Hey guys,

When I first bought the max, I thought it would be a great value and would last me a long time as a pseudo-luxury car. I am a college student, and do need to move all my stuff once in a while, so I needed the added space.
However, I've been driving my 2k2 max for about 8000 miles now and certain things are starting to bug me - like how big the car is, leaving it sometimes impossible to parallel park. Also the turning radius, which is just ridiculously huge. I really don't like carrying a whole bunch of people around unless they are girls..and I don't think I have ever had 4 other girls in the car.
Since I am in college, do you guys think I should trade it in for something like the Z 6-speed? Also I made the mistake of buying a damned auto. Much better than manual in the city but I feel the slowness..

 

If you can afford it, then trade up to the Z when you get the chance! It's been my experience you can always find a friend with a pickup truck when you need to move. Besides, owning a 2-seat sports car is much easier to justify before/after kids, obligations, etc. Enjoy it now while you can.

 

Without knowing your personal finacial situation I've got to say that buying a fairly expensive brand new car while in college is perhaps not having your priorities quite in line. You're probably working quite a lot of hours to make that monthly car payment as well as insurnace and gas, etc...leaving far fewer hours for studying (which is why you're paying tuition in the first place) and beer drinking.

That aside, if you really don't like the car and can afford to take the sizable loss then get rid of it and get something else. Going with the Z might be a big mistake though...it might be a cool car to own, but you'll be going from a car you think is too big to one that you will probably think is way too small on the inside when it comes time to pack your stuff up and go home.

Personally I'd stick with the Max and learn to like it, but its really up to you...I think buying another $30k car while you're in college would be a huge mistake though.

 

The slowness is in your head. The auto isn't that much slower. Regarding the topic, if you have the money, I think you'll probably be happier with the Z considering your age and circumstances. Only problem is your going to take a beating on the Maxima. What model do you have, what options and price you want?

 

It all comes down to how much money you have to blow. I guess if you are getting aid from somewhere, or are just lucky enough to have the best job on campus, then trade the max for a sporty car. I bought my max within a year or so after graduation, but I never would have had that thing while I was in school. Too many headaches! You have to worry about carting around drunk careless friends and knuckleheads that will vandalize it for not reason.

 

When I was in college (97-2001), I had an 1990 GMC Jimmy. It was great. I could move everything, I isn't too big, and it got me from point A to point B, which is all you need in college. Mostly I rode the bus. I would be just as cautious about owning a Z as the Max. At least the Max is less conspicuous and more usefull. I don't know what you college is like, but my experience at school taught me that cars are not as big of a deal as they were in high school in terms of the "coolness" of a person. Save your money. I wouldn't upgrade...if anything, I would down grade to an economy car because that would address your problems of size and transporting people.


I say KEEP IT.

 

I bet that you'll be dissatisfied regardless of what car you own. No single car meets all of a person's needs. When I was in college I could not even afford a car at all. I suppose that would give me more right to complain than you. As a person's income increases their standard of living increases. I don't know if money is an issue for you but one must always be careful to not increase their standard of living at a greater rate than their income. Be satisfied with what you have. Keep in mind that there are people out there griping bitterly about the crappy service their butler is giving them, and bemoaning the fact that their new Ferrari just isn't built as well as their old one. Everything is relative. When I owned a Toyotal Tercel, the maxima seemed like God's chariot. Now that I own the maxima it has become my standard and I look on enviously at a new set of superior vehicles.

 

this is your problem, not the car!

the backseat of the maxima can be very accomodating...

 

I know the feeling of getting tired with a car quick. I'll bet most of your friends are driving around in 10 year old corollas, civics, and escorts. Go take a ride with them and then come back to re-examine your Max. I agree with the others..stick with the Max.

 

I look at it this way...as long as you feel you can afford it, then if you want the Z, get the Z. Life is too short, so what makes you happy. End of story.

 

Damn straight! I remember one time when I was in college with my '89 Maxima SE and this girl I met at a party.... Plenty of room.

 

 

im in college, i have 2k2 se auto majetic. i got it for college. im moving out of summer session tomorow. so ill c how it carries all my ****. but the turning radius is pathetic. i cant park the car at all. but i figure its worth the extra backig in and out of spots, cuz the car is tight. it fast, girls love the leather. ive had 5girls in my car and 2 guys plus me in it about 4 times. everytime every1 loves it. throw in some 10's and ull have girls complaining about back massages. the max is unsuspectingly fast, and thus doesnt attract 2 much attention... as compared 2 a Z which could get u into trouble. its def. a keeper all throughout college for me. every1 complaiments the car, 2 bad every1 thinks its an altima until i yell at them and tell them this is the flagship nissan.

 

this particular college does not offer remedial spelling and grammar courses!!

 

if ur talking to me then im sorry for the not perfec typing or grmatically correct spelling. i hate laptop keyboards, and im used to my aol jargon. and btw.... its the university of florida. they dont offer remedial classes... thats what juco is for

 

I too wish I had a nice Z, but for the weekends. I'm in college too, and I love the Max. It's comfortable, , quick and reasonably affordable in terms of gas and insurance. As most know, my trunk does not have much room left for cargo anymore, but every summer I drive 1800 miles from Bloomington to Las Vegas and can fit all my clothes, computer, shoes (I wear size 15, they take up A LOT more space than you would think) and Christmas Figurines without a problem. You are right that most people don't respect the Max for what it is (what kind of car is this?) but everyone appreciates the comfort when taking a roadtrip on the weekend.

So, the answer to your question is, if you can afford it, buy the Z.

If you get the Z, make sure it is a six speed, move to IU and we'll share the two cars.

 

i say keep the max as well. i got a 2k2 as a college graduation present and i'm about to start grad school in a couple of weeks. i'm worried about people scratching it up while parking as it is (boston). since you're complaining about the parallel parking situation, i'm guessing that you're near or in a city as well. imagine how paranoid you're going to be with a brand new Z that you just squeezed into the only available spot between two POS cars.

 

Yeah it looks like you guys are right. No way I could afford a Z..just a dream but it would be nice to have one though. Sometimes it just feels like i'm driving a boat, and i'm like..why the hell didn't I buy a smaller car?? But as somebody else said..alot of my friends have POS corollas and civics..the max is much nicer.

 

I'm about to start my sophmore year in college, and I just sold my mustang GT for a 2002 maxima. I like it a lot more. The idea of a fast sedan appealed to me, and I like having a nice interior. I really think this is the perfect car for me right now.

 

I'm a college student too, and I just got the Max. It has nowhere near the space of my last car, a Grand Cherokee. But I love it! It's got some stabs, and a total sleeper, even with mods. I had to take it in for the transverse link recall yesterday. They gave me a Mitsubishi Lancer as a rental. After driving that POS for a day, I realized even more how much I love my Max!

 

exactly. dont take 4 granted what the max is. everytime i take people in my car. their like o nice family car. i push it to 5000 rpms, their in the back of their seat going. i was wrong, what a fast car. it also just happens to be smooth and quiet.

 

In college, with a Z? Darn, how times change! In college, I drove a 1981 Datsun 210 stationwagon (my first Nissan!)... It was 7 years old when I got it. Slow, a stationwagon but reliable and economic as h3ll!! My suggestion, keep the Max or get a Sentra SE-R SPEC V. It should be fun...

Later

 

It depends on the person really...your personal taste. With me, parallel parking is easy since I learned in my brother's Ford F150 and I like the extra space...small cars make me feel clostrophobic plus I am a tall girl so I require the room, I hate to feel cramped. Plus you never know, maybe you will have four girls in there at a time

 

I'm a sophomore in college this year (commuting)..I'd have to agree, it's not like HS where your car was a really important thing. My lease ran up on my '99 Grand Am this year and bought the 2k2 Max. It's annoying at times in parking situations and looks really conservative comp. to the GA but 255 hp is def. way better than 175

I'd stick w/the Max over the Z..esp. through college

 

Wow...I would never even THINK of trading in a 2k2 Maxima because it wasn't good enough for me in college. That's one heck of a nice car you have there. It deserves a lot more respect than you give it. Floor that pedal, listen to the engine wind upto redline, and tell me you're not in love alright? Try and tell me you hate it...

That's what I thought. You can't, can you? You should try parallel parking in an Explorer, and parking in it. That thing has a BAD turning radius. The Maxima's may be somewhat bad, but you got the power, the comfort, the stealthiness of being a sedan, and the bling-bling. And everyone here will tell you that's what it's all about

 

I am going to be a senior of college, and I actually had a Chrome Silver 350Z Touring booked for delivery in December once all the pre-orders get filled. I even put down a deposit.

But after finding out that because I am 21 years old and have an accident on my record, the insurance was coming at to $6500 a year. I went in to cancel my 350Z at the dealer and on that day (just last Sunday) a 2001 Nissan Maxima SE was returned...I test drove a Nissan Sentra and asked to test drive the used Maxima, absolutely fell in love with it how it drove!

It wasn't exactly the sports car that I had been dreaming about, but I settled and paid only $16,000 compared to the $35,000 for the 350Z on top of that my insurance is only $2500 a year instead of $6500.

I am totally happy with my Maxima now except for the braking and also not very happy with the handling, but I will live with it.

So I am going to wait till I turn 25 (only 4 more years), and get myself a turbo 350Z or Porsche 911 Carrera

So if you are thinking about getting a 350Z, make sure you look into the insurance rates first!

 

??? Turbo 350Z??

Anyways, back to the topic... Think about it, in your Max you can hold 4 girls, or just 1 and have a lot room to "play". In a 350Z, only 1 girl and only thing you can get is "road head" but even that will be difficult. Ok, enough joking around... If you can afford it, get the Z. I would.