First off, I dont know if this has been posted yet. Seocondly, I dont know if this is the first time it's popped up in a magazine. But, we all know that the Third Gen vs. Fourth Gen battle has been going on for a long time. Which one is better than the other. blah blah blah. Been there, done that.

Anyhoo, the other day I was in CVS looking at magazines. I was trying to figure out if I wanted Car and Driver or Motortrend. I saw C&D had a Maxima article in it, so I got it. At the time I didnt even realize that the articles was called "Nissan Maxima SE: More power, more gears, more speed, less distinction". I started reading it and it turns out to be about how the Maxima has lost its sport edge. The opening paragraph starts out: "Whatever happened to the real Maxima?...But it's not quite the Maxima that was once a benmark of C/D sports sedans - a three time 10Best winner - and its no longer protrayed as the "4DSC". What happenened here? When did this eorsion of spirit begin? And will a six speed manual gearbox reverse the malaise?...The short answers: Greed, 1995..."

It goes on to talk about the newer Maximas and how they're trying to get the sportiness back with the more power and 6-spd, but I still thought it was really interesting to have it documented in a magazine that Fourth Gens were the downfall of the Maximas. YEAH THIRD GENS!!

 

yeah, it was posted a week or two ago when the new issue came out.

i still think the new maximas are sportier then the alternatives, Accord, Camary, and and domestic don't stand a chance. An Acura TL or a german import are the two I can think of in the same category and that could maybe keep up/beat a max.

the max is definetly mainstream, but I think Nissan was alsway trying to do that, they just haven't been successful until now

 

Riddle me this..why offer two cars with the same powerplant, essentially the same size, even obviously similar styling (although I'm not too fond of the Altima's a**), but make one cheaper AND faster (I do believe the Altima edges out the Max in most performance departments)? I believe nissan has f'd themselves..I forsee the maxima dropping out of production for a while and returning in a new form.

 

It's called a transistion period. The new bigger Alty was just ready to go before the new bigger 6th gen Maxima luxo-boat. The 6 speed and 255 hp is just a way to get people to stay with a Max instead of an Alty for more money.

 

So everything is getting bigger. That's one thing I really like about my 3rd gen. Not overly large, but big enough to haul stuff and people. I drove an olds 98 before this, I loved that car, but could never go back to driving a boat. Big Bad Maxima, 255 hp, six speed, sweet, but they can keep it. I'll take a 5 series if I'm upsizing!

 

i know the 1/4 mile times for the altima are higher "stock", but the maxima is faster. my roommate has a 3.5SE 5spd altima, i drove that to the nissan dealer when i test drove a 2k2 maxima 6spd (before i bought my new jeep) and the max is defenitely ballsier. i think the 6 speed just hurts it's 1/4 times. but i'm pretty sure open road the max can take the altima. it also handled better IMHO

 

My thoughts EXACTLY!!

 

The TL and 5 series bimmer will kick maxima butt, but they also cost a lot more!!

NOw, the volvo's are pretty competitive with the maxima/altima in price and performance and luxury.

How bout that nasty Grand Prix GTP. What the heck they did with that car was a good thing. Its damn fast, it can actually corner, and has some luxury, and at a good price too. I would put it up against a Maxima.

It comes down to each individual's preferences. Kinda like who would do up a Cavalier?? Its a big thing around here now, it makes me sick.

thanks for reading.

 

I think the Maxima lost its direction when it moved away from the 4 door sports car positioning and attempted to broaden its appeal--at the same time, losing its sporting credentials as it moved to the beam axle. The odd rear end and clumsy styling of new models didn't help either.

So it became a sort of odd looking car without the apparent durability of a Toyota or the resell of a Honda...with little edge in performance.

When the Altima essentially equaled the Maxima's power and offered independent suspension the reason for being was essentially gone. It is too bad, because it was a great trademark and well respected product--the 3rd generation is the zenith in my opinion

John

 

Amen!!

 

but then again it somewhat depends on the trim levels..yes the 3rd gens were among the best but in terms of the "sports car" thing, i think only the SE really deserved the title, especially the VEs. I still think the current 5th gen preserves the "sports car" theme majorly due to its powertrain. If nto then itd just be a ho-hum "luxury car"

 

The truth about positioning is:

1. It exists more in the mind than the product--and Maxima " owned' the positioning as an affordable sports sedan. And the product was good enough to support the positioning. It was both a clear and limiting positioning...but all good positionings must exclude some or they have no meaning.

2. It would hold up well today I believe since it really has not been assumed well by others.

3. The temptation is always to try to broaden..."if I could only get 5% of the mainstream family sedan market"...which is the road to hell.It diffuses what you have and generally does not add new business because people are very satisfied with mainstream alternatives--hard to compete with Camry and Accord!

4. Sadly, I think repositioning Maxima in the current market is a huge challenge and does not seem to be a priority of NISSAN.

John

 

I'm a nissan fan by all means, but has anyone seen the new accords? They are 240 HP, and look pretty slick. But they are all starting to look the same. Maybe I shpould say many models of different manufacturers are changing physical appearance together. I see bits of every car in every other car. 350Z, for example has some of that Lexus Sc430, and some Audi. Same with that new Accord. And at a glance, the newer Mazda 929 (I think) really looks like an Infiniti product. But then again, it goes round and round. I guess that's why I like cars of older generations..a little more distinguishable.

 

They should have stayed with the indep rear susp on the 4th gen and gave it a better ***!

 

Guys, also remember that the Maxima in the V6, FWD class is about to be gone. last I heard, nissan is going to yank the model for a year or two, and come back with a RWD V8 car that is meant to be on par with the Q45.
The altima is taking the place of the (not so) current Maxima, and the Sentra is taking place of the Altima.

 

yep...

 

How bout that nasty Grand Prix GTP. What the heck they did with that car was a good thing. Its damn fast, it can actually corner, and has some luxury, and at a good price too. I would put it up against a Maxima.

When I first got my car I was feeling pretty high and mighty and was curious to see how fast it was, so I pitted it against my friend's GTP. Big mistake. He ate me up, in cornering, off-the-line and already rolling. Granted, I only had an auto, but that would really only help off-the-line, wouldn't it? Needless to say I would not put a GTP up against a maxima because the max could not take it. I know this for a fact because my Mom now has one and the difference between my car and hers is night and day.
And just so this is not considered a maxima bash: MAX'S RULE!!

 

I agree with Matt. the max may have to step off awhile and come back with something hard. I was so close at a point to buy the 2k2, but I waited to see what infiniti was going to do and D****, they have come through big time with the G35 coupe.

I am going BMW (740 sport) now, but I am keeping my 93SE, I still get people wanting me to sell it to them but H*** NO. I love this car and it will stay until it dies.

I think Nissan became unfocused on the Maxima, but I have hope that it will come back and make major moves in the automotive world.

No offense to the 2k2 owners, it's still a great car for the money, no doubt. The styling hasn't moved me enough to buy it.

 

I have a friend who is fixing his cavalier and it looks good. Then again I see some cavaliers that are being jacked up. They are a really good car to start something with though if that is what a person is into.

 

repost

 

God i hope they don't go that way a v8 yes rwd hell no!!! Why? I think the altima's are ok i don't really like the body design of this years model other than the 3.5 i think on the top of the line version i wouldn't consider getting it!!! I hope they dont go that route!!! Keep me posted if you here any inside news???