Well guys im back some of you probably remember me. (recent newbie), my 03 black wrx is mine no more. I traded it in on a Silver 02 Maxima GLE 40,000 miles. Seems like this rig came with all the bells and whistles (except for Navi)

black leather, heated seats, heated steering wheel, bose, sunroof, and traction control, and a 4yr 100k warranty

I love the quiet rip of the VQ35, the pothole eating suspension and bose stereo. the only thing that i dont love is that the gauges are rather dim, all (black guages) Is it possible to go with a brighter cluster?

this car is so comfortable, and big!, theres enough room for 2 chicks in that back seat! Not the case with the subaru. Im happy with my purchase

 

congrats...but obivously this thread is worthless without pics......

 

With Chitown's roads I wouldve thought the WRX would have been better. I grew up there too and have fond memories of wishing I had a 4X4 every time I drove!

 

Good choice dude. Hey the other day some guy with the beefy WRX, you know the really fast one it think it's the STi or something, but anyways he tried to race me. Lol what a fool. I am sure he will never try that again with another 5.5 generation Max.

 

??? from a stop an STI will eat you alive. from a roll the 5.5 gen is a better match because the STI's have no topend. i don't doubt you beating him but 9 times out of 10, I would have money of the STI.

 

I doubt even from a roll.... then again... that debate is not the point of this thread is it?

 

Welcome back to the .Org.... hope you enjoy the Max... it must be quite an adjustment though... I'm always tempted to go the other way cuz 2 of my buddies have 02 WRX's, but I love my Max too much.... can't bring myself to do it even for AWD....

Anyways... hope you'll be able to find this site a good source of information.... I def did when I got on here.... just check out the Stickies when ya have the chance so people won't give ya a hard time with your posts...

 

its a big adjustment goin from 5spd to 4AT... and AWD to FWD. Other than those adjustments, the max is a much nicer daily driver... everything is a few notches up in quality.

speed wise. my wrx (225whp), or an STi 260whp, stop ( 0-60 4.5seconds !)or roll would annihalate an auto max. (i trapped 104 with stage II and RA gears.)

ive gotta admit the acceleration above 60 is pretty impressive even bone stock. but man this maxima needs some tires bad! I wonder if Nitto's 555's fit the max's rims

 

I thought STI has about 300HP? What fool would want to race lighter car with more HP and better grip.

 

300 to the crank... he said 260 to the wheels....

 

don't get confused w/ crack hp numbers and wheel hp numbers.

I know what you mean. I had to go from 12s rwd car to 15s fwd family car but I enjoy my Max every second of it and I'm sure you will too. Good luck w/ your car

 

Ammi, that avatar cracks me up. I think Spidey's name changed when he when to Bollywood though...

Anyways, I thought the WRX had a great suspenion as far as being IRS & having good travel.

Welcome!

 

thanks everyone... yea the wrx was a great little car, but it didnt take the rough driving that i gave it... the suspension was great, but it really sagged after 30k miles. the GLE is much more adept at absorbing harshness in the road, but the main difference is the wrx excells at handling no matter how crappy the road is.

i was tired of burning oil, turbolag, wierd tranny and engine rattles and vibes. as well as countless weeks waiting for powertrain repairs. it was fun to drive, not fun to own... but ill miss her, the wrx is one of the best pure drivers cars out there. they just dont take abuse well.

 

Congrats and welcome to the org. The cluster is a bit dim but there isn't a brighter one unless you do some kind of mod to the cluster light. Unfortunately you have a GLE which you said the black cluster, with the SE like mine is a white facing gauge.

 

Like this?


The HOW-TO is on my page...PM me if you have any questions

http://www.cardomain.com/id/metalmaxima

 

Good job on that write up. I'm going to have to give it a try sometime.

 

Thanks! Once it gets warmer I am going to go back and do it again, only I am going to see how an LED 194 blulb will look. I am curious to see if it is any brighter.

 

i wanna do the same as busta

 

Go for it!

I have gotten many compliments on it, even my from my friend whom owns a 5.5 and is the most 'anti-car modding' person you will ever meet. You will be quite happy you did it!

I am going to be doing an update on the HOW-TO soon...I think I am going to change the bulbs out for LEDs tommorow and see how I like the look. I'll keep everyone posted!

 

I do miss my Max sometimes. It had alot more luxury to it as well as comfort. Then I floor my STI and remember why I switched.

 

a nicer ride then a WRX, not nearly as good on the sport aspect... but you can fit two girls in the back.... not to mention carry people in style.


~Wolf

 

Why are we comparing a Rally inspired car to a luxury family sedan? They are made for different things and they do their own things pretty damn well. Maxima may not be as quick as WRX, but driving a Maxima you get to your destination with style, grace and smoothness.

P.S. stock low 14s for a full size family sedan is far from being a bad performer...

 

sorry for double post but, i really do not like the fact that subaru put those pink STi emblems all over the car. They are screaming "look at us, we are glued on an STi!!!" they car would look A LOT cleaner without those PINK emblems, don't you guys think so?

 

Have you runa stock 1/4 mile yet? Times?

 

No I haven't had the chance since the tracks have been closed. Plus it's modded now anyway. With my mods (turbo back exhaust and intake) guys are running high 12's.

 

WGAF........

 

in other words...

 

Hey Busta that SES light looks even worse when its bright lol, I hate when mine pops on the regular brightness,

 

A stock 6-speed maxima is about as fast as a WRX in the 1/4 mile. They are both officially 14.5 and 14.4 respectively, and good drivers will put each in the low 14s. From a roll I think the 6-speed max would win. An STI absolutely destroys both though.

 

An STI does not destroy both...trust me on that. I have raced an STI from a 20mph roll. It was a stock STI though and it did not destroy me by any means. Actually, it had a hard time keeping up with me. From a roll, yes it left me pretty bad. But now that Maxinxs has modded his STI...I will not even attempt it again.

 

I know you said stock maxima JClaw, but I was pretty impressed with my max on that night.

 

Congrats on your Maxima GLE. I bet the difference between the Subaru and the Nissan is huge. I am not sure that you'll ever forget the fun of AWD. I never could, after i drove an older Audi for 6 years. I love my Maxima SE but the AWD of the Audi was fun fun fun. Cost of ownership was a different story.

Anyway, welcome to the club! I suggest you start with some mods right away in order to improve that ride. First - get good tires. I love Avon Tech 500 tires and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. You must change the tires if you still have the stock rubber. Do it Now!
After the tires - get a front strut tower bar, rear strut tower bar and rear sway bar. They will improve your handling A LOT!!! and they all cost a little. This car needs them.

If you have more money....do the rest....shocks/springs...intake....etc. Watch out for that warranty. You don't want to void it with some extreme mods.

Good Luck!

 

I would be too... if my Max had headers....