Before I get flamed by people saying "OMG, use teh search n00b," I searched and came up with nothing. Maybe I just didn't use a good search string. Anyway, on to my question.

I am considering a 5th Generation Maxima or an Accord sedan.
Of course, I know you all will tell me Maximas are 100% better, now tell me WHY. Why did you choose a Maxima over other cars? What are the specs of a stock Maxima SE? What are the difference between the Maxima models?
Feel free to point me to threads that will answer my questions, or offer your own input.

Thanks in advance!

 

First of all, what generation of Accord are you considering? And how in depth do you want to go with the specs. I have a 2k SE, the 00-01 cars have a 3.0 llter and the 02-03 have a 3.5 liter. There's a 33hp, (222 vs. 255), difference between the two engines, so you probably want to go with the latter two years. The one thing that i think the Maxima has over the Accord is that you can get a stick with the V6 in the Maxima whereas the Accord V6 only comes with automatic. The SE differs from other models with having stiffer springs and shock for a firmer ride. You can identify a 00-01 SE by the black tail lights, (02-03 year all models have clear tail lights). Besides the engine change, the 3.5 stick has a 6 speed where the 3.0 has 5 speed, and there's cosmetic changes to the exterior and interior. There's a lot more to know and there's plenty of people of who know more about it than me. But that's my input

Good Luck!!

 

Thanks for the very informative post! I do think I would prefer to go with the 3.5 liter engine. As for the transmission, we will be going auto. My wife will be driving it too, and she really wants to get an automatic. She's sick of driving stick in traffic jams. Do all the Maxima models from 02-03 have the 3.5, or just the SE? I prefer the LOOK of the SE, with the nice large alloys. They just look so sleek. We are going to go test drive some Accords and Maximas soon. As for the year, we are looking at 2002-2003 for both the Maxima and the Accord. My wife really wants an Accord, and I really want a Maxima. Help my case here people!!

 

i have on 03 maxima and my best friend has an 03 accord.in my opinion the accord seems alot smaller inside then the max.if you do go with the accord make sure its an 03 because it has 240hp and the 02 was i think 210hp.my friend has tried beating me numerous times and never won yet,the only time he ever passed me was by drafting me at 130mph and then his engine cut out at 135mph.either way both are nice cars.you would probably get a better deal on the max then the accord hondas hold value better.all 02 and 03 maxs have the 3.5 vq engine with 255 hp

 

Let her drive both the 2002 Accord and 2002 Maxima. If she likes the "polished" feel of the Accord engine, the 2000 and 2001 Maxima (with "only" 222 bhp) has a smoother engine than the more powerful 3.5L found in the 2002 and 2003 Maxima. But the 3.5L is still smooth when compared with most GM/Ford/Chysler products. The difference between the 3.5 and 3.0 is marginal, but smoothness is one thing I did give up when I "upgraded" from a 3.0 Maxima to a 3.5 6-speed.

Anyway, when you test drive the Accord and Maxima, get "comfy" in the drivers seat, and put the seat as far back asa you would in "normal" driving.

Next, have your wife hop in the back seat and see how much leg room you have. Now do this in both vehicles. Of course SHE won't be in the back seat, but your friends will. Do you want them to be comfortable?

She will soon see that the Accord is tiny in comparison. I would assume that if you are looking at a 4 door, you want/need the back seat.

Also mention that the Maxima has lower maintenance costs, because it has a timing chain, not a timing belt. The timing belt has to be replaced every 60,000 miles, while the timing chain is good for the life of the car.

Just test drive them, weigh all of the pro's and con's of the two vehicles.

I'm sure you'll both end up loving the Maxima.

-vq

 

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...IP&tab=2&sub=0

This is what you need.

 

In terms of perfomance, you can expect to go from 0-60 in about 6 1/2 seconds. The car really takes off when you floor the pedal, more so than the Accord you're thinking about.

Get the Maxima. :P

 

0-60 in 6.5 isn't going to convince his wife that the car is more pratical than an Accord.

It's the reason HE wants the car. He is sold on the Maxima. He still has to convince his wife.

A test drive and a moment in the back seat of both vehicles is what he needs.

-vq

 

Well the guy lives in Oklahoma City, a rather traffic dense area, I believe. He'll need a car with good pull. :P

Also, the Maxima has more leg room, head room and rides better from my experience. I've driven an '02 Accord (aunt's car) a couple of times, and it didn't take bumps too well compared to the Max. Hell, and my Maxima is an SE too.

NYC roads are crap.

And as far as your wife, put your foot down on the purchase. Maxima's are far sexier than any Accord. =D

 

I'm not trying to be partial or anything but get the Max. It comes with nice features like HID and a bigger engine. you can also get navigation (i think the 2k3+ Accords have it as an option as well). Besides i see more Accords than any other car. don't jump on the bandwagon. edmunds didnt call the maxima the "Athlete of Family sedans" for nothing

 

I'm curious as to what you mean by "smoothness." Do you mean that the 3.0 feels like it's better built? Or just drives smoother?

As for all the other replies, thanks! You guys are a big help.
Another question: What strange "quirks" can I expect? Almost every car I've ever owned has had a "quirk" that most owners experience. For example, my Acura Legend's lifters tick and the ABS system is known to be crap. Anything like this on the Maxima?

I would agree with the statements that the Maxima is WAY more sexy. It's just so quick!!
How's the auto transmission? Smooth shifting?

 

well the rotors warp easy, ignition coils misfire, the rear deck rattles and stock potenzas are horrible. there are more, i just cant remember them. Check the TSB's for more information. even with these problems i still love my max.

 

It also depends on the Model. Your probably not going to ge the base GXE so we are left with the SE and GLE. The GLE is the best overall value if you are going to get an automatic because it comes with leather and Bose system. To add those two "options" to an SE would raise the price quite a bit.

SE Cons: Stock tires are very bad in any wet conditions.

GLE Cons: The car tends to float too much do to the soft suspension. A $115 sway bar will stop almost all of this floating.

Cons on both: Rotors will warp easily and the Bose system accentuates the rear deck rattle. There isn't a problem with the 2k2/2k3 coils. That was only the 00/01's.

Drive both vehicles for a good while. As others mentioned, the Maxima has alot more rear seat room which is great if you have child seats or are planning on having children while owning the car. The Maxima has a great deal more torque. The Accord is more refined inside the cabin and uses higher quality materials compared to the Maxima. Once you drive both cars, the choice should be much easier as they have very different road manners.

 

For me, when I was in the market for my a car back at the end of 01, the other cars I considered were the 02 Camry V6, Accord V6, and the Acura 3.2TL non-type S.

I tried the Max 1st and really liked the power. The Camry V6 felt weak in comparison. The dealer I went to didn't have any LX Accord V6s and didn't want me putting a lot of miles on it or taking it on the highway. The TL was nice, but too much $ cuz of so much standard stuff (sunroof, heated seats, Bose stereo, leather, etc.) and had a lot less power.

I've always liked Maximas and had wanted one for a few years. I was glad to see that the crash test results for the 5th gens were much improved over the 4th gen. I felt the interior on the Max was a little better than the Camry and Accord even though I felt the exterior styling was inferior to the two (I don't like the Max's tail). In the end, the power, interior, and value (about $2K more than cheapest Accord V6 or Camry V6) won me over.