A Few questions,

Im getting ready to get me and the wife a Max and cant decide if we want the Navi system! Any of you regret getting or not getting the package?

Also, Did anyone notice when test driving the Max vs G35 the amount of road and engine noise that you heard? I couldnt believe it as I thought the G would be deafly quite(not)!

How are the H.I.D lights as I have never had a car with them?

Last: what is the top speed of the Maxima? Just curious. Thanks

 

i thought the g35 would've been more quiet, too, but my Maxima wasn't much better, although both are far quieter than any car i've had before.

I love the nav package, even though i only use it when i'm trying to find something, it's easier than looking it up on the net, printing it out.

I don't know the top speed, i would bet it's limited by 140, max

 

I actually test drove both types. The Non Nav version was very tough (to me) to see in the daytime with sun light. The data and setup was pretty much the same. As for the Nav version It was very well visable in the daylight even with sun blaring down on it. It looks extremely nice and IMHO was worth the extra money if you can afford it.

 

Pyro. I kind of noticed that myself, the non nav setup was sort of washed out a little in the sun and the Nav unit was nice and bright--good call! What about your HID lights?

*Im glad I found this board, seems to be lots of knowledgable (grown-ups) in here! Much like my 4Runner forum!

 

I bought mine with out the nav system. I really wanted it and then when I saw it and started to think about the cost, I talked myself out of it. I don't have any problems reading the display in mine, and I live in Phoenix where the sun is as bright as it gets, 350+ days a year.

The HID lights are sweet, I swear you can blind people with the high beams

Top speed? Not sure, haven't ventured much past 105 yet.

With the money I didn't spend on my nav system I bought a nice laptop and a portable GPS Let's see your nav system work as an MP3/video server in your living room

Grant

 

I have a nav on my laptop. Bought it when I was stuck in Chicago for 6 weeks. It isn't as convienient as a hand held but a helluvalot of information can be displayed on a 15" display. If you have a wireless internet connection it will download current traffic information and suggest alternate routes. Uses a pc card with a transponder attached to a 6' cable. The display is big enough so that you can sit it in the passanger seat and read the map, north up or direction up. It is easy to zoom in/out.

 

Is it the earthmate? That is the one I have, it sounds pretty similar.

 

It is a Sony Sky Map. I think someone else builds the transponder or maybe Sony builds it for others too. I've seen the same hardware with other brand names. I bought it in '99 or '00. It's probably obsolete by now but still works very well.

 

At $2,000, the nav system is a pretty expensive toy. But, if you spread that cost over the number of years you expect to own the car, it's not all that much per year. And, if you're new to an area or anticipate driving to places you're not familiar with, it's a great thing to have. I say get it unless you're sure you don't want it.

The HIDs sure are bright. I notice that reflective signs look twice as bright as I drive towards them.

If you're asking about the top speed of the Max, an investment in a radar detector might not be a bad idea.

 

Yeah, that's kind of the approach I took when I drove in with a 2k1 AE with 30k miles on it and drove out with a 2k4...

 

Originally, I didn't want the Nav. system either, but after awhile of searching for the car I wanted, I got impatient. I ended up getting the Elite Package (which includes the Nav.) and don't regret it at all. One thing to note, is that the non-Nav. screen isn't color like the Nav. screen. From what I rememeber, it was just orange-red LED type read-outs. The color screen with the Nav. system is much easier (for me) to read.

 

04Elite, how do you like those bucket back seats??? seem really nice in the picture, I have not seen it in person yet!

 

Booya, I LOVE them! People who walk by my car and look inside always do a double-take... it's pretty funny seeing the puzzled look on their face, then the big smile after they realize what they just saw! All of my friends that have gone for rides have unanimously said "Damn, this is the most comfortable back seat I have ever been in!" or something to that effect...

If I had a wife and kids, I most likely would have not gone for that option, but since I don't, it's time to LIVE!

 

I have Navi on my car. If you travel like I do in my car, its great. I would always get it on any car. It does a lot more than just show you where you are. It is also a touch screen single cd player, for those of you that didnt know.

 

Sorry booyah I dont have my new maxima yet, I ordered it end of May and the dealership places their orders on the 5th or 6th day of every month. According to the dealer there was a Hail storm at the Tenn. plant causing all the cars on the lot to get damaged. So I was told 3 months before I would get my car =(. Wish I could answer your head light question but I test drove during daytime.

 

Nissan lost a total of 9,000+ cars to the hail storms and 700+ were 2004 Maximas!

 

Yup, they are keeping the plant open 24/7 to catch up according to the Nissan plant reps.

 

you can catch some of the hail-damaged cars on Ebay - i've already seen a maxima and a sentra

 

Just to clarify, and I assume you are talking about your car, but the 2004 Nav system is not a touch screen... thank goodness because the thing would never be clean!

 

if it was a touch screen, it would be quite a reach, even with long arms.

 

Im I hearing this right! The Nav system is voice command? I didnt know that

 

the only voice command is the nav system telling you where to go

 

Well if its not touch screen and not Voice command how do you work it!! I have not seen the system in a maxima yet?

 

Can't answer the question about the Nav system (wish I had gotten it!), however, as for the H.I.D. lights.... they are great. My only problem with them is that most people from oncoming traffic think I have my high beams on and I keep getting flashed!!!

 

I have Nav in both my 02 and the 04. It's kind of like a cell phone- once you have one you don't want to ever be without it. It does much more than just show a map. All kinds of data is stored; the DVD ROM on the 04 is especially nice. The 5th gen used cd's-multiple cd's for the country. On the 6th gen, all the controls are on the dash just below the screen. I kind of prefer the touch screen used in the 5th gen, but both work well. The touch was much easier for typing in info, but the joystick does the job and the system completes a name once it recognizes it so you aren't forced to punch in all the letters. My only complaint...I'd like for the voice to be Marilyn Monroe and she'd sing Happy Birthday to me on my special day (grin).

 

well, I have an "04 with it. nothing against it except I gotta click "accept" every damn time I get in the car...but I hear they all force that.
But "really", I wasted my money. I just don't go where I get lost that often.....relegated to a "toy".

 

I think the nav system is fabulous. Being directionally hampered as a result of my chromosomal composition (read: I am male), it ain't just a flashy toy to me ... although it is way too much fun to flaunt the capabilities to new passengers.

Being from Arkansas, where road construction is a seemingly ceaseless endeavor, I've noticed some quirks. Sometimes the mapping will lead me to believe that I have left roadways for that white oblivion, but I'm really just traversing a new path that hasn't been documented yet. Hopefully we can depend on Nissan to release frequent and accurate updates (and, by the way, at what cost will these new DVD-ROMs arrive?) so Mrs. KITT doesn't bark at me about "proceed[ing] to the highlighted route" every few seconds.

Incidentally, I have put about 6000 miles on the new beauty since I rolled it off the lot April 16, 2003, and I couldn't be happier. I've had so many people compliment the styling of the car, and all my passengers have been wowed by the comfort and innovation that Nissan infused the 6th-generation Max with, so any and all negative reviews of the car are ignored henceforth.

Also, does anyone recommend any kind of Armor All-like product for the brushed titanium finish on the front console and around the shift-stick housing? I'd like to keep that surface looking as swank as I possibly can.

 

I just bought my '04 SE last week with the Journey package and I can tell you that the screen alone is worth the extra dough. It's color and brighter and simply adds to the whole car. And let's face it, integrated navigation is a helluva lot easier than fiddling with a laptop on the seat next to you as you hurdle down the highway at 80mph. For those interested in how it works, it uses a little joystick that highlights the letters of the alphabet. You just move a cursor over the letter you want and press down on the joystick. Easy. Touch screens are even easier, but damn, who wants cream cheese, Krispy Kreme glaze and ketchup on their navigation screen? Like others, I HATE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO PRESS OK EVERY DAMN TIME you want to use the navigation. It must be some BS legal thing. And yes, I know other car companies do it too...I still hate it.

The Xeon's are awesome, as they are in any car I think. They certainly do take some getting used to, but you'll like them.

 

Hi guys,

I got a 2003 Titanium Edition Max SE with nav. I love my Nav, the only problem that I hate is when the car is moving, I guess do to United States Laws you cant look for a destination it wont let you, the only thing you can do is select your address book with a saved destination already stored in memory. I got this Max in the middle of Janurary after waiting 5 month after I ordered it from japan. If anyone remembers when the west coast ports were shut down due to workers strike. So ya I guess my car was off the shore for like 3 months waiting to be imported, I hated waiting for it, I was going crazy if you know what I mean. I think this is a unique Max cause if anyone has read about the 2003 max Se's then they should know that the SE came with the option of titanium color and was only avaliable on the 2003 SE Maxs. I love the color myself its so beautiful. I had to get every option on this car knowing that the 2003 max were the last made in japan, so thats a double plus. The only options I didnt get on this car was the Automatic Tranny and traction control. I even got the drilled racing petals just like the Z, the dash is all trimed up with titanium, shifter boot and shifter **** also has titanium finish.

The 2 question I have for someone that can answer this, I would much appreciate it. Does anyone know how to change the alarm beeps when locking with keyless? Dealer told me that the sounds can be changed, but I never could figure it out. Also, does anyone know about the active headrests?

Thanks Guys and/or girls.
I am new here if you can tell..lol

Kevin

 

I don't think there is a law against that, you can do it in the Honda Accord. I was test driving one and my buddy was bringing strip clubs up on the Nav... lol

The Honda nav is much nicer than the Nissan one. It is touch screen, which gives you a nice keyboard to use, and voice activated as well.

 

iginally posted by 2003TitaniumMAX [/i]
Hi guys,

I got a 2003 Titanium Edition Max SE with nav. I love my Nav, the only problem that I hate is when the car is moving, I guess do to United States Laws you cant look for a destination it wont let you, the only thing you can do is select your address book with a saved destination already stored in memory. I got this Max in the middle of Janurary after waiting 5 month after I ordered it from japan. If anyone remembers when the west coast ports were shut down due to workers strike. So ya I guess my car was off the shore for like 3 months waiting to be imported, I hated waiting for it, I was going crazy if you know what I mean. I think this is a unique Max cause if anyone has read about the 2003 max Se's then they should know that the SE came with the option of titanium color and was only avaliable on the 2003 SE Maxs. I love the color myself its so beautiful. I had to get every option on this car knowing that the 2003 max were the last made in japan, so thats a double plus. The only options I didnt get on this car was the Automatic Tranny and traction control. I even got the drilled racing petals just like the Z, the dash is all trimed up with titanium, shifter boot and shifter **** also has titanium finish.

The 2 question I have for someone that can answer this, I would much appreciate it. Does anyone know how to change the alarm beeps when locking with keyless? Dealer told me that the sounds can be changed, but I never could figure it out. Also, does anyone know about the active headrests?

Thanks Guys and/or girls.
I am new here if you can tell..lol

Kevin [/QUOTE]

First off, dont mean to flame.......but in cast you havent noticed this is the 6th gen forum, thus you really need to post about your 5th gen in the...........5th gen forum. As for changing the sounds your alarm makes........hold the lock down on your key fob for serveral seconds and that should silence the "beep" when you lock your car. If this doesnt work read your owners manual.

 

oh my bad, thanks I will try that out.

 

Touch screen = filthy screen

Voice activation = good luck if you have the stereo on or windows open

Having to teach the nav system to recognize your voice? No thanks!

 

No thanks here either... but since you don't have to teach it anything, that is not a problem. Get in, fire it up, press the talk button and talk. You can change the temp, radio station, etc... it was super nice. It had no problem recognizing my voice when I got into the car.

As for the filthy screen, yeah I am sure it gets finger prints on it, but I am sure you could probably wipe it clean with a q-tip after each time you press it and still do it quicker than you can on the nissan nav.

I hate to tell you, the Honda/Acura nav is far superior to the Nissan one on about every level. Ease of use, features, etc... the car might suck, but the nav is nice.

 

Can you buy the Nav system after the fact if so anyone know how much it would cost.

 

I am sure you will be able to, eventually, when there is a surplus of them. But the cost of it alone, plus installation... not worth it at all. Just buy a Max with the Journey Package..

 

I already bought one that the problem.

 

if you're gonna get one after the fact, might as well just look for something that can be a DVD player/screen along with a navigation center.... kill 2 birds with one stone

 

The navigation system was a big factor in why I bought this car. I travel all the time and it is great to keep you on track and gets you back. I find it very easy to use, even the advanced stuff. It also is very accurate. I may only use it 25% of the time but when I need it there is no substitute.

The real cool part is it can answer that nagging question from the kids "how much further still we get there". I also find that the screen on the nav Maximas is better resolution than the non navs. I would say if you can part with the extra $2000 it is a great option, Nissan should lower the price on it by $1000.

 

I have to agree. I gave up the Nav in my daily driver when I traded out of my 02 Maxima into my 04 Z Roadster, but found that in my daily commute, well, it just wasn't that necessary. We have the nav in our 04 SL, and it is much improved over the CD-based system in the 5th gen. I think the Nav is a must have in at least one vehicle. Although we've done most of our recent travelling in my Roadster (for obvious reasons), we knew where we were going, and hey, they do still make maps. But for long haul trips, I'm sure the car of choice will be the Max, and it has what we need in the DVD nav. And, the look of the nav system is MUCH better than the non-Nav info center. I have to admit I think that system looks like something out of the 80's. I think it is worth the 2 grand to NOT have that standard system if you can swing it (grin).