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Maximum sport, maximum value

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Old 12-14-2001, 07:53 AM
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Maximum sport, maximum value

Maximum sport, maximum value


Brian Harper
National Post

It might be overshadowed by the hype regarding the new Altima sedan, but the 2002 Maxima SE is the real performer in Nissan's lineup.



Along with the usual mod cons, the SE offers a heated steering wheel.


With all the media hype and hoopla over the totally transformed Altima -- most of it deserved -- it might be easy to forget Nissan already has a perfectly good sports sedan, one that has served well as the Japanese company's flagship four-door for the past 20 years. That the Maxima is also the recipient of the new 3.5-litre V6 (optional on the Altima) with 15 more horsepower (255 v. 240), and comes with a manual gearbox (six-speed v. the Altima's five) should help re-establish who truly wears the sporting pants in Nissan's family.

Other than the aforementioned powertrain upgrades, model year 2002 sees numerous modifications to the Maxima, both interior and exterior. The result is a car packaged to run and, at $33,900 for the SE, priced to sell. Throw in another $3,000 for the optional Leather Package (leather seats, four-way power passenger's seat, driver's memory seat system, power glass sunroof and Bose audio system with seven speakers and six-disc, in-dash CD changer) and, on paper, this sport/luxury sedan should show its tail lights to at least a dozen higher-priced models competing in the entry-level luxury segment.

So, is it me, or is the Maxima SE not getting the respect it deserves? The case for the fifth-generation Nissan as a veritable bargain among the assorted fancy-schmancy Lexuses, BMWs, Volvos, Cadillacs and others is strong.

Starting with the obvious, the V6 is a sweetheart of an engine -- strong, quick and silky smooth. The 3.5 is an enlarged and enhanced version of Nissan's 3.0-litre V6, part of the VQ engine family that has been named one of the 10 Best Engines by Ward's Auto World in the United States for seven consecutive years. As a 3.5-litre, the DOHC V6 now produces 255 hp and 246 pounds-feet of torque, increases of 33 hp and 29 lb-ft of torque over the 2001 Maxima's 3.0L motor. (The closest competition now comes from Acura's 3.2TL Type S, which boasts just five more horses and a price tag of $41,000). In terms of ability, figures published by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada during its annual testing in October show the Maxima will hit 100 kilometres an hour from a standing start in 6.7 seconds (a half-second faster than the Type S), and accelerate to 120 km/h from 80 in the same time (0.8 seconds slower than the Acura). More than hard numbers, though, the engine loves to rev, yet it is also content to be lugged around in the lower rpm range.

I am less enthralled with the SE's standard six-speed manual transmission -- a close-ratio one at that -- although kudos are due Nissan for offering a stick shift in the first place; it is a rarity among Japanese contenders in the entry-luxury segment. As long as you are deliberate with the upshifts, finding the right gear is not too much of a problem. However, the spacing between the gates hinders the SE's sporting pretenses, especially if a fun bit of road is encountered. Downshifts require even greater care and I found the shifter hanging up between the gears (notably fourth to third) on more than one occasion. Getting crisp launches from stop signs took a conscious effort as well, as clutch take-up was near the end of the pedal's travel. (Admittedly, the tester was still being broken in, having only 700 km on the odometer when it was picked up.)

The SE features special "sport tuning" of the car's suspension, itself a conventional front strut and rear multi-link setup. The Maxima handles well for a front-driver, offering optimally weighted, speed-sensitive steering and decently stable handling. It will not match a 3 Series through the twisties, but it is not shamed either, which, considering it is a significantly larger sedan than the Bimmer (with a back seat suitable for adults), is praiseworthy. The SE also wears larger rubber than either the GXE and GLE Maximas -- V-rated 225/50R17 Bridgestone tires. Four-wheel disc brakes with larger 16-millimetre front discs and ABS ensure steady, positive stops (100 km/h to zero in 43.3 metres). System upgrades for 2002 include Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, which ensures maximum braking capacity is used in panic stop situations.

With rare exception, entry-level luxury sedans push no exterior styling envelopes, notably the Japanese brands. The Maxima is still as conservative as a blue blazer despite its new front grille and front fascia, the addition of high-intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights, plus the side-sill spoilers and, on the SE, a reasonably subdued rear wing --which is another reason why the more avant-garde Altima is the current media darling.

Inside, all the traditional elements and mod cons that typify a sport-luxury sedan are there --plus a couple of extras. Not only are the front seats heated, so is the steering wheel. SE models feature a leather-wrapped steering wheel, titanium-colour gauge faces with black numerals and, later in the year, drilled metal accelerator, brake and clutch pedals. All '02 Maximas get more supportive seat designs, redesigned audio system faceplates and a steering-wheel-controlled, multi-function trip computer with outside temperature display, distance-to-empty, fuel economy and drive time counters.

Other than the cheap plastic trim around the air vents, my only beef is the unremitting blackness of the SE tester's roomy interior. For years, black has been the colour of choice when it comes to presenting a sporty or luxurious appearance. Lately, however, some of the European car companies (notably Audi) have been offering far brighter and more colour-contrasting interiors and trim materials. Other companies should pay attention.

The Maxima's problem is not one of sales (it has been the best-selling, V6-powered import car in the United States for more than 15 years), but one of brand image. For those shopping an upscale sport-luxury sedan, the Nissan name does not carry the cachet of Lexus, Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes, et al. Admittedly, Nissan more or less covers that base by offering the I35, a Maxima-based sedan for Infiniti buyers.

Still, it offends my parsimonious nature to see the Maxima excluded from the in-crowd. Allow me to rectify that right now: Dollar-for-dollar, feature-for-feature, and without even crediting that lovely V6, the Maxima is not only a worthy consideration in the entry- luxury sedan category, it is the bargain of the year.

THE SPECS:

TYPE OF VEHICLE Front-wheel-drive, sport-luxury sedan

ENGINE 3.5-litre DOHC V6

POWER 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 246 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm

TRANSMISSION Six-speed manual

BRAKES Front/rear disc with ABS

TIRES 225/50VR17 performance

BASE PRICE/AS TESTED $33,900/ $36,900

FUEL ECONOMY, L/100 KM 11.2 city, 7.7 hwy.
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Old 12-14-2001, 07:57 AM
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33K for a SE!! wtf does this seem high for anyone else?
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Old 12-14-2001, 08:05 AM
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Try converting it into USD!!

Originally posted by bcannon
33K for a SE!! wtf does this seem high for anyone else?
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Old 12-14-2001, 08:15 AM
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oh okay then...nevermind...

Originally posted by jjs
Try converting it into USD!!

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Old 12-14-2001, 08:19 AM
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No prob!! Still sucks that they can get cars for that price in CA!!

Originally posted by bcannon
oh okay then...nevermind...

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Old 12-14-2001, 08:21 AM
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Re: Maximum sport, maximum value

Originally posted by Igal
Maximum sport, maximum value


Brian Harper
National Post

It might be overshadowed by the hype regarding the new Altima sedan, but the 2002 Maxima SE is the real performer in Nissan's lineup.



Along with the usual mod cons, the SE offers a heated steering wheel.


With all the media hype and hoopla over the totally transformed Altima -- most of it deserved -- it might be easy to forget Nissan already has a perfectly good sports sedan, one that has served well as the Japanese company's flagship four-door for the past 20 years. That the Maxima is also the recipient of the new 3.5-litre V6 (optional on the Altima) with 15 more horsepower (255 v. 240), and comes with a manual gearbox (six-speed v. the Altima's five) should help re-establish who truly wears the sporting pants in Nissan's family.

Other than the aforementioned powertrain upgrades, model year 2002 sees numerous modifications to the Maxima, both interior and exterior. The result is a car packaged to run and, at $33,900 for the SE, priced to sell. Throw in another $3,000 for the optional Leather Package (leather seats, four-way power passenger's seat, driver's memory seat system, power glass sunroof and Bose audio system with seven speakers and six-disc, in-dash CD changer) and, on paper, this sport/luxury sedan should show its tail lights to at least a dozen higher-priced models competing in the entry-level luxury segment.

So, is it me, or is the Maxima SE not getting the respect it deserves? The case for the fifth-generation Nissan as a veritable bargain among the assorted fancy-schmancy Lexuses, BMWs, Volvos, Cadillacs and others is strong.

Starting with the obvious, the V6 is a sweetheart of an engine -- strong, quick and silky smooth. The 3.5 is an enlarged and enhanced version of Nissan's 3.0-litre V6, part of the VQ engine family that has been named one of the 10 Best Engines by Ward's Auto World in the United States for seven consecutive years. As a 3.5-litre, the DOHC V6 now produces 255 hp and 246 pounds-feet of torque, increases of 33 hp and 29 lb-ft of torque over the 2001 Maxima's 3.0L motor. (The closest competition now comes from Acura's 3.2TL Type S, which boasts just five more horses and a price tag of $41,000). In terms of ability, figures published by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada during its annual testing in October show the Maxima will hit 100 kilometres an hour from a standing start in 6.7 seconds (a half-second faster than the Type S), and accelerate to 120 km/h from 80 in the same time (0.8 seconds slower than the Acura). More than hard numbers, though, the engine loves to rev, yet it is also content to be lugged around in the lower rpm range.

I am less enthralled with the SE's standard six-speed manual transmission -- a close-ratio one at that -- although kudos are due Nissan for offering a stick shift in the first place; it is a rarity among Japanese contenders in the entry-luxury segment. As long as you are deliberate with the upshifts, finding the right gear is not too much of a problem. However, the spacing between the gates hinders the SE's sporting pretenses, especially if a fun bit of road is encountered. Downshifts require even greater care and I found the shifter hanging up between the gears (notably fourth to third) on more than one occasion. Getting crisp launches from stop signs took a conscious effort as well, as clutch take-up was near the end of the pedal's travel. (Admittedly, the tester was still being broken in, having only 700 km on the odometer when it was picked up.)

The SE features special "sport tuning" of the car's suspension, itself a conventional front strut and rear multi-link setup. The Maxima handles well for a front-driver, offering optimally weighted, speed-sensitive steering and decently stable handling. It will not match a 3 Series through the twisties, but it is not shamed either, which, considering it is a significantly larger sedan than the Bimmer (with a back seat suitable for adults), is praiseworthy. The SE also wears larger rubber than either the GXE and GLE Maximas -- V-rated 225/50R17 Bridgestone tires. Four-wheel disc brakes with larger 16-millimetre front discs and ABS ensure steady, positive stops (100 km/h to zero in 43.3 metres). System upgrades for 2002 include Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, which ensures maximum braking capacity is used in panic stop situations.

With rare exception, entry-level luxury sedans push no exterior styling envelopes, notably the Japanese brands. The Maxima is still as conservative as a blue blazer despite its new front grille and front fascia, the addition of high-intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights, plus the side-sill spoilers and, on the SE, a reasonably subdued rear wing --which is another reason why the more avant-garde Altima is the current media darling.

Inside, all the traditional elements and mod cons that typify a sport-luxury sedan are there --plus a couple of extras. Not only are the front seats heated, so is the steering wheel. SE models feature a leather-wrapped steering wheel, titanium-colour gauge faces with black numerals and, later in the year, drilled metal accelerator, brake and clutch pedals. All '02 Maximas get more supportive seat designs, redesigned audio system faceplates and a steering-wheel-controlled, multi-function trip computer with outside temperature display, distance-to-empty, fuel economy and drive time counters.

Other than the cheap plastic trim around the air vents, my only beef is the unremitting blackness of the SE tester's roomy interior. For years, black has been the colour of choice when it comes to presenting a sporty or luxurious appearance. Lately, however, some of the European car companies (notably Audi) have been offering far brighter and more colour-contrasting interiors and trim materials. Other companies should pay attention.

The Maxima's problem is not one of sales (it has been the best-selling, V6-powered import car in the United States for more than 15 years), but one of brand image. For those shopping an upscale sport-luxury sedan, the Nissan name does not carry the cachet of Lexus, Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes, et al. Admittedly, Nissan more or less covers that base by offering the I35, a Maxima-based sedan for Infiniti buyers.

Still, it offends my parsimonious nature to see the Maxima excluded from the in-crowd. Allow me to rectify that right now: Dollar-for-dollar, feature-for-feature, and without even crediting that lovely V6, the Maxima is not only a worthy consideration in the entry- luxury sedan category, it is the bargain of the year.

THE SPECS:

TYPE OF VEHICLE Front-wheel-drive, sport-luxury sedan

ENGINE 3.5-litre DOHC V6

POWER 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 246 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm

TRANSMISSION Six-speed manual

BRAKES Front/rear disc with ABS

TIRES 225/50VR17 performance

BASE PRICE/AS TESTED $33,900/ $36,900

FUEL ECONOMY, L/100 KM 11.2 city, 7.7 hwy.
Whoa, did I just walk into roadandtrack.com? Lemme check real quick if this is the .org....
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Old 12-14-2001, 05:03 PM
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Finally...

A good review of the 2002 Maxima. I was getting SO tired of reading reviews of the Altima!
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Old 12-14-2001, 05:59 PM
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Originally posted by bcannon
33K for a SE!! wtf does this seem high for anyone else?
He's probably canadian
Awesome post I definately hate all the hype over the new Altima.
People are definately forgeting who the real performer is!
 
Old 12-14-2001, 06:17 PM
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Originally posted by Maxima06071

He's probably canadian
Awesome post I definately hate all the hype over the new Altima.
People are definately forgeting who the real performer is!
It is getting old, but I can't say I blame Nissan for hyping it. I can see the Altima becoming a real threat to the Accord and Camry. Nissan needs one of those. And remember...the more Altima's they sell, the more money they've got to further tweak the VQ.
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