My neighbour is looking for a new car and after driving my 4t gen - he's in Love with Maximas. So yesterday we visit a local dealership and one of the salesman agrees to take us for a spin (I insisted on a 6-speed). To make the long story short, when we merged to the highway, the speedo read around 125 ish MPH

On the way back we switch and I am driving and pretty much the same result, 5th gear at 12X MPH. All I can say is WOW!!!

First time I've ever been in or driven a 5th gen and the rear suspension is a big improvement from the 4th gens. We also hit a parking lot and he took over again and he took us through his "slalom course" made up of light posts and trees etc at 40-50 ish speeds. Turns out that the salesman who was probably in his late 50's - 60's has raced cars for the past twenty something years including SCCA. He should have told me that before the test drive because my heart was in my mouth the entire time.

If I could afford it - I would have walked out of that dealership in a brand new 02.

02 guys - I hate you!

 

Driving in my '96 to visit perrymaxima's 2K2:
After riding in perrymaxima's 2K2 and driving home in my '96:
-Cyrus

 

That's exactly how I felt driving back home too. Then last night I go to the garage one last time to see my beloved Max one more time before I go to bed ( I know - I am a dork) and saw that Ruby Red glitter under the captivating flourecent light and then it all came back to me - even though I may stray a little every now and then, I Love my 4th Gen

 

True... we do have one of, if not the, most gorgeous colors on a Maxima.
-Cyrus

 

Dude, get a girlfriend or something, this is not normal.

 

I have one - luckily she is not the jealous type. hehe

BTW/ Was the 5th gen front suspension changed radically as well? At least on the SE I test drove - the sales guy did a panic stop from around 50 MP and there way less front dive than my 4th Gen. Is this just on the SE's that are this stiff or are all the 5th Gens like that?

 

This just confirms what I've always known...NEVER BUY A DEALER DEMO!!!

 

 

NO IT WASNT CAHNGED THAT MUCH AT ALL. WHAT EXPLAINS THE NOSE DIVE DIFFERENCE IS THE AGE OF YOUR STRUTS/SUSPENSION, AND YOU HAVE A GXE VS A SE. MY 02SE DIVES JUST AS MUCH AS MY 97SE IN PANIC STOPS

 

My father bought a 2003 SE 6-spd max with helical limited-slip, sunroof, and titanuim packaage last week. After 5 years of riding in quite jealousy in my maxima he has turn the tables on me!!!

I can't believe the amount of torque the 3.5 has down low!

 

gotta love my 2k2. but any maxima is str8.

 

It's good that you enjoyed the ride, but I think the 2k2 isn't that good. I like the way the 2k2 Altima looks but it doesn't drive that well either. And the looks are a big minus for the Max imho.

For anyone who isn't as critical as we are, I think the Maxima is a fine car for 21k. If one of my parents were to get one or my younger bro' that'd be cool because I'd love to check out the 255 hp over a long period and see how it stacks with a 190 hp. But even at 21k, I'd spend it on something else, like a 4-cyl Audi. I've seen what 4 years did to my all-optioned 98 SE 5-spd, got it mid 22's new and now it's not even worth 5 figures. Go figure!

 

Don't cry I didn't even push the car for you. Maybe next time I'll let you take it for a spin

 

watching dmbmaxima's run door to door with my cousin's GS 400
watching dmbmaxima's face as i pass him while racing

 

<-----let me guess priceless!!!!Ya some crazy fools!!!but it was all good right just for fun!!!!

 

just got Own3d

 

I don't feel worthy... oh that's right it's because I'm not. I'll let you take mine for a spin as soon as I get my struts in, then you'll want to buy a full suspension for your Max.
-Cyrus

 

Maybe