Alright guys, I have a 2001 Maxima GLE that my dad had initially purchased for himself but then decided to retire and travel. He gave the 2001 GLE to me and I was going to modify that and keep it, but as soon as I got the 2001 maxima those stinkers at Nissan came up with the 2k2 w/255 Horses. So now I am stuck with a dilemma. Should I keep the 2k1 GLE and Modify it, suspension/intake/exhaust/body kit and wait a few years to get another car, or should I leave the 2k1 for my parents and buy my own 2k2? The benefit of keeping the 2k1 would be that I wont have to spend any money buying the car, but on the down side, I will never have the same power as the 2k2-2k3's and also I will be able to get a 6spd HLSD. I guess what I want to know is that if (In your Opinion) the performance differences are worth it for me to buy my own car?

 

If you had a 5spd(like me), I wouldn't be able to help you, since I have the same problem, but since you have an automatic, and you considering it, than there is no question about it: Get the 3.5 6spd.
That's what I would do if I had the money.

 

1. Keep the 2K1, the financial drawbacks to buying the 2K2 or 2K3 far outweigh the 30-some ponies you get with the VQ35. Period, end-of-story.

2. At this point, if you supercharge it and in lieu of a cost-effective boost solution for the 2K2, the 2K1 can produce much more power than the 2K2 or 2K3 so don't imagine that you are limited power-wise.

3. If you really want to go to the newer, more powerful car...ditch the Maxima line and go G35 once the six-speed is out.

 

well are you happy with its performance then keep it if not i say go for the 2k2

 

Just wait for the 2004! Even with all the bolt ons you can get(not counting boost or nitrous its still not that fast man for the 2K. The 2k2 autos are running 14 stock and I believe my 2k 5spd with all the bolt ons will only be in the high 14s. Unless you are looking at the 350Z, I say wait and see!

 

Are you really considering the dilemma of whether to keep the free '01 GLE or spend your own money to purchase a '02 SE 6 speed? I think this one is a no brainer. Keep the free car, save your money and buy yourself something in a couple years.

If you don't like that answer, buy my 11 day old '02 SE 6-speed and I will happily drive around in a one year old Maxima with an automatic...because it is FREE! I am completely happy with my '02 Max, but would take a free one year old Sentra as a daily driver is someone was giving it to me.

 

thanks for the valuable input guys, perhaps the wisest thing to do is to keep the free car, save the money and get something better down the road.

 

anyone selling their 2k2 SE wheels?

 

no brainer: keep the 2K1.

 

I personally would wait until March of next year for the '04.

 

I would keep the free GLE and save up for a new or used M3.

 

ditto everything!

GhettoMAX, why get another new car so fast... especially one that isn't a move up to another class?

i almost choked when someone on the .org called my 2000 SE an "old car."

 

True... I agree.

 

i'm going to keep my "old" 2000 SE and mod it to perform even better. it's going to keep me busy until i can afford an M bimmer or an AMG MB. and even then, the maxima will still have a place in my garage. i've wanted a maxima since i was 17 and i finally bought one at 21. IMO, the maxima is the ultimate 4dsleeper!

good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

I think thats a great idea, I think am sure that I am going to do the same, just keep this maxima.

 

I had a 2K1 auto SE and did pretty much all the bolt ons (Intake, Y-pipe, B-pipe, VB mod, pulley, FSTB, RSW, better tires, synthetic tranny and engine oil). I sold it and got a 2K1 5 speed GXE and the first thing I remember about driving the 5-speed (it was all stock) is how surprised/disappointed I was because my modded auto was as fast or faster - or at least my butt-dyno felt like it. If you mod the FREE auto I think you'll be very happy. Save up your money and either get the G35 6-speed or get a great deal on a '03 6-speed Max when the '04 comes out. Nice thing about getting the '03 is that most of the bugs would have been worked out when compared to the '02 (same thing went for the '01 vs '00) - I don't know if I'll ever buy a car in it's first model year.
Of course, my now extensively modded (short of forced induction) 5-speed is simply a blast to drive now!

 

Well said.

 

this is what i would recommend, with teh g35 coupe so close to coming out i would wait for it. i almsot with i did, but i love my 2k2 none the less.

 

Having driven both 2k1 and 2k2, and soon to own a 2k2 , I can honestly say that the 2k2 is far superior in terms of power, but at a huge price difference. If someone gave me a 2k1 Max, hell i'd take it and shut up. Still a 5th Gen. Still has more power than almost every 4 door out there. The auto business ain't that important. Heck the 2k2's auto is a very well-designed automatic. Granted it's still an auto, but in my opinion today, the only reason to choose a manual, is the thrill of the clutch. There's no signifigant performance differnces between them. Plus, you can get VERY consistent launches on an auto. I'd keep the auto for a daily driver, and get a stick-shift sports car for the weekends . Keep the 2k1 and trade it up for a 2k4.

 

get the 2k2...thats what i'm plaining on doing.....when i got my 2k1 max the 2k2 came out...hahahah....

 

 

Keep the 2k1 and supercharge it!! You'll be faster than a 2k2 and you already have more aftermarket support!!!

Deac