damn that thing goes. i only was able to get on it in first and 2nd, but man. that thing hauls. i really like the feel of the shifter and the layout inside.

 

so you're buying one or what?

 

if i had 10k more, id hit it. but i only have 4k to spend.

 

damn you like the feel of the shifter?? you must be crazy! well, depending on what car you drove previously...

I had a 4th gen 5spd maxima before...and I liked the 5spd shifter better than my current 6spd...

 

the 6spd shifter felt more solid and the gears were more pronounced than in 5spds. different strokes for different folks, i guess.

i got an idea, ill buy an 4th gen and we can trade cars. deal?

 

I've never driven one.. Although I'd like to.

 

that avatar of yours is freakin hilarious

 

If you think it moves in 1st and 2nd then you aint seen nothing yet. The 6speed is a monster in 3rd and 4th gear.

 

Ill second that, I love mine on the highway.... you downshift to third, its gone

 

Damn!!! I should have wait... but I might buy one if I find one at the right price..... but will keep my 01....

 

it's funny that you say that, because at one of our previous maxima meets, the two people that felt the way my car shifted liked the feel a lot better than their cars....i really don't mind it...the only time i find it notchy is in the cold, and i kinda like the long throws, because it makes it easy to find the gears during quick shifting...

but back on the original topic, yeah the 6-speed does move, but those 4th gen 5-speeds are freakin fast, too...i actually had trouble keeping up with one stock for stock from a stop. (now the high way was a different story; i could keep up with it in 5th gear! lol)

 

I think the 4th and 5th gen rod shifter is just much more smoother! The 5.5 gen straight up nothcy...it's becuz of the mechanical shift linkage....but what's funny is, the RSX-S has a mechanical shift linkage as well...and that thing is nearly as smooth as a rod shifter...

 

yeh man co sign. i came from the 2k2 automagic and now got the 6 speed. I'm still loving it without any power mods. i'm holdin off on power mods, next year or two might try and get a g coupe or an evo, but back on topic, 1st and 2nd are just samples, get her on thehighway and its the **** to whip around

 

My 2K max was a lot smoother especially since the MT-90 tranny fluid change. My 02 is very notchy and hopefully it won't be as much once I do the tranny fluid change as well. It takes a little getting used to. The 02 is a hell of a lot faster though. I'm loving it on the highway.

 

So how much difference is there b/w 03 se Auto and 6 spd. How was the response from the gas pedal.
must be tons of fun than an automatic?

 

Let me tell you. Every morning when I would merge on the highway with my 02 auto the thing would pull like a beast so the 5.5 gen auto is still crazy fast, but it sucked as far as speed down the highway. It just ran out of steam. Now my 6 speed pulls even harder when I merge on the highway and just goes and goes and never feels winded at all. I would leave my auto sucking exhaust on the highway. I have never driven a 5 speed 5 gen so I can't comment on the power but I have driven a auto 5 gen and it has no chance against an auto 5.5 gen....now theres a huge difference in power between them two

 

the 5.5 gen i think by far is the best maxima i ever drove

 

I'd have to say the 3rd gen was the best one I have ever driven. My wifes aunt had a red 5 speed se and this car was the *****. I have never forgotten that car.....

 

I've had the 5th gen auto and now have the 5.5 gen auto, and the 5.5 with the 3.5 liter has abundant power, in all gears. The 5th gen (3.0L) auto was solid performer, but it really doesn't have the ba1!s of the 5.5 gen.

I haven't had the pleasure of driving a 5 or 6 speed manual, in either version of the Max, but it sounds like I should. If I find one on a local lot, I will have to take it for a spin.

 

i really REALLY wish i got a 5.5 gen 6MT...my power issues would be over. Then again i'm pretty happy with my stock 5th gen 5MT...but i rather build on this than drop it just to go for another maxima with a little more power and a bad resale value...instead I may hold off for something even stronger like a G but thats ages away....headers matched with a catback and I should be competing with the stock 5.5 gens if not edging them....rather make the 1,500 dollar TOPS investment (parts plus installs) than go through h3ll trying to convince someone how much my car is worth to sell.

 

Are you sure? i think you should take mine for a spin one day.

 

Except for s/c 5 gen. I don't think so......Drive a 6 speed and you'd be amazed at the power....

 

I've driven my friends 4th gen and I owned a 5th and 5.5 gens - Manual and by far the most fun I've had is with the 2k max. I guess it was the excitement of my first max especially with all that power. I'm just now getting used to shifting the 2k2 6-speed. But the 2k2 is definitely more powerful and I'm loving it.

On another note I kind of liked the white dials and the red/blue lights at night on the 2k better than the titanium ones on the 2k2.

 

Ok i am little confused.
5th generations are the ones from 2000 to 2003 right?

which one exactly is 5.5?

 

5th gen 2000-2001 3.0
5.5 gen 2002-2003 3.5

 

5.5 gen FTW!!!

 

well ive driven a 01 AE auto, 02 SE auto, 98 se auto, 98 se 5spd, 92 se 5spd, and an 91 auto. No doubt the 02 is the fastest but my 98 5spd actually does pretty good against most cars. When i had my budget y pipe on and my intake it really moved! lol those 3rd gen se 5spd with the VE30 really move to i was surprised how well it did

 

Absolutely! After 4 years of ownership and 132,000 miles, it still puts a smile on my face when drop it into 4th gear and take off.

 

I have a 4AT and feel likewise after 4 years of ownership (45k).

 

That is a LOT of miles for a 2K2. How is it holding up with all that distance behind it? Have you had any oil consumption issues that GBauer and his high mileage 5.5gen have had? I am curious about what's in store for the future of my 2K2.

 

I have 118K on my 00 GLE... today I noticed that when I stomped on it, the engine sounded like a freaking airplane. It was all loud and powerful. It made me get a smile on my face also... She must know that I am getting wooed by the new Chargers.

I have to agree that the 3rd gen Max when the 4DSC was really the Max's mantra, them bishes would move. Then again those cars were a tad smaller/lighter so the 190 hp engine sufficed it. The 5th gen should have come stock with 300Hp to match that fun... Wishful thinking ...

I am not a fan of the 6 speed... my ADD kicked in when I test drove one and I forgot what gear I was in. Oops. The salesman almost pooped on the frost leather. It was kinda funny. Waited a year and bought a 6th gen...

 

i have a 5.5 generation auto,my friend has a 03 altima 6speed,off the start he gets me,but i walk right by when i hit 3rd gear.....it kinda surprised me..

 

unless its an se-r, its a 5spd

 

it is an se-r altima. I'm considering a few bolt on upgrades,injen cai,cattman y-pipe,high flow cat and the tc ecu upgrade what do u think Mxdout97?

 

Mechanically, it is holding up very well. I have had no oil consumption issues at all. I change the oil every 3,000 miles. Usually, that is between 3 to 5 weeks. My company covers all of my oil changes and fuel. I only run 93 octane.
I am on my 3rd set of tires. I replaced the Potenzas early around 23,000 miles. I also purchased a set of 16" steel wheels and snow tires for the winter months. I just had it tuned up at the beginning of the year. All new plugs and fuel filter.
I have had the SES light come on twice, once for an oxygen sensor and the other time for a leak in the fuel evaporating system. I had to replace the fuel evaporating canister. I just had to replace the radiator because of a pin hole leak in it. That comes with the territory of highway driving.

Physically, the paint is not holding up as well. The front of the vehicle is all pitted to hell. Not to mention, since it is black, it adds to the diminished appearance with visible scratches and swirl marks. I guess we all know that the paint of the 5th gens is not that great to begin with.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the way this car has held up. Even with all the miles on it, it still pulls like a son of a gun! If you take care of it, your 2K2 will give you many years of driving enjoyment.

Kevin

 

well, if it is an se-r altima then it must be '05 or '06, there werent any in 2003. as far as mods, GAB (hacked stock air box) or berk are pretty much the only intakes that are gonna give you the best gains, cai's will kill your lower end, after that, full exhaust with headers should give you a combined (with intake) at least a 40 hp increase over stock. then get some springs and motor mounts to decrease wheel hop and your set.

 

Correct. The SE-R is an 05-06 only.

As someone who has driven the SE-R in both 6MT and 5AT (and owns a 5.5G 4AT), I can with confidence assert that the 6MT SE-R should walk on any stock (and basic bolt on) 5.5G 4AT....provided the driver knows what he is doing.

 

Based on how bad my hood looks after 75kmi, I was assuming your hood had disintegrated. I got an estimate of $200 to repaint mine, but I think I'll wait until my mom backs into my car (itll happen) and get the bumper done too

 

Yes those SER's are putting down times very similiar to 02/03 6 spds and 02 + manual SE Altima's from time slips on the Altima site and mag test.. So it should be a tad quicker than the auto's.

 

My 2nd gen 5spd actually has the 2.5 altima and non DOHC 3rd gens beat. I don't even bother with anything else. My 5th gen 5spd is way faster than my 2nd. BTW, does anyone know if the 160 mile spedo is possible on the 5.5 gen or at least close. I'm pretty sure its not possible on the 5th stock. Cause on my 2nd gen, 125 is the spedo limit, and it can be passed, I know