Being and owner of both cars, a G35 5AT and now the 09 Maxima SV
I would say the Maxima is faster overall...
The best time i could pull from my G35 was 5.8s .. i get 5.6s with the Maxima .. and i know from 45 and up it'll keep ahead of the G35 .. that's my experience with both cars...
Whoever rated the Maxima @ 6.1 was being conservative, car&driver rated the 09 Maxima @ 5.8, 1/4 14.5 .. but you can do better than this in D mode and a good launch... 5.62 is my best so far... I think with a 1/4 tank of gas and cooler temps (like past midnight instead of the afternoon) i should in the 5.5s no problem...


i think 5.5 and 14.2 is possible with the car...
maybe even 14.1 on a good night

 

lol at the op being banned..

 

Its a 13s car that cant do 13s?lol Trap speed is a bigger indicator of how quick a car is than ET. I've only seen 09s trap 95-96 stock. How much heavier did 7th gens get over 6th gens? They both had CVT and with its 25 extra hp isn't any faster. I can see how CVTs SHOULD be quick, but most other car maker have decided to just and more gears 7-8 speed autos ect... Didn't Porsche have some uber auto 911 that was faster than the manual version, BUT it still had defined gear shifts. Ive always liken CVTs to bolting the engine to a torque convertor straight to the wheels but it just never locks up. *Random thoughts over*

 

Both are nice cars and each has their niche. IMO, aside from the subjective stuff ... a little bit more space in the Maxima, more performance from the G (more mod friendly).

 

Id take the max, just because less people have them, specially in LA And design wise it looks way better then the G.

 

Well the DRIVER FACTOR is also a factor to consider here.
But a 09 stang AT doing 0 - 60 around 5.3 sec and my car 5.6~5.8 is only ~ .3 -.5 sec difference, so it depends on how well the driver does. fractional seconds can be easily lost messing up on a launch or not shifting correctly... room to play here, but from a roll at 30, that's where the CVT shines on the MAX.
It can hang with those cars... Nissan's CVT is very impressive!
Yes, you do lose forward momentum on manuals (manuals esp. with poor drivers) and normal AT's, but the CVT really reduces to almost 0 which is what gives it the edge. D mode though, DS mode emulates shifts and Manual Mode is even worse (at least it was for 0 - 60 and 1/4 mile tests)... DS mode is better for the twisties, track, mountains...
As for the Max being a 13's car.. why not ? It's only lacking on the 60' times, and that mainly is due to the CVT off the line... if it could get better 60' times ~ 2.05 2.10 13.9s is possible. But from 30 mph and up, it's as fast as a car doing 13.8s 13.9s... why not ?

Oh, i thought the 09 had 35 more HP and 9 ftlbs of torque than the 6th Gen, and that it was about 17Kilos lighter ...

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2008/nis...789/specs.html

While the 255-hp rating is 10 hp less than the 2006 model's 265 hp, the change is due to new rules for measuring horsepower, rather than an actual reduction in power... so does that make the 09 really 300 HP using 2006 guidelines

 

Your right I forgot about the new more realistic SAE rating. So it has 35 extra ponies and lighter, but not really any faster? But a car still isnt a ##s car until it actually runs it. imo Maybe its just a driver issue, Ive seen a CVT 6gen here run like 14.1 with just an intake.

 

14.1 with intake sounds about right. The 5.62 run was @ 14.26 @ 99.4 mph according to the Gtech-pro. It's very accurate once you calibrate it correctly and match the track rollout...the rest is a no brainer (ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) > 6000rpm CVT in D mode... so the intake might give it a 10th off in the quarter...

But i won't know 100% for sure until i bring it to the track in Bradenton.

Example: f-body ls1's ran 13.4 to 13.8s stock .. i had a 2000 Z28 and my best stock was 13.432 @ 104.1 mph.. whatever .. but my 60' was *** poor for this car .. 2.2's .. well change the stall converter and add drag radials .. BAM! 12.9S .. took .5 off just like that ...
So it is a 12s car ( i mean it can dip into the 12's, not run strong 12's)
but because of the poor 60' foot times due to factory limitations .. you pull 13s all day .. but from a roll, it has the pull of a high 12s car...

If we could launch the Maxima at 3 or 4000 rpm with better traction, there would be your .5 second right there! So that tells me the Max has the same power as a 13's car but can't get there because of poor 60' times due to factory limitations... i mean it has the same passing times as the g37, g35, 335i all ~ 2.6 ~ 2.7 sec .. so that tells you something..! THE MAX HAS POTENTIAL! And if the Driver isn't that great in the other car, you probably own him

 

I would say any car has potential ... it's just a matter of how much $$ you want to throw at it. It's a piece of cake to get 500+ WHp on a 2nd gen G, so I 'd say one should be able to do the same on a Maxima. So the question of the day really should be how many launches do you think the CVT can take? Has anyone ever built up a CVT tranmission?

 

That is a good question. I was asking myself the same thing while reading this post.

 

G35 ? or do you mean a Skyline

 

Sorry - I meant the G.

The 5AT/6MT tranmission, even in a boosted G35/G37 can be made very reliable with mods. No one has built up a 7AT yet. Ironically, the GTR comes with a boosted motor, but it's transmission fails when launch control is used which BTW voids the warranty. GTR owners have been pissed about this.

I'm not an expert on the CVT, but I don't think it can handle these power levels even with mods. But that's cool ... the Maxima is not really meant to be a drag car.

 

I hope they get a tune package for the 09 Max... something that adds 50HP with parts and a tune all in one like they have for many popular sports cars... but then again i don't know how difficult these cars are to tune.. CVT is new to me also.

 

It's just a matter of time before after market stuff comes out for the 7th gen. But we've learned in the G community that Nissan is very close to getting as much as possible out of their newer motor designs.

Intakes and exhaust are each probably good for only 9-10 WHp each or less than 20 for both combined because the results do not sum. It appears the best people have got with N/A mods are intakes with exhaust coupled with a tune.

 

the roll 5 - 60 for the G37 is 6.3 secs (C&D)
the roll 5 - 60 fothe Max SV is 6.0 (C&D)

The launch hurts this car .. but when you're already moving and hit it,
you can hang if not pull a little on a G37 because you have infinite gear ratios and you lose no time shifting and going through the powerbands...

If the Max SV could launch like the G37 ..say a 2.05 60' it would do a 0 - 60 in about 5.2 secs no problem... again too bad there isn't a manual 6 version of the car ... i would really like to see those numbers...

 

I dont think I'll be a CVT believer until I run against one. CVTs have been around for the last 10 years in various cars of different makers. But for performance they always choose a manual or fancy automatic. Has anyone ran a nitrous setup with a cvt, im curious how long it would last.

 

Nissan's 09 CVT is so good, you won't know it's a CVT .. seriously (unless in D mode). As for power handling... not sure.. but how many people are going to make +400 HP with the 09 Max using it as a family sedan ?

 

I just bought a maxima. I briefly thought about a G37. I live in a hilly New England town so wanted FWD. I could get an AWD G37 but that bumps the price up a bit. Honestly only because of all the great deals on Maxima was I able to afford it. ALso I like the looks of the Maxima much more than the G37.

 

I saw this on a sister site:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP9SxZWUF5A

and thought it was pretty cool.

 

g35, love the powah+RWD=Fun

 

Very wise choice. I drove RWD vehicles from 1949 until 1984. RWD is best for the track, but FWD is more practical for the real world of getting the family where it needs to go safely, even in light snow. Like you, I find the '09 Maxima looks fresh and interesting, while the Infiniti look, although nice, does not stir my drink.

 

I apologize for bringing this thread back from the dead, as I know this debate has already been going on for quite some time now. I was just reading through all of the posts and couldn't help but think this debate could have been ended much sooner if people would have just stated the simple facts.

The 7th Generation Maxima is a smoother, bolder, more luxurious Altima.
The Infiniti G is a smoother, roomier, more luxurious, four door 350/370Z.

Each vehicle targets a different buyer and each has it's own place in market share. Family men with kids, a wife which may drive the vehicle and long road trips would be more inclined towards the Max. Guys with performance on the mind, having the ability to get AWD for performance in ANY weather, who want to feel more road feedback and have a sportier exhaust note would be more drawn towards the G.

Which car is better? They're both fantastic for different reasons. Performance oriented buyers will reply to this thread saying the G is better, comfort oriented buyers will reply to this thread saying the Max is better. There really is no "winner", just simply two great options for two types of people.

 

Was with you right up to where you stated that the G35/37 was roomier. We own a G35 and bought the Max for the extra room/storage for long trips.

 

Roomier than a 350Z/370Z. That's what that statement meant.

 

I'd take the G over the Maxima only because of the manual trans option....

 

Luxury vs entry level luxury. Thread closed.

 

DanO, Don't know about Saskatchewan but here in Ottawa, there were really no deals to be had on G37s. Sure there are differences in the cars but I got my Maxima loaded for about $8K less from a dealer outside the city than the local Infiniti guys were asking for a G37 that were for the most part going out the door at full pen. And at 6' 4" tall, the G was just not doing it for me. I like what hair I have left. Not interested in a lot of mods so Maxima was the way to go. Had a brief flirtation with a TL but they were all listing at $50K on the lots (remember this is Canada guys, we get hosed on price).

 

DanO - One more difference - STYLING.

For me, the G styling did nothing. It is clean and conservative, but I never even notice Gs on the road. Styling-wise, the G is just another car to me.

Conversely, this 7th gen Maxima styling is 'out front', aggressive, different, muscular-looking, and attention-getting.

So if you are employed as a spy, and need to slip by unnoticed, the G is the car for you. Non-spies might prefer a car with a little more elan. That would be the '09 Maxima.

You mentioned that the Maxima is a 'smoother, bolder, more luxurious Altima.' I hope you realized how impressive that statement is. The Altima has been chosen as the best midsize family sedan by Consumer Reports for several consecutive years.

You also mentioned bad weather driving. The Maxima is easily a better bad weather car than the two wheel drive G, and adding AWD to the G further reduces its fuel efficiency, which Consumer Reports already found to be lower than the Maxima, even in the Gs two-wheel drive version.

I found the cramped interior and trunk of the G was not comfortable or convenient for me, even if I were to be the only person in the vehicle.

My Infiniti dealer never seemed interested in selling me a car. In fact, he seemed insulted when I suggested an offer on an '09 G that would have been embraced instantly by my Nissan dealer on a loaded and actually better-equipped '09 Maxima.

Make no mistake, the G is an excellent car, and the only one I seriously looked at before opting for my Maxima. But 61 years of driving manuals and automatics has convinced me that, once it is perfected, a well-designed tranny that doesn't shift will be better than a shifting tranny in both performance and efficiency. Previous CVTs did not quite measure up, but I feel this '09 CVT can finally do slightly better than those shifting trannies.

But I will give you that the G is nearer the 350/370Z. No argument there.
And I will give you the throaty exhaust note on the G. No argument there.
And I will give you that drivers preferring a manual must take the G. No argument there.
And I will give you that drivers preferring RWD must take the G. No argument there.

Overall, your post suggests that the G leans more toward the traditional sporty side, while the Maxima, while sporty, leans more toward the family/comfort side. I think your overall thesis is correct, and that would be the factor that should decide between these two cars for many drivers.

 

Light the 7spd auto in the G37 and that I have in my 370Z perform quite well fyi and at cruise the rpms are very low, much lower than in the 5spd auto previously used. I have been getting just as good or better mileage as most of you in your 09 Maxima's with 42 less horsepower.

 

Yes, as I had said, the G is a fine vehicle. I would expect it to be fine, because it is Nissan's luxury line. You must be a careful driver, because Consumer Reports measured better overall fuel efficiency in the more powerful '09 Maxima than they did in the '09 G, and it was the 7 speed auto G (rather than the manual) that CU tested.

 

Like you always say..........real world. In the real world its proving to be just as effecient in the "real world"......rememeber c.r was the one that did not recommend the Max but did the TL and they had more time to test Maxima etc as it was out before the TL.. I take C.R with a grain of salt myself. I'm not careful alot but I don't go around flooring or nearly flooring my cars at every light or on and off the gas while cruising!

 

We both agree that CU blew the writeup on the Maxima big time. There was obviously some prejudice involved, as well as a total lack of styling taste. But the CU MPG numbers are simply keeping track of every drop of gas they put in the car, and keeping a record of every mile driven. The tests they perform are pretty much the same for every car, and the Maxima got better fuel efficiency than the G37 in those tests.

I'm sure the 7 speed automatic is a very fine tranny. But, in my opinion, the recent influx of seven speed automatic trannies is the last great effort to keep the automatic tranny fairly even with the ever-evolving CVT. The CVT may be an innovation of the last few decades, but it has already left all manuals and automatics of the second millenium in the dust, and will eventually prove to be a more efficient tranny than the newest manuals and automatics.

Nissan and JATCO are now working on a CVT for RWD vehicles, but I wouldn't expect those to appear in Infinities in the near future. Why? Because Infiniti purchasers are more likely to be into the act of driving for driving's sake than they are into using the car as efficient transportation. That is further borne out by the fact a more cramped interior and smaller trunk don't seem to be of major importance to them. Of course the AWD G37 drivers may live in a region with bad winters, and chose based mainly on the AWD.

Even though the Maxima has more HP than the G, and CU found it to be more fuel-efficient than the G, I personally don't think there would be enough difference in fuel efficiency between these two cars to accurately measure. That can't be said for the prices of these two vehicles. The Nissan dealers are letting the Maxima go for well under invoice, while the Infiniti dealers turned their nose up when I mentioned the words 'invoice price.' Others here reported the same experience at their Infiniti dealers.

 

If u can afford a $40k vehicle does 2-3 mpg difference really matter?

 

To me the G35 sedan just looks mushed up in size, the Maxima has more definition and flows evenly. I've always been a fan of bigger cars, maybe cuz I'm a big guy, but the coupe is a whole different story, its a nice sports car. I'm happy wth the Maxima, it has all I need. I'm a Nissan guy, I had a Altima SE-R which I loved. When it came to trade in time, I wasn't too happy with the Nissan line up until I saw the 7th Gen. Maxima. So I hopped on it! There a few more now in my city, so I have to start modding it! I get more compliments on the Maxima. My girlfriend heard someone by the movie theater when we were driving in say, "That's a nice car" That type of stuff makes me happy about my decision!

 

Just went and looked at a G37x this past weekend. My wifes ford edge lease is up shortly and we are looking at new vehicles. She really likes the G. I found many things very familiar and similar to the maxima. I was surprised however that I actually felt the maxima was nicer in certain areas. In the interior the max has much bigger glove box, Much bigger armrest storage, much nicer rear cupholders, armrest, more comfortable steering wheel. Exterior goes to the max hands down. The G seemed to handle a little better and was quick, but the max is quick too. Personally I think the max is a MUCH better value seeing how it can be had with similar equipment cheaper out the door. My wife likes the G and wants to purchase. She likes the max but does not want to have the same car. Oh well.

 

marjen - Very astute analysis. I see these two cars the same as you do. Both are excellent vehicles, but the Maxima may be a slightly better overall deal.

I could be wrong, but I suspect your wife may be using the 'not matching cars' argument to cover up a tad of 'branditis.' There are many folks who greatly desire a Mercedes or BMW or Lexus or Infinity because of the preceived social status some associate with such makes.

It may sound a little strange, but that preceived social status is the exact reason I have always avoided luxury brand cars. I don't like the idea that many folks seeing me in such luxury vehicles would feel I needed the emotional reinforcement of such extravagance.

But then, understanding that your wife is a woman, it may be that she simply likes the colors the G37 comes in more than the colors the Maxima comes in. Women can be that way.

 

lightonhill- she is not really a name brands kind of person. And honestly does not even really know infiniti is a "luxury" brand. She just likes it i guess. I realy dont like the exterior styling of the g37. The sport model is a little better with a nicer hood and front bumper, but need all wheel drive here in the north east and that is not available with the sport. Funny you talk about colors. There whole reason she wanted the Ford Edge last time around is she likes orange so she got the blazing copper color. Now that they dont sell that color she could care less lol.

 

And funny you should mention orange/blazing copper. When Nissan released the 6th gen in spring of '03 as the '04 Maxima, they included an introductory color - Radiant Ember - which was a coppery orange. It brought back memories of the Z cars of the seventies which used that color. They dropped the Radiant Ember in July of '03, a full year before they stopped assembling the '04s. Because of the limited time in which Radiant Ember Maximas were made, they are not very common.

Which brings me to the reason for this diatribe. After not having seen a Radiant Ember Maxima for several months, I saw TWO Saturday - one near Fairburn (about 30 miles southwest of Atlanta) and one near Dahlonega (about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta). Both were clean and shiny. I know those owners are proud. I bet your wife would go for a Radiant Ember 2010 Maxima.

 

Yes she would!

 

What about the new M37? That is more comparable in interior dimensions to the Maxima than the G37.