What do you think of the ride? Although the two generations are pretty close to the same weight all the 4th gens I've test drove seem less responsive, heavier, and generally don't give as good a feel for the road. Is it just me and I have to get used to it or is it the 4 wheel independent suspension of the 3rd gens?

I hope some new shocks/springs can help stiffen the ride, I'm really looking forward to going 5-spd VQ. But I love the compared "nimbleness" of my '90 when it turns corners.

 

I hated driving a 4th Gen. that's why I bought another 3rd Gen. Stock SE vs. Stock SE is no comparison, 3rd Gen is much more responsive and has much better road manners.

Of course, if you put enough money into most cars, the ride and handling will improve. In Hot Rod Magazine a couple of months ago, this guy made the suspension awesome in a Cadillac. According to the story, it handled corners like a sports car.

You are doing better with the VQ engine, though. My SE has the VTC ticking and I am not looking forward to spending all of the money to have it fixed. Actually, when my car goes, I am thinking about getting a 240SX or maybe a Sentra SE-R, unless I come across some extra money and I can buy a 5th gen. Maxima.

 

it's rather "floaty"

 

4th gen seems more responsive than most sedans, i still wouldnt know. because i havent driven a 3rd gen only a 4th gen GLE, w/ 30k on it. and an 01 GLE w/ 40k. hopefully sometime in my life i will drive a 3rd gen ( VE 5spd at that!)

 

i just like the seats better

 

A buddy of mine has a 4th gen, and once in a while we would take it from atlanta to nyc, the ride sucks, hence we usually take the ride in my 3rd gen ('90 GXE). I thinks the 3rd gen is more responsive, beter road manners, and runs like a thief.
This is the second 3rd gen I have (first one was totalled at 245K)

 

i have a 96 gxe and a 92 se, the the 96 is my daily driver, it lacks the fun-to-drive characteristic, but it has a nice sedan-style ride. there is no comparison to the VE 5 speed, it sits lower and is alot more responsive, but a stiffer ride. i couldn't decide between the two, thats why i have both

 

the only things id want from a 4th gen are the dash layout and clear headlight lenses (but glass) ..oh yea and i already have the rims

 

In some sick, twisted way... I envy you!

 

and the aftermarket

 

My friend has a 4th gen that I always ride along in. I never actually drove it myself, but rather just sat in the passenger seat. It is a quiet ride, but that's only because I got a huge hole in my flex section on my Y-Pipe, and my car is loud as can be. But I'll tell ya one thing, I definitely like the interior of the 3rd gens better. The dashboard in the 4th is pretty damn FLAT especially in the glove compartment area where it is nothing but an angled flat dashboard. The 3rd gen has that awesome smooth curve in the dash that you just gotta love The exterior appearance of the 4th gen just doesn't cut it for me. It looks like any other car out there. The third gen has more of a unique look, and I like the more "boxy" shape of it. Isn't it also smaller than the 4th gen?

Sorry if I got off topic, just sharing my opinions

 

I think the 4th gens remind me of rally cars while 3gens remind me of nascars

 

strut bars, struts, springs, and money!

I love both gens though

 

WTF?! That's got to be about the most UNintelligent comment I've heard so far. have you ever driven a rally car OR a stock car? can you honestly quantify the experience from a RWD car with a 600+hp V8 to a FWD v6 with <200hp? suuuuuuuure you can. puff puff PASS.

 

i have driven the 5th gen. 2k2 5spd. and that ***** is awesome. interior is sooo very nice. sweeet ride. great looks. reminds me of bigger 3rd gen. i have sat in the 4th gen, a few times, as i was interested in buying one. and i disliked the interior of that car immediately. the tilt wheel was a joke. did not tilt worth a dam@#. the pieces are cheaper looking and feeling, the layout of the dash is not sport. it is too fat a car for what they did to it. did not like the mini-van suspension concept. exterior looked great, though. i prefer 5th gen as "other" maxima. i want one of those bad boyz. those are sharp and angry-looking sedans.

i kept my 3rd gen SE 5spd, always planned to, and found a new appreciation for it all over again since those visits to 4th gen land. never even cared to drive the 4th gen after i sat in it.

for me, 3rd gen is the pinnacle of body styling for the maxima. understated, clean, yet aggressive and different-looking from other sedan boxes. it just works.

 

i luved my 1990 max! rip!it was nice to drive and everything inside was much roomier and comfortable then my new 98 gxe. Also the car was narrower and fun to drive period i will always be a 3rd generation luver. The 4th gen is growing to me i luv the mods forthis 4th max handles much better i take turns at 40 45 like nothing its not even dropped yet. i only had it for a month so time will tell. i miss my 3rd gen max.

 

my 3rd gen SE 5spd is modded suspensionwise and otherwise. it remains stable at 90 mph on freeway cloverleaf ramps. and is super-rigid and tight making 90 turns at intersections and such.

but if you have the cash, a schoolbus can handle better. i guess.

 

I used for for a Nissan dealership in NJ and got to drive many 4th gens around. They were okay but compared to my 3rd gen which is almost TOO much fun, LOL, the 4th gen feels like a sporty Camry, kind of big and floaty. The interior isn't as nice either although the power window switches are easier to use on the 4th gen than on my 3rd gen.
Bottom line is that the 3rd gen is just a true four door sports car while the 4th gen is simply a sporty family sedan. Big difference!!

 

I know that this is going to be way off topic but I have driven a Subaru WRX (MY03 model ) and i must say, that is a true four door sports car I know i'm going to get flamed for this

To me a 3rd gen max was the first of a true four door sports car.

 

WRX is a lot tighter inside than either the 3rd gen or even the new Altima. It is considered a compact car. The Neon SRT-4 will blow my doors off, and it is a "4 door sports car." Same with the new Lancer Evo.

Nissan was waaay ahead of its time with the 3rd gen Max. It is designed as a family car. Even today, few companies make a sports sedan that can rival the 92-94 SE. People are surprised when I scream by their brand new Accord EX, Camry or new Impala.

Look at the 5th Gen Maxima. Unless you spend almost twice as much for a Benz or a BMW, you won't get anywhere near the performance for the price from any other car maker in a family sized sedan. And those cars are performance-oreinted rear-drive sedans. Look at the cars in it's class and price range: Taurus, Camry, Accord, Impala, Intrepid. Maybe I can give you a Grand Prix GTP -- but that car is sooo ugly, my dog won't pee on it's tires.

 

Opps, i meant how it looks. Not driven. Usually after the body kit has been put on.
BUT i have experience driving a stock car so on you. HAAHAHA.
Not professionally. There are places that will let you drive one. You pay a one day pass and you get to use it as much as you want. While driving in a oval.

please don't ban me.