Why is it that with every Maxima since 2002 until now the HP/TQ have increased significantly from one Gen to the next and usually the car stays around the same weight or not that much of a weight differential per HP rating but the car is no faster off the line than its' predecessor??

I understand the gearing will be different between 5-6speeds or from manuals to automatics and now to the CVT but one would think that with 290HP and a bump in TQ (which is really where the push or in this case-the pull being fwd comes from) that this car would be faster, especially off the line.

It is fast once rolling but the car feels slower than my 2003 off the line, this could be due to just the seat of the pants feel or all the torque steer put out by my 03 that makes it feel that much faster or it could be that my 03 is lighter and with 260HP it is just flat out faster from the start than the heavier 09.

THOUGHTS???

 

You touched on the factors yourself....The 5.5 gen 3.5L weighed what, around 3200lbs and put down around 190-200whp ballpark? I'm not sure what the '09 puts down (250-265?) but with the extra 400+ pounds, you're not going to be much quicker.

The CVT plays a role in this as well though I was under the impression that it actually does well, possibly even better out of the hole, and then loses some steam up top (due to factory tuning, tranny constraints or whatever)...

Even though I personally don't care for the CVT, there's one member w/a 6th gen that has hit 13s with a few bolt ons which is at least on par w/past gen autos....

 

The 09 puts down 290/261-264TQ but I guess it's kind of a pig due to it's portly weight, especially when you figure that a Corvette only weighs about 3100-3200lbs fully loaded.

Maybe it is all about the weight and the CVT.

Some here would probably argue that if the 09 had a 6spd Manual that it would be faster off the line, I personally beg to differ because if that was the case the CVT wouldn't be as fast or according to some Mags faster from 0-60 than any previous Maximas.

The Motor Trend I have shows the Max going 0-60 in 5.8 secs but then I look at other tests that have registered it anywhere from 0-60 in 5.9-6.3 seconds.

Personally for me, the 09 feels slower off the line than my 5.5Gen 03 but once the 09 is moving it really moves, not that the 03 doesn't, the 7th Gen just seems to move faster once it's already on the roll.

Thanks

 

My guess is that the CVT acts like a ****ing TCS set to the max, so when you punch the pedal theres no event(wheelspin, nose lifting up, etc.)

just my $0.02

 

I don't think the fact that Max isn't faster or that much faster or slower has anything to do with the CVT because the power is made in the Engine.

Do you think that Max would be any faster with a Manual Trans??

Before you answer that, according to Nissan and most Mags that has tested the Max they have found that this is the fastest Max of all and that the CVT actually shifts faster than any person could with a Manual Trans.

I think this has more to do with the weight of the car because CVT doesn't have gears like in an ordinary Manual Transmission, so we can't really say that this is because of Gearing.

 

No, take this for example, you bumped the hp of your 2k3 to 290 and put it in a race against your 2k9. 2k9 would obviously win. When you shift in your 2k3 or any auto or manual car, the speed will always "pause" between shifts. The CVT doesn't do that. It just stays at redline for optimal power hence the C for continuously in CVT.

 

It is fast once rolling but the car feels slower than my 2003 off the line, this could be due to just the seat of the pants feel or all the torque steer put out by my 03 that makes it feel that much faster or it could be that my 03 is lighter and with 260HP it is just flat out faster from the start than the heavier 09.

I have also noticed what seems to be a "flat spot" early in first gear when in manual mode. The car fools me though...when I look at the speedo, it is moving faster than it feels most of the time.

I would think the weight advantage of your 2003 car would offset most all of the higher horsepower of the 2009.

That didn't help but I'm agreeing with you. It is still almost scary fast when using WOT above 40 mph. It pulls like it has a turbo.

 

A flat spot?

 

Lag, lack of feeling of acceleration or power. A short period of time where even in manual mode it feels like 2nd gear rather than first.

 

?? the 09 would lose terribly. The weight avantage of the 03 would be too great. A 290bhp 03 would/do put down around 250whp and regularly run mid 13's. I don't know of any 13s 7gen yet.

 

this is why i'll not be buying a 7th gen.

 

In my opinion the Maxima is a sport sedan and with 290hp and 19's its pretty good...but debating horsepower and track times, I don't know. I would go Corvette if I wanted horsepower and track times. Two different things. The 09 Max rocks in a lot of ways, drive one and I think you'll see. I drove Trailblazer SS, 06 GTO, TL-S, 08 Vette, Impala SS, etc...and nothing struck me like the 09 Maxima on the test drive. Feels solid, smooth and like a car you want to own.

 

You may be right! I was just assuming; Ive seen this situation between an Infiniti G35 and a Nissan Skyline 350 GT-8 with the extroid CVT. The G35 started off strong as hell, after that the 350 GT-8 simply pulled.

 

Sorry Bro, no way!! If I'm telling you right now that my 03 feels faster/just as fast/if not, faster with 260HP, then one can only imagine how much faster the jump in 30HP with the extra torque is going to make it feel being that it is a lighter car in weight.

As far as Torqus comment below:

this is why i'll not be buying a 7th gen.

If all your after is speed, then you're right, this isn't the car for you, maybe you ought to buy a Vette.

Mick is right about a slight hesitation in the CVT when you're accelerating from a dead stop but once the car is rolling it does feel turbocharged.

Still other than weight no one has given a definitive answer as to why this car which has so much more HP over previous version but yet remains close in weight (not exceeding the 3,800lb mark) isn't much faster than previous version.

Even various Magazines and videos I've seen of the Max's acceleration vary from 5.8-6.2 in 0-60 times.

I will not be taking my Max to any track, that's for sure.