Anyone gonna buy the 2002 Max? It's better than the 2002 Altima (ooo, ahhh). The only thing that changes with the 2002 is the engine right?

 

i know this is way off of thread subject but do you think a v8 could fit in a maxima? maybe they should make a v7.5...

 

without changing much?? i seriously doubt a v8 will go.

 

without changing much? it's more like without changing ALL

 

I'll probably buy a new car this year. Leaning towards a Maxima because I need 5 seats and want a manual transmission and power. I was going to get a 2001 until I heard the rumors of a 260 hp 3.5 liter with 6 speed.

I keep seeing adds for new 2001's under 18k, sounds pretty tempting. I'd want to add eibach's, koni's, tires, wheels, y-pipe, and shifter. Hopefully I'll add the blower later down the road.

Rob

 

That 260 hp 3.5 liter 6 speed, sounds mighty tempting thats one reason why i havent started to mod my car yet,i dont know if i should spend all that $$$$$$ on mods if iam going to trade her in for an 02. I wish we had spy shots or real conformation on what shell look like. Then again with a total redesign coming up in 03 it might be better to just hold off for now and see what NISSAN has in store for us.
decisions decisions.

 

Well, it's just like buying computers, this month you see Pentium 3 brand new and fast, but you are wondering what if I wait for another month and then pentium 4 will be out?????

Come on, the joy of modding a car doesn't have to wait, how about I tell you that Evolution VII might be coming to US in year 2003-2004!!!!I 'd be rather wait for that one !!!

There is always gonna be better, faster cars, heck, by 2005, we will probably have skyline over here, does that mean you are gonna stop modding your car and just wait 5 years to get that car???

Tim

 

I Nissan works up a 4.0 liter V8 engine based on the current 3.0 V6 they could easily have one of the best V8's on the market in no time with minimal investment at about 300 hp. When I hear about a V8 in the 2003 Max I think along those lines - rather than the more common 4.5 liter Q45 engine.

Now I know it would be rather impossible to package and engine like that in our 5th gens. Yet, you could turn it lengthwise and it would fit with modest lengthening of the front of the car. The result may not be dissimilar to the long nose look of the 2nd snf 3rd gen straight 6 Maximas. Further, it would package very nicely with, say, the Skyline's AWD system (or a less expensive adaptation).

Oooh, now we're talkin'.

 

I like the way you think. Except how about factory boost rather than a giant engine?

 

Factory boost

 

Would a front wheel drive be able to handle a V8 with 300+ HP? That could lead to some nasty torque steer...


PS: I am so bored, Friday, 3:45 and I don't think our bosses are going to let us leave early damn it!

 

I know you might have already known this, but just in case, the 2003 Max will have a bigger body than the 5th Gen, not sure how much larger, but I guess to compete with the 5 Series, GS, etc.

 

Arg... The 2003 Max-y will suck... It's gonna be full size(no more tight parking spaces ) and it's gonna have the same engine as the 2002 but a little tweaked. That means a full size (avalon size) Maxima with about 275 hp. The one thing I hate is the size it will become.

 

True, but now that Nissan realizes that everbody wants 17 inch wheels and zenons (ie 2002 Altima), they should at least but 300 hp in the new Max with better handling, 18 inch wheels, thet won't make it Avalonish, because they know people won't buy it, it's not going to be too much larger (hopefully). The Maxima isn't marketed towards 60 year olds who want a Japanese Lincoln. If Nissan knows better, they will keep us Maxima owners happy.

Everybody realizes that big is out, more companies are working on better handling and adding all the aftermarket power that customers want. I think Nissan is listening to their customers and should make the re-styled Max an enthusiasts car.

 

THEN THEY SHOULD SHRINK THE MAXIMA!!! If they don't I will them personally.

 

 

There's no way Nissan would build a V8 from this V6. It would never be smooth with the 60 degree angle from this engine and any change of the V angle would imply a complete new engine. I'm trading if a 260 hp engine comes along because the extra mid range torque from the increase in diplacement is virtually impossible to get from hopping up the 3.0 engine.

 

just wait for 2002 newb... it's gonna be 260hp, the 6th gen max-y is gonna be about 275hp

 

Nissan probably could do this (but I wouldn't)...I think the Caddy Eldo is FWD with the 300 HP Northstar. But it doesn't make sense...I'm mean Caddies get smoked in the handling dept by their RWD competitors (BMW, MB, Audi, etc).

I agree that Nissan needs to consider making the max RWD.

 

It might not ne too bad. I think the size class ratings refers to interior volume. Nissan might have to extend the wheelbase ever-so-slightly to get there, but hopefully not too much. Keep in mind that the 2002 Altima shares the same platform as the max...but has more interior volume.

In either case...the 2002 max might me THE max if the 2003 only has the same 3.5L 260 HP engine as the 2002 (Man I hope it gets a V8). Plus, I heard that the 2002 may have HID headlamps, 6 speed tranny, in-dash CD changer (ABOUT TIME I MAY ADD...I NEVER understood how a sentra could have an in-dash changer, but not the "flagship"), and possibly a NAV system. We'll see!

 

gosh...you really need to check up more often then. The size class rating also means the car size. And the max will never get a v8. It's a luxury performance sedan...notice the word luxury. The 2003 and 2002 will have the same engine.

 

Keep in mind that the Avalon is only about an inch longer than the current Max. So what if the Max will grow an inch!!

 

This is the reply I got to my note to Nissan commenting on what I felt the introduction of the new Altima would do to the resale of my current y2k. Actually if what is said here is true, I'll be trading up.

------------------------------------------------

Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance. All auto manufacturers improve their product line-up from one model year to the next. There is no perfect time to purchase any consumer product that's constantly being upgraded and priced accordingly. The next generation Altima that goes on sale in September '01 is a full model change that's all new from the ground up. As we make improvements to the Altima nameplate, likewise improvements are constantly being made to our Nissan flagship Maxima. The '02 Maxima will feature the same basic design as the 2000/2001 models but will be more powerful than the new Altima and include more features befitting a flagship model. These improvements for the '02 model do not detract from the '01 models we currently sell. In fact, the current Maxima includes features that continue to be found only on our top-of-the-line model. Maxima heritage and its award-winning engine provide the quality and performance Maxima buyers originally were looking for. The Maxima is a valued brand and will continue to hold a unique and even more exclusive position in Nissan's future line-up.

If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail us.

Sincerely,

Maggie Maese
National Consumer Affairs

 

what about width of the car?

 

How about the cost of the 2002???

Nissan prices seem to have been going up, along with the prices of all new cars. (ie, pushing 30k for a loaded maxima gxe). I got an awesome price on my 2k1 se, (23.5k for 222hp v6, 5spd, 17 inchers, sunroof, cabin filter and sunroof wind deflector, no-leather). Basically, for me, it was all about the value of the dollar. I look at my 2k1 purchase as one of the best bang for the buck I could have ever received for 23.5k. I hope the 2002 with 3.5L, 260 hp v6 also keeps this into consideration. But, the way trends seem to progress, any increase in performance doesn't come without paying a premium. I'd like to upgrade to 260 hp, but if it means I have to pay 30k for a new 2002 maxima, after trading mine in(after loosing money due to accelerated depreciation due to 2002 bigger engine), then I think I'll hold onto my max and remain happy by reminding myself of the best bang for the buck that I had recived back in 2001.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JLauric
[B]How about the cost of the 2002???

Thats a awesome deal! Hopefully the 2002 Maxima wont be too much over $30,000 but I wont be suprised on a loaded out one when they first come out. What Im worried about is the price on the 2003 Max.

 

dang...i don't think i'll be staying with the max for long unless the 7th gen will be good when it comes out... yes, I know that's 2 gens ahead but I know what the 2003 is like. It's on most car news sites.

 

Hey guys, what about this, if the 2002 is going to have the same body style as the 2k and 2k1, then what about an engine and tranny swap? I'd love to take the 3.5 and 6 spd and put it in my car.

 

I think Nissan will artificially raise the price of 2002 to push some buyers to the new Altima.

 

hm...don't think the Nissan branch is ready for a Flagship change yet. People wouldn't accept it very well.

 

is there a price change on the Infiniti side of the family? I'm not sure...But, the Maxima can't come too close to the I35 because then Nissan is stepping all over itself (not they haven't been know to do this) Personally I have faith in the way Carlos Ghosn is running the company and I think we all might just be a little surprised...but then again, I could be wrong.

 

funny how u said artifically.. everything from nissan is artificial.. wuts naturally made??

 

ha ha... Never noticed that one. Well who know's but I think he meant that "Nissan will actually raise the prices of the 2002 to get peeps to buy the ALT". I should you for being a nincompoop...is that a real word???