So - I'm in the market for a 5.5 gen maxima...and those with the meridian package (heated seats/wheel) are far and few between.

For those with these options - do you find yourself using them much - would it be worth it to get a car with say 55k miles with them vs a car with 40k without (same price)?

Also - how difficult would it be to retrofit the seat heaters? If not from nissan - maybe an aftermarket supplier? I'm fairly handy as far as the electrical is concerned, but worried about stripping the seat covers and recovering....

 

I'm not sure how cold it gets down there in GA... but in Northern VA where I'm from... the heated seats and and steering wheel does come in handy during the colder days of winter... esp because of the leather... and I do use it a lot... now I wouldn't say its a necessity, but it sure is nice...

 

I use my heated steering wheel all the time - it's awesome. It heats up quick too - almost burns my hands if I leave it on!! In the burbs of Chicago it gets cold and since my car stays outside it's nice to have those features.

I also like telling people I have heated steering wheel - they're like "steering wheel? really?" My friend who has a $40k+ Acura MDX doesn't even have this feature..

Not sure how long you've been looking for a Maxima - but it seems that either they'll be loaded up with all the options (leather, meridian, Bose 6CD, moonroof, etc..) or with just the basics (cloth, manual climate control, no moonroof).

I picked up my 2k2 (new) in Dec of 02 - it was either this one fully loaded up or a 2k3 with the basics. I'm glad I went with the car w/ all the features.

 

Since your in Ga, I think I'd go with a lower mileage one. It doesn't get all that cold there, and you could always add some heated seats if you really wanted to.

 

I love my meridian package :-D

 

thanks for the input guys...

I'm sure it doesn't get as cold here in Atl as it does in Chicago or VA - plus I park in a garage at night. Truth be told, they would primarily be used to help keep the wife warm so she doesn't make me keep the windows up and heat on 90 all through the winter.

I had never really anticipated needing or wanting heated seats with my previous cars (although I had remote start to help the heating) - but I guess it's just a guy thing knowing that there's another available option that you don't have. Just trying to figure out if it's all it's cracked up to be and if it's worth the mileage sacrifice to get.

I've found a couple of max's I really like - loaded with everything except meridian and nav. Theres another though that has meridian, but I have to give up about 17k miles for that (and it's a less desirable color for me).

I've only been looking for a couple of weeks, but hope to move fairly quickly with a purchase.

 

I've got it & i can't live without it here in chicago. I use it ALL the time pretty much from Oct-April. I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle down in ATL tho.
It's amazing how many higher end cars don't have this feature.

 

How hard would it be to install the heaters in the seats? Would you have strip the seats or could you just install them inside the seat from the bottom?

 

I think the easiest thing to do would be swapping the seats as a whole.

 

Yup...nice option(s)/features for the climate I drive in.

 

don't forget that the meridian package also has heated outside mirrors....nice for when there's snow, ice, frost, or condensation on the mirrors...just turn em on and clear them!

 

when I first got the car I thought i'd never use the meridian stuff. But even here in CA I find myself using the heated seats for the morning commute during the winter and wishing that I had a heated steering wheel to go along with it.

oh, and the heated mirrors do come in handy also

 

ITs actually not hard to install. The leather is secured to the seat by hog wire and u will need hog clips. I actually used needle noses and limen pliers. Did the job good. I got the elements off a wreck 2k3 that had teh meridian package and the switches on it. Most all maximas are already prewired for it.

 

ya know, in all the research i did, i didnt even know about the "merdiean package". i had heard of it, but wasnt sure what it was. luckily i have it and i LOVE my heated wheel and seats. the wheels is awesome because of just how FAST it heats up. much faster than the seats. like everyone said, it depends on how cold it gets by you, but even in those cold fall and winter mornings, where the interior might be a little cold just cuz its leather, it will be nice.

combine the heated seats with remote start, and your in business. i get in my car every morning (that i remember the night before to turn them on) and its nice and toasty...and a minute later, my hands are gettin warm

and yeah, it is unusual how many higher end cars dont have this. TL/CL-S's i know dont have it, same with my friends '02 QX4. he was NOT pleased about that. i guess it pays to buy the "flagship".

 

Having installed custom leather myself, I can tell you it's a PITA that I'd try to avoid in the future. Not saying I wouldn't ever do it again, but I would dread it. I bought my Max with cloth interior, but it still had Meridian. Here in Seattle, it's something I use ALOT so I would never give it up.

 

When I first bought the car I never thought I would use the heated steering wheel or seats much, but after two winters I am so happy I got it.

 

Thanks for the additional info - sounds like the consensus is to bite the bullet and choose the car with 'em....

For those of you that retrofitted or installed leather - how far into the seats do the elements go...would I have to completely pull the cover, or could I undo a few hog rings, fold back, and slip them in?

How about the wheel - Is there a special wheel I'd have to buy, or do you just have to add a switch?

 

I'm in Colorado. I really like the heated steering wheel, and mirrors. Don't use the heated seats as much, but they are nice. I agree with some...since your in ATL, you don't get the extreme colds, so I would go with less mileage.

 

I have heated CLOTH/wheel/mirrors and those are the best options. Especially the wheel. If you look, no other Nissans offer that. I think it was an option on 01-03 pathfinders and that's it. None of new infinities offer it either. Very nice option!

 

Anyone know if there are "how to" out there for retro-fitting heated seats and heated mirrors? Also, where is the best place to find these items besides dealer and local salvage yard? Doesn't seem to be any on ebay or the sponsor sites here.

 

http://home.insightbb.com/~dwh/mirror.htm

This is the heated mirror install. Hope this helps. The heated seats are just plub and play. Just gotta get the seat cover off and put the elements in.

 

Check this write up for a 99 Miata.

http://www.miata.net/garage/duetto_seat.html

 

The heated seats help immensely when it gets cold out. My touche is extremely thankful for the warmth and comfort the seat supplies

 

i used to live in north carolina, and it used to snow there during winter, the heated seats and wheels were so useful when the weather dips to low 30s

 

I have the Meridian Package and I live in Ga. I wouldnt do with out them during the winter.

 

hell yea, I always heat up my seats and wheel. haven't been in a situation where my mirrors have fogged up yet, but I'm sure my heated mirrors will come in handy.....

 

Switches for heated seats go in the center console between the cupholder and the armrest compartment. Switch for heated steering wheel is on the dash, to the left of the steering wheel. It's one of the lower empty spaces you have.

 

hey....i have heated seats...does that also mean i have heated mirrors? I have a 2000 GLE with what appears to be every option. That would be a really cool option to have up here in cleveland. lake effect snow is a pain

 

OK, I'm gonna go against the grain here ...

I had heated seats/mirrors in my accord (no wheel) and they really weren't all that special. Nothing your heater can't already do. It's nice for the ooh's and aaah's you get from people, but that's about it..

Go for the lower miles - it's a color you want and will last you longer. Not worth an extra 17k miles. However if they were the same mileage, might be worth a little extra cash up front.

 

I like the fact that the heated seat and wheel are hot long before the heater really gets up to temp. If you have time to allow the car to warm up before driving it, it may not be so bad. But when you are getting in and going while its cold, you really appreciate the fact that you have those options... and its only been cold a few mornings I have owned it!

On another note, my wife likes the heated seats because she says it makes her back feel better. I guess its the "heating pad" effect!

 

I live in South Florida and even though you wouldn't believe it, when I leave for work at 3am I than the heavens that I have the meridian package. It sometimes gets to the low 50's down here that early in the morning. I didn't honestly know about the heated steering wheel part until I read this thread but that's because I put a steering wheel cover in it anticipating that it would be too cold on some mornings. I have since ripped it off! If you can get one, get it! It there will be days when you are happy that you have it.

 

well - I ended up choosing the lower mileage max w/out the meridian. I couldn't give up a years worth of miles (and remaining 20k on powertrain warranty) for the heaters....And if it just becomes unbearable, I'll just have to look into adding the seat heaters or remote start.

So - I'll be picking up my 2k2 merlot se this weekend

Thanks again for everyones input.