I got a rental car this am, and it's a 2k3 Cavalier coupe with less than 500 miles on it. Wow, this steering is tight and crisp. Let's keep sending Nissan the message, when the 2k4 comes out, we don't want loose steering and pedals anymore, we want that crisp road feel! If chevy can do it in a car like the Cavalier, and Pontiac with the Sunfire, and Olds with the Alero, there's no way the 2k4 Maxima can't do it as well. Sometimes life is good when things are stiff and tight!

 

 

I love that too. I think it leaves a bit less room for over compensation of a turn.

SuDZ

 

I own a 95 Accord LX V6, which I have to say, if nothing else, has one of the best road feedback "systems" in place. The steering is nice and tight, and is very responsive (no overboost, underboost). However, when I drive my 2003 SE, I don't really notice a difference. The biggest difference that I notice is from the beam axle in the back ,when the back of the car jumps out when cornering and going over a bump. The car has speed-sensitive steering, so the faster you go, the stiffer it gets.

I really don't have anything to complain about regarding the steering.

 

the FSTB made a world of difference to the steering in my 99 Max. It really did stiffen it up.

 

That would be great if Nissans handling could come close to BMW's. I drove my friends 3 series, it stuck to the road like gum on a shoe. It was great!

 

I drove a 5-speed Civic recently. Even that car has good road feel and steering. I really liked the small turning radius too. I forgot what it was like to do a U-Turn in one motion.

 

Amen. The turning radius on my 2003 is ridiculous. Making a U-turn is like driving an 18-wheeler. They should put that beeping sound on the Max when you hit reverse (like buses).

 

My lady's Accord is beautiful as far as stability goes.

 

I always thought my rents old 94 4-cyl EX accord had somewhat loose steering. At the time I was driving my 91 Integra though. I'd say it felt to me almost the same as my max, but I can't remember 100%.

The Acura was great as far as steering feel goes, and handling in general for a fwd. I wasn't real crazy about the way it rode on rough roads, and thought I wanted something more towards the ride/performance 50/50 balance....but after driving the max for a while I yearn for the handling/steering feel of a tighter, sportier ride.

 

Yes, the 4-cyl Accords are different. The V6 that I have is more sport-tuned, so it feels better. The previous owner told me (when I was buying the car) that he drove the camry, maxima, and the accord (late 90's models), and he also thought the V-6 Accord had the best handling/steering feedback.

 

i have been much happier with my car ever since i put on the progress springs, KYB AGX's, and 40 profile tires. those things took out alot of the big car feel that mine came with. i would like to try one of those FSTB's though.

 

I've driven a ton of late model GM and other American cars and the steering is indeed "heavier" giving the sense of better feel. However if you throw those cars into the curves, the steering sucks and lacks feed back. The Pontiac Grand Prixs GTs I've rented for work have nicely weighted steering, but if you get them into the curve, the steering conveys nothing. I agree that the Maxima's steering is overboosted, but it offers much better feedback and feel in handling manuvers. Once you add lower profile high performance rubber, the steering is far better, IMO.

Dave

 

what about a dead stiff virgin girl ??

 

my car's steering is pretty tight. Mods are fun.

 

thru the butt of a dead stuff virgin gurl

 

$20! *remember this one guys?*

 

What you guys are talking about is the difference between cheaper lighter cars and the "refined" feel of a 4 door sports car...

 

 

 

No question the Maxima is a better car overall. But I just got back into mine this am after driving the Cavalier 1200 miles. My steering feels very loose and it's annoying as all ****. It'll take a day to get used to it again. The brake pedals feel very soft and my pads are nearly new. I didn't notice it last week, but because the Cavalier had zero rattles, my whole car sounds like it's shaking itself apart!! There are squeaks from the left and right of the front dashboard, and somewhere in the rear-right.

Do yourself a favor. Next time you need to go a few hundred miles on a business trip, instead of taking the 36.5 or actually it's 36 cents/mile for 2003, rent a car and have the co. reimburse you for the rental and gas. You'll see that the Cavalier's steering is superior in feel to the Maxima. And my point is it should be the other way around. But it probably will be with the 6th gen.

 

Apparently the polyurethane control arm bushings should help steering feel. When I put mine in I will let you all know.

 

Keep us posted, because it'd be great if that's all it took. But my gut feel is it's not the "overboost," nor is it the front suspension. imho it's the rack itself--it takes alot of movement to get the fronts to respond. Why I believe that is there is obviously zero free-play on a 4th gen car.

BMW went to great expense to retrofit the E46's when owners complained about the loose steering feel in 2k1. They would have done PS pumps or bushings if that's all that was needed.

 

hahaha i noticed that too my sisters '99 Cavalier is more solid than the Maxima- steering is better too if a bit vague... the Mazda Protege and the new Mazda 6 have aweeesome steering

even my big SC400 handles better than the Maxima (not limits but overall feel and character)

 

aha! I wasn't imagining it. whaddya want, GM is on the right track, Alero beats the 95-2k1 Maxima in slalom, braking, skidpad. 2k2 is questionable at best.

 

Try the energy suspension swaybar bushing and endlink bushings if you haven't already. I have both on my 97 SE and not only did it tighten up my steering, it actually made the front end quieter than before! .

 

seriously the Cavalier is kinda fun to fling around, even with its 4x4 ground clearance the suspension is quite stiff and the heavier suspension isnt exactly BMW communicative but it sure is alot funner than the Maxima...

problem is it doesnt have the natural 'right' feel of the BMWs and yea the E46!!! when I first drove it I was like ehhhh what the hell did BMW do??? haha I used to drive my friends euro spec 321 horse M3 around... I thought it was only me tripping