Future of the 5 spd max?
#1
I've often wondered how many Maximas are sold here in the US with the 5 spd...Road and Track has the answer in the march issue => 3% (the same as for the Lincoln LS) = OUCH!.
Since Nissan moved approx 130,000 Maxs here last year, that means less than 4,000 5 spd were produced for the US. My big concern is that the max stick option will go the route of the Acura Legend (TL/CL now), Volvo (S40 = no stick), Taurus SHO, etc.
This leads to a couple questions....
Does Nissan have a transaxle that can handle the 3.5 slated for next year? Will they develop one just for that engine.
Can Nissan really justify certifying a 5 or 6 spd powertrain for the low return on sales?
I hope so, or my '00 could be the last Max in my garage.
Since Nissan moved approx 130,000 Maxs here last year, that means less than 4,000 5 spd were produced for the US. My big concern is that the max stick option will go the route of the Acura Legend (TL/CL now), Volvo (S40 = no stick), Taurus SHO, etc.
This leads to a couple questions....
Does Nissan have a transaxle that can handle the 3.5 slated for next year? Will they develop one just for that engine.
Can Nissan really justify certifying a 5 or 6 spd powertrain for the low return on sales?
I hope so, or my '00 could be the last Max in my garage.
#2
To answer you question......YES....they will most likely have a 5sp 3.5. WHY? well.....look at the pathfinder. Would they sell more 5sp pathfinders than max's? Probably not...and the current 3.5L p-funk does come with an optional stick in the SE trim. So to answer...yes....there is a 5sp tranny to bolt up to the 3.5!
#3
I suspect the easiest way for nissan to work around the "weak" 5 speed issue would be to cut gears in something stronger. I think the 3.5 will be a stroker motor... which probably means te same block and thus the same bell housing. It'd cost too much to get a brand spanking new motor.. plus the VQ is great right now.
If nissan doesn't develope better gears, ie better stronger material... I am guessing that 5 will go away. Plus I think it's very possible that the 5 speed wil go anyways. Remember, the maxima is going to get bigger and compete with the likes of Avalon. In that market, a 5 speed is not needed. I wouldn't be suprised that it will go away.
-Shing
If nissan doesn't develope better gears, ie better stronger material... I am guessing that 5 will go away. Plus I think it's very possible that the 5 speed wil go anyways. Remember, the maxima is going to get bigger and compete with the likes of Avalon. In that market, a 5 speed is not needed. I wouldn't be suprised that it will go away.
-Shing
Originally posted by 2maxgarage
I've often wondered how many Maximas are sold here in the US with the 5 spd...Road and Track has the answer in the march issue => 3% (the same as for the Lincoln LS) = OUCH!.
Since Nissan moved approx 130,000 Maxs here last year, that means less than 4,000 5 spd were produced for the US. My big concern is that the max stick option will go the route of the Acura Legend (TL/CL now), Volvo (S40 = no stick), Taurus SHO, etc.
This leads to a couple questions....
Does Nissan have a transaxle that can handle the 3.5 slated for next year? Will they develop one just for that engine.
Can Nissan really justify certifying a 5 or 6 spd powertrain for the low return on sales?
I hope so, or my '00 could be the last Max in my garage.
I've often wondered how many Maximas are sold here in the US with the 5 spd...Road and Track has the answer in the march issue => 3% (the same as for the Lincoln LS) = OUCH!.
Since Nissan moved approx 130,000 Maxs here last year, that means less than 4,000 5 spd were produced for the US. My big concern is that the max stick option will go the route of the Acura Legend (TL/CL now), Volvo (S40 = no stick), Taurus SHO, etc.
This leads to a couple questions....
Does Nissan have a transaxle that can handle the 3.5 slated for next year? Will they develop one just for that engine.
Can Nissan really justify certifying a 5 or 6 spd powertrain for the low return on sales?
I hope so, or my '00 could be the last Max in my garage.
#4
whenever you use statistics
Originally posted by 2maxgarage
I've often wondered how many Maximas are sold here in the US with the 5 spd...Road and Track has the answer in the march issue => 3% (the same as for the Lincoln LS) = OUCH!.
Since Nissan moved approx 130,000 Maxs here last year, that means less than 4,000 5 spd were produced for the US. My big concern is that the max stick option will go the route of the Acura Legend (TL/CL now), Volvo (S40 = no stick), Taurus SHO, etc.
This leads to a couple questions....
Does Nissan have a transaxle that can handle the 3.5 slated for next year? Will they develop one just for that engine.
Can Nissan really justify certifying a 5 or 6 spd powertrain for the low return on sales?
I hope so, or my '00 could be the last Max in my garage.
I've often wondered how many Maximas are sold here in the US with the 5 spd...Road and Track has the answer in the march issue => 3% (the same as for the Lincoln LS) = OUCH!.
Since Nissan moved approx 130,000 Maxs here last year, that means less than 4,000 5 spd were produced for the US. My big concern is that the max stick option will go the route of the Acura Legend (TL/CL now), Volvo (S40 = no stick), Taurus SHO, etc.
This leads to a couple questions....
Does Nissan have a transaxle that can handle the 3.5 slated for next year? Will they develop one just for that engine.
Can Nissan really justify certifying a 5 or 6 spd powertrain for the low return on sales?
I hope so, or my '00 could be the last Max in my garage.
#5
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Posts: n/a
Acura TL type S
Any speculation about Nissan's response to the Acura TL type S? With the 260 hp, 5 speed trans, add a transmission chip similar to the one available for the Passat (shifts in 1/10 sec.!) I'm guessing the max could have a worthy competitor.
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