Ok so I am taking a 12 hour (1 way) trip with the family. The wife, myself and 2 small girls (5 and 9). We will be gone for around 8 days during the holidays. I might see some snow. MIGHT. My 5.5gen has Nexen CP641 tires and my 7th gen has stock RSA's. The 5.5 is all stock minus a coil pack and new plugs I replaced and had 93K on it. The 7th gen has 14K and well, has nothing done except a few oil changes and tire rotations. Which one would you take? Highway comfort suspension wise they are both the same but I am talking about fuel wise, comfort wise, handling wise (in case I see some light snow) and dare I say reliability wise? Hate to be diagnosing an issue on the side of the highway with the family in the car. I can use the spare 1995 4x4 Pathfinder if it snows too bad when I am up there. BTW The trip is from S. Florida to Northern Ga for Christmas. While we are there we will visit friends in N.Carolina up in the mountains. IF I take the 7th gen all I will do is an oil change. 5th gen I think I will do my belts, replace a tire that has a bubble, take the spare coils and all my tools.
Thoughts?

 

Take the newest car you own. Naturally.

 

If the 5.5 didn't have a bubble in the tire, I'd tell you to take that but anything can happen with a bubble and I wouldn't take the chance of having a blow out with my family in the car. No way.

For this trip, take the 7th gen.

 

Take the 7th gen without a doubt. This is a good chance to break her in a little more. Let the 5.5 gen take a break from life. It needs some rest I'm sure.

 

Good Point! I was going to replace that tire in my 5th gen if I where to take it on the drive.

 

in my opinion your worrying about maxima's reliability too much.......there bulletproof either one will be great for the trip.

 

If it were me, then neither. Ill drive the rental. If budget constraint ill take the more reliable one.

 

newer does not mean better...
before my 5th gen I had 91 Accord that I would take anywhere without even thinking about it... now with the 5th gen you always have to think about something going bad, even after replacing all my coils with new gray dot coils form DaveB, my 5th get still has earn my full trust..

 

Newer in general is statistically more reliable, especially with only 14k on the clock.

 

He already owns 3 car.... Why spend money on a rental?

 

Take the 7th gen. With only 14k the new highway miles would be 'healthy'.

 

If your 5.5 is all tune-up, I would drive it since it has better MPG than 7th.
Either way, its going to be a fun drive, drive safe.

 

So Im assuming your taking the 7th gen, correct?

 

 

Not sure. The main thing is what is going to have more luggage space and get better mileage. I am pretty sure my 5th gen can go the mileage with out any issue's. I of course will replace the tire with the bubble in it.

 

5gen all the way 10years and still pumping im doing 130mph on the highway so get out of my way

 

I'd take the 7th gen.

 

 

 

I know the last owner of my 5th gen had it up to DC a few times to visit his son. Man it's crazy the longest trip in the 7th gen has been 35 miles! I should take it. Give it a chance to burn up any impurities that may be getting accumulated in the motor.

 

With the tire fixed, the 5th gen will be just as reliable as the 7th gen IMO.
Comfort? Only you know which you like better.

With that said, I'd consider taking the one you care about the least... the front end will take a slight beating from road debris/bugs etc. Just some food for thought.

Which one has more airbags/ higher safety rating? I imagine the 7th gen... If so, family first.

 

Damn. It sucks but you hit it perfect. Weird I was just thinking of getting stuck somewhere in the middle of Northern Florida or Southern Georgia. I am taking my 7th gen. I'll tape up the front with blue painters tape pretty good for the trip. Thanks. You made me look at this situation in a new light.

 

I would take my 5th generation Maxima becuase I just a major work done on it.

 

Take the New Maxima because there are less chances fr anyhting to go bad. you dont want to take that risk when your family is with you.

 

Take the one made is Japan.....

 

You know I more and more realize how important that really is.

 

You might get better gas mileage in the 6spd.

 

I'd take the one I trust more. Simple as that. I don't care how many miles a new car has, it still has to earn my trust.... especially after some of the things I've been through.

 

Same here Take the 7th gen..

 

are you leasing the 7th gen or buying it? If both cars are up to date on maintenance and never gave you any hint of major issues, i'd take the older car to rack up the miles and leave the newer car in the garage.

Whenever I go on a road trip, I always grab a bag of tools because you just never know what might happen on the road. better be safe than sorry.

have a good safe trip.

 

The 7th gen is most def going on the trip. I have been doing my mileage on my 5.5gen and I and desperate need of a VAFC 2 and a tune. Since the cat delete and full y Pipe back exhaust install MPG have dropped to 17.2 MPG city! Not good.

 

I would take the 7th gen for sure.

 

so which one did you end up taking?

 

We will be gone for around 8 days during the holidays...
Not yet.

 

if i were you i would take the 7th gen only to break her in, comfort in your mind knowing there wont be any issues and just get the bug thing that guards your front bumper and hood from getting chips,


its funny that i found this thread because my and the wife was planning on taking a trip to florida. and i thought it would be better to drive my car (209,000) compared to hers (131,000) because mines dont have any value to it and if it were going to die it would of done it already. but your case is different.

 

If it were me, I would take the 5th gen, but seeing as it needs a tune, take the 7th gen.

 

7th gen all day! Less mileage and the 5th has a bubble in the tire. Plus your traveling with your family soo I would say the 7th gen. Oh don't forget how sexy the 7th gen is

 

Def the 7th gen

 

Sup from Northern Ga! Well I took my 7th gen. This Ga clay is no joke! 7th gen averaged around 22 MPG and my 5th gen ran around 25 mpg on a recent 500 mile trip. Looks like the extra weight of the 7th gen hurts it. Once I get my 5th gen tuned I should get around 27 mpg hwy. I will snap a few pics later of my 7th gen in the "sticks" LOL!.
Merry Christmas YALL!

 

i say 7th gen, that car seems more comfortable...