Before anyone chews me out, here's my 2 cents.

The MSRP for a maxima is about 28-29k (with no major options), and after some of the bells and whistles, brings it to about 34-35. If people want to pay 35k for a maxima, I Just think that it's better off buying a Lexus/Infiniti/Mercedes/BMW/Acura.

Why? Even if you buy the cheapest of all those cars, they still give you a loner car. Even if you're taking your car in for an oil change...to a service maintance, or any kind of vehicle problems. As for Nissan...what do we get? Nothing. We get to sit in a room and have no clue how long our car will take. Isn't it better just to get a loaner car whenever you visit the dealer for any car services?

My point is, if you're going to pay for a maxima that's going to cost around 35k+, why not just buy a luxury car? It's a different story if you're buying a SE without all the bells and whistle.

Warranty wise: From what I know, I believe they all offer a 4 year 50k mile warranty. Correct me if i'm wrong. Also, when Mercedes and lexus offer the "extended" warranty, it is A LOT more effective then the Nissan extended warranty.

Of course performance is important if you're looking for it. But if you're paying 35k for a car, wouldn't you expect it to have a great safety rating? IF you go to www.highwaysafety.com you'll find that Lexus/Infiniti/Mercedes/BMW/Acura, they are ALL on that list. Where's the Maxima?

I was told by my service advisor that people in the Atlanta area are still paying the MSRP price of the 04 Maximas. Just wondering, why?! If anyone can tell me...

I'm not referring to anyone buying a 04 Maxima for under 28k, because for 28k, it's a great deal.

Just my 2 cents.

 

ok

0987654321

 

Those other cars won't be $35k when it's all said and done. They are either more expensive or not in the same size category. Try again

 

I think the question: "Would you rather pay another 3-4k and get a Infinity/BMW/Lexus/MB?" is valid though. I am not sure what would I've picked if I was shopping for a new car.

 

To get the same size:
Lexus: GS330, ES330.
Infiniti: M45
BMW: 5- series
Mercedes: E class.

 

Wouldn't the loaded 04 maxima be in the BMW 3 series range/ Lexus IS300 / Acura TL and Mercedes C class? I'm comparing the price ranges, not by performance wise.

And yeah I know it's not possible to get a E class for under 40 grand; 5 series under 40 grand ,nor GS, but it is possible to get a G35 4 door for 34k.

 

You forgot one critical detail. Those lux cars almost always sell for MSRP. Since when does a Nissan sell for anywhere close to MSRP?

The new 04 TL will be about $33-34k equipped. You'll be able to get a similarly equipped Maxima for still $28-30k or so for the same price difference as before. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

 

Because they are so damned small. The TL is a nice comparision though.

Stev has a good point about bargining the prices. Every try to bargin down a Acura TL?? Forget it. There's thousands of $ in bargining differences right there.

 

New question. Infiniti M45 vs 5 series/E class/gs430. Now THAT is something to think about! There is probably close to 7-10 grand difference in the same size class.

 

because they're dumb??

Seriously, of course the dealer is going to tell you they're paying that somewhere else. You're a potential customer...he doesn't want you thinking you really *can* get an '04 for $28k.

Anyone who pays msrp deserves to have their money taken away and managed by someone else (I'll do it, for a nominal fee )

 

G35 sedan is now made with 6spd, and starts at 28-29 grand and is already loaded! Anyhow, why buy new cars? After buying my car brand new, I feel stupid about throwing away so much money.

 

abc 123

 

If I had the money I would go with the G35 over the Maxima, or the G35c over the 350Z simply on the fact that Nissan dealers suck.

 

dont be

 

04 maxima's at the dealer i work at are still going for msrp.

hehehe in fact people get laughed at when they demand a discount.

 

 

Wonder where your dealership is located? They must not have edmunds.com where you are.

Here we go again, please, they must teach the concept in high school. Maybe not. When you go to buy your first home, but the best house you can in a good neighborhood. That house will no doubt have 1-2 bedrooms less and 1 bath less than a bigger house in a bad neighborhood. Or of course you can have the mentality, sheesh, for 600 thousand I can buy a mansion in Dallas instead of a 3 bedroom in Arlington MA or Arlington Heights. People that insist bigger for cheaper is better will never understand you get what you pay for.

Here's what happened to the Maxima in a nutshell--in 1999, a fully-loaded SE 5-spd listed for 29,400. But anybody with a pulse bought that car brand-new for 22,500--the list was an artificial price and there was a 2,500 rebate. Some people thought they got a good deal because the dealer was only making 200-500 per car and were happy to even get that. How happy were the owners when 4 years down the line their cars were under 5 digits, ie under 10 grand???

Today, a Maxima sells for about 1000 over invoice, a far cry from 3500 below invoice like in 1999. The difference is money going into the mfg and dealerships' pockets--the price has not gone up that much, maybe 5 grand at most. But the dealer is making about 2100 profit, roughly 1700 more than 1999.

With a BMW that's a given--you want an M3? You gladly pay 3000 over list. But when do you think a 3-series will dip below 10 grand? You can barely touch a used 99 323i for less than 21 grand.

Look, those who enjoy 2k4 Maximas for 1000 over invoice, that's your prerogative. Whatever makes you happy. I myself do not want to put 2100 of profit into any Nissan dealership's pocket, they don't earn it. Also, Automobile Magazine, as I've said 3 times this week, ranked the 2k4 12th of 12 cars. Turn up the DVD and ignore that fact too. Or, just go to the dealership above and get laughed at (is it even true? or is it the web again)

 

well you will get a smirk to the face and a "thats not gonna happen". get laughed at in the sales tower. that where im at the majority of times. basically its like this if your not gonna buy it some one will.

do we all clown and laugh heeeeelllllllllzzzzz yeah.
its still a new model. new models go for msrp. give it a few more months and that will change but as far as right now. msrp is what they go for. we can't keep these things in stock. people like them.

 

Actually...it depends on the model of the car. I.e., my friend just bought an 04 leuxs IS for 30k loaded. It is possible to negotiate. I know it won't be possible to be able to negotiate a 04 TL. I think people will be paying OVER msrp for that car. But I know for sure that you can negotiate on CERTAIN mercedes cars and lexus. Does anyone know if you can negotiate a price for the Infiniti?

 

I would rather spend 32k on a nice g35 6mt sedan, much nicer car and all the salespeople aren't complete morons and the service is much better....

RWD, better 6-speed tranny, nearly same price= Maximas' demise is almost here....

 

i agree with you cultr

 

The salesperson comments were aimed at VA dealers, they will hire anyone to sell cars here in Fairfax

 

I'm surprised the Maxima has even lasted this long given the competition.

 

The front wheel drive of the Maxima does blow unless you drive on snow covered roads with winter tires. If I were buying a new sedan it would be the G35 no doubt about it.

 

hahahhahahahahahahaha that is accually very very true and not only VA.

its everywhere.

dealerships will hire anyone willing to put in the time and effort in trying to sell cars. ive work at dealerships where 60% of the sales force were potheads.

thus the reason i got out of sales and decided to go back to school.

 

I must be very fortunate. I have a terrific Nissan dealer, perhaps because it is three blocks from an Infiniti dealer. I can get a loaner anytime by asking. I just drove 6-speed Max and G35 back to back and felt more comfortable and solid in the Max. I realize that this a subjective judgement and therefore I would never make any absolute statements about the chraracteristics of either car. Every person's circumstances and sensibilities are going to be different, sometimes dramatically, but that doesn't invalidate either's opinion.

I ordered an 04 Max for 500 over invoice and have the option of trading my 2K SE or selling it outright, whichever benefits me more.

By the way, have any of you flamers noted that the newest JD Powers satisfaction survey is released and the top rated 'Premium' midsize sedan is the 04 Max? Does that prove it's the best car? Absolutely NOT. It only proves that in the subjective opinion of very MANY people that the car meets their needs and desires better than the rest of the cars in the segment. Just my 2 cents.

 

A law professor once told us to be careful when we use statistics, they must be reliable and valid. So let's put JD Power into context on the 2k4 Maxima.

To set the record straight, the award that it got was most appealing premium midsize car. Daewoo won something like that in 2k, so I wouldn't put too much weight on it. What else did JD Power find? Well, these ratings:

2/5 Mechanical quality
2/5 Body & Interior quality
2/5 Overall quality
3/5 Feature and accessory quality

Now you said you felt more comfortable and solid in the Max. That is absolutely the most important factor in your buying decision, because it's your nickel and how you feel matters 100%.

Anywho, it's good that things are getting more competitive--the next 3-Series is supposed to be less money when it comes out in 2k5 as a result. Nissan did a great job with the 350Z and my gut says the Pathfinder Armada is also gonna be a hit. But imho the 2k4 Maxima is a flop.

 

I test drove the G35 and I don't see how it's possible to even consider it over the Maxima. My feet were making unbearable contact and almost stepping on each other in the footwell of an automatic G35 where I have plenty of room in the Maxima. Although I loved how the G35 drove, I'm sure I'm not the only person who would tell you that the G35 and the Max are definetly in 2 different size categories.

 

I've wrestled with that question in my head for a while now. My next car will be a BMW 5 series (M5 if I can afford it). However buying a 2000 M5 in say 2006 will be quite cheap with the completely redesigned 2005 M5 coming out.

But then with a used car you never know about it's history. With a new car you can break it in properly... you know it's history. But it costs a LOT more up front for the cost of the car and also in insurance.

Is it safe to say that as long as a used car has all service records, passes a good 100 point inspection and the compression test and maybe a dyno test show strong numbers, that it is in perfect shape? How else can you really be sure about the history of a car?

 

Frank, I don't disagree with anything else you posted, but that Automobile mag comparison was pretty much worthless. It said "comparing the incomparable", had no scoring system, no mention of how they came to the conclusions they did. Heck, not even a mention of which trannys they were testing for sure in all of the cars.

Given the choice of a #1 ranked Acura TSX or a dead-last ranked #12 Maxima, I would be going home with the Nissan.

 

Cars are like women. I often see women men are going ape over that I find to be just 'average'. I also find some women who draw not a glance from most men to be extremely attractive, very intelligent, and . . . well, you get the picture.

Last February, I found the G35 to be the car I felt most comfortable in, even if I did feel cramped, especially my feet. I really liked its looks.

Then the '04 Maxima came out, and, although I wasn't sure about its styling, I felt that, since I have driven Maximas for eighteen years, and love my Nissan dealer, I would give it a try.

For me, there was no comparison. The Max felt much roomier inside. I liked the interior appointments on the Max better than the G35. I also rated the Max above the G35 for many of the same reasons Consumer Reports did. My son drives a '03 TL 'S' type, and I sometimes drive it. I like the Max better.

An '04 Maxima SL, which comes with leather and tons of extras, even when driver preferred package and power sunroof are added, is only $31,300 MSRP. Anyone who can't get that fine car for under $30,000 is not trying very hard.

I have even grown to love the looks of the '04 Maxima. I feel it is still a 'good deal'. A reliable near-luxury car with visual appeal and lots of inside room for under thirty grand. Bring it on.

 

dude the answer is obviously. Also remember that new cars aren't even in perfect shape.

 

6th gen maxima's aren't the best bang for the buck anymore I think. I would rather have an infiniti, Acura, or bmw although with the acura i would miss the maxima torque. The new maxima isn't that bad looking but not the good either I would rather have the previous two gens. I definetly think the latest 2002-2003 maxima with the six speed is the best. just my .02

 

I see what you are saying to some extent, so if you want to discuss looks, they are something that are there or not there from square one. Something that "grows on you" means that you are doing something human, ie rationalizing and compromising. With people, that's a necessity, or one will not get along with anybody. But with $31,000, that's quite another thing.

The G35 isn't a Maxima--the dimensions are quite small, esp. width. But it is RWD. That in itself changes the nature of the beast.

To me, there has to be justification in spending more than the $$$ it costs to get a Camry because life is full of other expenses. I think of property tax as being evil but unavoidable, so I use $750/mo. as a yardstick. That payment is a *****, but it must be paid. A maxima, 4% for 36 months with 20% down is $777/mo. At 60 mos., that's $484/mo. That is not what I consider something to sneeze at. So for me, I would not give the 2k4 a free-pass on looks and quality ratings, it's just too much money to let slide. again, my .02, everyone is different. And where the other guy said a 5-series is cheap after 5 years, maybe even an M5, what color is your parachute? A 5-yr old E46 is over 20 grand!

 

I checked out an 04 Max and looked at 28k models to loaded 35k models. I think Nissan was on crack trying to sell this car for 35k. And anyone buying it for 35k is on crack too. Yeah it's big, u want a big car, buy a Crown Victoria. For 35k, u get a Maxima built off the Altima platform, built down the street in Tennesse. How much money I wonder they make off these? The last Max was built in Japan and not built off a cheaper car, so it was worth the 25k (in Atlanta, they all sold for 22-25k, SE and GLE).

The Maxima is bigger than my GS, hell bigger than the E and 5. But looking at the details inside and out, it is not worth the money. Paint not matching. Hanging exhaust. Hoods not aligned. Interior gaps in the glovebox and center console. The steering wheel and gauges are shared with other cars. I was shocked at how the car was built. The car has 265hp but feels (and timed) as fast as the last generation and has way worse torque steer.

If Nissan sells em for 30-35k and people buy em, more POWER to Nissan! That is great business. Give less, charge more.

When I see a car and I see 30k, it's like a charge goes to the brain and expectations totally change about what this car and dealer should be. That is a lot of money for a car.

 

Built in the USA! Ya!!!

 

I agree with you. Nicely said.

 

It really is something new for Nissan, one year ago you'd take about 10 minutes less time by naming the models that didn't have a rebate that those that did. Dealers would kiss your a** if they could make $500 true profit on a 4th gen. Now they are smiling getting an avg $1700 on each 6th gen. Why pay 35 k when this car will be worth around 10 in 4 years? Why not spend 37k on a *** 32*i which will be around 22 in 4 years? One car is made in Germany, the other in tN. That's why when the ad on tv says $299/mo lease, the haters start saying you can't get that. They miss the concept of residual value for sure.

 

I always remembered the 1-4th generation maxima having the best value, and that's how the maximas became so popular; great performance at the same time great value. 5th generation was pushing it. I just feel they went overboard with the 6th generation.

It's always a mystery why nissan cars have bad resale value. A 2002 Accord EX V6 has a higher resale value then a 2003 SE; yet the accord costs less to buy up front. Odd!

 

If your looking for 'status' go buy your mercedes or what ever..If your looking for one of the best engine/styling/quality for the buck buy the 04 Max i did