It was a base RSX with the manumatic. If something happened to my car today I would have to consider this car! I didn't drive it very far but the power seems adequate. The quality of this car is simply amazing. The interior is nearly perfect. It was missing a few things for an Acura: auto open/close sunroof; center console/armrest...but this is just nit-picking.

A good friend of mine is buying this car in a few months. He is waiting for the base 5 speeds to come to our area as well as waiting to test drive the 2002 Sentra SE-R (and spec-v) in November....but he doesn't expect to be "wowed" by it.

 

I saw one yesterday. It was so tiny. I test drove a 4 door Civic last year and that's bigger. I can't imagine driving something so small.

 

it didn't look that great in the pictures, but in real life, it's even worse. maybe it'll grow on me (like the 5th gen did).

but i CAN'T buy a four banger, especially for these prices.

kafene.

 

Tell me about it.
$24,000...no way
I might consider an SE-R Spec-V, but it's only supposed to be $18,000 and has 2 more usable doors.

 

You know, no offense, but you guys with the 5th gen don't have much room to talk regarding looks.

Have you ever driven one of those "four bangers"? That is the fastest four banger I've ever seen. Vtec is an amazing thing.

 

I thought it looked great in pictures. It didn't look that great in person. Very disappointing.

 

I dont think 5th Gen Maximas are that ugly...I don't think they are at all...

I think the RSX looks nice...from the first time i saw it in the autoshow pix I thought it looked good...looked more "substantial" than the Integra...I prefer the Integra name tho.

 

The 5th gen Maxima is awesome looking. Nissan is usually ahead of the game in design. It took me a year to get used to the 4th gen. 5th gen took me a few months. I think the Maxima is one of the best looking cars out there.

I've driven VTEC cars. The 2.3 HO Quad 4 was more impressive. Maybe because it had more torque.

 

what version of vtec? There are vtec's that are meant for fuel economy, there are 3 stage vtec, there are vtec meant for power.

Yeah... my 2 liter isn't that impressive. ;-)

 

I don't know... if you look it from a certain angle it looks like a loaf of bread. That's just my personal opinion (and many 5th gen owners I have talked to).

And there is a difference between feeling fast and being fast. Maybe it did have more torque but in order for a 2L engine to put out numbers like Honda does, THAT's impressive.Don't count all 4 cyl cars out, it's just not smart. The lotus elise comes to mind.. hrmmm.......

 

Yeah, right... loaf of bread. That's what everyone saying at Maxus. LOL.

I've driven the SI with 160 HP. I'm not sure which VTEC that is. The HO 180 HP/160 Torque Quad 4 was much stronger. I've also driven the 3.0 200 HP Accord. Nice low to midrange, but nothing on top. Runs right out of power.

 

Well of course not, you ask a bunch of pinto enthusiasts and they will say the car isn't slow. Whatever, I'm not going to argue with you, you have your opinion and I have mine.

 

yeah unfortunately, that motor is great, but the civic si is way over weight... kinda pudgy at 2700lbs.

never driven the accord v6... it's just unfortunate that honda won't put a manual box on that car. But the good news is the CL will get a manual 6 speed and the TL is sure to follow... that should be neat.

-Shing

 

When I first got my Integra a while ago, VTEC and light weight 4-cyl was a good package. But under normal driving conditions, you really have to rev up the engine just to keep up with the newer family sedans these days especially if you have the A/C on. Then when I got my Maxima, I was sold. I will never buy another 4-cyl again, they just don't have torque and smooth power delivery as a 6. As for the RSX, just an overpriced Civic 2-dr. Honda/Acura designs have gotten worse and worse each year and I don't think I'll be buying another one in the near future. I'm anxiously waiting for the 6th gen Maxima (should be out by model year 2004, right?) and hope it has styling clues both from the 4th and 5th gen.

 

I've owned many cars and 2 were honda/acuras, I've never had a problem with the looks or power(vs. other cars you need to keep the revs high though) The biggest problem I have had(personal experience) is that they break too easy. When driven hard, things just give out. I replaced 4 clutchs, 1 transmission, and 1 top half of an engine in less than 90k total miles. It was like 10k in maintainence costs. Honda/Acura has a good rep. for reliability, but after what I went through, I have to wonder if its because most people baby their cars. I remember a guy in the acura dealer shop there at the same time as me one time who had only 6000 miles on his brand new NSX and was having to PAY for a 2nd clutch already. Made me think twice about buying another one.

I've had 5 nissans and have thrashed them fairly well and have never had anything major go wrong. I actually think they like being driven a little harder than standard. Just wish the new paint held up better.

One of the main reasons I'm a Maxima owner now is because of this.

 

Target audiance is COMPLETELY different... and design goal. Sure the RSX is based on the civic, but the arguement is like saying the I30 is an overpriced maxima, which it is. Again target audiance.

 

Abuse will break any car. You havn't abused the maxima clutch? Not that strong, what about the tranny, not that strong either.

As for babying my cars... emmm nope, doesn't happen here. I don't abuse my cars, but I do drive it hard, hell, I even autocross the maxima when i think it had it's temp tags.

-Shing

 

So, why don't you share some of your dynos and times with us. In case no one told you, a 5spd 5th gen is faster than your car.

Nothing is finer to me than putting a nice spanking on you mustang guys. Cracks me up every time I pull up next to mustang. Many are faster (99+GTs and Cobras) but the rest only think they are. My favorite was the guy in the 4.8 yellow GT who said "yeah right" and laughed when I asked him if he wanted to race. The end result was 3 wins for me, none for him, and him refusing to pull up next to me again!

 

Hrmm.. you know I re-read my posts and I don't recall saying my car was faster than the 5th gens, all I said was I didn't like the way the 5th gen looks. Now I did say something about speed when it comes to Honda's 2L engines, again, not my car. I'm not those dumbass Mustang people who dont appreciate the speed of other cars. I don't race my car so therefore I can't give you dynos or other crap that you guys worship so much. You can generalize all the Mustang owners all you want, but you will be wrong. Anyone who knows me, and there are a lot of people on this board that do, know that I'm not like that, so stop putting me in the same group. Like I said, I NEVER said anything about my car being faster than yours or whatever you thought I said, nice try though. All I said was I didn't like the way it looks. Anything else?

 

well, like i said, the 5th gen had to grow on me too...

and about the power, i mean 'raw' power. not "wait 'till such and such an rpm for the vtech (or whatever to kick in) kind of power." although i enjoy driving 'spirited', i don't drive like that ALL the time. (really mom, i don't..hehehe.


kafene.

 

You are correct, I meant to say the new mustangs are ugly.

Sometimes I just get my rants confused.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Max_Gator



You are correct, I meant to say the new mustangs are ugly.


Like I said, you people are entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine.

Sometimes I just get my rants confused.


Yeah, you might want to re read you posts next time, it will save us all a lot of trouble.

Have a nice day, here's a smilie

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mustang1999

Quote:

Originally posted by Max_Gator

Yeah, you might want to re read you posts next time, it will save us all a lot of trouble.

I'll make certain to correct spellng errors too.

 

Originally posted by Max_Gator


It was a subjective statement based on looks, not dynos. Try reading in the future.



That's news?

BLAH BLAH BLAH


1) Mustang1999 is a woman.
2) She isn't real interested in racing and got a V-6 Rustang, so speed is obviously not on the menu.
3) She ain't talking smack. She uttered an opinion (which is true IMHO. 5th gens are ugly and a disgrace to Nissan.)

Max_Gator,

Save the flames for the idiotic CL and TL guys who come in here frequently and talk smack. Leave the decent members here alone.....

 

Originally posted by Paul2kGXE




That's news to me......



When my 3rd gen came out, yeah that was true. Now they're just scrambling to go out of their way to be different rather than just be elegant. Nissan screwed up the Max AFAIC and I'll never purchase another one, unless the 6th gen is VASTLY different.



If it was awesome looking in the first place (like 3rd gens), you wouldn't have to wait to like it.



.....and Nissan thanks you. I just don't happen to agree.

 

Well, I didn't get the GT cuz I couldn't afford it.. but the rest is true...

 

Originally posted by kafene
Do any of you 5th gen people *really* think about this statement when you say it?

If something HAS to grow on you, shouldn't that tell you something? Like, maybe, your car isn't that nice looking in the first place?

The only 5th gens I've seen that I actually like are Y2KevSE's and Gr8bones........althought the blue anniversary edition looks decent just because of the color, which Nissan finally brought back.

Time to hide from the barage of flames.....

 

i have to say that 'cause it's true.. i HATED the 4th gens when they came out and couldn't believe they changed it so much from my beloved 3rd gen., but now i think they look awesome, especially the SE's even in stock form. and when the third came out, i didn't like it as much as the 2nd Gen MegaMax's (remember those?). So cars DO grow on me.

kafene.

 

The new Mustang style took me even longer to grow on than the 4th gen. The RSX, I doubt I will ever like its style. Acura is big on this pointy front end style with lines down the sides. RSX, TL, CL, and the SUV ugly-a$$ thing they have. People come up to me all the time and compliment my 5th gen. Never had that with my ugly '99.

 

I agree.. My brother's got a '93 maroon SE.. that car is still beautiful.. But the grey lustre 5h gen (my car) looks awesome as an SE.. I really like the front end of my car... the rear is better than most.. but what makes me like the back end of a car is generally the exhause pipes....

I almost wish I could get rid of the spoiler.. almost... I dunno...

 

That's cool if that's how you react to changing cars, and I do to some extent as well.

My reference about the 5th gens growing on people seems to be a blanket statement from 5th gen owners, so I have to question whether owners really think it looks good or if it's just to make themselves feel better......

To be fair, I do think the RSX leaves MUCH to be desired. The Japan-spec one is much sweeter looking, and Honda REALLY screwed up Americanizing it. Honda seems to have the same styling issues that Nissan does. The NSX and Stook are about the only ones I like looks-wise....and the Accord Coupe.....

 

Blanket is right. Do you think 5th gen buyers said, "it's ugly, but I'll buy it anyway?" LOL.

Design is subjective. There's no way we'll change any minds in this thread.

 

I'm pretty sure that the V8 in the mustang is 4.6L down from 5.0L (302 cu in).

Driver skill makes up the difference as far as your "race" goes..

Mustang gt's are quite fast -- GT output is listed at 260 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 302 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. If memory serves me the 0-60 on the gt was hi 5's low 6's. Motor trend and Car and Driver had difficulty besting the 4th gens 0-60 and 1/4 mile with the 5th gen. I believe they got a 6.9 or so.

Then again you are comparing oranges and bannas...

just remember driver skill makes the biggest difference.

Fro

 

Originally posted by Paul2kGXE


You would be surprised.....I'm merely speaking from experience when they came out and what members here posted about them......I recall a lot of "I think it will grow on me" or "It's starting to grow on me", etc.....well styled cars don't have to grow on anyone.....

I don't expect that. Just making observations.....

 

Hope I didn't offend any of our decent members with my comments. Please accept my apologies.

Unfortunately, I did not see the "decent member" poster status under her name. Perhaps we need to add that for our decent members who own rustangs and flame maximas. :

 

I'm sorry I didn't know I was "flaming." I was just stating my opinion, and if you saw that as a flame, then I guess we have different definitions of flaming.

 

You are correct about 4.6 not 4.8. However, the times you quoted are for the 99+GTs I'm pretty sure. The last gen 4.6GTs are pretty easy for a 5spd - especially with mods. That's not to say they can't be modded to easily beat a max.

As far as MTs numbers, they got 6.7 for the 5th gen. The 5th gen fed spec 5spds are faster than the 97-99s but the 95 -96 are right there in 0-60. Where the 5th shines is high rpms. So, compared to the 95-96 5spds, they usually turn higher trap speeds in the 1/4. Haven't raced any but would think that stock v. stock high speed runs the 5th would be able to pull on 95-96.

 

1) Where's the flame? My comments were more flamey than hers. I can go all day long about my misgivings about post 3rd gen Maximas.....

2) She's had a Maxima: an 86. She rides in Shing's Maxima: a 98. She is acquainted with 3rd gens as well. I would say she is capable of drawing some comparisons.

3) You know exactly what I meant by decent members. Not the idiots such as the TL or CL guys, GTP guys, etc. that post here and say "my car is better than yours but I have a complex because I really know that's not true".

4) Find the post where she stated such things and your contention will have some validity. Otherwise, the sarcasm is neither relevant or appropriate.

 

1) Your flames, I'm used to. She appeared to be a mustang owner on this forum saying that the 5th gen is ugly. Admittedly I flamed her about speed rather than her ugly mustang, but it really wasn't all that bad.

2)I apparently failed to read up on Mustang1999s history before flaming her. Perhaps in addition to "decent member" we should have "former maxima owner" or "rides in a maxima on occasion" or even "knows about maximas." Decent members could choose more than one such designation.

3) I'd add mustang owners into that category. Would a tl-s owner have been flamed for her apparently innocuous comment . . . of course. Even if they said "no offense"

4)Ah, sarcasm is the spice of life.

Anyway, I'm sorry.

Have a smile!

:smile:

 

The RSX's engine employs iVTEC, the next generation of VTEC. Basically it combines the valve timing and lift of VTEC and the variable timing overlap control of VTC. Visit this page for all information needed to understand what iVTEC is:

http://asia.vtec.net/article/k20a/index.html

The RSX has it and so will the next NSX. No word on further iVTEC implementation.