Went out this evening to test drive a 2007 Maxima. Must admit, I had my reservations. I test drove a 2006 SE about a year ago and wasn't really that impressed. The interior seemed cheaper than the 2002 - 2003 redress. Car road a bit harsher (probably the 18" wheels) but it felt smaller than my 2002 (in terms of how it felt on the road).

Got to drive a 2007 SL tonight. I really liked the new tailpipes. The black plastic on the rear bumper really sets them off. The engine compartment seems really tight, but I've always liked the plastic dress...looks very upscale. Interior was very nice, this one had nav. The hoodliner is odd, its the same material as in my wife's 2004 Forester XT. The seats have a lot of support and yet are very comfy. This one also had CVT.

We went out on the highway then back. At first I just let the CVT do its thing, it was great! Better than I expected to be honest. I'm set on getting a 6 speed with my next car, but this was very nice. The car hit bumps and soaked them up. The ride was less harsh than the 2006 I test drove, but still felt more composed than my 2002. Engine was very quiet but made a nice muffled growl under acceleration.

A friend of mine has a 2004 G35 Sedan, which is much louder/raspier than this system. This just sounds classy. On the way back, I used the manu-matic-cvt-shifter-thing. Again, very impressive. Mine held the gear, I went up to 3 then down to 2 as I coasted toward a stoplight. It never went down to 1 on its own and held the gear till 4000rpm as kept shifting to 6 back on the highway (had the salesman with me ). Dropped it down to 4 to pass some cars...seemless. No abrupt jerks or anything.

I gotta be honest...I like it. I don't know which transmission I'll get with my next car. I'm still undecided on whether I'll get a G35, Max or Altima. I'm still waiting to see the other two, but I'm not dissappointed with the Max anymore. Its a great upgrade. I think the only thing that would keep me from getting one is wanting to see what the redesign for 2008 is going to be.

 

I believe that the new tailpipes are really not new? if you could look at a g35 sedan(4 door g) they are the exact tailpipe on it so nissan is grabbing parts off the infiniti shelf

 

There's not an update scheduled for 2008. The redesign of the Maxima will come in the '09 model year.

It will probably be released in 2008, if that's what you meant, but it will be a 2009.

 

2002_Maxima_SE - Thanks for the report on your test drive of an '07.

I gotta admit I was somewhat surprised and disappointed when I first found out about four months ago that the CVT with tiptronic override would be the only tranny on the '07 Maxima.

But the more I research the ever-evolving CVT situation, and the more I consider the better theoretical efficiency of the CVT, the more I am inclined to accept it as the transmission of the future.

I know, I know; there are those who are not yet convinced of the reliability of the CVT, and others who are more interested in the feeling of control they get in a 6 speed than in the theoretically better accelleration and better fuel economy of the CVT. Especially since, at this stage of its evolution, the CVT's reliability has not yet been established, and it is still only a marginally (if any) better performer than the old 5 speed auto and the 6 speed manual. But that will change as the still-developing CVT is measurably improved each year.

I agree that the Maxima is riding more smoothly than in days of yore. I find my 2004 SL to be very comfortable for thousand mile trips, while I tend to limit my 2000 SE driving to mostly local trips due to its clearly firmer ride.

Mike_TX is correct that the 2008 Maxima will be unchanged from the 2007, as it will be on dealer lots only around eight or nine months before being replaced in spring of 2008 by the completely redesigned 7th generation 2009.

Thanks again for the report on your test drive.

 

How was the acceleration compared to your '02? I have an '03, and I'm somewhat concerned about the HP drop from '06. Thanks.

 

RichP - There was no reduction in engine power in the Maxima from '06 to '07. What we have is nothing more than a different way of measuring existing power.

The federal regulations requiring a different way of measuring horsepower took effect with the '07 models. As a result, many vehicles (such as the Maxima), with no engine power change between '06 and '07, have had to reduce the 'stated' horsepower of their engines, even though the '07 engine is exactly the same power as the '06.

I feel it will be some time (months at least) before we begin to get a true idea of the comparable elapsed-time performance of the '07 vs earlier Maximas.

For one thing, nobody but a fool would try to max out an engine that has not been properly broken in for a few thousand miles. For another thing, millions of drivers have considerable experience at getting the most out of their 5 speed auto trannies and 6 speed manual trannies, but there are very few drivers with experience at getting the maximum performance out of a CVT tranny. That will happen. But not yet.

Most of those drivers who have already test-driven an '07 Maxima seem impressed with the CVT, but only time will tell if the CVT is a 'race-oriented' tranny or not. Not that that would mean a thing to us drivers using the Maxima as a sporty stylish powerful roomy family car; the purpose for which it has been designed.

 

So the question is, do the 06 maximas really have only 255HP, or do the 07 max's really have 265HP?

How many miles is considered adequate for engine break in?

 

It felt stronger, however, I have 53k miles and have not changed out my sparkplugs yet. It does seem as fast if not slightly faster. I was quite impressed with how smoothly it accelerated.

 

Yes, sorry meant the 2009 in 2008.

 

slic33 - Under the old measuring system, both the '06 and the '07 have 265 horsepower. Under the new measuring system, both the '06 and the '07 have 255 horsepower.

I repeat: NO power change from '06 to '07. The primary reason testers are getting the impression the '07 may be a tad faster is probably the CVT, which avoids accelleration and momentum interruption resulting from tranny shifts.

As for breakin - I believe the driver's manual states 1200 miles. I personally 'increased the tempo' around 1200, but avoided full throttle starts until almost 2400 miles. But everyone does things differently . . .

 

Having just traded an '03 for an '07, I can say that they are very close, one way or another. I initially felt that the '07 might be a bit slower, but as the engine loosens up I feel the difference diminishing.

The smoothness and near lack of auditory sensations of acceleration (minimal engine "wind-up") add to the sense that the CVT is slower, but have nothing to do with reality. If you think about it, jumping the engine instantly to max torque is a great thing. How effective it really is depends on how aggressively the trans programming allows the ratios to shift, which is how the car actually accelerates. Maybe there will be a new market for CVT chip upgrades!

We really won't know until we get some well broken in examples attached to some test equipment. (Don't look at me!!! My lease is a year longer than the warranty and I need it to last!)

 

saw my first add today and thought it was a beautiful car ... till i saw it was a max!!! (and then knew why)

so is it true ..... that a woman can put on lipstick even at 4000 rpm?? (even with shifting ...)