AE model that had a sticker price of just under $30K. I asked the salesman why they only had ONE 5-spd on the lot. He said, "Most people just don't like to shift."

WTF! It's like that all over town. Go figure.

 

I would have to say the status-quo is to have autos on the lot. Living in Atlanta, I wanted the auto, simply because if there is any traffic at all, you don't want to be sitting there in traffic wearing your left foot out on the clutch. This would probably be the case in any city of size.

Do I regret not having a stick? Yes! Would I want a stick while inching along in traffic most of the time? No! This is why most people opt for autos.

I would rather sit there drinking my coffee with one hand and steering with other while inching along. Of course, this is not the case on weekends where I could actually run through the gears as a stick provides. Oh, well...

 

Get the GXE and spend the 3500 on mods.... like me

oh, and by the way... only 3% of all Maximas are equiped with a 5sp. and here at the forum you'll find at least 2.5% of that 3%

[Edited by Maxx-s-ter on 02-19-2001 at 01:23 AM]

 

in my opinion, i think the tail lights of the se are much nicer than the gxe or gle, just mny opinion. and i think if you are not planning to make a lot of mods, you should go for the 5 sp se, cuz it comes with almost everything that makes the car sporty enough in most occasions and cuz when you start modding you car, you never stop
it is an addiction, agree?????
well about the price part, i dont really know cuz i am only 17 and i dun really about how much problems the extra 3500 wuld cost for people earning their own money, i guess it is kinda tough but on the other hand it must be kindsa special, buying your own car and payin for it doing all that hard work for it....
i am getting a 2001 se (anniversary edition) in a week and i am very happy about it
it is a great car

 

If you are interested in getting the se check out what it will cost with some of the goodies! I am very glad that I got the climate control on the car. It works very well...no fogged windows, no flipping dials and switches...just buttons that you rarely even touch! I can't say enough about the climate control. Also....get leather! I never had leather before and wasn't sure about it...I told the dealer I liked the car but don't care for the leather. It was the only 5sp in the lot that was pearl with black interior. Now I am glad I have it. When something spills it is easy to clean up...and I just love the way it feels, and looks. I agree with maxxster...Get the GXE and add some goodies like Comfort and convienience package and with the money that you save get some mods. I am not sure how you like your car to ride but I think the SE is a little stiff for most driving conditions. Every crack and bump in the road is magnified with the 17" wheels. I live in Missery and there are too many fukked up roads out here for suspension like that!

 

When I bought my 2000 SE, I asked for a stick. The lot had maybe 30 Maximas and NOT ONE STICK!!!! The auto is a set to shift a little weak. The sticks were suppose to be cheaper and faster. But I guess I am stuck with the auto.