My Maxima will be on its last legs soon, so I will be looking for a replacement soon...here are my thoughts (all would be used, btw):

4th gen Maxima...or even 5th gen Maxima-
Pros: awesome v6, 4-door practicality.
Cons: Do I need a V6? Do I want/need 4-doors?

...the resale value of these boys is dropping like a rock...more than I had expected, so picking up a world-class V6 would be smart. Besides, I'd stay in the family. However, I'm afraid that I'm becoming more of a purist...I'm finding it harder to justify turning an FWD, 4-door famliy car into a sports-sedan. Besides, after driving 2 Maximas perhaps I'm dues for some variety. If I do get a Maxima...I'd prefer it to be auto..and in that case I might as well get an I30 and consider Acura TL or TL-S.

'01 Honda Prelude-
Pros: awesome handling (for FWD), practical 4-cyl, VTEC.
Cons: buzzy 4-cyl

Don't knock the Honduh. It has everything I need and want, plus many more aftermarket parts and tuners than the Max. Can you say JRSC? Picking up the last remaining ones could be a good deal.

current gen BMW series (323i/325i)-
Pros: BMW, RWD.
Cons: Cost and practicality.

I can get handling, a name, and 4-doors with less of a sacrifice...besides $$, of course.

Or I can say screw it all...Lexus RX300 and strap a TRD SC in there (if that's possible). There are plenty of them out here and their resale is surprisingly weak.

Regardless, somehow I see my self in a '99 Maxima SE-L 5-speed with all the standard mods.

Thanks for your time.

 

Wait for a 02 Max or get 02 Altima. You should stay in the Nissan family

 

stay in the nissan family or get that lude