I see where you are coming from. But I am one who feels the Maxima no longer competes as directly with the TL as it once did. The TL is still sort of a 4DSC, with slightly firmer ride, slightly tighter suspension and slightly less room than the Maxima. For me, the 'final nail' is that the TL can be had with over 300 HP and with a short-throw manual transmission. The Maxima is sporty enough, but excels as an aggressively-styled, roomy, comfortable freeway cruiser that competes favorably with near-luxury family sedans.

My son has been a long-time TL (Type 'S') driver/fan, but after driving my 7th gen Maxima, he says his next car will be a Maxima. He says it steers straighter, feels roomier, looks better and rides more comfortably than the '11 TL he just test drove.

Of course you are correct that an AWD Maxima would do better in northern climes. But the reality is that many folks would not be driving their Maxima in winter weather, even if had eight wheel drive, because its very low 4.5 inch ground clearance just would not work in winter conditions. If Nissan raised the suspension for AWD so the car could be used in winter conditions, then it would not perform as well at speed in dry conditions.

Even if Nissan decides to add an AWD version to the Maxima, I would think it would come with a generation change, not as a half-gen tweak.

 

Got a 2011 Max... Was thinkin of a 2012 Max but they discontinue the 4 automatic windows... whats up with that?? i see that the 2011 they discontinue the rear controls.. i wish i had that in my Max... is the rear controls worth having for the people in the back?? or is no big deal??............... I wonder what they going to discontinue next for a 2013 max... heated steering wheel?? dual moonroofs?? rediculous....... guess spending more $$$ for a premium is not worth it anymore since its losing more options.. SMH

 

As the years have gone on, they have taken more and more features away, no more auto up/down rear windows, no rear heated seats, no power side mirrors, etc. Remember the elite package on the 6th Gen, man was that sweet. Too bad that could not have carried over to the 7th gen.

 

when i first got the max. i thought with the rear controls that you could set 3 different temps. driver, front passenger, and rear passenger. but later realized that its still only 2 different temps. so if the person in the backs adjusts the temp, it also adjusts the temp. for the front passenger. but the radio controls might come in handy if you have kids.

 

I think that the FWD TL and Maxima are very comparable, to me it feels like the Max is more agile and has a tighter suspension FWD to FWD. If Nissan were to make an AWD over 300HP Max they would make the necessary tweaks to make it competitive with the TL version. Before I purchased the Z I test drove a loaded tech package TL and loaded SV Max (also get many rental Maxi's on business), they very comparable, biggest difference was the tranny.

 

There is no question there would be folks (especially up north) who would consider AWD well worth the increased initial cost, lower MPG and greater possibility of problems in order to be able to get around during the winter, which is a major part of the year up there. If I lived up there, I would want AWD also.

But almost 34 years of driving Nissan Datsuns and Nissan Maximas has taught me that Nissan does not change or add drive trains lightly. For instance, they kept producing manual Maximas for almost a decade after dealers began telling Nissan in the late 1990s they did not want manual Maximas because the percentage of Maxima buyers considering manuals had dropped below 10%. By '2004, that percentage had dropped below 5%. Yet a manual Maxima was available through 2006.

An AWD would be nice, but we won't see one before gen 8 (2015 model?), and I would be a little surprised to see one then.

 

Thanks for the info.. i was really curious what the controls exactly do... i guess it isnt a big deal... aww well.. at least i know where im going to place a remote switch for my amp whenever i get subs in the trunk.. its going to be where the cancel rear control button suppose to be at (the lil black box next to the key fob slot)

 

I know these things , worked for Nissan corporate for 10 yrs in Gardena, CA before they moved to TN and have had Nissans myself since 88 and the family for even longer! All Z's and Maxima's! Yea a few of my buddies that went with the move to TN has said 15 will be the 8th gen Max, correct on that. Side note on what they have seen internally of the new Altima its going to be nice and an evolution the 02 to current Altima with a few more 7th gen Max ques in it.!

 

The Altima has become quite the bread and butter car for Nissan. Consumer Reports has had the Altima as one of the very best family cars for five years now. As you said, Maxima perks usually gravitate to the Altima, after which Nissan adds more perks to the Maxima.

Government fuel efficiency requirements go up in 2015, so it will be very interesting to see how Nissan addresses this in the Maxima. The only thing we can be sure of is that the 8th gen Maxima will be CVT-powered.

For years, I have hoped for a diesel option in the Maxima. Maybe a small turbo-diesel would enable Nissan to get up to 40 MPG from a diesel Maxima. The turbo would give power during brisk accelleration, but the small diesel would sip gas during the 95% or more of the time when brisk acceleration is not needed.

At some point (maybe not on the 8th gen), Nissan may have to add a hybrid Maxima in order to meet fuel efficiency requirements. As long as the Maxima retains fast accelleration when needed, I think a hybrid Maxima would sell.

But it may be two years before we know for sure what the 8th gen Maxima will bring. I suspect we will be hearing things in late 2013 as to what the 2015 will be like, and the 2015 will almost surely go on sale in spring of 2014.

 

Does anybody know if for the refreshed 2012 if Nissan fixed the vibrating/shaking front passenger seat when no one sits in it?

 

I've had my '12 for a little over a month, I've never noticed it....

 

Cant believe u guys are comparing a TL to the Maxima... lol From someone that owns both I just have to giggle a little...

I have a 2012 SV and the passenger seat does shake a little just the top portion...

 

Ah, I should have waited... i got the 2011 Sport... But I love the new sport rims on the 2012

 

Were the rear controls on the 2011 an option, I took a premium for a test drive before i bought my sport and never noticed them. Where about are they? Does anyone have a picture?

 

^ its in the rear arm rest cup holder area... goggle it!!!

 

2010 was the last year for rear controls.

 

i would say the tl is a step above the max as far as build quality.

 

Just built quality? nothing else?

 

lol. well i only test drove it. i dont have as much knowledge of it as you.

 

lol... oh ok, I was waiting for some off the wall answer not even going to lie...

 

Your information indicates that Metallic Slate has been deleted. I have a 2012 brochure which states "late availability". It also shows a photo of the car with the color. Any current official word on this?

 

I don't have any 'official' word. I CAN say that Nissan will not currently let us order any variation of the 2012 Maxima with the color 'Metallic Slate.'

The latest I ever remember anything listed as 'late availibility' actually reaching dealers was the replacement of the traditional 4 speed automatic tranny with the 5 speed tiptronic automatic tranny in the 2004 Maxima SL, which was not available until February 6th.

As there are currently NINE colors available on the Maxima, and traditionally, only eight colors have been available on the Maxima, I would not pin my hopes on the 'Metallic Slate' suddenly becoming available. If it does, I would think one current color would disappear; maybe 'Java Metallic?'

But then I don't know what they may be smoking in Smyrna.

 

I thought it was just mine. It usually does it between 60-80 MPH. It does get annoying. I thought it was because I need new tires. Until I get some, I just kick it up to 90-95... vibration go bye-bye

 

Thanks.

 

Just traded my 09 Max Prem/Tech for a 12 Max Prem/Tech. A few changes I noticed besides the official changes:

1. Contrast stitching on seats and steering wheel more brownish than red, def not as nice.
2. Handle on inside of trunk is gone, victim of the recession I guess.
3. Much better graphics on the touch screen and more responsive, with customizable color themes.
4. Rear seat audio and a/c controls gone.
5. Radio and A/C switchgear now a very nice brushed aluminum as opposed to black plastic.
6. Stereo seems better balanced, way too much sound from center channel in my 09.
7. Nice aluminum finish to the tail pipes as opposed to the dull gray on the 09.

That's all I can think of for now.

 

my '10 has themes also. red blue and black.

 

1. There is no way urs is a prem model if it doesnt have the white stitching...

2. What handle are u referring to?

 

1. It's def a Premium. My 09 had red contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel. The 12's contrast stitching is more brown, closely matching the color of the revised wood trim. Not quite as striking as the 09.

2. There was a pull down plastic handle inside the trunk to assist with closing, now there is nothing so you need to close the trunk from the outside. Messy when the car is dirty.

 

yea that handle comes in handy

 

Yeah my 2010 had the trunk handle and my 2011 doesn't. For those who are **** about keeping their car clean, that handle was... ummm... handy... hahaha

 

1. There are two optioned charcoal black interior in the 2012 MY. Regular leather with red/brown stitching, then the premium charcoal leather with white stitching. (I have the brochure thats how I know.) And I have a 2012 as well.

2. Oh yeah I now know what you mean, when I first look at the car I was like wtf 2012 without one? Really? lol

 

Have yall seen the new brown (java metallic) color in person, that ish looks real nice.

 

Wait, what? I have the Premium/Tech, MSRP over 41k. Are you saying there was an option for premium leather over and above what comes in the premium package?

 

Yes I and actually went back to the brochure and went to nissanusa.com... as I confirm prem package does have the premium leather however the regular SV has the option of regular leather or prem. leather.

BTW no maxima MSRP for 41K... after options then yeah it will go that high.. but not MSRP.