Hi all,

I personally like Maxima (and hence I've its twin brother I30) and I guess buying Maxima is rewarding oneself. I am trying to help my friend who is unable to decide between a 3.5 Altima and Maxima. He wants to know, apart from appearance, if there is any difference w.r.t performance as both of them have the same VQ35 engine. This is just about saving $3000 by buying an Altima.

But, why Maxima ? What did you guys like in 6th gen Maxima other than looks??

Thanks. Awaiting your help.

 

SIZE!!!

I'm 6'4" and the Maxima has a LOT MORE ROOM.

 

I got the Maxima for a lot of reasons. First is the LOOKS. Then when I test drove one, IMO the Max is the closest thing to a luxury car w/o the high price tag. I got the SL with the leather, premium sound system, softer suspension. I love it! Well, that's just me...To each his own...

 

I did'nt want second best. I know I would regret it later.

 

I am turning in my 3.5l Altima on a Maxima. DO NOT BUY THE ALTIMA!!!!! The Altima is the biggest piece of **** on the market today. If you get the Altima I hope you have another car because the Altima spends more time in the shop than in your drive way

 

So have you gotten yourself a max already or not yet? Because it says in your profile that you have an 05 SE already.

 

I was considering buying an 05 Altima, but they don't come standard with ABS and the airbag package. For a few grand less, I got the 04 Max

 

After my car accident I knew it was time to buy a brand new car. I spent two nights researching a lot of cars and it still came down to the Maxima being the most car for the money and the 3.5 was rated very high in engines. So I am verry happy with my choice only thing I don't like is the tires and they will be replaced with Michelin's when the time comes! (Michelin Man)

 

same here! I've driven both. The Max is a lot better.

 

I'd been thining about an accord for the longest time, basically because they last forever and come fully loaded for a little over 20k. But I didn't care too much for the profile and I know a few people that have accords/civics and it's like riding in a school bus. They might as well have wooden kitchen seats and rock solid shocks. Not a car I would rate highly in comfort. My motto is, sometimes it costs more to be cheap. So since Nissans are also known for lasting an eternity, I leaned toward Nissan and figured if I'm going to spend the money, I might as well get the best car they make. I did a great deal of research and was sold after the test drive. It was like riding on air and was SILENT. I can't stand loud cars. I don't even want to know my car is on I want it so quiet and the Max SL was just that. I've been in only one other car that's quieter and it was a hybrid, forgot who made it tho.

 

Thanks for your replies guys. I was trying to convince my friend to take Max.
My friend is only 5'11'', so either Maxima or Altima is fine. I read that even Altima 3.5SE has sport-tuned suspension. Same engine. But Max costs 4 grand more!!! I am unable to convince him why Max is worth 4 thousand dollars more!!! Even if we add ABS package and all to Altima, still Max is 3000 dollars costlier!! That's what he says.

http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelSpecifications/0,,120015||,00.html

I compared the dimensions between Maxima and Altima, and wondering if these minute differences are really worth 4 grand:

Maxima Altima
Wheelbase 111.2 110.2
Length 193.5 192.3
Width 71.7 70.4
Height 58.3 57.9

Headroom (fr/r) 40.1/37.3 40.8/37.6 (Altima dim. bigger)
Legroom 43.9/36.5 43.9/36.4 (diff 0.1 in rear)
Hiproom 53.5/54.8 53.0/54.5
Shoulderroom 57.9/56.5 56.3/56.0

Look apart, and other than these half inch differences, anything worth 3 grand in Max that's not in Altima? Leather seats standard in Maxima ?!?

 

Leather seats are standard in the Max SL.

 

But SL costs abt 2250 dollars more!!!

 

Then maybe you can get an SE then get the package that has leather seats on it.

 

This package costs exactly $2,350!!!!

3.5 SE Sensory Package
• Leather-appointed seats
• Heated front seats
• Heated outside mirrors
• 4-way power front-passenger's seat
• Digital compass in rearview mirror

 

Let him buy an Altima and be like everyone else on the road then, it seems like you are fighting more for the Altima to me...he's gotta go with his gut.
I NEVER even considered an Altima, I just knew like SSurfer said, I didn't want second best. I love the fact that I can drive to work everyday and most times not see on Maxima on the road. Also the size, I see your comparisons above but to me the Maxima looks and feels like it's twice the size of the Altima!!

 

Then get the SL because with it you can get all those things, and according to you, it will only be $2250 more, so you'll save a $100...

 

he's right! let him go for the Altima! if that's what he wants...

 

I'm sorry you felt that I was fighting for Altima and I am not, period. I liked 6th gen maxima and wanted to drive it now and then, hence trying to convince my friend who is taking a new car to get it.

I'll let you guys know when he buys one, probably during this holidays

THanks for your comments.

 

The dealer gave me an 05 Altima to drive while they relocated my 05 Max SE from another dealership....hands down, the Max is a superior car. Maybe not by the facts listed above, but by the looks and feel, the Max rules over the Altima. You have to spend the $$$ to look good. Drive the Altima if you don't want to turn heads as you drive down the road........

 

When you equip both cars with the same features, the diff is not 3k. I believe the prices are almost identical. So assuming your friend would equip an altima with alot of the features that the max has, it ends up being personal preference. drive both cars and see which one he likes better. if you dont care about alot of the features, one of the base model altimas could be a better deal.

 

Drive the Altima for pure Transportation needs only. Drive the Maxima if you want Stlye and Class.

 

Probably that's one of the best answer I can give my friend

 

It adds up to this,
We all know why we rewarded ourselves with the Maxima and the question at hand is does your friend need a racer boy type image or I'm high class for way less type image.
Please take in mind that a your friend choosing a vehicle is an investment and his investing needs, wants and image may differ from the Maxima owners on this forum.
Tell your friend that style and class and the racer boy image is putting the Max and the Alti side by side looking at the hoods of each car and choosing.
On the Maxima notice the smooth lines of the hood with no objects on top, with the Altima notice the two black windshield washers that make the hood not smooth.

 

Your friend needs to take the time to compare the Altima and Maxima IN DETAIL via brochures available at the dealer. There are many differences.

For instance, although both engines are related, the Maxima version is tuned for more horsepower. The Maxima has larger, sportier tires on larger wheels. There are many dozens of differences. By the time one adds all the extras to the Altima that come on the Maxima, the price difference narrows considerably.

But the reality is that, if your friend does not understand (or perhaps does not care about) the difference in image and excitement between these two vehicles, then the Altima may be just fine for him.

The Altima will, of course, require one additional option: a ribbon or flag or something to stick on top of the car so he will be able to pick it out from the umpteen other Altimas in most parking lots.

 

Bought it because it was cheaper than a comparativey optioned altima.

Discounts rock

 

The ONLY reason why I got my Max was because I was involved in a head-on collision with a stolen car in Newark, NJ and I had a tricked out Mitsubishi Galant (loved that car) and the car was totaled (15G's in damaged) so I had to get something else, and I was talking the to guys at Enterprise rent-a-car (had to get around town with somethin' in the meantime while my insurance Co. was accessing the damage to my Galant) and I didn't know they sold cars also, and they showed me some nice rides with low milages and 1 owner vehicles and they had a Maxima there and the price was a steal (they are not into sales....they make their loot in rentals) which is why they don't advertise and it's more of word of mouth...and they can sell below sticker price......so that's how I ended up with my Max......but I'm glad I got it....I couldn't go back to a 4 cly car......

 

The Max is definitely the way to go......why settle for second place....are you that much of a tight butt....you get what you pay for....

 

BIG PIMPING right here........