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.

 

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!

 

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

 

You have to apply common sense and ask if the numbers make sense. 3 out of 100 Maximas are sold with 5-speeds, huh? I don't think so. That would mean that if you wanted to buy a 5-speed it'd be pretty difficult to find one, as the dealers around my house have about 80 or so cars on the lot at any given time. They always have at least 10-12 5-speeds on hand, mostly loaded, some without leather. Just use common sense bro', 5-speeds gotta be between 10-20%. C'mon, 3%? Nobody died and made R&T the know alls.

 

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.