which is quicker, sportier? 5.5 gen or 6 gen? im talking 6-speed only.

i wasn't a fan of the 6th gen, but ive bored myself with the interior in my dad's 5th gen...only way id go with the 5th gen is if its loaded (leather, bose, etc.), has the 3.5 liter vq, and has a stick.

on the same hand, is it worth paying the extra for the newer model or is it just as well to save some cash and go with the 5.5 gen?

 

I think 5.5 gen 6 speeds have accomplished more in the way of speed than sixth gen 6 speeds, but not really by much. Actually, for being the same model, they are entirely different cars . Think about what you really want, not sure there is much difference at all.

 

quickness: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=289125
handling: http://forums.maxima.org/forumdispla...aysprune=&f=50
Not too many 6th gens there, but that doesn't mean they aren't capable.

 

Stock for stock they're both about as quick as each other (although from what I've seen it does seem like the 5.5 gens trap a little higher). The 6th gen 6-speed has a shorter final drive than the 5.5 gen (4.1 vs. 3.8) which is why the weight doesn't have as big of an effect on acceleration numbers.

Having driven both, I can definitely say that I felt like I was driving a really big car in the 6th gen and just a big car in the 5th gen. Couldn't really tell much of a difference between the rear beam and IRS and they both have quite a bit of body roll stock. The 5th gen's interior is MUCH higher quality but the 6th gen has more options and a little more interior room.

 

yes, im used to the 5th gens dimensions these days...still makes my car feel like a real beater when i go back to driving it, lol. i really like the interior change on the 6th gen, but i think im just going to find a loaded 5.5 gen...theres a gumball rally coming up here in town i want to get in on.

what has anyone had to replace in the engine bay and how much of a pain in the *** was it to do? im used to the 3rd gen sohc engine bay, but im not too sure how i would feel about working on a 3.5L dohc in a few years when things start failing. i changed the spark plugs on my dads 5th gen...finding the coils was kind of an easter egg hunt of sorts.
thanks.

 

It's a piece of cake. If you can work on a VG you can work on a VQ. One thing to note: coil on plug (ie: no distributor) so that (IMO) is a plus. A lot of people complain about getting to the rear coils/plugs but removing the upper IM is really a piece of cake once you look at it (just two bolts in the back and 4 or so (can't remember) in the front.

 

i was stumped by the hidden 3 in the front...beneath the nissan logo, etc.

yes...and the car doesnt turn for 2-3 seconds before ignition like distributors like to do..

im just real excited about going from a 11 second 1/8th mile time to a 9 second 8th mile time...and being able to burn 'em off.

 

I rented an 04 for two weeks. Awesome highway ride if you do alot of travelling. The handling is not very good. Feels weak in the knees. Narrow power band, though to be fair, the auto did a good job of keeping it there. Would not want this car with standard though. Probably why they dropped it.

 

while i like them both for different reasons. i would take the 5.5 Gen Maxima over the 6th Gen Maxima.

 

5.5 gen all the way...

 

5th gen .

 

Having recently test driven both last week, I will tell you that the 5th gen was the better driving car hands down. Very solid. Don't get me wrong the 6th gen is close, but there is an obvious difference between the two.
Both were SE 6 speeds... so it was a good comparison. But, due to the 6th gen styling, my decision was greatly swayed in that direction.

I now have a 2004 SE sitting in my driveway.

 

I guess one man's tank is another's beauty...

 

Haha, call me crazy but the 5, to me, looks too much like a typical sedan. Nothing really interests me at first glance

 

i definitely like the 5.5 gen better than the 6th gen.

 

Alright.

You're crazy.

 

You cant really go wrong with either, Ive owned both and still own a 6th gen. If your huge like me then the 6th gen might suit you better since it has more interior room.

 

I didnt like the 04 interior that much. Definitely more spacious though. Exterior styling is certainly more eye catching. 6th gen definitely has wider appeal. I see ALOT of them here in Chicago.

 

StreetFire

In this video amongst other races you can see a 5.5 gen racing a 6th gen (@ min 1.52), seemed pretty even.

 

5.5 gen all the way! it really just depends on what ur looking for. Personally i think the interior in the 6th gen doesnt even compare to the 5.5, kinda tacky imo, but to each his own. And that moonroof option or skyview that doesnt open is kinda pointless if u ask me. Ya the 6th gens are everywhere though. However, both are very nice cars, each having its own ad/disadvantages and i hope whichever u pick makes u happy.

 

i like both...when i was shopping for a car couple years ago i looked into both. even tho the 6th gen is newer the look just didn't do it for me that much =/ the 6th gen looks classier but also looks kinda like a whale lol the 5.5 gen look sportier and still look classy at the same time. i had the chance to own a new 05 back then but i'm glad i got the 5.5 gen. like someone mentioned, the interior does look and feel more solid/nicer. i only wish the back windows roll all the way down like the 6th gen =/

 

6th Gen all the way, I may be somewhat bias though...

 

5.5 gen, definitely. If you are still really interested in getting a 6th gen, then maybe you should look into getting an Altima with all the nice trimmings. Plus, with the extra cash, you can modify the Altima much more than you could modify the Maxima.

Just get the 5.5 gen.

 

Dude, 5th gen chasis designed in 00, is 7 years old! 6 gen is all new design that has up to date technology built in. It's like comparing 4gen to 3rd gen.
Advantage:6gen. /case closed

 

4th gen chassis is nearly identical, no new 'design'. So, that would be close to 13 years.

 

Drive a 5th gen back to back with a 6th gen; 6th gen has no feedback, the suspension is tuned for ride quality so it gets very taxed under hard driving. I rented a 6th gen for two weeks; it rides nice, nicer than the 5th gen, but gives you no idea as to what the tires are doing. I lost traction without warning on two different roads that I drive everyday and am familiar with.

The 5th gen handles much better. Good feedback, and good warning before the tires let loose. You can feel the bumps, and feel the tires start to slide an instant before they go completely loose.

And by the way, I had a 97 Max, and it handled better than my 2000. Not by much, but enough to be felt.

New technology doesnt necessarily translate into a better chassis. 4th gen is still the best handling Max I have driven. 5th gen is close enough. 6th gen is for comfort.

 

I am a newbie to the Maxima world. Just bought an 04'. So far, I love it!

 

With cars, preference accounts for much more than technology or numbers. You just have to drive them both and decide for yourself.

 

im going 5.5. still sporty and powerful with decent options and aftermarket upgrades.

im going to be driving in the 300 mile radius from terre haute, IN this week to find a 5.5 6-speed.

if this doesnt work, theres a civic si here in town with 16k miles on it for $15k.
i hate settling, but warranties are always nice to have.

let me know if anyone near me knows where any are that i could look into. im not going to pay over $13k for a 4-5 year old car with 50k+ miles on it, though.

all i have to work with is autotrader and thats a noose for people that want to sell their cars because you have one person thats selling the car for WAY too much and then everyone else uses that as their standard instead of kelley blue book or edmunds. ill admit edmunds is ****ing ridiculous. my 92 gxe is only worth $200 according to them....

speaking of which, im going to be using it (gxe) as my shuttle car to work in marshall, illinois, but i could part with it for $1800. same car as in my signature. the drivers side shock is a little worn and my gf backed into me and rubbed the paint off of the front bumper (only about a 6 inch circumference). great working order...hence why im not trading it in to a stealership when i go looking. any other details you need (there are a lot on a 15 year old car) i can give you, as im a very up front person.

 

Don't give up on finding a suitable 5.5 Gen too soon and forget the Honduh.

 

You shouldnt buy the 5.5 gen just because it handles better or nice inside, it is a dead-end street, no serious mods will be available for that car in the future. In 1-2years 5.5gens will develop squeaks and rattles like a pirate ship.

My 12 year old 4gen handles better than a new C-class and it's faster, but I would take a new Benz any day over my worn out car.

If you dont like 6gen then dont buy it either, but 6gen has modding potential cuz of shared altima platform and engine.
And in general, if handling is your top priority, dont buy any maxima.

 

I beg to differ. The 4th and 5th gen may not have an indy rear end, and may be anchored with struts, but the chassis is solid and communicative, unlike the Altima, Accord, Camry, Malibu, etc. As long as you stay within her limits, she wont buck you.

Comparing the Maxima to a Mercedes, BMW, or G35? Apples and oranges...

 

Cripes! Hating on the 5th gens are we ...

 

Not hating just trying to help the kid, but we all have different expectations from a car. I personally like a-semi baller appeal of a 6gen with elite seating and navi.
My last suggestion would be to try I35touring, (nicer rearend and insides)
&
cross shop GS400, if you can afford it.

 

I'm sorry, but pretty much everything you said here was just dumb....I agree that they're not the best handling cars, but we're comparing BETWEEN the two. NOT to bimmers, mercedes or the like. The 5.5 gen and 6th gen both have identical engines (with the exception of softer valvesprings and EGR on the 6th gen) and yes the 5.5 gen is VASTLY better in terms of handling characteristics. And the 5.5 gen will rattle down the road, yes. So will a bimmer. But the brand new maxima I drove already had a rattle. And just because it shares the chassis with the altima does not mean anything in terms of modding potential. ALL maximas don't have **** available for mods, and at the current time the 6th gen has the least availible...

 

The 6th looks more upscale from the outside and far more modern inside, it handles and performs well for its curb weight and definately attracts more attention than the now very dated 5.5 look.

 

I would have to say the 6th also.. for all reasons listed by others...

But what it comes down to is which u personally like better :0)

we can sit here all night and spit at eachother but we wont get anywhere...

i dotn know why threads like these are started... all they do i s go on for a while then turn to the " my car is better cause it has 3029392 hp" thread... or something else off topic...

But its here so i will toss in my vote

+1 for 6th gen...

 

I think when they start using the G35 (FM) platform for the Maxima I'll consider the Maxima cool again. But it's gotten far too big and comfy for my tastes. IMO the 3rd gens were the best Maxima ever made but nobody really asked that question.

 

I just bought a 5.5 gen. Only reason I didn't buy a 6th is because it was out of my price range. I think the 6th gen is a better looking car. The 5 is fine but I think it looks like a pretty average grocery-getter for the most part. Specfically, I like the rear styling and interior of the 6th gen more. I'm not sold on the front styling of either, but the hard angle between the hood and windshield on the 5th really makes me think "sedan" when I look at it.

You guys are right though, its all about personal preference. I'm not saying for sure, but I think maybe some resonses are flavored by "sour grapes." The 6th gen is out of some of our budgets so maybe we're more apt to say that we don't like it...

 

The only thing I want from a 6th-gen is their tranny or at least the final drive, so that the 200-lb weight difference can show through, with basically even motors and even trannies.

I prefer the more sleeper look of the 5.5 gen, as it is my daily driver. It also seems to shock people a lot, when such a plain-looking sedan pulls on them, though I have no basis for comparing for when a 6th gen pulls on an unsuspecting car, although someone who's had experience against 5.0's would seriously underestimate the 5.5's, if they didn't know what to look for.