View Poll Results: Maxima that best defined the 4DSC
1994 SE 5-Speed
20
21.98%
1999 SE 5-Speed
25
27.47%
2001 SE AE 5-Speed
7
7.69%
2003 SE TE 6-Speed
35
38.46%
2004 3.5SE 6-Speed
4
4.40%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll
Best Max Ever...Your Thoughts?
12-08-2003, 04:28 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Maxima that Best Defined "4DSC"
This is not a flame thread, I don't want to see any of that high school garbage here...(yes I am pretty bad at flamefests, but I am a changed man!) lol
Lets not get into a "3.0 VQ vs. 3.5 VQ" debate or a "VG vs. VQ vs. VE" debate, this is all about the overall package of the automobile...
I voted for the 1994 SE 5-Speed, but that's just me. And I own a 2003 SE TE 6-Speed...
-vq
Lets not get into a "3.0 VQ vs. 3.5 VQ" debate or a "VG vs. VQ vs. VE" debate, this is all about the overall package of the automobile...
I voted for the 1994 SE 5-Speed, but that's just me. And I own a 2003 SE TE 6-Speed...
-vq
12-08-2003, 06:12 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,422
99 SE 5 speed. because i drive one and it's paid for!!
12-08-2003, 06:31 AM
#4
1999 O my ! One of the best would be the 1997. drop by edmunds 
Plus if you are wanting to do go fast mods, well im not even sure the 99 can take and upgraded ecu. Anyways 97 Maxima gets my vote ! Then 3.5L Maximas of 02/03.
1st gen - stinks
2nd gen - stinks
3rd gen - okay
4th Gen - Great
Early 3.0 5th Gen - not this one
Late 3.5 5th GEn - Great
6th Gen - stinks
Plus if you are wanting to do go fast mods, well im not even sure the 99 can take and upgraded ecu. Anyways 97 Maxima gets my vote ! Then 3.5L Maximas of 02/03.1st gen - stinks
2nd gen - stinks
3rd gen - okay
4th Gen - Great
Early 3.0 5th Gen - not this one
Late 3.5 5th GEn - Great
6th Gen - stinks
12-08-2003, 06:45 AM
#6
Originally Posted by Ceasars Chariot
1999 O my ! One of the best would be the 1997. drop by edmunds Plus if you are wanting to do go fast mods, well im not even sure the 99 can take and upgraded ecu. Anyways 97 Maxima gets my vote ! Then 3.5L Maximas of 02/03.
1st gen - stinks
2nd gen - stinks
3rd gen - okay
4th Gen - Great
Early 3.0 5th Gen - not this one
Late 3.5 5th GEn - Great
6th Gen - stinks
Plus if you are wanting to do go fast mods, well im not even sure the 99 can take and upgraded ecu. Anyways 97 Maxima gets my vote ! Then 3.5L Maximas of 02/03.1st gen - stinks
2nd gen - stinks
3rd gen - okay
4th Gen - Great
Early 3.0 5th Gen - not this one
Late 3.5 5th GEn - Great
6th Gen - stinks
12-08-2003, 07:41 AM
#10
3rd gen, I own both and I truely know the differences and flaming aside it is a tighter, sportier car.
The 3.5's are awesome in power, but they do not get my vote cause they dont handle as well as the 3rd or even 4th for that matter.
The 3.5's are awesome in power, but they do not get my vote cause they dont handle as well as the 3rd or even 4th for that matter.
12-08-2003, 08:04 AM
#11
Cheesing away...
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 1,613
I've only driven a 4th gen, so thats getting my vote by default.
12-08-2003, 08:18 AM
#12
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bergen County NJ
Posts: 2,124
Although I love my 1997 SE, my friend's 2002 6 speed is just awesome. So I shall vote for the 02/03 Maximas. It depends what you want though, I think the AE 01 is the best looking stock Maxima. . . the 95-96 have the most modding potential, 02/03 are the fastest stock, and 6th gens are awesome if you dont like stick (5speed automatic). It all depends what you want. . . . but for me, I would buy a 02/03 6speed over all others.
12-08-2003, 01:18 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 486
I have a 3rd gen SE and my buddy has a 2k2 SE. I feel more stable in mine than in his. His is very nice, don't get me wrong but I really like the 3rd gen the most. 4th gen has the most available bolt on mods but 3rd SE (92-94)all have VLSD and other things that are not even available in 4-6gens.
12-08-2003, 01:50 PM
#16
Originally Posted by dmontzmax
3rd gen, I own both and I truely know the differences and flaming aside it is a tighter, sportier car.
12-08-2003, 02:03 PM
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Why is the 99 a choice for the 4th gens? It's like a half 4th gen half 5th gen. Pick the 95 or 97...
12-08-2003, 02:59 PM
#19
Maxima that best defined the 4DSC...is that the question? Cus its not on the list....the original 4DSC (IMO)... the 89 SE.
Best Max Ever...from the list...I think the AE is pretty sweet, but id go with the 03 SE.
Best Max Ever...from the list...I think the AE is pretty sweet, but id go with the 03 SE.
12-08-2003, 04:45 PM
#20
I'd kill for a 2k3 TE 
and i owned a 3rd, 4th and now a 5th gen.. they are all great cars for their respective time periods but if you compare them side by side.. a 2k2-2k3 is more powerful/luxurious, beautifully styled, still a good size.. the 6th gens have moved out of the mid size sporty segment the max was in before..
in my opinion..
02-03 > 97-99 > 92-94
and i owned a 3rd, 4th and now a 5th gen.. they are all great cars for their respective time periods but if you compare them side by side.. a 2k2-2k3 is more powerful/luxurious, beautifully styled, still a good size.. the 6th gens have moved out of the mid size sporty segment the max was in before..
in my opinion..
02-03 > 97-99 > 92-94
12-08-2003, 04:49 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NM
Posts: 2,153
I can't say for which but from looking at all of those Maxima, i have to say the 5th Gen 5 Spd Maxima is the best I have seen in terms of appealing and desirable car. Also for their build and technology.
12-08-2003, 04:56 PM
#22
3rd gens. They made the biggest impression of their time, and the longest lasting one.
The VG already had enough power but the VE really bumped them up on the power scale. Plus they are the best handling
Plus just look at all of the threads asking about 4DSC stickers. Everyone wants to copy the 3rd gen, some people just dont know it yet.
The VG already had enough power but the VE really bumped them up on the power scale. Plus they are the best handling
Plus just look at all of the threads asking about 4DSC stickers. Everyone wants to copy the 3rd gen, some people just dont know it yet.
12-08-2003, 08:03 PM
#23
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 43
Why was the 1980 Maxima Wagon not in this.
12-08-2003, 11:06 PM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by dmontzmax
3rd gen, I own both and I truely know the differences and flaming aside it is a tighter, sportier car.
The 3.5's are awesome in power, but they do not get my vote cause they dont handle as well as the 3rd or even 4th for that matter.
The 3.5's are awesome in power, but they do not get my vote cause they dont handle as well as the 3rd or even 4th for that matter.
and the note from the engine bay made you nauseous....
I owned a 4th gen 1998 SE Max, and I own a 5th gen 2003 SE 6 speed...
I drove a 3rd Gen on occasion when it was new...(my moms) the thing rocked...
I love the power of the 3.5L, but the car is more straight line good than sports car good...
-vq
12-08-2003, 11:10 PM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by ivelweyz
Why is the 99 a choice for the 4th gens? It's like a half 4th gen half 5th gen. Pick the 95 or 97...
what is the difference between a 1997 and 1999 Maxima?
I thought they were the same thing...both with 190bhp and 205lbft of torque...
both with the same 16" rims
same 5 speed tranny...
what's the difference?
thanks
-vq
12-08-2003, 11:26 PM
#28
the 99 just has more crap added to it and tends to have some problems. It's almost like a 5th gen without the added performance. I believe the 99.5's have their very own SC kit aswell.
12-09-2003, 02:17 AM
#29
The progression of the Maxima ended with the 2003. The portly hulk of a car the 2004 we get is a departure from the Maxima philosophy. The affordable Luxo-sport sedan is nolonger that sporty or affordable.
- in black of course...
12-09-2003, 06:10 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 486
what is up with Nissan's grill design??? All the new grills on the 2k4's make the cars look like crap. I hope that they realize thier mistake and make the 2k5 a better car than the 2k4.
12-09-2003, 07:02 AM
#33
Originally Posted by cneary812
what is up with Nissan's grill design??? All the new grills on the 2k4's make the cars look like crap. I hope that they realize thier mistake and make the 2k5 a better car than the 2k4.
12-09-2003, 07:40 AM
#34
There are some spy photos on www.freshalloy.com in the Altima forums of a 2005 with a tooth-grill. The tooth isn't as wide as the Maxima's and is very subtle and actually decent looking.
12-09-2003, 09:20 AM
#36
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,555
I'm a 4th gen guy so I voted accordingly. The 4th gen is pretty ho-hum in stock form, but we know how good it looks with some simple tweaks. I don't keep anything stock so everything I'm basing my opinions on includes modifications. With my 17s, H&Rs, Koni/AGX, strut mounts, and SFCs I/II, I'd gladly put my 4th gen up against the 3rd gen with simililar work. The only place I'd loose would be on really bumpy corners and what road courses have those dangerous things in a turn? Performance wise, you can't fault the amount of mods for the 4th and the gains from all the mods. Naturally aspirated, gaining nearly 40fwhp/35fwtq with significantly more power under an extended curve (6500rpm->7000rpm+) is quite a feat for a 3.0 V6. The lighter weight of the 4th gen always works in it's favor too. Going from low 15s stock to low 14s and even 13s with just easy NA boltons is pretty amazing in my book.
The 3rd gen has great exterior looks and the interior is okay. The suspension design is great and the VE is great motor just waiting for boost. The seats are great too. Modability wise, it falls a bit short and lacks the low end torque punch most of us crave.
The 5th gens design could have been a good thing, but way too many mismatched styling designs were thrown and upset the overall look. The 2k2 front end is a huge improvement and using the 2000-2001 SE tails really helps things. The interior is pretty nice and the seats are decent. The performance of the 3.5 VQ is awesome of stock. No doubt. Lots of torque and a good power curve. Mods seem a bit lacking, but things are picking up. However, I don't see these cars going from mid 14s stock to mid 13s with just simple bolt-ons. I don't know what it is about the 5th gen, but I can never see myself owning one.
The 6th gen? Can we even call that a Maxima?
Dave
The 3rd gen has great exterior looks and the interior is okay. The suspension design is great and the VE is great motor just waiting for boost. The seats are great too. Modability wise, it falls a bit short and lacks the low end torque punch most of us crave.
The 5th gens design could have been a good thing, but way too many mismatched styling designs were thrown and upset the overall look. The 2k2 front end is a huge improvement and using the 2000-2001 SE tails really helps things. The interior is pretty nice and the seats are decent. The performance of the 3.5 VQ is awesome of stock. No doubt. Lots of torque and a good power curve. Mods seem a bit lacking, but things are picking up. However, I don't see these cars going from mid 14s stock to mid 13s with just simple bolt-ons. I don't know what it is about the 5th gen, but I can never see myself owning one.
The 6th gen? Can we even call that a Maxima?
Dave
12-09-2003, 09:38 AM
#37
Originally Posted by Dave B
However, I don't see these cars going from mid 14s stock to mid 13s with just simple bolt-ons. I don't know what it is about the 5th gen, but I can never see myself owning one.
Dave
Dave
Just food for thought...
12-09-2003, 11:36 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 486
I only cringe about modding a brand new car when the word Warrenty is involved.
Nice Writeup DaveB
Nice Writeup DaveB
02-03s..3.5 6spd HSLD and the nicest maxima interior..
