the looks are decent...a vast improvement over the 6th gen. my only gripe about the appearance is the headlights...whats with the crazy L shape at the back of them?

as far as performance...very disappointed with the fact that it only has one transmission available. i realize that Nissan spent a lot of money to create a good CVT...but you shouldnt then force us to use it to make it worth the investment money. yes its better than a traditional automatic...but dont try to act like is as good or better than a driver getting to push in a clutch and shift...or rev match on a downshift. how can you use the "return of the 4DSC" for advertising and not give the driver an option to shift gears himself? thats a slap in the face to the maxima roots. my 02 is more of a 4DSC.

i realize there isnt a HUGE market for a MT...thats why Nissan only made 5% of 5th gens with 5/6MT...but they all got sold. some people, like myself, looked for month to find one. thats how important it is. people on a "maxima enthusiast" forum want a traditional SPORT transmission.

If a few appearance changes were made and a 6MT was an option, i would be first in line to get one.

 

As one who has owned nothing but Maximas for 24 years (and Datsuns for 6 years before that), I am prejudiced toward the Maxima, but will try to be neutral in my opinions.

The photos from ground level released at the intro do not do this car justice. In looking closely at photos on another site that were taken from slightly above the car (the angle at which most folks will be viewing the car while standing nearby), I think it looks very nice. I especially like the hood/front fender sculpting, the entire side treatment, and the fairly simple rear.

I also like that the cabin does not quite rise as tall at the 'B' pillar as the 6th gen, although the 6th gen cabin was rather catchy when it first came out. I am very relieved the 4 o'clock to 5 o'clock and 7 'o'clock to 8 o'clock positions on the steering wheel are free of spokes. Spokes blocking those positions made the 5th gen almost undrivable for me. I am glad the heated steering wheel is still available. I don't think I would ever buy another car without that option.

I am pleased VDC will be standard on all '09 Maximas; that can be a life-saver. I think Nissan had the colors right on the 6th gen, and am glad to see essentially the same colors carried forward. This is an upscale sports-luxury car, and bright or loud colors would not be appropriate. Having said that, I would love to see the famous Nissan gold (burnt umber/orange) of the 1970s and early '04s be available as an intro color for a year or so. That would be a very popular shade among those who really desire something different, and would certainly be in keeping with this car's heritage.

I feel 290 HP is perfect for this car, and love that the increased power did not drop gas mileage. I appreciate that Nissan kept FWD for the 24th straight year. It is so much more practical for a passenger car, even a sports-luxury one. FWD will enable driving the car on surfaces where RWD would be useless.

Unlike some, I am aware the CVT is the tranny of the future, and have no problem driving one. It would be nice for the dinosaurs who have loved the Maximas with manual trannies over the years if a manual version was available, but I also understand cold economics enter into any variation on any vehicle, and fewer manual trannie Maximas were selling each year.

We will have more to offer here as we get more familiar with all the '09 specs, and especially as we have a chance to drive this new Maxima.

 

Ive been driving for 63 years and owned every Nissan/Datsun ever made. I never go more than the speed limit and I have to tell you that . .. . . . . . just kidding!!!! I won't buy the 7th Gen since I need a 6 speed manual and thats simply a deal breaker for me.

 

63 years?


... wow...... "seasoned" is the best wording...

 

imo, nothing has looked real good since the 3rd gen. but if they do carry on the "4DSC" thing, lots of us 3rd genners will get the stickers!(or i will, anyway.)

for all the naysayers, making comments about not liking it because it looks like this or that, I see similarities of almost everything on the road today. "Meh, Camary!" "Meh, Altima!" Meh, whatever, stfu. ALL auto companies do it.

 

I really like how the new Maxima is coming along. I think it's staying true to its 4DSC roots. I read about the new version of the CVT automatic and I'm looking forward to driving it. 290 horsepower is just right for this car. The MPG is the same too. I'm sure it was tough for the engineers to accomplish that.

I think the front and back of the car looks very aggressive. I do like the interior of the car too. I'm a fan of wood trim, but not necessarily with the black that I see in that picture. However, if you have a grey or tan interior available I would love to have the wood trim on those interior colors. The black interior just seems like it should be completely sports oriented to me.

Lastly, THANK YOU for keeping the Maxima FWD. I know that a lot of people on this site wants a RWD car because they think that RWD has more potential. I always like how the Maxima compromised between a sports car and a family sedan.

Conclusion: I really like the design over all and am very impressed with the engineer's ability to increase the horsepower and torque and still keep the same mpg. I can't wait to drive this car.

 

Looks awesome. Change is good and they've done a great job at making the 09 mix a lot of styling cues from earlier generations. Change is inevitable. The car does not "look like" other cars it is its OWN, thats why its a Maxima and not a Malibu/Camry/Altima - or what ever falls under "looks like this car/that car". I believe the only BIG GRIPE is that a 6speed manual trans is not offered. I believe that when the car does go into production and all the colors and interiors are displayed it will all turn out nicely. I love how the car looks mean and has aggressive lines. Bumping the power up and keeping gas mileage is a plus. Adding CVTCS to the exhaust is a nice touch. And the LED tails. The car can never be made to look like OLDER Generations so please. The new design is a step FORWARD not a step BACK. Keep it up Nissan!

 

bring back the elite seating

 

We'll although I havent seen it in person it doesnt do anything for me. The car doesnt stand out as a WOW or have anything new thats concept. Isnt that what a company strives for..the WOW? This is the top model for them and the design is very disappointing.

The cockpit is ugly. It looks like a stylish 2004. We're in 2009 lets be ahead of the curve and put in a touch screen everything! (apple iphone anyone?) Greatest technology invention to this date. Why not take that technology and implement it into the max and be an innovator instead of a follower. The auto gear box and tray for drinks looks way out of place. Once you switched to orange LED gauges just didnt do the interior lighting at night justice.

I'm sorry but im just disappointed I rather go buy a g37 or TL. I know everyone has heard that from me but thats just me and my opinion. Good luck with sales and maybe I'll change my mind if theres a 6spd and the car builds on me in some way.

Creativeness for the design is just not there. Nissan needed to take a leap in the future direction/not follow other companies if they want to do well with selling the maxima, especially the way the economy is today.(3.25.08) You guys we'll do fine but there is so much more out there now that Nissan could of used or created.

 

what would be the point? bucket seats are standard, even though you can seat 5. and controls are in the arm rest.

 

THIS IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK!!!

If Nissan made the Maxima like a G35 then why would people buy a G35?

 

I totally agree. I think a bright red G37 with 6 speed and factory 14 inch 4 piston calipers is in my future.

 

You are making Nissan VERY happy... they get to sell a more broadly appealing Max and still keep you in the family. It is EXACTLY their strategy.

 

i think the car is great. i was somewhat bothered by the lack of a 6mt, but the tech in the cvt makes me think different. the paddle shifting is pretty cool too!

 

it's a near luxury car with some sporty-ness to it.

no way they are going to paint the cars orange and yellow. this is not a Honda Civic Si.

 

I will stick this thread but if it comes out to be a complaint/b1tch fest then it's getting locked and deleted.

 

And all of you are still driving FWD drive Maximas!!

 

I think the new gen looks great, love the lines on it, the headlights will grow on me over time. I still love my 6th gen though, and will for a long time.

 

3rd gen looks good?

 

I like but the front shape look like the dodge charger. but overall I like it.Still love my 5.5 gen though. Might get 7 gen if i had money. I think they did a good job.

 

imo, yes. sleek, low, and agressive. the newer ones seem... less sporty, to put it respectfully.(but i have seen some 5ths that look pretty damn sick)

 

Clearly, most people would choose car of the year. As far as looks goes, the new G is more handsome.

 

And a Corvette is even nicer.

 

Give us a manual transmission.

 

1. the dash area (especially center console) looks cheap and cheesy
2. exterior: the area between the front and rear wheels looks great. The front end and rear end both look like ***.
3. no manual tranny rules out any consideration of buying one, no matter how it looks.

 

we need one thread

im not going to post my thoughts in 10 threads...

 

Actually,i'm liking this 7th Gen even more since this last post..lol...Cant wait to see it and drive it when it hits the showroom floor

 

previously I said I liked the side profile.

On second thought, I don't..



I mean seriously, could they POSSIBLY have more front and rear overhang? Visually, this car looks BIGGER than a 6th gen (I don't know if it actually is or not)....bleh!

 

That car is classy and sophisticated, and is nothing more than an improvement over any other Max Gen made. This car will sell and Nissan couldn't give a **** about any of our opinions!!!

 

recently, nissan has found one ugly "signature" styling cue and put it on everything. with the 6th gen, it was the ugly grill that was on everything including the quest. now its the ugly headlights.
those two parts that go further back are terrible. make it straight up and down where the bottom of the reflector is, and the car would look great.

 

fixed

 

I'm very pleased with the the 7th gen. I stepped up to Infiniti when it was time to part with my 5.5 gen and I'm impressed that Nissan finally showed the Maxima some love I am sure everyone would agree that the 6th gen was rushed to market and then abandoned by nissan for the Altima and it's SUV line I was expecting the 7th gen to be a Avalon/Buick you name it full size sedan fighter. Now I'm impressed that they finally gave the Maxima some cutting edge styling instead of going evolutionary like they did with the altima/g35/37. The Infiniti guys are complaining that the interior is the same as the new EX/G35/37/FX and I think it was a bold idea that shows that Nissan hasn't forgotten the Maxima. I can't say I would ever return to a fwd car but I will consider the Maxima (fully loaded of course) when it's time to replace the G35

 

So in other words lets have old man colors. Gee lets see how many more beiges, silvers, golds, sea blues, and mute greens we can have. A Honda Civic SI? That makes no sense at all. I am not some type of kid Honda loving Civic with 185" wide exhaust, drag racer. Last time I checked, Nissan originally released the Murano and FX in orange with the FX being a luxury, not near luxury car. Mercedes, Porsche, and Lotus have no problem with releasing cars in vivid oranges, yellows, reds, etc. Additionally, last time i checked, the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo and Murciélago, have some vivid colors, costing I don't know, 7 times what a Maxima does?

I feel the colors are a constructive criticism and I hope Nissan reads this. I wasn't the only one that thought the Maxima looked a lot cooler photoshopped in yellow. If Nissan thinks of people with those colors as driving Honda Civic Si's, then they are a pretty poor company then.

 

I am definetly getting one once i graduate get a good job and settle down

 

yellow... i think tiberon.

 

toucansma - You are not correct to tie colors strictly to price. Colors should first be tied to category and class of vehicle, then aimed at the tastes that surveys show are preferred by the target market.

To even mention Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc in conjunction with a family-oriented sports sedan like the Maxima is missing the point. Of course those exotic cars have bright colors, and look absolutely great in yellow, etc. The whole object of such cars is to scream 'look at me; I am very wealthy, and can afford to throw hundreds of thousands of dollars into a vehicle that won't even carry my family to the grocery store.'

By contrast, the Maxima is a four door family sports sedan, and serves a totally different, and far more practical and tasteful clientele. Maxima carefully avoids the flashy colors normally used by el cheapo sedans, Pontiacs, Mazdas, smaller vehicles, etc. Those same flashy colors are also normally avoided by tasteful stylists and fashion designers. I would personally never wear a fire-engine red or canary yellow suit, nor would I drive a vehicle in those colors. Neither would my son nor my daughter. Unless it was a Lamborghini or Ferrari or Porsche or Corvette, etc.

I feel the old and historic burnt umber (Datsun/Nissan orange/copper) would be the only 'unorthodox' color Nissan should add to the existing colors on the '09 Maxima palatte. But I'm not sure Nissan is prepared to go even that far.

In other words, I feel Nissan has a nice selection of very tasteful and appropriate (not 'old man' as you suggested) colors available on the '09 Maxima.

 

perrymaxima - You are spot-on that Nissan has decided to take the Maxima the way of a very good handling sports-luxury sedan with some panache rather than simply having it continue to grow in size and become an Avalon/Buick alternative.

I agree with everything you said.

 

hella better. think you can "fix" the front proflie? and maybe the rear? and dash? hell, how are you at designing cars...

(before it reminds me of this)

 

This makes sense to me.

Maybe the OP, after five Maximas, wants a sixth, but wants it to be RWD or AWD.

 

I think this generation maxima looks good enough to have a limited edition SE-R version. I'd say they make only 1000 of them and have a VQ37. The pricing would be around 37-40ish. Anybody think they would sell?