Dang too many rich kids gettin maxima's given to them, its cool though

All i wanted was a 5speed, 4door, non-american car under 18K. I was going to buy a passat but my wife thought it was girly so that didnt happen. I ended up gettin a 99SE AUTO b/c I had to have a car ASAP for moving , and they took 3K off the sticker price. and im all about a deal, not cheap , just like good deals

Anyways i still want a manual

 

Originally I started out looking at the Dodge Intrepid ES but then I started doing price comparisons and other characteristic comparison, plus I was looking at the options, room and most importantly the engine.

I drove both of the vehicles back to back and the Max just seemed more powerful and had better gas economy, the Intrepid did feel bigger and look it on the inside but the Max was just the right size and the reliability factor was unquestionable.

When I drove my car back to the Dodge Dealership the salesman said, wow what a beautiful car, Max all the way.

 

I bought my MaX myself

 

Being that RWD isn't an option in the snow...

Yes, it was my first choice.

However, if I lived further south, I would have gotten something else (M3) for sure!

 

I did the research, and wanted a reliable 5spd V6 4door.

- ~95 Taurus SHO (Come on, it's a FORD, and I just got out of a 95 Taurus GL that was a POS)
- 850 T5-R ( no 5spds like the UK has )
- 96 Maxima SE
- Grand Prix GTP (wouldn't fit in my side of the garage because of the steps to the door)
- Bonneville SSEi (same as GTP)


So finally I settled on a 96 Maxima SE - wanted black/cloth. Went to the Nissan dealer closest to me and found a 95 Black leather with 100k for 13k (this was 3 years ago) and a 96 Pearl White/tan cloth with 47k for 15k. I got the white one.

 

when i was shopping for this car...i always wanted a maxima, but i drove a couple other cars just to see if my heart was really sold on a maxima. i drove and considered a

2000 Trans Am Ws-6 (very impractical, high insurance)
2000 Audi A4 1.8T (very small)
1999 Jeep Cherokee Laredo V8 (already have a 4WD Supercrew F-150, so i wanted something a little more sporty)

I knew i always wanted a 4th gen, and after driving and researching all the other ones...this was the best choice by far. i feel that i got a MUCH better car than the other ones listed for much cheaper, lower insurance, and better reliability.

--Paul

 

Nope, not my first, or second, or.......

Back in 1995:
1. Honda Accord to replace the one my ex-wife got, expensive V-6,
2. Honda Prelude, too expensive and small,
3. Camaro Z-28, not enough room for more than 2 people (needed a 5 place one) but FAST,
4. VW Jetta, too small,
5. VW Passat, too big and ugly,
6. BMW, way too expensive,
7. Jeep Grand Waggoneer, sucks too much gas, expensive
8. new 1995 Max SE, just right, ah-h-h-h-h-h......

I did not know what I was getting into when I bought it but it fit the mold; a true 5-place car, V-6, 5-spd, all black, all the goodies at a decent price.

I soon discovered that I had a wolf in sheep's clothing with a heck of alot of upside! The Max is the longest I've ever owned a car and the loving feeling is still there.

 

Maxima was my first choice...wanted one since I was like 14. Fell in love with the 3rd generation Max - that dark blue color they had Then I liked the 97-99 SE even better.
First car was a '97 Altima - couldn't afford the Max and it was almost as nice. Then traded that for a Super black '98 Maxima SE 5-spd and here I am.

-Chad

 

The Maxima was my only choice! The wife wanted a Altima but I won! hek I would have purchased a older Maxima than a new Altima.

 

Seems like noone else bought the Max strictly for the perfomance. I was looking for a GS-T and the only one in the area was a Spyder. The top was coming apart and it had no trunk. Every used GS-R was hugely overpriced. Looked for a civic hatch to drive until I could fine something I wanted and they were all 2-3K overpriced. My list soon went to anything with a manual. Hopped in a 98 Max SE test drove it and was impressed but not sold. Found a 91 SE-R but it looked like it was the victim of an explosion. Went and got Max. Actually keeps me outa trouble cause ricers don't wanna race and Mustang boys are a little cautious. Glad I got it. I don't understand how people jump from M3s and A4s to the Max why not get the I30? IMO the later model I30s and I35s are the shizzle for sheezy.

 

A Maxima was first on the list, but also included the Millenia S, GTP, and Accord V6.
I was not even considering an I30 and at the time I did not even know they were a dressed up Maxima. My brother told me about the I30, so I went and checked one out. Just by pure luck it was a 5-speed and I bought it that day.

 

Hmm... Lets see. I got my license on a Sat. Picked up the car on Mon I walked into the Nissan dealership and said sign me up for the Max. Didn't even both to haggle

 

It wasn't my first choice, but it ended up being my final, which is more important than the first choice anyway (IMHO)...

 

Excuse you. I paid for my car with my own money. Don't assume that just because some of us are able to purchase a $25000 car that we are rich kids.

 

My first choice was my Max..even though it was a close toss up with a 95 Chevy Impala SS.

 

It was my first choice no less than 3 times:

'87 SE, Auto, Black
'94 SE, Auto, Black Emerald
'03 SETE, 6sp, Sterling Mist

Once is an accident, twice is a habit, 3 times is a sickness.

 

Last car (V6 1992 Cararo 3.8L) went through 4 engines in 5 years because the cooling system kept failing at one point or another.

Once you overheat those Chevy 3.8's, they're gone within a month.

So i took a ride in a co-workers 97 SE and loved it.

Then about a year later I did my research on "What engine will not blow" and came up with the VQ.

And here I am.

 

I was in love with the idea of driving an Audi A4 2.7T manual- my price range was $29-30K- after months of serching found a black
one 2000, and it had minor exterior scratches and 48K on the odometer
but the leather was ****y-must have been a freggin pig driving that
Anyway the salesman wouldnt negotiate, he wanted $32K for it-so after test driving an over priced SAAB 9-3 (four banger turbo)
I went home feeling down-
i was on the net, and the tv was showing the Max commercial-
(you know the one where its flying across the desert)so I hoppen in with my girl to the closest Nissan dealer- and I said "do you guys
happen to have a 6-speed i could test?" He replied: "u know what?
we have only one on the lot cause every body buys autos!"
payed $22900 for my SE Brand new-
End of story- fock used cars over $25K! its stupid

 

my 97 was my only choice, didnt wanna hear any other cars name...i love the shape and if i wasnt gonna get a benz or a range rover i wanted a maxima...ill always keep it and just have it completely hooked up one day... but for the price, the quality, the name and the looks it is one of the best cars out there for sure

 

My first choice was a Ferrari 575 Maranello. But it was about 200 grand over my budget, so I settled for the Max.

I actually wanted a G35 but could not justify the difference in price (I bought my 03 just before the 04's came out and, as a result, I was able to negotiate a pretty reasonable price). If I was paying full price I'd have bought the G.

 

1st choice: Bright red 97 bpu Supra tt 6speed with over 400whp!! oh wait that's my cousins car. heheh.

seriously, my first was a 99 3000gt sl 5speed. I liked the looks of it and didn't really care or know about speed back then. I was 17. My dad said heck no cause of the insurance so I went looking for a 95+ Maxima. I didn't know anything about it. I just knew it fit my character. I would picture myself cruisin around with a stock Max with 3 friends and not worrying about getting pulled over for speeding. lol I had no intention of modding the car. I didn't know that it can run 14s stock and I didn't even know the trim levels: GXE, SE?? So I bought a 95 gxe auto. I loved that car. 2 weeks later I'm a member of this org and I ordered my Frankencar and I put 17s on it. I even spent $150 on red/clear tails!!

Once I learned that the 5speeds were much better and everyone keeps bashing the autos(don't hate, it's true)hehe, I bought my current car, the 96 SE 5speed. I'll probably keep it for another 3 years. I plan to get a WRX or a 1st gen dsm next.
-Paul

 

My first choice was my truck, 93 chevy silverado step side...Lowered now.)
Then after about 4 years I was looking at a 89 turbo TA and the guy sold it out from under me. My friend got a 91 NX200 and I was sold on nissans ever since. I'm a big guy, so the max was the choice i made, and one that I'll never regret.
Kevin.

 

my first choice would've been whatever I liked in my price range when I first got my license. but I ended up with my dad's 3rd gen after he had driven it for 13 years. it was a friend of mine who opened me up to how great they really are.

 

I was first looking at a 97 240sx 5 speed, but the car got sold an hour before I got off work to look at it. Second car was the Maxima and even though it was an automatic (I was looking for a 5 speed), it just felt right.

After 2 years ... no repairs (touch wood) and trunk lid is starting to rust around the spoiler. No real complaints. TOrque steer probably the only thing but hey, it's a spitited grocery getter

 

Nope.
My first choice was actually a 93-95 Mazda 626, because back in 1998 when I was looking for a car, it was the only thing in my price range. Then at one dealer, I saw my future 95 Maxima GXE 5spd with 17in Concept Neeper Chrome rims. It was going for $10,600 with 62k miles. I got them down to $9000 even and kept it for 2 years, until I ran a carfax on it and found out that there had been a 30k mile rollback. I traded the car in a week later and got my 99 SE which I've now had for almost three years.

 

The Maxima was originally bought as my "City" vehicle... something I wouldn't worry about as much as my other vehicles.

 

Yes, definitly. My first car was a '91 Sentra GXE that ran faithfully until it was totalled in 1998 with 186k, strong miles. The only complaint that I had about that car was the lack of power (110hp). At the time of the purchase, I really wanted the Maxima, but the dues were too high for me at that time. Now I have a '94 Maxima GXE with an automatic tranny and a '92 Maxima SE with a 5spd manual. Really, I can't imagine driving anything else--however, the new Honda Accord coupes are pretty nice.

For me, it is Maxima all the way. Where else can you get a powerful, V-6 engine in a 4-door sedan with a 5 or 6spd manual tranny for under $30K?

 

The max is my 9th car. I got it at an auction (same as the other 8)
I went for the Maxima but saw a Silver Acura CL-S first, then the Max. Max came up in a lane first and I didnt want to miss out so here I am. Might have the Acura if it would have come up 5 minutes sooner.

Still regret selling my 99 Cobra (12.3@110) but I plan on making a trip to get a 2003 early next year. C'mon Boss, I need some more money!!!

Jonathan

 

This was my first and only choice. I didn't even consider any other cars. If I wasn't able to get the Max that I wanted, I wasn't going to purchase a new car at the time. I mean the Max has everything I wanted -- 6sp, leather, sunroof, great looks, great reliability, HIDs, rims, performance, comfort, and the list goes on and on. To top it all off, all of that could be had for under $26k brand new, which is the deal I was able to get.

Great car, no regrets at all 9 months/6500 miles later. Just cannot beat the value!

 

For a first car, the 3rd Gen Max is a great car for me. When I first started looking, I wanted a Honda Accord or Acura Legend. As I started to shop around, I found the Max was a lot cheaper and just as good (probably better value) for the money. I ended up with my 91 GXE Auto w/ 75k for only $3300! What a great first car! I've had it a year and still love it as much as the day I picked it up.

 

My first choice was a 2002 M.B. c230 sports coupe. I had a grand prix gt as a trade, but at the last minute the mercedes dealer said they wouldn"t take an American car as a trade. Only wanted Audi, BMW, etc. on their lot. His loss, I went up the road and bought a 2002 Max within the hour. No prob with the trade. Went back to the Mercedes dealer with the new car, and asked the salesman how much commision he didn't make that day. Would have been nice to have a new mercedes, but I'm happy with the Maxima, and probably better off with the maintinence costs over the long run.

 

My first choice was a 2000 Black on Black Celica GTS. I was really close to buying it. Then, I talked myself out of it. It was nice, handled great, decent power, awesome looks, but, it also had high price tag, high insurance. I then looked at several cars, Grand Prix GTP (too high of miles for money), Acura CL-S (older gen=slow), 1997 Champagne Max SE (didn't like the miles or color). I then was at the Nissan Dealer late on the last Saturday of the month and found a Artic White Pearl 99 SE 5 spd with 38k miles. I loved it, I test drove it and made what I thought was a low ball offer of $13,000. I have been driving it since September 2002. I love this car!

 

When buying my first Max ('96), I also considered the Camry. I had already driven BMWs and Volvos before, nice cars but way overpriced and overrated. I knew the Audi was almost as unreliable as a chevy. After a comparison drive of the Max vs. Camry, it was Max - hands down! 166,000 miles later, it still purrs like a kitten.

When I needed a new car ('02), I didn't even need to look anywhere else - with 255 HP, 245 torque, excellent quality, reliability and handling, nice interior, and the X plan at work to get a great deal, a new Max was inevitable.

 

When buying my first Max ('96), I also considered the Camry. I had already driven BMWs and Volvos before, nice cars but way overpriced and overrated. I knew the Audi was almost as unreliable as a chevy. After a comparison drive of the Max vs. Camry, it was Max - hands down! 166,000 miles later, it still purrs like a kitten.

When I needed a new car ('02), I didn't even need to look anywhere else - with 255 HP, 245 torque, excellent quality, reliability and handling, nice interior, and the X plan at work to get a great deal, a new Max was inevitable.

 

"VQ Power kann verprugeln die Audi "
good one.. havent heard that one in a long time!

Ok, I have a question: How many of you, if any, regret your Maxima decision?

 

My first choice was a 300ZX but in '98 when I decided to trade my '95 Hardbody there was no Z. I really wanted RWD because I was already sick of having a powerful FWD car (my '92 SE-R) but at the time the only RWD car Nissan had was the 240SX. While the 240 was a great looking car it was simply no match for the Maxima in straight line performance. I knew that the Maxima was the most powerful and quickest car you could buy with the Nissan badge at the time and I was already in love with the new VQ engine. I purchased a '98 black SE 5 speed almost entirely on it's engine and power. Trailing in a far second was it's eye pleasing apperance and practicality.
The plan was to get rid of that car just in time for the new Z to arrive but as it turns out the Z came out about a year after I had planned. The lease was up on the '98 and it had been wrecked so there was no way I was going to buy the car and take that his on a trade. Because of timing I ended up with another Maxima. But this time I special ordered the thing. If I could not have a Z I was going to make sure I got everything else I wanted which was only the new 6 speed gearbox, the torque monster VQ35DE and the helical limited slip to put more of that power to the pavement. As I look back there have been no regrets and I would do it all over again if I had to. But again, the Maxima is not my first choice for my next car. The G35 Coupe wins by a landslide and I can't see myself ever having that oversized 6th gen Maxima. Perhaps if the 7th gen car is RWD as it should be and loses some weight I might chnage my mind.

 

Altima was my first choice until I sat in one and saw/felt the interior; enter Maxima. CTS and Civic Coupe were briefly considered too. CTS has a chance to become an awesome car I think.

 

In a way I do, I think if I waited a year I could've had a G35 Sedan. Also, I didn't know the I35 was the same as a Maxima and I know Infiniti dealers over here wanted to get rid of them.

I am still VERY happy with it but it's just buyer's remorse

 

Although my Maxima was not my frist choice, I do plan on keeping it when I get my next car (which should be a 2 door sports car ie: new 350z, used NSX)

 

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