Is the suspension a bit different between SE and GLE (or GXE). I'm looking at buying a used 2000 Maxima and wanna know what are the differences. The engine is the same. Is the only difference in options and packages, or there is something else that would make SE or GLE more desirable. We want to get it pretty loaded (moonroof, power seats), but without leather.

thanks,
Denis

 

comes with a sportier suspension package and handles better than the GLE, has other sport options as well, plus white face gauges, other cosmetics such as the tail lights, a big factor. GLE is luxury and a soft smooth ride, a lil softer suspension.

 

a GLE is basically a GXE with a few 'luxury' touches:

16" standard alloys (optional on GXE)
fog lamps
bose sound system
leather seats, steering wheel, and AT shifter
8 way adj. drivers/ 4 way adj. passengers seat (only power dirver's seat available for GXE)
chrome exhaust finisher tip
auto dimming rear view and side mirrors

 

Think a couple of those are 2k1 options, not 2k - passenger's power seat and dimming mirrors.

Most of the options available on the GLE are available and could be on an SE. The only certain differences aside from the options packages are that SE has:
sportier suspension
titanium/white faced guages (I think)
black surround taillights instead of red
blacked out chrome emblems on back instead of bright chrome

The main difference in options is that most SEs have 17" wheels. The only option I know of that could be on a gle but not on an SE is the wood-grain around the dash.

 

If you are going to mod the suspension, then get the GLE if it's cheaper because you're going to swap out the components anyways.

 

SEs have louder tire howl and the ride is a choppier, especially in the back seat. If you want a more Camry like car go with the GLE (comes out cheaper fully loaded too), if you want the 4 door sports car go with SE. If you like to mod go with GXE (but you can't really get it fully loaded).

 

If you don't want leather, you can get a GXE and put $300 into to make it handle better than a stock SE. But as far as other options go, you can't get them with a sunroof, Bose stereo, fogs, or climate control. Depends on what you really want the car for, I guess. If you want it to mod it, then the extra $$ you save on a GXE could go a long ways towards mods.

 

well, we test drove an SE and I like the way it handled. it was a little out of our price range, so we had to pass it up. it's gonna be a wife's car, and she wants all the doo-dads, so i really have not much say . At least I talked her out of Accord. Bose stereo was nice, but it's not neccessary. It had leather also and low miles, so that made it cost more.
well, we're still looking, i'm sure i'll have more questions.
later,
Denis