could someone tell me why the maxima was designed to not have an independent rear suspension?

Dave
2003 SE

 

keep the cost down...a cheap rear single axle is a lot less to manufacture than independent, and is probably based on the same design of 4th gen....so they didnt have to spend much into it.

 

its all about the money

 

Cost.

Remember that the earlier (believe 3rd generation and prior) Maxima's DID have an independent rear suspension. As Maxilvr06 states, it's all about money (and perceived value from a customer).

 

I owned two 3rd gens. An 89 and a 92. They both had 4 wheel independent suspension and I liked that way better than my 02. I don't know why the cost would be that different when it's mass produced. I almost hate the solid rear axle when it comes to bumps.

 

I guess! However I thought there might have been something other than money at play... but it is not exactly like that would require Nissan to reinvent the wheel or something like this in the 21st century. I mean manufacturing some of these parts can really not cost all that much on the production side.
I mean even the expedition has 4 ind. now...


Two of my previous cars '89 LXi and '91 EX accords both had 4 wheel ind. and it was very good.
I like the maxima but I am not wild about the rear suspension. I always said to myself I would never buy a car without it, but I guess one should never say never.

What do the 04 and 05 have?

 

sometimes its jsut better not to ask

 

the 6th gens have 4 wheel ind.

 

my Triumph GT6 has a semi-independent, transverse leaf spring rear suspension. THAT is a wierd suspension. The maxima's beam-axle is not. It was intended to simulate the rear-end handling/ride qualities of larger (primarily RWD) sedans. In terms of performance, the beam-axle setup is sub-par, especially on bumpy roads. But as a highway-cruiser, it is actually a better suspension setup in some cases....