My '96 Maxima: First Impressions and Comparison
12-01-2008, 06:08 PM
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 243
My '96 Maxima: First Impressions and Comparison
I'm 20 years old and this is my third vehicle. Restless? Just a little.
During my Sophomore year of High School my (then-Senior) brother's first car, a '90 Infiniti Q45 became mine. He moved up to a '96 Lexus LS 400 (more on that later). It was one of only about two hundred Gunmetal Gray Q45s produced and I loved the stately, low-slung look. You sat low with your feet almost straight out. The rear seat didn't have much room as a result. The doors closed with a reverberating "chonnng". The car had over 210,000 miles on it yet it drove fairly well. The engine made an interesting droning/growling sound at low RPMs and rose to a muscular snarl at redline (an impressive 6800 rpm). The axle bearings and rear struts needed attention so the car didn't have a very tight feel. The leather seats looked like new and were firm and supportive. Fuel economy rarely exceeded 17 mpg on premium. For this reason and the high mileage we sold the Q a few years later. I saw it in town the other day hauling a trailer and emitting a trail of black smoke. The humanity!
Now my brother and I shared the Lexus. It was a handsome car with its two-tone silver paint and gray interior. Fuel economy was about 22 mpg, a welcome improvement over the Q. Still, the occasional dip into the throttle didn't get your pulse pounding like it would in the Q - instead of a smooth growl you were met with a dull groan that only changed pitch and volume as the rpms rose. The torque converter was especially dismaying - you could slowly accelerate from 0-60 with the tach at 2,000 rpm the entire time - it was almost like driving a CVT. Around town, you could drive up a hill at a constant rpm but your speed would drop like a lead balloon. The car had good grip but only a hair more road feel than my grandmother's '05 Avalon. The brakes were mushy and required a good shove in an emergency situation. I must say, this car was dead reliable for the four years I owned it - nothing failed, not even the most minor interior component like a window switch light. My dad bought a new Tundra at this time and my brother took his old F-150 leaving the Lexus sitting in the carport at home. We sold it for $5250.
Now for the fun part. I'm a sophomore in college now and I realized the need for a vehicle. What to get? Maybe a '99-'00 TL? Nah, too much like the Lexus and the transmission flaw scared me off too. An Acura Legend? Too old and difficult to find in good shape. Honda Prelude? Good luck finding a 5-speed that wasn't riced out. Nissan Maxima? Of course! It would combine the practicality of a Camry with the athletic performance of an Audi - what more could I want? I began looking and almost lost hope in finding a clean SE 5-speed. Most were neglected or abused. Then it happened - I was browsing Austin's craigslist on my BlackBerry while waiting for my Calculus tutoring session to start and I saw a nice '96 SE 5-speed decked out with everything except heated seats. No problem, I live in Texas. They were only asking $2995. I emailed the dealer with some questions and he replied saying it was a one-owner car. Wow! The next morning I called my dad about the car and he agreed to call the dealer to see if we could have a look over the Thanksgiving holiday. Two days later, the car was at home in the garage. It was too good to pass up at just $2500 (we negotiated). It reminds me of the Q in all the right ways. You sit low and look over a low hood. Visibility is panoramic. The leather seats are tight and supportive, it even smells the same. The engine is a masterpiece. It's even smoother than the Lexus V8 around town and when I dip into the throttle, I'm again reminded of the Q45 as the engine makes a powerful growl that belies its cylinder count and power rating. Power is instant and smooth, not sloppy like the Lexus. I've driven 160 miles and the fuel needle reads 3/4 full - amazing! Here I sit, back in my dorm 150 miles away from my car and I miss driving it already. I could never say that about my Lexus. Even the most mundane errand is a treat behind the wheel of my '96 Maxima SE 5-speed.
I want to keep this car forever, but of course I can't. It won't last forever and its a shame that you can't find anything like it today. Cars nowadays are so much bigger, heavier and more plasticky by comparison. Instruments aren't straightforward, visibility is severly compromised by diving rooflines and Sequoia-sized roof pillars. Glass headlights and foglights are extinct. Simple design doesn't sell anymore in a land of electronics and chrome. The current Maxima can't even be ordered with anything but a CVT! I'm only 20 and yet I feel like a senior citizen recalling "the good ol' days"... the '90s.
Hope you enjoyed my little monologue - here are some pics:
No pic of the Q (no digital camera then)
During my Sophomore year of High School my (then-Senior) brother's first car, a '90 Infiniti Q45 became mine. He moved up to a '96 Lexus LS 400 (more on that later). It was one of only about two hundred Gunmetal Gray Q45s produced and I loved the stately, low-slung look. You sat low with your feet almost straight out. The rear seat didn't have much room as a result. The doors closed with a reverberating "chonnng". The car had over 210,000 miles on it yet it drove fairly well. The engine made an interesting droning/growling sound at low RPMs and rose to a muscular snarl at redline (an impressive 6800 rpm). The axle bearings and rear struts needed attention so the car didn't have a very tight feel. The leather seats looked like new and were firm and supportive. Fuel economy rarely exceeded 17 mpg on premium. For this reason and the high mileage we sold the Q a few years later. I saw it in town the other day hauling a trailer and emitting a trail of black smoke. The humanity!
Now my brother and I shared the Lexus. It was a handsome car with its two-tone silver paint and gray interior. Fuel economy was about 22 mpg, a welcome improvement over the Q. Still, the occasional dip into the throttle didn't get your pulse pounding like it would in the Q - instead of a smooth growl you were met with a dull groan that only changed pitch and volume as the rpms rose. The torque converter was especially dismaying - you could slowly accelerate from 0-60 with the tach at 2,000 rpm the entire time - it was almost like driving a CVT. Around town, you could drive up a hill at a constant rpm but your speed would drop like a lead balloon. The car had good grip but only a hair more road feel than my grandmother's '05 Avalon. The brakes were mushy and required a good shove in an emergency situation. I must say, this car was dead reliable for the four years I owned it - nothing failed, not even the most minor interior component like a window switch light. My dad bought a new Tundra at this time and my brother took his old F-150 leaving the Lexus sitting in the carport at home. We sold it for $5250.
Now for the fun part. I'm a sophomore in college now and I realized the need for a vehicle. What to get? Maybe a '99-'00 TL? Nah, too much like the Lexus and the transmission flaw scared me off too. An Acura Legend? Too old and difficult to find in good shape. Honda Prelude? Good luck finding a 5-speed that wasn't riced out. Nissan Maxima? Of course! It would combine the practicality of a Camry with the athletic performance of an Audi - what more could I want? I began looking and almost lost hope in finding a clean SE 5-speed. Most were neglected or abused. Then it happened - I was browsing Austin's craigslist on my BlackBerry while waiting for my Calculus tutoring session to start and I saw a nice '96 SE 5-speed decked out with everything except heated seats. No problem, I live in Texas. They were only asking $2995. I emailed the dealer with some questions and he replied saying it was a one-owner car. Wow! The next morning I called my dad about the car and he agreed to call the dealer to see if we could have a look over the Thanksgiving holiday. Two days later, the car was at home in the garage. It was too good to pass up at just $2500 (we negotiated). It reminds me of the Q in all the right ways. You sit low and look over a low hood. Visibility is panoramic. The leather seats are tight and supportive, it even smells the same. The engine is a masterpiece. It's even smoother than the Lexus V8 around town and when I dip into the throttle, I'm again reminded of the Q45 as the engine makes a powerful growl that belies its cylinder count and power rating. Power is instant and smooth, not sloppy like the Lexus. I've driven 160 miles and the fuel needle reads 3/4 full - amazing! Here I sit, back in my dorm 150 miles away from my car and I miss driving it already. I could never say that about my Lexus. Even the most mundane errand is a treat behind the wheel of my '96 Maxima SE 5-speed.
I want to keep this car forever, but of course I can't. It won't last forever and its a shame that you can't find anything like it today. Cars nowadays are so much bigger, heavier and more plasticky by comparison. Instruments aren't straightforward, visibility is severly compromised by diving rooflines and Sequoia-sized roof pillars. Glass headlights and foglights are extinct. Simple design doesn't sell anymore in a land of electronics and chrome. The current Maxima can't even be ordered with anything but a CVT! I'm only 20 and yet I feel like a senior citizen recalling "the good ol' days"... the '90s.
Hope you enjoyed my little monologue - here are some pics:
No pic of the Q (no digital camera then)
12-02-2008, 08:39 AM
#8
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 243
I think a decade of reading Car and Driver has rubbed off on me. 
When I was first looking at Maximas, I tried to stay away from getting a 95/96 - I thought the smiley intake looked goofy. As I kept looking it started to grow on me. Now I think I actually prefer it to the '97-'99 look.
When I was first looking at Maximas, I tried to stay away from getting a 95/96 - I thought the smiley intake looked goofy. As I kept looking it started to grow on me. Now I think I actually prefer it to the '97-'99 look.
12-02-2008, 02:26 PM
#13
Anyone can say their own opinion, whether they owned both or not. 
Nah it wouldn't. A majority of the people think '97-'99 > '95-'96. Thats why the '95-'96 owners do conversions to look like '97-'99.
Nah it wouldn't. A majority of the people think '97-'99 > '95-'96. Thats why the '95-'96 owners do conversions to look like '97-'99.
12-03-2008, 07:46 AM
#14
I like the 95/6 alot better. but it wouldnt be an interesting poll, its been done many times before and yes the 95/6 loses in a landslide.
12-03-2008, 03:28 PM
#16
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 243
For me its the little things like glass headlights and foglamps on the 95/96 and cornering lamps, fabric-covered pillars on GLE models, a steering wheel that matches the interior color (not just black).
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