I plan to buy either a 2001 Auto. or a 2002 Auto. I test drove a 2001 SE Auto. last week and was very disapointed at the off-the-line performance (although a punch at 35 mph was nice). My dad's 94 Olds 88 w/3800 will at least 'bark' the fronts if I were to stomp on it (i.e. transfer power sooner). The car did not have traction control. Does this description of the Max sound acurate ?

I figured I get a 2001 if the financing/price was right otherwise a 2002. But now I'm thinking I may go 2002 just for the chance of a better trans.

Thanks



01 Sentra SE 5 spd. w/PP (to sell or trade)

 

The off the line in the 00&01 auto isnt that great, but at higher speeds they do well. the 3800 engine has alot of torque down low, that fades quickly as rpm's build. The 2k+ has power in the higher rpms, and as far as the 2002 goes no one knows because no ones driven it, it would be pure speculation at this point.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by maxatlast
I plan to buy either a 2001 Auto. or a 2002 Auto. I test drove a 2001 SE Auto. last week and was very disapointed at the off-the-line performance (although a punch at 35 mph was nice). My dad's 94 Olds 88 w/3800 will at least 'bark' the fronts if I were to stomp on it (i.e. transfer power sooner). The car did not have traction control. Does this description of the Max sound acurate ?

I figured I get a 2001 if the financing/price was right otherwise a 2002. But now I'm thinking I may go 2002 just for the chance of a better trans.

Thanks



01 Sentra SE 5 spd. w/PP (to sell or trade) [/QUOT

The 2002 is better but in a race you don't want to loose traction i.e. chirping or squeeling tires. The other post was correct, the maxima puts most of its power out near 6000 rpm's so when that 3800 is gasping the Max will be GROWLING!

 

I was real into Grand Prix's (used to own one) and the new GTs had the 3800(L36) and the GTP had the Supercharged 3800(L67). The L36 is nice, it has lots of bottom range torque and you can spin the tires off the line fairly well. No, you can't smoke em unless you torque brake it or neutral-drop it. The L36 is a pushrod that has roots back to the 80's, it is a typical old-school american engine in that it has lots of torque, decent HP, low RPM, and very loud. Unfortunately, its much smaller than old school engines, only 3.8L. It will die up top. And I believe it is spec'd to 225 torque, that's only 8 more than a max, and the max has 22 horsepower on it. I believe that with a VERY good driver (emphasize the very) a GP GT with the L36 does o-60 in about 7, and the 1/4 in about mid 15's.

Max is much quieter, much smoother, more powerful, and revs much faster. And does the same times...

And trust me, you can spin the tires on an automatic max, i chirp accidently all the time. (d*mn heavy foot)

 

from a standstill, I can squeal my tires pretty easily if I stomp it...