Hi guys,

Sorry to report that one of my friend(former Maxima driver) has gone to the Acura family. He bought a Acura TL and bye bye Maxima. I got to say that the Acura TL is quite a nice car for a price tag of $28,880 in MA. The TL is very luxurious with all the toys like heated seats, mirror, HID lights, etc. included in the price. These cars are a hot seller with very little room for dealing. I know that others had gotten this car and arehappy with the TL. Now I just hope that Nissan will make more cars like the I30 and TL for us in the near future. What do you guys think of the new IS 300, BMW 330, Acura TL? Just wanted hear some comments on them. Yeah I tried to convince my friend to go for the Lexus IS 300 and new BMW 3 series but he wanted a bigger car. But I think he will be happy judging by the BIG smile on his face. Well talk to you guys later.

Ken (MA)

[Edited by Ken on 08-26-2000 at 10:13 PM]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ken
... What do you guys think of the new IS 300, BMW 330, Acura TL? Just wanted hear some comments on them. Yeah I tried to convince my friend to go for the Lexus IS 300 and new BMW 3 series but he wanted a bigger car. But I think he will be happy judging by the BIG smile on his face. Well talk to you guys later.

For the best value, get the TL.
For more sporty feeling, get the IS300.
For more prestige and better performance in both speed and handling wise, it's gotta be the 330, but alot more expensive, I will still say what I always say, you can what you pay for. Manual and AWD available, can't beat that.

 

Who is it? Jimbo? Say it ain't so!

 

just drop the 260hp Type-S in there
I think a TL may be the next car I purchase.

 

My next car is gonna be a FC Rx-7 or a slicktop 300zx with a little twinturbo conversion.. Mwahahaha..

 

u mean your parents car right mikey? muuuhahahhahahha gotta love the coronas hahaha

phil s

 

Nah by the time I'm done with the Max it will probably be fully stripped and have a cage anyways. So I need something for daily driving. Living up the dreams of past VE owners. *pours 40 on Maxima hood* This onez for mah hommiez.. LOL

 

For the best value, get the TL.
For more sporty feeling, get the IS300.
For more prestige and better performance in both speed and handling wise, it's gotta be the 330, but alot more expensive, I will still say what I always say, you can what you pay for. Manual and AWD available, can't beat that.
[/I][/QUOTE]

True about the new BMW but like you said the price is getting way too high. I personally think that BMW and a few other BIG companies are pricing their cars out of their original market place. Once the 3 series start to go way into the $40K range then there are plenty of others good cars to buy instead. That's what happened to MB when they try to sell their cars for like $40k and up... c-class came back = more $$ for MB + market share. These companies get too greedy and they will definitely lose their followers that used to be able to afford their cars. Just think about paying $30k for an Honda Accord? Do you really think it is worth it? I personally don't think so! Every car has its own market niche and they should keep it there. This way they will still be able to make their profits without losing market share!

Ken

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maximamike
[I]Who is it? Jimbo? Say it ain't so!

:

NOPE!! it is not Jimbo. Don't worry you might see my friend next timeif we ever plan another suucessful MASS Maxima meeting... onlt time will tell.

 

You know what's funny, at the time that the TL 4-dr came out, and I think the Camry Solara, their styling was what I thought ugly compared to the 4th gen Maxima, with the square lines showing up. But it seems now that IS the style, as you can even see a few sharp lines on the new 3-Series BMW. The 5th Gen Maxima seems to have strayed from the generally accepted "in" styling. My opinion is that I do like the 5th gen better than my 4th gen, EXCEPT the rear end which unfortunately I've never accepted. The I30 5th gen is very bland indeed, not even what I would consider good looking. IMHO, today the best looking car is the CLK 430 (no flames!). One parked next to my 4th gen and I could honestly see that it was a better shape aesthetically.

The TL Type S I have only seen from the outside, but it has a reasonably nice shape, and the seats look awesome. I don't know how they feel etc. One complaint that I will always have with all Maximas is the cheapness of the seats, and the poor quality of the leather (what little there is). My driver seat has been apart for repair under warranty so I'm aware of how cheesy it really is. The lumbar mechanism is an absolute joke, the quality that'd you'd find in a $1 store.

Overall, I think newer is usually better than older. It'd be nice if Nissan got serious and just put some features back in the car that would rival the competition costing 10-15 grand more, like the 1995 Maxima did. But if you take a hard look, lots has not changed since the first 4th gen Maxima hit the streets in late 1994.

I don't like the prop rod in the IS300. I've heard the steering has been messed-with on the 330i/Ci. I'm at the point where I can afford to let go of my "cheapness" or "value-consciousness." If I can push my 4th gen 4 or 5 years, the next car will be bought with less regard for value. I'm thinking something like an M3, why not? 2 of my relatives own them and they are very very satisfying to drive. Otherwise, things like TL they're not here nor there, they are lateral improvements, sideways action. you know the saying, buy low, sell high. My next car needs to be a screamer from the factory.

 

Acura makes a 3.2TL Type S?

 

LOL@Maximamike, pimpin' aint ez. Put the hoes in check.
I will take either the Lexus or BMW, just for the fact that they are rwd. The only thing the Acura has is its room/price, but it is only good for cruising. No handling performance, so it doesn't matter about the HP it has.

 

imho, i woulda gotten the 330.. those are NICE...

as for the IS, i'd wait for 2002 for the manual speed...

but TLs are nice.. but too old-fartish for me..

 

Not really.
Prestige brands are not about bang for the bulk, they are supposed to be priced higher. If a loaded 330 is $30k only, who in the right mind will buy a loaded Maxima/Accord/Camry for mid 20's? It will instantly knock off the balance in the entire auto industry.
A loaded 3 series priced from 30k-40k, I think that's exactly where the market niche is. Of course, at $40k, you said you have alot choices, I will only consider Audi S4, but some people will still choose BMW since it's a more prestige brand than Audi, also BMW is independent and Audi is by VW. Same as the $60k Lexus LS400 wins comparasion in magazine against $90k S500, but people with money still buy S500, why, simple, a Mecedes is a Mecedes.
The BMW sales is rising at a fast pace every year, and their mainly profit is from 3 series, obviously lots of people are buying the 3 series, I think economy is good now days maybe that's why, I doubt they will lose followers, they are doing better each year.

 

Not really.
Prestige brands are not about bang for the bulk, they are supposed to be priced higher. If a loaded 330 is $30k only, who in the right mind will buy a loaded Maxima/Accord/Camry for mid 20's? It will instantly knock off the balance in the entire auto industry.
A loaded 3 series priced from 30k-40k, I think that's exactly where the market niche is. Of course, at $40k, you said you have alot choices, I will only consider Audi S4, but some people will still choose BMW since it's a more prestige brand than Audi, also BMW is independent and Audi is by VW. Same as the $60k Lexus LS400 wins comparasion in magazine against $90k S500, but people with money still buy S500, why, simple, a Mecedes is a Mecedes.
The BMW sales is rising at a fast pace every year, and their mainly profit is from 3 series, obviously lots of people are buying the 3 series, I think economy is good now days maybe that's why, I doubt they will lose followers, they are doing better each year. [/I][/QUOTE]

Don't get me wrong I do like the 3 series for the BMW but I think the regular one is getting too expensive for the niche that BMW once dominated. Now there are more competition in the $30K range so BMW better watch how they might price themselves out of the current market. If the new M3 stays in the $40K range then it will sell. But once it goes over $50K then people will think twice. Just like the new c-class for MB. If it were selling for over $40K starting do you think it will be a big seller? Consumers are getting more educated and they will sure want to spend their money wisely on the kind of cars they think is somewhat more worth the $$$$. One will ask is it worth paying big bucks for a regular 3 series car when the same dough will get you a bigger or better class car. I am sure you know that the 5 series and E-class also start in the $45K range. Of course there will always be people paying mucho $$$$ for cars that might not be worth it but majority of us will try to get the best car for our hard earn money!

Ken

 

>>> Don't get me wrong I do like the 3 series for the BMW but I think the regular one is getting too expensive for the niche that BMW once dominated.

Audi A4 is few grand cheaper, BMW 3 series sales STILL increase every year, people buy them anyway, they still dominate the market.

>>> Now there are more competition in the $30K range so BMW better watch how they might price themselves out of the current market.

Actually I can only think A4 and IS300.

>>> If the new M3 stays in the $40K range then it will sell. But once it goes over $50K then people will think twice.

Even the E36 M3 is priced at mid 40's loaded. The E46 will have a base price of $46k, you bet it will go over $50k easily. Guess what? Waiting list is already a mile long anyway. I mean what's there to think twice about it? What else is there for $50k with similar performance(except domestic muscle car)?

>>> Just like the new c-class for MB. If it were selling for over $40K starting do you think it will be a big seller?

Not sure, that's close to their base V6 E class, but C class is re-worked now, with manual available, it looks like a baby S class. I will say $40k for a loaded C320 is still fair.

>>> Consumers are getting more educated and they will sure want to spend their money wisely on the kind of cars they think is somewhat more worth the $$$$. One will ask is it worth paying big bucks for a regular 3 series car when the same dough will get you a bigger or better class car. I am sure you know that the 5 series and E-class also start in the $45K range.

You are comparing a loaded lower model to a base higher model. Sure, a 528 and E320 starts ~$45k, but fully load that baby up, it will be more. At the same time low $40k alreaddy can get you a loaded 330.
I mean, really, car makers ain't dumb, they will never price a bigger/better car for the same price of a lower model.

>>> Of course there will always be people paying mucho $$$$ for cars that might not be worth it but majority of us will try to get the best car for our hard earn money!

Well, again, some cars are never meant to be about value. If one is out to buy the best car for the money, he really should not look at BMW or MB.

 

**Even the E36 M3 is priced at mid 40's loaded. The E46 will have a base price of $46k, you bet it will go over $50k easily. Guess what? Waiting list is already a mile long anyway. I mean what's there to think twice about it? What else is there for $50k with similar performance(except domestic muscle car)?

I know that the waiting list is long in every state. A couple of my friend are on the list for one. The list is longer than the one for the M5. I agree that the M3 has a strong following and it is one of my favorite 3 series. My friend was selling his 1999 M3 2-dr. and he still got good money for it. His had low mileage and very good condition. The M3 can hold its value more than the cars so it could be a good investment. Are you going to be one of the first to get one? testu honda? or the Supra man?

**Not sure, that's close to their base V6 E class, but C class is re-worked now, with manual available, it looks like a baby S class. I will say $40k for a loaded C320 is still fair.

I think it will be a good seller for the younger crowd. I think the c-class has always been the case. Waiting to test drive it.

** You are comparing a loaded lower model to a base higher model. Sure, a 528 and E320 starts ~$45k, but fully load that baby up, it will be more. At the same time low $40k alreaddy can get you a loaded 330.
I mean, really, car makers ain't dumb, they will never price a bigger/better car for the same price of a lower model.

Not true all the time. Car makers make some models of cars that looks ugly or don't sell. Even the best of them make mistakes. For example look at the track record of the past cars that only last like one or two year in production. I bet that car makers wish they can take it back instead of taking a big loss. That is even true for the Nissan family. But luckily they got a few cars like the Maxima, Pathfinder, Altima, trucks holding up the sales.

>>> Of course there will always be people paying mucho $$$$ for cars that might not be worth it but majority of us will try to get the best car for our hard earn money!

** Well, again, some cars are never meant to be about value. If one is out to buy the best car for the money, he really should not look at BMW or MB.

Some of the models are overpriced but both of them do make some cars that are well worth the $$. Never know more Maxima owners will join you in the BMW family.

So what you think the new Z will do for Nissan? Will it sell like the old Z cars? I think Nissan should up the hps for the Maxima to at least 240 like the Pathfinder or more to better compete with other cars in its class. Let's just hope that they don't try to charge like $34K for it. That would be a SHAME!

 

>>> ... The M3 can hold its value more than the cars so it could be a good investment. Are you going to be one of the first to get one? testu honda? or the Supra man?

Exactly, those cars hold mad value. You know what really shocked me? The first year Z3 roadster, the ones in 007 Golden Eye movie, all 4 cyl that year, slow *** car, those things STILL going for mid $20's bow days, that's crazy resale. Thus even though BMW/MB seems to be expensive, there are benefits to that.
The new M3, is much like a NSX in my opinion, with 8000 redline, high HP but low torque, German VTEC I am on the list but I am not sure if I want one. At this point of my life, the next car I want the most will be a CLK, hopfully the AMG version.

>>> So what you think the new Z will do for Nissan? Will it sell like the old Z cars? I think Nissan should up the hps for the Maxima to at least 240 like the Pathfinder or more to better compete with other cars in its class. Let's just hope that they don't try to charge like $34K for it. That would be a SHAME!

The concept I saw in autoshow I didn't like it, it looks funny, plus it's not fast. I like the last gen 300ZX, great looking car with twinturbo.
Maxima eventually will get the 3.5L I think, but others will up their HP too, it's always like that

 

I just sold my 2000 TL for a number of reasons. First, the seats were extremely uncomfortable for me because I'm taller than 6'. The whole interior was cramped, especially the back seat with about 6 inches of legroom. The suspension was soft compared to what I like. The auto transmission was mushy and half the time didn't know what to do at critical times (rolling turn in front of oncoming traffic ~ a few second delay in shift). It was also not worth the money, in my opinion, even though it held it's resale value really well. I will miss the radio control on the steering wheel and the NAV system but I can live without both.

I bought a used '97 SE 5 speed w/o leather but with Bose. It's not the usual green but a kind of bluish green (anyone know what Nissan calls this??). It has 28k miles on it and after having talked to the previous owner to find out he is also very meticulous about oil changes and maintenance, I felt the car was worth every penny of the $15k I spent on it. I like this car so much better than the TL it's not even funny. I again look forward to driving.

Chris