My 99 GXE 5 Speed was totaled last week. After a week of recouperation and worrying about what to buy (actually looked at a Kia Van - wife's idea) and money not being as plentiful as in 99, I may have caught a break $$$ wise and am thinking of an 07 SE. Very basic auto (wife's idea, LOL), told I could get it for $26K. I might be able to spring another $1K for the stereo upgrade, so maybe $27K total.

There's also an 06 SE, auto, 22K miles for $22k and is negotiable.

I'd appreciate input from 6th Gen owners on the above.

Also, any ideas on 0 - 60 times for an automatic 6th Gen?

Thank you.

 

i believe the acceleration times would be about 6.0 sec. IMO, i like the look of the 06 better than the older ones, and dont care too much about the cvt. so i say 2006 is the way to go, but i'm sure someone that has the car will chime in with more info.

 

I love my '05'! I think you would really like your SE. I 'believe' the times are 0-60 in 6.2......

Not 100% certain. I do know that if that is incorrect, it would be 0-60 in 6.4 sec. No more!

Maybe go drive one?

Price sounds about right, without knowing all the facts. What is it equipped with? New or used 06? Demo? Miles?

 

That's great. My 99 stick was listed as 6.7 on R&T, I think. Made a few mods, but it was mostly intake/exhaust, so maybe a little quicker. I really liked that car....

Several 06's avail locally. The one I was quoted the price on is a basic 06 SE Auto. I'm not sure how negotiable "$21,990", but given the fact they are willing to sell me a leftover 06 for $25K and an 07 for $25.9, $20K would be nice, will stop in next week, after I find out how much I am getting for my 99.

The 99 was very reliable. Now driving an 06 Cadillac DTS (no Maximas at Enterprise, so this was a $2/day upgrade - after the accident, 4009 lbs wrapped around me in a "boat" is OK for a while), which I can get for $27K in S. NJ, but it's handling, size and braking leaves a bit to be desired. I've gotta get one of those "sports" caps, so I look the part of the "old dude in the caddy" (have everything else, including the years, LOL). I guess I'll have it another couple of weeks till they decide my car is totaled and cut the check, I'm not in any hurry, can use the time to make my decision.

I'll keep listening to folk's input, thank you all.

 

I'm probably older than you are. I have been a frequent critic on this site of Nissan's decision to only offer a CVT in the 07 (and presumably beyond) Maximas -- and of the energy loss in the CVT itself. But I'm a manual trannie lover (nut) -- you don't seem to want that option in an 06.

I got burned with the only car I ever bought used, but you may have better luck.

 

Keep in mind, average driving on a car is 12k per year. the 06 probably came out only 15 months ago, thats alot of wear n tear (miles). I got my 04 in july of 03 and only have 29k on 'er. I would hold out for one with less miles unless the $22,000 price tag already reflects that. (not sure of the going rate)
I would go with something other than the 07's cvt transmission. Hard to say how long a new technology will last, and the only ones able to fix any problems would probably be the stealership.

 

chipobrien - As I am SilverMax04's godfather, I feel I should throw my used Depends diaper into the discussion.

Externally, the '06 and '07 differ primarily in the front. Look at both from the front and see which one tickles your fancy.

Internally, the '07 is noticably changed from the '06. Check out the interiors and see if you like one better than the other.

Keep in mind the '07 may be worth slightly more as a trade-in during the next few years. But that may not be of concern if you plan on keeping the car a good while.

The REAL (and it is huge) difference between the '06 and the '07 is the tranny. The '06 offers the traditional 5 speed auto and the traditional 6 speed manual. The '07, however, offers only one tranny; the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

You need to understand that the CVT is radically different from normal trannys. It has either 'no gears' or 'infinite gears', depending on how you look at it. Some may not be comfortable with a tranny that 'never shifts'. As you accellerate, the revs of the engine are sort of staying the same, although the car is increasing nicely in speed. Some drivers are not completely comfortable with that.

I personally feel the CVT will be in more and more vehicles as time passes. The theoretical advantages of a tranny that never has to change gears are too great to ignore. The question is whether the CVT is far enough along technologically to be the only tranny available in what is supposed to be a '4 door sports sedan'. Nissan seems to think so. Some Maxima fans are going to have to be shown over time.

I personally would absolutely have to drive the '07 and pay very close attention to how the tranny works before buying one. If you like the '07 tranny fine, then your decision may be a difficult one, and may end up being based on another factor such as initial cost.

Let us know how this 'comes down'. Either way, welcome to the 6th gen board.

 

I haven't owned an auto since 1970, a new 70 LTD Brougham, 429 2V, had to dump it after 6 months, couldn't afford the gas (at 29 cents a gallon!).

My car was in the body shop in March for some vandalism repair, rented an 06 Murano SL, nice at first, but I missed the 5 speed (and better mileage) of my car.

My wife got her license in 2003, hasn't driven since, need an automatic, so that's my sacrafice. She got ticked at me tonight because she thought we were getting a (Kia) van, but I just can't do it. There are other 06's around with less mileage at similar prices, so I'll have to go test driving. I might also give tha 07 Altima 3.5 CVT a try, may as well as this will be my last car for a
while, I hope. Was perfectly happy keeping the 99 till 2012, when I hope to retire to the Philippines. Oh well, if you want to make God laugh, make a plan.

Thanks for the input and welcome.

 

i thinkn that is kind of expensive for a 06 with 22k. i just got mine with like 80 miles for 26000 plus the warranty i bought. but im in hawaii and they tend to markup vehicle prices around 2-3k. im not sure if i got a good deal or not bc im new to this island, but i definately think you could get one cheaper. especially used.

 

Havn't had one for years -- thanks. Also, good advice on the CVT (and the styling). Just because I don't like the CVT is no reason for chip not to consider one.

Another question for chip: Have you considered teaching you wife how to drive a stick? Some women really take to them (my daughter), while others don't (my daughter-in-law).

Please do. You certainly don't want to buy a van if you don't need it to haul around kids or stuff.

 

Wife is from another culture, grew up never thinking she would drive. Came here, met others from "her place", some were driving, she said "when will I get my license?", LOL. But really balks at a stick.

I had her drive the Caddy in a local park's parking lot this week, first time driving since her drivers test 3 years ago and she will need some more lessons obviously and on something smaller than a DTS. Stick? Maybe after she's been driving for a while.

As far as kids go, have a 22 YO son and a 2+ YO daughter with maybe other(s) in the future. I want to have all of our kids by the time I'm 60, don't want to be too old, LOL.

Saw a 6th Gen in the passing lane on I-80 yesterday, dark color, looked good!

 

Chip,

There are two theories about how best to learn to drive a stick.

1) Teach the driver the stick when they first learn how to drive.
2) Teach the person to drive an automatic and then later let them master a stick.

I learned by #2 and my son and daughter learned by #1. (Both are now married to spouses who refuse to learn a stick.) Both methods work, but I personally think that #1 is the best. You seem to prefer #2. And you are in the best position to know what your wife can and can't master. Good luck.

 

It's sort of difficult to say whether $22K for an 06 SE with 22K miles is a good deal or not since the condition and options aren't stated.

I have an 05 SE with 48K miles that I'm hoping to get at least $18K for. These cars don't loose their value that badly, it's not like they are a Ford Tempo.

 

i lost my lunch when nissan cut the manual tranny for 2007. im losing faith in the designers of the maxima....hopefully it comes back for 2008.

 

I learned to drive #1 style. I have taught my oldest daughter both ways. She is still young and impressionable, so I can encourage the stick method. I want both my girls to know how to drive standard trannies. I truly believe it is a dying art!

 

4MySwee - Not if my daughter has anything to do with it. She began driving on her 16th birthday (1977), and has never owned anything but manual trannies. She is now teaching her 16 year old daughter to drive on a manual tranny. Some folks just enjoy shifting for themselves.

If I lived in the Rockies (or anywhere where traffic was the least bit reasonable), I might enjoy going back to a manual tranny myself.

 

That why I moved here from the Chicago area when I retired. Would not own an auto trannie with these hills -- and reasonable city traffic. Althought people here complain about it, the traffic here is nothing like driving the Illinois Toll Roads at rush hour.