How many of you drive a Maxima because it's all you can afford...personally my purchasing power far exceeds the Max but I like it (1997-2003) anyway. I will not be selling out anytime soon, nor will I be exalting some other cart, I mean car in the near future.

 

Power and luxury. It's not cheap on gas either!!

 

I'm with you. I could easily afford something better, but maybe not a 4DSC with a 6 speed.

Unless I go for a Bimmer and personally I dislike most Bimmer drivers as being giant A##holes. Not all of them, but most.

I really love my o2 and hope to have it for several more years.

 

The only reason I have mine is because it was my first car.. and I love it! I can afford something newer but what the hell.. lol

 

I got mine because it belonged to a deceased family member. It was parked in the driveway for a year and nobody was driving it. I had borrowed it before and loved the car. Before I knew anything about them I thought it had a v8 just from the torque.
I said I like the car and was told the make an offer. After a little back and forth I got her for $9000 which is actually way MORE than I could afford, but I have small down payment with small monthly payments and no interest from the person that sold it to me. Even if I had more money to spend I would still get the max. I love this car so much and am even considering buying a 4th gen once this is paid off. I want one for the DD and one for the track.

Maxima all the way. These cars are the best and beat lots of expensive cars as far as power, luxury, and reliability.

 

At this point in my life it's all that I can afford (18 y/o college student).

But I <3 it and won't be selling it in the foreseeable future.

 

The Maxima is simply a pleasure to drive, power, luxury features. Sure I have been looking at other rides something in a 2 door coupe with a 6 speed manual tranny, but I think my Max will stay until it dies (which is another reason for keeping it) they just keep on going and going

 

I bought it because I needed a 4door and liked the body style and power - I didn't even have a job yet I was moving back from Japan and getting out of active duty so I needed a car when I got back. Now that I have a job, once I pay the 02 off next year I'll be done modding it and then it's time for a 370z, 135i, or used viper! LOL

 

Because, at nearly 150,000 miles, it's never been in an accident, runs smoothly, and has been regularly cleaned and maintained. It has its annoyances - EVAP CEL, and a rattly front right suspension, but it's reliable.

If I could pick any car, no, I wouldn't choose this. If I could pick any car I could afford, then I'm very happy with the Maxima.

Considering how much I could sell the car for, I don't think I'd be able to find another car as nice without spending some more cash.

 

I'm 25 and have own 3 Maxima 4 if you include moms 04 i got hook on the 1992 se, each time when it was time to upgrade cars after getting over 260k on each. i went back to the maxima. even now when i think of a future car i always see having a maxima. any other car will have to be a second car...

 

It was my "real" first car. Its a sleeper to most right off the line. Now a huge nissan fan

 

I like the name I like the performance I like the breed I like it! One thing tho I wish it was rear wheel drive that would have made it perfect or maybe even all wheel drive but i prefer rear

 

Good design, reliable, affordable, durable!

 

i was searching for a first car for awhile and loved the 5.5. i wanted an 02 or an 03 6spd so bad but of course those were hard to come by. then i saw an i35 come around and it was cheap so i snatched it.

id keep this car for 10 years or so cuz i like it lol. then id probably get a G37 or something.

because guys, the 2009 maxima is just butt ugly in my opinion.

 

Personally when i see a 4th Gen or 3rd gen i kind of cringe at how ugly they are... To a 09'er, you're a 3rd gen style max lol. It's all subjective buddy

 

lol hey hey, at least get it right. you're in the 5th gen forum.

 

I chose it because of the reliability and the unexpected power that it has.

My friend had a 95 5-speed with 211k miles, then he totaled it.
His mom had a 98 auto with 230k miles, had a coolant leak and ran it without coolant. Seized.

Its almost as if Nissan accidentally made the 02-03 Maximas as fast as they are.

The fact that a mildly modded 02-03 Maxima can hang with a 03 or so 350z always makes me happy.

 

I'll never forget the day I got smoked by one in my old integra...I was surprised how quick it was for A four door car, it was the 2000 model the year it came out...real sleeper car

 

Not in the snow!!!! Granted it sacrifices some performance being FWD, but it also makes it a year round car. With a decent set of snow tires, they are pretty good in the snow.

 

Great car for the money. To get equal size and perfromance you would have to spend at least 10 grand more and step up to a BMW, Lexus or Audi..... And more reliable..

 

i got my maxima because it was in my price range, but now that im the owner i dont every really want to get another car id juss keep my '97 se going forever. Love, passion, obsession? yes.

 

I've had 6 cars since I got my license and I also consider the max my first REAL car

 

My wife wanted a roomy 4 door car. I wanted something with power. The Maxima is a good combo. We can afford something newer, but I look forward to many enjoyable miles of payment free driving.

 

I've had 3 cars since I got my license. I love the max. I've had 2 of them and there fantastic cars. My old one had tons of problems so when it was in the shop I drove my dad's 1999 mercedes. I think the max is very comparable even in 2002. I actually prefer the way my max drives!

 

i bought it because I wanted a sedan with good looks and performance...i still love it...but now that I am older, there are better cars that fit my requirements...

 

My Maxima is my Daily Driver(reliability) and I have an E46 M3 as my weekend/pleasure car.

 

All I want is a 350Z to go with my Max, my kids are grown I don't need a Quest or a Murano nor a Pathfinder. Maybe a 4th gen to mod just for kicks.

 

there are so many maximas out there because they are reliable, but they are nice once hooked up, drop and nice wheels its as simple as that.

 

I bought an Infiniti FX35 a few months ago and kept my 01 Maxima. I dont think I will ever part with her. Been very good to me. I dont drive her as much anymore but I still keep her clean and in great shape.

 

We bought ours because it had a good mix of performance and features that we were interested in, at a good price point. Falling on the good side of make-or-break was that it was available and in stock with a manual transmission.

We'll eventually be replacing it, but I have no idea what with. At least 6 cylinders, a manual transmission, and not too far north of $30k (we're getting closer to retirement age) is looking tougher all the time. The MT requirement is still absolutely non-negotiable, which eliminates the new Maxima as well as the vast majority of low-mileage used/lease returns of damn near everything.


About a year and a half ago I got the Mustang that's listed in my sig. The next car is hers, and that it have 4 doors and full 4 passenger seating for full size adults is a given (her preference quite aside from the practicality). If it was possible for Nissan to "reissue" an exact clone of my 20AE, perhaps as a 30AE, we probably wouldn't seriously look anywhere else.


Norm

 

I could and was affording more (03 Accord V6 6 speed) before I bought my Max, but just decided I didnt want to spend as much as I was. So, a Maxima, due to its usually bad resale value, was the best value in something that still looked nice, decent performance, and was cheap.

 

I bought mine brand new in 01. It had power (by back then standards), all the comfort and lux I wanted and made my morning commute much more easy to tolerate.

I STILL have it due to the network of information I have via this board and its members past and present. Because of that I can work in the car and not get ripped off.

I STILL have it because its paid off. Its not overly good on gas, but a car payment would far exceed my current gas bill.

I STILL have it because its VERY roomy in the back for the class of car it is. I got to shop for mid sized cars with my mother in law and walked away pretty disappointed in rear seat room in quite a few cars being german, japanese and american.

I STILL have it because its a manual. I like to row my own and as the manual transmission offerings in new cars dies more and more each year, it becomes harder to even look at cars.

 

My first Max was an '87 w/ a 5spd. I raced my buddy who was driving an '80 Camaro and hung with him without hesitation. Now that I'm approaching 40, I still like to relive those carefree days of running a family car that makes people take a double-take. When I started looking for another car, it was going to be a Nissan since I have owned 13 already, and why break precident? Just didn't know if I wanted SUV, gas-miser, or all out family car now that I have 2 boys. The Max is a good combination of family, sporty and affordable. I truley regret letting my '87 go, it will always be a classic to me.

 

Still love the sporty styling, features, power and it has been pretty much trouble free since I took it home with 8 miles on it. I still get people commenting on how they like my car! This car will remain until it dies out even though I recently purchased a 370 (My 03 had been paid for for a few years), hopefully it will be as reliable as his 2 brothers at my house the Max and my wife's G or else its gone! 1st car was an 87, also had 89, 93, 97, 01, 03 which is my fav. of all of them.

 

When I originally got this car it was simply because it was my ideal car. (Big yet strong) Lately I've been wanting to sell this 6 speed for something like a camry. (easy to maintain) I need to replace my tires ($600 at least) and o2 sensors etc.

I guess I would rather an easy to maintain (plus a warranty) camry with nice leather.....plus I just F'ed up my front bumper with a bunch of scrathes.

I would like good gas mileage back and to be able to take long trips while going easy on the wallet.....I am currently debating if I should keep it and put the $1100 plus (thats a lot for me!!!) into the car or if I should sell it and go with a camry....

To the OP, I got this car for what it is and not because of my wallet. I LOVE her for the perfect combo of speed/torque/size


EDIT: Also, without the 6 speed maybe I won't get so many tickets and cops following me around every town I go to...

 

must have tried 30 dealerships, only car i could get without a cosigner. kinda stuggleing to afford it but i refuse to give it up.work my butt off for it. if i could afford something better id prob get it, but max is a great balance for a car. maybe a g35/37 or 350/70 z next.

 

IMO i dont see how a $40k bmw (EXAMPLE) is much or any better than a EST $40k 09 maxima?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpopaj369

IMO i dont see how a $40k bmw (EXAMPLE) is much or any better than a EST $40k 09 maxima?

$40k for a maxima?? damn!

i'd just get a G37. Its about $38k comfortably equipped.

 

i wasnt exact on pricing but when i looked at one it was fully loaded all the available goodys like around $41 n change idk what they are rite now. and congrats on the new ride! good choice

 

I have 2 Maximas, 1 98 GLE with well over 200K and an 00SE 5spd that sits in my garage with 70K that I'm saving for when my 98 craps out on me, which will hopefully not be for another 100K or so. I could afford a new car if I wanted to, but nothing really appeals to me as much as my Max's. I love my 98 more than any other car, it's perfect. Why buy a new overpriced car, when i love the ones I have?