Forgot to add, i think of myself as a target demographic for the Maxima line-up (at least as far as their dealer brochures say) and the Maxima (moreso with the newer, sportier one) actually fits me quite well.

I don't like SUV's, I like to have fun driving during my daily commute (and i mean driving as a whole, not just shifting my own gears), have a decent sized sedan that can fit two kids in the back without having to move the front seat to the point of me kissing the steering wheel and have decent comfort levels in a car that doesn't cost a bundle.

The Avalon may be bigger, but seriously they're not kidding when they say it's like driving a couch with wheels. I can say the same for the new Accord - it was a nice cruiser, but it just lacks that "feel" of being one with the car.

Looking at other cars in the Nissan Corporate line-up, the only other car that meets my needs are the G and M. The G is honestly just too small for the kids seats and for me to comfortably push the driver seat back. The M fits all my needs but it also costs significantly more.

The only other sporty sedan that comes close to a Maxima is the Mazda 6.

As far as gas mileage goes, Nissan does have more work to do in that area, hopefully they do figure it out eventually. They do have plans of offering Diesel, lighter-weight vehicles and there are rumors of diesel electrics.

Although to their credit, i think the Max (at least my 5.5 gen) is pretty good on gas as long as that's your priority... when i go on extremely long road trips i baby the car for the most part and it rewards me with 31mpg on average.

 

I am a consumer who needs to buy a sedan in the next 3 years i.e. within 2011. I have the following options:

2008-2010 Altima V6
2008 Maxima
2009-2011 Maxima
2011 Altima V6 (assuming the new gen Altima will come out in 2011)

If I am looking for the best handling/driving feel/sportiness, mpg, interior space, power/torque, most advanced CVT, and most upscale interior, then what should I buy? Hope you can extrapolate and figure out how the 2011 Altima will be like.

 

The 09 Maxima has 96.2 cu ft of interior volume which is less than that of the G35 sedan (w/o moonroof 99 cu ft, with moonroof 96.5 cu ft) and considerably less than the new Altima (100.7 cu ft).

 

I would not go by the numbers alone as the dimensions may vary between certain sections of the vehicle's interior. But for me, coming from a 5.5 gen, they're all noticeably larger on paper. I'll know for sure if the 09 is bigger or smaller when the whole family is in it.

 

That will all depend on what's the best at that time. You're looking at possibly a 4-5 year model stretch. A lot of things can happen at that time. It's no different from comparing a 1999 Maxima to a 2002 Maxima - a lot of which has changed (larger brakes, larger motor, 6 spd, HID's, redesigned rear suspension etc...)

 

You guys are the Maxima experts. But didn't the 1989 have a 160-horsepower 2v engine, with the 190-horsepower 4v arriving a few years later with the MCE?

I'm afraid we're looking at more shoddy press release-based journalism...

 

[QUOTE=jcalabria;6313706]Only if you haven't learned how to drive one... just like an MT sucks if you haven't learned how to drive one of them.


Um, yeah dude, lots of training needed to drive a CVT.

1. Press Long pedel to go.
2. Press wide pedel to stop.

Did every one get that?

 

I just came home from the NY auto show. The rear passenger interior room appears to be smaller than the '08 Altima.

 

[quote=Jopa416;6314251]If that's all your simple mind can handle, then the CVT can accommodate even you. Just don't complain that it drones.

 

[QUOTE=Jopa416;6314251]That's the beauty of Nissan's CVT, especially with the newer programming, it's simple enough for the masses but can be caressed and coaxed to perform as a driver intends it to when needed.

 

exterior and interior pics look pretty decent, but i've driven a nissan CVT vehicle and didn't like it that much. i'm a bit concerned about that 6.2 sec 0-60 estimate.....still sounds like we're in the same performance league as a v6 camry......not good.

just hope it clears 60 mph in an actual road test in under 6 seconds. the lack of a manual is a thumbs down IMO....exposes the whole 4DSC thing as a gimmick.

 

[QUOTE=jcalabria;6314395]
My simple mind can handle a 6 Speed manual which I would put against a CVT any day of the week. Straight line or track.

You see, I can deal with 3 peddle's, not just 2.

 

I still don't get the idea of "shifting" a CVT. If you floor it in sport mode, and then it redlines...how can you shift it? You'd lose power immediately. Or is there with the variable part comes in, and the transmission just makes up gears for you to scroll through, all the while still keeping you in the same power range if you were flooring it in Drive?

 

Shifting the CVT in straight acceleration IS pointless and wasteful, but its still valuable to hold a gear in the twisties or for hills. Also, using a sequential manual mode is much easier and safer than running through a PRNDL gate. So having the manual mode is not a complete waste. But this is also true of any manumatic, just to a lesser degree. BTW, when you do use the CVT in manual mode, it works VERY well. The shifts are extremely quick, up or down, closer to a DSG or SMG than the typical planetary automatic in manual mode.

I initially thought about the question of whether the gears selected in manual mode were variable in some way - they certainly could do that if programmed the right way. However, according to the "Primary Pully vs. Road Speed" charts in the '07 service manual, they are essentially fixed ratios (1st and 2nd show a step up in ratio near redline... presumably to keep some parameter within safe specs - the fully automatic mode shows the same dogleg in its low gear/high rpm mapping range).

 

I was initially a CVT hater. Thought it was just flat out weird and almost wanted to avoid Nissan all together but after driving it, my opinion changed. Yah, it's a bit annoying how it holds the RPM but the delivery of power is quick, smooth and you feel it.

From my observations of my 08 Maxima, the CVT performs almost like a regular automatic during regular, light driving.

When the engine is cold, the RPMs remain high even at low speeds lingering around 1900RPM until the engine as warmed up and drops only when you take your foot off the pedal.

Once it's warmed up and I start to accelerate gently from a stop, the RPMs go up to 2000 to start picking up speed and then immediately goes back to 1200 and stays there as the car lightly picks up speed.

On a regular automatic, the tranny does pretty much the same thing. Go up to 1500 or so and upshifts and the RPM drops as velocity increases.

During sudden accelerations, I've seen my CVT going at say 1500RPM, dipped slightly and then jump up to 3000 or whatever that's being called for. That reminds me of a downshift in a regular automatic.

Yes, of course, during hard acceleration, RPMs just lingers there but do realise it's in the best spot for full power.

 

[quote=Jopa416;6314653]First, its PEDAL, not "peddle".

Second, I've owned or leased more than a dozen cars with three of them and am quite proficient at driving them. I, too, am unhappy with Nissan dropping the MT in the Max, but that has no bearing whatsoever on the merits of the CVT.

I don't give a chit if you prefer a manual over a CVT (or any AT). You'll never get an argument from me if you just say "Sorry, no thanks, I love my manual too much". I'm just friggin' sick and tired of people with limited or no experience with the CVT passing on incorrect information and condemning them for nothing more than blind ignorance.

 

jcalabria - You need to approach this from a position of power. Just tell the doubters that simply pressing the pedals on a CVT-equipped vehicle is not the proper way to obtain its full potential. It takes a very astute driver to really make the four-way 7th gen Maxima CVT perform at its best. You would be telling the truth.

By contrast, any backwoods bubba can get the most from a manual simply by mashing the gas pedal until the needle hits the little red line, then ease up on the gas as you mash the clutch pedal and move the shift lever to the next position, release the clutch as you mash the gas. Repeat as needed. I read this in my Mother's cookbook when I was a child, and found it really works. Of course doing this at 1 to 30 MPH a thousand times each way to work and back every day in today's traffic could only be enjoyed by an obsessive compulsive self-hating anachronist. They do exist.

 

Thank you, Obi Wan... I shall strive to use The Force to fight the evil powers of the Dark Side!

BTW... When do you ever sleep, Jedi Maxter???

 

HEMI is Dodge...NOT GM...

 

i like to see 0-100-0 times and 30-60 times,
i'm interested in handling,speed and braking characteristics of this car,
i dont care if no MT, i dont care if its fwd, AMG benzes come auto only but they are fun cars.
i'd like to have: 1)brembo package 2)5.8 sec to 60mph 3)largest interior in the nissan lineup.

 

From the limited reading ive done on this new generation, i highly doubt it would smoke a 2004 max in 0-60 or qtr mile like, say, a 335i would. I dont think I will be a next gen max owner, they needed to up the anty more than they did. But ill hold the verdict till its tested.

 

You will not have the largest interior in the Nissan lineup in the 09 Maxima. The Altima (100.7 cu ft) has considerably more interior volume than the 09 Maxima (96.2 cu ft).

Don't know about your other two wishes.

 

got to agree with you but you havr to think the second engine could be the desil that we already know is coming out you might get the manual with this engine

 

jcalabria - You asked when I sleep? I get most of my sleep while posting on the ORG; hit a key, catch a wink. Repeat. Etc.

It seems the mass-produced, 'all things to all people' Altima will be the roomiest four door family sedan in Nissan's '09 lineup, while the Maxima will be the avant-garde, best-handling, road-conquering, eye-catching four door Nissan sedan. I might call that a 'flagship'.

 

I wouldn't get too hung up on interior capacity numbers until you actually get a chance to sit in one. My recently sold Volvo S60T5 had an EPA interior capacity of only 94.3 ft³ yet, subjectively, the front driver's space was VASTLY larger than any Max, including the 6G. That car had, by far, the most front seat room - shoulder, hip, leg - of just about any car I have ever been in... which, at 6'1"/285lb, is something I pay attention to.

 

I don't foresee them offering a manual in this car.

They also won't be doing away with the CVT any time soon. JATCO is essentially a Nissan subsidiary, and they bet heavily on the CVT being the next big thing, such that they haven't developed a current generation conventional automatic for FWD vehicles.

A DSG-type transmission is a bit more likely, since it's appearing that it's actually the next big thing. But I haven't heard that JATCO is developing one. Anyone who's been paying more attention know otherwise?

It's also not clear what they're doing about an up-to-date RWD transmission, since all of the Infinitis still have five-speeds.

 

EX37 has a 7-speed auto, so will the new FX.

 

Thanks for the reminder. When I was younger I never forgot something like this

 

Most people? You're on crack. 0.05% of all Maxima owners will do such a thing.

No such car as an EX37, it's not due for an update until next year or the year after. The FX35/FX50 will come with a 7-speed auto, as will the 2009 G37 sedan in August.

 

The EX37 is being launched in Europe this year. Anyway, point is, Infiniti does have a 7-spd auto.

 

( Those who want more power) from the 09 maxima are the most people that will modify not the daily driving people mostly referring to the the people on this site that are complaining about the power and manual option and again (Those who want more power)

 

I just find it mind boggling that they are not upping the anty with the ever important 0-60. This is almost as bad as the new Lancer Evo in terms of performance. Better looking yes, but thats not eveyrthing. I wanna push the pedal down and notice a significant difference, they needed to shave a full second off the 6th gen to really get my attention. I wish I liked the G37 more, but it really dosent do it for me.....it used to be hideous now its so-so...& the M is too big.

 

G37? Why are you comparing a coupe to a sedan? The G37 sedan hasn't even been confirmed for the U.S. yet.

Besides, they couldn't cut a full second off the 0-60 time without adding AWD and canibalizing G35 sales.

 

Well, this is it till 2013...so i guess count me out.

 

That's what I said about the 6th Gen when I owned a 5th Gen until I drove one! Then I bought it.

 

Allright...maybe count me in if in a couple years (after I enjoy no carpayment for a little while) when the 6th gen is tired and ready for replacement...i can bring myself to forking over $48,000 on a 335i coupe and the max all the sudden looks a whole lot better to me. Depends on whats going on I guess.. Its a beautiful car in pictures soooo we'll all see how striking it is in person. I dont even like silver and I like it.

 

6.2 secs to 60, in 2008? mediocore at best.

 

yeah i wout be posting too much in the 7th gen forum after it's really started

 

The Maxima is a sports-luxury four door sedan, not a race car. To h--l with the Bonneville Flats elapsed time c--p. For a sports-luxury four door sedan, handling is VERY important, while straightaway accelleration only moderately so. 14.2 in the 0 to 60 is all in the world a sports-luxury four door sedan needs.

Now if the handling on the 7th gen proves to be wishy-washy, I will be joining the doubters here. If, however, the handling of the 7th gen is very very good, then that will be exactly what a four door sports-luxury sedan should be, and it will be a hot-selling star despite the doubters here.

 

It's an estimated time from a car magazine. They have no idea how the Max will perform given the "new" engine and transmission.

Even the weight of the vehicle is undetermined, Nissan has used some lightweight aluminum on several areas of the vehicle. It's now also a bit smaller - there's a good chance the 7th gen is equal to or lighter than a 5/6th gen.