Edmunds Max SE/AE Review
03-09-2001, 08:52 PM
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Here's the new edmunds review on the max se/ae, what do you guys think? They said their tester had spungy brakes and a spungy clutch.
Spin Around Town: 2001 Nissan Maxima SE 20th Anniversary Edition
A Subtle Celebration of a Twentieth Anniversary
1981. Reagan was the "new" President, Raiders of the Lost Ark was the top movie, Pat Benatar was rockin' the radio. And Datsun released the 810 Maxima. Datsun is what Nissan was called here in the States until the company phased in its real name during the early 1980s, which is why a 1983 280ZX has both Datsun and Nissan badges on its rear end.
The 810 was Datsun's top sedan, introduced in 1977 and powered by a 2.4 liter, 120-horsepower inline six. In 1981, the luxurious Maxima version of the 810 debuted, with a plush interior and power features galore. There was even a "vocal warning system" with a female voice that reminded the driver that the lights were left on. In 1982, the 810 designation vanished, leaving the name of Datsun's flagship as simply "Maxima."
A lot has happened in the two decades since the Maxima's birth. Rear-drive gave way to front drive, and though the car is still powered by a six-cylinder engine, the pistons are now arranged in a "V" and the horsepower of today's Maxima is nearly double that of the original car.
As we've already commented at length about the "new" (as a 2000) Maxima's looks in previous tests of the car, we won't go on too long about it. This editor feels the current car is pleasantly (if not rather conservatively) styled, an improvement over the past generation except for the rear end, which seems to continue Nissan's design edict that the Maxima have an ugly butt. The cabin is trumps, however, with comfortable seating, high-quality materials, clear gauges and simple, large buttons to operate the audio system and climate control.
To celebrate the Maxima's 20th anniversary, Nissan tarted up a 2001 SE model with exclusive features such as ground effects around the lower body perimeter, bronze-tinted headlights, drilled aluminum pedals, aluminum gearshift **** and the obligatory (though discreet) 20th anniversary badging, floor mats and key. This lily is gilded further with the addition of a moonroof, power driver seat, 17-inch wheels/tires and auto-dimming rear view mirror.
The 20th birthday Maxima also boasts 5 more horsepower from its 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6 than the other Maximas, (earning a 227-horse rating) and a limited-slip differential to help put those ponies to the ground. Our tested Maxima also had the following options that bumped the price of the already well-equipped car to a touch over 30 grand: a 200-watt Bose audio system, the Meridian Edition package (heated seats/mirrors, side airbags and luxury trunk trim) and the Leather Trim package (leather seating, automatic climate control and a power passenger seat). One thing it didn't have was a grab handle inside the trunk lid, which made for messy hands while unloading the trunk after driving in the rain.
The driving experience for the anniversary model is virtually identical to that of the standard SE, which is mostly a very good thing. Acceleration is strong and smooth, with one editor comparing the engine's refined nature to that found under the hood of a certain German car -- high (and risky) praise in this group. The five-speed's shifter drew some negative comments from various Edmunds staffers, who felt the joy of driving a potent, manual transmission sport sedan was blunted by the rubbery action of the Maxima's shift lever. Clutch action was criticized by a few as being non-linear and engaging too quickly, though in fairness, this particular press car had quite a few auto journalist (read hard fought) miles on it and was unlike other Maximas we've driven in this regard. Braking performance comments from my cohorts ranged from "great and well-modulated" to "spongy pedal feel." I would have to concur with the latter assessment, but would temper that opinion with the suspicion that the brakes most likely saw too many test miles. Previously tested examples got high marks in the deceleration department. Handling is precise with good feedback coming through the leather-wrapped wheel, and so neutral was the Maxima's behavior while tackling the twisties that it was hard to tell which wheels were propelling the car. Given the car's athletic handling, one would expect a much firmer ride than that delivered by the SE's supple suspension, which absorbed all but the most severe bumps in the road.
Aside from wishing the Maxima a happy B-Day, another reason for this Spin Around Town was to handle a request from a reader to look into drivability problems associated with 2000 Maximas with five-speed manual transmissions, as he was frustrated with his 2000 Maxima fitted with the manual gearbox. He stated that his car would not maintain 2,500 rpm in neutral and couldn't hold a steady speed at 1,800 rpm in first gear. He also noticed that the rpm would rise slightly while upshifting during rapid acceleration, despite lifting off the gas while depressing the clutch.
We investigated the NHTSA site for recalls and TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for this type of problem for 1999 (when the Maxima was redesigned to its current iteration) through 2001 Maximas and found nothing relating to this malady. This particular reader was not alone with this problem, as Edmunds Town Hall had various comments on similar issues with the 2000 model. To read up on these, click on the following link to go to the appropriate area of our Town Hall: http://townhall-talk2.edmunds.com/We...dZ6^1@.ee99968
Our test car didn't exhibit the schizoid engine behavior of our reader's 2000 Maxima, save for the rpm rise during upshifts, which was odd but so slight that it didn't affect the performance or drivability of our Maxima. Some research we've done has indicated that this slight increase in rpm (that occurs when de-clutched during upshifts) is to decrease emissions. Indeed, some other cars, such as the Mercury Cougar, exhibit this trait. As our car's performance was otherwise superb, we can't really comment or make any sweeping statements on this issue. We would advise that anyone who does have problems similar to our reader's check out our Town Hall as well as the NHTSA site periodically.
All told, the Maxima has long held a more than respectable reputation in the areas of reliability and performance and still deserves serious consideration from those who crave an affordable and sprightly sport sedan.
Here's the link for the whole article:
http://www.edmunds.com/roadtests/spi...rdt01maxima20B
[Edited by MP89GXE on 03-10-2001 at 12:35 AM]
Spin Around Town: 2001 Nissan Maxima SE 20th Anniversary Edition
A Subtle Celebration of a Twentieth Anniversary
1981. Reagan was the "new" President, Raiders of the Lost Ark was the top movie, Pat Benatar was rockin' the radio. And Datsun released the 810 Maxima. Datsun is what Nissan was called here in the States until the company phased in its real name during the early 1980s, which is why a 1983 280ZX has both Datsun and Nissan badges on its rear end.
The 810 was Datsun's top sedan, introduced in 1977 and powered by a 2.4 liter, 120-horsepower inline six. In 1981, the luxurious Maxima version of the 810 debuted, with a plush interior and power features galore. There was even a "vocal warning system" with a female voice that reminded the driver that the lights were left on. In 1982, the 810 designation vanished, leaving the name of Datsun's flagship as simply "Maxima."
A lot has happened in the two decades since the Maxima's birth. Rear-drive gave way to front drive, and though the car is still powered by a six-cylinder engine, the pistons are now arranged in a "V" and the horsepower of today's Maxima is nearly double that of the original car.
As we've already commented at length about the "new" (as a 2000) Maxima's looks in previous tests of the car, we won't go on too long about it. This editor feels the current car is pleasantly (if not rather conservatively) styled, an improvement over the past generation except for the rear end, which seems to continue Nissan's design edict that the Maxima have an ugly butt. The cabin is trumps, however, with comfortable seating, high-quality materials, clear gauges and simple, large buttons to operate the audio system and climate control.
To celebrate the Maxima's 20th anniversary, Nissan tarted up a 2001 SE model with exclusive features such as ground effects around the lower body perimeter, bronze-tinted headlights, drilled aluminum pedals, aluminum gearshift **** and the obligatory (though discreet) 20th anniversary badging, floor mats and key. This lily is gilded further with the addition of a moonroof, power driver seat, 17-inch wheels/tires and auto-dimming rear view mirror.
The 20th birthday Maxima also boasts 5 more horsepower from its 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6 than the other Maximas, (earning a 227-horse rating) and a limited-slip differential to help put those ponies to the ground. Our tested Maxima also had the following options that bumped the price of the already well-equipped car to a touch over 30 grand: a 200-watt Bose audio system, the Meridian Edition package (heated seats/mirrors, side airbags and luxury trunk trim) and the Leather Trim package (leather seating, automatic climate control and a power passenger seat). One thing it didn't have was a grab handle inside the trunk lid, which made for messy hands while unloading the trunk after driving in the rain.
The driving experience for the anniversary model is virtually identical to that of the standard SE, which is mostly a very good thing. Acceleration is strong and smooth, with one editor comparing the engine's refined nature to that found under the hood of a certain German car -- high (and risky) praise in this group. The five-speed's shifter drew some negative comments from various Edmunds staffers, who felt the joy of driving a potent, manual transmission sport sedan was blunted by the rubbery action of the Maxima's shift lever. Clutch action was criticized by a few as being non-linear and engaging too quickly, though in fairness, this particular press car had quite a few auto journalist (read hard fought) miles on it and was unlike other Maximas we've driven in this regard. Braking performance comments from my cohorts ranged from "great and well-modulated" to "spongy pedal feel." I would have to concur with the latter assessment, but would temper that opinion with the suspicion that the brakes most likely saw too many test miles. Previously tested examples got high marks in the deceleration department. Handling is precise with good feedback coming through the leather-wrapped wheel, and so neutral was the Maxima's behavior while tackling the twisties that it was hard to tell which wheels were propelling the car. Given the car's athletic handling, one would expect a much firmer ride than that delivered by the SE's supple suspension, which absorbed all but the most severe bumps in the road.
Aside from wishing the Maxima a happy B-Day, another reason for this Spin Around Town was to handle a request from a reader to look into drivability problems associated with 2000 Maximas with five-speed manual transmissions, as he was frustrated with his 2000 Maxima fitted with the manual gearbox. He stated that his car would not maintain 2,500 rpm in neutral and couldn't hold a steady speed at 1,800 rpm in first gear. He also noticed that the rpm would rise slightly while upshifting during rapid acceleration, despite lifting off the gas while depressing the clutch.
We investigated the NHTSA site for recalls and TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for this type of problem for 1999 (when the Maxima was redesigned to its current iteration) through 2001 Maximas and found nothing relating to this malady. This particular reader was not alone with this problem, as Edmunds Town Hall had various comments on similar issues with the 2000 model. To read up on these, click on the following link to go to the appropriate area of our Town Hall: http://townhall-talk2.edmunds.com/We...dZ6^1@.ee99968
Our test car didn't exhibit the schizoid engine behavior of our reader's 2000 Maxima, save for the rpm rise during upshifts, which was odd but so slight that it didn't affect the performance or drivability of our Maxima. Some research we've done has indicated that this slight increase in rpm (that occurs when de-clutched during upshifts) is to decrease emissions. Indeed, some other cars, such as the Mercury Cougar, exhibit this trait. As our car's performance was otherwise superb, we can't really comment or make any sweeping statements on this issue. We would advise that anyone who does have problems similar to our reader's check out our Town Hall as well as the NHTSA site periodically.
All told, the Maxima has long held a more than respectable reputation in the areas of reliability and performance and still deserves serious consideration from those who crave an affordable and sprightly sport sedan.
Here's the link for the whole article:
http://www.edmunds.com/roadtests/spi...rdt01maxima20B
[Edited by MP89GXE on 03-10-2001 at 12:35 AM]
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