So would it still be considered a step back going to an Altima now. As you can see on www.nissandriven.com the Altima is all grown up sporting a 240 hp engine, dual exhaust and 17" rims. After seeing that, I really think the maxima will going up to the size of the Q45 and sport the V8 and rear wheel drive at least, if not the all-wheel drive.

 

I have a 98 altima also and I love it. This thing is gonna kick every ones but out on the street stock.

 

nm

 

Holy $hit! Just saw the video coverage from nissandrive.com, that thing is going to kick serious butt!!
I am salivating over the expected new maxima now ..... I root for V-8 and AWD.

 

I'm a little bit confused, if the alty has 240hp, how much will the max have, if it has a V-8, I would assume 300hp+. What about the Z then, it is claiming 260hp+!! Isn't that strange. I would have thought Nissan would have put the 3.0L V6 in the alty instead, inorder to maintain some kind of logical model lineup. What do you think?

 

That is going on the new Q45 specs. If this all comes true, there will be a lot of Max drivers sport'n wood.

 

hahahhaha sportin wood! yeah right, ill rip that crap out in a second and put in a Aluminum dash kit!

 

I meant it in the sense of "popping a woody" & "Chubbing". To be absolutely blunt.....getting a boner. Sorry if that is offensive, but hey, its the truth for a 340 hp Max.

 

Can u guys afford the new Max? What r u expecting it 2 start @? I think it'll b outta reach 4 a lot of people on this board ... I know I couldn't afford it .. I can't even afford my 5th Gen!

 

I feel like this will be just right.

 

might just have to trade my max in for that altima!

 

That's just the power stock. What's gonna happen when they start coming out with mods? That and if stillen decides to experiment with an S/C version, we don't stand a chance!!!

 

IMHO, new Max will start at $31-32K with 3.5VQ V6 making 270-280hp to play with the Lexus ES300 & Acura 3.2TL boys. Topping out at $36-37K for a 300-310hp SE version with 4.0VK(scaled down Q engine) V8. Exterior have a more European flavor, with a Euro-tuned suspension.

The SE version will also be the basis for the I30 to take on the A4 and 328 crowd.

 

IMO The new alty will decimate the ES3 and TL, hands down. The v-8 monster max will eat the TL and CL type S for an appetizer and will be looking to go after the GS4 as the main course. Nissan will finally get the respect they deserve from many of the leading car companies.`

 

But crap...the Max is already a little overgrown. I think I'm gonna have to switch to the Alty if the Max is gonna go Avalon size!!

EZ

 

mmmmmm new Alty... wonder what they're going to do to the sentra? hehehehehe...

 

180hp se-r pocket rocket to fight off the itr, si, and svt focus crowd. should be fun =)

chris

 

Don't think in terms of size. Remember the twins, Camry=ES300, Accord=3.2TL. Hence Altima=Maxima. Refinement and sportiness are the key words.

I'm saving up.

 

Correct, for now. Keep in mind from Nissan's press conference that under the short term Nissan Revival Plan (NRP), their intention is to launch 10 new vehicles for the US market. Q45 being #1, Altima being #2. The 2002 I30 does not qualify. Here's my guess for the rest of the list.

#3 Maxima
#4 I30
#5 Pathfinder
#6 QX4
#7 Quest
#8 Infiniti's version of quest
#9 Sentra
#10 G20

All by 2006. That's their 5 year plan. Of course, if the new Altima goes bust, you won't be hearing from Nissan. Anyone wanna guess?

 

I'm just wondering...

If you can get the 2002 Altima (which appears to be about the same size as the current Max), with 240HP, HID headlights, 17" rims, dual exhaust, etc, etc for the same or most likely even less money than the current Max, then who would buy a 2002 Maxima? Unless the 2002 Max is significantly different than the 2001. Ergo, they must be making changes to the 2002 Max. I know all the rumors, but I would be very surprised to see all of those things happen for the 2002 model year.

So what do you guys think, 260HP for the 2002 Max, maybe HIDs, a few other small improvements. Then bigger changes down the road, i.e. V8, RWD, etc.???

 

Hmm.

Ok, forget the Maxima ('cept the 2002 SE-R)... will have to buy the Altima in the future!

 

I love my '97 and will stick with it for a while to see what happens with the next max. I have 70K on it right now, so it is really just been broken in.

 

I won't be surprised if Nissan skips the 2002 Max, and go for early launch of the 2003 Max, say late spring 2002.

Also forget about RWD Max with the Alty platform. Nissan says this is a FWD platform.