I just got the new Car and Driver in the mail yesterday. Very interesting reading. There was a comparo with the Altima and several other sedans. Let's just say that Max owners won't be happy with the 0-60mph time C&D got either.

Anyway, my topic was about some of the competition for the 6th gen. There is a new Pontiac concept called the G6. It will have awd, and a supercharged engine. C&D said the engine was a 3.5L. I'm guessing that it's the 3.5L DOHC engine from the Olds Intrigue, and it makes a whopping 285hp. I always wondered how one of those would do with a blower.

Next is the Volvo S60R. With a turbocharged 2.5L I5 engine, it makes 300hp and has awd. Zero to sixty should be in the mid 5s. I already gave up on this one.

The Max will have its work cut out for sure. Let's hope that Nissan doesn't drop the ball.

 

The Pontiac G6 concept has a supercharger to boost the power to 285. I wouldn't compare the Volvo S60R with the 6th gen Max as much as I would compare it with the G35. If Infiniti added the AWD option to the G35 like the Japanese Skyline, and slapped a couple of turbos to the 3.5, I think it would trounce the S60R.

 

I dont think the volvo will do mid 5's more like low 6's.

 

Don't under estimate the Volvo! They are a little underrated.

 

Haha, nice volvo you got there, those are very underated, haha!

 

Pontiacs SUCK.

Volvos are for old folks.

 

Pontiacs are CHEAP! GMNISMO No Comparison there!!!

 

You are a smart man Shogun!

 

Thats why I buy from you!!!

 

But the fact remains, it has 285hp. Nissan wouldn't dare have that much power in the Maxima, especialy if they don't offer awd.

Yeah, the price is a lot closer to the G35's(S60R is about $40K). I guess it's just wishful thinking on my part that the Maxima would have awd, since so much of the competition is doing that. Infiniti probably won't put awd in the G35(too easy, they do things the hard way.hehe), but it is definitely possible. The FX45 was in the same issue of C&D, and the first pic of the test shows the FX sliding sideways in the mud. Impressive. The FX uses the same FM platform as the G35, and has the Attesa-ETS awd system. Even with the VK45DE being detuned to 315hp, it is still faster than an X5 because it is lighter.

 

personally i'd like to see nissan make some options on the Max, like a V8 or larger V6 engine and maybe the AWD deal, kinda like ford did with their SHO. if Maxima's were available with 300 hp, I for one would fork over the extra money, no doubt. Max with a V8 just sounds real nice, ya know? the engine in the new Infinity M45 is it? the 340 hp one, ya i'd put out some extra money money for one of those. not much hope of that tho, especially with the front wheel drive

 

How bout that Rx8? That 160 lbtq monster!

 

Hey I wouldn't be surpised if Nismo comes out with their version of the 2004 Maxima...hmmmm?

 

My best guesses competition-wise w/ the '04 Max would be the following

- upcoming redesign of '04 Pontiac Grand Prix ('04 GTP will make 260hp w/ a new supercharger)
- BMW 3 & 5 series
- Lexus IS-300 & GS-300/430
- Acura 3.2 TL Type-S
- upcoming Dodge Charger
- upcoming Pontiac GTO

unless there's more?

 

- upcoming redesign of '04 Pontiac Grand Prix ('04 GTP will make 260hp w/ a new supercharger) Agreed.
- BMW 3 & 5 series The Maxima was never really a competitor for the BMWs in anything other than price. Fwd vs. rwd.
- Lexus IS-300 & GS-300/430 Same thing here. The Lexus ES is a better competitor since it is fwd, and cheaper.
- Acura 3.2 TL Type-S Agreed.
- upcoming Dodge Charger Not if it's rwd with the new Hemi.
- upcoming Pontiac GTO The new Goat is a rwd coupe with an LS1 V8. This would be a better competitor for the 350Z.

 

The new bonneville has a lot to offer, 300+ from a Northstar V8





and the GTO




GM big kahuna Bob Lutz recently stated that the 2004 Pontiac GTO will have 2 engine choices; an LS1 with "360+ hp" and a "405+ hp LS6." Very nice indeed.

 

what nissan needs to do is establish a performance program, i.e. SVT, AMG, Mseries, etc...

what ever happen to the nismo deal..

at least establish it with infinity.

 

 

I don't think a larger engine is a desirable option at this time.

I would suggest that before putting money into a bigger engine,
Nissan spends some money on developing a more sophisticated suspension for the Maxima At the moment, Maxima's engine is way
ahead of its supension (and brakes). Hondas and Acuras have no
problems with torque-steer simply because their front suspension
and drive train are more sophisticated.

To some extent, all-wheel drive falls into this category.
However, AWD adds a lot of weight (as already noted by somebody
else) and I personally would not buy it. I want a nice, sophisticated
front-driver, like the 3-rd generation Maxima used to be in
its time.

 

c'mon guys let's keep convo on topic.

 

About a year ago, Mr Nismo actually informed me Volvo is run by Ford... probably is the reason the interiors are subpar and very cramped...you don't know how close we were to getting one of the Cross Country wagons...not the turbo like in some but a projected efficient 5 cyl anyhow.

Some of their line have decent exteriors but the insides leave something to be desired...

glad I did not make that move...

 

But if you think about it most of the cars you have all mentioned have turbo's or SC's and just make 300 hp. If they wanted they could probably make the max have 287hp like the 350Z. Add on a turbo like the other cars and get probably like 350-380hp. Maybe nissan will do like they did with the 5th gen. For 2 years have a new body style with a little stronger engine at 265hp and then bump up the HP and hit 290hp maybe even 300hp with NO turbo or SC.

 

Volvo is heavy...safe too...

-vq

 

You can ask Anton how he feels about his Volvo as soon as it's out of the shop.

 

Just venting here...

what the 2004 maxima should be...
5th gen body style
Option of 4.5 liter V8
AWD
6 speed

I agree Nissan deff. needs to come out with a performance line/brand!!! What ever happend to the 4DSC it used to be?!?

 

why compare with concepts?
if u compare today's corolla to a frist gen max
they have about the same hps
i mean, they put a turbo, we are puttin a bigger turbo
they get a rwd, we gettin an awd,
whats the point comparin two cars from different gen?