Because I do. It was a trade off that I made with my wife. We can only afford one car right now, and she can't drive a stick. I want to make some mods, but I don't know if it is even worth it. I am getting a little depressed, because it I am sure that to get the most out of these mods I should have a manual transmission.
Can anyonw prove me wrong? Or at least give me a glimmer of hope?

 

Not really.
Seriously, a stock auto Max is still pretty damn quick. You can always drop in a K&N air filter and a new Y-pipe and see a little (tiny) performance improvement. Then as time goes on, CAI (cold air intake), turbo or superchargers, and VB upgrades can be added. Good luck.

 

Just get left in the dust again

 

Actually most of us here drive automatics. In a recent survey, Nissan reported that only 3% of all Maximas sold are manual transmissions. 3%! I thought it would be more.

 

Only 3%! No Way! Well, that is some good news. I was really starting to get depressed.

 

I bet at least half of those manual Maximas are on this forum

 

My daily driver's a '98 Maxima SE auto and yes you can mod it.

Mods:

V2 Stillen Supercharger
Koni Sports shocks
Eibach Pro Kit springs
Courtesy FSTB
Courtesy Clear Corner lights
PIAA Superwhites
Stillen body Kit (soon to be painted and mounted)
Sunroof deflector

Wish List:
Blitz BlowOff Valve
Greddy Exhaust
18" Borbet C rims
Yoko Tires

I hope that gives you something to look forward to!

 

Yes, for the real performance and stuff ya need a 5spd, but I have a '95se automatic, and it's great. I have put on JWT Intake w/ K&N filter, clear corners, front strut tower bar, kicker solobarics in the trunk, and YPIPE coming soon! I don't know what those people are talking about that say you will get just a TAD of performance more out of it You get just as much more when you add stuff as them, well allmost. Anyways, they are great, and I love an auto for traffic, out with my women, etc hehe - yes there are many times when I want a 5spd (probably more times then I am thankful for my auto....) but I love my car regardless.. infact I just burnt out reverse in my tranny, so she is going to the shop this week to get another auto tranny oh well, such is life

Don't let them discourage you, modding it is worth it, you'll see big gains - put a new intake on it first... cold air is good, but so is just regular (and its half the price and you dont have to cut holes in the wheel well or whatever...)

 

I have a auto Maxima. It is really quick, the engine revs to about 6400rpm before shifting. I have never ridden in a manual maxima, and could not expect it to be that much faster than any auto.

 

I drive a Supercharged 1995 SE Auto and let me tell you, I can smoke pretty much anyone I want to. I can't wait till my recalibrate Valve Body and high stall torque convertor gets here. he he he

 

Thanks for all of the tips. I was really getting down earlier, and I really appreciate all of your replies. Now all I need is a raise at my job so I can do something besides the new rims and tires I just put on.

 

bad at all...........Don who does the valve body mods says with a auto you "NEVER" miss a gear racing......true....5 speed you shift....

 

Don't feel bad about the Auto...I don't...

I feel bad for those drivers who aren't able to drive one at all.

 

i love my max. i have 125,000 miles and i have every gear(sorry hlh0501, i feel your pain) The only downside is the hesitation when you drop it to the floor. But i love it when someone pulls up next to me, revs, then laughs cause they think the maxima is the family car and then i smoke them. Maxima for life

 

welcome aboard!...

if you think automatics are slow..
look for don in texas..his auto runs low 14s without boost
and low 13s with nos..autos can hang with 5spds..
not on the freeway though.. who cares though?

 

1. Imagine being stuck in gridlock and having to change gears every hundred feet... It's a good workout but you might get a lil tired. 2.For racing... u can take care of the hesitation by powershifting (not recommened for the weak... just kidding)

 

Plus when you smoke someone you can say you got killed by a automatic family car (sleeper)

 

I like that

 

Don's Valvebody Modification. Do a search for it. This mod is great.

 

I wanted a 5spd when I started looking for my 4 Gen. I got a good deal on the auto so I took it, about a month after I bought it I was like DAM I should have gotten a 5 spd, but after about a year and dealing with Atlanta traffic I thank god I did get the 5spd. I love my auto, my bother has a BMW 525I 5 spd and tells me that he has to work the car hard to kept in front when we race, and his car has headers, chip, exhaust and then some and if he only misses a gear its all over!

 

Adding that to my wish list!

 

All cars I have owned in the past 10+ years were all stick shift. The Maxima is the first car I ever owned with auto. I am happy with it most of the time. I guess I am very fortunate since my wife drives stick shift and wants to keep driving stick shift. Any time I want to drive a stick shift I can always drive hers.. or drive my motorcycle.

 

ditto that (including a beat-up old '71 dodge w/ 3 on the tree) - all my cars have been stick. now, w/ my auto, i actually kind of *enjoy* my commute. max is plenty powerful and the opportunity to do anything other than curse the number of shifts i used to make on my 1 hour (each way) commute here in Philly is a blessing.

 

I leased my Maxima in 96 and I had to get an auto because it was under my father's name (insurance) and he can't drive stick. I finally bought the Maxima at the end of the lease and I don't regret having an auto especially with Don's Valve Body upgrade. Its great.