As I was riding my company shuttle bus, I was eyeballing this blue 2k4 Maxima. But not realizing it was the 2k4 (coffee hadnt kicked in yet), I started thinking that's a sharp looking sedan....just then the coffee kicked in and I realized that I was looking @ a 6G Max.

I'm now starting to consider it as a viable replacement for my decent but quirky 2k2 Max when the lease is up next March (05). I hope Nissan "restyles" the mug (aka front grill) on the 2k5. A restyled front grill coupled with a rear lip spoiler would go a long way IMO towards me actually acquiring it. (If not, maybe I'd billet grill the front and go aftermarket on the rear lip.)

Just figured I'd share that.

 

Yup, I think the 6G is very sharp looking sedan on the road.

I highly doubt you'll see a revised grill for the very first year following a major design change.... most likely just a new exterior color or two, and minor feature /option package changes. Usually the nose & tail tweaks appear in 2-3 yrs, but ya never know.

 

Sometimes you see changes after first year as in the BMW 7series. If a ellement of the car is not to the liking of a majority of people (Like the 7 Series ***) a company would definitely redesign that component after one year. It would be nice to see the grill in particular get reworked. I was never a fan of the Buck Tooth...

-Evangelo2

 

Well, considering that Nissan is going towards the ugly tooth grill in all of its models, as is Mitsubishi, I'd bet there is a whole mass of people that love it... Where exactly these people are, I have no idea. Unless they are right outside of the design facilities of Nissan and Mistu.

 

 

Sure, its possible.... but the trend with Nissan has not shown this to be probable.

 

The grille is kind of like the girl you lived with in college. Not exactly love, but not bad.

 

One day you post that you hate it.

The next day you post that you're really starting to like it?

Which is it?

 

I've come to realize that it's not the entry level sports sedan that previous Maximas are. The new Max is of a "different element" and Nissan went in a totally different direction with it. It's what I consider an entry level luxo/sport sedan (a la TL, G35 and GS). That said, i've come to realize that its not a continuation of the previous Maxima line and have accepted it for what it is.

Unfortunately (in certain ways), the Altima 3.5SE pretty much took over the Maxima lineage.

 

i would love to sell you mine. wish i never bought the car!!

 

You're the first 6G owner that I've come across who doesnt like it. What's the deal with it??

 

I pretty much agree with you here.

But most of your Altimas are 4-cylinders. No Maxima has ever been sold or made with a 4-cylinder which would be a blasphemy. The Maxima continues to be V6-only and a cut above the rest, so I think it still carries the lineage. But yes, it has taken the car in a new direction. It will never be a 3rd gen.

 

Why ?

 

He isn't the first, the second that I know of.

 

"the first that I've come across"; that said, what's the deal with the 6G dislike??

 

The problem is more than likely 1st year production problems. I had them also but after a few painful trips to the dealer the car is perfect.. The problem is the nissan dealers more then anything. They will push your car out witout being fixed which in my opinion is bullshiet. People have to relize that you are going to have problems with a 1st year production car until they get the kinks out. I don't care what kind of car it is either (BMW, MERCEDES, AUDI, ACURA) ALL CARS HAVE CERTAIN ISSUE, well most.. Another problem is this forum is filled with alot of babies who complain about everything. Enjoy the ride I say.

 

Who me? I am verry happy with my 04. I've had most of the common 6th gen problems but the dealer is taking care of me. I've done this before, bought early production first year new model...I knew what to expect.

You'll have to search around this forum to find them, but within the last 2 months I believe, one guy was able to return his 04 for a full refund and another has sold his and moved on because of all the problems.

 

It sometimes looks alright but the 03 max is just sportier like previous gens.

 

Guys...both of my sons have new Honda products: one is an 02 CIVIC SI and the other an 03 Acura RSX Type S. @ 16k miles the Acura's transmission failed and had to be repaired. From the get-go, my other son's Honda's transmission was giving him fits. One dealer saw the car about 4 times and couldn't identify a problem and refused to help. Finally another dealer took it in and the whole transmission has been replaced...3 times it took them to get it right...all with less than 30k miles. This is how it is...no machine is perfect, no matter what the badge. I purposely shopped Honda for them because a) they liked them and b) the reputation for quality and service. BS. These are the first...and last Honda products that will sit in my driveway. To my knowledge...the Max has not had major mechanical failures...it's had little quirky things. All in all, my experience with about 11k miles now has been excellent. Early problems with shimmy in the wheel and vibration were solved and that has been it. We absolutely love this car.

 

It's understandable that you recommended the Hondas to your sons; I'd do the same (though probably not the new Si). Though I have a Y2K Quest and 2k2 Maxima, my first choices were the Odyssey and 3.2TL-S. (But the market wasnt in favor of me getting good deals on those.)

Honda manual tranny issues def seem to be the exception not the rule. However, Honda's auto trannys are more frequently troublesome (ref my 99 Accord).

Also, if there were a perfect "machine", I'm certain I couldnt afford it.