I drive an 02 Maxima SE loaded, and it's an awesome car. It's my fifth one, and each one has gotten technically better, more luxurious, faster, etc.

But I still feel most emotionally attached to my first, a '91 special edition SE, Aztec red with a black leather interior (5-speed, of course). It was "only" 160 horse, but it had a ton of jump without a lot of torque steer. (I don't drag race, so please don't give me a bunch of technical explanations about why I'm all wet).

Even though it didn't have stuff like memory seats, climate control, 6-disc in-dash CD or even rear cupholders, the cabin seemed more inviting than my '02. It's clean and sleek, but seems kind of antiseptic. Even my last one, a '99 SE, seemed to have more personality, in the interior feel and in the ride.

Am I nuts, or is some of the soul gone from the Max?

(and don't get me going on the '04 design -- the reason I have an '02 now is that I tried to buy an '03 this summer and they were all gone, I mean ALL gone, and I went into the used market rather than go for the new design. It looks like a Passat mated with an Altima).

 

I know what you mean. I currently have a 2K SE, fully loaded, leather, etc., but there will always be a special place for my '89 SE. I loved that car. My first Max. It's what started my interest for the Maxima. I guess ending up with 332K miles on a car kinda leaves a certain mark with you.

 

WVmax, I feel the same way you do. I had an '89 GLE before this car and I loved it, got rid of it with 138k miles and running strong, now I too have a 2k.

 

My favorite car will always be my 93 VE
It was really nice because you didnt have to worry about getting tickets as much. 5th gens look fast, 3rd gens looked really agressive, yet classy (kind of depending on what you did to them).

 

i think it has to do with the 3rd gen's sparse interior. the later the model, the plusher and softer the interior lines. that and the car is just smaller. seems like they get longer and longer. pretty soon they'll have to use shift steering. haha.

 

Since my dad's 89 and my 2k2, I will probably never look at another sedan the same way - except a MB
Nostalgia is why people still drive Chevy's ... hehe

Jonathan

 

*sniff sniff* All this 3rd Gen love just brings a tear to my eye... *sniff sniff*

Good to see the love, though... makes me feel even better about my 92 GXE

 

See...where are all the 4th genners now?

I keep saying it and if you search you will find stuff from years and years ago, and I still say it today, there is something special about 3rd gens, they are a "drivers car" people that have not owned them WILL NOT understand.

 

my 3rd gen inspired my valve song, just incase anyone cared.

Donald, you probably know what I mean, ever just turn your engine on and watch it run for a while (few mins), for some reason I would always stare at the hump near the oil cap, and my VTC's were 110% good.

 

I own one, but I still don't understand

 

i'm 3rd gen SE 5spd all the way baby. with the VG. its modded and tight. looks right. hooked me in when i first saw it.