I must say that I got really screwed by Nissan. I ordered a 2002 Black SE w/navigation and HLSD about two months ago. After two weeks I called the dealer to check the status of my order. They said it was still saying pending in the computer. I told them this was bull**** and to try and order it again. They did and called me back the next day to let me know that the computer accepted the order and it would take no longer than 60 days. Well, I waited three and a half weeks and called to check the status of the order only to find out that Japan kicked my order. Basically, I got screwed by them and ended up going to Acura and I just picked up my 2003 CL Type S 6speed last night. It has HLSD standard and the NAVI is DVD based which kicks ***. I must say, honestly, that after driving the 6spd Max the Acura is more fun to drive because it feels like it handles better and the Acura has a much shorter gearbox than the max.

The only features that I liked more with the Max were that driver and passenger windows are both auto-up and auto-down along with the sunroof. In the Acura only the driver window is auto-up and auto-down and the sunroof is not one-touch. Also the headlamps on the Acura are only auto-off and not auto-on and auto-off like the max.

I must say all in that I am really happy with the Acura and the customer service was first class. Also, anyone seriously considering getting a Max w/HLSD should consider spending the extra money and getting the 6sp CL because they will be much happier.

 

Sorry to hear your problems ordering a 2002, you're not alone.
What kind of stock did your local dealers have on the 6 spd CL-S?
Can't find any around here to test. Did you get any better then MSRP on it?

 

hmmmm....I would still go Max.

 

One major feature of the Maxima you forgot to mention is that it has four-doors.

Congrats! I hope you enjoy your purchase/decision.

 

Another person that fell in love with the CL-S....enjoy the ride man, it rocks and it does handle better than the max that is the truth.

 

I think Russ has a serious memory problem.

 

This should be interesting.

 

About? You can't deny the fact that car will kill a Maxima in the twisties...

 

Whats with Acura lately? Here we are in March of 02 and they are releasing all these 2003 models? I could understand if it was a totaly new car or something, but come on..

 

You sure? Even with the "way way soft" suspension and "not the best engine"?

 

 

Yea kinda weird. I guess that is when acura releases the next year models?

 

Then Russ' response:

 

I don't care of this engine isn't the "BEST engine". It's a honda and it will last a very long time. The suspension is awesome in the twisties with its VSA which helps as well. The suspension hits all the bumps softer and smoother without the jarring affect the Max gave you, but it also takes turns hard without much lean. Wishbone suspension just rocks.

 

Wow, so maybe I'm mistaken...doesn't "it's a boat" tend to suggest poor handling?

 

Russ, here is your own response to that same comment from a previous thread.

 

hey man, that isn't the observatory in San Antonio is it?

 

Let the racing begin! 6sp CL-S vs 6sp Maxima.

 

Now were talking!

Somebody better bring a video camera.

 

but it is a lot more expensive than the max, at that price, you can do suspension mods to the max and make it out handle the cl, and no matter what you do, the cl is still slower than the max

 

And you can't add springs and sways to stock CL-S? Nobody knows if the 6sp CL-S is faster or slower than the 6spMax yet, just speculation.

 

sure you can, but it doesn't alter the fact that the baseline price is higher, therefore for every $ more someone spends on a CL-S, a Max owner could spend that amount on mods. If we look at adding suspension mod's to a CL-S, that just ratchets up the $$$'s again and by then the Max could have a nice suspension and most likely a S/C to boot.

Nevermind what has to be lower insurance costs (4 doors vs. coupe).

 

Springs and sways don't cost that much. You can get them both for under $800...not that much money if you ask me.

 

Nor to me, however it does not alter the fact that the mathematics of the situation are undeniable...be it $8.00 or $800.00. This conversation is not about taste or pocketbooks.

Dollar for dollar, the equation goes to the Max... That is it, plain and simple math.

If you want an Acura, fine...get one...even enjoy it...but remember, what those same dollars could have gotten you elsewhere.

 

I think you need to actually drive one and you would probably change your mind. It is a night and day difference between the too vehicles. I only had a chance to drive a 6speed SE w/o HLSD so I am not sure how that drives. The HLSD on the CL-S is awesome and eliminates that torque steer problem that I had while driving the Max. The other really nice feature with the CL-S is the short gearbox which makes shifting much faster than with Max. I have to honestly say that both vehicles are nice cars and I would have been happy with either one. I am just glad I have my vehicle now and don't have to wait another 60-90 days to get the max the way I wanted.

 

MichaelAE for letting facts get in the way and for assuming Russ's opinions last any longer than the post he makes......




I just think Russ needs to be more consistent in his opinions. Either the Max is God's gift to automobiles or the CL. Either the CL is a slowass tranny blowing POS or it isn't.........BLAH BLAH BLAH

 

Not sure what's worse, Russ not understanding why people call him on this stuff or you guys still thinking somehow a light bulb will pop on and it will all make sense to him.


Russ()

For IDX= 16 To varRussLifetime
newcar = varCarRussHatedLastYear
ReDim varRussOpinion

Next

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but it sounds like you had your heart set on a Maxima. Since your dealer was a boob you haul off and on a knee-jerk reaction buy a CL-S. Sounds kinds stupid to me. I had my heart set on a Maxima 6-spd w/ HLSD since last September. I waited and waited and I finally got mine last week. I was set on the Max. I wasn't going to pick anything else.

If you think that by running off and buying a CL-S instead of a Maxima SE you've "hurt" Nissan you think you're a lot more important than you really are.

It's a shame that your dealer and Nissan couldn't get your order taken care of, but HLSD Max's are shipping now and your dealer should have been able to get you one without the ordering process. Oh well... your loss...

You're like Russ, trying to kid yourself, if you really think the car is just "so much better." It's not so much better. It may not be much worse either. But, you make it sound like the Maxima is a Yugo and the CL-S is a Ferrari. We all know that just isn't the case. You're looking for some validation as to why you abandoned your long time desire for what you happened to see last night. The "It is a night and day difference between the too vehicles" is your way out. You're looking for a justification of your actions.

Stereodude

 

No, I think he has personality problems. I think it's him posting under another name who started this thread.

 

well here is a run down of the two cars:

Engine Name 3.2L V6 vs 3.5L V6
Cylinders 6 vs 6
Valves 24 vs 24
Valves Configuration SOHC vs DOHC
Displacement CC 3210 vs 3500
Bore X Stroke 3.50x3.39 vs 3.78x3.20
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 vs 10.3:1
Horsepower 260 vs 255
Horsepower rpm 6100 vs 5800
Torque FtLbs 232 vs 246
Torque rpm 3500 vs 4400
Fuel System Multi-Port Fuel-Injected vs Sequential Electronic Fuel- Injected

So supposedly the maxima has the bigger engine but less hp. More torque, but lower redline (TYpe-s redline at 6900 rpm). I dunno, it looks close. Of course there is also a price difference of about 4-5 grand, between the two. A lot of things come standard on the CL while on remaing as options on the max.

 

I don't think he is looking for any kind of justification. He stated the Nissan dealer jacked around with him and he went with the CL-S. Both cars are a great value, and I don't think he is trying to say the CL-S is a better car.

 

Kind'a like when your girlfriend won't put out and then you go off to her less hotter, younger sister who does put out for you, eh?

 

if you want to get back ON TOPIC, this is not a new problem. What's this, like 3-4 people who have had their orders jacked. Is the dealers? Low yield on HLSD trannies? Why can't Nissan deliver or commit to a maxima order? well, lets see..

they are in the middle of moving the tooling?
maybe they are trying to switch to the new build to order system?
maybe the dealers are doing backhanded stuff with the high demand model?

dunno.. but I'd be nervous right now if I had laid down my cash for the BTO June delivery 350Z slot I was offered.

 

I'd guess the dealers are incompentent. Orders just don't drop out of the system. The person I dealt with is the fleet manager for the Nissan dealership. I asked him about orders dropping out of system and the like. He said he doesn't have that problem. I'd say the dealers in question did something wrong like ordered some combination of options that isn't allowed or did something to cause the order to be rejected or dropped. Either that or they're giving these people a line of BS try to move something that's on their lot.

Stereodude

 

I will run any of you anytime, anywhere with my brothers's Porsche 911 Turbo, well it's a 2 door against a 2 doors right.

Let's be serious, compare apple with apple.

Enjoy your new ride though.

Cheers

AA

 

Id love...LOVE ......to meet Rus on the most curvey, straight, twisty, long, narrow, paved, gravel, dirt, concrete, track, driveway.....and KICK HIM AND HIS HONDA'S ASSSSSSSSSSSSSS

CLASSIC DEFINITION OF A TURNCOAT!!!!

Rus you know in other countries you'd be hung. Treason is an act of war.

 

STEREODUDE..................YOU'RE CAR ROCKS.....I LOVE THE COLOR!!!!

 

Russ .. this is a personal question which u don't have 2 answer ... but when's the last time you had a g/f or got laid? it's just that ... well ... you're ... never mind ...

u can answer it or flame me 2 death ...

 

Actually it is.

 

A Max will never out handle a CL-S. It still has the beam in the back that isn't very controllable.