Will be my very first Maxima, but not first Nissan (had a 2004 Altima SE). Coming from a 2014 Kia Cadenza, so I'll be sacrificing some features, but I cant stick with a company that doesnt stand by their product. I never had an issue with my Altima, and I've always loved the Maxima. I'm excited to get behind the wheel, and if all goes well, I'll have that Gun Metal grey in the driveway this weekend.

 

Curious what issues you had with the Cadenza...

 

The main issue that I've dealt with over the past year is an insane creaking noise coming from the roof. I think there is a design flaw in the rear panoramic window pane. When going over the skirt of a driveway, rough roads, hell, even turning left or right from a complete stop, you can hear the noise. I've had various other issues with it, but when Kia Corporate told me that the noise is normal, that was the last straw. If its normal, it needs to be listed as a standard feature that the vehicle comes with. I love the car, dont get me wrong - its comfortable, has an awesome feature set for the money, and I got excellent service from the 2nd dealership that I started going to. That noise is just too much for me

 

Haa, I thought I recognized the name...from the other forum.


About the only thing I would say is issue for me on these cars, most of the bells and whistles don't show up as even available until you hit Platinum, even then some of them you have to have it added. Then, Platnum doesn't have paddle shifters as an option even.

SR is nice, but you are right, you give up a lot of features that are standard on the Lux package with the Cadenza. Even lightup "Maxima" floor panel is an upgrade to the Platinum, not standard.


The blind spots are just as bad as they were with the 07 I had before. The issue is the mirrors aren't wide or curved out enough to cover more real-estate. That said, it's manageable, but for the teenage driver in the family it's an issue for me. The last thing, the center console storage is TOO small. Also the width of it takes up too much knee space, I don't' like it for long hauls.

Other than that nit picking, it's a sweat ride!

 

About the only thing that the Cadenza has that I will probably truly miss is the tilt down side mirrors when reversing, and the automatic fold up mirrors when the car is parked and doors locked. Those are just nice things, but definitely not a deal breaker in regards to the Maxima. If the Max does those things, then I just overlooked it in my reading

 

Had the same pano roof noise with my 2013 Optima SXL as well. It was so freakin annoying. I don't miss that car. I did like the fold up mirrors as well.

 

diggy - I don't know what levels of the 8th gen Maxima have the outside mirror dropdown when we go into reverse (maybe all levels?), but I definitely have this on my Platinum. Like you, I wish I had the folddown mirrors, but controlled by a switch. I want to drop them BEFORE going through the garage doors, not AFTER I am already inside the garage.

 

I believe it's just the Platinum. It wasn't an available option for my SR.

 

So I went and test drove one yesterday, and you're right: the width of the center console takes up a lot of knee space. I have arthritis in my right knee pretty bad, and have already had a total knee replacement done on my left, and I'm a relatively young 40 year old. It became a little uncomfortable after a 15 minute drive. Sometimes the wife and I pack up and drive down to Florida to visit her parents, and thats a 13-hour trip from Virginia. Not sure I'd want to be in it for that long. All things considered though, its a NICE vehicle. I got an offer on my trade and purchase of the new vehicle that I thought was decent, but I'll shop around a bit some more if I decide I want to move forward

 

The platinum or SL murano with tech was last minute consideration for me- based on what you're saying- but I decided to go with the small sportier car. However I'm sure the platinum Murano would have been a good choice too.

 

Comfort for that kind of money is paramount...if it was bugging you on a 15 minute test drive, it's really going to get under your skin when you start making payments....I don't know why they had to make it so big, after all, they didn't provide much storage, so at least offer up that leg room...

 

Have they addressed the latest recall?

 

I came from a 2013 BMW 535i (leased). Generally speaking, they're similar - the Nissan actually has more room (and a set-back/carve-out of the lower portion), whereas you sit lower in the BMW, and it is about 80% carpeted + genuine leather around the tunnel (the top of the tunnel is asymmetric - passenger side has wood wrapped from top > side).

I'm 5'11" and honestly it doesn't bother me at all. Can you play with the thigh extender?

 

I know i felt bothered some by the center shaft on my leg on the test drive also and almost considered it as a deal breaker but luckily changed my mind because the car made sense, 90 days later my legs are quite comfortable and it doesnt bother me at all. Im 5'11 and 3/4.