Hi

New to the forums. I'm about to purchase a 2013 Maxima, have budge of $45,00 to $47,000 CAD. Just can't seem to decide on the trim level. Which is better? The Sport package or the Premium package? What are the pro's and con's of each trim ie; price, comfort, performance, resell value etc.

Thanks

 

Can't go wrong with either, but, I'd consider a couple things to make your choice.

The premium has a panoramic roof, is that a feature you want? That's only in the premium.

The sport has 19" wheels, while all other levels have 18's. I wish like hell that i had the 19" wheels, but premium doesn't have them. So now, a year later, I'm looking at putting some money into upgrading wheels. If I had the 19's I imagine I'd be happy with them and not feel the need to upgrade. So, if you're a wheel type of person, consider that.

The sport has some suspension improvements. I've added (almost) all of those improvements to my premium package, so I've got the best of both worlds. As soon as I upgrade the wheels, that is.

Hope that helps a little bit.

 

Where do you live? With that type of budget you might be able to pick up something a little nicer. From posts on here alot of people have walked out of the dealership with fully loaded Maximas for 33-34k. Now on to your question.

The Sport/Tech package is almost identical to the Premium package except premium has a few changes like 18" rims instead of 19, wood grain trim, air conditioned driver seat, all-glass roof, and rear privacy shade. The Sport/Tech is missing those features and instead has 19" rims, a sport tuned suspension and front sway bar, and a black/carbon fiber interior trim. I personally went with Sport/Tech cause it has a lot of the luxuries but had the sporty edge I wanted.

 

Serpent beat me to the punch. I would do the sport package.

 

i hear an echo

 

Well to give you some comparisons I live in Kansas near Kansas City and a brand new 2013 Maxima SV, navy blue in color with charcoal interior with the Sport package costs $42,480. That same car in Java Metallic with cafe latte interior but with the Premium package would cost me $42,290.

For the record I have a 2010 SV in Crimson Red with the Premium package. There was a used Super Black 2013 SV on the lot for sale as well, it had 5k miles on it and came with the Sport package and they were asking $38,500 for it.

 

^ Serpent nailed it. I bought the premium package and not the sport package for that reason.... if your going to spend money on the sport to drop it on lowering springs, add a RSB and aftermarket wheels etc...why not get the premium and do all that and have the best of both worlds?

 

Thanks, all of your posts have been helpful. I live in Ontario, Canada. I'm leaning more towards the Premium package as my spouse and child are really attracted to the panoramic roof. Like most of you I really the Sport rims and was wondering if the dealership could sell me the OEM 19" rims separately if so how much would be the cost and would they be able to swap the Sport headlights (smoked) on the Premium package?

 

The dealer is going to charge a small fortune for those wheels. You'd be better off seeing if a member here on the ORG are trying to get rid of a set. Check the wheels and tires section and I'm sure you'll find some there... cough cough.... like my mint 2012 sport wheels

 

I had the same issues a few weeks ago. I could swing either the SV Premium with Tech or the Sport with Tech.

I chose Sport for a few reasons:
1) Love those wheels. The darker wheels look great with crimson black
2) Love the way the spoiler looks.
3) The wheels are 19's
4) The suspension set up is a little firmer/sportier

I didn't care about the panoramic sunroof (someone I know said it got a little too hot, which made him close the shutters pretty much all the time).

It's a tough call. My decision was made once I saw those wheels and the spoiler. They really make the car pop.

Either way, you really can't go wrong. I'm sure people who drive the premium like it as much as I like mine.

 

2013 Pearl White Premium/Tech FTW!!!

 

I've spent a little money to upgrade the sport features into my premium, but I'm glad that's what I did. About $250 for the spoiler, $250 for eibachs springs (an upgrade for either sport OR premium), $100 for rear sway bar, etc.

As you can see, for well under $1,000 you can be set up with firm sporty suspension and the rear spoiler on the premium pkg. Only important thing that's missing are the wheels. And ya, those darker ones in the 19" are awesome. I want some of those in a bad bad way.

As for the pano roof, I love mine. I did have the shop that tinted my windows put a layer of tint on the sunroofs to help reflect the heat. I leave the cover open but the glass closed probably 95% of the time.

Long story short, I'd let the wheels be your determining factor. If you know you'll upgrade either way, then get the premium pkg. If the 18's wouldn't cut it but the 19's would, go with the sport pkg. If you don't care either way and the 18's or the 19's will be fine, go with premium.

 

I just went through this process last couple days, on a 2010 tho, my wife and kids liked the roof in the premium. I liked the sport with the 19" and the rear spoiler and carbon fiber look instead of wood grain is nice too. Big sunroof on the premium doesn't do a thing for me. So since I was out voted 3-1, so I decided to get the sport....oh and the sport was in Crimson Black and the Premium was silver, I love the Crimson Black paint it looks amazing in the sun. Now I gotta wait till Monday to get the car.

Whichever one you get you'll love it.....

 

I bought the premium/tech package because I wanted the pearl white with the panoramic roof. I had the dealer install a rear spoiler and take out the third brake light and cover it with a delete plate. I also added a rear roof spoiler. Car looks great.

 

I went with premium because most of the things that are 'special' with the Sport package can fairly easily be added to the Premium version (although the 19" wheels are expensive). But many of the things that are 'special' to the Premium package cannot be added to the Sport package version of the Maxima.

By the way, quoting those U.S. prices is meaningless to the OP, who is in Canada. I can get a new 2013 Maxima 'S' for $23,900 any day of the week in Atlanta, but that same Maxima in Canada would cost around $30K. If buying a Maxima in Canada, prepare to pay three arms, four legs and your firstborn child.

 

I totally agree....that's why I went with the premium. I knew I was going to do those things anyway. I lucked out as mine came with the spoiler, & the dealer switched the 18' for the 19's for me.

 

The dual panel sun roof is one thing I can defiantly do with out. It is a very nice feature BUT I don't like it for the fact you cant use it on the open road like the regular sun roof, the panel when opened sit so high above the rear one and it makes terrible noise, I haven't seen a deflector for it yet, The 07 max I had, it had a single and I put a deflector on it and was able to use it on the open road.

 

How old is your kid? I ask because mine is 7 and uses a booster seat, which doesn't fit into the back seat of the Maxima with the sports package. I believe the back seats with the sports package are buckets?

 

As a Canadian have you considered the saftey/comfort aspect of things... heated/cooled seats and steering wheel?.. rear back up cam?.. rear shade?.. you go through harsh winters and having some of these can go a long way.. love my back up cam! go Premium/Tech

 

I have the sports package and I also have 2 small children. my oldest child is in a booster and my youngest still in a carseat and they both fit comfortably in the back seat of my maxima

 

I tried my booster seat and it was a bit too wide and wouldn't sit flush with the back. I also couldn't get to the buckle very easily and we're trying to teach ou daughter how to fasten herself in. So it's doable but it does make things more difficult. I thought it might help influence the decision if necessary.

Thanks