Would someone be kind enough and educate this newbie on the differences between a 5th generation Maxima and 5.5 generation Maxima? Is it just the engine? Many thanks.

 

performance
1st available 6 speed in a Maxima
more Skyline'sh front bumper
updated Grill
HID's
Clear tails

everything else about the same.....

 

well not really manny.....seats are different, gauges are different, Bose has 6 disc in dash changer, the window switches are diffrrent, sunglass holder is different.....

windows now have both auto up and down for both front seats

available titanium edition....

there's prolly more

 

almost the whole car is different...
bigger engine...better speakers... taillights. headlights. HID.. wheels...nicer seats.. shift booth is different...

 

You're forgetting about the drive by wire system (including the tranny)...

 

could you get a normal 5th gen with a heated steering wheel?

 

Define "normal 5th Gen" ...

 

-heated steering wheel started in the 2k2
-steering wheel has extra functions (trip computer)
-more sound deadening material
-memory seat option
-different spoke rims for all models

 

that's available from 2000 up

 

Thanks for the repilies. With that being said, how would you be able to tell the difference? Could this be done just by looking?

 

easiest way to tell by just looking would be the headlights...if it's an 02-03 it will have HID, you can visually see the 4 circles inside each headlight, 2 large, 2 small

 

for me its completely obviously as the two cars do not even look the same from the front (different bumpers), but I guess one way to tell is to look at the headlights and reversed euro tail lights.

2k2: big hamburger nissan emblem with round looking bumper (big gap in the front radiator area)

 

The 2k2+ also has bigger brake calipers IIRC.

 

i believe just the rotors are slighty bigger. The calipers are still one piston design

 

Try checking the engine...that's the easiest way. Also if it's an automatic tranny, if it has a gated shifter (a la Mercedes-Benz) it's a 2002-2003 model. Taillights (which will be clear lenses) are another way to tell, but only if they have not been modified...

 

what you've seen is a bottom of the line maxima, all late model Maximas produced in the 90's and up had the automatic climate control option

 

Outside of the motor and manual tranny, the available CDROM Navigation system is the only significant difference between the 5G and 5.5G.

The 5.5G's HIDs are neat but the 5G's Halogens are plenty effective AND less prone to theft.

 

Is there a difference in weight? More importantly, weight distribution?

 

2k2-2k3 also has digital compass option and trip computer with temp/gas milage, etc. Also new gauges, different seats, different wheels, new stereo...the list goes on.

 

The 03 had the compass in the rear view mirror...the 02s it wasnt offered.

 

I could've sworn that the 2k/2k1 doesn't have ABS disc brakes in the rear, I thought it was drum only.

 

Helical Limited Slip is an option only for 02 and 03.

 

:

the last gen that had rear drum brakes were VG 3rd gens

all 95 and on maximas have rear disc brakes

 

Ok, if you say so snuffy.

 

....and 6MT at that!!

 

3.0L equipped. as opposed to a 3.5 5th gen.