I know its not really news to a lot of you guys but I was thinking about the 2003. Thats when the max goes big....I bet they will drop the manual option then. UNLESS it wants to aspire to the 540 which has the 6 speed manual option. But I think the max will end up bigger than the 540....cuz it aint really all that big.

Thoughts?

You do realize that the 3.5L max is going to haul some booty. See....with the 99 to 2000 change there was weight change and power curve changes...so the 2000 is faster....but not by too much...not what you would think 32hp would do. HOWEVER...3.5 is gonna put down some serious torque and hp....250+ for each. Think of it as a 6sp GTP. A little less torque(current p funk makes 240hp/268ft-lbs), the same or better hp(should be north of 250) and a 6sp...yum....then the debate will end.

so what engine is the next gen gtp gonna have?

 

Old news mike, thanks for letting us know again. It's in the archives.

 

It'd be nice for Pontiac to get some new technology. Since GM is giving Oldsmobile the axe, there won't be any cars using the new 215hp 3.5L DOHC V6 from the Intrigue. Instead of wasting the money spent on developing it, I say drop that in the GTP and SC it. It'd prolly be a nice match for a SC'd Max.

 

The 540 is classed as a compact I believe, making the Max bigger than the Bimmer already.

 

Russ....don't be a dork. I was really writing about how damn fast the car is going to be....and I did state that its "not really news" cuz most everyone knows there will be a 3.5/6sp option. Don't be smitten. If you don't know what that means....look it up....but it probably aint in the archives.

best,
Mike S.

 

32 more horsepower from 4th to 5th gen is kind of misleading. Hp is a function of torque, which was increased from 205 to 217 lb-ft. That is only 1% increase. According to my g-max (I know, not the most adequate measuring device) My 97 SE hit 60 in 6.85 sec. My 2000 SE does it in 6.65. (I wish I had the ***** to go a 1/4mi on the street) But that could easily be production differences.

As for next year's supposed power bump, I like getting 27 mpg. I dont think a 260hp engine is going to allow it. If they do make the Maxima bigger and more powerful, this will probably be my last one.
And I love the Grand Prix. Put a manual in that! Though I would have to trust a GM transmission. Historically speaking, not a smart thing to do. And forced induction? Makes me cringe. I dont know how Maxima guys can consider putting a blower on their cars...

 

How do you get a 1% increase in torque? It's a 5.85% increase.

(217-205)/205*100=5.85%

Are you talking about torque at the wheels?

 

Oops, my mistake, I was looking at 1.0585...

still, to me, 6% doesn't seem significant. But then, I rarely accelerate fast enough to know. I would say 95% of the time I am below 2500rpm. And most of that other 5% is crusing on the expressway.

I dont know, I guess I dont understand alot of the viewpoints lately. Everyone keeps talking about "is the Maxima faster than the WRX" or "the max should have 280hp" or "I put an intake and y-pipe and now I have 10 more hp!"
I am just thrilled that I have a car that can punch it when I want to, and still get over 25 mpg. And carry four comfortably, and doesn't rape me on insurance. And, big part, still offers a manual. I don't know of another car out there that meets ALL those criteria.

 

jimmy's max is gonna make a real good used car if he always drives under 2500 rpms! let us know when youre gonna sell it lol

 

- I don't know about you guys, but the 32 horsepower gain from the 4th to 5th generations is a big deal to me. While the g-tech might not notice much of a difference, keep in mind that just about every auto mag has been able to get the car under 7 seconds on the 0-60 sprint. With the previous generation Maxima, times ranged from 6.7 to 9.0 seconds. The power is there.
- The good news for us 4th gen owners is that Nissan merely changed the breathing around to get the gain. There is a new intake manifold and a freer-flowing exhaust, but we can almost match that with aftermarket parts. Since the chassis is virtually identical, handling is nearly the same as well. Although, for some reason, the new Max's have less body roll (nothing that a RSB couldn't fix).
- Finally, remember that the horsepower is helping out the top end, not the around-town grunt at the bottom of the rev range. This is most noticeable if you take the car out to a track or strip. My '96 doesn't make any real power past 5 grand, but I'm sure that the higher horsepower 5th gens can at least make it up to 5500 before they reach similar results.

 

So many people don't realize that when you miscalculate or misspall word it totully destroyz credibility. Don't laugh, about 1/5 resumes that come across my office have words spelled wrong in em.

Question for those in the know: BMWs have never used overdrive. If they have a 5th or 6th gear it's a 1:1 ratio. What does Nissan plan to do with its 6-speed? Spread out the ratios or have it save ultra fuel, because the 5th is very tall as it is. Also, how come bmws don't suffer any fuel penalty with no overdrive (ex: 27 mpg with 225 hp)

 

250+ torque through a 6-speed manual in a front wheel drive family sedan is a bit ridiculous isn't it? Condidering the 4th gen Max on stock tires will seek traction all the way through first gear. The 5th gen on 17-inch wheels feels better I must say. I think Nissan should go to a 3.2 with good high-end breathing similar to the Acura CL/TL Type-S engine. Modest torque with great hp. Time for variable-valve timing maybe?

 

I wouldn't believe everything on paper.
My M roadster is rated at 19/26 mpg on city/hway, on paper.
In reality, for 50/50 city/hway driving, I usually average 16mpg.

 

It should be able to handle SC power much better and the extra gear would be sweet! Hopefully it will have a VLSD in it{it should} too.

I think a 6th gear would be great for cruising on the highway. The way 5th gear is setup now the car revs kind of high at 75mpg.

 

Yeah but I calculate it every time I fill up. Today I got 25.8. Monday I got 26.8. I think my low was 21. The best I got with this max was 28.9. On my 97, coming back from Wisconson one time I got 30.8. (I had a good tailwind)
But I accelerate VERY conservatively. Still, it is somewhat the car. My last car was a 99 Jetta VR6. Driving the sameway I averaged about 24. And that was a car about 1000lb lighter with 50 less hp.
You have to not let Mustangs and Corolla's buzzing past you effect you. Every so often the mood grabs me and I nail it. But that doesn't happen very often.

 

GTP is more like 280ft-lbs torque at some 3000 rpm

 

The Volvo S60 T5 w/ 5-speed manual has 247 hp through the front wheels. And "Torque steer is virtually non-existent" May 2001 Motor Trend.

It's possible.

 

Considering the Sentra SE-R will get a helical limited-slip diff, I'm sure the Maxima SE-R (I can only assume the 3.5L Maxima will be named that) will get a helical limited-slip, as a opposed to a VLSD

 

I hope you're trying to be funny

 

That may be for Volvo, but my 2k Max 5spd is already one of the worst torque steerers I have driven - more power sure won't help - will Nissan solve that?

Dave

 

Well my car has 300HP and is FWD, torque streer is not a big issue for me. At most, it just takes a little getting use to.

 

If you've got a lot of torque steer on a 2k max 5spd, then you must have some tire problems. I have very little compared to other cars I've driven with similar/higher torque. Try driving a saab viggen - now that's torque steer.

 

I know the gtp has 280ft-lbs. P funk=Pathfinder....the current stats are 240hp/268ft-lbs with the auto. Thats why I said a little less torque but the same or more HP. Nissan will end up "tuning" the 3.5 a tad for the 2002 Max.

 

I dont think engine torque is directly proportional to torque steer. My 92 Saturn had a little over 100 lb-ft and when I punched it, the steering wheel thrashed back and forth in my hands. I have never noticed any torque steer in either of my Maximas. One thing is certain though; drive lurch in first gear is attrocious. I have never driven a standard that was worse. By contrast, my Jetta didnt have ANY. I could stomp the pedal, and let off abruptly and it was smooth. I hope they would fix that.

 

Thanks, I was just about to say that!

 

fearless prediction on 2002 6-spd maxima acceleration

14.4@98mph (wheel-hop and spin limited)

this sucker will be the ultimate sleeper, until the supercharged V8 360hp (mid-13@107mph estimated) Lincoln LS debuts.

~motectransam
10/97 High Performance Pontiac
1996 Pontiac Bonneville SLE with supercharged 3.8L
14.525@94.06mph 2.09 60' on Eagle GAs (100% stock)

 

So where did you hear about the 6-speed? Who is your (credible) source?

 

I back that ...look at the TL-S...260hp. I can name a bunch of rear drive cars spinning through 1st or even second so fwd cars don't have a huge traction problem.

We know that the length of the drive shafts and offset of the wheels cause torque steer. The more uneven the shafts the more torque steer. If you have aftermarket wheels with the wrong offset you will see toque steer.

Mark

 

Actually, a Jetta is pretty heavy, around 3100lbs for a 1999 model. Contrast that to a 3300lb 5th gen Maxima.

How in the world do you get 25+ MPG?? I drive conservatively and only get 20MPG on my 4th Maxima!

 

At least that's where I saw it. Coleman wrote the feature on the Sentra SE-R. He said that the 6-sp tranny could handle more power + mods on that platform because it would be used in an upcoming hot-rodded version of the Maxima.

 

That's right, you can see the article online here:

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/ar...01b_0401.shtml

Or if you're lazy, here's the quote: