I have read all I can find on the 6th Gen forum for other impressions of the manual shifter. I don't see that there is any true "sport" purpose of the manual shifter (and I don't mean this for just the 04 Max).

I have found that the 5 speed auto is very sporty shifting (except first thing in the morning when trans hasn't warmed up) and more efficient than I can be manually. Plus, there is about a 400-500 rpm delay during acceleration on manual mode before the trans. does what I tell it to do.

Where I find the shifter to be useful is in traffic. I don't have to use my accelerator to "hunt" for a gear like my old 99 Max. I push it over to the right and sit in 2nd or 3rd while I fly through Atlanta traffic at 10-30 mph. :-)

BTW, first post in a year (had to reregister). I wonder if Stanley Mac is still out there helping us Maxima Owners with OEM parts.

 

That is really the only use that I have found for it as well...