wide U-Turns
02-14-2005, 12:02 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 49
U-Turns
Let me preface by saying that I love my car, and the handling in general I find to be very good. However, the huge turning radius can be a real pain sometimes. I can no longer make u-turns that I used to easily make with my Explorer. I pretty much have to avoid u-turns in most cases unless I'm sure I'll have time to back up and give it an extra turn. How come it turns so widely though?
02-14-2005, 03:40 AM
#2
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 85
I know what you mean. It is truly the only complaint I have with the car.
I can no longer make the U-turn I usd to make in my 5th gen when I leave work. I now have to go around the block which adds 10 mins to my drive home in heavy traffic. I'd do anything to tighten this up. It's not like there's not enough room in those wheel wells, lol.
I can no longer make the U-turn I usd to make in my 5th gen when I leave work. I now have to go around the block which adds 10 mins to my drive home in heavy traffic. I'd do anything to tighten this up. It's not like there's not enough room in those wheel wells, lol.
02-14-2005, 05:10 AM
#4
Even the 5.5gen turning radius is somewhat big. I find myself turning to the right before turning left to make the U-turn. I need to get some extra space sometimes. I don't let it's larger turning radius stop me from making u-turns where I want to make them, just be very careful when doing so.
02-14-2005, 12:32 PM
#12
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,336
Since the roads are covered in ice and show here, I just do a parking brake turn to swing the car around in the roadway. 
With due caution. Usually when there's nobody watching. Though I do have to admit to doing a lovely parking brake slide into my driveway at home each night for the general amusement of my neighbours.
With due caution. Usually when there's nobody watching. Though I do have to admit to doing a lovely parking brake slide into my driveway at home each night for the general amusement of my neighbours.
02-14-2005, 12:40 PM
#13
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Posts: 5,437
Originally Posted by Zog
This has been an unfortunate trait of the maxima since the 3rd gens. My 3rd gen was brutal, my 5th gen is worse. I can't really speak for the 4th gen, but I imagine it's not stellar.
02-14-2005, 04:31 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 951
Originally Posted by 04FrostSL
Let me preface by saying that I love my car, and the handling in general I find to be very good. However, the huge turning radius can be a real pain sometimes. I can no longer make u-turns that I used to easily make with my Explorer. I pretty much have to avoid u-turns in most cases unless I'm sure I'll have time to back up and give it an extra turn. How come it turns so widely though?
02-15-2005, 05:18 PM
#20
Originally Posted by Jaws
Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels. I think you mean track.
Exterior (inches):
Wheelbase...Overall length....Overall width...Overall height
111.2............193.5..............71.7..............58.3
I know that some insurance co. determine a vehicle's rate according to wheel width. (mother works for one). Well the Max is wide enough for me to be denied coverage from one company making it a "High Performance Vehicle."
02-15-2005, 10:51 PM
#21
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 688
Originally Posted by 04 maxse
Actually I think my 4th gen was ok.. I don't mind!! Funny thing, my dad has a Yukon denali and it has a better turning radius then my car.
10-11-2005, 12:32 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
Turning Radius Sux!
I just wanted to air out about our car's turning radius. Compared to my previous 4th gen, I really do notice the difference in the slow turns. Does anyone agree with me? Especially to those who owned a 4th gen. I don't know about the 5th gen, but I wouldn't be surprised if their turning radius > 6th gens.
10-11-2005, 12:42 PM
#23
It's inevitable that you'll have a terrible turning radius with FWD. The 6th gen wheelbase is a few inches longer than the previous generations, so it's bound to have a bigger radius (even though it's just a couple of feet).
And just for reference, from what Nissan says, 4th gen & 5th gen had the same turning diameter (35.40 feet).
And just for reference, from what Nissan says, 4th gen & 5th gen had the same turning diameter (35.40 feet).
10-11-2005, 12:49 PM
#26
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 620
Gotta Love That Radius
It's actually pretty disturbing when my next door neighbor whips the u-turn in front of her house with her 2005 explorer in one solid motion, while i have to make a k-turn out of it. -=/
As far as it being an FWD thing, I had a 97 cadillac eldorado before the max and the radius was great.
Don't get me wrong one bit though, my new max is still my baby -=p
05 SE AUTO, 18 inch chromes, no resonator, Berk intake in the mail.
As far as it being an FWD thing, I had a 97 cadillac eldorado before the max and the radius was great.
Don't get me wrong one bit though, my new max is still my baby -=p
05 SE AUTO, 18 inch chromes, no resonator, Berk intake in the mail.
10-11-2005, 12:50 PM
#27
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 40
I agree, the turning radius stinks in the Max. I have had other FWD cars and even test drove the latest generation Avalon, and it turns tighter than the Max, even though the wheelbase is slightly longer. I still have not gotten used to it, but its not enough to detract from the graeatness of the Max.
10-11-2005, 12:52 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 256
This only bothers me when parking. I also have a 4th gen that is still worse than market with regard to the turning radius, but my new 6th gen takes the cake. Good thing it only bothers me when trying to park.
For an extreme turning radius, check out Jeep's new project vehicle, the Hurricane. All four wheels turn OUT, which means it has a turning radius of zero.
For an extreme turning radius, check out Jeep's new project vehicle, the Hurricane. All four wheels turn OUT, which means it has a turning radius of zero.
10-11-2005, 12:55 PM
#29
Originally Posted by spoon787
I agree, the turning radius stinks in the Max. I have had other FWD cars and even test drove the latest generation Avalon, and it turns tighter than the Max, even though the wheelbase is slightly longer. I still have not gotten used to it, but its not enough to detract from the graeatness of the Max.
10-11-2005, 01:10 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 213
Yeah. The turning radius is 40 feet. That's a little big, but not bad. If it makes you feel any better, the Altima, Acura TL, and 5th-Gen Maxima also have a 40 foot turning radius. The G35 Sedan 6MT is close at 38 feet. (Oddly, the G35 auto is slightly smaller.) However, the 4th-Gen was 34.8 feet. That is noticeably smaller. I had a '95 SE and agree that it turned tighter.
FYI, a Ferrari Enzo is 40.5 ft, a Lamborghini Murcielago is 41.2 ft, and a Porsche GT is 42.3 feet. What can I say, we all need to swing a little wider when parking it tight spots.
FYI, a Ferrari Enzo is 40.5 ft, a Lamborghini Murcielago is 41.2 ft, and a Porsche GT is 42.3 feet. What can I say, we all need to swing a little wider when parking it tight spots.
10-11-2005, 01:17 PM
#33
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 620
Originally Posted by Tek-Niq
get some rims, so you look good when you have to do a 3 point turn or so..
The upgraded factory chromes are just fine....in fact, i like them better than than the ones in that pic.
+
There waranteed for 3 years along with the tires and I keep the ride of the car.
10-11-2005, 01:35 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
Originally Posted by TXT-1
5th Gens have the same problem. It's actually quite embarassing sometimes trying to turn into a parking spot and having to stop, back up and try again.
10-11-2005, 01:46 PM
#36
Originally Posted by logik05se
The upgraded factory chromes are just fine....in fact, i like them better than than the ones in that pic.
+
There waranteed for 3 years along with the tires and I keep the ride of the car.
+
There waranteed for 3 years along with the tires and I keep the ride of the car.
10-11-2005, 01:49 PM
#37
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 52
My old F150 (92) had the same turning radius.... I am just happy that when I am driving on the roads doing lane changes and such, it still feels like a sport compact! This is when it matters... Now I back into EVERY parking stall as it seems easier then trying to nail it in one fluid motion. Then nobody knows it turns like a boat they just think you have more style in your parking skills.
Taylor
Taylor
10-11-2005, 01:52 PM
#38
Originally Posted by MDS
Yeah. The turning radius is 40 feet. That's a little big, but not bad. If it makes you feel any better, the Altima, Acura TL, and 5th-Gen Maxima also have a 40 foot turning radius. The G35 Sedan 6MT is close at 38 feet. (Oddly, the G35 auto is slightly smaller.) However, the 4th-Gen was 34.8 feet. That is noticeably smaller. I had a '95 SE and agree that it turned tighter.
FYI, a Ferrari Enzo is 40.5 ft, a Lamborghini Murcielago is 41.2 ft, and a Porsche GT is 42.3 feet. What can I say, we all need to swing a little wider when parking it tight spots.
FYI, a Ferrari Enzo is 40.5 ft, a Lamborghini Murcielago is 41.2 ft, and a Porsche GT is 42.3 feet. What can I say, we all need to swing a little wider when parking it tight spots.
btw
Originally Posted by Tek-Niq
what, my sig? are you nuts! the factory chrome don't look better than the ones on my pic..
......
