We all know how crappy the turning radius is on our cars but some days it just pisses me off. For instance, today I was looking for an address and missed the location several times. Making u-turns was a nightmare; in downtown traffic, I couldn't clear the curbs so I had to constantly reverse and crank the wheel hard. I've driven SUVs with 18+ in wheels that turn better than this car, or should I say boat. When you turn the steering wheel all the way, it seems like it reaches its maximum too fast. I just needed to vent a little that's all...

 

same with me brother. Maxima is my winter ride and switching over to my summmer ride its a night and day difference.

 

had a rental for a month a 07 bmw 330i and when i got max bac i thought hard on selling it cuz it wont turn! wish theyd sell us a new improved rack n pinion. i feel ur pain bro.

 

I'm a big guy myself. So to me it's kinda like walking. I don't fit everywhere I want to go either. You little men with your ability to squeeze into places and turn around without knocking into people, so spoiled.

 

i feel your pain brotha, 6'4" and 225lbs

as far as the turn radius? this was my first car and my only car to date, Ive gotten use to it

 

Guess this is only a problem for those who don't know where they are going and have to make u-turns all the time.

 

I hate the turning radius so bad. It's the only thing I hate on this car.

 

The 6thgens are way worst. I could probably turn a 18 wheeler on a street

 

I feel your pain brotha'(s), 6'9" 260lbs. My personal blind spots are far worse than my cars, but I have become used to giving myself, and my car, lots of room to turn around haha.

 

Yup something you gotta get used to, not too many u turns here

 

You get used to it...

Sometimes mods help a little

 

Yeah, I think I read that they had to increase the radius when they went from the 3.0L to the 3.5. It's annoying and humorous that my Xterra SUV has a tighter turning radius than my Max. And my brothers' 330s turn so tight you can almost t-bone yourself

 

Front spacers Helped the turning radius a lot in relation to what spacers are originally intended for.

I added 5mm upfront and getting around parking lots/ U Turns were definately a lot better. It's still a max with a crappy turning radius but it's better with the spacers. Give it a try.

 

I have to make a u-turn every day to get to work. gets old fast, but im pretty used to riding the line on the right and going far enough that I can get into the cross street a bit if needed. Streets with 3 lanes or 2 + a bike lane are a blessing

 

My Pathfinder has a better turning radius.

 

Or you just ride over or push thru to get where you need to with that thing

 

Nailed a couple of curbs this past weekend, it was fine. Coilovers fTMFW

 

is the 5th gen turn radius really that bad?

 

To be honest i never really take notice.the inly issue i have with it is the seats are uncomfortable

 

Yes, 4th gens is better. We can remove/modify/adjust the turn stops, but that doesn't yield much and it's probably not a good idea.

 

I see. Yet another reason to love my 99SE I suppose

 

Sure the 5th gen has the worst turning radius ever... I hate it I hate it I hate it but what can you do... just learn to live with it...
I feel that this thread is place to blow off some steam... my A6 avant could literally kiss its a** when turning... at my place of work I am the first car to park and start the line... I am the only one who backs up into the spot b/c if I try to turn around I will probably be late for work...

 

You fit in a Max? At that size I'd bet you look almost like Shaq in that Buick Lacrosse commerical when you are in your car.

 

you say "God dam it" get laughed at and move on....

 

Having to swing wide in a crowded parking lot to dash into a parking space on the first attempt does take practice and skill.

 

i practice every morning at my apartment complex.. lol
backing up is a ***** too. i can one shot my GF's kia optima but i suck with the max....

 

Level up your driving skills if you can't park a maxi, seriously.

The turning radius sucks, but unless you're doing a U turn you shouldn't even notice it with the proper approach. I can fill any spot and be perfectly in the middle 1st try every time.
This car allows you to see around it easily. I don't like driving other cars b/c I can't see out of them for ****. The max has to be the easiest to gauge distances from.

 

the maxima has a fat *** and you can see out the back window.

 

Absolutely......and like anything with a fat a$$, you gotta learn to push it in the right direction to get'er moving where you want'er to go. This is precisely why my '03 is named Monique.

Having driven Maximas since I was 18 years old, I've learned where they need to be pushed. I can go down the Walmart parking lot and be able to turn into a parking space facing the opposite direction very easily, and doing it between two cars perfectly centered. Please tell me most everyone here can at least do that!?

 

For sure.. it's just not as easy to do in the max. i use to drive a Hyundai elantra... lol so it was real easy..

 

Going from a 626 to the Maxima it took about a month of backing up in parking lots before I got the hang of swinging wide.

 

This was one of the first things I quickly noticed about my 5th gen....I just learned to live with it.

 

not in my wife's '03, but I can in my explorer, and can definitely do it in the buses I drive! I swear, some days I drive her car and feel like my explorer will handle better than hers!

 

It helped to learn how to drive in a Ford crew cab dually. Yes the Max has a comparable turning radius to a vehicle with a 168" wheelbase.

 

Front Spacers people, it really made a difference especially in areas where you need it like parking lots etc.

 

When you step on the gas and it pushes you into the seat you tend to forget about that turning radius problem

 

turning radius is bad, but I got used to it - can compare to many-many cars and parking lots, as I've worked as valet attendant
now it's just a habit to drive her this way

 

So, I think our points are proven, and yet another turning radius thread will be laid to rest.