Our friends at Edmunds seem to like the drive in the new Maxima.

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadt...8/article.html

And the good news is that Nissan actually improved the manual tranny!.

 

Interesting..... you guys think the 6 speed tranny will fit our cars?

Hmmmmmmmmmm.......... <~~~~ pondering again

 

An improved manual gearbox!

 

hmm... i wonder if that beefed up 4 speed auto fill fit a 2k. :P

 

Wow... usually Edmunds is tough on Nissan. They really like it.

Here's an excerpt:

We wasted no time grabbing the keys to an SE fitted with the six-speed manual tranny, and we were thrilled with its eager and forceful charge to redline as we rowed through the gears. Once again, Nissan has turned out a creamy smooth and powerful V6 that seemed to enjoy running hard as much as we loved driving it that way. The gear spacing of the six-speed gearbox, both numerically and in terms of lever travel, was ideal. Even when driving aggressively, we didn't botch one up- or downshift while blasting through the gears. The feel of the shifter was improved over the rubbery feel of the last manual Maxima we tested — a 20th anniversary SE five-speed. Braking was swift and progressive, two endearing traits when you've this much power to rein in.

 

I certainly hope so.
The engine wouldn't be to bad either.

 

I'm really glad the Maxima's iteration of the VQ35DE is "eager," "foreceful," and still "creamy smooth" and "powerful." I was a little worried because I heard the VQ in the Pathfinder is a little rough around the edges. An eighth year at Ward's, perhaps?

 

Great find!

 

As if Kev doesn't already have enough stuff either on, or in his car.

 

They seem to like the Maxima. They named it their "Most Wanted Sport Sedan Under $30k." Check this out:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/mostw...8/page013.html

 

I kinda wish they had Performance Numbers (0-60 times)(1/4 mile times) Good find though