I've been looking into getting a new car this year or early next. I currently own a '99 BMW 323i. I've never considered the Maxima before (for some reason), but from my preliminary research, the engine apparently is sweet, and the performance to price ratio is outstanding. Actually, your straight line performance is probably better than my 323i, and comparable to the 328i. I suspect the 330i has better straight line performance however.

At any rate, can you Maximaniacs share some of your wisdom.

* Is there a new model Maxima SE coming out in 2002? If so, what are the specs (compared to the current model)?

* I am used to a RWD car. I like the feel and handling. Can anyone out there provide a decent comparison between the handling of your Maxima SE and a RWD (e.g., BMW)?

* What kind of mods do you do to your ride? What kind of performance increase are you showing?

* Would you choose your Maxima SE over a Lexus IS300 (5 speed) or BMW 330i?

I'm not a BMW biggot. I'm trying to get information from fellow car enthusiasts. I'm looking for the best driving experience at a good price.

 

well...if i were you...i'd probably go w/ a 330i stick...if you have the money that is

a stock maxima stick or auto can take an is300 and a stock stick can take a stock 328 and an auto max can take an auto 328...330 is faster though...i like the look of the is300, but overall, in every category, the max performance better (except looks in my opinion)...remember, there is no stick option on an is300...it all depends what you are looking for in a car...a lot of aftermarket companies are coming out w/ stuff for the is300 but that is the same w/ the max...i know bimmer has their own companies for that stuff...

if you consider everything...maxima is less expensive, a bigger car and even or higher in most categories...a maxima se has a skidpad of .85g's stock and 0-60 stick in mags is 6.7 and auto is 7.1 (lowest times in mags i've seen)...1/4 mile stick is 15.1 and auto is 15.4 stock...people on this site have run 14.9 in a stock stick which probably means their 0-60 time is 6.4 or 6.5...if you want a car that can haul people around, and still beat a lot of cars on the road, go for the max...on my page, you can check out my racing section and see what i've beaten/lost to...is300 is pretty small and so is the bimmer 330...plenty of room in the max to haul stuff, do...well, do something in the passenger seat while reclined w/ windows foggy...you will have a lot more room in the max and w/ adding a few mods you can make it handle really well (a few mods take skidpad into the .9x's and someone on this site runs a 14.3 w/ just cai and a y-pipe...you are looking at 3 very good cars...what are you looking for in a car and do you have the extra money to spend? (if so i'd buy a new m3 if i were you...or a 540i 6spd)

 

The IS300 is too small for its asking price. I would definetly go for a 330i stick, in comparison to 01' maxima it would assumingly take a maxima of the line.

 

As far as performance goes, you are already ahead of the Maxima as far as a capable chassis. In my opinion there is no better than rear drive. I bought the Maxima because I live in a snowy climate in Denver, CO and feel more comfortable driving a front wheel drive car in the snow. In my opinion the Maxima is one of the best front drive sedans out there. If I lived in a climate without snow I would buy the BMW. A Maxima will never feel like a BMW or any capable rear drive chassis. Mods to the Maxima are out there but the market does not support the Maxima like the BMW. I would choose the Maxima over a IS300 because I think it is a little too boyish ( like the old 4cyl M3 with the box flares). The 330i would be my first choice followed by the Maxima. The 2002 Maxiam is rummured to have the 260hp 3.5 ltr engine but we will see. I am extremely pleased with my 2k1 GLE Maxima but the want for rear drive is there everytime I drive the car. The way you drive a front drive car is almost opposite to a rear drive and all the fundamentals I learned for racing is down the tubes with front drive.

I recommend a 330i in no-snow weather and a Maxima in snow weather (money aside).

Mark

 

Thanks for your insight.

As far as the Lexus IS300 is concerned, I'm actually looking at the 2002 Lexus IS300. That model is supposed to come out with a 5-speed with improved performance specifications.

I agree, the new (E46) M3 is beautiful (to me) and is a monster. However, it has a 12-18 month waiting list and I really don't want to spend that much for my daily drive.

Yeah ... The 330i might best satisfy my driving needs. It is actually my first choice. However, when I added up all the options that I wanted on it (sports package, premium package), the price came out to $3-4K less than the 2000+ Audi S4. Since the 330i and S4 are almost at the same price point, I'm thinking I might as well get the S4.

At any rate, thanks for you insight. I'll think about the value proposition to performance between the {S4, 330i}, {Lexus IS300 5-speed}, and {2002 Maxima SE, Imprexa WRX(?)}.


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I live in Canada, so winter weather is a reality for me as well. I actually don't drive my 323i during the winter months, and would probably do the same if I get the 330i.

It sounds that you have done some racing in your day. I test drove the Audi S4. That car has gutts in stock form, and with a few (and I mean a few) mods, the car becomes a true rocket in sheeps clothing. Would you give the S4 the nod over the 330i? They happen to be in the same price point.

I'll wait another 6 months to see the new Maxima entrant for 2002. If it is the 260hp with stick version, at the current price point, then it'll be a tough package to overlook.


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Chanting in the background... S4 S4 S4 S4

I'd kill for one of those!

 

The S4 is sweet....I would take it over the 330i....Plus you can chip the S4 and then...look out....

 

330i and S4? I would go with the S4, what a great car. The potential is endless with the S4 and you own a rare car in comparison to the 330i. Audis all wheel drive system is the best it gets and with a Bi-Turbo V-6! I would go S4.

Mark

 

I looked at all the cars you evaluating, and bought the Maxima. I previously owned an M3, which I greatly enjoyed, but concluded it was both too expensive and impractical long term.

I boiled my options down to the Maxima and the 330Ci. While I kept thinking I should like the S4, I never found it as fun to drive as the BMW. I also never warmed to either the Volvo S70 T5 or the Saab 9-3 Viggen. I primarily compared the Maxima to the Passat, but thought the Maxima looked much more attractive.

When it came down to the Maxima vs. the 330Ci, I preferred the BMW, but not by enough to justify the ~$10,000 price differential between fully-loaded versions of each.