a) 2k1 max?

or

b) wait for 6 more months to get the 260 hp 2k2 max? (from what I've been reading on maxima.org)

 

If you want/need a new car soon, buy now. Then in 2 or 3 years trade it in again unless you drive a lot of miles.

Two reasons;

1) you can wait and wait and the car may not live up to the hype, or soon as you buy it after waiting all this time, another better car will come out anyway. For example, it may have more power but also may weigh more and be larger. i.e. , I figured with a Y-pipe alone my stock 227Hp 5th gen would be fater then my slitly more moded 190HP 4th get, but its not. (See my Sig)

2) This will be an all new engine in over 7 years, and maybe even new body structure for the Maxima. Its never a great idea to have the first of a new model year if major revisions were made. Errors made on the 02's 3.5L engine for example, will be fixed in 03 and so on.

 

I would wait. I am actually thinking of trading in my 2000 when the Big-Z comes out.

 

If the '02 Max gets the 3.5L (from all indications it will) the Max will still be on our current 2k and 2k1 platform. The 3.5L is just the 3.0 with a longer stroke so the Max doesn't have to grow in size at all. They will keep the 5th Gen platform and add the 3.5L (also freshened styling..front and rear clips, slightly new interior) and I wouldn't look for an all new Maxima platform until 2004 at the earliest....Possibly on the '02 Altima platform. No car company can just throw away a 2 year old car platform!!

[Edited by warrlocked on 02-27-2001 at 08:10 AM]

 

No more being the guinea pig for me! I'll wait until 2003 for them to figure out all the bugs in the car.

So my choice
1) 2k1 or
2) 2003

 

2003. Wait.

There has been some rumours (looking more and more like BS) that the engine ***MAY*** be 3.2L using the VQ35 block but with current VQ30 piston rods. This should give a little less power, but it will be sooooooooo sweet. Up the rev limiter and we are smiling.

Even if it costs you half of a supercharger to wait, it's worth it. You will get the car, it will be easier to sell since it will be newer and more powerfull. And then you can easily murder CL-Ss with your VQ35 and a stick!

 

I'd wait for news. If the 3.5 doesn't come out.. well then you can get a 2001 at model year closeout prices. If it does come out... then you won't be kicking yourself!

 

first of all, the 3.5 max might not be coming out in 6 months. and even when it comes out, it would probably cost a few grands more, so why dont you just get the max now..
so when it actually comes out in 6 mnths(i doubt it) and you want that performnce, just add a supercharger...
what do you tink abut that
cuz thats what i did
i am getting my max next week, i ordered already
and thats what i ll do in case that max actually comes out

 

Wait and see what details emerge in the next 2 months. There is a lot of rumors right now. It could be turn out to be true. It could be better... 280 HP, or worse, 240 HP. Or the price will be sky high... or it might be reasonably priced. I would at least wait until the new Altima is shown in April. More details will be forthcoming then.

Things I'm interested in right now...

2002 Altima 3.0 VQ
2002 Maxima 3.5 VQ SE-R
2002 Sentra SE-R V Spec (maybe too small)
2002 Suburu WRX
2002 Passat with 1.8T
2003 Pontiac Vibe (180 HP 1.8)

 

Yea....funny thing about the 3.2L idea....It just may be. If you do the math and take the current 3L stroke with the current 3.5L bore you an engine with 3.2L. This "3.2" would probably be every bit as smooth as the current 3L but with a bump in power. People may be afraid of the 3.5L for being more rough but it really isn't...just a tad bit. Plus....the only engine has been tested in a truck application. They could always revise the mounts etc... to make it smoother. I wouldn't worry either way. And yea.....the larger engine will exist for atlest a year in the 2002 max.....maybe the same 2003 until it grows in size. Too much R/D cost to keep a model for just 3 years(BUT Ford did that with the last gen escort...until the focus replaced it).

Nissan ALWAYS keeps their mouth shut about the future.

 

http://www.motortrend.com/future/2002_2.html

http://www.motortrend.com/future/2003_2.html

http://www.autonews.com/html/main/st...product821.htm

Good advice you guys...I think I'm going to wait at least until the Altima comes out in April to evaluate the situation. Keep putting up your ideas regarding the choices or on the links.

 

If you are looking for a toy to go leadfooting around in, a 240HP Altima should be fun. So should a SC-ed Sentra SE-R V spec but that is another story.

 

I haven't seen autonews.com before. Nice site. I think their upcoming model news is full of errors though. They report the Sentra SE-R with a SC 4, when it's 180 HP 4.