Do you have a stick or an AT?
Do you have a stick or an AT?
When I was in the market for a new (to me) vehicle, the item that was at the top of my list was a manual transmission. I knew I wanted a 6th gen Maxima so I began my search. After thoroughly searching for a week, I was only able to find 2 SEs with leather interior and a manual transmission within 300 miles of my house! Is the manual transmission that rare? Or is it the combo of leather and a manual? Or is it that no one who has a manual wants to sell it? I drove 4 hours from my house to get mine - an 04 SE, manual, black leather and only 59,000 miles!
So I guess the question is, how many of you have a manual and how many of you have an AT?
So I guess the question is, how many of you have a manual and how many of you have an AT?
Last edited by officerfrasher; Feb 25, 2011 at 04:29 AM.
Heres what I took off the internet so I dont forget anything:
Maxima SE options packages: Sensory Package ($2350) includes the fancy stereo heated leather seats and a four-way power front-passenger seat (all standard on SL). SE Driver Preferred Package ($3550) adds the Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system including steering wheel, outside mirrors and driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat (A/T only) and heated steering wheel. The SE Elite Package ($6400) adds two-passanger rear seating, rear center console, auto up/down rear windows, rear power sunshade with front and rear controls, heated rear seats and rear 12V power point to the above.
http://www.jbcarpages.com/nissan/maxima/2004/
Maxima SE options packages: Sensory Package ($2350) includes the fancy stereo heated leather seats and a four-way power front-passenger seat (all standard on SL). SE Driver Preferred Package ($3550) adds the Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system including steering wheel, outside mirrors and driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat (A/T only) and heated steering wheel. The SE Elite Package ($6400) adds two-passanger rear seating, rear center console, auto up/down rear windows, rear power sunshade with front and rear controls, heated rear seats and rear 12V power point to the above.
http://www.jbcarpages.com/nissan/maxima/2004/
Heres what I took off the internet so I dont forget anything:
Maxima SE options packages: Sensory Package ($2350) includes the fancy stereo heated leather seats and a four-way power front-passenger seat (all standard on SL). SE Driver Preferred Package ($3550) adds the Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system including steering wheel, outside mirrors and driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat (A/T only) and heated steering wheel. The SE Elite Package ($6400) adds two-passanger rear seating, rear center console, auto up/down rear windows, rear power sunshade with front and rear controls, heated rear seats and rear 12V power point to the above.
http://www.jbcarpages.com/nissan/maxima/2004/
Maxima SE options packages: Sensory Package ($2350) includes the fancy stereo heated leather seats and a four-way power front-passenger seat (all standard on SL). SE Driver Preferred Package ($3550) adds the Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system including steering wheel, outside mirrors and driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat (A/T only) and heated steering wheel. The SE Elite Package ($6400) adds two-passanger rear seating, rear center console, auto up/down rear windows, rear power sunshade with front and rear controls, heated rear seats and rear 12V power point to the above.
http://www.jbcarpages.com/nissan/maxima/2004/
I have an 06 AT. When I bought it (new) five years ago, I could only find two in the city and they were in colors I didn't much care for. I would say they are fairly hard to find especially given the notorious issues with the AT's.
We found our 05 manual 3 years ago at our local nissan delaership while shopping for a new car. I don't think that they are extremely rare, but I really enjoyed having the stick. That way my friends couldn't ask to drive my car...lol.
My wife doesn't drive a manual either so this is MY car!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 57
From: Wellesley, MA
2006 SE with 6speed manual. Driver Preferred Package:
Taken from previous post: SE Driver Preferred Package ($3550) adds the Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system including steering wheel, outside mirrors and driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, driver seat power lumbar support, and heated steering wheel.
Car was definitely hard to find. I was casually looking for about 1 year and happened to stumble on this car on craigslist. Used to be a forum member too. He told me that he was having a hard time selling it because everyone who called or came by to look at the car walked away after finding out that it was manual tranny. Manuals are definitely hard to find but it also appeals to a VERY limited market.
Taken from previous post: SE Driver Preferred Package ($3550) adds the Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system including steering wheel, outside mirrors and driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, driver seat power lumbar support, and heated steering wheel.
Car was definitely hard to find. I was casually looking for about 1 year and happened to stumble on this car on craigslist. Used to be a forum member too. He told me that he was having a hard time selling it because everyone who called or came by to look at the car walked away after finding out that it was manual tranny. Manuals are definitely hard to find but it also appeals to a VERY limited market.
I think the Manual transmission is a lot more fun to drive. I admire all with a stick, especially the 6speeds! I learned how to drive in a stick and have always preferred a stick. But sucks that I am stuck with auto.
But my 08 is a little fun when I switch to manual mode and drive it like stick. Though the feeling of not clutching makes it no way comparable to a real stick! But I do enjoy my 6speed in my 08! And also, if I had a stick, I don't know how I would make it with soooooo much multitasking while driving: on cellphone, eating, on garmin, and more! Don't know how safely I could include having to clutch and move up or down in gears.
Enjoy your sticks!!! I am with auto for now.
But my 08 is a little fun when I switch to manual mode and drive it like stick. Though the feeling of not clutching makes it no way comparable to a real stick! But I do enjoy my 6speed in my 08! And also, if I had a stick, I don't know how I would make it with soooooo much multitasking while driving: on cellphone, eating, on garmin, and more! Don't know how safely I could include having to clutch and move up or down in gears.
Enjoy your sticks!!! I am with auto for now.
It is nice, and I probably won't be replacing the speakers or adding any subs or anything but I had to have an iPhone/iPod adapter. I know I could have bought an adapter but that would have been roughly $125.00 and I already have a Pioneer head unit with the adapter AND bluetooth to connect my phone to for calls. So all I had to pay to install that was roughly $30.00. I thought that to be the better option!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,994
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
I have 106 K miles and the manual tranny remains great. I have changed fluid twice and recommend synthetic fluid for this tranny. It will shift much better after you make the fluid change.
I will not buy a new Maxima when the time comes to get a new car (about 200 K) because they no longer offer a manual tranny in this car.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,994
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
For many years the Maxima was known as "The 4-Door Sports Car."
Well, to be a sports car, a car (either 2 or 4-door) must have a stick shift.
How far Maxima has gotten away from its roots as the fun-to-drive "4-Door Sports Car" - offering only the CVT and no stick!
Well, to be a sports car, a car (either 2 or 4-door) must have a stick shift.
How far Maxima has gotten away from its roots as the fun-to-drive "4-Door Sports Car" - offering only the CVT and no stick!
Last edited by SilverMax_04; Feb 25, 2011 at 12:19 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 36
When i was looking for a maxima i knew i wanted a 6th gen (auto cuz of the wife) but after reading some reviews on how the auto tranny was having problems, i told the wife time to learn how to drive the other stick
so that was my green light to go ahead and look for a 6 speed, luckily i found a 05 SE with 57000 miles, 300 miles from my house.
so that was my green light to go ahead and look for a 6 speed, luckily i found a 05 SE with 57000 miles, 300 miles from my house.
When i was looking for a maxima i knew i wanted a 6th gen (auto cuz of the wife) but after reading some reviews on how the auto tranny was having problems, i told the wife time to learn how to drive the other stick so that was my green light to go ahead and look for a 6 speed, luckily i found a 05 SE with 57000 miles, 300 miles from my house.
so that was my green light to go ahead and look for a 6 speed, luckily i found a 05 SE with 57000 miles, 300 miles from my house.Sounds very familiar! Expect my wife doesn't care if she drives it or not. Lucky me!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 64
Got an 04 6 speed that was hard to find in 2006 when I bought it used. I was looking for something used with 6 or 8 cylinders, 5 or 6 speed with a manual trans, and 4 doors, so the options that I had were Mazda 6, Lincoln LS 
or the Max/Alti. Glad I chose the Max, but would have liked RWD (Next car probably a G37...eventually).
I actually bought it in Chicago when I was living in Corpus Christi, TX and drove it home with a smile the whole way! The salesman said he didn't realize it was a 6 speed when it was brought to the lot or he might have brought it home himself.
Have about 95K on it now and it's still much fun. Wife likes to drive it, too. She likes how it has "tons" of power compared to our...ahem....minivan.
or the Max/Alti. Glad I chose the Max, but would have liked RWD (Next car probably a G37...eventually). I actually bought it in Chicago when I was living in Corpus Christi, TX and drove it home with a smile the whole way! The salesman said he didn't realize it was a 6 speed when it was brought to the lot or he might have brought it home himself.
Have about 95K on it now and it's still much fun. Wife likes to drive it, too. She likes how it has "tons" of power compared to our...ahem....minivan.
Got an 04 6 speed that was hard to find in 2006 when I bought it used. I was looking for something used with 6 or 8 cylinders, 5 or 6 speed with a manual trans, and 4 doors, so the options that I had were Mazda 6, Lincoln LS or the Max/Alti. Glad I chose the Max, but would have liked RWD (Next car probably a G37...eventually).
I actually bought it in Chicago when I was living in Corpus Christi, TX and drove it home with a smile the whole way! The salesman said he didn't realize it was a 6 speed when it was brought to the lot or he might have brought it home himself.
Have about 95K on it now and it's still much fun. Wife likes to drive it, too. She likes how it has "tons" of power compared to our...ahem....minivan.
or the Max/Alti. Glad I chose the Max, but would have liked RWD (Next car probably a G37...eventually). I actually bought it in Chicago when I was living in Corpus Christi, TX and drove it home with a smile the whole way! The salesman said he didn't realize it was a 6 speed when it was brought to the lot or he might have brought it home himself.
Have about 95K on it now and it's still much fun. Wife likes to drive it, too. She likes how it has "tons" of power compared to our...ahem....minivan.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
From: Hamilton ON
I'm on my second manual shift Maxima. Currently i own an '06 se with the 6 speed manual, and before that i owned an '01 se 20th anniversary with the 5 speed manual shift gearbox. I refuse to buy any vehicle that has an automatic transmission, because I always seem to break them.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 85
04 6 speed here. I love my car and with my mods....its no joke. I turn heads alot as many people are unaware that this body style maxima came with a manual option. Even dealerships i have visited were unaware. I once read an article that mentioned that only 10% of the production line between 04 and 05 were manuals. So i consider my car a rare and unique find.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
From: Hamilton ON
Holy heck 10%?! That doesn't seem like a whole lot. I'll consider myself lucky. Its too bad they have gone to CVT. I know its a superior product, but there's no better feeling than manual shift. You can run and tell that.