Hey fellas,
Im a 4th gen max owner and im looking to purchase a 5th gen. I did some research on the forums and found a few mechanical issues with the 5th gen. maninly the 00-01. (rather disappointing) Im very very interested in the 01 AE. What a smooth MAX I espically love the bodykit, LSD, and muffler and AE asthetics! (I cant remember, does the 01 AE have the 3.5vq?) However I LOVE the 6-speed on the 03. And I definatly want the 3.5vq.

I want to know what you 5th gen'ers think: What 5th gen max is the best to own!?

 

I would go with a 2003 SE 6-spd.

 

no the 01's do not come with a 3.5

personally i'de recomend a 2k2 or 2k3, alot of nice new touches done to the interior, and it's got the bigger 3.5 mated with a 6speed

 

another battle of 5 gen vs 5.5 gen. There are advantages and disadvantages for both generations

 

well, there is a reason they changed it to the 5.5 gen. generally manufacturers improve their cars, as year go by. i would say the 5.5 gen improved by a wide margin ower the 5th gen. then again, to each his own, i am not flaming any1.

 

Go 5th gen 5-speed, 3.0 VQ is one of the smoothest motors. 5.5 gen 3.5 VQ has oil burnoff, but then, it has a 6-speed.

 

As DMX would say, "Here we go again." Everyone on here is going to be biased towards their year. Drive both around and see which one you like better. I personaly would pick the '03, seeing that I have an '03 and love it.

side note: what the he!! is this--> I'm not that big of an internet nerd to know what it is.

 

Ture. The only attractive function that 5.5 gen has over 5 gen is Xenon headlamps, otherwise I would rather have a 5 gen.

 

Liar. Better front grill, tail lights, side skirts, wheels, the list goes on and on and on and on...

5.5gens RULE!!!

 

"oh really?" It's an inside joke w/ the O.T. people. If you donate, you will have access to the OT forum and know what it's all about.

BTW... '02-'03 6-speed is definately the way to go.

 

Gotcha.

 

I love my 2k3 TE and I also love the AE so I turned my 2k3 into and AE "looks" wise with the same 255hp from my 3.5L

 

I have an 03 6-speed, my fiance has an 01 AE automatic. I like both cars, of course mine better. The real ? is......what are you planning on doing to this car. If you're going to keep it stock with a few mods then 5.5 would be of greater asset to you. If you want to be able to do more with what's available already, ie..supercharger, turbo, and things like that then a 5th gen might suit you better. It's really a personal opinion and you have to drive both to be sure which one you like stock. Then again, I did spray my 5.5 gen with a 75 shot and walked a supercharged maxima.

 

5.5 gen is definitely better than 5th gen, but I know from many independent sources that 2k-2k1 are more reliable. They also got smoother engine, and (this one is just my assumption) 3 liter engine is lighter than 3.5, which means you’re getting better weight distribution.

 

The VQ30 is smoother and you can do more with it, as Deckdout already said... but you'd be getting an older car with more miles, although its a minimal difference. The AE would already come with a kit, which is nice, and if you're into that kinda thing. The 6-speed on the 5.5th Gen is nice and all, but probably not as efficient as the 5th Gen's 5 speed, and once again, whether that is an issue or not depends on your goals for the car. The 5.5 does come with HIDs, which some people dig, and you're starting off with more HP.

I like my 02... I think it runs pretty smooth and I like the power... the heated seats and steering wheel, 6 speed, and HLSD are nice to have too.

 

I actually think that the VQ30 is actually about 30 lbs heavier than the VQ35.

 

well if you 2 ***** are in this thread, i have to be. i agree with deckd and puppets statements, pretty much all the way. When i was lookin around, i knew i wouldnt be doin a turbo or super, so the extra power from the 5.5 appealed to me, same with HIDs and i like the look of the gated shifter, haha. so you will never, ever, EVER, get a straight answer as to which is better.

btw, im posting at work!

 

I would go for an 03SE, 6-speed. It would have to be equipped with heated leather seats and a sunroof. Look for a low-mileage vehicle, ideally say 30 - 40K if possible.

 

Here's a completely unbiased opinion: get a 2002/03. Why?

255HP 3.5VQ
6 Disc In-Dash Headunit
More grippy leather on steering wheel
Arguably nicer seats
HIDs
Overall aggressive fascia
Update rim design (no enormous center cap)
Trip monitor
Snow notification
4-Spd Auto with nicer shifter gate
6-spd makes the 02/03 the fastest Maxima ever
Auto up/down windows for driver and passenger.

Get the 02/03.

 

That is something interesting…

 

Uh... I'd have to say get an 03 but I'm a little biased on that subject. If I had to do it again I'd get a 03 6 speed. I guess I have to live with my autocrapit.

 

I have a 2001 and love it, but I would have to say go with a 2003 SE if you can find one in very good condition.

 

Took NYPDArnold's list and just took what I think are the highlights:

HIDs
6-spd
255HP 3.5VQ
6 Disc In-Dash Headunit
Trip monitor

My 2000 opinion is to get the 2003 if you can afford it.

 

you must be our pimp in the purple suit if we're the *****.

the main thing i like better on my 5.5 vs 5th is that my seats are alot more comfortable. everything else i can deal with.

btw,

 

Im Bishop Magic Don Juan

 

Thats odd fellas, Just after i posted this thread, i realized that the 2001 AE doesnt come with a 3.5! So i figured you all would say go with the 5.5. But now im hearing things that are making me less decisive!

OIL BURNOFF on the 3.5?! Not as smooth?! Are you guys serious?! What i loved about my 4th gen: Although I have a tiny oil leak... after 3000 miles my dipstick shows the my oil at the same level as when I did the oil change! minus 1mm maybe! Very little oil burnoff indeed! Im just shocked to hear the 3.5 is less efficient. I figured Nissan engineers would design an equivalantly efficient engine, just more powerfull!

I have the 3.0 without the variable intake of course. And i love the speed of this car, however i drove a G35 coupe and the power in that car gave me goosebumps (stock power) I Know the g35 has alittle more horsepower than the 03max but i figured with alittle modding i can reach the 288+ hp. Also im guessing the 5th gen max is about as fast as my 4th gen.

Seriously you guys are starting to scare me about the 3.5... Is it really not not as smooth and effiecient as the 3.0? Come on fellas not bias opinions! I have a 3.0 and love it but i will admit that 'theoretically' id rather have a 3.5 Just base on my G35 experience.

And whats this about the 5-speed is not as efficient as the 6-speed?! whats up with efficiency and the 5.5?! Or is this just speculation?

 

Are you joshing me!?

 

Guys stop arguing about the weight and *****/pimps and help me pick a max! sheeesh!

 

when i was looking for a maxima i was trying to decide to get a 5th gen or 5.5gen too...i test drove both (they were automatics tho) and i just like to have more power. both cars feels pretty smooth shifting and since i'm looking for a car that i'm going to leave stock and have plenty of power i went with the 5.5gen...also main thing is that it got HID's!!! haha i'm a big HID nut and i can't have a car without HID's lol also, when i test drove the 01 and 02, the 02 seat kinda feels more comfy

 

Get a 02-03 6-speed, and enjoy the fun. Hell I jumped from a vg30e(160hp) to a 2002 vq35(255hp), that's a crazy jump, and had fun from day one. Im pretty sure you would too. I was suprised by the oil burnoff, but who cares, im still happy with the car. Variable timing burns much more oil than regular car, just ask those vtec honda boyz......

The only thing I hate about the car is the fact you have to watch where you park the car, the 02-03's come with hid's and people are always getting their **** stolen. That's what you have to watch out for, but if you have a backyard I say go for it!

 

End your misery! Buy a 5.5, you won't be disappointed, and get initiated into the ***** club. You don't want to be one of "Those Guys" do you?

 

About time you came back, bish...

 

I have a VQ35 and I've driven a VQ30, you can also ask Irish44J, Cutler, and Soonerfan and they will agree that the VQ30 is smoother because I know they've all driven both as well. Its not like the VQ35 is a crappy engine... its great, but you can feel the slight difference if ya compare the 2. I think its negligible, but some people are bothered by it.

Btw, I have so far not encountered any oil burning problems... I think there are some who have, but they are a minority... so far...

Here is what I'm talking about:

From thread: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=419897

Like we've already said... its not really an issue unless you're looking for something to turn into a track car or something... what do ya intend to get out of the car?

I've had my 5.5 for over 3 years and I love it for all the reasons posted previously and by everyone else...

 

He got over his "I can't get on the org at work dilemma"

 

2 people have oil burn off and now all 3.5 burn oil....NOT. I've owned a 02 no oil burn off, now an 03 no oill burn off.......IT IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE 3.5L. my suggestion is to drive both and see which one you like, but i am pretty sure you'll go with the 5.5 gen..........

 

as long as i can deal with this slow VNC connection and the random color changing, i can post on the ORG.

now get back on your corner and make me some money, bish!

 

No, I'm pretty sure the VQ35 block is 30 lbs plus lighter than the VQ30 block, even though they have the same dimensions.

 

... but just curious, are you using the "alternative" URLs that Doug posted?

 

no, im using maxima.org, im just remotely logging into my computer from work using VNC, thats why its so laggy and weird.

i might as well contribute to this thread...none of us can tell you which is better for you. do you plan on going all out forced induction engine performance? get a 00-01. if you want to focus on minor mods and show type stuff, get a 6 speed 02-03, so you will be happy with the performance. you need to know what you want ahead of time before we can answer this for ya.

 

Buahahahaha! soon enough bud!