Toucan

I'm shopping for a Maxima, I will never ever own a Taurus again (any Ford )!!! I'm looking at 98,99,2000 Maximas and would appreciate any advice, good, bad ugly.... Which one would you buy today if you had your choice? Thanx

bigbadboss101

I had a 99 and it was very good. 2000 you get into 5th Gen. Advice? Hmm, nothing different than buying any cars. Get the SE for firmer suspension. Get one with a spoiler as I think they look much better with one.

ejj

iTrader: (5)

Basically the only difference between models in the same year is the suspension. If you want to modify the suspension, get a GXE or GLE, if you're going to leave it get an SE. That being said I got a SE and modified the suspension. It just depends on what features you want (leather, sunroof, bose, spoiler, etc).

Get a 5 speed!

99 vs 2000 is just a question of taste. Performance wise there isn't as big of a difference as there would appear to be on paper. I don't like the 5th gen styling that much, so I stuck with a 99.

Good luck!

Toucan

Guys, thank you for the feedback, it will be a 99 or 00 for me. Which ever comes available on the used market here in SOCAL.

Craig Mack

If you are in it for speed, get a '95 GXE 5spd..0-60 in 6.5 and the 1/4th in 14.9..it's the fastest maxima to date besides the 2002 6spd of course..If you DO have to get the 1999, which is a really nice car, get the SE 5spd..0-60 in 6.7 and the 1/4th in about 15.2... It'll be a hint faster than a 2000 maxima, and better looking IMHO.

BTW, Sam, did you ever sell that Taurus yet? The perfects still await your trunk

VQuick

iTrader: (17)

Craig, why is the 95GXE faster than the other 4th gens? Does it have to do with CA vs. Fed emissions specs or something?

AndyXXL

If I had to chose between 4th and 5th gen, I would still go with 4th gen, despite 00-02 Maximas being more powerful.

Lordrandall

iTrader: (4)

It's lighter.

VQuick

iTrader: (17)

Is the 95 lighter than the 96 or are they the same? I am getting a 4th gen this summer, but I want a 97-99 because they do much better in crash tests (including a rear bumper than doesn't total itself in the 5MPH pole test) and I like the grill better.

VQuick

iTrader: (17)

OK, replying to myself here, the 95 GXE weighs 3005 vs 3012 for the 97 GXE according to the Nissan brochures. That 7lbs is the improved bumper ****. So it's well worth it. And the chances of finding a 95 with OBDI seem pretty slim, and you can change any 4th gen to OBDI anyway, so I'll aim to get a 97-99.

Craig Mack

AndyXXL, 00-01 Maxima's are not faster than 95-99's. I know Magazine times aren't 100% accurate but i'll give you figures of what mag's such as C&D & R&T consistantly got for 1995-2001 Maxima's.

1995-1996
Auto: 7.3-7.6 | 15.6-16.0
5spd: 6.5-6.6 | 14.9-15.3

1997-1999
Auto: 7.6-7.8 | 15.6-16.2 (C&D got 8.2 and 16.4 but we know that's bull)
5spd: 6.6-6.8 | 15-15.2
__________________________________________________ ____________________

2000-2001
Auto: 7.8-7.9 | 15.6-16 (And yes this is when left in 'D')
5spd: 6.9-7.0 | 15.4? (C&D got 15.6 but that's gotta be BS as well)



I know some of these numbers arent on the dot, but it's gives a pretty good idea. These are only numbers however, and .1 of a second isn't gonna make a difference in acceleration in the real world. Also there have been people running their cars here who have gotten better #'s than the mags, in every generation maxima..especially the 2k2's.