m_turner_02

iTrader: (3)

lol, what mods for the max are gonna make it WAY faster than an equally modded se-r? the only advantage the max will have is the optional lsd. same vq35, so I don't really see your logic. and if you wanna talk about a road course then an se-r will drive circles around the max stock vs. stock.

and one point I made in my original post is to take into consideration the fact that you are buying a 7yr old car vs. 3-4. might not seem like much, but if you plan on having the car for a long time it would be something to consider. but yes, an older maxima with possibly more miles will be cheaper.

just for giggles, the op should log onto nissanclub and post this same question in the se-r section and see what kind of responses turn up

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

oh please, IRS alone is not going to make the SE-R do "circles" around the max even stock....theyre both fwd, they both shouldnt be doing circles at all

Whats the curb weight of an SE-R?

m_turner_02

iTrader: (3)

3380?? not too sure, but that is the weight I found.

and I agree IRS alone will not make it do circles around the max(clearly an exaggeration) but the 'sport tuned' suspension, thicker front and rear sway bars, as well as the forged rims will definitely help in a race against a max around a track of any sorts. keep in mind we are talking stock vs. stock, the minute you bring in mods it becomes a different story. and as long as the mods are equal between cars, than comparison in any performance category will remain a drivers race imo.

just playing devil's advocate here. somebody has to keep you guys in check

carrrnuttt

3279 lbs for the manual cars. Not that much heavier than a 6-speed SE, if at all.

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

my registration says my car weighs 3109

carrrnuttt

I'm just going by the rated numbers. For all we know, the SE-R's weight is overrated as well.

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

agreed, when i go back to the track in the spring, i will have my car weighed..im curious myself..

bryan163

iTrader: (2)

You already own the best max made. why mess with perfection? 4th gen 4 life
Lighter weight than the alti and 5.5 gen too.

2002AltimateV6

iTrader: (7)

Altima SE-R:
NISMO Suspension basically from factory. The F&R sway-bars are same diameter, including the shocks and springs are a completely different part number from a stock SE.
12.6" rotors with beefier calipers. Still same rear brakes.
260HP, which is great. Only difference performance wise from an SE is exhaust.
Close-gear 6-spd w/ a 4.133 final gear. Non HLSD.

I'm sorry, but stock for stock the SE-R will take a stock '02 SE in a road course.

I say go with a Maxima if you want to modify your car extensively. The 05-06 SE-R is plagued with issues when it comes to installing headers, unless of course you want to get a full blown piggy-back system (which is PLUG AND PLAY since they share the same harness/ECU as a 350Z) But if you're going for looks and resale value, SE-R hands down.

joeltender

Japanese quality vs usa quality.
cloth door panels vs leather everything.
orange fugly gauges vs normal
Heated wheel vs oil temp & 350z gauges
quieter vs dual exhaust throatier sound

Id say get the max, or get an 05+ alti 5spd, the se-r rare factor seems to drive up the price quite a bit.
After driving all of them including the 350z, the max or 5spd altima is the best bang for the buck in a daily driver.
With the 5spd gearing you can do 70mph in 2nd gear, compared to 60mph with the 6spd

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

.....i dont know which max ur driving to do 70 in 2nd, must be an auto.

mist max2000

iTrader: (16)

i know some people that do 75 in second in the 6 speed

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

agree. modded max vs modded ser..on a road course i will take down the alti

2002AltimateV6

iTrader: (7)

Agreed. My modified Altima will take down a modified Max AND modified SE-R.

m_turner_02

iTrader: (3)

this is before you blow your current vq right?

2002AltimateV6

iTrader: (7)

Before & After.

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

and your altima has what mods?

2002AltimateV6

iTrader: (7)

My signature has just about all of my modifications excluding the nitrous/accessories and whatever isn't related to performance.

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

wow...that's REALLY light. Mine says 3184 and I have cloth seats (and sunroof). I know you got leather but what about sunroof?

If the weight on your registration is right thenIm SURE youre probably at 3050 right now...performance headers, exhaust and coilovers all contribute to weight savings.

hot_wax_tree

by the way I was considaring the OP in my factor of if you buy an SE-R you will spend more than you would for a 02-03 max so with the money saved you can mod it and "drive circles around the alti" as you would say.....

bang for buck you will love the Maxima no doubt about it.

Jake

m_turner_02

iTrader: (3)

it didn't seem like the op was looking for a price comparison, and like I have stated before...of course an older car, more than likely a higher mileage car will be cheaper up front. but then try and factor in the increased cost of maintaining a higher mileage vehicle, as things will eventually start to wear out. I think they are both really nice looking cars, a drop and a lip on the 5.5gen look very nice, but looks are subjective. performance will cost the same for both cars. I personally like the interior styling of the se-r, but the materials are sub-par vs. the max which IS a luxury sedan and consequently has a more refined interior sadly even when comparing 02 max vs. an 06 altima. If the OP is looking to drive the car for a while, then I would take into account mileage, price, age of the car, number of previous owners, and condition of interior/exterior...not just go with the cheaper one so you will have more money for mods. keep us posted on what you decide

hot_wax_tree

Super Good point and 100% agree.

I was just looking past that at what I would want in the car. and as you can tell im a cheep skate

Unklejoe

iTrader: (6)

I think joeltender was referring to the 5 speed Altima compared to the 6 speed Maxima gearing.

mist max2000

iTrader: (16)

well if you are... check the car sale thread on here.. there is a guy selling his 5.5gen hlsd/tein coilovers/spacers/ for 5500!!!!.. only downside is like 150K,.. but for that price..drive it till it blows up and throw a newer motor in for a grand or so lol
edit: http://forums.maxima.org/maximas-sal...ml#post7263130

awsome deal IMOif i had extra cash and wanted another max i would def buy that one lolbut neither apply right now so... hope that helps..

bigpopaj369

iTrader: (2)

thats prolly exactly what hes talking about in the manual for my 2k it says not to go past 29 in 1st gear and 69mph in 2nd gear. i was reading that the other day

viperboy

iTrader: (7)

First it was 60hp, now it's 50-60hp You're list is $840 without factoring in the cost of a tune or any installation. Figure the tune is $200-300, that's over $1000 but you need something to tune it with. Even if it was a cheapo $100 VAFC, you're still over 1k. I have all of that and it's not a 60 hp gain, more like 30-35hp.

viperboy

iTrader: (7)

That's more than 1k and no labor charge. Not everyone can install the headers by themself. I would say the majority of people couldn't so this 1k for 60hp is BS. With your list with install it's more like $1700 and 40hp.

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

somebody is a little optimistic

hot_wax_tree

well sorry I changed from 60 hp to 50-60 i wont ever do it again. oh please for give me......

I did say ABOUT 1000 not 1000 and not a penny more. so what if it is gunna cost you 1200 whoopty do. it was a good ball park. and I saidABOUT 50-60.

Personally IMO (which is what I feel a lot of people on here give) I can and will never be able to justify having a shop install simple bolt on parts such as the ones listed. un less some freak accident happens to the part I am working on and I need a shop to do it due to lack of tools. Thats 100% the reason why I love cars cause I get to work on them. so im so very sorry you feel my claim is crap but.....live with it.

jake

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

i have leather as well. the biggest weight savings in my car has to be the lightweight wheels, next to the headers, best mod ever..

viperboy

iTrader: (7)

Bottom line, your claim IS crap.

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

all this sport tuned suspension n blah blah blah, doesnt mean much if the OP is going to lower the car regardless... the thing with the SE-R is that you cant really change much on the body cause once you change anything there you just took away from the SE-R look and might as well buy just the regular altima... better yet, i change my mind on my decision... i love the SE-R but just get the regular v6 5spd alti slam it with a fron lip and some kind of B-pipe with SE-R tips... then again you can just do a maxima IDK man.. i think i myself is now more confused lol... just get one, same decision lol...

perfectmax

iTrader: (1)

Funny how I stumbled accross this thread... Ironically, I raced a 06 SE-R ealier this morning (on a track of course). The SE-R looked decent, it was a red 6-speed. I have a 2002 6-speed max. The kid driving thought he was gonna smoke me. Light turned, he jumped out ahead, right after my 1-2nd shift we were even, at the 2-3 shift I was ahead by 1/2 a car lengh and then at 90 we stopped. I was ahead by one car lengh...

Needless to say, the driver of the SE-R was shocked.

carrrnuttt

Mods (if any)?

perfectmax

iTrader: (1)

both cars were 100% stock...

perfectmax

iTrader: (1)

BUT...one thing to remember... You're still driving an "Altima."

CraigSE

Independent rear suspension and the badass wheels on the SE-R are good enough for me to give that car the nod. I'm also biased because I used to have an '02 3.5SE 5mt that I just loved.

m_turner_02

iTrader: (3)

yea, go say that to an se-r driver I guess you didn't get the memo that the se-r was hand crafted by God himself

and about a race with one...it is completely a drivers race, because performance wise they are pretty much the same and consequently SHOULD run the same down the 1320 but you were clearly a better driver than the kid in the altima. just out of curiosity, what were your times down the track in the aforementioned race

DrunkieTheBear

iTrader: (17)

bottom line...you don't build your cars.

For about $1,500, its more then easily done and then some, but only a person who did know what they were talking about would know that now wouldn't they.

mist max2000

iTrader: (16)

sorry this is so OT.. but What the hell is that as your sig .. please tell me you dont own that or have anything to do with it prob coulda bought an M for the wasted money into that thing..but ....if so.. im sorry..

..shoulda known..it has jersey plates on it