Maxima pricing makes zero sense or it's a super niche product..

Infiniti Q40 (i.e the G37 but no 6 speed )

- RWD starts at ~$34,000 USD MSRP
- AWD starts at ~$36,000 USD MSRP

Lexus IS 350

- RWD starts at ~$40,000 USD MSRP
- AWD starts at ~$42,000 USD MSRP
- 3.5L

Acura TLX

- FWD 3.5L starts at ~$35,000 USD MSRP
- AWD 3.5L starts at ~$42,000 USD MSRP

Buick Regal GS - ~$39,000 USD MSRP

- AWD

Cadillac ATS 3.6L
- RWD starts at ~$41,000 USD MSP
- AWD starts at ~$43,000 USD MSRP

Subaru WRX STI - ~$34,500 USD MSRP

- *famous* AWD system

Variables

NONE have CVT
AWD availability
RWD availability
Reliability (debatable of course...)
Size of car
Styling
More or less standards options (I think some of these cars are more equivalent to higher end Maxima trims like the SL or SR)

 

Maybe the features are not new to the class, but they are new to the Maxima and that's why "new" is being thrown around. All new chassis, engine is 60% new, completely revised (new) transmission, new suspension, etc, etc.

It's a new car.
Q50 competitor.

 

-_-"

 

George, some of the cars you listed START around the price of the MOST EXPENSIVE Maxima. Some are LESS reliable than the Maxima. Some are clearly HEAVIER than the Maxima. Some can approach $50K in their loaded versions, etc, etc,etc.

But the REAL reason this comparison is meaningless is because this is an apples to oranges relationship. If folks have to have AWD or RWD, then they are not shopping in the FWD area. If folks have to have an automatic or manual tranny, they are not shopping in the CVT area.

I drove RWD cars for 35 years, and MUCH prefer FWD. I also prefer the CVT, because my CVT has given me almost seven excellent years. It is more fuel efficient than shifting trannies, is lighter than shifting trannies, is smaller than shifting trannies, and is less expensive to build than shifting trannies.

Folks are free to shop for the car that suits their taste. The Q40 and Q50 have so far not been as reliable as the Maxima. My son has fought for years to get remedial action for the lousy tranny in his Acura. I have never liked anything about Cadillacs and Buicks. The WRX is probably the only Subaru in which I have no interest. It is almost the OPPOSITE of what the Maxima represents.

As I said, apples to oranges.

 

^this...SOMEONE gets it....Q40 is a waste of time....when q50 may be 1k difference...I've built a q50 from scratch interior, exterior all the bells and whistles...came to a good 45-46k...no comparison

 

Light the Q50 may not be as reliable but the G37/known now as Q40 is very reliable and even one your favorite sources claims it to be so as well. http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2...le-cars/4.html.

 

FWIW the Sport Spoiler is a lip spoiler which (from the one picture I have of it) simply looks like a slightly more aggressive Premium Spoiler. I'll try to remember to post a screenshot of the accessories catalog when I get home tonight so that you folks get a chance to see the Rocker Panel Moldings and the blacked-out 19" SR Accessory wheels.

FWIW I don't much care for the new Max in white but with the rocker extensions, contrasting black Sport spoiler, blacked out 19s and the blacked out rear diffuser it does look much better.

 

Posting the catalog would be greatly appreciated! Yeah, I have never really cared for white cars, just never quite looks right to me,lol.

 

Interesting, if these are "19' SR Accessory wheels" can you get them for other models or only the SR?

 

Honestly from the picture it looks like nothing more than a set of gloss-black 19" SR wheels.

 

Nice catch, MONTE. I was going by Consumer Reports Auto issue for this month, which does not even mention the Q40, probably because it was too new to make their deadline. CU considers Infiniti products (other than the now gone G37 and the M) to be generally unreliable. Being so new, the long-term reliability of the Q40 is yet to be determined. But your source sounds promising.

But the Q40 is still 'apples to oranges' when compared to the Maxima, as it is RWD or AWD with automatic tranny, while the Maxima is FWD and CVT. Most serious auto fans who have power train preferences will be interested in one of these, but not the other.

 

"But the Q40 is still 'apples to oranges' when compared to the Maxima, as it is RWD or AWD with automatic tranny, while the Maxima is FWD and CVT. Most serious auto fans who have power train preferences will be interested in one of these, but not the other one."

Light I don't believe you would make this statement since there is more to comparisons than drive wheels. The cars like up price wise and also I'm sure some on here myself included looked at a used 5 series or Audi or the like while looking at the maxima. I would buy car on driving experience and amenities as well as bang for the buck and reliability. I live in Midwest and foot think I need AWD or would I rule out RWD either. So, do these compare... Absolutely they do price wise and amenities especially since they are from the same parent company.

 

But you are speaking from an open mind. We have many posters who drop by and make it very clear they have absolutely zero interest in the Maxima as long as has a CVT. Others are firm in their insinuation that real men drive RWD or AWD vehicles. In reality, I am one of those opinionated closed minded folks also, as I no longer have an interest in shifting trannies or RWD or AWD, so would never even glance at the Q40.

But you are correct that there will be an open-minded segment of the buying public that will look at the big picture and weigh their decision on the overall performance and comfort of these two cars, rather than specific power train components, and those folks would be very likely to compare these two cars against each other.

 

I'm sure its reliability will be the same, its the same identical car. The only thing changed was the name and the dropping of the sport package.

 

Thanks for the info. I must admit that I had a few unpleasant experiences while test-driving several Infinitis back in the 1990s. My very nice Nissan dealer tried very hard to procure an Infiniti dealership around fifteen years ago, and Nissan/Infiniti would not allow him to do that. But they allowed another person to open an Infiniti dealership right across the street. I also found the folks at my local Infiniti dealer to be a little aloof, and especially unwilling to talk discounts, so actually stopped keeping up with Infinitis altogether. That was probably a good thing, because I would not be able to keep up with all the model designation changes going on at Infiniti these days.

EDIT - As further info, my Nissan dealer now owns THREE Nissan dealerships in three different towns, also owns a Kia dealership, also owns a large Toyota dealership, and also owns a Saturn dealership (and I thought Saturns had been dropped).

 

Also lack of manual transmission option.

Q40 isn't available in Canada... PROBABLY BECAUSE IT'D BE PRICED TOO CLOSE TO THE MAXIMA...

 

Or more likely because it wouldn't sell enough to make it worth it.

 

Indeed you are right on the dropping of the manual george!

 

I hear you and it is very confusing....

 

Just read somewhere that the max is now a track* car. its faster than a bmw 328i, audi a4 and acura tl v6 around a track somewhere in cali. somewhat* due to the new performance oriented cvt and probably the deletion on the sunroof.


Assumptions*

 

Has anyone seen pics or have pics of the Maxima S interior, all we have seen thus far is the top trims interior?

 

^^^

Yea...what he said!

 

You can build one up on NissanUSA.com right now using the configurator. Nav is standard on all Maximas now so the center stack is the same, just cloth instead of leather minus a few buttons and switches of course.

 

This cannot possibly be true. We have had dozens of posters here already telling us the 2016 Maxima is an overstyled, underpowered, bloated old man's car. Surely all these naysayers are speaking from knowledge of the facts, and not just blowing off misguided steam. This 2016 Maxima cannot possibly be a spirited, enjoyable vehicle. So we must assume Jam-Roc made this up. Shame on you, Jam-Roc, trying to hint there is anything redeemable or worthwhile with the 2016 Maxima. Shame, shame, shame (spoken in Gomer Pyle's best Alabama accent).

 

.

I'm not surprised at this. It has more horsepower, improved sport CVT, dropped weight, and is more aero dynamic! I still stand by my statement that this is the best Maxima that Nissan has put out. Performance and amazing interior! This will be my first Maxima, as I have always driven Altimas.

 

The build does not show actual real life pics like we have seen of the other models...some do not like leather seats or Alacantra on the steering wheel if you get me. The nice cloth option is what makes the Max and Avalon still sorta unique at there starting price...Not talking about Impala or Taurus which have much less starting base prices.

 

Monte - I agree that the exterior views on the build site seem simulated, but the interior views looked much more real. In fact, they are actual photos. I was on the 2016 Maxima build portion of nissanusa.com a few hours ago, and from there, I was able to see interior photos of each of the five models of the 2016 Maxima. These photo views could be rotated in order to see the entire interior. The interiors are strikingly similar on all five versions. The photos showed the trim had a metal embellishment for the SR and a mahogany embellishment for the Platinum, and cloth instead of leather for the the 'S', etc, but little difference elsewhere. The 'S' is a well equipped vehicle.

 

Is it true that the SR will not have auto-tilt rear view mirrors, or the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with entry assist? Its a bummer, I will miss those features. Not a deal breaker for sure, but I will miss them.

 

The cameras will negate the usefulness of tilting mirrors.

 

Front wheel drive and CVT make no "4 Door Sport Car", Nissan already has 4DSC, that is Infiniti Q50.

 

That's what I was thinking. So I am not that upset about losing that feature when I order my SR!

 

Why?

 

Excellent question. I can only think of one answer, and it isn't a good answer, because a good answer does not exist.

I will surmise the reason may be because folklore from time immemorial has told us that only a manual RWD vehicle can be dubbed as being a four door sports car. So the manual 3rd, 4th and 5th gen Maximas were false pretenders (no RWD).

Such things as looking like a sports car or driving like a sports car or being quick or fast or trim or agile or having a low co-efficient of drag or low profile tires or anything of a sporting nature does not count. Just a shifting tranny and RWD does it. Those are absolute requirements for a four door sports car.

Doesn't matter if zero to 60 times are 20 seconds or more. Simply RWD and shifting tranny does it. At least in the minds of those still living in the second millenium. There is no law requiring folks still living in the past to move into the present or show any interest in the future.

 

lol! Funny, but that's how many people think... RWD sedan + stick shift = 4 dr. sports car

I think the Max lost its image of being a 4DSC in 2002-2003 because of the 3rd gen Altima (and especially the 250HP SE-R, which was really considered the true 4DSC). Also, the Accord and Camry followed with powerful 200+HP V6's of their own, while the Max went more luxury, and only 265 with the 2004 model.

I think the Altima SE-R was a better performer the 6th Gen Max, so that's when it officially lost the 4DSC title.

I think that a de-contented, slightly more powerful (310-315HP), race car-ish version of the Maxima would be awesome. Maxima SX (that would also pay homage to the old SX cars.)

 

x 15-16...Sorry, I lost count.

 

People on .org already know this... Up sizing of the Altima messed things up

 

The Altima is getting updated soon.. maybe a power, transmission upgrade with the refresh.

 

Negative.

 

They're getting rid of the V6. It's just going to be cosmetic changes for the 2016 Altima. I hope they go the more conservative route, and not make it look like the new Maxima.

 

Incorrect: 2016 facelift will keep the V6. The NEW car (maybe 2018? not facelift) is dropping the V6.