I test drove a stripped 5-speed GXE and a loaded 5-speed SE two weeks apart from each other. Even though I didn't have a chance to push the two cars very hard, the SE seemed to have quite a bit sharper steering response. The GXE did feel softer and sloppier, and it also had a little more body lean, but it still felt like a fun to drive car with fairly good handling.

But unless my memory is playing tricks with me, the seat of the GXE felt quite different from that of the SE. It was less comfortable and was less supportive. Are the seats actually different in the SE and GXE?

For both cars, the clutch felt feathery light, way too light in my opinion. I would have preferred a little more resistance in the pedal. Also, the engagement point of the clutch seemed a little low and not progressive enough, but it was very easy to operate. The shifter could also use more resistance for better feel. It was too light and felt vague. Some may call it rubbery? I am sure it's just a matter of what one is used to, but I have a feeling it will take some practice to be able to shift gears on the Maxima as fast as I can with my current car.

Now onto something really strange. Why on earth does the auto transmission cost $500 MSRP for the SE but $1700 MSRP for the GXE?!? This was shocking to me. Perhaps it is just a marketing gimmick to advertise a low starting price for the GXE? Considering how few 5-speeds there are for both trims, I am sure Nissan wouldn't be hurt at all by the gimmick.

Since I am going to put at least 25kmiles/year on my car, I am shying away from the Passat and Audi A4 because of reliability concerns. If I can find a base 5-speed SE (fat chance?) for a very good price, I'll take it. Otherwise, I may just wait for the 2002 model.

 

The SE has a sport-tuned suspension, the GXE's and GLE's do not.

The seats in the SE have sports velour vs. the standard cloth in GXE's and leather in GLE's. I think the structure is the same though...

5-Speeds Rule!!!

 

I only had a GXE for an afternoon (while I was waiting for my SEAE to arrive,) but I don't remember any difference between the two seats. Driver's seat in my SEAE is *very* supportive, though. I almost want to get one for my home office...
Anyone try a 2K2 yet? It goes from a rod to a cable shifter. If you though the 2K1 shifter was rubbery...
Was the C&C package bundled in? Nissan came up with some weird package combo's later in the model year.
You must be new here.

 

bah! it's just a tad bit more bodyroll...so called Nissan 'sport-tuned' suspension(wooo...fancy term for stiffer bushings, eh?) and larger diameter tires can do make that difference... you can make GXEs out-handle SEs with aftermarket suspension mods...that is, if you're into modding your car later on..otherwise, just buy the SE and forget about it.

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But unless my memory is playing tricks with me, the seat of the GXE felt quite different from that of the SE. It was less comfortable and was less supportive. Are the seats actually different in the SE and GXE?

uh..probably just leather vs. cloth..i thought the leather seats for Maximas were a bit more slippery than the cloth seats. Maximas are not known for ultra supportive seats..

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For both cars, the clutch felt feathery light, way too light in my opinion. I would have preferred a little more resistance in the pedal. Also, the engagement point of the clutch seemed a little low and not progressive enough, but it was very easy to operate. The shifter could also use more resistance for better feel. It was too light and felt vague. Some may call it rubbery? I am sure it's just a matter of what one is used to, but I have a feeling it will take some practice to be able to shift gears on the Maxima as fast as I can with my current car.

yeah, the clutch is very soft compared to other cars...it does help in Southern Califorina's infamous traffic hours..
the shifter felt vague to you? i'd strongly suggest test driving a Honda Accord. try that for a size...

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Now onto something really strange. Why on earth does the auto transmission cost $500 MSRP for the SE but $1700 MSRP for the GXE?!? This was shocking to me. Perhaps it is just a marketing gimmick to advertise a low starting price for the GXE? Considering how few 5-speeds there are for both trims, I am sure Nissan wouldn't be hurt at all by the gimmick.

for a GXE, automatic tranny is part of Comfort and Convenience package, which includes the automatic tranny, home-link system, the upgraded stereo, and little bit more features...on a SE, those are already included in the invoice short of the automatic tranny..hence the price difference.

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Since I am going to put at least 25kmiles/year on my car, I am shying away from the Passat and Audi A4 because of reliability concerns. If I can find a base 5-speed SE (fat chance?) for a very good price, I'll take it. Otherwise, I may just wait for the 2002 model.

It's probably hard to find a 5 speed SE these days, since 2001 models are almost out of stocks...2002s coming in soon but the manual tranny won't be available for a while. so i guess it's really up to you.