View Poll Results: Sportiest Maxima
7th Gen
38
12.26%
6th Gen
26
8.39%
5th Gen
131
42.26%
4th Gen
68
21.94%
3rd Gen
39
12.58%
2nd Gen
3
0.97%
1st Gen
5
1.61%
Voters: 310. You may not vote on this poll
Sportiest Maxima
09-02-2009, 10:19 AM
#83
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 25
I had a 1995, a 2000, and I just bought an '09.
I miss the 1995 to this day. Pearl White with leather, Bose, and the 5-speed. Totally loaded car and it was hard to find; the dealer had to go way out of state to get it. It felt faster than it was for some reason, and was just a blast to drive. Comfortable too. A sport sedan in a day where most manufacturers were just starting to get serious about sport sedans (Nissan had a head start with the 3rd gen.
)
I never got along well with the 2000. More power but felt cheaper all around, even though it was similarly loaded. It was also a 5-speed, but the steering was far too over-boosted for my driving, and was vague on center. Really nice car, just not interesting to drive.
The '09 is simply a different animal. It has better steering feel that either of the above, and more power, but it is a larger car. Dynamically, I can hustle this car as quickly as the '95 by virtue of better body control and steering feel - it makes up for the weight that the '95 didn't have. I could never get my head around the steering on the 2000, and never felt confident in it, even though it ultimately handled well. The equipment level is higher than both previous models, and it is MUCH more refined overall. It has a quality feel similar to the 1995, and beyond the 2000, in terms of materials used.
People throw the term "Sport Sedan" around pretty loosely these days. It means different things to different people. For some, the inclusion of a manul transmission is a prerequsite; I personally think this is overstated. In the days before 6-7 speed automatics with manu-matic/paddle shift modes were common (let alone a CVT), it was easier to make the case that the automatic sucked too much life out of the car. These days, technology coupled with more ratios has narrowed the performance gap significantly. A well engineered manu-matic with properly selected ratios can be almost as much fun to hustle through the twisties as a manual transmission; sometimes more so, because there's less chance of missing a shift or pulling the wrong gear. I realize that the purists out there are saying "blasphemy!!!" but I've driven manual transmission cars for the last 20 years and finally got to the point where, at least for me, it just wasn't worth it anymore.
I think the more important aspects are chassis dynamics and steering feel. This is something that BMW has been getting right for a long time, and one of the reasons they wind up at the top of the heap when discussing "sport sedans" regardless of transmission type. As far as the Maxima is concerned (as well as other cars) its all down to semantics: how YOU define a sport sedan. To me, the '09 is as much a sport sedan as I require. I can drive it quickly through the tight stuff, the dynamics are good, and the power is more than sufficient. I may have to work a little harder than the BWM 3-Series driver (or even the 5-Series driver), but that's OK: I've spent enough time at the track to be confident with the cars abilities in spite of the extra weight. On the upside, I get more interior space, cheaper repairs, and a significant price break. I actually LIKE the CVT, and the more I drive it, the better it gets. The paddles work pretty well and hold ratios enough for me to keep RPMs where I want them. Shifts are smooth and fast.
In the end, my cop-out conclusion is that the "sportiest" Maxima is the one that you have the most confidence in and can drive the fastest
I miss the 1995 to this day. Pearl White with leather, Bose, and the 5-speed. Totally loaded car and it was hard to find; the dealer had to go way out of state to get it. It felt faster than it was for some reason, and was just a blast to drive. Comfortable too. A sport sedan in a day where most manufacturers were just starting to get serious about sport sedans (Nissan had a head start with the 3rd gen.
) I never got along well with the 2000. More power but felt cheaper all around, even though it was similarly loaded. It was also a 5-speed, but the steering was far too over-boosted for my driving, and was vague on center. Really nice car, just not interesting to drive.
The '09 is simply a different animal. It has better steering feel that either of the above, and more power, but it is a larger car. Dynamically, I can hustle this car as quickly as the '95 by virtue of better body control and steering feel - it makes up for the weight that the '95 didn't have. I could never get my head around the steering on the 2000, and never felt confident in it, even though it ultimately handled well. The equipment level is higher than both previous models, and it is MUCH more refined overall. It has a quality feel similar to the 1995, and beyond the 2000, in terms of materials used.
People throw the term "Sport Sedan" around pretty loosely these days. It means different things to different people. For some, the inclusion of a manul transmission is a prerequsite; I personally think this is overstated. In the days before 6-7 speed automatics with manu-matic/paddle shift modes were common (let alone a CVT), it was easier to make the case that the automatic sucked too much life out of the car. These days, technology coupled with more ratios has narrowed the performance gap significantly. A well engineered manu-matic with properly selected ratios can be almost as much fun to hustle through the twisties as a manual transmission; sometimes more so, because there's less chance of missing a shift or pulling the wrong gear. I realize that the purists out there are saying "blasphemy!!!" but I've driven manual transmission cars for the last 20 years and finally got to the point where, at least for me, it just wasn't worth it anymore.
I think the more important aspects are chassis dynamics and steering feel. This is something that BMW has been getting right for a long time, and one of the reasons they wind up at the top of the heap when discussing "sport sedans" regardless of transmission type. As far as the Maxima is concerned (as well as other cars) its all down to semantics: how YOU define a sport sedan. To me, the '09 is as much a sport sedan as I require. I can drive it quickly through the tight stuff, the dynamics are good, and the power is more than sufficient. I may have to work a little harder than the BWM 3-Series driver (or even the 5-Series driver), but that's OK: I've spent enough time at the track to be confident with the cars abilities in spite of the extra weight. On the upside, I get more interior space, cheaper repairs, and a significant price break. I actually LIKE the CVT, and the more I drive it, the better it gets. The paddles work pretty well and hold ratios enough for me to keep RPMs where I want them. Shifts are smooth and fast.
In the end, my cop-out conclusion is that the "sportiest" Maxima is the one that you have the most confidence in and can drive the fastest
09-18-2009, 06:51 PM
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 1,323
10-04-2009, 10:36 AM
#92
having owned both a 3G SoHC Auto, a 3G DoHC 5speed, and now my fourth, as well, as drivien my girls 3G Sohc 5spd, I have to say overall, the third gen is the sportiest maxima. Especially with my 92 VE5, i could (almost) hang with my buddy in his miata, stock to stock, it was an overall fun car to drive, and done right can make one hell of a sleeper
10-07-2009, 01:03 PM
#97
gonna get my nuts slapped for this but IMO the 3rd gen was the last to have old school style, and they kinda are like Japanese Muscle cars. too many cars now have little individuality and its just my opinion that after the 3rd gen, it started to slope that way. 5.5 6spd MT are sex though
they dont make cars the way they used to
we need more 240z, Z31/Z32, Silvia, etc
they dont make cars the way they used to
we need more 240z, Z31/Z32, Silvia, etc
10-07-2009, 04:59 PM
#98
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 254
No contest the 6th generation with the 07-08 spoiler. Oh wait thats what I have. Of all the Maximas it has the curviest body lines, 18 inch wheels with 245 rubber stock, quad tip exhaust, & the 04-06 guage cluster with the 160 speedo & 3 circular compartments. The 5th generation, and down are too square for my taste. If it wasn't for the 6th generation Maxima I would'nt be interested in Maximas at all.
Last edited by LandsEnd; 10-07-2009 at 05:24 PM.
10-10-2009, 11:38 PM
#99
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kailua, HI (Oahu)
Posts: 19
6th Gen...That's why I own one.
I have owned or driven 3,4,5,and 6. I recently traded in my 2000 GXE 5MT for a 2004 SE 5 AT. Even in its stock form, the 6th Gen seems of more solid construction and a more aggressive stance. I still love the growl of the VQ35 every time it fires up.
I have owned or driven 3,4,5,and 6. I recently traded in my 2000 GXE 5MT for a 2004 SE 5 AT. Even in its stock form, the 6th Gen seems of more solid construction and a more aggressive stance. I still love the growl of the VQ35 every time it fires up.
10-11-2009, 09:18 AM
#101
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,807
IMHO the 2nd gen was the sportiest. Not only did it have the Z engine that made 150hp, when the comp back then still had I4s. The 3 way adj susp was great, once set to firm the car would out handle others. Also drivers got full gauges tach, speed, temp, oil psi, volt. Im sure that with todays tires and an adj susp that isn't worn it would put down good numbers. The only thing it missed was the VLSD, airbags in 3rd gens and today's stereo tech.
10-30-2009, 10:00 PM
#102
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 241
3rd gen...
Keep in mind- all of this offered in late 1991-
DOHC, VTC's, VIM, VLSD 5-spd, Liquid filled motor mounts, Nearly factory headers, forged internals, IRS, Pre-Americanized, small, tight interiors (laughable cupholders) with attention catching detail, low, gently sloping lines with almost perfect windshield to rear window visibility ratio, not that much heavier than a 4th gen but with much better fit and finish (due to Nissan's bankruptcy around 1995)
Just seems more sport oriented and optioned (even for the time) toward a more performance oriented clientele- straight from the factory.
My vote is unbiased. There are options I would have liked to see continue in later maxima's, (and had they- my vote may have changed) However, we all know as technology grows, engine's are going to more powerful- so that doesn't sway my opinion. But as the trend shows: as cars get newer, safety regulations grow more harsh- cars get larger, more "comfortable"... they're designed for much more of a broad spectrum of people, and for good reason- most maxima owners don't know or care if they have independent rear suspension or LSD. Point is, Nissan has allocated more money in funding their sports cars, and investing less into making the maxima performance oriented (other than a great marketing campaign for the 7th gen)- because the bottom line is sales.
The 3rd gen Maxima was at the top of it's game in respect to it's competitors- now you can't even get a manual transmission.
Keep in mind- all of this offered in late 1991-
DOHC, VTC's, VIM, VLSD 5-spd, Liquid filled motor mounts, Nearly factory headers, forged internals, IRS, Pre-Americanized, small, tight interiors (laughable cupholders) with attention catching detail, low, gently sloping lines with almost perfect windshield to rear window visibility ratio, not that much heavier than a 4th gen but with much better fit and finish (due to Nissan's bankruptcy around 1995)
Just seems more sport oriented and optioned (even for the time) toward a more performance oriented clientele- straight from the factory.
My vote is unbiased. There are options I would have liked to see continue in later maxima's, (and had they- my vote may have changed) However, we all know as technology grows, engine's are going to more powerful- so that doesn't sway my opinion. But as the trend shows: as cars get newer, safety regulations grow more harsh- cars get larger, more "comfortable"... they're designed for much more of a broad spectrum of people, and for good reason- most maxima owners don't know or care if they have independent rear suspension or LSD. Point is, Nissan has allocated more money in funding their sports cars, and investing less into making the maxima performance oriented (other than a great marketing campaign for the 7th gen)- because the bottom line is sales.
The 3rd gen Maxima was at the top of it's game in respect to it's competitors- now you can't even get a manual transmission.
It has 270K km on it, and the engine still purs like new. It has plenty of power in almost every street situation I can imagine, and with 2 year old suspension all around, handles likes it's on rails. Now of course the tech in the car is from the early '90s, but it still has nearly 200 hp and ft.lbs of torque which are plenty respectable. Regardless of the numbers on paper, the butt dyno tells the story here. It was certainly ahead of it's time, and still is on par with a lot of newer cars. Take the HUGE moonroof for instance, a pure joy in the summer, nowadays you get toaster slots for a moonroof. It has heated mirrors, another option missing on later maximas, the 5spd has a great feel to it, and overall the car feels really solid. And I love the look of the gauges, and how the dash sweeps across gently and flows into the doors at the top.
Every now and then I debate selling her for something newer, yet every time I go and test drive a different car, whether it's a newer max or something different, I end up being dissapointed. There is just some inexplicable quality, a feeling you get, that when I get behind the wheel of my VE5, it puts a smile on my face. And I've driven a lot of cars in the 20 years I've had my license, and no other vehicle has had this effect, and that's saying alot.
So while each of us will have our opinion, and each of us will like different things about the different gens, and have different tastes, to ME, the 3rd gen will always be one of my all-time favorite cars. And even better that we have such a great forum to show off and share our passions here.
11-04-2009, 12:21 PM
#105
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 63
5.5 maxima pilot
I def say 5.5 gen 6spd...pretty *** body w/sexy curves, 255 hp stock ( i think) , best looking stock rims (everbody is slappin' 5th gen wheels on they max except 6/7th gen owners), fACTORY H.I.DS and once kitted and dropped personally they look better than a lot of bmw's ,audi's,and benz on the street that cost way more $$$... 3rd gens I def fell in love w/first and the 4th gen looks was always had a lot of sex appeal too. 6th gens are very nice but took a while to have the "sporty" name attached to it and the 7th gen is just an all around sick car but its size doesnt make it "sporty" to me just like I don't think a 760 bmw is sporty to me...and the winner is the 5.5 gen hands down!!!
THe illest part about OUR cars is that I belive that any MAX can truely be made to be "sporty" when modded right 1st-7th gen!!!
THe illest part about OUR cars is that I belive that any MAX can truely be made to be "sporty" when modded right 1st-7th gen!!!
Last edited by SCI; 11-04-2009 at 12:30 PM.
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