you know, everyone is hanging on the 0-60. based on those numbers it will be within a hair or two of a stock 5.5gen. which, still ROCKS. there are youtubes out there of a stock 5.5 beating an IS350, which, really makes them feel salty. driver debates aside, if one of the car mags can break a high 13 (like 13.9; not asking too much) with the less weight, more HP, and the CVT optimizing the acceleration, then this car, with the claim of "best handling maxima ever" on top of that, should prove to be a real SCREAM. my 5.5 wasnt the best, then i stuck tokicos and eibachs with wide 18s....oh my god. I'm just hoping this car comes CLOSE to that experience, then with maybe a tire/wheel swap, be on par with that, I'll be one of the first outside of marketing to proclaim it to be the best yet.

 

wow. if that's actually going to be the next RL, I'd rather buy...almost anything actually. Oh well, benefit to us. It makes even the 6th gens look like supermodels.

 

The G37 sedan and EX37 are the 1st cars Infiniti is bringing out in Europe with the 3.7 and the 7 speed trans, the only US car with the 7 speed trans is the FX50, unsure of the FX35, what trans that will get, but the 3.7 & 7speed trans will eventually come

 

Again, as others have stated, that's only an estimate.

Even if the estimate is accurate the Maxima will be quicker than the all of the following cars, which includes a few much more expensive vehicles, so I wouldn't call it mediocre.

-M35
-A6 3.2
-A4 3.2
-328i
-530i
-C300
-Passat 3.6
-TL
-RL

Besides, most people couldn't tell the difference between a car that does 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and one that does it 5.7 seconds without a stopwatch. Judging by the cars I see everyday in my area (and from traveling to Nor Cal), I'd say a vehicle that does 0-60 in 6.2 seconds is quicker than 80-90% of the vehicles on the road.

 

Ultimately, i think the debate here is that people wanna see it being a hair or two faster than the new Altima, which several reports are showing 5.9s. Even if it's just a paper race, It would at least be another notch in the belt, as these days more people bench race than actually take it some place.

 

Look what I found:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_pricing.html

It seems that Motor Trend, the same publication that estimated the new Max's 0-60 time at 6.2 seconds, poorly estimated the 2007 Altima times. (6.5 seconds for the V6 & 8.5 for the I-4). Maybe this means we'll see an actual 0-60 time of 5.7-5.8 seconds for the new Maxima?

 

Good find! I hope that's the case.

 

Got to wonder what they were thinking. Actually, I think they tried to make the RL look as much like the new MDX as possible, while spending as little money as possible on a car that's going nowhere.

 

Maxima owners (not Teana or I30s, either) live in America. To us, an EX37 won't be reality until next year.

 

I just like to see forward progress, an 09 maxima cant clear a 02 model? thats not right.
a maxima has about the same 0-60 times as an altima? thats just not acceptable.

i think 6.2 estimate is dead on.

whats is up with vq37? looks like nissan hesitant to use it outside of 350z/g-coupe line,
even infiniti doesnt really get it, not fx35, not m35, not ex. must be cafe.

 

i agree this cvt sounds cool and is prolly great. but manual should be an option like it has been for every single generation max since GEN 1. with the exception of 6.5gen. i deffinetaly dont expect rwd at all.. but maybey an awd option would of been nice.

 

I have to agree and I am really excited about the chance to test drive one of these cars when they arrive at the dealers. The extra power bump 290HP, the interior and exterior look amazing to me. (everyone has their own opinion, if you dont like the car then dont buy and find something you are happy with). I can't say that I will buy the car because I have not test drove it. But if the car drives and handles well then I see myself picking it up. For the 30K price tag I think you get a lot. The car has a much lower stance and aggresive look that the 6th gen did not have although i loved that car as well and did not pick one up because I heard of the new model coming out. I live in NYC and as so a manual trans is just not practical or convinient. I have never driven a cvt car before so I await the experience and reserve judgement until that time.

This is for all that have negative comments on the car.

If you do not like the styling- Find a different car that you actually want to wake up and get into every morning.

If you need a car with a manual trans or FWD or RWD- Many car companies offer cars that will satisfy that crave

If you are not happy with the interior- Get yourself a much more expensive car with a better looking interior.

I dont want people thinking that I am trying to bash anyone that does not like that car on the contrariry I am just asking that you make a good decision when buying your next car. Some people have said they want more HP, FWD or RWD, better leather and interior, the list keeps on for pages. But in order to satisfy these people you would need to build a car that will cost 50K. I think Nissan has done a great job giving us a much much more up-to date car in styling, tech, and power while keeping the price in line with the previous model and also keeping MPG the same.

So guys if the Max is not for you, then dont waste so much of your time and energy discussing how bad it is and take some time to research the car that will actually make you take our your check books.

 

And this is the idiot american mindset that causes cars to become bigger and bigger with more and more power. Why? The car does not NEED to be any faster than its previous generation. If every generation increased the '0-60' time (which BTW, is the dumbest performance indicator) by a full second we'd be seeing cars that can defy time and post negative numbers...seriously. There's no reason a FWD maxima should be as fast as a G35 or 335i in a straight line. You want a car that has a super nice interior, is really fast, handles well, is RWD, etc. etc. etc. the maxima is not for you. Plain and simple. The maxima is a good daily driver that has nice pickup and an easy to live with interior. It competes with cars like the Avalon, and it's right in line with the competition as far as numbers go. Quit your b!tching and go buy a different car.

 

FWIW, Car & Driver just tested the new Murano SL AWD and managed to reach 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.

Compared to the Murano, the new Maxima has:

-Less drivetrain loss
-Better aerodynamics
-25 additional horsepower
-Approx. 600 lbs. less weight
-More aggressive tires & a tauter suspension

I don't see any reason why the new Maxima won't reach 60mph in 6 seconds or less. For all we know at this point, the new CVT programming employed exclusively on the new Maxima could be enough to chop a couple tenths of a second off the 0-60 time.

 

This thread is for *****ing.

 

I hope it would push 0-60 in under 6 seconds and 14.0 sec 1/4 mile in sport mode. (all out performance #$@%% the gas mileage)

I hope the estimated 6.2 sec is based on the normal driving mode. (ie the most fastest and most efficient way to 60mph)

Can CVT work or be programed in this manner?? Not fimiliar programming or control with the cvt.

I think the exterior of the car is growing on me. It kind of reminds me of the exterior of the murrano. Hated at first. But a year later it grew on me and I now I really like it. I find most of the time if you like the intial look (sedan or mass produced cars) of a car they become boring and bland in a short time.

Interior looks good.

The performance of the CVT is the only thing that would limit me from getting one.

 

Pretty sad if all you can do is complain about what a certain car doesn't have when there are several other good options out there....

Once again: Why? If this car can pull of times similar to or better than the 6th gen CVT (one person ran a 14.5 IIRC) that's very impressive. Thats faster than most the cars on the road. I have absolutely no problems with the acceleration of my 5th gen; it's enough to be entertaining and to surprise a few people, but let's face it: the maxima is no race car. If you want a quick semi-luxurious sedan for around $30k, the maxima is good option. You want a fast sedan that doesn't offer many options for around $30k, get a Pontiac G8. You want all that in one package? You aren't going to be paying $30k.

 

"High targets were established, including the goal of creating "the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world,"
Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc

You have a statement like this to the automotive industry and you expect the same standard of performance in accelleration from a car with 35 hp of more power as a 6.5 gen. The engines horepower is up to it but I am wondering if the transmission is? That is all.

Yes handling & feel has something to do but a standard straight line performance also is a factor with a statement as above. I am not bashing the tranny but I exept a little more especialy after ditching the manual tranny.

Thats faster than most the cars on the road, true. But by my standard it should be faster than this one - 2007 Camry 0-60 6.1sec 1/4 mile 14.6 sec MotorTrend)

I believe that nissan can do this if what is quoted is true.

 

Every auto maker says something to that effect about their cars. To take them literal is dumb. I'm sure it can't outperform an MS3 in many categories, but that's no reason to put Nissan down; it's a damn semi-luxury car.

And you drive a 4AT 5th gen. Are you content with it? If so, why are you complaining about them only offering a CVT? You would like the way it drives much more than your auto, I can promise you that. I've driven several and they're better than any conventional auto I've driven. Hover at 1500 RPMs and the car accelerates along with traffic fine, and as you reach your speed, you continue accelerating as the engine speed decreases. GREAT for daily driving. If you want a quick burst of acceleration, the CVT reacts instantly, unlike countless autos I've driven (including the maxima's). Most the limitation of the CVT as far as track times involves the driver. I, myself, didn't really understand why the CVT sucked so bad on the highway the first couple times I drove the '08 maxima (I drive one often). One day I accelerated from 70 to 90 and as I was releasing my foot from the throttle, the car surged forward. So the next time I tried using partial throttle and the thing was WAY faster than before. I'm not sure why, but none of the current-gen CVTs like WOT.

Nobody really knows exactly how fast this car really is until people start getting them to the track (which definitely won't be immediately, considering the target market). If they keep the weight right around the current 6th gen's weight, I see no reason why it can't be just as fast as the camry, which is running very low 14s.

 

I am not bashing nissan but I am hoping that the statement made might be true that is all.

I do like my 5th gen for what it is ( two car seats in the backseat) but does not have the same fun factor as my 4th Gen.

 

Now you're getting there! For what it is, the 7th gen will be very good. For increased fun factor, you're gonna need to go with something else...

 

Wow, somebody else that understands that nailing down the pedal is not the way to drive the CVT!

Next time your at it, after initially mashing it only partway, continue to squeeze down on the pedal (at a slower rate)... the engine will continue to accelerate at the same time the tranny is accelerating. Double the pleasure... double the fun! and no funky engine droning!

I think what this does is it gets the engine up into the meat of the fat VQ torque curve (so the tranny has something to work with) but still leaves headroom for the engine to continue to accelerate (which it will NOT do if you do not continue to squeeze down on the pedal!) instead of just popping up to 5500-6000 and holding.

Remember... the tranny itself will accelerate you at - and only at - the rate the Nissan engineers programmed it to operate. They were definitely a bit conservative at a few points in the mapping curves. This way, you get what the tranny program gives you, plus you add on whatever acceleration the motor can throw in on top.

Using this technique can get you some amazing passing/merging accelerations... 40-70 or 50-80 feels almost instantaneous! When you get the motor and tranny both accelerating simultaneously I swear it feels just like a turbo motor coming on-boost - same kind of non-linear build-up... same kind of rush!

 

I've liked maximas because of their straight line acceleration, not because of their handling/suspension setups, if i wanted sporty driving experience i'd buy a mazda.
Now 09 maxima is Nurnburg tuned but has no real fire power. And I'm sure chasis can handle more than 300hp.

 

BluFlame - The straight line accelleration of the Maxima has gradually increased over the years. I know because I owned two 1985 Maximas, and have owned nothing but Maximas since. Considering that the car has far more room, far more goodies, and weighs half a thousand pounds more now than it did in 1985, I feel the straight-line acccelleration of the '09 at 14.2 (or maybe better) is most impressive, and much faster than really needed in what is supposed to be an affordable family four door sports sedan.

Not that it needed to be even that fast. As this world gets more and more crowded, and gasoline becomes more and more expensive, straight-line accelleration will absolutely become less important to the buying public. The Maxima is now a sports-luxury car, in which straight-line accelleration should be far less important than handling, and I suspect the '09 will be the best handling Maxima yet.

Those that want straight-line accelleration need to head for Pontiac or a Chrysler product. Just don't come complaining to me when your straight-line gas-sucking bombshell spends half its (probably short) life in the repair shop.

 

hell yes --IRS!

"Maxima’s multi-link independent rear suspension design, also subframe-mounted, offers outstanding handling by minimizing camber change during cornering. The rear shock absorbers and springs are separated for minimized friction and the shocks are in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing excellent damping and minimal harshness. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard."

4DSC has returned. This gen reminds me most of the beautiful 3rd gen Maxima.

 

i like the idea of the built in hard drive...

 

GTR dyno run

http://www.motortrend.com/av/roadtes...GT-R_dyno_run/

 

I just sold my fourth gen for an M6 a couple months ago. The 09 Maxima is looking like a nice winter car, though I was hoping the 7th gen would be AWD. My only real gripe with the CVT is that it will likely curb power-mods... a blower adding gobs of torque might be bad for its health- more so than a conventional automatic or manual...

 

I think the New M5 has a 7 speed transmission also


I have to say i like the 7th Gen max, but its hard to pass the 4DSC name and not offer a manual tranny. Now with that said its not something that will stop me from going to a dealer and looking into one, but i would love the option to have a manual tranny. Who doesnt like driving a stick, especially with all of that power.


I dont know the technical reason behind not offering one, and no body needs to go through the trouble of explaining it.

 

Wasn't the 1st Gen RWD?

 

I think what you're really seeing is the ECU trying to limit torque arriving at the CVT to maximize longevity. Nissan wants these things to last at least through the warranty period. If you think an AT is expensive to rebuild, wait until people start getting quotes on rebuilding a CVT.

 

At least it's something to look forward to. It's akin to saying the 6spd Maxima won't be a reality until next year.

 

I'm not saying that Nissan isn't flirting with the CVT's torque limits, but if that were the case then it wouldn't be bursting up to 5500RPM when the ham-footed driver just puts it to the floor. What I am describing is anything BUT torque limiting... damn thing goes like a bat out of hell.

Where I think you might be correct about self preservation being built into transmission's behavior is how the acceleration flattens out at very high speeds. With the motor pushing the belt hard against the tall ratios encountered at those speeds, the likelihood of belt slippage is increased. The top ratios of the CVT are EXTREME overdrives (.44:1). Between any slippage and the high internal speeds (secondary pully could be turning more than twice crank speed!) there is likely a bunch of heat being generated in there (the main reason the CVT does not fare exceptionally well in HWY MPG).

It will be very interesting to see how the programming (not just the additional modes and bells and whistles, but the basic shift mapping) has been massaged in the 7G.

As far as long term reliability, who knows? (Note that I did lease mine, lol.) However, Nissan's CVT track record has been pretty good so far, going back to the first Muranos.

 

And in Japan, they have this on the 350 GT (a.k.a Infiniti G35).

 

60k warranty

 

Kof you have pm!

 

IMO...Nissan has suffered a FAIL!

 

This is good to hear because I'm heavily considering buying the 2009 Maxima when it comes to dealers.

 

Yes, the new Maxima may well do a tad better than 6.2 in the 0-60, but that is not nearly as important as how it actually drives/handles. This is supposed to be a SPORTS/luxury vehicle, not a race car.

I will bet right now that the '09 Maxima does very very well (far better than even the 6th gen) in the slalom. The lowering of the engine (now with SIX engine mounts), major adjustments in the chassi, shortening and widening of the wheelbase strongly hint at great handling. I can hardly wait to drive it!

 

Don't forget the faster steering ratio!

by the way, anyone noticed how the steering wheel closely resembles that of the GT-R?