Well, i finally got my new car and i am very happy/excited. i have been seeing many should i get this car/ questions about new maxima's lately, so i decided to make this thread. (besides, it gives me something to do at work! )

First Impressions Of the car:

The car itself is damn sexy, with the new revisons from the 00-01 models the car looks much better in my opinion. after getting inside the car, i noticed that i have more leg/head room, and the inside is just more spacious in general. personaly, comming from 3 diffrent 4th gens, the 2002 max is a major upgrade in options/styling/performace/ and luxuary.

The Engine:

The engine is amazing. silky smooth, free reving, and very powerfull. the added tourqe is very helpful when in low rpm situations, and of course when you go wot. It is extremly quite, and idles at approx 500-600 rmp. the engine seems to be very strong. The extra power is great... i can feel the engine really "kick in" around 3000-3800 rpms. it is much faster then the stock 190hp in the 4th gens, and a lot smoother.

The Transmission/Clutch:

The tranny has a big change from the 4th gens. i have the optional 6 speed manual. the "gates" seem to be closer together, i find myself putting it into 4th gear when i really wanted 2nd gear. But i will get used to it. also, when i shift, it is almost like it "clicks" into gear, which is great, i love how the new tranny feels. i also have to lose my fear of putting into 6th gear, because where reverse used to be, thats where 6th gear is... i always think for a few seconds and then put it in. lol. and i have to also get used to pulling a leaver on the stick to get into reverse. it will alm come with time.

Now for the clutch. the diffrence between the 4th gen and the 5th gen are night and day. on the 2k2, the clutch is very light, and i guess i could compare it to the gas pedal. but yet it feels very good, and grabs extremly well. on my 4th gen, it was very stiff, and hard to move, but i could "feel the clutch" better with it. on the new car, i just have to learn where it catchs and go accordingly. but i love the whole setup.

Creature Comforts... All the little things...

ooo there are so many of them! i was almost overwhelmed of how many options i had. it makes for a nice driving experiance. Here are some of the things that i love in the car...


1.) one touch up or down windows
2.) one touch open or close sun roof
3.) heated steering wheel/ seats
4.) supple black leather seats both 8 way power ajustable,
5.) mpg function (tells you avg mpg)
6.) dte function (tells you how many miles remaining before needing gas)
7.) outside temp
8.) steering wheel controls (volume, track/station, mode)
9.) 6 cd in dash changer, 7 speaker bose stereo
10.) Auto climate contol
11.) Auto dimming rear mirror with compase
12.) and more!

as you can see, there are plenty of toys to play with!

Handling/Stabilty/Bump Comfort

I am actually very surprized in all catogorys... handles not too badly for a 3000 pound 4 door family car, it has a very nice feel to it at high speeds, it stays on track with minimal wandering. the steering wheel also has a nice "firm" feeling, where i feel like i have control of the car at high speeds. and speaking of which, i am going to get a speeding ticket because i never realize how fast i am actually going. the ride is so smooth, and the car is so quite, that i just don't feel like i am speeding. it is great. The car handle the bumps very well, much better then my last cars. the stock suspension is a bit stiff, so over big bumps it does get a bit harsh, but it acceptable due to the better handling. But other then that, the car is silent when going over bumps, and bumps that used to horiable on my 4th gen are now like nothing in my new car.

Things I do not like

There are not to many things, but there are a few. first thing is the auto dimming mirror. I like the concept of it, but i think it is a little sesitive to the lights on cars behind me. sometimes it just completly dark behind me, and all i can see are the headlights of the car behind me. this stinks because it makes it very hard to pick out cops if they are behind me. Second thing about the mirror is that is so big! i can not find a good position for it where i ahve a good view. but i will mess around with that more later.

next thing is the seat height. i feels like i am sitting way up high. i tried to lower the seat, but it was at the lowest it could go. maybe it is just something i will get used to.

3rd thing is visibility. when i look over my left shoulder, all i see is my headrest. i have to stretch my head over a lot to make sure no one is comming. ( i do not like to trust my mirrors very much... blind spots stink.)

also, my stereo is already giving me problems.... sometimes when playing a cd, only the right hand side speakers will work... but then i put it on the radio, all of them work... kind of annoying.

well, thats everything. sorry for the long post... hopefully i helped someone.
let me know of any thoughts or comments, or if you feel that same way or not!

 

Congrats. Good you like it. It's a really nice car. BTW, the 6speed isn't optional.

 

optional as in.... instead of the automatic.



-Chris

 

Congrats on your upgrade. I'm sure you'll continue to find much joy with your '02.

As for the stock radio, the '02/'03 BOSE radio had a well-known issue with channel cut-out. There's a Technical Service Bulletin on that one (03-017; FEB 03; Audio System - Left Side Speakers Inoperative), so you should be able to bring it to the dealer to get it fixed. For this, however, all the dealer really does is swap your head unit with a refurbished one, so it may have the same issue down the line. Good luck.

Peace.

 

great, i will be sure to get that fixed asap...

i hope i will continue to have joy with my new car... as long as it behaves better then my last 4 maxima's!

-chris

 

I thought only the 2003 models came with the compass in the rearview mirrors?

 

No, only the 2003 Titanium Edition comes with the compass in the rearview.

 

After my last maxima being totalled on March 18th, i've been looking forward to my 2003 SE 6speed that I will be acquiring, but with some fears of dissatisfaction. Because of this excellent writeup, I am VERY excited for this car to get here, I cannot wait!

 

well.... i have a compass on my mirror.... so i guess they started in 2002.

or maybe the dealer made a big mistake and sold me a 2003 max thinking it was a 2002! lol

-Chris

 

LoL, i thought it was only a TE thing, or maybe its a meridian (heating package) thing, but not all 02s and 03s have them...

 

My 2K2 does NOT have a compass in the mirror and I have the Meridian package. I do have a dumb question. Does the glove box have a light? I thought it did, but I don't remember, but the last time I needed to open it at night....there was no light. I really thought it did.

 

ahh, i see... well none the less, i have a new maxima in which i love, so it is all good!

-Chris

 

I guess no one cares about my thoughts....



-Chris

 

The speaker phasing out thing occured in my non-bose also- but I always buy with the intention to go aftermarket anyways...

BTW- Congrats- 6speeds rule!

 

i would really like to get an aftermarket deck, but i'd really hate to ruin the nice "waterfall" look to the dash... i mean it just looks so darn clean and sweet.

and heck yea 6 speeds rule!

-chris

 

way to rub salt in my wounds chris. im definately happy for you....PICS! (man ho)

 

Ask for pics, and pics you shal receive!

 

More pics can be found here:

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/479058/8

also my previouse 4 maximas are on here as well.

-Chris

 

This is very strange, but I just noticed after looking at your pics that wheels on your new Maxima
are not the same that came with 2002-2003.
Wheels on 2002-2003 don't have center cap that cover the bolts.
My 2000 Maxima had exact same wheels that your new Maxima has. But my 2002 has
similar wheels, but bolts are showing. It was one of the small changes between 2000 and 2002.

Dealer probably changed the wheels for some reason on your car.

Enjoy the ride.

 

That could also explain why he has the TE compass rearview mirror.

 

I was gonna bring that up also....

 

Can you buy the compass rear view mirror and put it in a car that didn't come with it? What about the presets for the seating position?

 

I noticed the wheels too. I like the 2k & 2k1 SE wheels better as they have a bit more character. Nice write btw. I thought I was reading a current issue of Car & Drive

Dave
02 Maxima SE
85 El Camino w/Turbo V6 swap

 

I'd raise hell and get your original wheels.

 

Yeah, the dealer told me about the rims after i brought it up. he told me that the ower of the car before had these rims with snow tires on them when he traded it in, so they just left the wheels on it and put all season tires on it. i wish i had the 2k2 wheels though.

as for the mirror.... i have no idea why i have that. but hey, i am not complaining.

thanks for the compliments dave.

-Chris

 

i asked them for it, but the guy told me that i would have to pay $2000 extra for them, because thats how much they cost. so i am not sure if i should go back there or not.... he told be since he is buying me brand new floor mats, and i have brand new tires that he wouldn't be able to do the rims for me.

-Chris

 

but how did your 2k3 end up with 2k-2k1 wheels anyway??

 

Exactly, how did that happen?
That's BS, making you pay more for what's standard on your car. Why can't it just be an even exchange? They should have given $2k off the car then...

 

look at my post.... post #25....

-Chris

 

Damn bro....sorry to see you are stuck with those fugly wheels on a new car...

 

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