idk about anyone else but after driving my 6.5 for 2yrs i think that the turning radius of the maxima sucks. so i want to know if anyone has changed anything to improve the turning radius like the knuckles, tie rods, etc. etc. any info would be helpful

 

Nothing to be done.

I will say my extended E250 cargo van does a u turn in half the space...

 

oh really that sucks. i wish that someone would make something for these cars

 

coming for a 3rd and 4th gen to the 5th and 6th turning radius is HORRIBLE! afaik nothing can be done. you could always shave the stops for your rack but it could lead to axles popping out.

 

Most of the time I can't even complete a U turn, without backing up.

 

thats weird. ive yet to have it bother me...

maybe im just a better driver.

 

since 2000 all maxima owners have suffered this.
at least you look good always performing 3 point turns

 

I second that.

 

my brother's 6th gen is garbage in u-turns. my dad's f-150 w/full size bed and extended cab makes tighter turns

 

my previous ride a 05 Navigator had a better turning radius hands down...

 

Yeah...it really sucks! I try to avoid doing u turns now..hate it.. it takes just about 3 lanes to do a u turn. The 4th gen would do it in 2.5 lanes or so.

 

lol naw its the car trust me. lol

truue but its still a pain in the ****. lol

yea my previous cars wpuld do them in 2-2.5 lanes also

 

jeeuz , Are you guys serious ? my U-Turns arent as bad as the comment about a 3point turn..

it doesnt sharp as my FD or S13,14s but I never made a 3 point turn in the 6th..

I have to make a uturn everytime im going onto the main road heading south..

 

It reminds me how large this car is. The steering is heavy and responds very slow. Most of the time I need two hands to turn the wheel.

 

I had a 2003 5th gen which I sold about a year ago. I replaced it with a 2006 and I was hoping the turning radius was better, but it is just as bad as before. U turns require wide turns, the way 18 wheelers and school buses make them by going into the other lane and making sure the car behind doesn't try to slip by because you have to make such a wide turn.

 

no i think 18wheelers and school buses have a better turning radius. lol

 

These cars need a "Caution: Makes wide turns" plaque on the rear bumper.

 

Deep down you know you guys love it

With my 95 Max I could do a complete U-turn at a small intersection without stopping (helps a lot in the city when you're looking for parking and someone is pulling out on the other side). Tried the same thing with the 07 once and failed so I dont bother with it anymore -- now I just pull into an alley and then back out lol

 

lmao i think im one person crazy enough to do it. lol

yup. i know i still do

 

yeah.. u-turns are horrible. especially in a busy intersection.. i always do a quick u turn as fast as i can so i can back up a little to complete the turn before the parade of cars are coming at me. it's pretty disapointing..

 

No only disappointing, but downright dangerous especially if you misjudge the turn and can't complete it unless you reverse and the cars that were once at a safe distance away are closing in on you enough for you to floor it once you complete the turn. I am sure all of us have been in this position at least once.

 

yea for real. and which sux is that when u have traction control on the car kinda lacks power when u floor it for a second

 

Lousy turning radius tops the list of the very few things I don't like about my 06 Maxima! My Dodge Grand Caravan can turn on a dime, and it's a freakin' bus!

 

Ya have to admit, I love my maxima but not it's turning radius...

 

handbrake turn

 

Coming from a 4th gen to a 6th gen... I remember trying to pull into a parking space the first time. Didn't happen too well. Our cars have nearly a 40ft turning diameter... it just takes getting used to.

 

Love my wife's 02 Maxima, but after driving my 04 BMW (or even our 94 Corolla) I find her steering to be not only annoying but dangerous. I can't believe that the aftermarket hasn't come up with some kind of kit to address this.

 

Oh I remember the horrible turning radius in the 6th gens quite well. I had a few near misses with curbs because of it. If any of you decide to go to a 7th gen, the radius is better. It is not as good as the 4th gens but in my opinion, it is on par with the 5th gens.

 

So basically, other than a handbrake assisted turn there is nothing that can be done about this? Does anyone out there autocross with their Maxima? I would think the turning radius would completely rule that out.

 

someone has, but when your track is this wide, well it's inherent to turn wide.

 

True, and it's that wide stance that makes me love ripping into curves on the Virginia back roads like a banshee. Guess we're (well, at least "I am") wanting to have the cake and eat it too.

 

If the 7th gen is on par with the 5th gen like you said, then 5th, 6th and 7th gens are all the same. I owned a 5th gen for 7 years and now I am driving a 6th gen. I find myself making the same wide Uturns just as I did when I had the 5th gen on some very familiar roads and in some cases backing up is a must.
By comparison I can do the same turns in my 4runner without even going wide. The Maxima is downright horrible on Uturns.

 

Official numbers, turning radius (from cars.com):
4th gen: 17.4'
5th gen: 17.7'
6th gen: 20.0'
7th gen: 18.7'

For comparison:
2010 smart ForTwo: 14.4'
1997 Ford Aspire: 14.8'
1997 Geo Metro: 15.7'
1997 Honda Civic: 16.4'
2010 Honda Civic: 17.7'
2002 Nissan Pathfinder: 18.7'
2007 Nissan Armada: 20.5'
2005 Ford Excursion 4x4: 26.5'

 

I agree turning radius blows!I learned to use both hands!If you live in the city it really sucks good thing I'am a good driver not to brag but if you see a u turn or just turn you know your 6th gen cant make without looking like a complete retard go around!lol
Too bad such a great car has such a major flaw!I would like to hear some input from the nissan engineers.There has got to be a explaination on it

 

I def. agree with you guys. I went from a 350Z to an '07 F150 Supercrew FX4 to my '07 Max. I tell ya....while the radius should be closer to the Z....I swear I could pull into parking lots easier in my truck....

This is one of two things that really bug me about the max....the other being the wheel gap in the front.

 

slam that bish!!! lol

 

+1 -> can't wait for my suspension to come in!!!!

 

It's the one thing I hate about Maximas

 

It's still far better than my Honda CBR!!!!

 

The turning radius for our Maximas is nothing. I used to own a Buick Regal, nuff said. I actually drive my 6.5 like a Buick and I can whip that sucker around corners and stuff like its a Honda Civic.