Many of us orgers complain about torque steer on our 5th gens, but I wonder how many would actually prefer the only complete solution: RWD.

Oh, and you can pick more than one answer...

Opinions?

 

rwd or awd would work just fine

 

Maxima XE, AWD

 

Ah, that would be awesome...but it would bump the Max up into a pretty heavy price class. That's why I suggested RWD. Available platform and about the same expense to produce.

 

For me to buy a RWD Max it would have to have a V8

 

Damn good point...

 

the first maxima that came to the us was RWD. they should bring it back.

 

I think its funny that we are discussing this
for two reasons:
* I bought the Max cause it was FWD (live in the NE)
* and the torque steer was a major deciding factor why I bought it-

when I test drove this biotch
and I dropped the hammer on the pedal-chirpped 2nd and 3rd gear with the salesman in the car- it nearly ripped the steering wheel off my hands-

 

Keep it FWD. If they made it RWD, then it wouldn't need to exist. They already have the G35 for that, in nearly the same price range.

 

i agree with that . If I wanted RWD V8 I could get a M45. 0-60 in 5 sec

 

This is how I would envision things on the Nissan side...

FWD - Altima; QR25 or VQ35
RWD - Maxima w/AWD option; VK45 (V8 from the M45 & Q45)
Both on the Altima platform

Infiniti already has an answer to the luxury sports sedan market with the G35 as it is RWD with AWD option and the always-sweet VQ35.

On the Nissan side, the Altima platform has proven it can handle various drive configurations (Altima & Maxima for FWD, Murano for AWD) and offer independent suspension all around to boot. If they wanted to continue the trend of pushing the Maxima upscale while keeping its performance image, I say slap in the VK45 and give it the good stuff. Torque steer rears its ugly head on FWD cars around 230HP and up, so why not leave FWD only for the Altima which is aimed at the 'average car' buyer?

This way, it all falls in line like this...

1) Economy sedan buyer - Sentra (1.8L; 2.5L; FWD; should develop hybrid engine)
2) Average/sporty sedan buyer - Altima (2.5L; 3.5L; FWD; should develop hybrid)
3) Luxury sports sedan buyer - G35 (3.5L; RWD & AWD)
4) Sports sedan buyer - Maxima (4.5L; RWD & AWD)
5) Luxury sedan buyer - M45 and Q45 (4.5L; RWD)

...and nobody really steps on each other's toes this way.

Just my 2-cents for the day I run Nissan.

Peace.

 

Lexus IS300 Turbo will work for me... hehe

 

Makes sense, but it's really surprising to me that people are associating RWD with a V8. Sure, I agree there is definately a big whole in the market where a reasonably priced V8 6-speed sports sedan would slot nicely. However, I'm still not sure I'd like to see the Max stepped up another level in price.

This discussion really leads to another great opportunity for a poll: Why did you choose the Max over a V6 Altima? I only had three reasons: Much better interior, improved NVH, and additional features (6spd, heated wheel, etc). I'd be willing to bet most on the org would answer the same. So sure, they could offer more features on the Altima, but dressing up an inexpensive interior and quieting down a car to more luxurious levels can only go so far. The Altima is an amazing car, but it can't be stretched from econo to luxurious sports sedan. Therefore, IMHO, the Maxima should have an option for the VQ45, but still offer the VQ35.

 

i think sales would drop drasticly if the max would be made in rwd, most people dont buy maximas for donuts and racing so they would be upset in the winter . I think AWD is the way it should be.

and one more thing, could my Knock sensor be causeing the 02 code to come up? or is it the other way around?or no relation?

 

AWD would bump up the price for sure. Add to that the increased weight and loss of performance. Also higher maintainance costs too.

 

AWD for sure. Hey the murano has it for not that much...and G35 has it too now.

 

rear wheel for fun and keep the price down

 

ya but most maxima ownes dont by maximas cause they are fun, its also know as a roomy , reliable sedan

 

the new one hauls some *****, so your 96 might not fit the category, but we are talking about new maximas. You driven one?

 

The skyline will be for sale by then so the max will probably stay FWD. A Skyline comes in what, 2dr and 4dr, AWD and RWD. Now they will probably make the MAX awd or rwd just like the G35, or they will leave it FWD to make the G35 be better.

 

wait.... skyline comes in RWD? did you get some bad rock man? 80 posts in 6 days for a new guy? you need to slow down and think before you post

 

the GT-R is AWD, the GTS is RWD. Anything else you want to ask?

 

you were talking about the skyline coming to the US. If you want to talk about the G35... another deal

 

don't turn this around man. You said there was NO skyline with RWD and I said there was. The new 2k8 skylines are still so far off that they haven't even announced the platform or the components so either one of us could be right.

 

Dude whatever, I don't want any fights around here. The place is messed up as it is.

 

you were talking about the new skyline, not a rwd rb26det or rb25det. read the whole thing

 

you said with the skyline coming around...there wouldnt be any need for a RWD maxima.

 

I said that a skyline COMES, as in right now, in RWD and AWD. The future one will probably be in both also and maybe FWD as well.

 

hopefully not FWD. Didnt you say you were dropping this? hmmm

 

have a nice life.

 

****!!! I think they should make it AWD V6 with a single turbo...end of story!

 

 

Personally, I dont see the need for a RWD Maxima. I mean, it isnt like the Acura TL where Honda has NO RWD/V6 alternatives. Nissan has the G35, which can be acquired (technically) for same price as the Max.

 

If you want RWD you don't want a Maxima. Why not just get a G35? I doubt a nissan version of it would be much less with a decent option package. Look at the differences in price between the 350Z ($26K-$34K) and the G35 coupe ($31K-$33K). Unlike a sports car with bare bone options a Luxo-sports sedan with none is not very marketable for the masses. Appreciate the Max for what it is. There's a reason only BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mercedes Benz, and Bentley are responsible for most or all of RWD sedans in the America.

 

7th gen Maxima should be based on the M45 platform but not be so damn ugly, and have both a v6 and v8 option with RWD...
the skyline is coming to the US???

 

RWD really isn't a big selling factor for public for Nissan to totally revamp the current platform to offer RWD. If anything, Nissan will offer AWD because the maxima/murano platforms are so similar already. If Nissan wanted a rwd platform, they would have to pull it from the G, M or Q series. The current M series is too old IMHO. But I think they could stretch the G series out to accomodate it. I believe the G and Murano are also very similar platforms.

 

but what engine do you think they would use? the re-vamped 3.5 liter doesnt seem like it would get replace real soon

 

there's rumors of an all new VK40 to be put into the new Pathfinder after its redesign. IF the Xterra sticks around, it will get this option as well. maybe this is the motor to be used in the max..... with an AWD option.

 

I think the question should read "should Nissan build a RWD car in Mississippi by 2k8?"

imho the Maxima should be phased out because it is only a name--and that name will hurt any new product they come out with. Look at the 6th gen, it's dead in the water and it hasn't been out long. Any RWD offering should have a new name and be built in Japan.

 

as my mom said when buying a new car "i want a japanese car that was built in japan, not in ohio"