Is anyone else worried about the tuning potential for the 2007 Maxima with CVT? I've read in several places that the new max's cvt is probably near the limits of the technology in handling torque and power.

So basically, adding a y-pipe and intake = blown tranny. Not fun. I haven't done crazy things with my max, like forced induction or nitrous, but I would like to spice it up with an occasional performance mod! I like cars that have tuning potential...but I doubt I'm Nissan's target audience for this Max.

Dunno, I think Nissan may drop the Maxima from its lineup. Why buy one when there's the new Altima, or for the up-sell to the G35 or even M35?

Altima - $19K
Maxima - $29K
G35 (sedan) - $31K
M35 - $41K

The Maxima and G35 are too close and the G35 destroys the Maxima in performance and luxury. And if you're penny pinching you can always fully load an Altima and get better performance and about the same styling and interior as the Max. The SE-R is pretty good with 260HP, 18" rims, full leather, etc, $29K MSRP. It's only inches smaller.

Nissan had the same problem in 2002 model year -- the 2k2 Max made the Infititi I35 pointless. Me and a lot of others went for the Max. Now there is no I-series. I think that this time Max will lose the battle.

 

If you believe that the Nissan CVT is at the end of its power and torque handling capabilities read here.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/05/n...gt-c-unveiled/

 

340hp Murano and only a 0-60 in 7 seconds??? (it says estimated thou)

 

Hmm, that site says only 265 ft/lbs of torque which is only a bit more than the 252 that the 2007 Max has. Maybe the peak HP peak is really more like a spike. The 0-60 numbers don't seem to jive with the weight and the power given for the Murano. One explaination would be a bad torque curve...another would be a really inefficient transmission dropping all the wHP. Or their number could be mis-reported.

Anybody have any additional info?

 

nice murano..

 

Would the 22's be a factor?

 

I just cant see myself paying $29k for a Altima. I rather pay the extra money for a g35.

 

The Altima equipped as I would want (similar to my SL with driver preferred pkg, VDC, power roof, etc) is actually over $29K MSRP, and I doubt the dealer would come down much further than he would be willing to come down on the Maxima.

And I MUCH prefer the Maxima, even though we are comparing a new Altima design with a Maxima design not greatly changed since it arrived in March of 2003.

'Drop the Maxima'? Somebody hasn't been keeping up with things. Not only is Nissan not even considering dropping the Maxima, they are moving it upscale to be the true flagship for Nissan, and letting a sporty version of the Altima fill the 'model for modification' role.

I would expect the 7th gen Maxima (2009 model, arriving in spring 2008) to have a base MSRP over $30K, with top of the line models easily above $37K. And I am convinced the car will be comparable to vehicles costing well over $40K and worth every penny.

Just my opinion.

 

When I was looking for a new car, I'd actually considered the G35 sedan.
In terms of luxury, performance, reliability, and best bang for the buck, it was a great deal at $31k. The only thing that held me back was the rear wheel drive since I have to deal with snow. The AWD would then push the price a little higher. So I went with another Maxima.

Even though I bought a barebone 06, it's still an upgrade compared to the time when I'd bought the 96. When you think about it, for almost the same price range I now have tractional control, ABS, 18" wheels, auto climate control, CD player, more air bags, and most importantly variable valve intake.

According to the specs, the new 07 Maxima is slighty bigger and heavier
than the 04-06. I still like to make it fun whenever I drive, but as the car
gets bigger it's not as nimble. So that will be my considering factor for future car selection.

 

Nice murano too but it's still a baby momma's ride FCO (for chicks only)

 

it says the rims are a lightweight 2 piece design, maybe not so restrictive in the power..

 

PDEXING, I think your numbers are bit off.
Edmunds lists:
Maxima: MSRP: $28,050 - $30,300
Infinity G35: MSRP: $31,200 - $33,800
Minimum $3100 diff.

I also think your case about the G35 destroying the Maxima is a bit overstated. I admit it will perform better. But you have to ask yourself where will it perform better? In the snow, on the track, in a street race?

Where will you be pushing your car to perform so hard that you really notice big difference between front and rear wheel drive?

In luxury? I haven't been in a G35 but from the sounds of it, the aren't that many more options for the G35. http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/infi...62/review.html
Read Body style, trim, options.


In looks? The G35 is nice but IMO the Maxima just looks better.
http://www.infiniti.com/g_sedan/phot...or_photos.html
http://www.nissanusa.com/maxima/gallery.html
And of course look at the gallery here.

The G35 catches my eye on the road, but I still shake my head, the Maxima looks better. (and yes, better than the Altima too)

Now you want a big brother for the Maxima, we gotta look at the M
http://www.infiniti.com/m/photos/exterior_photos.html
Now that is definitely a step up

 

The Maxima will not be ended, look at Toyota/Lexus and all the vehicles they sell that overlap each other, the ES350, Avalon and Camry all come within the same range of each other

 

umm....can we say biased??

I went looking at '06 G35s two days ago, and I could have gotten a 6-speed with the premium package (bluetooth, bose, sunroof, power steering wheel, etc.) for 28.9k before tt&l....IMO that is WAY better than getting a maxima for just a little more....the G35 outshines the maxima in every performance category, has a nicer fit and finish, and is overall a much better car...face the facts, not your opinions especially considering you're driving a maxima which makes you biased...

 

The Maxima has more interior room, but right now a G35c is looking real nice especially since my local dealer is doing employee pricing

The G35s is also on it's way out hence the better price, lets see if a new 1 will be just as much a bargain

 

"overall much better car" = you opinion. Right? Not disagreeing with you, just saying I thought the case was a bit overstated.

I agreed it would perform better......"I admit it will perform better. But you have to ask yourself where will it perform better? In the snow, on the track, in a street race? " .....Hinting that it wouldn't perform better in the snow also keeping in mind under what circumstances you are really going to push that car to notice the diff.

I also gave some facts correcting the numbers as listed on Edmunds, I can't vouch for what an individual might be able to bargain for at a particular dealership. I got my Max as with a company discount for like .5% over invoice or something like that.

Now if I could have gotten a G35 for the same price or slightly more would I have. Probably not, because IMO the Maxima is a better looking car, I wanted FWD and sadly I was already at the top of my budget.

So are you going to buy the G35? What other cars are you considering?

 

Infiniti

.

 

Wow, I think that would end the Maxima for sure, despite what Nissan wants. Unless the G35 goes over $40K and the BMW 3-series drops off the face of the earth, I don't think anyone would pay for a $37k Max. But maybe with inflation, everything will cost that much, I guess.

*I* think the Maxima is great and better than a lot of cars costing 10-15K more but I think the Maxima will have a hard time playing in the entry-luxury price area with BMW, Lexus, Audi, etc.

 

Snow doesn't matter to me -- I live in Houston. Actually before I did a bunch of suspension mods, I noticed the FWD issues constantly. Torque steer out the wazoo with any sort of accelleration out of a turn. (I use Tokico shocks, H&R springs, RSB, FTSB). This combination eliminated the torque steer completely but it WILL return with any more engine mods. When power goes up in FWD, some or a lot of torque steer will occur. Acuras have this problem too, it's not just a Maxima thing. Its a physics thing. That's why RWD or AWD is pretty much a requirement of high power (>300wHP).

I've driven G35s and almost bought one for my wife. It was nicer inside than the Max (not a lot, but a bit) and performed better than the stock Max, both power and handling. But she decided to go with the C5 Corvette. Screw back seats! Who am I to argue?

 

Well, performance doesn't deal with just speed....the G35 handles about as well as a BMW 3-series. I know, I know magazines can be deceiving, but I've driven both a 2005 G35 and a 2003 330i and from what I could tell through my limited driving time, they both held the road very well and had about the same steering response. Also the brakes on the G35 are nothing short of amazing. You really can't match them in a maxima even with upgrades...
I do agree with you that the maxima would be much better for areas with snow, and the G35x is pretty pricey, so for people that live in areas with snow, the maxima is a better buy, and it has more interior room, but IMO those are the only benefits from a maxima. It's just lost it's flare, especially since it can only be offered with the CVT in 2007...just my opinion

and i was contemplating trading my car in on a G35, but I really don't want a car payment, so I'll keep my car for a while...

 

The Maxima is the best car ever made and nothing will ever be better then it.