View Poll Results: Which do you own
GXE
93
16.29%
SE
386
67.60%
GLE
92
16.11%
Voters: 571. You may not vote on this poll
Whats the biggest differencs btw?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 23
Whats the biggest differencs btw?
I am looking to buy a car used of course and i wanted to know whats the biggest differences between the GXE,SE,GLE and know i am not asking what the acronyms mean i want to know as far as what the car offers
GLE- had the most options, most similar to an I30. Auto trans. only.
SE- can be equipped like a GXE or GLE but came with fogs/spoiler/white gauges.
GXE- basically entry level model although it could be dealer-optioned with things like leather, sunroof, fogs, Bose.
The GXE is usually cloth int. with manual climate.
There is plenty of info in the stickies.
SE- can be equipped like a GXE or GLE but came with fogs/spoiler/white gauges.
GXE- basically entry level model although it could be dealer-optioned with things like leather, sunroof, fogs, Bose.
The GXE is usually cloth int. with manual climate.
There is plenty of info in the stickies.
The 4th gen Maxima was offered in three trim levels for the US market:
GXE "The essential Maxima"
SE "The Sportiest Maxima"
GLE "The luxurious Maxima"
All trim levels have the same engine, so performance differences between them are pretty much nil. The best way to tell which trim level you have is to decode the VIN Plate. This is due to much part swapping and trim upgrading, even transmission swaps that can be done.
TO DECODE THE VIN PLATE:
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The sixth character is the trim level designator, defined as follows:
E = GXE
G = GLE
V = SE
There are some feature differences that can help you determine the trim level on site. Keep in mind that most of these can be changed aftermarket by the owner, but as we know the VAST majority of Maximas on the street are bone stock...
GXE
Black guage faces
Cloth seats
Basic stereo (BOSE optional but extremely rare)
Probably no sunroof (optional but very rare)
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
5spd or Auto trans
No spoiler
No fog lights
Steel wheels with hubcaps
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C
SE
White guage faces
"Sport" Cloth or leather seats
Basic or BOSE stereo
May have sunroof
Black outer window trim
Body color door handles
5spd or auto trans
Spoiler
Fog lights
15" blade-style (95-96) or 16" 5 spoke (97-99) alloy wheels
Body color grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C or climate control
"Sport" suspension
Electronically controlled front engine mount on automatic transmission cars
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
(In Canada there is a model called the ES which is like an SE minus the BOSE, leather, sunroof, and spoiler (All standard on a Canadian SE). But, it does include the VLSD trans.)
GLE
Black guage faces
Leather seats
BOSE stereo
Sunroof
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
Auto trans only
No spoiler
No fog lights
15" honeycomb (95-96) or 15" blade-style (97-99) alloy wheels
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Fake wood color dash and door trim
Fuzzy A-pillars on some years
Pop-out drawer (not flip-down) below radio on some years
Climate control only
Electronically controlled front engine mount
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
Keep in mind that spoilers, foglights, mudflaps and wood dash trim could be had as dealer-installed options on all levels.
Other options like heated seats, traction control, ABS and the like were offered on more than one trim level, so they are not a reliable indicator.
Send me a PM if you think of things to add to the list.
CREDIT: MZMTG from the 4th gen FAQ
GXE "The essential Maxima"
SE "The Sportiest Maxima"
GLE "The luxurious Maxima"
All trim levels have the same engine, so performance differences between them are pretty much nil. The best way to tell which trim level you have is to decode the VIN Plate. This is due to much part swapping and trim upgrading, even transmission swaps that can be done.
TO DECODE THE VIN PLATE:
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The sixth character is the trim level designator, defined as follows:
E = GXE
G = GLE
V = SE
There are some feature differences that can help you determine the trim level on site. Keep in mind that most of these can be changed aftermarket by the owner, but as we know the VAST majority of Maximas on the street are bone stock...
GXE
Black guage faces
Cloth seats
Basic stereo (BOSE optional but extremely rare)
Probably no sunroof (optional but very rare)
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
5spd or Auto trans
No spoiler
No fog lights
Steel wheels with hubcaps
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C
SE
White guage faces
"Sport" Cloth or leather seats
Basic or BOSE stereo
May have sunroof
Black outer window trim
Body color door handles
5spd or auto trans
Spoiler
Fog lights
15" blade-style (95-96) or 16" 5 spoke (97-99) alloy wheels
Body color grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C or climate control
"Sport" suspension
Electronically controlled front engine mount on automatic transmission cars
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
(In Canada there is a model called the ES which is like an SE minus the BOSE, leather, sunroof, and spoiler (All standard on a Canadian SE). But, it does include the VLSD trans.)
GLE
Black guage faces
Leather seats
BOSE stereo
Sunroof
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
Auto trans only
No spoiler
No fog lights
15" honeycomb (95-96) or 15" blade-style (97-99) alloy wheels
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Fake wood color dash and door trim
Fuzzy A-pillars on some years
Pop-out drawer (not flip-down) below radio on some years
Climate control only
Electronically controlled front engine mount
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
Keep in mind that spoilers, foglights, mudflaps and wood dash trim could be had as dealer-installed options on all levels.
Other options like heated seats, traction control, ABS and the like were offered on more than one trim level, so they are not a reliable indicator.
Send me a PM if you think of things to add to the list.
CREDIT: MZMTG from the 4th gen FAQ
^^what he said^^
GXE is the base economy model.. ie. few options
GLE has all the options, leather , heated seats, maybe a spoiler is the only option
SE has a "sport tuned suspension" and a spoiler. You could option up the SE to almost GLE levels with leather, heated seat, acc, bose, etc.
GXE is the base economy model.. ie. few options
GLE has all the options, leather , heated seats, maybe a spoiler is the only option
SE has a "sport tuned suspension" and a spoiler. You could option up the SE to almost GLE levels with leather, heated seat, acc, bose, etc.
Don't you know who I am?
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 945
From: East Granby, Connecticut
Originally Posted by ethnic6
SE and GLE also don't have a speed limiter, which the GXE has... So if ur going to get a trim go for the SE
I thought the GLE also had the speed limiter... maybe I was wrong.
SE is the best imo, you can actually get all the options that the GLE has and more, like the sport guages and lack of a limiter (maybe there isn't one on GLE?). Only thing is GLE has a smoother ride if you don't take turns harshly.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 176
get SE, slightly stiffer suspension stock spoiler makes the back look better (my gle had an optioned spoiler though) nicer looking wheels and wider rubber. Also fog lights would help a lot because I can't tell if my lights are on when its raining
Originally Posted by Cdg2125
SE with Deluxe Package or the SE-L
here are the areas to look for if you want a fully loaded SE. Heated seats, leather interior, auto climate, sunroof. Everything else will just come with the car if these features are on there. Fully loaded SE greater than all...i miss mine sometimes....
I might have the rarest max of them all (if not please tell me), but its a 99 se-l 5-speed crimson blaze red. (and yes the tranny is a stock five speed that came with the car.) by the way if anything get a MT its well worth it.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 28
I got the SE with bose and 17inch rims.. the 20th AE. Its pimp so get an SE.
there's no speed limiter on an SE?! i didnt know that... i havent exactly maxed out, the roads here suck.
Originally Posted by ethnic6
SE and GLE also don't have a speed limiter, which the GXE has... So if ur going to get a trim go for the SE
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 370
GXE
Black guage faces
Cloth seats
Basic stereo (BOSE optional but extremely rare)
Probably no sunroof (optional but very rare) good thing mine is rare..
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
5spd or Auto trans
No spoiler
No fog lights
Steel wheels with hubcaps
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C
wish i had SE rims, its hard to clean the sawblades...
oh if you can find a low mileage, black leather interior, stick shift go for it, its worth it.
Black guage faces
Cloth seats
Basic stereo (BOSE optional but extremely rare)
Probably no sunroof (optional but very rare) good thing mine is rare..
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
5spd or Auto trans
No spoiler
No fog lights
Steel wheels with hubcaps
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C
wish i had SE rims, its hard to clean the sawblades...
oh if you can find a low mileage, black leather interior, stick shift go for it, its worth it.
but I still love it very much 
Originally Posted by Blackwind
soooooo, no one knows how to read the FAQ'S? just couldn't wait to get to 16 huh?
Originally Posted by CaTalyst.X
This contributes less to the world than OP's thread, he wanted to get everybodies opinion, not just a bunch of technical specs on maximas, he wanted to know everyones likes and dislikes which cant be found in the FAQ, so pack it. And next time you want to give somebody crap, do it right. Just because he didnt read the FAQ, doesnt mean nobody knows how, just not him.
Flaming the flamer....nice lol.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 112
I have a GLE AND I have the following...
Black guage faces
Leather seats
BOSE stereo
Sunroof
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
Auto trans only
No spoiler
No fog lights
15" honeycomb (95-96) or 15" blade-style (97-99) alloy wheels
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Fake wood color dash and door trim
Fuzzy A-pillars on some years
Pop-out drawer (not flip-down) below radio on some years
Climate control only
Electronically controlled front engine mount
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
Black guage faces
Leather seats
BOSE stereo
Sunroof
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
Auto trans only
No spoiler
No fog lights
15" honeycomb (95-96) or 15" blade-style (97-99) alloy wheels
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Fake wood color dash and door trim
Fuzzy A-pillars on some years
Pop-out drawer (not flip-down) below radio on some years
Climate control only
Electronically controlled front engine mount
Liquid filled rear shock mounts
Not counting the Stillen SMX which I do not consider a production model because the tuner is not in-house, the 1999 Crimson Blaze with black leather interior and all options with 5 speed is the rarest Maxima.
OBD1(and2?) '95s are also pretty rare. Emissions and package options also changed between 1995 and 1996 so depending on options some of those cars could be VERY rare. Especially Starfire of Neptune Blue Pearl.
OBD1(and2?) '95s are also pretty rare. Emissions and package options also changed between 1995 and 1996 so depending on options some of those cars could be VERY rare. Especially Starfire of Neptune Blue Pearl.
Originally Posted by 95GLEMAXX
wow i just found out my car is a GXE from the sticky post with the vin thing....depressing because i have all the gle options cept auto climate control..now my user name is wrong....
that sucks man, kinda funny though. i think i saw somewhere you change your username, but i think you have to request it.