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
Sportiest Maxima
Which gen do you think is the sportiest?
I would have to say the 5th gen. Good amount of power and its not to big like the newer maximas.
I would have to say the 5th gen. Good amount of power and its not to big like the newer maximas.
Last edited by BigOgre; May 17, 2009 at 01:22 AM.
Im voting for 3rd gen's (biased, as I own one myself) as where the Maxima began shifting away from a sport's car appeal, and more towards a luxary market.
I know Maxima's only became MORE powerfull as time went on, but that is only newer technology (and in recent years, bigger displacement).
EDIT: 7th Gen's were re-labelled with "4DSC", so perhaps in the future the Maxima will again shift, and back towards sports.
I know Maxima's only became MORE powerfull as time went on, but that is only newer technology (and in recent years, bigger displacement).
EDIT: 7th Gen's were re-labelled with "4DSC", so perhaps in the future the Maxima will again shift, and back towards sports.
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 32
Uhm to be honest NONE
Maximas are a premium type sedans some people say family but i say its a premium type with its features the family sedan is ALTIMA the affordable family sedan is Sentra/Versa
The sports car is 350z/370z
And if you wanna say which gen looked more sporty than i would say stock for stock 7thgen looks more sporty now if you wanna say which one was the fastest stock for stock i would say 5.5gen Manual/6thgen 6speed
You guys say 5thgen looked the most sporty but i say not the 6th and 7th gens have curvy lines and smooth contours unlike the other gens look like a older car waiting to be put to bed no offence
The preivous gens might have been sporty back in its time but now ESP looks wise they are not
Maximas are a premium type sedans some people say family but i say its a premium type with its features the family sedan is ALTIMA the affordable family sedan is Sentra/Versa
The sports car is 350z/370z
And if you wanna say which gen looked more sporty than i would say stock for stock 7thgen looks more sporty now if you wanna say which one was the fastest stock for stock i would say 5.5gen Manual/6thgen 6speed
You guys say 5thgen looked the most sporty but i say not the 6th and 7th gens have curvy lines and smooth contours unlike the other gens look like a older car waiting to be put to bed no offence
The preivous gens might have been sporty back in its time but now ESP looks wise they are not
QFT. I think a lot of people who are voting 3rd gen are doing so because it was pretty sporty for its day, but comparative to current cars, 5.5 6spd HLSD hands down.
having only driven a 3rd and 4th gen, I would have to say:
5th (see above)
3rd (IRS)
1st (rwd)
6th (3.5/6)
4th (flat seats in an SE???? FAIL! nice car,yes. sporty, no.)
7th (no mt is a deal killer)
(edit: forgot 2nd, but im not really sure where it put it, so....)
5th (see above)
3rd (IRS)
1st (rwd)
6th (3.5/6)
4th (flat seats in an SE???? FAIL! nice car,yes. sporty, no.)
7th (no mt is a deal killer)
(edit: forgot 2nd, but im not really sure where it put it, so....)
Last edited by BenStoked; May 18, 2009 at 07:14 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
And the 6 gen was only 2 inches longer and 1 inch wider then the 5.5.
6.5 was 3 inches longer.
All I'm saying is, for those of you that think you know more about the newer Maximas sure don't know much about their size differences. How could you possibly judge which is more sporty?
5.5 Gen 191.5 long, 70.3 wide
6.. Gen 193.5 L, 71.7 W
6.5 Gen 194.4 L, 71.7 W
7.. Gen 190.6 L, 73.2 W
(Look it up if you don't buy it)
Just sayin', if you don't know, don't blow.
My vote is for the 6.5. But, a part of me thinks I should have voted for the 7...it's got a lot more stock ballz than any of the other generations.
As far as looks, only 6 and 7 have a sharp look. The rest are four door sedans with spunk.
Last edited by MadMax07SL; May 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM.
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.
Last edited by Pearl93VE; May 19, 2009 at 09:01 PM.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
From: Victoria, Canada
I would go with the 5th generation. My favourite would be the 2001 SE 20th anniversary edition; it was the peak of the Maxima with the 3.0 litre engine, which seems like the ideal size to me. I also love the 2nd generation for it's simple, charming sportiness. Next I'd say the 3rd; it got me hooked on these cars.
Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 159
'81 Max
I had to get a vote in for the 1st Gen. It has a ton of potential. Old skool boxy lines and rear wheel drive with an in-line six that can take most performance accessories from the Z cars of the same era. It's become a 'classic'.
I'd say 6.5gen if it werent for the lack of a manual option (iirc) and the weight. Sportiest maxima was an SE-R with an Altima body on it. You can make a maxima sporty but they haven't been since the 3rd gen and they were slow.
Sporty is so Subjective. everyone has their own view of the meaning. none are even close to Sports Car, but some may be more "Sporty" than others.
But I certainly think of the 5th gen as least sporty IMO. i see some with nice kits and that really helps... so do you mean stock or when done nicely?
But I certainly think of the 5th gen as least sporty IMO. i see some with nice kits and that really helps... so do you mean stock or when done nicely?
well, for its day, the 2nd gens were right up there in power, and handling , partly due to it having the same engine as the 300zx(gotta love the VG30ET 300zx turbo engine swappability too). It was also the first maxima IIRC to have IRS. But, in this case I would say the 5.5gen 6spd, like others have mentioned
Last edited by Mr. Blue Sky; May 22, 2009 at 12:25 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 163
From: Florida
7th Gen looks the sportiest .. it has better lines, killer looking *** and Maserati front (love the headlights)... (guess this is just a matter of taste) better wheels, stronger motor, up to beat interior (not as flat and cheap looking, more room...) and the CVT isn't that bad at all really.. don't know why people diss it so much. Nissan has the best CVT on the market now... I had an Altima 2005 SE-R 6 speed, and i think the 09 Max owns it really stock for stock... the torque steer has really been reduced in this car so i don't know what people are complaining about TS for...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 508
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.