bailing out for a soft landing
04-08-2011, 04:57 PM
#41
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 85
I found a very well maintained Maxima with higher miles - 133000 when I got it. It still runs strong and the transmission and engine will likely last 250 - 300 thousand miles. Engine uses no oil.
But the economic side of things is tough. The car driven modestly gets 23 mpg. If I drove 55 or 60 mph on fairly level ground on a long highway trip - I can get 28 to 30 mpg also. Reality for me and most people is that we rarely drive that way. Some town driving and mostly highway at 65 or so will result in low to mid 20s.
If someone drives 300 to 400 miles a week @ 25 mpg using premium gas they will burn 12 to 16 gallons a week at 4.00 a gallon - about 60.00 at today's price. Note this is going up fast and looks like 6.00 sooner than later.
Compare to a small car same scenario but getting 38 mpg - burning about 7 to 10 gallons of regular or about 30.00 a week.
Fuel savuings = 150.00 per 4.3 week average month.
The Maxima is a fun to drive car with a great engine and good transmissions, but in my opinion the motor mounts, IACV, coils, O2 sensors, cam sensors . . . add up to big repairs if you can't do it yourself.
Its not the Maxima's fault - mine gave great service for about 150,000 miles - but economic reality is that going forward - motor mounts, sensors, IACV, intake gaskets, wheel bearings, struts, starters, alternators, suspension parts, evaporator system, air cond, etc will have some failures and repairs. Some are needed now.
Its not too tough to need 2500 in repairs over a couple years. 200 a month without a transmission or engine. If a transmission goes - big jump in the monthly number.
Bottom line - 150 for fuel savings, 200 for repairs, and the costs of both are likely to go up hard in the coming years . . . .
350 a month for repairs and additional fuel expense vs. a 250.00 payment at a almost zero interest rate and warranty with a high resale value car is super - especially considering gas will likely hit 6 or 7 in a year and the parts and repairs will be higher too.
Conclusion = the Maxima was fun while it made sense - but I chose to act before I had to and when there were deals on the Civic and the Maxima still had good value, and before I sunk more money into a lost cause mainly because of the thirst for large amounts of premium fuel
But the economic side of things is tough. The car driven modestly gets 23 mpg. If I drove 55 or 60 mph on fairly level ground on a long highway trip - I can get 28 to 30 mpg also. Reality for me and most people is that we rarely drive that way. Some town driving and mostly highway at 65 or so will result in low to mid 20s.
If someone drives 300 to 400 miles a week @ 25 mpg using premium gas they will burn 12 to 16 gallons a week at 4.00 a gallon - about 60.00 at today's price. Note this is going up fast and looks like 6.00 sooner than later.
Compare to a small car same scenario but getting 38 mpg - burning about 7 to 10 gallons of regular or about 30.00 a week.
Fuel savuings = 150.00 per 4.3 week average month.
The Maxima is a fun to drive car with a great engine and good transmissions, but in my opinion the motor mounts, IACV, coils, O2 sensors, cam sensors . . . add up to big repairs if you can't do it yourself.
Its not the Maxima's fault - mine gave great service for about 150,000 miles - but economic reality is that going forward - motor mounts, sensors, IACV, intake gaskets, wheel bearings, struts, starters, alternators, suspension parts, evaporator system, air cond, etc will have some failures and repairs. Some are needed now.
Its not too tough to need 2500 in repairs over a couple years. 200 a month without a transmission or engine. If a transmission goes - big jump in the monthly number.
Bottom line - 150 for fuel savings, 200 for repairs, and the costs of both are likely to go up hard in the coming years . . . .
350 a month for repairs and additional fuel expense vs. a 250.00 payment at a almost zero interest rate and warranty with a high resale value car is super - especially considering gas will likely hit 6 or 7 in a year and the parts and repairs will be higher too.
Conclusion = the Maxima was fun while it made sense - but I chose to act before I had to and when there were deals on the Civic and the Maxima still had good value, and before I sunk more money into a lost cause mainly because of the thirst for large amounts of premium fuel
Last edited by Intrepid1; 04-08-2011 at 05:00 PM.
04-08-2011, 05:38 PM
#44
Good explanation.
However, u miss a key fact.
You are basically downsizing from a full size family car(that is what statefarm categorizes the maxima as) to a compact economy sedan.
People make choices and yours was to downsize based on fuel economy and maintenance factors.
When one buys a maxima whose msrp goes into the $30k range $4 a gallon is not that much of an issue.
When you buy a car that's half that price, sure mpg etc are valid criteria.
I think the maxima was a bad choice for you in a way since mpg probably was always on your agenda but gas prices didn't force you until now to own upto.
No disrespect, but the whole extended discussion of why a civic is better than a maxima based on the mpg criteria is not a valid one.
However it seems to float your boat so good luck.
Ps. I came to the maxima after 2 back to back civics, a 96 that I put on 180k miles and a 01 that's I put on 150k miles.
I traded up for an 01 maxima that now is about 100 miles from 200k.
When I look back the maxima is not only easier to work on than the civic, it has actually coated me less in maintenance too.
Good luck with your civic!
However, u miss a key fact.
You are basically downsizing from a full size family car(that is what statefarm categorizes the maxima as) to a compact economy sedan.
People make choices and yours was to downsize based on fuel economy and maintenance factors.
When one buys a maxima whose msrp goes into the $30k range $4 a gallon is not that much of an issue.
When you buy a car that's half that price, sure mpg etc are valid criteria.
I think the maxima was a bad choice for you in a way since mpg probably was always on your agenda but gas prices didn't force you until now to own upto.
No disrespect, but the whole extended discussion of why a civic is better than a maxima based on the mpg criteria is not a valid one.
However it seems to float your boat so good luck.
Ps. I came to the maxima after 2 back to back civics, a 96 that I put on 180k miles and a 01 that's I put on 150k miles.
I traded up for an 01 maxima that now is about 100 miles from 200k.
When I look back the maxima is not only easier to work on than the civic, it has actually coated me less in maintenance too.
Good luck with your civic!
04-08-2011, 05:46 PM
#45
I also owned a Civic once. A 1988 DX Sedan 5MT, for 2 years from 1990 through 1992. It was a very positive experience. The car did exactly what it was supposed to do, it did it with a stylish, responsive snap, and it got 40 mpg highway.
So 20 years later, and I'm not hating on the Civic.
I like your last explanation, OP. Go enjoy your new car.
So 20 years later, and I'm not hating on the Civic.
I like your last explanation, OP. Go enjoy your new car.
04-08-2011, 06:04 PM
#46
I found a very well maintained Maxima with higher miles - 133000 when I got it. It still runs strong and the transmission and engine will likely last 250 - 300 thousand miles. Engine uses no oil.
But the economic side of things is tough. The car driven modestly gets 23 mpg. If I drove 55 or 60 mph on fairly level ground on a long highway trip - I can get 28 to 30 mpg also. Reality for me and most people is that we rarely drive that way. Some town driving and mostly highway at 65 or so will result in low to mid 20s.
If someone drives 300 to 400 miles a week @ 25 mpg using premium gas they will burn 12 to 16 gallons a week at 4.00 a gallon - about 60.00 at today's price. Note this is going up fast and looks like 6.00 sooner than later.
Compare to a small car same scenario but getting 38 mpg - burning about 7 to 10 gallons of regular or about 30.00 a week.
Fuel savuings = 150.00 per 4.3 week average month.
The Maxima is a fun to drive car with a great engine and good transmissions, but in my opinion the motor mounts, IACV, coils, O2 sensors, cam sensors . . . add up to big repairs if you can't do it yourself.
Its not the Maxima's fault - mine gave great service for about 150,000 miles - but economic reality is that going forward - motor mounts, sensors, IACV, intake gaskets, wheel bearings, struts, starters, alternators, suspension parts, evaporator system, air cond, etc will have some failures and repairs. Some are needed now.
Its not too tough to need 2500 in repairs over a couple years. 200 a month without a transmission or engine. If a transmission goes - big jump in the monthly number.
Bottom line - 150 for fuel savings, 200 for repairs, and the costs of both are likely to go up hard in the coming years . . . .
350 a month for repairs and additional fuel expense vs. a 250.00 payment at a almost zero interest rate and warranty with a high resale value car is super - especially considering gas will likely hit 6 or 7 in a year and the parts and repairs will be higher too.
Conclusion = the Maxima was fun while it made sense - but I chose to act before I had to and when there were deals on the Civic and the Maxima still had good value, and before I sunk more money into a lost cause mainly because of the thirst for large amounts of premium fuel
But the economic side of things is tough. The car driven modestly gets 23 mpg. If I drove 55 or 60 mph on fairly level ground on a long highway trip - I can get 28 to 30 mpg also. Reality for me and most people is that we rarely drive that way. Some town driving and mostly highway at 65 or so will result in low to mid 20s.
If someone drives 300 to 400 miles a week @ 25 mpg using premium gas they will burn 12 to 16 gallons a week at 4.00 a gallon - about 60.00 at today's price. Note this is going up fast and looks like 6.00 sooner than later.
Compare to a small car same scenario but getting 38 mpg - burning about 7 to 10 gallons of regular or about 30.00 a week.
Fuel savuings = 150.00 per 4.3 week average month.
The Maxima is a fun to drive car with a great engine and good transmissions, but in my opinion the motor mounts, IACV, coils, O2 sensors, cam sensors . . . add up to big repairs if you can't do it yourself.
Its not the Maxima's fault - mine gave great service for about 150,000 miles - but economic reality is that going forward - motor mounts, sensors, IACV, intake gaskets, wheel bearings, struts, starters, alternators, suspension parts, evaporator system, air cond, etc will have some failures and repairs. Some are needed now.
Its not too tough to need 2500 in repairs over a couple years. 200 a month without a transmission or engine. If a transmission goes - big jump in the monthly number.
Bottom line - 150 for fuel savings, 200 for repairs, and the costs of both are likely to go up hard in the coming years . . . .
350 a month for repairs and additional fuel expense vs. a 250.00 payment at a almost zero interest rate and warranty with a high resale value car is super - especially considering gas will likely hit 6 or 7 in a year and the parts and repairs will be higher too.
Conclusion = the Maxima was fun while it made sense - but I chose to act before I had to and when there were deals on the Civic and the Maxima still had good value, and before I sunk more money into a lost cause mainly because of the thirst for large amounts of premium fuel
If it makes you happy, then by all means you made the right decision, but dont fool yourself into thinking it was for a reason it actually was not. Like did you know it is recommended that you replace your motor mounts every 60K? O2 sensors is 30K IIRC.
04-08-2011, 06:27 PM
#47
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 87
I've just been thinking lately how much I enjoy the Max over all the four bangers I've owned before. The effortless acceleration and the available torque at all RPM makes this a very pleasing driver's car. It also has very neutral, predictable handling that I enjoy. I have the slushbox which works great everywhere except hauling azz on backroads (then I leave it in "3"). I only average 17mpg but like others have pointed out, trading to a newer car for MPG is a false economy. My car cost me $8,500. A civic is double that amount, and that's a cheap car. A Volkswagen TDI (another MPG master) costs 25K! How many miles would I have to drive before reaping the benefits of the better MPG? A lot. I will have more repairs most likely than a new car, but I can do a lot of them myself so I save on labor.
04-08-2011, 07:05 PM
#49
I get the logistics of the 4 banger, but can't deal with just being another car on the road.
But I was pulling easy low 30s today on the highway which has some long, but relatively low hills and slightly rises in elevation overall.
No time for manual mpg calc, but subtracting 5 off the trip comp yielded a little over 33
I really wish there was a diesel we could swap in
Damn you Renault :P
But I was pulling easy low 30s today on the highway which has some long, but relatively low hills and slightly rises in elevation overall.
No time for manual mpg calc, but subtracting 5 off the trip comp yielded a little over 33
I really wish there was a diesel we could swap in
Damn you Renault :P
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 04-08-2011 at 07:08 PM.
04-08-2011, 09:32 PM
#50
I enjoy this thread, you guys all get your back up for the Maxima so hard. I get it, I hate civics, I hate being 'just another car', and I certainly love my Maxima, but regardless of all the arguments and reasoning you bring up, the Maxima is still not an economy car. If that's what the OP wants, then he is making an intellegent decision.
Personally, I'd choose a lot of other cars before a Civic, let alone a hybrid.
I'm happy with my Maxima, but once I return to a daily commute of almost 1 hour (to work and back) with gas prices where they are, I'm going to be cursing it a little bit, even if I was averaging 25-27 MPG (which is generously high for most of us, I suspect the forum average is much more like 18-22 MPG, possibly lower)
And before a few of you chime in again about getting 30 MPG, I know it's possible.
The simple fact of the matter is, we are talking about AVERAGE mileage, and 30 MPG is a pipe dream for 98% of us, especially those of us who use the power our engines can provide.
04-08-2011, 10:12 PM
#51
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 87
Yeah, I agree about the mileage. If you're getting 30 mpg out of our cars then you are negating the whole point of buying a maxima. I like to feel the acceleration that you get from 255hp so I get about 17 mpg in mostly city driving.
04-09-2011, 08:21 AM
#52
A lot of folks are in big denial. Someone goes on a pure highway trip and sees 30 mpg . . . then uses that number as their "average" fuel economy when they calculate costs. In reality, for most people on a daily basis they seldom drive that way and really get 20 or 22 if they are lucky.
Someone was skeptical that a Maxima with 150000 miles could average 200 a month in repairs . . . Are you kidding me?
Suspension, coils, precats, brakes, radiators, fuel pumps, misc codes from hell, wheel bearings, hubs, water pumps, alternators, transmissions, starters, sensors, bla bla bla
Wake up and smell the antifreeze
Someone was skeptical that a Maxima with 150000 miles could average 200 a month in repairs . . . Are you kidding me?
Suspension, coils, precats, brakes, radiators, fuel pumps, misc codes from hell, wheel bearings, hubs, water pumps, alternators, transmissions, starters, sensors, bla bla bla
Wake up and smell the antifreeze
04-09-2011, 09:44 AM
#53
Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Baltimore,MD
Posts: 165
Paid for well maintained 10 year old car gets an average of 19 to 22 mpg 16.5 gallon tank. That's like 340 miles to a tank. 60 bucks a week, 240 a month plus insurance and mechanical issues, I got around 450. Brand new civic average 28 to 31 mpg on a 12.5 gallon tank that's 370 to 390 a tank. Plus financing 19k is 380 for 60 months plus insurance.That comes to about 380 for finance 200 to 300 for insurance. I'll say 630 650 a month. Crunch those numbers. The civic has excellent gas mileage but the tank is the size of a soda can. I say suck it up and grind it out. What happened to the light at the end of the tunnel.
04-09-2011, 11:04 AM
#54
Buy icoinc's MAXXTUNNING LIP it will increase down force on the front wheels witch will get u better traction and aerodynamically flow air better around your car causing less resistants and gain better fuel economy 
Be apart of the group deal while u can and get it for 180+ shipping
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...er-thread.html
Be apart of the group deal while u can and get it for 180+ shipping
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...er-thread.html
04-09-2011, 11:11 AM
#55
I drive conservatively, do about 95% freeway driving, and almost always average a real 27mpg on Premium. Maybe I need new plugs, still on the originals at 100,000 miles, to get 30.
BTW, Crusher, that is the gayest avatar I've ever seen.
BTW, Crusher, that is the gayest avatar I've ever seen.
04-09-2011, 11:14 AM
#56
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 87
sweet mpg mobile!
04-09-2011, 11:18 AM
#57
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 87
OR, you can continue with this:
04-09-2011, 03:31 PM
#58
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 85
Paid for well maintained 10 year old car gets an average of 19 to 22 mpg 16.5 gallon tank. That's like 340 miles to a tank. 60 bucks a week, 240 a month plus insurance and mechanical issues, I got around 450. Brand new civic average 28 to 31 mpg on a 12.5 gallon tank that's 370 to 390 a tank. Plus financing 19k is 380 for 60 months plus insurance.That comes to about 380 for finance 200 to 300 for insurance. I'll say 630 650 a month. Crunch those numbers. The civic has excellent gas mileage but the tank is the size of a soda can. I say suck it up and grind it out. What happened to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Civic gets about 33 mpg after break in - on regular vs premium fuel, and is under warranty for several years
So the deal is about break even using your (corrected) analysis at todays fuel prices - assuming nothing major breaks and fuel doesn't go up in price
Last edited by Intrepid1; 04-09-2011 at 03:40 PM.
04-09-2011, 04:33 PM
#60
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 85
the reason I posted this is that right now it is possible to get a reliable fuel efficient car that's about a net break even (assuming no big repairs on a Maxima) in a budget sense.
When gas does take a big leap to the moon - many will be forced to reconsider - but of course it will be way more expensive in cost of small car and interst rates
by the way, the new Civic is very roomy, not much smaller than a GEN 5 MAx
When gas does take a big leap to the moon - many will be forced to reconsider - but of course it will be way more expensive in cost of small car and interst rates
by the way, the new Civic is very roomy, not much smaller than a GEN 5 MAx
04-09-2011, 08:21 PM
#62
Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Baltimore,MD
Posts: 165
the reason I posted this is that right now it is possible to get a reliable fuel efficient car that's about a net break even (assuming no big repairs on a Maxima) in a budget sense.
When gas does take a big leap to the moon - many will be forced to reconsider - but of course it will be way more expensive in cost of small car and interst rates
by the way, the new Civic is very roomy, not much smaller than a GEN 5 MAx
When gas does take a big leap to the moon - many will be forced to reconsider - but of course it will be way more expensive in cost of small car and interst rates
by the way, the new Civic is very roomy, not much smaller than a GEN 5 MAx
Aye man get the Civ-Dawg Homie if that's how you feel. Your in PA right. I'm in MD and premium has just passed 4 bucks. It will be 5 dollars this summer I can promise you this. When you get the civ-dawg and save money until Egypt get's they're **** together and gas goes back down to 3 bucks, you will really enjoy your 32 mpg. Best of luck to you man.
PS.
I would get a white one.
04-09-2011, 08:34 PM
#63
I saw a Honda CR-Z Hybrid today, pretty funky little car to be honest. Cool styling.
Much to small for me, but in my younger days without a kid, etc, it would have been decent. I am surprised I haven't seen more of them around. Maybe they're not offered in Canada, it was a Michigan Plate.
Much to small for me, but in my younger days without a kid, etc, it would have been decent. I am surprised I haven't seen more of them around. Maybe they're not offered in Canada, it was a Michigan Plate.
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