kingrukus

iTrader: (41)

My dad wants to buy an import car...of the 4, 2 of them are nissan's (the 2001 maxima 20th anniverary edition or the 2002 altima 3.5 SE)...
Anyhow, would you guys say that the automatic 2001 max SE is noticibly slower than the 2002 altima w/ the 3.5 and the automatic? The reason he is interested in the 2001 max as opposed to the 2002 is because they are clearing out the 2001's for good prices. BTW we test drove the automatic altima 3.5 today, and damn it was fast. We drove the 2002 maxima GXE right after and it felt quite a bit slower....
Phil

2001SE

Get the Altima
1. It is faster, accelerates faster,gated shifter(more sporty), might have a better suspension system
2. Dual Exhust(nice thing to have)
3. HID
4. Bigger


2001 AE Advatage
1. Looks better
2. Special (ground affect,leather,special key floormats,etc,special shifter,etc
3. Better looking Interior


So basiacly, The altima is has more advatages, and its new(2002)
The best thing to have on a car is the HID and the altima has them so get the Altima even though it might cost a little more

xtantmaxima

Also, another big advantage for the altima is that it is actually larger than the Maxima in interior space.

Greg's2kGLE

The '01 AE could be worth something someday (collectors item maybe).

kingrukus

iTrader: (41)

The Altima has HID lights?

Greg's2kGLE

I think only the 3.5SE had HIDs

ford5litre

That's odd. I recently went to a Nissan dealer bent on buying a new Altima 3.5 SE. I left with a Loaded 2002 Maxima SE because, contrary to your experience, the Max felt quite a bit faster off the line. Other reasons were that the Max had standard ABS & HID lights. These are options on the Altima (and seemingly hard to find on an Altima at this point). Also, in my opinion, the Maxima has a more refined interior than the Altima (it just "feels" better to me). Don't get me wrong... the Altima IS a beautiful car IMO and I sometimes have the question in the back of my mind, "Should I have waited for an ABS Altima to arrive?" (I really like the Altima butt better than the Max). Overall I am happy with my Max (with the exception of the Bose Sub vibating under heavy bass) and will keep it until something newer catches my eye.

MichaelAE

iTrader: (1)

I'm biased as the owner of an Anniversary Edition, but I think the Maxima AE is much better looking, inside and outside, than the new Altima. If they are both automatic, the Altima will certainly be faster (assuming no modifications).

One thing to think about is the 3L VQ engine has been through three years of application in the Maxima, while the 3.5L is going through its first applications (tuned as it is) in the Altima and Maxima. Read: We know there are no significant problems with the 3L through as many as 50K+ miles.

What are the other two choices?

Newman

iTrader: (3)

he said the 2k1 max they drove was slower than the 2k2 altima. he didnt drive a 2k2 max i dont think.

Ludacris

iTrader: (11)

Oh it's not the same 3.5 L that's in the Pathfinder?

NickE39

Yes the VQ35DE in the Altima is faster than the VQ30DE-K in the Maxima. If you can get a better deal on the Altima, I'd say to go for it. I would still choose the AE Maxima; you're more than likely NOT to see one at every corner.

jykishan

iTrader: (3)

so very true, I vividly remember every time i see another A.E. on the road which has only been three times, and i've had the car for a year now, and only one of those three was majestic blue like mine. Actually I've seen more 2k2 altimas than A.E's on the road. As for being a collectors item I seriously doubt that, unless you find a die hard maxima fanatic, who really wants the car

RussMaxManiac

Altima is not faster than a 2002 GXE max, but its faster than a autp 2001. Its not faster than a 2001 5spd though. Altima may feel it faster than the 2002 Max DUE TO QUALITY, but its not faster and someone here proved that already. The better the quality is on the car the less it will feel fast. Like a GS400 didn't feel that fast, but its damn fast.

2001SE

never thought of it that way...nice

2001SE

yep its only an option on the 3.5SE

annimax

Altima is only marginaly larger than the MAX but is a great car, but go with the A.E. MAX, you won't regret it!

serin

iTrader: (2)

AE no question.
i was at a nissan dealer for some service and had around an hour to kill so i wandered over to the sales floor and took a look at the new 2k2 maximas and altimas. the quality of the altima's interior (or lack thereof) is pretty obvious at first glance, and i'm sure it'll make you feel worse as time of ownership goes on. stick with the maxima. tenths of seconds isn't everything, especially when the quality of the interior you surround yourself in is low.