I'm looking to buy an 2k2/2k3 max. Aside the fact that gle's have all the features, which one offers a better ride? I live near philly and the roads are just as bad as ny's so i don't wanna worry about feeling every bump n pot hole in da city. any opinions/ suggestions?

 

my GLE rides real nice. unfortunatly, I've never driven an SE 2k2, so I can't make a comparison. But the GLE will have some body roll in corners, probly more htan the SE, but the ride is quite smooth. Great on the highway and kinda cushy on the rough, ice heaved CT roads

 

SE has firmer suspension. Therefore it handles a little better and rides a little harsher.

 

No one seems to mention this but I could have sworn when I bought my se, it said that it had sport tuned transmission, while the gle didn't.

 

there is barely andy difference between the SE and GLE....
both are comfortable rides

 

you mean sport tuned suspension.....i wish se meant sport tuned transmission

 

I'm from near Philly too. I drive 2k GLE and my GLE's prbably more sportier than avg SE's out there.....hehe.....My GLE had awsome ride comfort but now with the Tein KYB GR2 set up I lost the comfy ride of the GLE.....

 

Don't worry about it. Get the car you like and make up for ride comfort in tire selection.

 

choose either one because you can just ungrade the suspension yourself later on

 

I belive the SE has a bigger diameter sway bar up-front--> You gonna upgrade that?!?

 

I have an 2k2 SE and the steering is "sportier" than regular steering. You feel more bumps but you also don't float up and down.

The only downside to the SE is that it comes with the HID's as a standard product. I live in central NJ and I had my lights stolen last night. I go to Philly often and I don't think it's as bad there (yet). Not sure if the GLE gives you an option regarding the lights or if that's an issue. Hope that helps.

 

On 2k2 HID's standard on SE and GLE Im not sure if the GXE comes with HID but I think it do come with HID

 

Yeah their is the SE doesnt feel as floaty as the GLE and the steering feels a little tighter.

 

Does it matter which you get when you are probably going to add RSB, FSTB, RSTB, Rims, Tires, Springs, and Struts anyway. You can make the ride the way you see fit.

 

There really weren't any 2k2-3 GXEs, they pretty much dissappeared after 2001. If you wanted a stripped down maxima, you pretty much had no choice but to go with an SE. The brakes on the 2k2-3s need 17" wheels just to clear, so thats probably why Nissan didn't bother with a GXE. I'm not sure if you could buy an SE without the spoiler but thats about as close as you would come to a GXE. They all came with HIDs btw.

 

First of all , ALL 2k2- 2k3 Maxes have HID's.... There is a GXE model. It comes with 16 inch wheels. Not the 17's you see on SE's and GLE's. My brother Anskyruben bought a 2k2 GLE and I got my SE on the same day. The gle had the woodgrain trim, and it has a slightly floatier suspension. But if youre going to mod your suspension it wont make a difference. I personally thought my stock SE suspension sucked monkey nuts.....Tokicos/ Maxspeed combo FSTB/RSB with 245/35 19's makes me a lot happier !

 

Are you positive.? I really thought you guys needed 17s to clear the brakes. Anyone have a picture of the 2002-3 GXE 16" wheels? cause I'm honestly curious what they look like... I just remember people mentioning the 97-99 SE wheels won't fit on the 2k2s, I guess they wanted to use them for winter wheels.

 

Different opinions & biases depending on lifestyle and objectives, doesn't matter if it's guns, cars, workouts, chics you name it. Ultimately, choose what meets your needs and go with it. I went thru the same "spin" over the summer while deciding what ride I was moving to. As a previous owner of a 4th gen GLE (96') I knew what I was looking for when I decided to bail-out of my 3-series and get back to a "reasonable sport sedan" that I could A. Pay cash for B. Blend into the crowd with (flash/rice disgusts the **** outta me) C. Carry corporate clients around in and lastly, D. A sleeper that could haul a** to an extent. Like you, ride was critical to my decision yet I wanted to have something I could "mod a little" that had all the mfgr. options I wanted. For me, it was back to a Maxima GLE. I became so friggin' tired of "rowing thru the gears" in city traffic in the Bimmer that I'd rather blow my head-off than have another manual (I've had plenty of sticks in my life and I love em' re: performance and driving "experience" but it's not for me these days). I think you need to consider one more thing as opposed to just ride quality in your decision; "Do you plan to mod the car for more serious performance?" If yes, go for the SE vs the GLE IMHO. If you know it will remain basically stock and your key priorties are standard features and ride quality then go with the GLE. Test drive both stock, you will notice a difference. Of course, after reading some of this thread you too will now have a bias (I did) but try to ignore it.

If I were buying today and performance was the objective, I would buy an 01' SE manual and go nuts with all the knowledge and flexibility in products out there. Well...eerrrrrrr...actually, if "*****-to-the-wall" speed and handling were my goal I would not be looking at a sport sedan (Maxima) at all...

One more "difference" to add to the (stock) GLE vs SE list, the stock wheel/tire package is different (GLE 215/55-17 on 17x7 with 1.57" offset versus 225/50-17 on 17x7 with 1.75" offset. Why do I add this minor point? Because this too impacts ride versus performance which you asked about initially.

Either way...enjoy the purchase.

 

Here is what a 2k2-2k3 Maxima GXE Looks like. When I first saw one I thought my what small wheels. From what I understand they are pretty hard to find.


Dave
02 Ma2k3 Maxima GXE xima SE

 

I never saw any for almost a year after I bought my car, and then in 2k3 I started to see more of them. But they are around.

 

Here is a 2k3 GXE for sale in the autotrader web site.

2k3 Maxima GXE


Dave
02 Maxima SE

 

i doubt i'll modify things such as rims etc. i'll be doing that to my 97 max. which rides horribly with the factory wheels/suspension. Im hoping the new max's dont ride the same way. i need that cushion lol philly and ny who has time to slow down @ every bump and pot hole? eventually i'll upgrade the suspension for a stiffer ride but i dont want to HAVE to do that soon.