hello, i'm obviously a newbie to the forum, and maxima info in general--i purchased a 2002 maxima se (grey lustre) a couple days ago--(i pick it up next week) my question is: what would be the first logical thing to do to increase performance beyond that of its stock condition?
newbie question #2: i read somewhere on this forum that someone would soon find that their 2002 maxima is a "minima"--could someone humor me and describe exactly what they mean by this?

i've seen very few posts about the 2002 maximas and was wondering if nissan's enhancements to the 2002s have been overstated--I actually think nissan has understated them

 

Congrats on your purchase.
Probably the first thing I would do is beef up the suspension. Little things first, Front Strut Tower Brace (Courtesy or Stillen) and a Rear Sway Bar (Stillen or Addco). Then you can take it a step further and get some springs and shocks.

Try a search for "minima". It basically refers to your car missing some things. But some cars like GXE's with leather don't count . You'll understand when you see the thread.

have fun with your new car!

 

Clear corners are a must. After that? Don't really know. Congrats.

BTW, a Minima is kinda like a running joke, the 3rd gens and the VERY early 4th gens wereold school Nissan quality, then as the years went on, Nissan got cheaper and cheaper and the quality kept going down, hence the 'Minima'.

 

Did you get the new 6-speed ???????????????????

 

I thought they were coming out in October... Maybe he got one earlier....tell us, oh man a 6-spd....:drooling:

 

congrats on the new maxima and welcome

Already thinking about modding it? you belong here for sure

 

the tranny was a TOUGH decision for me, but it's the auto,(food is a big part of my life)-- the 6 sp. would've been great, but no regrets thats why i'm already thinking of mods--i got the seats wrapped in embroidered 2-tone leather--my brother just bought a Lightning so the family has enough speed for now--could anyone guess how my stock/auto max'll do against a stock 2001 330ci?

 

Congrats! I got my blue 02 SE max almost a month ago and i'm loving every second behind the wheel

The moment i hit 1000 miles (on a secluded freeway) i just floored it and *MAN OH MAH WHATTA RUSH!!!!*

Also, funny you ask. I once had a friendly race with this guy with a 330ci the other night.

I'm not sure if he had an auto or manual though, but i do have an auto.

Off the line i didn't push it much (You know if you do, you will *definitely* chirp the wheels). His nose was right on my left side, before i could shift to second he did it first then slowly pulled. I then shifted to second and pulled all the way to redline (Yep, on an auto).

Before i even hit 60mph i already had him behind me by about a car/car and a half behind me.

Tried it on the second light and still the same except he chirped off the line and i think he was brake-shifting (?) at it as well. I was able to catch and leave him behind the moment i hit 2nd gear to 3rd.

In short, you should easily spank a 330 if you're a good enough driver

 

Realistically, the first thing to do is to let the car break in, then start modding. Very important first step. Congrats on the purchase and have fun!!

 

From a Newbie to a Newbie; you'll like this forum! and by the way....GREAT PURCHASE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANT WAIT FOR MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NISSAN DEALER HERE SAYS MINE WILL BE IN 1ST OR 2ND WEEK OF OCT.


SWEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Do it (and yourself) an inexpensive favor. Change the oil and filter at somewhere around 500 - 600 miles.

Norm

 

I agree with suspension first. But if you want a deeper sound when pushing the car, then think about getting a filter intake or CAI. Id wait until after the car is broken in though.

 

Congrats!

Go with handling mods first.

 

Congrats on the purchase!

First mod: 100 shots of nitrous, since we don't know if any 2k-2k1 mods will fit on the 2k2.

 

Wow!

When are you going to get a bottle Kev?