2019's are rolling in.....
12-21-2018, 10:49 AM
#41
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Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 213
<<Another deal killer, for me, is the stupid iPad type infotainment center screen. It really feels like they forgot to design it in to the car, then came back and bolted a laptop on to the top of the dash.>>
Many cars are like that, unfortunately, and I too hate the way that looks, it's just horrible. Last year I test drove a Mazda 3 for my wife, and that was one of the turnoffs for me, when it came to that car (one of many ... I would never buy a Mazda 3, I don't care about the "zoom zoom" slogan, it's bull$hit, there is no "zoom zoom" in a Mazda 3).
Many cars are like that, unfortunately, and I too hate the way that looks, it's just horrible. Last year I test drove a Mazda 3 for my wife, and that was one of the turnoffs for me, when it came to that car (one of many ... I would never buy a Mazda 3, I don't care about the "zoom zoom" slogan, it's bull$hit, there is no "zoom zoom" in a Mazda 3).
12-21-2018, 12:09 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 383
<<Another deal killer, for me, is the stupid iPad type infotainment center screen. It really feels like they forgot to design it in to the car, then came back and bolted a laptop on to the top of the dash.>>
Many cars are like that, unfortunately, and I too hate the way that looks, it's just horrible. Last year I test drove a Mazda 3 for my wife, and that was one of the turnoffs for me, when it came to that car (one of many ... I would never buy a Mazda 3, I don't care about the "zoom zoom" slogan, it's bull$hit, there is no "zoom zoom" in a Mazda 3).
Many cars are like that, unfortunately, and I too hate the way that looks, it's just horrible. Last year I test drove a Mazda 3 for my wife, and that was one of the turnoffs for me, when it came to that car (one of many ... I would never buy a Mazda 3, I don't care about the "zoom zoom" slogan, it's bull$hit, there is no "zoom zoom" in a Mazda 3).
Its all Benz’s fault!
12-21-2018, 12:37 PM
#43
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I can agree with much of what you are saying, but Nissan has no decision to make. The Altima and the Maxima are not only aimed at totally different markets, but the Maxima is a step or two above the Altima in mage, desirability, interior, styling, and standard accessories. And the fact Nissan sells more Altimas than Maximas is exactly per Nissan's intentions. Carlos Ghosn made things very clear back in November 2002 when he said the Altima would be Nissan's affordable 'Everyman's' car, with sales hopefully around 300,000 units, while the Maxima would be taken upscale and be Nissan's flagship vehicle, with sales targeted around 70,000 units. And that is what has happened.
If we wish to compare the Altima with other vehicles, that should be done by comparing it against the vehicles automotive magazines and automotive testers do - cars such as the Accord and Camry.
It is to be expected that there will be those here who understandably question what I am saying, I can only encourage those folks to please remember these discussions when the 9th generation Maxima arrives. I don't think that vehicle will be mistaken for an Altima. I base that logic not only on the word we have received from Nissan folks, but on the reality that, with sedans disappearing from the scene, it truly would not be in Nissan's best interest to produce a ninth gen Maxima unless it was distinctively different from the Altima in both styling and content.
If we wish to compare the Altima with other vehicles, that should be done by comparing it against the vehicles automotive magazines and automotive testers do - cars such as the Accord and Camry.
It is to be expected that there will be those here who understandably question what I am saying, I can only encourage those folks to please remember these discussions when the 9th generation Maxima arrives. I don't think that vehicle will be mistaken for an Altima. I base that logic not only on the word we have received from Nissan folks, but on the reality that, with sedans disappearing from the scene, it truly would not be in Nissan's best interest to produce a ninth gen Maxima unless it was distinctively different from the Altima in both styling and content.
Last edited by MONTE 01&97 SE; 12-21-2018 at 12:40 PM.
12-22-2018, 01:27 AM
#44
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
2001 Ghosn mentioned that before the intro of the 5.5 and 3rd gen Altima...hehe, it all changed with the 5.5 gen starting the move. They started moving it upscale offering features never offered on a Max before like memory seats, heated steering wheel, auto entry seats, hid's etc etc. Production in 02 went below 100k units from the 130k ish prior intentionally with then new/larger Altima coming to play!
I have seen two 1999 Altimas recently. Those old Altimas were much smaller than the 2002 and later Altimas.
12-22-2018, 04:57 AM
#45
2001 Ghosn mentioned that before the intro of the 5.5 and 3rd gen Altima...hehe, it all changed with the 5.5 gen starting the move. They started moving it upscale offering features never offered on a Max before like memory seats, heated steering wheel, auto entry seats, hid's etc etc. Production in 02 went below 100k units from the 130k ish prior intentionally with then new/larger Altima coming to play!
12-22-2018, 06:58 AM
#46
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Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 227
I had an 19 Altima this week as a loaner, while my 16 Max was having some work done. I drove it for most of a day. I had an AWD SL, NA 2.5, that had an MSRP of $32K+.
I was very impressed, mostly with the refined, quiet ride. It should fair well in the Accord/Camry market, but it will never, under any circumstance, be a competitor for the Max. Nothing about the interior, equipment, aesthetics or driving experience is remotely as satisfying as my 52K mile Maxima.
Another deal killer, for me, is the stupid iPad type infotainment center screen. It really feels like they forgot to design it in to the car, then came back and bolted a laptop on to the top of the dash. And I would feel the same if it was in a Lexus, BMW or Cadillac.
I was very impressed, mostly with the refined, quiet ride. It should fair well in the Accord/Camry market, but it will never, under any circumstance, be a competitor for the Max. Nothing about the interior, equipment, aesthetics or driving experience is remotely as satisfying as my 52K mile Maxima.
Another deal killer, for me, is the stupid iPad type infotainment center screen. It really feels like they forgot to design it in to the car, then came back and bolted a laptop on to the top of the dash. And I would feel the same if it was in a Lexus, BMW or Cadillac.
12-22-2018, 07:21 AM
#47
12-22-2018, 08:15 AM
#49
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12-22-2018, 11:33 AM
#53
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Location: Atlanta
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12-22-2018, 01:14 PM
#55
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12-22-2018, 02:48 PM
#59
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That one with the body colored door handles is the SR version, seems as if they are trying to go back to there roots. The old SE (SR now) always had body colored door handles and the other versions had silver as they do now. One thing that stopped with the 4th gen for the SE model that I miss was the total blacked out trim which made it look even more sporty, since all of the sporty models have that silver/ black trim combo!
12-22-2018, 03:06 PM
#60
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That coming from a man who was on the scene at the time things changed! Thanks for filling in the details, MONTE. All I remember was that the 5.5 2002 had several worthwhile goodies my 2000 SE did not have.
I have seen two 1999 Altimas recently. Those old Altimas were much smaller than the 2002 and later Altimas.
I have seen two 1999 Altimas recently. Those old Altimas were much smaller than the 2002 and later Altimas.
Last edited by MONTE 01&97 SE; 12-22-2018 at 03:08 PM.
12-22-2018, 03:09 PM
#61
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Atlanta
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Btw - the wheels look nearly identical to those on the Infiniti Q50 (or whatever the hell it is now). Talk about recycled parts.
12-23-2018, 08:24 PM
#70
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Posts: 221
12-23-2018, 09:44 PM
#71
12-23-2018, 10:16 PM
#72
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Posts: 290
SR trim has body colored handles.
12-24-2018, 06:39 AM
#74
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12-24-2018, 07:32 AM
#75
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12-24-2018, 07:53 AM
#76
12-24-2018, 09:43 AM
#77
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,648
The VQ/CVT are ideally matched as is. More HP would require a new stronger CVT or conventional auto or manual transmission, neither of which Nissan will opt for. Nissan is not going to redesign the Maxima powerplant to appease the very few.
12-25-2018, 09:05 AM
#78
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Ghosn came very close to being released on bond last week, but the Japanese government attorneys decided they had found further unreported income, arrested him anew, and invoked a clause that enables them to keep him incarcerated another ten days, with an option for even ten more days after that. I suspect he may be out on bond around January 11th. I am hoping the big decision-makers at Nissan do not make too many sudden decisions or major changes of plans, such as cancelling the 9th gen Maxima. The thing that concerns me is that Nissan and Mitsubishi have already announced they are replacing Ghosn, and Renault is slowly beginning to separate from Ghosn also. Thankfully, I feel the 9th gen Maxima plans are far enough along that It will not be dropped.
The next year is going to be fun, as we hear more and more rumors of what we will have in the 9th gen Maxima, and after that year of rumors, actual facts will begin to appear, and the excitement will really build I hope the color selection for the ninth gen is back to the usual eight. I'm not sure we have eight colors available on the 8.5.gen. For the 9th gen, I hope the sunset drift (burnt orange) is available on the top of the line Platinum, and not just on the SE and one version of the Platinum. I also hope a rich natural tan color for the upholstery is available on most, if not all models. I will be excited to catch my first glimpse of the 9th gen styling, but, as with most folks here, I will be most interested in the power train and functional items such as AWD. I suspect the 9th gen will move from 'near luxury' to 'very near luxury' in price, as well as content.
The 9th gen will probably be my last Maxima, because I don't think Nissan dealers can ethically sell Maximas to folks that have passed age 100. Sort of joking, but sadly close to the truth.
The next year is going to be fun, as we hear more and more rumors of what we will have in the 9th gen Maxima, and after that year of rumors, actual facts will begin to appear, and the excitement will really build I hope the color selection for the ninth gen is back to the usual eight. I'm not sure we have eight colors available on the 8.5.gen. For the 9th gen, I hope the sunset drift (burnt orange) is available on the top of the line Platinum, and not just on the SE and one version of the Platinum. I also hope a rich natural tan color for the upholstery is available on most, if not all models. I will be excited to catch my first glimpse of the 9th gen styling, but, as with most folks here, I will be most interested in the power train and functional items such as AWD. I suspect the 9th gen will move from 'near luxury' to 'very near luxury' in price, as well as content.
The 9th gen will probably be my last Maxima, because I don't think Nissan dealers can ethically sell Maximas to folks that have passed age 100. Sort of joking, but sadly close to the truth.
12-25-2018, 05:26 PM
#79
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Last edited by compyelc4; 12-28-2018 at 06:20 PM.