I think maybe the Reneault thing will be great for Nissan. They have a hat-trick in that they botched the Maxima/Altima/Sentra look-wise, but I think they were already in the works when Reneault came on board. Look at the Xterra/Frontier, that's a hint that they came back in touch. You gotta serve your market, not go off on a tangent and do whatever you want. If you want to see what looks good, just take a drive in heavy traffic. I saw a recent 528 and a 2001 Maxima side-by-side today, what a joke the Maxima looked like, and it might be 4 years newer than the BMW. Ooohhh, so it's got clears standard.

Then look at the last of the ZX's--they look good even today. I think the new boss at Nissan is going for that now, so who knows, the next Maxima may be a contender. Face it, a "Maxima" decision is basically a money one. No one buys a Max these days when they've got money. I hope Nissan goes for the big-bang theory instead of bang-for-buck.

 

Point Taken ... but Not accepted!

 

That is a totally subjective statement. So you don't like the looks of the Maxima...you are entitled to your opinion, but subjective statements don't hold up.

I don't see your point. If someone has the money to go out and buy an M5 or even a 540, why would they buy a Maxima? The Maxima is not a luxury car that is in the same class as say a 5-series, so why compare them? They were never meant to compete.

So you will be willing to pay $35K for a new Maxima?

 

Common... get your head outta your butt...

This is a Maxima Enthusiast forum WHICH means you respect and love all Maxima for what they are. You are comparing a PREMIUM luxury to a mid-sized family sedan with a kick. We aren't the idiots for buying our Maxima's, your the idiot for comparing the two. Nissan has been doing great lately, that is a fact. I don't think you have the right to say this kind of stuff without owning the car for more than a year and get to know and learn the 5th generations characteristics.

...Actually come to think of it THANKS! A Maxima is that worthy to be compared to a BMW.

Ahhhh..What next..

Lets compare a Chevy Metro to a Ferrari! hmmmm...what ever happened to the name Geo? Chevy wanted to get rid of that brand because they know that that brand was known for poor reliability and quality. They changed the name to Chevy hoping it will bring more costumers. Too bad that stragedy didn't work. Those cars aren't selling. I'd choose the Metro because its cheaper, more people drive it, parts are easier to get, better mpg j/p

 

"Face it, a "Maxima" decision is basically a money one. No one buys a Max these days when they've got money."
people live different ways. some people have been brought up to make purchase decisions based on the best value, not what will impress the most people. Believe it or not, some people are secure enough that they dont have to show off and try to win everyones approval, if you do thats your own thing.
someone might make $210k a year and buy a 25k car.
someone might make $50k and buy a bmw. (yes, i know from personal experience)
if everyone spent a whole years salary buying a car, every 10 people would have a S class, and every 20 will have a ferrari
dont confuse your way of life for others

 

LOL...I was bored so I hit the Other posts by Frank Fontaine button. Two questions arose in my mind after reading your comments in a few threads. #1 Do you even own a Maxima. I may have missed a post where you said you did. #2 You obviously have a woody for BMWs. Isn't there a BMW forum for you to lurk in. I'm sure they would appreciate your train of thought more than us.

BTW, today I saw the 3 series (still haven't seen the badge to know exactly what model) that revved me at a light returning a movie to Blockbuster last Summer, only to get his clock cleaned in short order off the line and then through some twisties. It was a close race but thats not the point....

The point is this. You say noone buys a Maxima if they can afford something better (a Bimmer in your opinion). Personally I find it funny that the poor Maxima owner that made a Bimmer owner go WTF?!? last Summer now has his Max tucked away in a garage stored with his other toys, while the rich Bimmer driver who probably financed himself to the nuts just to get a ride he thought would make him look cool is out driving his black rear wheel drive through the slush, salt, and ice because he spent every penny on his image. I think I'll stay poor for the time being...

One final thought, since you are so quick to point out the lower cost that the rest of us perceive as a benefit as a shortcoming in your opinion, lets level the playing field according to your standards. Let's make the Maximas price on par with say the 325....the Stillen SC should pretty much take up the slack. Want to compare these cars now dollar for dollar? I too like the BMW's, and cost being no object they are a nicer car. But I daresay there may just be one or two poor Maxima owners that could afford pretty much whatever they want and realize the bang for the buck value of the Maxima. Pity you don't...

 

what albert just said

and adding to it....there is no doubt in my mind that
BMW's are nice cars...but arguing with you terms of looks...IM GETTING SICK OF THEM!!!...I see them on the road all the time, quite more frequently than maxima and in terms of aftermarket addons I think its refreshing to see cars with bodykits and rims on something other than BMW's

they all look the same...I used to love the bimmers looks but they're overdone now

take a Maxima with a stillen s/c and a kit and i think you'll have a car comparable in price to the bmw in looks(if not better) and performance(ok definately not in handling)

[Edited by Pmp-n8a on 02-10-2001 at 08:11 AM]

 

You're saying exactly the same what I am. I'm for the underdog, you may have seen I like Hyundai. Sure, I'm arrogant like many here in that I'm not buying one, but that doesn't mean it's a good car. Also, just because I have a 4th gen doesn't make it the best car hands down either. And my point is Nissan has nowhere to go but up, and the Reneault management might help.

What other car company sells brand-new 2001's for a no-haggle price of roughly $500 over invoice? That applies to every model of Nissan. Then, if it's the end of the month you can buy at about $100 below invoice and eat into the holdback.

True, by selling at such a small margin it's hard to pump back into R&D, but it needs to be done. Why can't Nissan come out with an "S2000" class car? Well, they just might with some Reneault thinking.

I think the 4th gen Maxima was a great car because you could take almost 6500 off list making it a good deal. That low-pricing still shows on the used market so it's still a good buy used. 2001 at $500 over invoice I think is about $2800 too much money, and you pay at trade-in time. IMHO. Again, for the right price it's a great car with odd styling. But I want it to be a great car at any price. Capice?

 

I dont think BMW is the underdog.

 

Frank,
Maybe not you (and not me either) but some people don't care about cars, or look at different things then performance, luxury, and prestige. People who don't give a f*** about cars who have lots of money go out and buy honda accords. They just wouldn't be at all happier in a Jaguar. One example is my mom who could buy a lot of cars, basically anything she wants except for REALLY expensive cars is looking at buying a new sentra, Subaru WRX...Nice cars, but shes not buying them cuz it's all she can afford she just wouldn't care less to ahve anything else better.

JW82-

I don't think every 20 people makes $200,000+ a year to buy a Ferrari.

 

Simply not true.

A> I've got money and bought an i30 (having owned a Max before and loved it);

B> The reason some people HAVE money is because they don't BLOW money.

later,
/aac

 

"I don't think every 20 people makes $200,000+ a year to buy a Ferrari."
depends where you live. over here its not uncommon to see it.

 

What's up with the love affair with Hyundai? I mean...put a Sonata next to an altima......what looks better? Well....maybe its subjective but the altima does. I don't get it....Nissan's sales are UP....everywhere so you must be in the minority. In fact...some months the Maxima is the sales leader with like 12-13,000 units. The altima is pretty solid looking(we have a 98se) and the sentra is a MUCH better car than the one it replaces. The pathfinder has a very nicely designed interior and exterior and now has a fabuouls 240hp Maxima(bored out) engine that keeps up with the big boys. The minivan is dead. The xterra is hot and about to get hotter with a mild front end change, much upgraded interior(300w rockford sound) and opt supercharded engine.

Whats the problem agian?

 

my family didn't go through 3 generations of maxima's because it's a budget car. i loved the car ever since i drove the 3rd gens. for the money AND performance, can't be beat. might as well say ALL camry's, mitsubishi's, subaru's, and any other car that doesn't price as high as the 540 basically suck....

i just happened to see MTV today and they were doing the CHRIS ROCK diary. he was driving in his NISSAN ALTIMA?! he said "the difference between him and someone like [big time rapper] w/ a bentley is that he's got an extra $250,000 in his pocket."

if it was just about money, i would have bought another CIVIC or an american car... but performance was IMPORTANT..


kafene.