OK, so I'm scouring the DFW metroplex looking for a Gray Lustre or Black 5 speed with all the 'necessary' options (C&C, leather, Bose, etc.). Six out of 10 dealers say Gray Lustres with 5 speeds are hard to find so is the Black ones. They keep telling me that cutomers prefer Autos than 5 speeds and they added that customers just can't justify paying $26k+ for a car that a 5 speed. I even included the Houston area in my search. I got the impression that Maxima owners/drivers are 'non-driving oriented'.

Really, BMW offers manual transmissions all throughout their line (including the 7 series? sportshift?) and BMW toughts their brand as the ultimate driving machine. Nissan's motto is DRIVEN. So, WTF? How come there's a shortage of 5 speeds and tons of Autos?

The main reason I'm even considering the Maxima is because of the 3.0 V6; this mated with a 5 speed is a pretty potent combination. Also in addition to what else you get with the price they're offering for the Max. IMO, I just like the instantaneous surge of acceleration that you get with the 5 speed and no lag at all as compared with the Auto.

I'm not trying to put owners of autotranny Maximas down, but how are your experiences with the Auto tranny?? And the 5 speed owners, what made you to decide on getting the 5 speeds??

 

DON'T GET AN AUTO

I repeat

DON'T GET AN AUTO

I have an auto, its slower, its not durable(I already had to have it replaced once), it's less fun to drive. Stick to your guns and get a 5 speed, you'll be MUCH happier.

 

Don't make the same mistake as me. GET THE STICK!! Automatic guys have problems with slippage, blown tranmissions, ect..

Bmw doesn't offer a manual transmission on the 7series. The Steptronic transmission is nothing more than a manually controlled automatic. I wish they offered the F1 Steptronic transmission like they do in Europe. Its similar to the Ferrari F1 paddle shifters except it's controlled by a joystick similar to a manual joystick.

 

I got the dealer to locate a 5-spd 300 miles away. It is obsurd that there are so few 5-spd maximas out there. I heard only 5% or less Maximas are 5-spd.

 

and wait for the 5spd. Trust me, it's worth it. You dont want to settle and wind up regretting it later. When I bought my car, the dealer did state that there's only a few requests for 5 spd's. Thats probably why they dont stock them too much. I does sound unacceptable that not one single dealer in your area has one. Tell them to search extensively and that your willing to wait. Again...DONT SETTLE!

 

most daily drivers today prefer auto, better resale, and easy to drive.. other than that, maxima enthusiast, that actually enjoy having fun in their maximas, take manual i guess?? i chose auto becuz of LAs Traffic.. other wise i would have taken a manual.

 

there aRe those online car buying sites (www.carsdirect.com) if you're interested. with those, you can choose every single option you want (don't want) and just wait for them to find it. that's what i'm planning to do for my sister when she gets (my) Maxima.

 

Hey come to Boston there's plenty of 5 sp. here!!

 

ITS WORTH GETTING THE 5 SPEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are hard to find but you will be a much happier driver!

 

Hey come to Boston there's plenty of 5 sp. here!!

 

get the 5 speed.. it took me 2 months and 3 dealerships to find it tho..

1st dealership tried to sell me a demo a little below sticker...(wondries nissan - alhambra)

2nd dealership found me a black se 5spd i put a deposit on it but they sold it to someone else (long beach nissan)

then i went the online route.. carsdirect.com
they are really good but then they can only deal with certain dealerships.. waited a month before they told me there were no se 5spds within their dealers.. so the lady said out of courtesy told me there were 3!! se 5spds at cerritos so i went that day and bought it

took forever to negotiate tho.. i think it was about 2am when everything was signed. i think i paid too much but its worth it

 

Having test driven both auto and the 5sp ( arty: ), its definitely worth any wait to get the 5sp!!!!

I bought a 5sp because I fell in love with that kind of tranny in my old Escort GT... I wanted to be able to control the shifting, plus have the ability to launch real well out of lights and stuff and the 5sp is just better at that. I have absolutely no regrets...

 

If you have not seen the pattern....

STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK STICK

I did not even drive a stick Maxima before buying it. The first manual Max I drove was AFTER having signed all the papers and sold my old car. Tabarnaque c'est un hostie de monstre!

Forget what anyone says about riding a stick in traffic, you learn to adapt. Once finished you punch it thru 2nd and 3rd (MMMMMMmmmmmm 333333rrrrrddddddd) and you will understand.

 

I had a tough time finding my 5spd. Orginally i wanted white with black interior and they found my black on black in Dallas. So they moved it down to S.A. for me. Look all over, there are some out there, and there is more AE 5spds than the normal ones.

 

Yeah only about 5% are built with manual trannys but keep looking because it worth it. So much more fun to drive.

 

3% as per Road and Track.

 

Great. Then 5 speed it is! It's a good thing that I'm not alone. I did find a dealer who's willing to sell the 2001 MaxSE to me at below cost, $ 25895 + ttl. So far no one here can match that price. I'll post some pics if the negotiations go through.

 

It depends on ones experience. I had a new 89 SE with the 5- speed. The grear box died at 56K miles, needed all new bearings at a cost of $650. Clutch died at 100k miles, despite no hard driving/shifts and cost $700.

That's why my new 2k SE has the automatic. If a gear box can't handle 160 hp. do you think Nissan got it right at
222 hp?

I didn't want to take the risk and may buy an extended warrantee to cover everything, including the auto for 75,000 miles.

 

I respect the opinions of the 5-speed owners but it is a subjective topic and I am quite happy with my auto and would highly recommend it.

 

Isn't it all about the drivers preference anyway? I think manuals are fun to drive but for everyday I would prefer an automatic. I guess it depends on how you drive and what you intend to do as well...

 

Their auto tranny can't handle the existing 222 hp, I had mine replaced at ~14k miles and so have several others.

 

WAIT!!

Get a stick.

BUT - get a 2002 if you can wait. They'll be at least 260 hp. If you don't want a 2002, wait until they come out and you ought to be able to buy a 2001 for way under invoice and probably with cheap Nissan financing.

 

Well I could wait but my lease on my car ends next month, and I don't think it's worth refinancing it.

Needless to say, I'd probably die due to extreme anxiety waiting until September when the 20002's come out or when they discount the 2001's.

 

If nothing else, I would really haggle with the dealer and not be afraid to walk away. If you tell the dealer that you know what's going on with the Altimas - gonna be bigger, faster and handle better than the current maxima, and that you know they are bumping up the hp etc on the maxima because of the Altimas - you ought to be able to negotiate a sweet deal. I would think they'll be selling maximas for a couple grand under invoice if you shop around and negotiate hard.

The only car you should be able to get a better deal on than a Maxima - is an Altima.

 

What's up guys,

I just bought my Maxima 2 months ago, a silver SE w/the 5 speed. I was debating somewhat about getting the auto b/c I live in Atlanta and the traffic sucks, but I'm glad I got the 5 speed. (I didn't even test drive an auto.)
I probably will get a short-shift kit, though, b/c the stock long throw kinda sucks.

Atlanta has several dealerships and the one I bought my Max from (Sutherlin) had several 5 speeds, while a couple I visited didn't have any (I was told the same thing..not much demand for the stick). However, Sutherlin told me that they had a good # of requests for 5 speeds.

Just my 2 cents. Later.

 

the dealers in Toronto will offer much higher values to purchase 5sp 4th or 5th gens ... b/c the ratio of auto:5sp is so low .. they can never get their hands on them!

 

c if u can negotitiate a deal where u lease a vehicle 4 the period until the new max comes out & then kill that lease 4 the new Max ... if the new Altima is that good .. .what'll the max b like!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

When I got my 2K1 Black SE w/ the 5sp, C&C, Bose, but no leather. The dealer was gonna pratically give me a auto for the same price. I told him no way, AUTO's suck, IMO. If you are buying any car with over 200Hp, you would be better off to buy a 5sp. You have more control of all that Hp. Good luck in your search! Oh, by the way, get the 5sp.

 

I got a fully loaded 5sp in your area, but it was a long wait

 

and the difference is very noticeable...

 

...I love hearing the tires break free on a quick shift to second. Do you auto guys get the same joyful noise after a shift? Nothing like it in the world...

 

It also took me 2 months and 3 dealerships to find my 5-speed. It had to be driven from another state (approx. 240 miles)...! Before I settled for a fully loaded SE, this one dealer told me I'd have to wait 3 months for Nissan to "special build" me a 5-speed with just the C&C package. I think that was complete BS because they put in the "order", *BUT* they couldn't give me a delivery date!! Whatever! Anyhow, I'm glad I ended up getting a fully loaded 5-speed.

 

Well, I'll be signing the deal this coming Friday...it's a 2k1 SE 5spd with the C&C package only. They are shipping it from over 300 miles away (to Chicago, then it's another 160 miles drive home for me!) I'm so excited that I can hardly sleep now... 8]

When I test drove the max 5spd, I stalled a couple of times taking off...any pointers for a newbie on how to drive a manual??

Green

 

Give it lots of gas and try to smoke those RE92s!

Just remeber that the clutch is not an on/off switch, you have to feather it a bit.

Good choice!

 

Where in Boston are you finding 5 spds? I cant seem to find them anywhere and I'm 20 min north of town. I agree...I wish I had gotten a stick...after driving one for 15 years I thought the auto would be nice.....wrong!!!!!

 

Finally picking up my 2k1 SE 5 speed CC/Leather/Bose and FREE! Meridian edition package. The dealer found me 1 'rare' one with 5 speed with the options I want and it came with the Meridian.

So he just decided to give it for me at no charge. My lease term is 36 months so it's perfect: when the 6th generation Max's come out I'll be ready!

 

Last year I bought a '00 Maxima with the Grey Lustre and 5 spd. I love it! That motor and transmission are a pretty good combo, especially for the market they have this car categorized in(family sedan). The only mod I have done so far is to remove the stock airbox and installed a stillen intake(cone airfilter). I love my car, Get the 5 spd if you have any hesitation about the auto. It took the dealership about three weeks to find my car, but it was worth it. I drove the auto, and I just prefer the shifting aspect of driving. Just a personal preference I guess. But it sounds like thats what you want. Good luck and have fun.

 

Anyone still looking for a 5spd? I have a sterling mist 20th AE with a 5 spd I may need to sell next month. I love the car, but it looks as though I will be moving overseas. Mileage currently is less than 8k, most of which is highway time. Has all options other than disc changer (didn't like that it was in the trunk) and microfilter. Leather is frost colored. Car is completely stock other than Phillips headlamps and fogs. Email karldewey@hotmail.com if interested.