Hey guys, long time no talk. I'm sure there's not too many people around here that remember me. I was actually the FIRST Maxima on these boards with 20's (I know, very impressive right, lol).

Well i'm in the market for a new ride, and I'm looking at the 02-03 maximas. I'm not a big fan of their new body style, but I'm thinking that a dropped 03 on 19's might fit the bill.

I'm deciding between the max, an '01 GS300 and an '01 E320. Anyone have any input or suggestions, or just want to welcome me back?

Post something damnit

 

Welcome Back! tough choice, i would say go w/ the 01 GS300

 

Screw the Lexus, go with the '03 3.5 6MT w/HLSD!

 

Decisions, decisions. E320 is my pick!

 

Agreed....

 

A friend of mine recently purchased a 2000 GS & it is incredible. It is very apparent once you ride in one that you are no longer in a 22 thousand dollar vehicle. So smooth & pin drop quiet body & interior no rattles. In my opinion they are 2 different animals.

 

Maxima of course b/c this is NOT a lexus thread

 

I could understand if his decision was between a Max and a GS400, but the 300 just is not in the same performance class. Like you said, two totally different vehicles.

 

You'll get used to the styling of the 5th gen...I love it

 

i know im a newbie but, what is HLSD or whatever

 

Helical Limited-Slip Differential (HLSD)

 

depending on what you want, GS300 or E320 are in a completely different class from Max. I'd get a GS300 over E320 or a Max @ any time of the day.

 

I'd get a GS.

 

I second that! (BTW - Welcome back)

 

screw the gs300. sure it's a solid car, but it's pretty ugly (imo) and not fun at all. and the e320 is an old man's car. i have a really rich friend that just got one, the very last model year before the e350. now, while it is extremely nice, everything about it is for old people. the steering feel is soooooo fluid, i feel like i'm gonna crash it if i take it out for some aggressive driving. plus who want's a 3valve/cyl v6?? haha

 

Then get one and go away

 

e320 would be my choice, smooth ride, plush interior, but the lights on the e320's are horrible.

 

i would get the gs430. the 300 is only 220 hp on a giant car. i think the max or the benz would be more performance oriented. unless you are not after performance...

 

The E-class is the same size as the GS and is V-6 powered.

 

Glad to see you came back!!! Go with the Maxima again!!!!!!

 

I like the GS300. Plus isnt that the same engine thats in the supra(2JZGE). If performance is not there just go and get a turbo kit.

 

if this were up to me, i would either go with the max or the gs300...if it's performance you're looking for, go with the max, and if it's luxury you're looking for, go with the gs....either way, you will get a very good and reliable car....

 

 

the is300 has teh 2jzge engine but with weather piston walls and weaker cams. i know of people that have successfully upgraded these parts, and run crazy boost. i was originally looking at gettin the is300, but gas consupmtion sux, it sits at about 3k rpm at 65-70 mph. plus because it's so close to supra internals, its very expencive for a used one even. the are as much fun as a bmw 330i, about the same hp/tq and both rwd.

 

my sister has an e320 in silver and yes it looks sleek from the outside, esp in the 00 and up, where the front bumpers look like AMG but higher off the ground and not as big. it's got good power and rides VERY smooth. suspension is nice; fairly stiff while it absorbs bumps on the road. so all these cars are gonna be roughly the same price? i'd go for merc then.

 

i'd take the E320 and slap some AMG monoblocks on it, tint, system and call it a day...who cares if a vq3.5 Max can swing laps around you

 

I'm not sure where you live, but I think I found your car: http://www.forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=410483

The owner is a friend of mine. The post is from the local DC forums, so please excuse all the post-whoring.

 

A stock 330I would walk all over a stock IS300. Plus you can get a used IS in the low 20's depending on mileage, it has nothing to do with "Supra" internals. It's just because Lexus holds its value so much better than Nissan.

 

Resale value....
But thats for people who are planning on getting rid of their Nissans, me on the other hand, do not think like that.

 

E320, 'nuff said.

I have drove both, and I prefer the cockpit of the E to the GS ANY day of the week. Remember, YOU will be the one driving it. IMHO, I found the cockpit of the E to bask me in greater luxury than that of the GS.

 

Wow thats a gorgeous pic!

 

I generally agree with that statement.

Performance aside though, the GS300 is an overall better car than any Maxima built to date. And while the performance is OK (0-60 mid-upper 7s and 140mph+ topend), it still wont run even close to the 5.5G under most circumstances.

I'd personally spring the extra $$$ and get a GS4XX and get the best of both worlds.

 

lexus may hold their value, but the new is350 is a v6 3.5 liter. toyota muffed it up by switching to a v-aligned engine. they hold their value much better than other lexuses because IT IS a car very similar to a supra, and the upgrade(s) potential is enormous.

 

...dont think so ---> Edmunds

The 2GR-FE (3.5L V6) now in the Avalon seems to be a great motor (on paper) and on par with the VQ35DE. I'd gladly have a 280hp/260lb-ft IS350 over one powered by a 215hp/218lb-ft 2JZGE.

 

So is the one in your sig.

 

Dude, what are you talking about? Having to do with a Supra has nothing to do with resale value or value in general! I guarantee you 99% of the people that buy an IS300 could give two craps whether it has the same engine as an earlier generation Supra. People buy it because it has the Lexus badge on it and doesn't cost $40,000. A 5.5th gen max has the same basic engine as an Infiniti G35, FX35 but resale on those cars outperform the Maxima, not because of similar engines, but because of the name.

 

Me too... not sure if that's a good or bad thing...

 

But can't ya fit more gauges in a Max than an E320?

 

Well if NmexMAX isn't going to say it, I will

 

I don't know, I've heard that those E320's can house ~20 gauges