I'm thinking about a base GXE 5 speed or SE 5 Speed. If I get the SE (with 17s") I will leave it all stock, and may even get the leather option. And love the sunroof. The thing is, the total cost will be a bit out of my range.

If I get the GXE, I will be fixing it up. 17" wheels, suspension, fog lights, and that's about it. Cloth seats, no sunroof.

Which will I be more happy with in the long run?

 

SE, without a doubt. From the limited mods you're talking about doing, you'll spend less to just go ahead and get the SE with those things already on it. The SE is a blast to drive right out of the box. (So don't ask me why we went with a GXE ... okay, cuz it's my wife's car and she did not want/need the extra goodies and firmer ride for more money.)

 

Wow, you're the guy I needed to ask. I'm also looking at an Altima SE too. Meaning I can load that puppy to the max, sunroof, leather, for the price of a base Max GXE. Please comment on the Altima. And maybe offer a comparision. Is there an Altima board?

Thanks

 

get the max se
cause in the long run you will come out cheaper

 

altimas.net

i would get an altima se

 

just add the comfort/convenience package for sunroof and 17" alloys. leather is nice, but i think you also have to get the Bose upgrade for leather - not that that's a bad thing, but the options add up.
i think i got good deal on my SE (fully loaded). dealerships may be trying to unload the 2000 models as the 2001s come in.

 

i forgot how muchthe rims are going for but scrap the 17's instead just upgrade to 18's or 17's of your own choice. the SE is definately a btter buy. don't forget about the smoked tail lights thatcome with the SE. and the spoiler. leather is what it's all about on the maximas..

the above are just imo so disregard if you dissagree.

 

as a side-note:

i ridden in both and the maxima is the far superior car but if you *want* to budget maybe the altima would be a better decision.

Otherwise Maxima SE.

Kenneth

 

hell, i have a gxe auto w/ comfort and convinience. i love the f'ing thing. i dont mind not having a sunroof, hvac (if that's what automatic climate control is caleld), and leather. im planning on modding most everythign that comes in the higher models anyways, so i think the gxe is a good choice in cases like mine.

 

the original poster said he wanted leather and moonroof.

 

ah. so i lose track of the threads. =P shoot me. i wouldnt wanna argue with someone who had the same name as me.

 

to the 2k GXE owing Kenneths of-the-word:

I say peace

 

no one is saying he's getting what for what? for all we know the damn dealer maybe trying to jip him. bottom Line. MAXIMA SE WITH C&C, Floor Mats, Mud Flaps, 5spd. should cost U about $23,700 .. thats without tax and tags. don't know how much the altima is. but if U had that much money go with the Maxima SE. in the longer run the maxima would be worth more money then the Altima. Now If U don't go with the Altima SE. Purdy Just Purdy

 

The price I got for SE, 5 speed, leather, CC pkg, sunroof is $28K not inlcuding tax, lic, etc.

On the GXE, the dealer is willing to let go a 5 speed for $20,995. BUT if I was to add the sunroof, I MUST get the the auto trans, CC pakg, and 16" wheels (not bad, but I want 17s). Which bring the total to $25K.

I like that deal of $20,995 for a base GXE.

Does these numbers sound right?

Thanks for everyone's help....

 

NO NO NO.. the dealer is rippping U off. SE 5spd base, with C&C, floormats, flaps should be $26,031.. Sunroof is part of C&C. leather is another $1300 I think. U should get this car for about $25,000 for it to be a good deal.

 

Here is how much I paid for my recently purchased Maxima SE:

Maxima SE + Comfort & Convenience + Automatic + Meridian Package + floor mats + cargo net + Destination

for $23,800. After taxes, title, tags...it came to $25000.

 

are adverising SE automatics with C&C package for a bit under 24K so the price you are quoting is pretty high..I imagine a 5spd ould probably go for quite a few hundred less expensive.

I wish I had waited till now to buy my SE because
A)Any Max would be better than the one I bought
B)I got the base SE with auto for a shade under 22k, would have been better to wait and step up to C&C package
C)Would have had the updated TCM(you want a 5spd so no prob there)and I would not be in the fight of my automotive life with the dealer to replace it.

 

go for the max se without a doubt hell i got one

 

The automatic option has a dealer invoice of $450.

 

[/I][/QUOTE]
NO NO NO.. the dealer is rippping U off. SE 5spd base, with C&C, floormats, flaps should be $26,031.. Sunroof is part of C&C. leather is another $1300 I think. U should get this car for about $25,000 for it to be a good deal. [/I][/QUOTE]

I got mine for 25k plus TTL. It is an Automatic SE with Comfort and Convinience and Bose and Mats. I just told him im not paying anything over invoice. he came back with the invoice, it was 25K and close to what i thought invoice was and he said he will sell it to me today at that price. DEAL!
Its Sunlit Sand btw.

Adam

 

Got my max se fully loaded for
25,544 =)

 

I got mine for 25k plus TTL. It is an Automatic SE with Comfort and Convinience and Bose and Mats. I just told him im not paying anything over invoice. he came back with the invoice, it was 25K and close to what i thought invoice was and he said he will sell it to me today at that price. DEAL!
Its Sunlit Sand btw.

Adam [/I][/QUOTE]

U got a good deal adam. that price is still about $700 over invoice but its still a good deal. when I was buying my car, there was a white SE.. BOY this thing had everything. I MEAN EVERYTHING. Heated Seats and all. Invoice on that thing was $25,7xx. Almost went for it but then I said I'm not gonna use the bose and the leather would only make the hair on my legs rise when it snows so I left that one alone. But BOY I WANTED A WHITE 1.. O well.. maybe next time.. Ohyeah it was a 5spd so I would say HOTOMATIC would be another $450

 

Sorry Drew -- I forgot to come back in here to check for follow-ups!

I love both our cars and would have a hard time choosing between them if I could only keep one, but it would probably swing toward the Maxima. However, the Max GXE w/ AT and C&C cost us $4K more than the loaded Alty, so it really does come down to your personal budget. The Alty SE is a nice car and a decent performer (handles better than the Max GXE, but of course not as fast), so it depends on where your priorities lie. But if you can swing it, get a 5-spd Max SE with or without all the goodies. You should be able to get a base SE for somewhere in the $22K range.

 

SE 5speed. Fully loaded 5spd may not be as expensive as you think b/c of substantial discounts. Out the door after tax mine was $24,500 - I was below invoice. I've heard GXE's around $20,000. I'd bet that you will be able to find and make a deal on a loaded 2k 5spd if you are flexible as to color - once the 2001s really hit the floor.

 

i think the price diff between the se and gxe is about $2600

1.you can get cool 17" or 18" wheels & tires for $1100 and sell the 15"ers and tires to big O for about $225 - so that means about $900
2.spoiler $325 - now it looks like an se without the smoke lenses, the white instrument panel (which i think is tacky), or the fog lights.
3.throw in the fog lights ($100?), strut braces (300), sway bar(200), intake (150), y-pipe (450), and whatever else for the leftover hundred and you're up to the $2600 difference but you car is cooler than a stock SE. (imho)

*you can probably get leather for around $1300 from a local detailer with a larger color selection
*also check about sunroof from local guys.
this way you can negotiate for a car off the lot - they should have base gxe's in stock at every dealer around you.

the altima ain't no maxima - and it's a bit slower than sentra SE (i think) and way slower than maxima

look at the sentra se if you're on a tighter budget. - it has 4 wheel discs, a better engine than the base models, option for abs, side airbags, sunroof, all sorts of **** to totatlly deck it out for way under 20k (like 16k for a 5 speed maybe) and a good aftermarket part market. plus very good gas mileage.