After much consideration, I've decided to replace my 2014 Maxima SV Premium with a new 2017 Pearl White SR with a camel interior. This will be my EIGHTH Maxima since 1985, and I'm looking forward to the new model. This is my third car from the same dealer in Massachusetts and he has found the car in another nearby state, so I will probably not take delivery of the new model until the middle of next week. I'm looking forward to the new car as my '14 has had issues- sunroof noises among them, and some other misfortunes I won't talk about until the new car is in the garage...can't wait to compare notes with other SR owners!! File photos are attached as the new car is in transit

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I love the SR camel leather; this is easily my favorite 8th gen interior color, and by far the most realistic 'leather-looking' seating color.

Let us know how things go with your new SR. At least you will no longer have the strange noises from a double-panel sunroof.

 

Thanks, light- the sunroof and its' impending problems- and the experience you have had led me away from the Platinum this time- in addition, my 2014 has the paddle shifters, which I like, and are only on the SR models, and as you noted, the camel interior was the determining factor for me. I did expect Nissan to gift me with this car as it is my eighth and I've accumulated will over 660 K miles since '85 on their products......I've been almost as good an ambassador as you!!

 

Denoose,
After going through so many model years can you provide feedback regarding the CVT in comparison to the other Maxima's you owned? I have been holding on to my 5th Gen with hopes that one day they would offer a manual transmission again.

 

'tross - I hear you. But Nissan learned the hard way between around 2000 and 2006 that, not only will very few Maxima shoppers show interest in a manual, but dealers fought tooth and nail to not have to accept any manual Maximas from Nissan. The manuals Nissan forced on them simply sat on the dealer lot, taking up space, until the dealers marked them down to where they were losing big bucks just so they could get the parking space back to use with a vehicle someone might buy.

But the final nail is the fact manufacturers are under extreme pressure to meet stricter fleet fuel efficiency requirements, and the manual is now easily the least fuel efficient tranny in existence. Folks that insist on a manual tranny in a family sedan (such as my daughter) are opting for cars such as the Mazda6, which is actually a fine automobile.

I drove a lot of manuals between the mid 1940s and fall of 1984 when I traded my five speed manual Datsun 200SX in as part of a deal to get two 1985 Maximas. I found I was shifting around 800 times each way to and from work in my Datsun in creepy-crawl traffic, and it was causing me knee and arm problems, and the fun was long gone.

After seven years of driving nothing but CVT cars, I will never own anything except CVT powered cars. It took a while to make the adjustment, but I love the feel, and love getting 33 MPG on the freeway in a 300HP vehicle.

 

Lightonthehill, had you seen this?

Exploding Sunroofs: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...ginMethod=auto

 

I drove manual trans Maximas until they were discontinued, and did acclimate to the CVT in my last two cars. Making the concession to any sort of "automatic' was a significant change on its' own, so that trans being a CVT really didn't bother me and the quirks of the CVT were, for me, part of moving away from a manual box.

I will say that after a lengthy test drive this week, the reprogrammed CVT in the 2017 model is a vast improvement over my '14, the "shifts" are crisper and more defined and the car seems more connected and responsive. The test drive was in a Platinum that my dealer gave me for a day, so I was able to drive the car in most of the conditions I normally do- traffic, freeway and some nice twisites. It should be more interesting when the SR is delivered, and I can engage sport mode and use the paddle shifters, and see how that feels.My overall experiences with the cars have been very positive in that last 30 or so years and I'm looking forward to the new car. Reliability has never been a factor- all the years, miles and cars and I had a wheel bearing failure, covered under warranty, and a passenger side airbag replaced as a goodwill gesture by Nissan...no other repairs or issues to date.
Had my son not recently left his job at BMW in NYC, I would have taken delivery of a 540 X Drive next month, so while i am going to miss that ownership experience, I think the Maxima will still more than meet my needs and will still put a smile on my face!


Thanks

 

I'm in the same boat now. I have yet to purchase the 8th gen. Still determining between the 8th gen Max and the 2018 Camry Xse v6.
I currently still have my 2009 maxima SV sport. Love the car. Only has 52,000 miles. I've had Zero issues with it..
I guess I'm just waiting to pull the trigger with whatever dealer offers best price

 

Actually, I have subscribed to Consumer Reports without interruption since spring of 1961, and had seen that article. As a result of That article, I ALWAYS keep the protective inside screen closed unless the roof is open. That should block much of the glass if the roof explodes.

My panoramic roof failed because the mechanism failed, and the main large piece of glass crushed the small mechanical system that tilts the little 'pretend' airfoil at the front of the opening. Surprisingly (at least to me), there was no option to replace the small mechanical system that tilts the little 'pretend' airfoil, so the entire roof assembly had to be replaced, which required removal of the front seats to make room for proper roof installation. A lot of work, but no cost to me.

I certainly hope my roof glass does not explode, as that would probably once again require replacement of the entire roof. And, with my luck, it would probably happen on a day when the sun has the roof glass very hot and a cool rain suddenly begins falling. And the inside of the car would be soaked.

 

I complained of operational noises on my '14 when it was still in warranty, and the dealer did his best to discourage me from pressing the issue, he did tell me they would have to do the extensive work Light mentioned. I did ask that they make a note in my file of my concerns and as I get close to trading the car in next week, I'm leaving the roof and the sunshade closed....

 

Eeeek shudder... did you say Camry... say it isn't so

True it is a bit more stylish than last years model but you my find it depressing in a few years when every third car in the store parking lot looks like yours.

 

lightonthehill and denoose,
You both made good points. At the end of the day it comes down to supply and demand. Also the reality of rising population and rising energy costs is something that the manufacturers have to deal with. With hybrids and plug in competition the name of the game is evolution. The fact that you guys are getting 30 miles per gallon with that type of power under the hood is also an achievement in itself.

 

While my son was still in BMW's employ, I had use of a 330e for much of the summer. rating both the turbo four at 180 HP, and the torque at 200, then add the electric components for 248 HP and 310 Ft LBS. Car (RWD, w/ 8 speed auotbox) got about 31 MPG in mixed driving, mostly highway, using the setting for combined power always. Weight is the big penalty as the car gains 600 Lbs. It is still a pleasure to drive, fit and finish are superb, and the sticker was ...62K...loaded to the gills...my point being the Maxima can play in the MPG range for about 20K less, accelerate as fast and look pretty f'ing good doing it as well...the hell with the Roundel on the hood...

 

Reminds me of Infiniti's Q50 Hybrid. Tha sucker is fast and efficient. Sub 5s I think.

 

This looks like a good place to mention that I read an article in the 'auto' section of the Atlanta daily paper several days ago in which an engineer with Nissan said that manual trannies and hybrids do not perform well together, so that, although both will still exist, they will not be paired in the same vehicle. I though that was sort of interesting.

 

Nice! I've got a '17 SR in deep blue pearl over camel. Like you, I liked this interior combination the best. One thing I will say is that ride quality is on the firm side in the SR. It isn't overly harsh, but some might consider it a bit too firm for a car like this. I've never been in a 7th generation car, so I can't compare ride quality.

 

I picked up the new car late this afternoon, and while did not have a lot of time to delve into the electronics, she responds very nicely to a good prod and feels great. Love the look of this car and color combination. I'll post some pictures after the window tint is completed tomorrow, I be getting caught up on the systems then as well.
Vastly different from my '14