SiLvErBaCk82

I've had an auto for about a year and so wish I could've waited for a 6-speed, but my other car didn't give me time. I think what bugs me the most is having to wait for the car to shift into second after a quick burst of gas in first. For example if your pulling out into traffic but only need a second or two of 3/4 power, you have to wait 2 seconds once you let off the gas for it to shift......drives me crazy!!!!!

krochus

You make me feel special! My SE has everything but the HLSD and the Nav system, I even have that goofy homelink thing.


One strike against the 6speed is if you EVER plan on trading it in is as far as a dealer is concerned a manual transmission sedan is WORTHLESS

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

all have homelink
and mine is loaded minus navi (because i didnt want it)

if you have a 6-speed, dont sell it to a dealership. i checked the price of mine, and i lose $800 because of it. sell it to an individual who can appreciate it.

krochus

That's what you'd have to do, In the old days (pre internet) it could be pretty hard to find a buyer who would appreciate a stick. Nowdays it would be pretty easy to market a used car to the right people via the internet.

I wonder? What the AUTO to STICK production ratio was for vq35 powered 5 gens. Just how much harder is it to find a 6 speed.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

rumor is that in any given year, only 5% of maximas were manual tranny.
i bet at least 80% of those belong to members on here

krochus

LOL I've noticed that as well, it just goes to show where the true automotive enthusiasts hang out.

Maxgig

iTrader: (5)

good call on the price Rydicule, I just bought mine and it has everything but Nav. I looked for almost 2 yrs; finally found a black on black in Maryland w 47k miles but it was sold when I called, went to option two in DC, that being Sterling Mist w 39k miles. I paid $16k for it and love every minute I've owned it. Check the internet and you'll find some gems especially in the north east part of the U.S. The good dealerships put a butt load of pictures out there showing the car from all angles. But if you found one in your area I'd definitely go for it.

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

I bet your right, if not more than 80%. Im just taking a shot in the dark but could it be because enthusiasts love stick and this site is mostly comprised of enthusiasts?

boondoxmax

iTrader: (1)

I totally agree. I find myself looking in the inside of any 5.5 gen I see parked and have yet to run across a 6 speed. I love mine and I also believe that somewhere in the ball park of 6%-8% of 02-03 where manuals

03blackmaxse

I can say the exact same things..the max is quite common but the 6spd is very rare.

-I've got fully loaded with the exception of nav..i don't even think it was available in Canada..i'll probably get an aftermarket one soon

Madsci

I just bought a 6 speed. 2002 Texas car 52k miles. SE with all the options, bose 6 disk, leather heated seats, heated steering wheel, power everything, sunroof etc. Bluebook for excellent condition is just shy of 14k, "good" condition is 12,900. Went looking for probably 3 or 4 months and found this one on ebay. The buy it now was 12,400 to start with. I waited till one hour before the end of the auction and he lowered the buyout to 11,400. Then with 10 minutes to go he lowered it to 11,000. Picked it up right there.

I did see that with the 6 speed cars you have to be a little more careful with what you're getting. Some of them looked like they'd been owned by spoiled rich kids and just had the living crap driven out of them. I also found that the 6 spd cars tend to be a touch more pricey, so given that and how tough they are to find I think they're somewhat hard to get a good deal on-

Rydicule

I have to say, aftermarket Navigation FTW. I bought an aftermarket Navigation system, so I now consider my car "fully loaded". For those of you in the market for aftermarket Navi...

I recommend the Garmin Nuvi 350. One time buy for $450 from Amazon, and this thing is precise. it's easy to use, and it's never let me down. I haven't found a road yet, even in the back hills... that this thing hasn't worked well on. Even works great on cloudy days and all that stuff. Absolutely awesome. Definitely worth my $$$.

Porkepik

14k6 Is allright I suppose if it is fully loaded (maybe except navi, and I find that aftermarket ones are better at the job).

Bought my 6sp back in november at a nissan dealer(with car history of maintenance at the dealer) with some warranty left and paid 16.9k$CDN+tax(about 14.5k$US) It has everything except navi (I'm also in canada so I suppose it was indeed not available at the time).

I lost a manual CRV (thieves took it) a year ago and replaced it with a subaru outback with auto transmission I had been pretty miserable driving it for nearly a year until my wife got back to work after taking care of my childs until they were old enough to go to the daycare(4 and 2). Now the wife has the subie and I made a point to buy only sticks from now on (for me, wife does not really drive sticks).

I have a big grin on my face since I bought the max(except for the 1st gear that is a bit too much sensitive to my likings(and my tires) most of the time). 6spd FTW....... :-)

MidN1te

iTrader: (2)

DUDES I HAVE AN AUTO......AND ITS WAAAAAY BETTER THAN ANY MANUAL CAR!........................................SIKE!

seriously, the only reason why i have an auto is because i have a 97 eclipse all wheel drive turbo pushing close to 450hp....so i needed a daily driver...and got my 02 max!

BUT........i regret that cuz the 6 speed is SO much more reliable and nicer......just my 02.

1NICEMAX

iTrader: (5)

hey guys, i checked out a 6spd max today. fully loaded w/o navi and HLSD. does the HLSD really make a big difference?

Rydicule

Never driven one without it...

Although my brother drives an 01 with open diff, he got good tires for it and it seems to do just as well as mine... so...

2000maxima5spd8

all of my cars have been stick and unless i get a cripling injury to where i cant use the clutch and shifter i will always go stick i hope to swap out my 5spd for a 6spd in the future just my .02cents

maxleaner

Has anyone driven both the 5 speed and 6 speed? I remember reading that the 3.5 engine required a cable linkage vs. direct rods for the 5 speed with the 3.0 engine.

I have a Merlot 20th AE 5-speed I bought new, and that linkage has been great - never rubbery or notchy. The throws are a little long, but not so long that I ever spent any money on a short-shift kit. ...and I came out of a '95 Honda Prelude VTEC when I bought the Max.

BTW, my very clean Maxima will be going up on Cars.com soon (can't post it here yet due to the forum rules (back to newbie status despite my dozens of posts about 6 years ago).

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

i wouldnt get one without the HLSD. weird that it was loaded w/o navi and hlsd. thats how mine was when i got it new, every opt but navi..find a hlsd car..

1NICEMAX

iTrader: (5)

but does anyone have experience with and without?

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

6-speeds are rare enough...one with HLSD is very rare.
good luck finding one

1NICEMAX

iTrader: (5)

yeah, i'm about to make the final transaction tonight. 6spd loaded w/o HLSD. doesn't bother me. =)

STILLENGLE

yea i want stick vehicle to. but iam not sure if i want to get a older maxima to learn off of. is it hard to learn how to drive a manual car.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

i saw a very rare site yesterday.
saw a completely stock black 02/03 in a parking lot. as i always do, i walked by it and looked inside...it was a 6-speed!!!! first time i have seen that.

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

mileage? 02/03?

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

I have a tendency to do that also lol

1NICEMAX

iTrader: (5)

02 SE, with 40k miles. 6spd. fully loaded w/o navi and HLSD. hopefully the transaction will flow smoothly tonight.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

nice low mileage!!
when i bought my 02 two years ago it had 36K and that was low at the time

NYMAX02

iTrader: (3)

6speed for sure !!!

STILLENGLE

i want a black on black 6 speed with leather interior. but those are hard to find.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

like the one i have

took me a month to find it

STILLENGLE

you think its a good car to lean stick on or should i get a 4th gen

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

it is the most difficult manual i have driven due to the stiff clutch and notchy shift linkage.
that being said, if you learn on a maxima 6-speed, you will be able to drive anything.
main think to learn - clutch engagement point

STILLENGLE

yea maybe i could find one it may not be black on black but if i could find one at a decent price ill look into it and then if i cant figure something out ill go look at a 4th gen but wouldnt that look stupid having to of the same car in the driveway.

zero2sixtyZ

iTrader: (30)

Took me like 4 months to find mine.

02 6-spd, at the time with 40k, leather and bose, no nav or HLSD (wish it had that but oh well), got mine for $16k.

Anyways, nice find and good luck with the 6-speed, I love mine, don't regret it for a second.

Bufflomike

The idea that some transmission will know what gear I want to be in at any point in time is ridiculous. My choice of gear is always better. Go with a 6speed.

Zero Deuce SE

Except when you miss a gear.

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

auto tranny is making me frustrated enough to consider a Civic Si.

iamatis

Your right Scooobay. Sometimes when its 2am in the morning coming from a club the last thing you what to do is shift. What a chour... Maybe I need a daily driver car instead of always driving the 6sp.

Merlyn

iTrader: (4)

Take a corner when it is raining, give it gas from the start, you will feel it.. (since my car has no indication it has HLSD but it does). From driving a 6-speed and one with HLSD the HLSD you will notice around turns, from a stop... etc... or do as they listed.