I must be crazy.

My in-laws just picked up a 2011 Max. Nothing fancy, but a pretty nice vehicle.

I drove it yesterday and call me crazy, but I liked my 2002 better. Little things about it I really didn't like.

Maybe its I'm just comfortable with mine and if I drove it everyday I'd get to like it better.

The auto tranny in manual mode was kind of neat. And I of course liked the better turning radius.

But I couldn't seem to get comfortable. The window sill was really high and I guess I couldn't rest my arm on it.

And it wasn't much quieter than mine. I would've thought that it would be much better.

Merry Christmas all.

 

Right there with you. Plastics quality went down and the drive wasn't anything to write home about. I also really dislike the way the steering wheel looks. Other than that, I did like the new Max though. Looks really nice and it brings back some sporty flavor I thought that went missing in the 6th. The CVT still is a deal breaker for me.

 

This.

Two completely different cars, each with their own good and poor points. The 7th gen is a fantastic car for its class, but just like Zero said... the CVT is a deal-breaker.

 

I felt the same way back when I drove the first CVT Maxima when I had my 97 SE. I didn't like it then and I don't think I'd like it now. It still amazes me how many people I come in contact with who can't drive a stick and in some cases are afraid of it. I love my stick and love having the choice/option to drive auto or manual.

 

Quoted for truth.

I still love the look of the 7th gen (and I'm sure it's a great car), but I'd be lying if I said I heard rave reviews about the drive. I have not yet driven one, but I must honestly say I don't like what I've heard so far.

Maybe it's not built for our type of enthusiast?

 

I've noticed the 7th gens don't have great roll-on acceleration at higher speeds (like 80+ on the freeway). Really like the styling and the interior, just wish it had a conventional automatic or a 6 speed manual. Probably go with a used G35 sedan instead of a new Maxima whenever my car wears out.

 

I just can't imagine driving a car with no transmission feel.
Maybe one day, I suppose.

I have a buddy who has a 7th gen, and he says same thing about interior noise; that's funny, considering our cars are noisy, and always HAVE been.
I like the looks of the newer Max -- but I'd not buy another.
There'd have to be some SERIOUS innovation, like AWD, or a supercharger.
I still REALLY like mine, and I'll drive it for several more years.

I'm with Scottwax and Rochester: it'll be a G37 or a TL-S for my next car.

gr

 

Not crazy at all. My mom has a 2010 maxima. I honestly dont enjoy driving it. For a car that claims to be a "4DSC", it does a really bad job at that. Not saying the car is bad at all. It really is a good car as a whole, but at this moment, a 4 door 6 speed 3.5 altima would better fit that title for nissan. (not counting the infiniti brand of course)

 

Who said anything about a TL-S? I mean, sure... AWD, 6MT, Power, luxury, etc. It's quite a package. But the whole Cylon Centurian look is a real put-off.

 

Its a nice spacious car to cruise around and the cvt you get used to.Makes my 02s interior feel old and outdated.I have a turbo dsm if a speed fix is needed.

 

Like I said before (I'm sure in some other thread some time ago)....the CVT has its places. I really really really...ok you get the point...liked the CVT in my Murano when I had it. In THAT application I thought it was great (paired to the AWD and all). The Maxima is a different beast...it is a sports sedan and accordingly the biggest FAIL on Nissan's part was not offering a 6-MT in this car.....a travesty at best. What were they thinking? Who knows?

Would I buy a 2010 Max....No, but this is my opinion and preference...I am sure it is a good car for the average driver....I do get annoyed at times that I didn't get my '02 with a 6-MT but it was too good a deal to pass....it has been a bullet-proof car to date (no jinx please bad spirits)

I will keep my '02 max until it falls apart (with the way I take care of it... that won't be for a long long time)

As far as an addition aside the Max....I am really liking the WRX STI lately....we'll see.....

 

Damn, we both have gold max's and turbo dsm's? Lol, difference is, you're probably keeping your dsm, I've got to rid myself of mine.

I'm not really impressed w/ alot of the newer cars on the road. To echo earlier posts, I'm definitely leaning toward something in the 04-07 used range...(that is...when the Max runs her clock)

 

everybody here would definetly would love to see a manual 7th gen but i don't think its a mistake from maxima because manual maximas where only 2% of the maximas sales, they just didn't think in us.

 

Sotrue.....but it should have at least been an option...even though most maximaso sold are autos

 

Call me even crazier because I prefer driving a '96 w/225k that I bought for $200 over an '04 I35

 

Beaters are more fun alot of the time...

I have a bunch of fun driving my gray primered '88 chevy 1500 that I got for a steal because I have so much less to worry about than with the maxima.

 

just to confirm that you guys aren't crazy....

I test drove a 2010 not too long ago, and the only reason I was somewhat excited is because it was new. Otherwise I like my 6speed better XD

 

The OP said that he couldn't get comfortable in the new car. I can relate to that. I had a 3rd gen that I felt the most comfortable in. For the short period of time that I had the 3rd, 4th and 5th gens at the same time, I preferred to drive the 3rd gen.

 

I drove a 2007 Altima 3.5 w/ CVT a couple years ago. This was before I started really modding my 2002 4AT and participating much on the org, and even then, I still felt like my Maxima was noticeably peppier.

As my car is now, it'd kick that altima's trash ... Except in handling. But wait til I get my Tein SS Coilovers hehe

 

I test drove one of those with a 6MT, and in summary, it sucked. They did absolutely everything right... and then calibrated feel out of the steering to the point that it had about the same feedback as a 27' power boat.

ETA: And I understand the CVT complaints. I had rented a Sentra earlier with a CVT, and that was terrible. Then the body shop gave me a Cube which drove a LOT better (I guess my previous rental had been abused or something) - at some point in the usual DC beltway idiot-induced traffic jam I realized that it was nice to not have a transmission not hunting for a gear all the time. Then I discovered that one could game how it worked to get the car to pick up at just the right time - whoa and behold, the Cube was actually kind of zippy. I suspect the same behavior can be coaxed out of the new Maxima too. Of course, a 6MT would make that unnecessary. And lastly - how else would one get 27 mpg out of a car that's as heavy as a Maxima?

 

New Maxima isn't bad. My dad recently got one. Its nice interior, imo better than any previous generation.

And you hear the engine, exhaust more than stock previous gens. Which I like but dad doesn't like(He is 60)

Even though Maxes didnt sell with a lot of sticks, it still should have been an option. I mean you can get TL-s with stick.

I like the new maxs but yeah, I would prefer a g35/7 if I stay with Nissan family in the future.

 

My wife has an '03 and I have an '02. I already told her that if anything bad happens to either car, I'm buying another max either '02 or '03 b/c those were the last model years made in Japan. She doesn't agree and thinks that I'm crazy but after reading this thread looks like I'm not the only one that's crazy after all.

 

I think the 7th gens are great cars. The fact that it uses a CVT trans is a major turn off though. IMO, the Japanese built Maximas are far superior than the American built ones.

 

 

Why do you think I'm probably buying another 5.5 gen to replace my totaled one?

 

^This.

I wish I could get my 97 back, lighter, swifter, and you can actually park it! .

I agree that the CVT is a turn off if you want a manual, or are used to one, like myself. I have to say though, it's a ingenious little set up once you get used to it. Very smooth, and snappy if you learn how to use it, no waiting for downshifts, and consistant power.
Then again, I'm used to snow-bombing snowmobiles around and how to work the throttle to get them going.

I'd still take a Manual over any type of Automatic though, it's depressing that there are so few cars that still offer them, they will be a thing of the past eventually.

 

This is what I'm afraid of. It seems many of the car companies are giving the backseat to manual. Not that they still don't make them, but the availability is
seems to be getting smaller.

 

Hey Scottwax. If you have a second car, be patient if you really want to buy another max. Check autotrader.com and cars.com on a daily basis. You'll probably find what you're looking for but you'll have to be willing and able to travel to another state to pick it up. Good luck.

 

Ahhhhhhhh! Scott, I'm so happy for you! =D

 

Don't have a second car and this nasty winter we've had so far has really put a dent in my detailing business so I don't want to pay for a rental for a month if I don't have to. Interested in a fellow .org member's car that is down in Austin and already had a friend test drive the car. Just not getting a lot of communication right now. Don't know if he got the seat motor working again so the seat can be moved forward (he is taller than me).

 

The Japanese ones are better I agree.

But I want to point out that what's wrong with the "American built" ones is not b/c they're built in America. It's because of where the parts are built now. Most of the parts in new Nissans are Chinese or Mexican made. And, for those 7th Gens that are having warranty work done, ask the dealer to give you the packaging for the parts they are replacing. Most of the defective parts are made in China.
Go to the 7 gen forum, for the front suspension recall, they mention that Nissan uses a Chinese vendor for the faulty components. You buy a $35K+ car you'd expect them not to source car parts from Wal Mart!

 

Ask him to tap on the motor while trying to advance the seat forward. Works on mine every time the wife or brother in law need to borrow my max.

As for the 7th Gen I have mixed feelings about it, at some angles it looks pretty good but from others it's just missing something. As for the interior, I'm not too impressed with it. The hard plastics are just a turn off for me mainly because they remind me of a work beater truck.

 

I also have mixed feeelings about the 7th gen. However I like it more then the 6th gen but not as much as the 5.5 gen maxima.
However the CVT kills it for me.

 

I'm a salesman at a Nissan dealer and drive the 7th gen as a demo most of the time. That being said I own an 03 max and 08 3.5 coupe. The 5th gen build quality is hands down better in my eyes. Even the sound the doors make when you shut them is better in the 5th gen. But the features list and styling is what makes the 7th gen a winner. CVT takes time to get used to and I would take a 6speed any day but CVT>auto any day! I hate how most autos make you wait before they respond and Cvt does pull hard once you are moving. Off the line with cvt is weak.

 

Seems that way at higher speed (85+) roll ons too. Not saying how I know that.

 

Show me a "normal" car that pulls hard over 85MPH

 

5.5 Max 6-speed pulls nicely above 85mph IMO

 

Mine did, at least better than a 7th gen does. Until it got totaled.

I've been in a car that pulls harder at 160 than mine did at 20 but a twin turbo Ford GT that hit 224 in the Texas Mile isn't exactly normal.

 

Thats my WOT HP at the speeds lsited.

 

5.5 gen maximas run things.... literally