Call me crazy, but....
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,344
From: Jacksonville, FL
After reading this back and forth about transmissions, I'm going to put my two cents in and you all can interpret it any way you wish.
In general, car A, which is stock, with a conventional automatic, may be slower than if it had a manual. Why? Mostly due to more parasitic loss of an automatic compared to a manual, usually fewer forward gears with a wider ratio between gears, and some increased weight. Many cars built throughout the years that have been road tested by numerous sources (t.v. programs, magazines) have published the numbers showing this. As technology has progressed, the number of cars on the road that still run conventional automatics have had that gap in performance shortened between their manually equipped siblings. However, car A with modifications can be just as fast or faster than it's manual option. Aaron's car (NWP) is currently running the fastest N/A Maxima, but it is highly modified and has had major weight reduction done to it. He also runs shorter tires on the front to give him lower "gearing" to offset the automatic's less desirable gear ratios.
There are many variables between different makes and models of cars and how they drive and perform, and their transmissions are part of that equation. It all boils down to your taste in cars, what you can afford in your taste, and your driving style, climate, terrain, etc. You might like car A more with an auto vs. manual. You might go out and test drive car B and feel the opposite. So drive what you can afford, drive what you like, and let's move on...
In general, car A, which is stock, with a conventional automatic, may be slower than if it had a manual. Why? Mostly due to more parasitic loss of an automatic compared to a manual, usually fewer forward gears with a wider ratio between gears, and some increased weight. Many cars built throughout the years that have been road tested by numerous sources (t.v. programs, magazines) have published the numbers showing this. As technology has progressed, the number of cars on the road that still run conventional automatics have had that gap in performance shortened between their manually equipped siblings. However, car A with modifications can be just as fast or faster than it's manual option. Aaron's car (NWP) is currently running the fastest N/A Maxima, but it is highly modified and has had major weight reduction done to it. He also runs shorter tires on the front to give him lower "gearing" to offset the automatic's less desirable gear ratios.
There are many variables between different makes and models of cars and how they drive and perform, and their transmissions are part of that equation. It all boils down to your taste in cars, what you can afford in your taste, and your driving style, climate, terrain, etc. You might like car A more with an auto vs. manual. You might go out and test drive car B and feel the opposite. So drive what you can afford, drive what you like, and let's move on...
"CAD" is short for Cool Air Diverter, a gizmo that lowers inlet air temp roughly 7deg F. See this thread. http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-maxima-4.html
Which is why I found it intriguing! Especially when combined with these Paddle Shifters http://www.worksbell.co.jp/en/produc...mn_shifter.htm for 350Z/I35 (that would probably fit the Maxima as well). It would be such a cool setup.
Yea the AT selector is not designed at all for manual shifting and if it is its terrible 
I've been looking at the supra stick since my first max, its an awesome mod basically a way of tuning our trans and according to JIME it can be used to get rid of the hard 1st to 2nd shift that the transgo hd2 kit creates under low throttle by changing the ratios. Its definetely a must do mod you can run it as a "piggyback" for tracking the car etc and want to change your ratios etc, or if you want to run it as a "tiptronic" to shift your car with a click of a button.
It was originally made for supras hence the name since lots of them are ATs and enthusiasts wanted to change gear ratios, shift manually, and basically do what the stock TCM can't do.
You can actually run the suprastick as a stand alone and completely control every aspect of your trans the way you want and make a monster out of it. Its perfect, especially if you have a TCM that's limiting the power of your trans, which can be said of our cars.
I've been looking at the supra stick since my first max, its an awesome mod basically a way of tuning our trans and according to JIME it can be used to get rid of the hard 1st to 2nd shift that the transgo hd2 kit creates under low throttle by changing the ratios. Its definetely a must do mod you can run it as a "piggyback" for tracking the car etc and want to change your ratios etc, or if you want to run it as a "tiptronic" to shift your car with a click of a button.It was originally made for supras hence the name since lots of them are ATs and enthusiasts wanted to change gear ratios, shift manually, and basically do what the stock TCM can't do.
You can actually run the suprastick as a stand alone and completely control every aspect of your trans the way you want and make a monster out of it. Its perfect, especially if you have a TCM that's limiting the power of your trans, which can be said of our cars.
Last edited by BobPezz; Oct 31, 2011 at 08:11 PM.
You basically tried to attack anyone with an AT saying they should be ashamed 
Then you tried to say I can't be convinced since I think its made out of GOLD
Again
I already stated why I preferred the AT. And others stated why they preferred the MT and we agreed on the reasons since there are different cases where one performs better then the other. READ THE POSTS. Did you reply with any reasons other then you hated your old 4th gen? NO.
Please show me facts that more MT Maxes were sold then ATs. I'd like to see this, is this a FACT or another one of your opinions that you think is a fact?
Then you tried to say I can't be convinced since I think its made out of GOLD
Again
I already stated why I preferred the AT. And others stated why they preferred the MT and we agreed on the reasons since there are different cases where one performs better then the other. READ THE POSTS. Did you reply with any reasons other then you hated your old 4th gen? NO.
Please show me facts that more MT Maxes were sold then ATs. I'd like to see this, is this a FACT or another one of your opinions that you think is a fact?
I did not say people that OWN AT Maximas should be ashamed. I meant NISSAN should be ashamed making them like that for the Maximas.
I never HATED my 4th Gen Maxima. Don't know where you got that.
I meant to say if everyone was like me Maxima would sell more MTs than ATs. That was my fault.
Basically not on here to get into fights and petty arguements with members......so carry on.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 49
From: Central MA
On the off chance that anyone jumps into this thread based on the original theme (rather than a master's course in transmissions) here's my experience:
I traded down from a '08 SE (base model with moonroof, 40-ish thousand miles) to a 2003 GLE with 59k miles, one owner per Carfax.
What I gave up: Large monthly payments; 18" wheels (with absolutely CRAPPY Goodyear RS-A tires that I don't miss); Aux input on radio (don't underestimate how handy this is); dual-zone A/C (helpful if - like me - your wife or daughter likes the temp to be 20 degrees higher than you do); Intelligent key and all the nice features it entails; larger, more usable trunk with better hinge design and larger pass-through with the seats down; what seemed like a bit more legroom for the driver (and room for bigger shoes as it turns out!); stable on the highway to 100 mph and beyond!
What I gained: No payments; lower insurance premium; HID headlights; Bose 6-disc in-dash stereo; dual power leather heated seats with memory (though I often miss the cloth); heated steering wheel; much better outward visibility in all directions; less obscenely bad turning radius; what feels like slightly quicker off-the-line acceleration (4 AT vs CVT); better armrest design (okay, now I'm reaching); Homelink buttons on the visor where they belong (not on the mirror that ends up not being just where you want it after you open the garage door)
One area where I'm looking for improvement is handling in snow. I'm using the same Pirelli snows I had on the '08 so I'll check back in a few months with an update...I'm sure there'll be a thread where it will be relevant!
I've had the '03 since March and have never regretted making the change. As always your mileage may vary!
I traded down from a '08 SE (base model with moonroof, 40-ish thousand miles) to a 2003 GLE with 59k miles, one owner per Carfax.
What I gave up: Large monthly payments; 18" wheels (with absolutely CRAPPY Goodyear RS-A tires that I don't miss); Aux input on radio (don't underestimate how handy this is); dual-zone A/C (helpful if - like me - your wife or daughter likes the temp to be 20 degrees higher than you do); Intelligent key and all the nice features it entails; larger, more usable trunk with better hinge design and larger pass-through with the seats down; what seemed like a bit more legroom for the driver (and room for bigger shoes as it turns out!); stable on the highway to 100 mph and beyond!
What I gained: No payments; lower insurance premium; HID headlights; Bose 6-disc in-dash stereo; dual power leather heated seats with memory (though I often miss the cloth); heated steering wheel; much better outward visibility in all directions; less obscenely bad turning radius; what feels like slightly quicker off-the-line acceleration (4 AT vs CVT); better armrest design (okay, now I'm reaching); Homelink buttons on the visor where they belong (not on the mirror that ends up not being just where you want it after you open the garage door)
One area where I'm looking for improvement is handling in snow. I'm using the same Pirelli snows I had on the '08 so I'll check back in a few months with an update...I'm sure there'll be a thread where it will be relevant!
I've had the '03 since March and have never regretted making the change. As always your mileage may vary!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,344
From: Jacksonville, FL
On the off chance that anyone jumps into this thread based on the original theme (rather than a master's course in transmissions) here's my experience:
I traded down from a '08 SE (base model with moonroof, 40-ish thousand miles) to a 2003 GLE with 59k miles, one owner per Carfax.
What I gave up: Large monthly payments; 18" wheels (with absolutely CRAPPY Goodyear RS-A tires that I don't miss); Aux input on radio (don't underestimate how handy this is); dual-zone A/C (helpful if - like me - your wife or daughter likes the temp to be 20 degrees higher than you do); Intelligent key and all the nice features it entails; larger, more usable trunk with better hinge design and larger pass-through with the seats down; what seemed like a bit more legroom for the driver (and room for bigger shoes as it turns out!); stable on the highway to 100 mph and beyond!
What I gained: No payments; lower insurance premium; HID headlights; Bose 6-disc in-dash stereo; dual power leather heated seats with memory (though I often miss the cloth); heated steering wheel; much better outward visibility in all directions; less obscenely bad turning radius; what feels like slightly quicker off-the-line acceleration (4 AT vs CVT); better armrest design (okay, now I'm reaching); Homelink buttons on the visor where they belong (not on the mirror that ends up not being just where you want it after you open the garage door)
One area where I'm looking for improvement is handling in snow. I'm using the same Pirelli snows I had on the '08 so I'll check back in a few months with an update...I'm sure there'll be a thread where it will be relevant!
I've had the '03 since March and have never regretted making the change. As always your mileage may vary!
I traded down from a '08 SE (base model with moonroof, 40-ish thousand miles) to a 2003 GLE with 59k miles, one owner per Carfax.
What I gave up: Large monthly payments; 18" wheels (with absolutely CRAPPY Goodyear RS-A tires that I don't miss); Aux input on radio (don't underestimate how handy this is); dual-zone A/C (helpful if - like me - your wife or daughter likes the temp to be 20 degrees higher than you do); Intelligent key and all the nice features it entails; larger, more usable trunk with better hinge design and larger pass-through with the seats down; what seemed like a bit more legroom for the driver (and room for bigger shoes as it turns out!); stable on the highway to 100 mph and beyond!
What I gained: No payments; lower insurance premium; HID headlights; Bose 6-disc in-dash stereo; dual power leather heated seats with memory (though I often miss the cloth); heated steering wheel; much better outward visibility in all directions; less obscenely bad turning radius; what feels like slightly quicker off-the-line acceleration (4 AT vs CVT); better armrest design (okay, now I'm reaching); Homelink buttons on the visor where they belong (not on the mirror that ends up not being just where you want it after you open the garage door)
One area where I'm looking for improvement is handling in snow. I'm using the same Pirelli snows I had on the '08 so I'll check back in a few months with an update...I'm sure there'll be a thread where it will be relevant!
I've had the '03 since March and have never regretted making the change. As always your mileage may vary!
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
It depends on where you do the U-turns. If you have no or little divider, concrete curbs and 2 lanes to turn around in like most 5-lane streets with center turning lane, it can be difficult.
On the off chance that anyone jumps into this thread based on the original theme (rather than a master's course in transmissions) here's my experience: less obscenely bad turning radius; what feels like slightly quicker off-the-line acceleration (4 AT vs CVT); I've had the '03 since March and have never regretted making the change. As always your mileage may vary!
Anyway, I was saying that I found that before I turn or U-turn that I veer to the opposite side in order to widen my turn (increase the turn radius) without even thinking about it. I've been doing it all along that I didn't even notice it especially since I used to drive a van, etc. And I noticed this morning that I don't have to do that with my Jetta!
I guess the turn radius does suck I've just found a way around it and gotten used to it and automatically do it without really thinking about it.
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