This morning I took my '04 to a car wash (the kind where you get out and wait for your car to go thru). After it goes thru the wash, it is hand dried and pulled out into the front parking lot for you to pick it up. I ended up waiting an unusual amount of time for it to be dried...couldn't see what was going on. Anyway, my car is finally pulled out and the kid says to me "sorry that it took so long, we were all just admiring your car and didn't want to give it up so fast...Nissan did a great job with this Maxima".

This is just one instance of many where the public has given me positive comments about the looks of my car. I've also had people pull up next to me at stop lights who roll down their window to tell me how much they like the car. This is very new to me, as I've never had this attention with a new car before. I've had a 4th gen Max and a 5th gen Max, and I thought they were both great cars for their time, but never had the reaction that my '04 does.

Have other 6th gen owners had similar experiences?

 

Ive had a couple, My friends parents have wanted to take my car for a drive because theyve liked it so much my roommates sister keeps telling me everytime she sees it and me how much she likes it...there are a lot of haters out there (on this site) that say its fugly, those are the people that dont have it i dont go around hating on your car, so dont go hating on ours i respect every car out there...(even a civic )

 

On two seperate occasions I've been approached at gas stations by people interested in my car...asking questions and telling me how much they like it.

 

I have had my car about 4 or 5 months and since I got it ive had at least 10 people tell me my car looked good. And everytime Im out driving in it I notice people stare at it and just gaze. I guess thats why the other gens are hatin on us, because we hog all the attention now.

 

Ditto ..
I get stuff like that a lot.

It's funny, maybe when people don't know the "brand", it gets more attention for just being a great design.

I believe this design will age very well.

 

The only negative comments about the car that have been made to my face (so to speak,) have been right here on maxima.org. Oh yeah, chicks dig it!

 

You're right about the chicks digging it...I just had a cute blond checking me (or I should say my car) out at a red light the other day!

The only negatives about the car I've heard has been on this board as well (usually 5th gen owners)...too bad...I'm a Maxima enthusiast no matter what generation.

 

I love the attention I get. My wife and I both bought new cars on the same day. She got an '03 Accord and I got the Maxima. She gets so flustered because everybody always wants to talk about my car and not hers. Now she want's me to buy the Armada so she can have the Maxima. Sounds good to me, I love the Armada.

 

Guys, I agree with you that the 04 Max looks better when compared with former Maxes. At a minimum, the 04 Max looks fresh, even though beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

How many of you were/are also 5th gen owners?

Besides spending more $$ on your 04, how do you compare the 5th and 6th gens in terms of quality, reliability, ergonomics and ride comfort? I believe performance and acceleration should be the same because both use the same excellent VQ engine.

 

There are people that complement it. But I got more comments and attention when my Eclipse was new.

 

I had an AE before. It had issues too. Brake judder, wind leaks, shaky hood, rear deck buzz, something to do with the front suspension mounting, both front window lift assemblies were replaced, drivers seat cushion replaced, 5 speed shift **** replaced, o2 sensors replaced, air bag control module, air bag, air bag spiral cable replaced. They did a TSB to correct a low speed cut off problem and the car never ran the same. All of this was done under warranty, no cost to me.
I had to replace the tires at my own expense. The OEM tires were great when they were new and the weather was dry but I'd had enough before they were a year old.
There wasn't much I could do about the sorry paint on the fascia and hood though. What bothered me as much as the rock chips was the fact that the majestic blue paint on the metal parts didn't look anything like the paint on the front and rear fascia. That may be a problem unique to that color though.
I was fortunate in that I didn't have to deal with defective coils or MAF failures.
So in terms of quality and reliability, my 04 wins hands down.
Ergonomics and ride comfort are vastly improved in my opinion. Family and friends who have been in both of my Maximas agree, the 04 is much more comfortable.
I wish it didn't weigh as much as it does. The turning radius is disappointing. The grille is just wrong. In fact, the whole front fascia wrap around black band thing is questionable.
I did pay more for the 04 than I did for the 01. I don't think that is to be unexpected. My 2k1 AE had a sticker price over $32k. The 04 had a sticker price just north of $34k. I bought the AE at the end of the model year in May of 2001 for $25k. I bought the 04 in May of 2003, a totally new design for $28k.
To me, $25k seems like too much for the 01 and $28k seems fair for the 04. I'm allot happier with the 04.
From my experience I don't think a case can be made that the 5th gen was of significantly better build quality or reliability. But that Majestic Blue POS was sure pretty when it was clean and waxed.

 

What are you guys paying per month? Lease or own?

 

It's funny you said that, because now that I think about it, that is the case also.

Gotta love the internet Many unreasonable people with issues.

Over on freshalloy there are a few G35 owners who believe it's the best looking, fastest, car ever , and if you value others features size ... then you have no clue about what life is about.

 

I've seen several 04s down here in the Miami area, but yesterday I was driving behind one and it looked pretty aggressive! It has a nice stance to it. This one was silver and was debadged except for the Nissan logo, but I believe it was an SE. My least favorite part of the car is the front, but I like it because it's unique.

 

Sounds like your AE was a lemon........Also kind of difficult to compare a vehicles problems when one was owned for 3 years compared to 6-7 months....let us know what kind of problems your 6th gen has in 2.5 more years......

 

I don't know that mine was such a lemon, you should spend some time searching the 5th gen posts from late 1999 through early 2003.

I had an AE for just short of 24 months, the 2k4 for 8 months so far. If I understand your point, I should expect my 2k4 to turn to **** over the next 16 months. It could happen I guess.

By 8 months into my 5th gen adventure the writing was on the wall and there were plenty of other 5th gen owners in the same boat. Everyone seems to have worked through their 5th gen issues. My guess is that whoever bought my old AE is probably enjoying a nice reliable car now. I'm thinking the 6th gen will be ironed out too.

 

You all sound like a bunch of little girls to me...gossip, gossip, gossip.

Not all of us 5th Gen guys hate the new Maxima. I particularly like it (except for the front grill). I like its engine, suspension, options, and overall shape.

 

No my point was not that I expect your 6th gen to turn to crap in a couple of years.........it was merely stating I think it is only fair to compare the two vehicles fairly........over the same amount of time......calm down no one is starting a flame war here over your 6th gen.......

 

People who use the term "hate on" shouldn't be driving Maximas

Don't get your panties in a bunch because the owners of the other generation don't like your 6th gens. That's just the way it goes. The 3rd gen guys don't like the looks of the 4th gen, the 4th gen guys don't like the looks of the 5th gen, etc, etc. I never really liked the stock looks of the 4th gen until I saw what it looked like after some springs, bodykit, and wheels. My Maxipad gets far more looks from people of all ages than my bright red 94 Z28 ever did.

Plug:



I think the 6th gen is okay looking stock and looks pretty decent with some springs, wheels, and a dark color, but I'll never buy one. It's too big, too fat, not enough power, and still FWD.


Dave

 

I've liked them all since the 3rd gen....but they've always had to grow on me.

 

I assume your remark was made towards me? What is your reasoning for saying I dont need to be driving a maxima? Sorry if I got a lil affended about it but I take more pride in this car than my last one. Im 19 and this is the first car that I am paying for all on my own. Ever since the 6th gen came out ive been hearing many remarks from 5th gen drivers about everything they hate about the car. Not all 5th gen drivers hate it though and its nice to see them appreciate the car. I just find it odd that not a day goes by that I dont get a compliment. I sure as hell know for a fact that it has never happened when Im with my girl in her 02 max. Even so I love both of the cars and wouldnt mind owning a 5th gen or even a 4th gen . I guess since im paying for this car myself that I dont deserve it, huh? Whatever

 

My point is that by the time I had enjoyed 8 months ownership of a 2k1 AE, I had established first name familiarity with the service manager.

I've had a couple of issues with the 04. They were taken care of by the dealer.

You guys love your old Maximas and I'm OK with that. You aren't fond of the 6th gen, that's OK too. But you can't make a credible case that the 5th gen is a better, more reliable vehicle than the 6th gen.

Where did you see flame?

 

Don't worry about it , Glude. I think Your words convey meaning in a concise manner. Oh yeah, if you pay for it, you should drive it (or not), regardless of how you express yourself.

 

Whoa, when did I ask for the justification on how you can afford such a car? That's great that you that you can afford a car like this at 19. I'm almost 30 and I could easily afford something in the upper 30K range, but I choose not to because I've enjoyed not having a car payment for 6 years. I choose not to drive a new car because I can't justify dumping all the money when the car I have runs like a top and looks damn good doing it. As you know, different strokes for different folks.

My only gripe was with the "hatin on" term. It sounds stupid, immature, and childish. That's all.


Dave

 

Well sorry if my immature terms seem childish. I am probably one of the younger guys on the site so in about 20-30 years I wont be sayin "Hatin" once I have matured. anyways im not here to start arguments, I just like to have support of other max members no matter which max they drive. It just seems like the 6th gen forum gets so boring so we need a lil drama sometimes..

 

It is way too early to be claiming ANYTHING about the 6th gen....who the heck knows how it is going to stack up against the 5th gen in terms of realiability......it is to soon.....the car has been on the streets for less than a year.....that is the only point I was trying to make....I understand you had problems with your AE early.....again as reliable as Nissans usually are I believe your car was the exception not the rule...hence my guess you may have had a lemon. My flame comment was one hoping to ward off a fight between 5th/6th gen.....most 6th gen owners are way to easily offended.

 

Like I said I havent seen a car that appeals to everyone yet Maxima included. Since the 4th Gen people have had mixed feelings on this car and with its current styling its going to continue, many 4th gen and 5th gen owners still get those comments so 6th genners welcome to the club! The childish comments should stop although!

 

Glude, inspite of what some people think of your choice of words, your point is legitmate and well-received by a lot of us 6th gen owners who love our cars.

 

Let me be clear, as a 5.5G owner I dont hate the new 6G. I just thought Nissan could have done better. (I felt the same way about the 5G when it came out, as the 4G was pretty impressive)

The only thing I dont like about the 6G is:
-the rear end is ugly (5G is also ugly)
-the front grill very ugly
-FWD w/ 255lb-ft (the 5.5G's 246lb-ft is guilty here also)

If I had a 6G, my first (and most immediate) mod would be a billet grill. The features I like most are:
- the rear bucket seat setup (very upscale touch)
- wheel package
- suspension setup
- you can opt for a regular sunroof vs the skyview
- even more power avail (versus the 5G)

But just because a bunch of us 5G guys arent sold on the 6G, dont think we're hating on it because its new. (I have a 6G Accord but I think the 7G is better in EVERY way.)

Peace.

 

When I first saw the 6th gen I hated it. However over time it has grown on me quite a bit...and to see one in person is a totally different experience...especially a black or orange one. However for the price I'd still go with RWD G35 especially after experiencing my 5th gen. Too much Tq for those front wheels.