Greetings All,

My first post here. Am looking for some insight from the rest of the Maxima community. I have $15,036 left on my 2000 Sterling Silver Maxima GLE Auto. I have contemplated giving up the Max, and purchasing a 1994 RX-7 Twin Turbo (all are) R2. The RX has a blown motor and I would have a well known rotary tech put in a new engine along with all reliability mods. Current estimates run between 14K-16K (pending what I do with the turbos).

I still like my Max, it's in GREAT shape and runs well. I recently put all new shoes on it, turned the rotors, and will change all trans fluid/coolant soon. It's still bone stock. Should I keep it my mods list includes: clear corners, 2k2 tails, injen intake, AE Sills, Suspension Mods. I don't like the softness of the suspension, or the large turning radius. Suspension mods should help with the soft ride and body roll.

The RX-7 would have about 90K miles, new engine, new suspension, new mounts/harness, all reliability mods keeping it cool and pushing HP to about 280 Rwhp.

I figure I give up space, comfort, reliability for a viciously fun car that is notoriously expensive to maintain.

What have I missed? Have you all had to make similar decisions? Any other insight?

 

I think you pretty much answered your own question right here. Which is more important to you?

 

I am leaning toward keeping the Maxima. I really like the idea of having the FD while still w/out wife and kids, but, think it's not the smartest decision.

Reading the forums about what other people have done/are doing with their cars, looking at the pictures, has been a HUGE influence in this.

Who's to say I can't to both in the next year or so anyway!

 

if the rex is going to have all of these new parts as you say it will, i would have to go with that.....but they're two totally seperate worlds...you seem to have the ups and downs clearly outlined...your call

 

you can make a maxima a beast too you know. theres a lot of people on here that are well over 300hp and some of those are fourth gens. i'd say wait as us 5th gen still don't have everything available for us mod wise. but the mazda is sick my old room mate used to have one.

 

I just sold my 93 RX-7 with a lot of mods about 2 months ago to get a 02 Maxima. I can give you pros and cons to both. Speed and Handling RX-7 takes it there but reliablity and comfort Maxima wins there. The A/C in the RX-7 sucks soooo bad also and living in florida I was always stuck to the seat and even though you will have a new engine you will still have probelms, I bought my car from a older guy and it was babied and in 3 years I put about 12k on it and had a ton of probelms. Yeah the car got a ton of looks and was an attention getter which the Maxima isn't much of which is why I'm thinking 350 pretty soon here. If you interested I can post a pic of what my car looked like right before I sold it with 18" Volk GT-N gunmetal on black. I know RX-7's in and out so feel from to ask me anything you might want to know.

David Lott
02 SE AIM: Progressiveht
MSN: bbigdl@hotmail.com

PS: DO NOT GET A 3rd GEN FOR YOUR ONLY CAR!!!!!!!!

 

One other thing if the engine is blown and it won't run at all then it could have throw a seal and if thats the case it would have damaged the turbos. And turbos can sound and boost fine and still be damaged.

 

i could have sworn the rotarty engines are supposed to be less maintenance. it is a rotary engine right? deepdish, you said the maxima doesn't get looks?? things must be different down there then, because up here everyone i know comments on how much they like the maximas look.

 

Rotaries are a lot more maintenance. They can act very, VERY finicky if less then 93 (or higher) octane fuel is used. If ANY overheating occurs. Blown Engines are quite common, between 60K and 100K miles (although some owners get much more than this). They leak oil and burn oil frequently. Often have clunks in the rear end, notorious for window switches and door handles breaking, etc etc etc. If you add reliability mods, including exhaust, engines can run lean..causing detonation, often resulting in engine rebuild

However, having said this. Most people who have EVER driven one, or ridden in one, concur...it is a truly rare machine. for $15K-$20K you can pick one up, roughly 2800 lbs, easily 300 Rwhp. There are many stories of FD's (3rd gen rx-7's) killing, Z06's, cobras, even ferrari's.

I like the maxima's looks. My decision is difficult because we are talking about 2 different beasts. Sedan vs. TRUE sports car. I think the advice is wise (and not new). If you can afford the FD and it isn't your primary car, Get one. However, I just purchased a new home, drained my savings, made some job changes, and the FD would be my primary car. Considering this, I'll make some minor mods to a great car, 2000 maxima GLE.

 

good choice my friend. what mods are u thinking about doing anyway?

 

Chigga - to answer your question...

To do List:
Clear corners
2K2 tails
AE sills
Mesh Lower Valance
CAI
Springs (Stupid Question: Do I need springs + coilovers, or Springs + Struts?)
Followed by exhaust which I am still researching. I read somewhere 5th gen max doesn't gain much from the DP, was thinking of putting in MP or High Flow Cat+CB. This should keep me good for some time, potential to throw in some aftermarket sound+Nav. I don't want to get ricey though.

 

its not a stupid ? but i went with lowering springs and shock/strut setup. i wouldn't go with coilovers because i live in the city. i think its the y pipe we don't get much gains from but b pipe and cat back exhaust is where its at. try and get an exhaust that has a nice deep tone to it and you shouldn't have a problem with being ricey.

 

Daily driver?

 

Yup. My max is my daily driver.

 

since your a daily driver like me then that setup i think is the best and most practical

 

You need springs and struts/shocks. 02+ maximas do not respond well to exhaust mods and your stock cat is plenty high flow. There is no need for you to get a high flowing cat.

 

keep the max and put a super charger in it!!!
If your gonna have the car as a daily driver i would keep the max...
in my own oppion

 

I'd FORGET about the other RX7 and get this one for $25K: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=242086

402whp, but not enough for Hal.

 

Why not have both?

 

DAMN hlh's max is a BEAST!!! 456hp with spray. thats ugly. and they say our cars aren't fast enough. with the right mods the max is sick...

 

He's putting down 500+whp in that video SUPPOSEDLY. He added 3-4psi more boost PLUS 20-shot more juice then the 456whp dyno, which was cut short when he let off.

 

Hey chigga I'll post a pic of my maxima and one of the RX-7 the RX-7 is a way better looking, everywhere I drove it got looks people where always coming up to me to talk about it and older people would ask what is that. Got this all the time: Is that a new viper I think that question has to do with a 285 tire on the rear
don't get me wrong the Maxima is a nice car Mine is a loaded black SE but lets face it, the car is a 4 door common sports sedan so its not going to get the same looks that a rare in body and engine sports car is going to get and after 10 years of being out think how many RX-7's are wrecked totaled etc. In 95 only 500 RX-7's came here so its a car I never see much of unlike the Maxima.

 

yeah your right, i agree with that the rx 7 is a sexy car but i just thought you were saying the maxima wasn't a looker. i don't even think i've seen a rx 7 in boston...

 

In that case, keep it.

 

Get the RX-7! If I found an FD3S TT with low miles and in great condition, I'd definitely take that!

 

It all depends on how old you are and the income you are making. If you are 20 years old, own your home, and are making at least 50 grand, do yourself a favor and get an RX-7. If not, keep the Max and shutup!

 

Curious...but why 20yrs. old?

 

I'll sell you a mint 91 Mr2 w 31K miles....Not too quick though

 

at 18 not many have that kind of income. Your priorities change with age. 20 yrs is just the right time to play.

 

if you get a new engine in the rx 7. and make sure you get the right apex seals for it. and of course change the oil on a regular basis. it will not be a ***** to maintain. Plus it is a killer car. i love my max, but i miss my rx7. it comes second only to the skyline.