San Antonio newspaper tests '05 Maxima
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Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
San Antonio newspaper tests '05 Maxima
My son gave me a clipping from the 'Wheels' section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from June 25th, 2005. It originated with the San Antonio Express-News. I have no idea when they released it (probably June), or how to find/link it. It was written by G. Chambers Williams III.
It is a long article (half a newspaper page), approaching a thousand words. I don't want to risk copyright laws, or cause trouble for maxima.org, so will only post a few quotes:
'. . arguably the best sedan you can buy for under #30,000 . .'
'. . puts a smile on the driver's face at every turn . .'
'. . Toyota is targeting the Maxima with its remake of the Avalon . .'
'. . Frankly, I believe the Maxima still wins the styling race (vs Avalon) . .'
'. . Toyota (Avalon) is aiming for consumers with a median age of 59 . .'
'. . Nissan is happy that the Maxima seems to be most popular with (younger buyers) . .'
'. . the G35 does not have the interior space of the Maxima . .'
'. . (In author's opinion) the Maxima is the preferred family car (vs G35) . .'
'. . Those of us who enjoy driving fully appreciate a car such as the Maxima, which is designed to be a true sport sedan . .'
Had I not already been driving a 6th gen, this article would certainly have caught my attention.
I hope this post does not violate any copyright laws. i was careful to limit the quotes to well under 10% of the original article.
It is a long article (half a newspaper page), approaching a thousand words. I don't want to risk copyright laws, or cause trouble for maxima.org, so will only post a few quotes:
'. . arguably the best sedan you can buy for under #30,000 . .'
'. . puts a smile on the driver's face at every turn . .'
'. . Toyota is targeting the Maxima with its remake of the Avalon . .'
'. . Frankly, I believe the Maxima still wins the styling race (vs Avalon) . .'
'. . Toyota (Avalon) is aiming for consumers with a median age of 59 . .'
'. . Nissan is happy that the Maxima seems to be most popular with (younger buyers) . .'
'. . the G35 does not have the interior space of the Maxima . .'
'. . (In author's opinion) the Maxima is the preferred family car (vs G35) . .'
'. . Those of us who enjoy driving fully appreciate a car such as the Maxima, which is designed to be a true sport sedan . .'
Had I not already been driving a 6th gen, this article would certainly have caught my attention.
I hope this post does not violate any copyright laws. i was careful to limit the quotes to well under 10% of the original article.
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From: LA/OC, CA
Originally Posted by NismoMax80
Newbie just Registered
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,795
From: LA/OC, CA
Originally Posted by boone
Now that is a more honest take on a great car. I'm glad he made it a point to heavily compare the Max to the Avalon. This was an excellent read.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,994
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Most Smiles per Gallon = Maxima
Newspapers are notorious for not keeping text like this around for a long time. So I'm posting the complete article on this thread. There was a "side table" for this article that is pasted at the bottom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
G. Chambers Williams: The most smiles per gallon
Web Posted: 06/10/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Take the sporty Altima sedan, stretch it a bit, give it its own special exterior styling, boost the power a bit and fill it with premium amenities.
The result: Nissan's flagship sedan, the Maxima, which appeared last year in its newest generation and continues this year with no major changes.
Not that it needed any changes, mind you.
This is arguably the best sedan you can buy for under $30,000, although our test car, the uplevel SL version, rang up at $31,160 with options and freight.
The biggest surprise to me is this car doesn't sell as well as, say, the Toyota Avalon, which is essentially the equivalent vehicle in the Toyota fleet.
Those of us who enjoy driving, as opposed to just riding, fully appreciate a car such as the Maxima, which is designed to be a true sport sedan, one that puts a smile on the driver's face at every turn.
Nissan got a jump on Toyota by rolling out the redesigned Maxima more than a year ahead of the new Avalon, which went on sale in February and is just now arriving at dealerships in any significant numbers.
You can see from the improvements that Toyota is targeting the Maxima with its remake of the Avalon — changes such as boosting horsepower to 280 from 220 in the previous model and trying some more-exciting styling.
Frankly, I believe the Maxima still wins the styling race, even though the Avalon has the edge in horsepower. Torque ratings are a lot closer, though — 255 foot-pounds for the Maxima and 260 for the '05 Avalon.
To create the Maxima, Nissan took the platform of its already best-in-class midsize Altima sedan and stretched it by 3 inches, similar to what Toyota did with the Camry chassis to come up with the new Avalon.
And while Toyota is aiming for consumers with a median age of 59 for the Avalon and hoping to get some buyers younger than that interested in the car, Nissan is happy that the Maxima seems to be most popular with buyers in their late 30s to early 50s.
The difference is the Maxima has always been positioned as a premium sedan car for more-affluent younger consumers, whereas Toyota has always aimed the Avalon at those who might otherwise buy midsize (or larger) Buick sedans.
Of course, the Maxima does push into the realm of the midsize Infiniti G35 sedan, as far as prices go, but there are significant differences between the two vehicles that keep them well-separated in the minds of savvy consumers.
First, the G35 doesn't have the interior space of the Maxima, which borders on being a full-size sedan. There is ample room for three adults in the rear of the Maxima, whereas the biggest complaint I hear from people who have checked out and passed on the G35 is that rear legroom is quite limited.
The other difference, of course, is that the Maxima (like the Altima) has front-wheel drive, while the sportier G35 comes with rear- or all-wheel drive and is similar in its mechanical design to the Nissan 350Z sport coupe. The Maxima, then, is the preferred family car for those who would choose one of these two makes.
After my recent review of the Avalon, a reader wrote to tell me he thinks the Avalon is essentially a less-expensive Toyota version of the new Lexus GS 300, but that comparison is similar to trying to call the Maxima a cheaper version of the G35.
The Avalon is a stretched version of the front-drive Camry, which makes it similar to the Lexus ES 330; the GS 300 is a rear-drive sport sedan in the vein of the G35 or Infiniti M35.
Maxima prices actually begin at $27,500 (plus $560 freight) for the SE model, which gives the consumer a very well-equipped premium sedan without having to add any extras.
In keeping with its position as a premium sedan, the base price includes a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the 265 horsepower V-6 engine and a whole list of standard equipment that put this car at the top of the midsize, nonluxury sedan heap.
Included in the base price of the SE model are 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, automatic halogen headlights, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, fog lights, eight-way power driver's seat, 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat (rear bucket seats are optional), AM/FM/cassette/compact-disc audio system with eight speakers, full analog gauges with digital clock and outside temperature reading, leather-wrapped shift ****, cruise control, power windows/mirrors/door locks (with remote), Homelink universal garage/gate opener, trip computer, center console with dual storage boxes, side-impact curtain air bags (front and rear), dual-zone automatic climate control, and remote fuel-door and trunk releases.
The SL model, with a base price of $29,750 (plus freight), tacks on heated leather bucket seats, a four-way power passenger seat, Bose audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer, color-keyed heated power outside mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, luxury suspension, xenon headlights and upgraded tires.
With this latest generation, Nissan is building these cars in the United States rather than in Japan. They are built alongside the Altima, Frontier and Xterra in Smyrna, Tenn.
Although the Maxima is built on the same chassis as the Altima, it is definitely more upscale and offers some premium features not available on the Altima, such as 18-inch wheels. Odd, though, that the uplevel SL models get 17-inch wheels, whereas the base model has the 18-inch.
The interior is designed to hold either four or five people, with the four-place version being billed as a four-door sports car.
That's a bit of a stretch, but the back seat is much more comfortable with two people in it than three — as it is in any car. With the optional rear bucket seats, there is a center console and a rear power sunshade.
Options included on our test car were traction control ($300), which is always something I can do without; a five-piece floor/trunk mat set ($150), probably a good buy; and a "driver preferred package" ($800), which added folding outside mirrors with memory, power driver's seat with two-position memory and power lumbar adjustment, and a heated/power tilt/telescopic steering column with memory.
(As for the traction control, Nissan says it is now standard on all Maxima models as of November. That change is reflected in the base price of the SE, which began the 2005 model year at $27,100 but is now $400 more).
Other available options include stability control and full-size spare tire ($600 as a package); power glass sunroof ($900); Bose audio upgrade ($1,000 on SE, already included on SL); and a "sensory" package ($2,350) for the SE model, which adds the premium audio system, leather seats, four-way power passenger seat, heated front seats and mirrors, and a compass in the rearview mirror.
Also for the SE, there is a "driver preferred package" ($2,350) that includes the sensory package as well as a rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system (memory seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors), driver's seat power lumbar support, heated steering wheel, and power entry/exit system for the driver's seat.
Each Maxima also comes with Nissan's advanced air-bag system, passenger seatbelt warning chime, an additional 12-volt power outlet, black-tone brake calipers, new titanium-tinted interior trim, chrome interior door handles and satellite radio availability.
EPA fuel-economy ratings are 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with the automatic gearbox; the manual transmission raises the highway rating to 29 mpg. The tank holds 20 gallons of fuel and unleaded premium is recommended (but not required).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. Chambers Williams III, (210) 250-3236; chambers@express-news.net
The 2005 Nissan Maxima
The package: Premium, midsize, four-door, four- or five-passenger, V-6 powered, front-drive sport sedan.
Highlights: Nissan's flagship sedan was completely redesigned last year for its sixth generation, and of course this is the best one yet. This essentially is a stretched version of the popular Altima sedan, but with distinctive styling and more standard amenities. Power is impressive from the 265-horsepower V-6 engine.
Negatives: Can get a bit pricey, especially when compared with some entry-level luxury sedans such as Nissan's own Infiniti G35 that cost not much more.
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6.
Transmission: Five-speed automatic or six-speed manual.
Power/torque: 265 horsepower/255 foot-pounds.
Length: 193.5 inches.
Curb weight: 3,485-3,493 pounds.
Trunk volume: 15.5 cubic feet.
Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds.
Fuel capacity/type: 20 gallons/unleaded premium.
EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/28 highway (automatic); 20 city/29 highway (manual).
Major competitors: Volkswagen Passat GLX, Buick LaCrosse CXS, Honda Accord EX V-6, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Pontiac Grand Prix, Toyota Avalon.
Base price: $27,500 plus $560 transportation (SE model).
Price as tested: $31,160, including freight and options (SL model).
On the Road rating: Five stars out of five.
Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail; actual selling price may vary according to manufacturer and/or dealer rebates, discounts and incentives, if any.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
G. Chambers Williams: The most smiles per gallon
Web Posted: 06/10/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Take the sporty Altima sedan, stretch it a bit, give it its own special exterior styling, boost the power a bit and fill it with premium amenities.
The result: Nissan's flagship sedan, the Maxima, which appeared last year in its newest generation and continues this year with no major changes.
Not that it needed any changes, mind you.
This is arguably the best sedan you can buy for under $30,000, although our test car, the uplevel SL version, rang up at $31,160 with options and freight.
The biggest surprise to me is this car doesn't sell as well as, say, the Toyota Avalon, which is essentially the equivalent vehicle in the Toyota fleet.
Those of us who enjoy driving, as opposed to just riding, fully appreciate a car such as the Maxima, which is designed to be a true sport sedan, one that puts a smile on the driver's face at every turn.
Nissan got a jump on Toyota by rolling out the redesigned Maxima more than a year ahead of the new Avalon, which went on sale in February and is just now arriving at dealerships in any significant numbers.
You can see from the improvements that Toyota is targeting the Maxima with its remake of the Avalon — changes such as boosting horsepower to 280 from 220 in the previous model and trying some more-exciting styling.
Frankly, I believe the Maxima still wins the styling race, even though the Avalon has the edge in horsepower. Torque ratings are a lot closer, though — 255 foot-pounds for the Maxima and 260 for the '05 Avalon.
To create the Maxima, Nissan took the platform of its already best-in-class midsize Altima sedan and stretched it by 3 inches, similar to what Toyota did with the Camry chassis to come up with the new Avalon.
And while Toyota is aiming for consumers with a median age of 59 for the Avalon and hoping to get some buyers younger than that interested in the car, Nissan is happy that the Maxima seems to be most popular with buyers in their late 30s to early 50s.
The difference is the Maxima has always been positioned as a premium sedan car for more-affluent younger consumers, whereas Toyota has always aimed the Avalon at those who might otherwise buy midsize (or larger) Buick sedans.
Of course, the Maxima does push into the realm of the midsize Infiniti G35 sedan, as far as prices go, but there are significant differences between the two vehicles that keep them well-separated in the minds of savvy consumers.
First, the G35 doesn't have the interior space of the Maxima, which borders on being a full-size sedan. There is ample room for three adults in the rear of the Maxima, whereas the biggest complaint I hear from people who have checked out and passed on the G35 is that rear legroom is quite limited.
The other difference, of course, is that the Maxima (like the Altima) has front-wheel drive, while the sportier G35 comes with rear- or all-wheel drive and is similar in its mechanical design to the Nissan 350Z sport coupe. The Maxima, then, is the preferred family car for those who would choose one of these two makes.
After my recent review of the Avalon, a reader wrote to tell me he thinks the Avalon is essentially a less-expensive Toyota version of the new Lexus GS 300, but that comparison is similar to trying to call the Maxima a cheaper version of the G35.
The Avalon is a stretched version of the front-drive Camry, which makes it similar to the Lexus ES 330; the GS 300 is a rear-drive sport sedan in the vein of the G35 or Infiniti M35.
Maxima prices actually begin at $27,500 (plus $560 freight) for the SE model, which gives the consumer a very well-equipped premium sedan without having to add any extras.
In keeping with its position as a premium sedan, the base price includes a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the 265 horsepower V-6 engine and a whole list of standard equipment that put this car at the top of the midsize, nonluxury sedan heap.
Included in the base price of the SE model are 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, automatic halogen headlights, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, fog lights, eight-way power driver's seat, 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat (rear bucket seats are optional), AM/FM/cassette/compact-disc audio system with eight speakers, full analog gauges with digital clock and outside temperature reading, leather-wrapped shift ****, cruise control, power windows/mirrors/door locks (with remote), Homelink universal garage/gate opener, trip computer, center console with dual storage boxes, side-impact curtain air bags (front and rear), dual-zone automatic climate control, and remote fuel-door and trunk releases.
The SL model, with a base price of $29,750 (plus freight), tacks on heated leather bucket seats, a four-way power passenger seat, Bose audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer, color-keyed heated power outside mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, luxury suspension, xenon headlights and upgraded tires.
With this latest generation, Nissan is building these cars in the United States rather than in Japan. They are built alongside the Altima, Frontier and Xterra in Smyrna, Tenn.
Although the Maxima is built on the same chassis as the Altima, it is definitely more upscale and offers some premium features not available on the Altima, such as 18-inch wheels. Odd, though, that the uplevel SL models get 17-inch wheels, whereas the base model has the 18-inch.
The interior is designed to hold either four or five people, with the four-place version being billed as a four-door sports car.
That's a bit of a stretch, but the back seat is much more comfortable with two people in it than three — as it is in any car. With the optional rear bucket seats, there is a center console and a rear power sunshade.
Options included on our test car were traction control ($300), which is always something I can do without; a five-piece floor/trunk mat set ($150), probably a good buy; and a "driver preferred package" ($800), which added folding outside mirrors with memory, power driver's seat with two-position memory and power lumbar adjustment, and a heated/power tilt/telescopic steering column with memory.
(As for the traction control, Nissan says it is now standard on all Maxima models as of November. That change is reflected in the base price of the SE, which began the 2005 model year at $27,100 but is now $400 more).
Other available options include stability control and full-size spare tire ($600 as a package); power glass sunroof ($900); Bose audio upgrade ($1,000 on SE, already included on SL); and a "sensory" package ($2,350) for the SE model, which adds the premium audio system, leather seats, four-way power passenger seat, heated front seats and mirrors, and a compass in the rearview mirror.
Also for the SE, there is a "driver preferred package" ($2,350) that includes the sensory package as well as a rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system (memory seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors), driver's seat power lumbar support, heated steering wheel, and power entry/exit system for the driver's seat.
Each Maxima also comes with Nissan's advanced air-bag system, passenger seatbelt warning chime, an additional 12-volt power outlet, black-tone brake calipers, new titanium-tinted interior trim, chrome interior door handles and satellite radio availability.
EPA fuel-economy ratings are 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with the automatic gearbox; the manual transmission raises the highway rating to 29 mpg. The tank holds 20 gallons of fuel and unleaded premium is recommended (but not required).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. Chambers Williams III, (210) 250-3236; chambers@express-news.net
The 2005 Nissan Maxima
The package: Premium, midsize, four-door, four- or five-passenger, V-6 powered, front-drive sport sedan.
Highlights: Nissan's flagship sedan was completely redesigned last year for its sixth generation, and of course this is the best one yet. This essentially is a stretched version of the popular Altima sedan, but with distinctive styling and more standard amenities. Power is impressive from the 265-horsepower V-6 engine.
Negatives: Can get a bit pricey, especially when compared with some entry-level luxury sedans such as Nissan's own Infiniti G35 that cost not much more.
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6.
Transmission: Five-speed automatic or six-speed manual.
Power/torque: 265 horsepower/255 foot-pounds.
Length: 193.5 inches.
Curb weight: 3,485-3,493 pounds.
Trunk volume: 15.5 cubic feet.
Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds.
Fuel capacity/type: 20 gallons/unleaded premium.
EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/28 highway (automatic); 20 city/29 highway (manual).
Major competitors: Volkswagen Passat GLX, Buick LaCrosse CXS, Honda Accord EX V-6, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Pontiac Grand Prix, Toyota Avalon.
Base price: $27,500 plus $560 transportation (SE model).
Price as tested: $31,160, including freight and options (SL model).
On the Road rating: Five stars out of five.
Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail; actual selling price may vary according to manufacturer and/or dealer rebates, discounts and incentives, if any.
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 94
Hi guys,
I'm from S.A. and mentioned this article a few weeks back in another thread. It was in the Friday Wheels automotive section of the SA Express news. While it is a great article for us, please note that the writer is a "schill" for the automotive advertising section of the paper and I have never seen him write a bad review of cars that he drives for the reviews. Don't mean to "poo poo" the article, but the guy is there to promote vehicles for the paper and not really review them.
I'm from S.A. and mentioned this article a few weeks back in another thread. It was in the Friday Wheels automotive section of the SA Express news. While it is a great article for us, please note that the writer is a "schill" for the automotive advertising section of the paper and I have never seen him write a bad review of cars that he drives for the reviews. Don't mean to "poo poo" the article, but the guy is there to promote vehicles for the paper and not really review them.
Originally Posted by jinsatx
Hi guys,
I'm from S.A. and mentioned this article ...........the guy is there to promote vehicles for the paper and not really review them.
I'm from S.A. and mentioned this article ...........the guy is there to promote vehicles for the paper and not really review them.
I don't need no stinkin' review to tell me my car is the bomb diggity. I'll just drive it.
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 94
Nismo,
Didn't mean to rain on your parade, but the guy really is a "schill" for the automotive advertising section of the paper. Also, don't get me wrong, I love the Max too. In fact, I bought two 05 SE's within 3 days of each other, one for the wife and one for me. While I do look at reviews and research on the vehicles I purchase, I drive them and make my own decisions. I've now had them for two months and still think they're the biggest bang for the buck on the road today. The only dissappointment I have so far is the gas mileage as I am getting about 16.5 mpg. While I attribute that to a tight engine, running the A/C at full blast (high 90's in SA this time of year), our driving is mostly city stop and go, and, that the car is so much fun that I tend to have a lead foot, it's still somewhat dissapointing not to get at least 19mpg as I did in my V6 Honda and V6 Sebring.
Didn't mean to rain on your parade, but the guy really is a "schill" for the automotive advertising section of the paper. Also, don't get me wrong, I love the Max too. In fact, I bought two 05 SE's within 3 days of each other, one for the wife and one for me. While I do look at reviews and research on the vehicles I purchase, I drive them and make my own decisions. I've now had them for two months and still think they're the biggest bang for the buck on the road today. The only dissappointment I have so far is the gas mileage as I am getting about 16.5 mpg. While I attribute that to a tight engine, running the A/C at full blast (high 90's in SA this time of year), our driving is mostly city stop and go, and, that the car is so much fun that I tend to have a lead foot, it's still somewhat dissapointing not to get at least 19mpg as I did in my V6 Honda and V6 Sebring.
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 40
Also for the SE, there is a "driver preferred package" ($2,350) that includes the sensory package as well as a rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system (memory seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors), driver's seat power lumbar support, heated steering wheel, and power entry/exit system for the driver's seat.
Newbie just Registered
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,795
From: LA/OC, CA
Originally Posted by lfc.reds
Just a little typo on pricing of the DPP.
Originally Posted by jinsatx
While it is a great article for us, please note that the writer is a "schill" for the automotive advertising section of the paper and I have never seen him write a bad review of cars that he drives for the reviews.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 230
Originally Posted by jinsatx
Nismo,
The only dissappointment I have so far is the gas mileage as I am getting about 16.5 mpg. While I attribute that to a tight engine, running the A/C at full blast (high 90's in SA this time of year), our driving is mostly city stop and go, and, that the car is so much fun that I tend to have a lead foot, it's still somewhat dissapointing not to get at least 19mpg as I did in my V6 Honda and V6 Sebring.
The only dissappointment I have so far is the gas mileage as I am getting about 16.5 mpg. While I attribute that to a tight engine, running the A/C at full blast (high 90's in SA this time of year), our driving is mostly city stop and go, and, that the car is so much fun that I tend to have a lead foot, it's still somewhat dissapointing not to get at least 19mpg as I did in my V6 Honda and V6 Sebring.
I live in TX too and run the AC all the time. My car only has 6,000 miles on it and I'm not the slowest (just ask my wife) driver around either. I get 24-25 MPG in the city and over 30 MPG on the highway (IF you can believe the built in MPG calculator...from the fillups I do, it seems to be fairly accurate though.
I really think the 6 speed saves my butt as I normally turn around 2,000 RPMs in the city (45 MPH) and I don't touch every gear.
So far, I've been very happy with the mileage in mine. I do run syntheitc oil, and I have seen tests where it does help ever so slightly, but that wouldn't account for that big of a difference.
BTW, the only time my mileage goes in the tank (heh heh) is when we go shopping....stop and go and wait and idle. On those days, I'm luck to get 19 MPG.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 289
Avalon article?
It would be interesting to read an article by the same author if he were to review the new Avalon. One would hope that in both articles he would be consistent in his comparison of the Maxima to the Avalon. Does anyone know if the San Antonio newspaper has done an article on the new Avalon. If they do (or have done) an article on the Avalon, I would be interested in reading it too.
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 94
darrinps,
Both of them are the 5sp automatic. They have 1300 and 2000 miles (hers/mine). I guess I could prematurely change the oil in them to a real good dino oil, as I would not use a synthetic oil until they break in at 10k. I know there has been great debate on syn vs. dino prior to 10k so to be on the safe warranty side I'll stay dino for a while. Again, 16.5 mpg isn't a killer to me as we drive about 7.5k a year each, but would appreciate any suggestions to get closer to the 20 mpg range if possible. I use premium fuel, Shell Vpower exclusivley in both cars. Also, I used to use a syn/dino blend in my previous cars and wonder if that would be okay in these Max's now or should I wait for them to break in at 10k.
Both of them are the 5sp automatic. They have 1300 and 2000 miles (hers/mine). I guess I could prematurely change the oil in them to a real good dino oil, as I would not use a synthetic oil until they break in at 10k. I know there has been great debate on syn vs. dino prior to 10k so to be on the safe warranty side I'll stay dino for a while. Again, 16.5 mpg isn't a killer to me as we drive about 7.5k a year each, but would appreciate any suggestions to get closer to the 20 mpg range if possible. I use premium fuel, Shell Vpower exclusivley in both cars. Also, I used to use a syn/dino blend in my previous cars and wonder if that would be okay in these Max's now or should I wait for them to break in at 10k.
Newbie just Registered
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,795
From: LA/OC, CA
Originally Posted by wsu
It would be interesting to read an article by the same author if he were to review the new Avalon. One would hope that in both articles he would be consistent in his comparison of the Maxima to the Avalon. Does anyone know if the San Antonio newspaper has done an article on the new Avalon. If they do (or have done) an article on the Avalon, I would be interested in reading it too.
Newbie just Registered
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,795
From: LA/OC, CA
Avalon article.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business...1d4e6b32c.html
"I've already heard from several 60-plus owners of the previous generation of the Avalon who say they hate the new styling, and I have yet to hear of someone in his 30s putting the new Avalon on a must-see shopping list.
Frankly, the styling seems a bit odd, thanks to the fastback-style sloped rear window and tail end that make the car look something like a marlin (the fish) or a Marlin (the odd-looking American Motors car of the '60s), yet with more-rounded edges."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business...1d4e6b32c.html
"I've already heard from several 60-plus owners of the previous generation of the Avalon who say they hate the new styling, and I have yet to hear of someone in his 30s putting the new Avalon on a must-see shopping list.
Frankly, the styling seems a bit odd, thanks to the fastback-style sloped rear window and tail end that make the car look something like a marlin (the fish) or a Marlin (the odd-looking American Motors car of the '60s), yet with more-rounded edges."
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,994
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Originally Posted by RHMax
Avalon article. http://www.mysanantonio.com/business...1d4e6b32c.html
"I've already heard from several 60-plus owners of the previous generation of the Avalon who say they hate the new styling, and I have yet to hear of someone in his 30s putting the new Avalon on a must-see shopping list. Frankly, the styling seems a bit odd, thanks to the fastback-style sloped rear window and tail end that make the car look something like a marlin (the fish) or a Marlin (the odd-looking American Motors car of the '60s), yet with more-rounded edges."
"I've already heard from several 60-plus owners of the previous generation of the Avalon who say they hate the new styling, and I have yet to hear of someone in his 30s putting the new Avalon on a must-see shopping list. Frankly, the styling seems a bit odd, thanks to the fastback-style sloped rear window and tail end that make the car look something like a marlin (the fish) or a Marlin (the odd-looking American Motors car of the '60s), yet with more-rounded edges."
"On the Road rating: four stars out of five" He gave the Maxima 5 stars.
Then he lists the positives and negatives:
"Highlights: All new for 2005, this is Toyota's flagship sedan, build on an extended Camry chassis and designed for buyers with a median age of just under 60. It comes with significantly different exterior styling, a comfortable and roomy interior, and much more power than before." These are not a positive as his points on the Max.
"Negatives: Gets as pricey as some Lexus models; exterior styling is somewhat awkward-looking; engine is designed for premium fuel."
He obviously like the Maxima better, as both write-ups show.
jinsatx
I know what you mean about SA. I was there a year ago and rented a Sentra. This was 4 months before I got my Max. Your stop and go is a bish, but I would love to have your highways with my Max. I had to push that Sentra all the way to keep up with traffic. Going 80 as a standard, the Max should thrive on your 5 lane highways. 3 lanes are rare around here. I remember seeing a few Maximas at Enterprise when I dropped off the Sentra on my way to the airport.
I was just kidding about the article. As soon as I saw the specs for the new Av, I knew Toyo was blatantly targeting the Maxima. Nice to see that and opinions that the Max still excells in print.
I know what you mean about SA. I was there a year ago and rented a Sentra. This was 4 months before I got my Max. Your stop and go is a bish, but I would love to have your highways with my Max. I had to push that Sentra all the way to keep up with traffic. Going 80 as a standard, the Max should thrive on your 5 lane highways. 3 lanes are rare around here. I remember seeing a few Maximas at Enterprise when I dropped off the Sentra on my way to the airport.
I was just kidding about the article. As soon as I saw the specs for the new Av, I knew Toyo was blatantly targeting the Maxima. Nice to see that and opinions that the Max still excells in print.
Originally Posted by jinsatx
Nismo,
Didn't mean to rain on your parade, but the guy really is a "schill" for the automotive advertising section of the paper. Also, don't get me wrong, I love the Max too. In fact, I bought two 05 SE's within 3 days of each other, one for the wife and one for me. While I do look at reviews and research on the vehicles I purchase, I drive them and make my own decisions. I've now had them for two months and still think they're the biggest bang for the buck on the road today. The only dissappointment I have so far is the gas mileage as I am getting about 16.5 mpg. While I attribute that to a tight engine, running the A/C at full blast (high 90's in SA this time of year), our driving is mostly city stop and go, and, that the car is so much fun that I tend to have a lead foot, it's still somewhat dissapointing not to get at least 19mpg as I did in my V6 Honda and V6 Sebring.
Didn't mean to rain on your parade, but the guy really is a "schill" for the automotive advertising section of the paper. Also, don't get me wrong, I love the Max too. In fact, I bought two 05 SE's within 3 days of each other, one for the wife and one for me. While I do look at reviews and research on the vehicles I purchase, I drive them and make my own decisions. I've now had them for two months and still think they're the biggest bang for the buck on the road today. The only dissappointment I have so far is the gas mileage as I am getting about 16.5 mpg. While I attribute that to a tight engine, running the A/C at full blast (high 90's in SA this time of year), our driving is mostly city stop and go, and, that the car is so much fun that I tend to have a lead foot, it's still somewhat dissapointing not to get at least 19mpg as I did in my V6 Honda and V6 Sebring.
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