RWD Maxima
11-22-2003, 08:04 PM
#1
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RWD Maxima
Will we ever see one in the USA? It seems the new Maxima in Australia is based on the G35. Guess we would have to buy a G35 instead if we want RWD in the USA..
I forgot... Nissan gave us the 155hp 240SX instead of the 200+hp turbo in the rest of the world. I guess the Skyline is wishfull thinking also...
I forgot... Nissan gave us the 155hp 240SX instead of the 200+hp turbo in the rest of the world. I guess the Skyline is wishfull thinking also...
11-22-2003, 08:30 PM
#3
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Originally Posted by 95maxrider
what?
the skyline is coming here in 2007 i think. in america, the 2004 max is "sorta" based on the G35. i think they both use the FM platform.
the skyline is coming here in 2007 i think. in america, the 2004 max is "sorta" based on the G35. i think they both use the FM platform.
If there only was a 6spd AWD Maxima... otherwise G35 outperforms the current Max and that is not good
11-23-2003, 01:25 AM
#9
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We'll see about that, since I have close ties with a friend who works for Nissan, N.A in CA. I'm becoming a loud mouth about the current Maxima. Yet no RWD which I have been longing for one so it can go head to head with MB, BMW and even Lexus.
11-23-2003, 05:33 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by Wulf
Will we ever see one in the USA? It seems the new Maxima in Australia is based on the G35. Guess we would have to buy a G35 instead if we want RWD in the USA..
I forgot... Nissan gave us the 155hp 240SX instead of the 200+hp turbo in the rest of the world. I guess the Skyline is wishfull thinking also...
I forgot... Nissan gave us the 155hp 240SX instead of the 200+hp turbo in the rest of the world. I guess the Skyline is wishfull thinking also...
It is not expensive nowadays to go from xWD to AWD, so it would not surpise me if Maxima came out with AWD. But that will not fundamentally change the way the car drives, it will still be predominantly FWD under normal driving conditions, so that will not give what people on the forum are looking for. That's why the WRX kicks its butt 6 ways to sundown--WRX is basically a RWD car that's been given AWD.
Every Nissan seems to have an achilles heel--again, G35 is good enough to be considered on the the best, but they let it slide on its plasticky Altima-quality interior. So to answer your question, though there's an expression never say never, say it to Maxima.
11-23-2003, 10:01 AM
#11
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Actually, you can disable the AWD on Subie's which leaves them FWD. And anytime you're moving at decent speed it goes to a big FWD bias. Lancer Evo's are the same way. Though they have longitudinally mounted engines and transmissions, the car's basic layout is FWD w/ an added electronic diff and propshaft but electronic controls keep power flowing back all the time. In horizontally opposed engines like the Max, there's the Lancer Evo for benchmarking how an AWD system should be done. In contrast, Honda's CRV setup is just a FWD until the fronts break loose and the computer connects the tiny rear diff.
Nissan already has the R&D done for AWD in the Murano and it could probably get away with the same tranny setup but possibly in automatic only. Never understood why it was so difficult considering German manufacturers managed to put AWD in almost all of their model lines with existing cars never designed for it (ie Benz's 4matic S-Class and BMW 3 series Xi). The biggest reason a Maxima would still handle like a FWD is the large front weight bias which plagues the Audi RS6 even though it's a twin turbo V8 w/ an effective AWD system (though only auto). Doesn't keep the car from launching like a missile and hauling through the turns though. Just need some good suspension tuning to keep the car from understeering through everything.
If you're really wanting a RWD Max...buy a G35 and the Maxima emblem from your local Nissan dealer. Combine the two and there you go. Quite honestly, you Nissan afficionados are lucky. There are plenty of ways to get RWD, AWD and sporty cars/luxury cars within the 30k range all w/ variants of the VQ engine so it's known variable. I mean no one else sticks w/ one particular model in a company...they go w/ what suits their budget and driving style. If you want RWD and room go G35, style and some room G35 coupe, performance 350Z, performance and allweather traction G35X, and to be completely weird FX35.
Nissan already has the R&D done for AWD in the Murano and it could probably get away with the same tranny setup but possibly in automatic only. Never understood why it was so difficult considering German manufacturers managed to put AWD in almost all of their model lines with existing cars never designed for it (ie Benz's 4matic S-Class and BMW 3 series Xi). The biggest reason a Maxima would still handle like a FWD is the large front weight bias which plagues the Audi RS6 even though it's a twin turbo V8 w/ an effective AWD system (though only auto). Doesn't keep the car from launching like a missile and hauling through the turns though. Just need some good suspension tuning to keep the car from understeering through everything.
If you're really wanting a RWD Max...buy a G35 and the Maxima emblem from your local Nissan dealer. Combine the two and there you go. Quite honestly, you Nissan afficionados are lucky. There are plenty of ways to get RWD, AWD and sporty cars/luxury cars within the 30k range all w/ variants of the VQ engine so it's known variable. I mean no one else sticks w/ one particular model in a company...they go w/ what suits their budget and driving style. If you want RWD and room go G35, style and some room G35 coupe, performance 350Z, performance and allweather traction G35X, and to be completely weird FX35.
11-23-2003, 10:36 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by Mishap
Actually, you can disable the AWD on Subie's which leaves them FWD. And anytime you're moving at decent speed it goes to a big FWD bias. Lancer Evo's are the same way. Though they have longitudinally mounted engines and transmissions, the car's basic layout is FWD w/ an added electronic diff and propshaft but electronic controls keep power flowing back all the time.
Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD). System features an manual override mode that allows the driver to set the front-to-rear torque split. Up to 65% of the torque can be sent to the back
Limited-slip
all-wheel-drive
65% of the torque to the back
11-23-2003, 10:42 AM
#13
I think that's different than bmw / mercedes that default the power to the rear. If their systems sense slip, it starts transfering it forward
Originally Posted by Frank Fontaine
It's totally the opposite from what you say on the WRX, imho.
Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD). System features an manual override mode that allows the driver to set the front-to-rear torque split. Up to 65% of the torque can be sent to the back
Limited-slip
all-wheel-drive
65% of the torque to the back
Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD). System features an manual override mode that allows the driver to set the front-to-rear torque split. Up to 65% of the torque can be sent to the back
Limited-slip
all-wheel-drive
65% of the torque to the back
123456
11-23-2003, 02:34 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by Ant96GLE
Get an Infiniti J30
VQ, RWD.... its just ugly
VQ, RWD.... its just ugly
Three words no Maxima driver experiences daily, be it 2nd through 6th gen:
POWER ON OVERSTEER
That includes fake HID's, body kits, one-piece headlamps, intakes, exhausts, superchargers, whatever. C'mon now, at 190/205 the Maxima hops and the steering wheel fights. 265 hp doesn't cure it.
The 325xi is a 65 rear, 35 front, fyi.
11-23-2003, 03:36 PM
#22
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Posts: 413
Originally Posted by internetautomar
Want a RWD max buy a 1st GEN!
Subies are a RWD design that was modified for FWD / AWD
don't believe me?
Look at the engine / trans layout.
Subies are a RWD design that was modified for FWD / AWD
don't believe me?
Look at the engine / trans layout.
Once again though, FWD basis just means the car's chassis is based around a FWD design which is the evolution of Subaru's FWD econo car roots in the 60's. Subaru's entire product line started from FWD longitudinal mounted boxer engine cars. Frank's post basically proves it too...You can only push 65% torque to the rear wheels. the RWD based AWD systems usually can go as high as 90-100%. Doesn't mean you can't build a good handling FWD based AWD car though.
11-23-2003, 03:44 PM
#23
Originally Posted by Wulf
Will we ever see one in the USA? It seems the new Maxima in Australia is based on the G35. Guess we would have to buy a G35 instead if we want RWD in the USA..
I forgot... Nissan gave us the 155hp 240SX instead of the 200+hp turbo in the rest of the world. I guess the Skyline is wishfull thinking also...
I forgot... Nissan gave us the 155hp 240SX instead of the 200+hp turbo in the rest of the world. I guess the Skyline is wishfull thinking also...
It is still FWD.
Check out www.nissan.com.au for details...
11-23-2003, 10:27 PM
#24
Originally Posted by Frank Fontaine
Whoa, back the truck up. rwd affects looks? .
.
I said its ugly.... it just is, the back end looks like a beetle mated with an audi tt. So I have no idea how you got the thought that RWD affects looks. All my previous cars have been RWD. My max is the first FWD and Auto that I've ever owned. Is it fast? Yes without a doubt. But not as FUN as a RWD 5 Speed. Power on oversteer is fun as hell on the twisties, but some of us fail to realize the type of money that would go into a RWD maxima. Even if someone does do it, theres the problem of fine tuning the suspension so you can actually power on oversteer and controlling front and rear weight bias so you can actually turn without under or oversteering. With that type of money being put into such a project I'd rather buy a G35
11-24-2003, 06:13 AM
#27
Just chiming in with some facts:
The Australian Maxima is based on the Nissan Teana.
The "real" Maxima to us here in the US is the Infiniti I35.
The G35 is the Skyline in the US. The GT-R is now a different model/line-up unlike before where it was just a performance badge for the higher-end Skyline.
The Australian Maxima is based on the Nissan Teana.
The "real" Maxima to us here in the US is the Infiniti I35.
The G35 is the Skyline in the US. The GT-R is now a different model/line-up unlike before where it was just a performance badge for the higher-end Skyline.
11-24-2003, 07:29 AM
#29
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Originally Posted by maximadave
You will never seen a RWD Maxima. Maybe an AWD but not a RWD.
Using 5th gens as a base of reference, if you were to institute an AWD system, that 3300 becomes AT LEAST 3500 lbs...Maximas arent exactly the nimblest of cars, adding another 200 lbs is not good at all.
I did a quick lookup on one of our competitors, the A6 3.0. Below you will find a link so you can see effect of conventional 2wd and AWD on the weight of the car.
http://edmunds.com/used/2002/audi/a6...denav..6.Audi*
http://edmunds.com/used/2002/audi/a6...denav..6.Audi*
You guys still want a factory awd system on the next gen Max ???
11-24-2003, 07:34 AM
#30
I think a better reference of how much more weight the AWD system will add to the Max is the Murano (same platform as the Alt/Max).
A 2WD Murano weighs in at 3806lbs. and the AWD version tips the scales at 3960 - a difference of 154lbs.
Can't be that bad. Some guys here put on heavy 19" and 20" wheels as well as heavy sound equipment that dwarfs that 154lbs. difference.
Then again, it's all about preference. If Nissan can offer at least the option to have AWD that would be good for the people who really need it.
A 2WD Murano weighs in at 3806lbs. and the AWD version tips the scales at 3960 - a difference of 154lbs.
Can't be that bad. Some guys here put on heavy 19" and 20" wheels as well as heavy sound equipment that dwarfs that 154lbs. difference.
Then again, it's all about preference. If Nissan can offer at least the option to have AWD that would be good for the people who really need it.
11-24-2003, 08:50 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by FanaticMadMax
wow the Aussie Maxima looks way better than the Maxima here in the U.S. I wonder why Nissan didn't take the chance on bring that look in instead of that buck tooth grille.
11-24-2003, 09:32 AM
#35
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Originally Posted by soundmike
The G35 is not rebranded as a Maxima in Australia.
11-24-2003, 10:47 AM
#36
stop *****ing about Maxima being not what you want. Some regret that it is not a Subaru, some compare it to Evo. Maxima is not a sports car, it will never run 12 sec in a 1/4 stock, nor it will have a razor sharp handling. Read this one again: Maxima is a premium mid-size passenger vehicle, to haul passengers and groceries in a comfort. "If would have then should have" then trade your cars for Civics and stop whining.
11-24-2003, 11:28 AM
#37
Not DAVEB the parts guy
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Posts: 8,555
Originally Posted by Frank Fontaine
It's totally the opposite from what you say on the WRX, imho.
Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD). System features an manual override mode that allows the driver to set the front-to-rear torque split. Up to 65% of the torque can be sent to the back
Limited-slip
all-wheel-drive
Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD). System features an manual override mode that allows the driver to set the front-to-rear torque split. Up to 65% of the torque can be sent to the back
Limited-slip
all-wheel-drive
Ahh yes, Grasshoppa, but are you talking about the WRX STi or just the WRX? Only the STi has the DCCD. There are three different AWD systems used on the WRX (auto, manual) and WRX STi. The WRX with the 5 speed can run up to a 50/50 split. The 5 speed system is a mechanical transfer system setup. A WRX with auto (4EAT tranny) can go up to a 45/55 split. The 4EAT AWD is far more complex than the 5 speeds and uses a electronic fully variable AWD. The 6 speed STi tranny shares some of the 4EATs AWD design with an electronic transfer differential. The STi can spilt torque up to 35/65.
Like others have said, this is still a FWD layout with a AWD setup. The auto WRX and STi are a bit different because it's pretty rare to see a FWD-based AWD able to send a majority of it's torque to the rear.
Dave
11-24-2003, 03:45 PM
#40
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Originally Posted by Dave B
Ahh yes, Grasshoppa, but are you talking about the WRX STi or just the WRX? Only the STi has the DCCD. There are three different AWD systems used on the WRX (auto, manual) and WRX STi. The WRX with the 5 speed can run up to a 50/50 split. The 5 speed system is a mechanical transfer system setup. A WRX with auto (4EAT tranny) can go up to a 45/55 split. The 4EAT AWD is far more complex than the 5 speeds and uses a electronic fully variable AWD. The 6 speed STi tranny shares some of the 4EATs AWD design with an electronic transfer differential. The STi can spilt torque up to 35/65.
Like others have said, this is still a FWD layout with a AWD setup. The auto WRX and STi are a bit different because it's pretty rare to see a FWD-based AWD able to send a majority of it's torque to the rear.
Dave
Like others have said, this is still a FWD layout with a AWD setup. The auto WRX and STi are a bit different because it's pretty rare to see a FWD-based AWD able to send a majority of it's torque to the rear.
Dave
An interesting question is would you prefer RWD or AWD, if you lived in FLA or Souther n Cali? I'm gonna say RWD, though I have never owned an AWD car (have had the former and with 4 snow tires it was fine in snow).
What's got me swinging more is the SMG tranny. My aunt has it though I've never seen or driven her car since she's in San Fran. That and adaptive bi-xenon is what I want in my next car. Question is can I start setting aside that money today for the next 12-18 mos or is it as Ross Perot says, that giant suc**** sound??
