I have 1-2 weeks to obtain a sedan. I don't want to spend more than what an 02 Max GLE costs. An auto trans is fine, since I don't race.

I like the idea of using the power once in a while for passing or just the thrill of accelerating. I'm not keen about the fuel consumption when I'm in wimp mode, but I don't see any way out of that with 1 powerful, always thirsty, car.

I want to say that for the money, it's a pretty good hardware package power- and convenience-wise.

If you subtract the electronic toys, and the peppy motor, what's left?

The body style doesn't really grab me. Maybe in time it will. Hardly anything does these days.

Altima body: OK

The Acura TL looks OK, but seems over-priced.

Camry body: I liked 2 gens ago and thought the next gen was boring. Then the 02 came out and I didn't like it. It was a traitor. Then I started to think the 01 wasn't bad. Then I started to like the 02. Now I think 2 gens ago is quaint, but boring. Funny how things evolve. I'm unable to get the same features in a Camry.

Back to the 02 Max. How's the ride of an 02 - I don't mean speed, dammit, but is it quiet enough? Shocks OK? I'm not a modder, unless it would mean more comfort without hurting the handling.

Does the sunroof emit a lot of noise when it rains, more so than the average sun-roofed car?

Hard to park?

Satisfied with cornering?

When I was comparing the paint jobs between a Max and an Altima, in the showroom, I observed the reflection of the rectangular ceiling fixtures. The altima's reflection of them had obviously less jaggies along the straight edges. This makes me conclude the Max I saw has a bumpier paint surface.

For those with older Nissan (non-Infiniti) products, how many years old is your vehicle AND do you have, in your opinion, premature problems with sunroof seal, or window motors, A/C? Never personally having these options before, I don't know what's a normal lifetime before maintainence is required.

Thanks to all, I appreciate your time.

 

Any 5th gen Max is an excellent car for modders and non modders alike. My 01 GLE is bone stock and I fully expect to get 150K miles out of it before it even starts to look and feel like a 100K mile car.

Nissan makes a killer vechile, even if you abuse it a little bit, with consistent maintenance by a non enthusiast you should get plenty of joy out of a new max.

I looked VERY hard at the Acura TL and TLS and just could not justify the difference in price for the Acura name. In Houston the service level between Acura and Nissan is roughly equivalent (having previously owned an Acura GS-R and a Nissan Pathfinder).

My experience, Nissan and Acura are equivalent in quality and service, though NOT in price.

All said I am VERY happy to have purchased the Max instead of the TL.

Hope this helps

BTW my Max is a week old.

 

Boy, sounds like you are trying to do some research!! Let me help a little. I've got a 2k1 and the paint suks a$$. Road/wind noise is average, your not driving a Mercedes, but your also not driving a Saturn. Sunroof, when the rain is coming down like a cow ****in on a flat rock, it is loud, otherwise it is average. Cornering... AWSOME!! Better than my 280. Speaking of which, was a datsun/nissan. and as for the electronic stuff it all worked on my car till I got rid of it about 2 years ago, and it was an '80. Parking, just a little more forethought needs to be put into it. Hope this helps

 

Rob'sAE: Besides the cornering (good!) are you otherwise *happy* with it? Do you mind the noise?

 

Oh he!! yeah! I love my car(her name is "SusieQ") There is nothing I would change. As far as the noise, it is mostly the tire's, I think. I am still riding on stock tires until they wear out so I am not 100% sure yet. You might find yourself turning up the volume on the radio to drown out the noise though. Pachabelle works great at reducing wind noise. I would have to say that you would not be dissapointed in getting a maxima. Just find a good dealership to have service done and you should be fine.

 

I think you should get the altima, I heard that the altima is really quiet, has rear independent supension which is a lot smoother than the max and a bit cheaper.

 

That's weird,
I heard that the Altima has more wind and tire noise (based on a lot of stuff I read on altimas.net and fresh alloy and test drive I had). BUT, IRS is nice (Maxima is not so dif.) and it is cheaper (depending on location).

 

I said that base on reviews posted here abt how quiet the altima is @ high speed. I dunno

 

The 2.5 engine on the Altima is noisier than the one on my Max (2k1 GLE). I like the overall suspension, just the rear ain't that great, you can tell especially over speed bumps.

 

Here is what I observed during my test drive of a 2k2 GLE.

Engine- Quieter than the 2k Max. The intake noise is very low and the exhaust isn't buzzy at low engine speeds

Transmission- quicker and smoother. Downshifts are as quick as the 2k but upshifts are far better and no slippage

Ride- Tires are quieter. 2k2-Bridgestone vs. 2k-Toyos. The tires seem to put a carpet over bumps and aren't as noisy or echoey over bumps. It transmits less harshness. Wind noise is like the 2k, which is to say above average but there is still some wind hiss in the rear compartment comming from the doors. You'll find quieter cars, but this car isn't noisy.

Steering- heavy and numb although the numbness isn't as bad as the 2k because of the lower profile tires improving road feel. Parking duties, the steering wheel is heavier than other cars I've driven. The steering feels very accurate though, just doesn't feel quick.

Handling- excellent, stable, secure, pinned down and solid is what I would describe it.

Sunroof- pull the cover over and wind noise isn't there.

The Paint quality of a 2k2 Altima (Some light green color) showed signs of orange peel. So did a 2k2 Acura 3.2TL I looked at. Very disappointing. I didn't find any such nonsense on the Max.