Hello,
I bought a 1999 Maxmia SE (manual; 58K miles) in Feb 2004. It drove like a dream. Quiet engine and had amazing acceleration. It could hit 80 mph in 4th gear on an on ramp of the interstate and be quiet and ride smooth like water on glass. I wrecked it and replaced it with another 1999 Maxima in 12/04, this one a GLE (manual again; 56K miles).

Driving the GLE feels less smooth and powerful. On the same interstate on ramp, it hits 70 and sounds like it is working a little harder. I have replaced all the fluids, put on new belts, and had the fuel injector power cleaned and intake valve scrubbed of apparently high carbon deposits. I use premium gas (93 octane). The front tires are less than a year old and back tires are 18 months old though they are not great; I think the first owner bought them from Wal Mart.

Is there a difference in the SE and GLE engines ? [[Some of the internet look ups I did suggest they both have the same horsepower and valves. I miss the difference in feel and maybe of 10 mph acceleration.]]

Any idea on what could make the difference in performance?
Thank you.

 

The automatic transmission makes all the difference in the world.

 

Your new car is not a GLE. you cannot get a 5speed GLE. you bought another SE. YOur knock sensor could be bad and this would hurt performance but i doubt it at 56k. Clutch could be slipping. too many Variables to deterime why one car feels faster than the other.

 

from what he is saying he bought another Manual so he probally got a 99 SE fully loaded with everything and thinks it a GLE

 

His 2nd car is a manual. What is mzmtg talking about?

 

He said he had a GLE so that means he has an automatic.

 

Oh, oops

Reading comprehension > me

 

Your first 99 might have had federal spec emissions and your current 99 may very well have California spec emissions on it. It's well known that most Cali Spec Maximas suffer a bit in performance. Coil packs are also prone to go bad in the 99 model, that could be a cause of your lack of performance as well. Check for a knock sensor code, replace it if the code is there. A lazy O2 sensor could also hinder performance.