bk2k3max

The Sport didn't show any improvement in our slalom and in the skid pad tests, either. The Sport's best slalom attempt was 65.2 mph, which trails the Premium we tested by 1.2 mph. The Sport likewise generated 0.80g of grip on the skid pad compared to the Premium's 0.83g result. Neither of these are bad results, but hey — this is the Sport Package, right?

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A summer-type performance tires are a no-cost option on Sport Package-equipped Maximae. We'll bet both of the dollars in our bank account that these are the tires for which the tauter Sport underpinnings have been tailored.


http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=128626

This information comes via link above.

I would suggest a far better tire though and the improvements between the Sport and other models will probably become more evident.

What do you guys think??

michaelle8885

yea i honestly don't know the difference with the packages, I mainly got the sport becuase it was cheaper and the 19s and spoiler.

Bjs470

iTrader: (13)

hmmm well yea most people like those 19s. That's most likely why, plus a spoiler

mr305

well guys i have no problem with my 09 max i paid a bit more...to have more extras and i'm a happy camper i traded my 06 maxima with 23k basic i have no regrets ..... just my opinion!!!!

mls277

The looks of the sport package made it attractive to me. This isn't a sports car...it's not a Corvette, its not an M3...it's a 30k ish sporty sedan. I personally didn't buy it for its power or slalom ability. If I wanted performance I would have bought a Vette.

mr305

I totally agree with you on your post! maxima is a sporty sedan i think people get confuse.... (just my opinion) dont mean to get anyone angry!!

Mick7

If I had bought the sport package, I would not be a happy owner. Something is wrong if it does worse than the standard suspension/tires. Perhaps 18 inches is the sweet spot on this car? Different tires might help but the question remains as to how it can produce worse numbers with bigger tires of the same brand ...Eagle RSA?

The ride is also compromised aomewhat by the package which is why I never considered it despite not having a spoiler.

jixxxer

I got the sports pkg. mainly for the options that come with it, And for $1000 more it was well worth it!!! Its our family car so we wont be doing any racing or slaloms...lol

Steve31Jo

I love my premiun pkg... and 18 inch is big enough for me. but spoiler is really the one i really want to add on .... should i get it from aftermarket.... i'm still thinkin..

ARosa1024

i have premium and paid 270 to get the spoiler added on.....they told me go back in the mourning and they had it ready for me

Steve31Jo

270,, so i'm in canada,, this would be like somewhere 400-500 in canadian dollar..
i wish i was in US... In canada, any vehicles are much more than US..
09 maxima, with tax and everything included was about $50,000 in cdn dollar.
that's about $ 45,000 in us.

michaelle8885

yea, I didn't get the car to tell people I have more horsepower or that my car is faster than theirs, I got it for myself, becuase I loved the way it looks and the way it drives. I'm not a racecar driver, I'm an everyday driver, so these statistics really don't bother me haha just my opinion...

lightonthehill

First, in order that folks will know where I am coming from, I am very old, am interested only in the Premium package, but recognize that the Sports package wheels are more attractive.

The '09 with Premium has more weight higher up (double-panelled roof), and should NOT have better slalom times than the Sport. I would bet the testers kept the tire psi on the Sport at Nissan's recommended 33. That is great for comfortable freeway driving (and for the Premium package), but not good for sports driving, much less for slalom testing. If they put 36 to 38 psi in the 19" tires on the Sport version (which I would carry if I opted for the Sports version), slalom times would improve quite a bit.

Of course the 'biggie', as already mentioned here, is to replace the 'all-weather' tires (never good for maximum performance; not enough rubber in contact with the road) with performance tires (also called 'summer tires'), which is a free option with the '09 Maxima Sports package.

mls277

It really is small marginal differences anyway no matter what tires. The sport package adds a lot of good features that are also in the premium package. It looked more fun to me. Again I TEST DROVE Acura TL-S, Trailblazer SS, Corvette, GTO, and a few others...and I can tell you if I wanted speed/power I'd have taken the vette or the GTO, both or which were crazy powerful V8's. The Maxima handles great, and has good V6 power. It does what it's supposed to do in my opinion. A very nice sport sedan.

choice89

I test drove three of New Maximas in route to my decision first of which was the baseline S model the SV Premium package and the SV Sport/Tech package models. In my opinion both the S and SV Premium models handled very well but was just a little more soft and comfortable on the turns like a luxury vehicle shoudl feel. But when I got in the Sport Model I could automatically feel that it was a bit more firm and responsive around the corners and turned on a dime. I guess the only con to the Sport model over the other two models is that over bumpy sections in the road you could defintely feel it more in the Sport model, but that is to be expected in a firmer ride...............But I LOVE IT and can't find enough excuses to take my baby out for a ride!!! Plus all of the options that came with the sport you just can't pass up!!!

rteenie22

i dont agree with that article based on my personal experiences...my boss has a regular sv and it inspired me to write the thread here "steering sux" and granted now it feels better it still doesnt compare to the sv sport i drove...and trust me when i drive a car...i really drive a car

madlaw1071

Would never have gotten the sport....no cooled seat(now that I have it, cant live without it), no double panel sunroof(makes the car look 10x better in Winter Frost). Easier to add 19"s and a spoiler to the premium than to live with these options for marginal, if any, better performance. IMO

niceguy

One big factor to remember is that unless both cars (can't remember if they were in the arcticle) are both tested at the same time/track/conditions, you can't even begin to compare raw numbers. Feel, dampening, yes, but not skidpad and slalom numbers. Dust on the track, temps, etc will completely change the data....

That's why I've read of mags getting .90+ lateral gs from new EVOs and then much lower in other mag tests, with owners and readers sending in complaints and being insulted about the results....Besides, I doubt the difference is going to be huge from suspension changes alone. They're not selling a track car for young adults and wouldn't tune it as such.

The tire and brake difference (mainly tire) will likely make the biggest impact, all things considered....

t8kover

I have the Tech and Cold package on my 09 SV and I love every minute of it. I came into mine by way of a DUI driver hitting me in my 2000 Explorer. I am thankful to be alive and well, but also greatful to have the new SV in my driveway. The SV really does handle well, and is very respectful on the MPG, especially since I drive 75 miles one way to work each day. I have put 8500 miles on my Max since I purchased it at the end of October. I can't seem to get enough of driving it. Great improvement over previous models.

Mick7

The SV really does handle well, and is very respectful on the MPG, especially since I drive 75 miles one way to work each day.

What mileage do you get on the highway, please? I'm only on the second tank of gas and all the driving has been mixed. The first tank got 22.3 at an average speed of 29.6..I love that mileage monitor feature and it was on the money when I filled it up and calculated mileage. (Sorry about the threadjack)

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

thought the sport lost the 60/40 back seat for more rigidity? were there not other modifications/upgrades to it?

Do all premiums come with the full glass roof?

lightonthehill

[QUOTE=Mick7;6761130][SIZE=3]The first tank got 22.3 at an average speed of 29.6./QUOTE]


WOW! 22.3 MPG at an average speed of 29.6 is impressive! That is less than 4 MPG below rated highway MPG. I would bet driving a steady 60 MPH on an extended open freeway trip would get you over 30 MPG. In a 3600 pound car with 290 HP, we can't ask for much better than this.

lightonthehill

BOTH the Sport AND the Premium packages lost the 60/40 back seat for more rigidity. That is one reason the Premium is getting rather good slalom times. And yes, the dual-panel roof is mandatory in the Premium package.

The Sport package includes many things, but the items affecting handling and performance were the 19" wheels and tires, the trunk/chassi reinforcement and the sport-tuned suspension. I personally feel Nissan should have considered putting performance tires (instead of all-weather tires) on all Sports versions; that would have helped performance.

michaelle8885

nice, that's like what I'm getting. 22.3 mpg / 31.4 mph