... so I suspect that we're pretty dead-on with the 2003 Maxima as well:
http://www.infinitinews.com/infiniti...i35/specs.html

 

Hmm.

So is the 2003 I35 going to be redesigned along with the 2003 Maxima, as the Maxima (presumably) gets larger and moves upmarket in size... or will it stay the same size as the new Altima?

Because with the Altima being this close to the current Maxima in size... logically the Maxima has to grow, or better yet turn into a RWD 540i-fighter.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

So if you follow logic as we move into the 2003 models

Maxima=Q45
Altima=I35
Sentra=G25, or whatever

Sound about right?

 

IMHO, more like:

Sentra = mid $10K
Altima = low $20K XE, SL, GLE versions
Altima = mid $20K SE version
Maxima = low $30K XE, SL, GLE versions
Maxima = mid $30K SE version

G25 = low $20K
I35 = low $40K
Q45 = low $50K

Altima/Max/I35 will be based on the same platform. So forget about Max=Q45, except for 4.0VK V8 in Max SE & I30 versus 4.5VK V8 in Q. All other Max's get the 3.5VQ.

Whatdayathink?

 

Except the 2003 Max is supposed to be RWD. That's why I think it will share the Q45 platform. I wasn't talking prices, just shared platforms.

 

I'm with Maximus97SE.

The new Maxima will get a little bigger, but not going to be big as the Q45. It will still be FWD. It will stay close to the size of the Altima but with better standard options. The SE/GXE 3.5L with 280ish hp,pw,pd,Xenon lights. GLE: leather, climate control, bose, optional navigation system...etc that are not available on the Altima. Maybe a SE-R version later on will have 20hp-30hp more than the SE.

I doubt V8 in the Maxima is going to happen.

 

I see your point, and will revise my product comments on this and another thread as such:

Altima to fight with Camry/Accord in the Nissan/Toyota/Honda price point.

I35 to fight with ES300/3.2TL in the Infiniti/Lexus/Acura price point.

Ditto with revised Sentra vs. Corolla/Civic.

That leaves Max out of the heavily fought segments. Which platform? Let's see what we have now...the Skyline/Q45 independent rear suspension on the Altima platform, dual exhaust. This is a setup for the Max, which indeed will be a rear wheel drive. With the VK V8. Dunno about displacement yet, guess is 4.0L, pumping out 300-320hp.

That is, the Max is the US version of the Skyline, possibly 2-door?? If this is even 70% true, I still dunno why Nissan will do it. That is, who will the Max be competing against. And is there a market demand for such a car?

The Max will not be carrying the 4DSC moniker for Nissan anymore, freeing the Max up for other specialized duties.

Comments?

 

Looks like Auto Trans only... Damit!

 

lets just think that nissan is keeping it very secretive and that the 2002 max will have the 3.5... man thats gonna suck havin the altima be above the max and it doesnt look right for nissan, it would be nice if they were making the new max but kept it top secret lol in our dreams

 

Wrong, it will be a full-size car in the Q45 platform, with RWD and a V8 most likely the Q's V8. That is straight from my contacts at Nissan. This is for the 2003 Model.

 

Refering to my post above, I am missing the obvious. I (We) are aiming low, while Nissan is thinking off the scale. Presenting the next obvious Max:

- 3.5L VQ blown ~320hp base model
- 4.0L or 4.5L blown VK V8 SE model ~400-450hp
- AWD
- 4 wheel steering
- $100K+

2003 Skyline GT-R/Maxima SE-R

 

That's fine and dandy, but those folks who are looking to spend upwards of $45K will not be seen driving a Nissan-badged boat! The Max you mentioned may be something that Nissan of old would do, but no way in hell under Goshn.

The defined market segment is Q/LS/RL. Prove to me that there is a need for the Max you mentioned, and I will believe you. Maybe you can give your contacts a call. Who are they anyway? I don't need names, just types, e.g., corp mgmt.(Japan), product development(Japan), R&D, etc.I can't wait to hear what they tell you. Oh, if your contact is a dealer or someone in no way associated with the development of the new Max, don't bother.

 

This high-hp FWD stuff was done in 1999 by the Swedes, and in 2002 they still don't have the hp? Acura did this in what 2000 or 2001 with the Type S. I know it's not realistic for the Maxima to go to a RWD platform, so forget that. But it needs AWD and a 0-60 at around 6.3 to be competitive in its class, and the price needs to come down as well. Because with what the europeans are bringing to the table this fall, who wants to pay the same for FWD and Japanese when you can have AWD, 6-speed, and prestige?

To me the wheels say it all--215/55 or 225/50. Here we go again with the 6.5" rims. They need to be 8-9" from the factory if it's serious and not just show. There simply is no comparison to 540's, that has gotta stop. Let's just worry about beating the others in the same class. I'd say for cost-effectiveness it's still a 1995 Maxima with mods.

 

mr. know it all russ, how much hpand tq will the 2002 max have. Will it be the same figures as the i35 or what?

 

more like high $50K for the Q45, i think it was $58K

 

Here's my guess, for what it's worth interpreted from what the Maxima model line manager told me via e-mail a couple of months back:

I think that the 2003 Maxima is going to be more along the lines of a less luxurious GS400-ish type of sedan -- still being the "flagship" car, but being more of a sporty flagship car. No, I'm not saying that it'll be in the 35k-45k range or anything, but that it'll have the size of a luxury car, but will be VERY sports sedan enthusiast minded.

That's just my guess, but if you look at the niche that the Altima may be destined to fill, along with the power that it got, I think you're going to see the Max have more power than the Alty, and have much more soul as well.

 

Listen here sonny, the number of cars that Russ has owned in the last 1 1/2 years is greater than the number of times you changed your underwear last week, so I think Russ is a car authority! But seriously, Nissan has nothing to lose which may or may not be a good thing. It has to think back to the 3rd gen years when the badge Maxima meant something. Today the badge Maxima is like Contour or Stratus. Think hard--depreciation is a market force. Why does Maxima command less $$ than an Accord or Camry on the used market? You obviously get more car in a Maxima than a Camry/Accord 4-cyl. for us we want the Max, but the rest of the market chooses the other 2. The decision is really up to Nissan on what they want to do. But if the price tag is over 24-25K you can throw everything out the window. 31,000 buys an awful lot of AWD European car this fall.

 

Hardly ... I've owned 7 new Nissans in 9 years but that doesn't mean I know Nissan's next move. I know most of the service advisors and sales managers at the two local Nissan dealerships, but I wouldn't trust anything they say as fact either. In fact, when I try to bring stuff like this up with them, half the time it seems I know more than they do.

Also, Nissan has a lot to lose right now. They might be returning to profit this year, but if they don't produce some hits and sustain that profit, Renault will cut them lose and/or send them under. It's all about money now.

 

You are making it too easy for me..LOL

1. Don't ever call me sonny, I'm old enough to be your dad.

2. Russ is an authority on Nissan? Think again. This is from USA Today 4.11.01 interview with Carlos Ghosn (do you know who he is?). Quote "2003 - First quarter - A redesigned Maxima sedan, one of Nissan's signature models, is scheduled for introduction. It will use a version of the platform, or chassis, that's the foundation of the U.S.-made, redesigned Altima, allowing Nissan to switch Maxima production from Japan to the USA." End quote.

So what did Russ and his sources say, something about Q platform?? HAHAHAHAHA!!!

3. For those of you interested in the USA Today article, here is the URL..

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...issan-side.htm

Looks like I will be switching from my Max to the Infiniti "2002 March".

Also check out this on USA today in which Ghosn detailed U.S. product plans..

http://www.usatoday.com/money/covers...11-bcovwed.htm

4. Nissan has nothing to lose??? Have you been sleeping?? If the Altima and Q do not do well, you can say good-bye to Nissan and your beloved Max.

5. The new Max will be over $24-25K, guaranteed. Because a loaded Alty will be priced there.

6. Nissan was a product focused company, which was good for us fanatics. Now they are a market driven company.

So what lesson did you learn today, PMAR? Get a degree in engineering, a couple of masters, one of them an MBA, get a job in product/brand management, so you can understand business/product positioning and market forces. Come back in 10 years or so, so you can write something intelligent. In the meantime, stick to topics like "My Max can beat your Jetta". LOL

Of course, fellas, I'm just poking fun.

 

I think you're right on, Jambo. Here's the USAToday link again..

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...issan-side.htm

Let's look at the timeline..

2002 August
Infiniti hopes to begin selling a midsize, high-performance sedan that would give it a rival to Lexus GS sedans.

2003 First quarter
A redesigned Maxima sedan, one of Nissan's signature models, is scheduled for introduction....

Coincidental? I think not. Introduce the Infiniti first, then the equivalent lower priced Nissan later. The rumors of RWD V8 may be true, but on the Altima platform.

Looking at the other models planned, do you want to stick with the Max???

 

I wonder what the diffs are between the I35 setup and the new Altima. Probably won't be too hard to get the new 'tima up to 260hp too.