TechCI

I am torm between the SE and the TL? What are the advantages of the SE over the TL?

Any Advice?

Thanks

originalstarlit

Go to the Nissan website and build both cars with the comparison tool and then go to the Acura site and do the same. This will give you all the statistics to begin digesting.

Then go drive them both for a nice long test drive on multiple road types.

After that, try to make your best deal with each. You'll know on your own by then. Remember that advice is subjective, and this is a Nissan group.

SilverBelle04

From what i can tell, both are great cars. Good looking inside and out and comparable power. Tough decision. I think that the TL is more expensive if that is a factor for you.

I'd say take both for a good test drive and then go where your heart tells you to go.

Also check out the reviews on the web.

Bob

vqman

when comparing a 2003 Maxima vs. a 2003 TL type-S I would say go with the Maxima.

but when comparing the 2004's, I give the nod to the TL.

But why aren't you looking at the G35?

-vq

AllBlackMax

2004 Maxima with DPP or Elite is better. 1) It looks better, especially in black 2)you're going to get better torque with the Maxima

bluemaxx

Just curious... Why did you pick the 2003 Maxima over the G35?

Nyc2kMax

In mine opinition up to a 03 max =
Anything above = 04. I will go with the TL's

desperado_45

04 or above go with the TL - especially the sport model if its out yet.

pecora55

Notice, everyone saying this, has a 2003 or older i like the 04 tl and the 04 max as well as 03 max, but i never really liked the styling of the older tl's

bluemaxx

But why? Why is the 03 Maxima superior to the 03 G35? Is it just because the Maxima is FWD and beam axle or what?

wrj

I went through the same decision a month ago and ended up with the 04 SE Maxima with DDP.

Both are very good cars. The things that drove me to the Max was a significant difference in cost. The Acura dealer didn't want to deal much. The Nissan dealer was much nicer.

The Max has a great feature of the drivers seat and steering wheel moving out of the way to exit (or get in) the vehicle. I'm a big guy and this was nice.

I test drove several TLs and MAXs. The Max has much more off the line (more torque). The TL has very good acceleration at higher rpms. However, both have plenty of power to move sensibly through traffic and have safe fun. Neither are race cars (stock with auto).

The TL has a very nice interior. MAX is good but TL may seem a little better.

May sound stupid but I had a compass in my last car and loved it. I just moved into a new state and wanted it. Had to buy the nav package with the TL to get compass. Comes standard with SE and DDP.

MAX has more of a back seat.

Don't forget the G35. Consider all options and test drive more than once. Then go with your gut feelings. You'll most likely be extremely happy with any of these fine autos.

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

People are still hell-bent on 6th gen bashing, whether it's the size, styling, or departure from the log-beam suspension and adoption of the "measly" Altima's platform. Of course they expose their bias when it's noted under their screen name that they own another generation besides the 6th gen.

SilverBelle04

I hear ya ! I love my 04 Max and it doesn't matter what the haters think anyways. I used to have an 03 and it is a night and day difference.

Judging by the comments, head turnings, compliments, etc.... that i receive about my Max every week, it seems to me like the population at large sure likes too.

Bob

ga2000

well if u want speed go with the maxima auto for auto the max will eat an 04 tl. my friend just baught an 04 tl auto in gray hot car but track times are ah.. low 15s best being a 15.0.. but most people dont care about speed. features the max has more with the elite pachage. the nav screen is huge on the tl though.. both great cars. it comes down to looks... my new best 1/4 mile is a 14.21 at 97 mph. bone stock auto maxima

MaxMaybe

I've only sat in a TL at a car show back in February, but three things stood out to me:

1. The interior is more luxurious
2. Gauge cluster is more hi-tech
3. The sound system is superior

However, if FOLD-DOWN REAR SEATS are at all a necessity, then you have to go with the Max.

ocuihs

Quote: originally posted by RonSteinbach of freshalloy.com
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Comparison by the numbers
2004 Maxima vs. 2004 Acura TL

I used the specs posted on Edmunds.com to compare the two cars. The car magazines won't, since Acura is supposedly a "luxury" brand. And, Edmunds doesn't either. Neither car is listed under the other for "Compare Similar Vehicles". I refuse to pay for snobbery.

Here is what I found:

The 2004 Maxima is 7.3 inches longer, has a wheel base 3.3 inches longer, is 1.6 inches taller, has 1.0 inch more front head room, has 0.8 inch more front leg room, has 3.0 cu. ft. more luggage capacity, has a 3.0 gallon larger fuel tank, and has 17 more foot pounds of torque, and weighs 143 pounds less.

The Maxima achieves its maximum horsepower at 400 fewer rpm’s, and it’s maximum torque at 600 fewer rpm’s.

The Maxima has a $5,600 lower base price. (To be fair, you can’t buy a TL without all the options already on it. The price differential with a comparable equipped Maxima is much smaller.)

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bluemaxx

I'm just amazed at the number of people for whom price is not even a consideration. The Maxima is significantly less than a comparably equipped TL or G. At least it's significant to me. The Maxima is powerful, comfortable, well mannered and cheaper than a TL or a G. Besides I need the money now to buy gas.

While I'm on my rant, where does a 02/03 owner get off hatin' on the 04? Correct me if I'm wrong but the G35s and TLs were readily available in abundant quantity when they bought their Maximas, new or used. How can you have selected a beam axle 5th gen over a G35 or a TL and then tell me/us that the 04 is inferior to all of them? For some reason you lined up a 03 Maxima, 03 G35 and 03 TL then chose the Maxima. Go figure.

But that's just me.

MONTE 01&97 SE

iTrader: (1)

To each his own bro, some prefer the 04 Max some prefer the 03, same goes with 03/04TL. Now the G35's drivetrain is nice it looks pretty plain on the outside unless its spiced up. I love them all myself with the 02-03 TLS being the most boring in the looks dept. Max 5th gen and 6th are both contreverisal in their styling heck even the 4th gen was with love it or hate it, older TL is known a s boring new TL nice. BTW that beam axle isnt that bad bro on the 5th gen much improved from 4th gen , the 4th gen one was way more jittery.

TechCI

Thanks for the advice all, I ended up with a black on black Maxima SE, with driver preferred package and sunroof for 400 under invoice. That came out to about 2k less then the TL. The differences were not worth 2k for me. If I was going to spend the 2k I would of gone with the G35x AWD.

I do have a couple of questions about my new max but I will start another post for that.

Thanks again.

wrj

TechCI:

You choose wisely...

bluemaxx

I have a little bit of 5th gen experience; I traded a 2k1 AE for the 04. I have to be honest and say I liked that car. If it had come with a 3.5 I might still have it.

I fully understand why Maxima purists’ were/are disappointed in the 6th gen. I think a lot of people had expected something more G35esqe and were shocked to see the Maxima FWD, bigger, heavier. But the direction the car had been going since the 3rd gen should have been foreshadowing.

My only point, if I have one;

If
One argues that the new Maxima is somehow inferior to the G35
And
One is driving an 03 Maxima
Then
One must believe the 03 Maxima is superior to the g35
Else
One would have purchased a G35 when one had the chance.
So
When we each arrived at the intersection of Maxima and G35 we chose Maxima. Why am I the dumbarse and the 03 guy gets a pass?