Is there really that much of a difference between the 5th gen and the 5.5, because every time I see a 5.5 I get a little upset, thinking I shouldn't have gotten my 00 maxima, and should have gotten a 5.5. Performance wise is it really that much better, because right now I have an injen CAI, cattman y-pipe, and greddy evo 2 pipein with a custom rear section can I beat a 5.5 and maybe even beat a 6th gen or is there no hope just wondering.

 

Performance wise they are quicker, but aside from the engine they are essentially identical except for a few comfort and appearance items sucks as 6CD In Dash changer and HIDs. Personally I am happy with my 01 AE. Initially after I bought it I wanted a 02-03, but realized if you are not going to the tracks then there is not much difference between the two and I should be happy with what I have, plus mine is not as common as all other Maximas. My $.02 not that anyone cares, but I can't sleep so... Be happy with what you have, it's a nice car and you paid less than what you would have for an 02-03. Also you have the security of not having a Maxima that is one of the top three stolen cars.

 

I agree with nadeemp8 about the performance wise. Honestly when I seen the 5.5, the only thing I liked about is the headlights and the key fob window rolldown and gauge rings That's about it. But I'm happy with my 01' for several reason. The SE cluster on the 00-01 are all white face, The 5.5 only have the white face only the tach and speedo. I'm not too crazy with the altezza tailight on the 5.5. I like my smoked taillight cuz it's not so vogue. The last thing I like mine over the 5.5 is the grille snout. It's not too wide like the 5.5. That's IMO

 

the 5.5 is a bit faster, bit with an open exhaust, and an intake i beat stockers. the price factor is what led me to the 2k. I also trusted the 3.0 that's been around for years. Now the 3.5 is proven reliable, and they make a ton of aftermarket parts too, i think i'll be looking at an 03 in a couple years when i'm done with my 2k. There are a lot of differences between the two, but a ot of similarities, i wouldn't feel any remourse if i were you, its a great car.

 

There is a large diffrence in available torque at lower rpms. The 5.5s have power in spades throught the rpm range making it more luxurious. The HIDs are awesome. Otherwise, theres not much difference. Sure am glad I waited though. Had a 4th gen and know that the 2000 maximas are slower than the 4th gen-so I figured why pay more $ for a less capable car.?

 

I keep reading posts from you saying that 4th gens are faster than 00s. Are you talking about 5 speed vs. 5 speed? Maybe a 4th gen GXE with nothing against a fully loaded SE it would be close, but just because the BEST time from a 4th gen is about the same as the best 00, I don't think 4th gens average as fast as 5th gens do.

 

I don't see how the 5.5 having more power throughout its rpm range would make it more luxurious....

 

Yep thats the big difference power is on tap in a larger portion of the powerband and down low is where the main difference is. It really more apparent when you compare an 01 auto to an auto 02, the difference is huge. Other things that make the 5.5 more appealing on the used car market are the available feautures which clearly sends it into another category, loaded 01 vs a loaded 02. The Nav,heated steering wheel,auto entry system,trip computer,memory seats,Hids, etc. put it at near-luxury level.

 

may i add that the 5.5 gen hids get stolen by pros within 5 minutes......sucks, u gotta spend extra $ for hood lock or alarm since nissan made the headlights on 5th gen and 5.5gen max so easy to remove.

 

Effortless acceleration and cruising (due to more low end torque/hp) associate to a "more luxurious" ride.

 

your just gonna have to find a 5.5 and race him to see if your car is faster.
if you stop by NJ, ill race ya, mine is SE with all opt except nav. i chose this cecause of the heated steering wheel, ive never seen this in a car before, so i bought it, it was between this or a bone stock SE with no opt.

 

Sticky this, please!

oh, and TopElement, are the 00-01's drive-by-wire too?

 

02+ seats are way better too.

 

I knew this thread would go this way.

Personally, I like the features the 02-03 has. HIDs, 6CD, 6 speed..... I had a 4th gen, and while it was nice, it wasnt this nice. The power is wayyy more noticable. my 6spd with just intake vs. a 2k1 with intake, exhaust, suspension, everything. It was an easy win for me.

The 02 had a huge difference in options and benefits. Sorry to say it, but there are some differences. While I don't disrespect another 5th gen, my max came with "better" options. To be honest, this is how Nissan should have done it the first time. The AE should have had 2k2 features..... you know they had them available.

 

If I really like a sedan with plenty of power produced by a big nissan 3.5, I would find myself ended in a rear drive G35. Torque steer is notorious for the Max with the 3.5. Secondary, I don't agree 255-222=33hp can make a huge difference. The big difference I can recall is when I was driving my Corvette.

 

for a lot more money of course. you can't beat the refined luxury, power, and value of the 5.5 gen

it's not the horsepower, it's the torque. the 3.5 has MUCH more low end torque than the 3.0. as MONTE stated this is much more noticeable with the auto. i test drove a 01 and 03 when i was max shopping and the difference was very noticeable to me. the 3.5 virtually leaps forward from a stop.

that said, the 5 and the 5.5 gens are both nice cars which provide above avg value and performance compared to their competitors.

 

Ummm, we are not talking about Corvettes now are we??

Speaking of... I got to tool around my pals vette two weeks ago. Z06 450+ WHP Made me not even want to start my car again.

If I had it to do over again, I would so get a G35 and not the Max. I didnt know the G35 was coming out 2 months after I got my max. Also, the TQ steer is not that bad on my 5.5. I rarely notice it, but maybe I have popeye arms.

 

Yeah it maybe nice for the people who like to speed to have a faster car, but my 01 having less torque and hp has in no way affected how I see it compared to an 02. The 01 is faster than most "normal" cars on the road and has plenty of pickup and go to get you need to where you need. I find my acceleration very effortless and cruising to be just fine. I test drove both the 02 and 01 and to tell you the truth while the 02 felt a little faster the money I saved with my 01 well made up for the difference in acceleration.

 

Does the 5th gens have steering wheel controls of the audio system, more commonly known as the Blose?

 

You are quoting PEAK hp numbers. Look at the hp and torque power curves, the 3.5 is much better all over the power band.

I am not trying to bad mouth the 00 and 01 Maxs. They are very nice, just mentioned the extra power throughout the range makes the car feel much more luxurious.

And yes the 4th gen manuals are a little faster than the 00 and 01 5 speeds.

 

plus the 5.5 now comes with Titanium edition, which is pretty nice, you get nice interior color, and hyper silver wheels.

 

That might actually be almost possible. Although, many people would argue that the VQ30s are better engines for FI... and right now I think you can only get kits for the 3.0s.... not that I know a whole lot... I've just been snooping around the FI forums every now and then... a lil dreaming for my 5.5 gen can't hurt....

 

Effortless acceleration doesn't equated to speeding. It's the smooth transition of power which the engine produces under your input. The 3.5's has much better lower end torque, therefore requires less of a driver input to make the car moves. That's the luxury I was referring to.

If you are content w/what you got, great!
Just a reminder, this topic is comparing "The difference between the 5th gens and the 5.5 gens" Maxima, not other vehicles.

 

I have ridden in the 02s, my old 2k had better seats IMHO

 

i personally hate my 02s seats, compared to my accords. not nearly as comfy and the seating position is way too high. other than that, i LOVE the 5.5 gen. the 5th gen i test drove back just doesnt compare in power, but i also love the "creature comforts" that the 5.5 offers.

the power delivery i would equate as luxury too. effortless power, basically. you dont have to hit the gas and wait for the car to rev to the stratosphere like other smaller motors. you just push the gas and the car jumps forward and smokes the tires (TC off, of course)

but dont try and compare what you have to something above it. if i kept comparing my car to a G35, id go nuts. there will always always ALWAYS be something better than you. the civic has the accord, the accord has the TL, the TL has the RL. sentra has alty, alty has max (although this is debateable now), max has G35, G35 has the new M comin out, and so on.