Well, I made it through the 20's and starting out in the 30's now but regardless of what age you are, anybody who appreciates styling that stands out from the cookie cutter Accord / Camry school, while having plenty of power on tap PLUS a roomy cabin and great gas mileage to boot; knows a Maxima is the way to go. Altimas are as bland as wonder bread and are a dime for two dozen around North Mississippi where I live. My wife and I, jaded ex-domestic owners, originally bought the 2002 SE base two years ago and fell in love with it. So, recently when we were looking for a import-label reliable car with room and creature comforts, we checked the Toyota Avalon (not the new version, the last one) the Accord, and the Camry and were not impressed at all. Out of all we looked at, only this Max had the "wow wee" factor that turns heads. There are lots of 5th gens around here, not many 6th gens although that will change soon as they're more affordable. For now, we enjoy the exclusivity and style that our new baby offers!

 

This is my 4th Nissan and 2nd Max, my 05 SE replaced my 00 SE. I'm 35 and each new car has less and less mods, but this 6th gen of mine still have tint, strut and sway bars. It doesn't look like she'll get any more, but who knows!

 

I'm 31 and it sounds like I am one of the youngest owners. I live in NJ and there are plenty of maximas but my car has the rims and tint which brings the onyx out more. Mostly I see adults in the 6th gen max so i agree with the posts.
P.S cops wrote me a ticket for my 20% tint. Guess the max can attract too much unwanted attention at times being soo damn pretty

 

I infer from your comment that at 31 you don't (necessarily) consider yourself an adult(?). If so, at what age of person would you consider to be an "adult" maxima driver? The early 20-somethings would likely consider you an adult. Age consideration can be very relative. I'm in my 40's and still don't feel very adult at times.

 

wsu - Earlier in this post, you mentioned that most drivers in your area (southern Illinois) are driving 'American brand' cars, and most of the dealers are 'American brand' dealers.

In years of driving around the country, I have found that folks in the Midwest/Great Lakes areas (especially in rural or small town settings) are much more likely to be driving a vehicle made by one of the 'big three' auto conglomerates than in other parts of the country.

That is because, for almost a hundred years, that area has been the 'home' of the big three, and hundreds of thousands of jobs (read: the economy of the region) depended on the success of 'big three'.

In talking with them. I also detect a residual bitterness remaining from WWII.

As these folks retire and move south, they still feel that driving a 'Jap' car is unAmerican. I have two close friends who swear by their Grand Marquis and never fail to show disdain for the Maximas I always drive.

I have found it is of no use to tell them my '04 Maxima was made in Tennessee by an American labor force (including a relative of mine) using mostly American made parts, while their Grand Marquis was made in Canada.

Times change, and things change. But some folks don't.

 

What all you guys are stating is true about the East Coast being saturated w/ MAX prominence. I recently made the long hump from Tucson, AZ to DC and the contrast of MAXs being seen on the road is like night and day!!! Honestly!!! When I was in Tucson, I hardly seen a MAX (maybe once every 2 weeks)...whereas, as soon as I got on the beltway here in DC, I see 6th Gen MAXs EVERYWHERE!!! Are they selling them for a lower price over here on the East Coast? What gives? Don't know... Anyone have anything to offer on this???

 

You know, lightonthehill, what you bring to the table is very very digestable. I can feel exactly what you're saying w/ the American WWII-era population's unacceptance of Japanese-made cars. Never looked @ it that way...you are truly a "light on a hill"!!! But, w/ all that said, I can tell you this. The proliferation of MAXs on the East Coast as compared to the West Coast is overwhelming! Even more stumbling, after my move, I noticed that the popularity of the Altima is invertly notable. I saw more Altimas on the West Coast than on the East. The amount of Altimas on the West Coast terribly out-number the MAXs, and conversely, the MAX #s far exceed the Altimas on the East Coast... What's up w/ that?!! Can anyone offer a logical explanation? I can't figure it out...

 

16 here!!!

 

So, you're 16??? I'm here @ Bolling AFB, right before the Woodrow Wilson bridge... Prolly about 20 minutes from you! So where are pics? Post your webpage! Maybe we can meet up!!! Always excited to get w/ MAX aficionados!!!

 

Not too many in San Diego. I see maybe one a day besides mine. None modded...

 

too many 6th gen's around me now...when i got my whip i rarly saw maximas..now i see them soooo often..

 

I have an 04, and an 05. My 04 is Black, and the 05 is Navy Blue; actually, my wife drives the 04. I want the Black one, and I'm willing to give her the Blue one with 3400 miles, but she won't bite.

Joe B.

 

I appreciate your comments and agree with your views. I would add that the attitude that you describe, while applicable to car purchases on this forum, is actually part of a provincialism and a prejudice against things, people, and customs that are different than what people know and are comfortable with. In my travels about the country, I've concluded that in general the Midwest tends to be more "traditional" (read, conservative and less progressive) than the coasts.

Your comment about attempting to enlighten others by telling them that the Maxima was made in Tennessee while the Grand Marquis was made in Canada brings to mind a phrase I have heard..."Don't confuse me with the facts!" Some people have a need to cling to their beliefs, in spite of clear and compelling evidence to the contrary. I think that it is an identity crisis for some people to admit that they are wrong. We all want to believe in our own worth and goodness, and admitting that we are misguided is very humbling. There are a lot of very proud people around. Unfortunately, beyond merely disagreeing, some people have to attack or oppress others whose message disagrees with their own beliefs. Galileo spent part of his life under house arrest for promulgating that the earth was, in fact, not the center of the universe. Perhaps you remember the Ryan White situation from Kokomo, Indiana from some years ago before people were more educated about AIDS. The Challenger shuttle disaster of the 80's is another example of pride getting in the way of sound judgement.

 

wsu - Excellent analysis. I do remember Ryan White, and we all remember the shuttle disaster. I have always rued the fact Ptolemy and Copernicus had their often flawed theories generally accepted, while Galileo Galilei endured much political suppression of his work. I have many more examples of what you have already said very well, but most have political fringes, which would not be a good thing on this (or any) board.

hofb99 - Until your post, I was not aware of the strong preponderance of Altimas over Maximas on the west coast, and the reverse on the east coast. That is a 'puzzler'. I'm sure this goes deeper than a strong dislike of the grill 'tooth' by westerners.

I can only suggest a possibility or two.

Some of this could be the specific locations in which you were driving. I know that in the Atlanta area, rural Georgia, both the Carolinas, Alabama and Tennessee, Altimas usually outnumber Maximas, although both are popular.

The Altima has had essentially the same shape/looks for four years, while the 6th gen has only two years with its current shape. This can affect the impression one gets. If you are like me, you tend not to notice Altimas of model years earlier than 2002.

It might be that Californians tend to be more obsessed with their homes (and they ARE obsessed with their homes) than their cars, while many east coasters tend to feel the vehicle they drive is an extension of themselves.

If that be the case, then the left coasters might opt for the less expensive vehicle (which is also excellent transportation), while . . . but you get where this is going.

I recall that, when living in Santa Monica, everyone was interested in where I lived, while I don't think a single person ever brought up the subject of cars. It was as if cars were like electricity and cable; just another necessary utility. By contrast, folks in the south (especially younger folks) are extremely conscious of all vehicles.

As you can tell, I'm groping for an answer, and am not sure what that answer is. Maybe someone else can help us?

 

Light - I think you hit the nail on the head in pointing out that perception regarding the Altima versus current gen Maximas may be skewed because of the fact that it has been on the market longer. This makes perfect sense.

Overall, if I were to compare the total number of Altimas of any generation with the number of Maximas I see that were made during the time the Altima has been in production, I would have to say that in my area I see more Maximas.

As far as the conclusion that there seem to be more Altimas on the west cost than the east cost, my theory would be that the Altima is more of a tuner car than the Max. Since the tuner scene is bigger out west, there are more people with Altimas. Just my two cents.

 

Hey, Pkane.....40 isn't old!! I'm 41 and I still rock! And, I am also going to be replacing the grille, looking into some other stuff, too.

Jane