Automonjama

I have a 2005 Maxima SE and I am not real happy with the handling, it feels like the car is leaning too much in corners. I went to the Stillen website and I see that I can add a strut tower brace and springs, My question is what will I sacrifice by making these changes to my car? Why is the rear sway bar only for the 2004 and not the 2005? What changes were made to this part between the years.
Thanks,
Auomon

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

Im going to find that out next week. My car will be the test car for Cattmann products to develop a rear sway bar and lowering springs for the 2005 maxima

Tek-Niq

iTrader: (3)

are you serious? my se handles great, the suspension shouldn't be something to complain about. maybe we have diffrent taste.

if it leans too much just wait for the swaybar soon to come for the 05...

Glude

iTrader: (5)

The RSB and kyb agx rears and springs are the best mods you can do for suspension.

Automonjama

All that i am saying is my 02 Altima 3.5 handled much better in the corners, i understand that this is more of a luxury vehicle but i think that it could be improved. The car just feels heavy.


Automon

Glude

iTrader: (5)

was your altima modded suspension wise?

Automonjama

no it was stock as far as the suspension was concerned but it would hold a sweeping 35mph off ramp at about 65-70mph and it felt a lot like my Porsche were you could feel the back of the car biting the pavement, which is a great feeling

Blaise

iTrader: (2)

You bought a large luxury sedan. You expected miata-like handling?

I think the SE handles wonderfully for the comfort it provides.

Automonjama

I expect better handling I am not saying that it is bad but it could be better.
I really would not call it a luxury sedan either, that is a tuff market that i don't think the Maxima is capable of competing in at this Gen level. I would call it a sport sedan hense the handling issue, could be better and nissan must think so as well because that is where they are focusing changes.

factorymax

Nissan considers the Maxima to compete in the "near luxury" midsize segment.

The bar continues to be raised with each model year.

VTmaximaVT

I was also a bit disappointed with maxima's handling compared to its stiffness.
well..i came from 99 prelude, that may made me think SE's handling's not that great.

I got stillen rear sway bar, i think it's worth the money. got alot better in the
corners.

I wanna get Stillen front strut tower brace to reduce some body twist.
does it help alot from your experience?

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

I wonder if the problem is a blown dtrut. I think the Maxima handles very well for its size. It is NOT like my Spec V I had, but it will be pretty close when Im done installing the RSB and springs. I think better rubber will help hugely too. Ill probably wait for Tokico to make a strut before I buy struts.

Glude

iTrader: (5)

RSB and KYBs are the best mods I have done for the suspension. Most noticable at least as far as handling is concerned. Front strut bar doesnt do much.

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

Glude: Did u do springs too?

Tek-Niq

iTrader: (3)

check his sig, very first mod are springs......

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

ur right, im lazy, haha

ethorn

Weight also plays a role in the difference... The 05 Maxima SE versus the 02 Altima 3.5 is right at 200 more pounds on the Maxima. I know that this doesn't sound like much but if you think about it it is almost 6% less weight. almost 5 if you include the GVR which includes the 1000lbs of cargo and persons you are allowed to add to it.

And if you read the reviews of when the 04 came out all of them said the Altima felt like it handled much better than the Maxima. But the numbers aren't too different on normal benchmarks. Therefore the main difference is the percieved difference and not an actual difference. In my experience tire pressure plays a lot of difference with the 6th gen. Mine "Feels" more responsive with the pressure around 38lbs of pressure versus the recomended 32 on the tire pressure plackard on the door. The downside is that I can start to feel the paint on the road as bumps. There is one intersection in particular that I even feel at 32 lbs as those lines must be many layers thick.

But as most of said so far on this thread... this is supposed to be the luxury edition that is sporty, and the Altima is the sporty version. Hence the fact there are NO NISMO parts for the Maxima unlike all previous generations. This is near luxury and therefore competing more with the likes of the Toyota Avalon, Acura TL and TSX (althought the altima can compete with the TSX in most every way), Chrysler 300, amoung others. I didn't mention Honda Accord because it is competing more with the Altima due to it's size. along with the camry.

BLAXIMA2K4

iTrader: (1)

Eibachs springs help a lot also. It feels so much better taking corners and turns more tighter. Im going for the strut bar and sway bar next.

Wakkus_Maximus

Well my problem is this: when at full acceleration in straight line, my steering wheel pulls to one side every time there's a gear change. I know this is the torque steer everybody complains about, but how do I minimize that?

Automonjama

I was told by my dealer that NISMO parts are on the way for the MAX

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

Wakkus: Hold on tighter!!!!

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

By the way, my car is going to Cattmans place in Anaheim -called Progress. They are developing springs for 6th gen and a rear sway bar for the 05 and he is using my car to develop it. Ill send pics and keep everyone updated. Should have car back by thursday, a week from today.

jcberb

How soon can we anticipate seeing these parts in the market?

ethorn

my dealer, including service techs, parts dept, and my sales rep were all a little suprised that there were no parts for the maxima and when they checked there were no plans... but that was about 6 months ago. I hope they develop some parts.... But I am not going to hold my breath.