OK, hubby just bought a 2001 20th AE Black on Black Leather less than two weeks ago. Now he has seen the pics of the 2002 Max with the more horsepower, navigational system and is kicking himself getting the 2001.

If YOU had a choice which one would you have bought? The 2001 20th AE vs 2002 SE.

Need ideas convince him that he bought the right car.

Stefnee :-)

 

Well, the 01 looks better than the 02. It's drivetrain is completely refined and they've worked out all the problems. Its got an engine that is rated as one of the ten best in the world. Its a proven fact that 2001 Maxima owners are more intelligent, more daring, and more handsome than the average person.

But... the 2002 has 260 hp.

 

I think its always a crap-shoot to buy a car in the first year of manufacture/redesign. (I never buy software who's version ends in x.0, either. ) I've always been satisfied letting others debug the product first.

While you may get lucky and get a perfect car, the numerous recalls, tech-bulletins and other problems that will surface until they get the car right will drag resale values, and drive you to frustration.

Just look at the 2K-5th gen owners who are having numerous birthing problems. I'm sure the first year owners of 4th gen machines will tell you the same thing.

On the other hand, just have him go to a dealer for a quote. That $5000 depreciation loss just driving the car off the lot might change his mind...

 

Although the 2002 Maxima SE's powertrain is muy delicioso, the 2001 Maxima SE or AE is definately the best looking Maxima to date, both inside and out.

Tell your hubby that he made a smart buy, at a smart time, and probably at a smart price. The Maxima is a great car during any year, but I feel the 2001 model year is the best.

Cars Like It: 0

 

I have the same car and would not trade it for just power. The 2002 throttle is "drive by wire" and if it's anything like the VW "drive by wire" then you will hate it. The throttle response has a big delay so you start to hate the car. With VW you get the ECU upgraded and that takes out the delay but Nissan is very, very hard to alter. The dash is nasty and the rims are worse.

Your "hubby" did the right thing in my opinion, great looking car and if you need more power then I would recommend a cone filter and Cattman Y-pipe. You have a rare car, one of 10,000, don't worry about if you made the right decision until you can at least get a test drive. To me, it's not just about power. Look and feel have a big part in your choice otherwise you would not have bought the A.E.

Power can always be added and so can a Nav. system, enjoy what you have.

2002 article that talks about "Drive by wire" ...no more cable.
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadt...8/article.html

 

I for one would never purchase a unproven design . I waited until the last production model of my SVT contour came out and had far less problems than those that had purchased the E-0 or first production SVT contours. Ohh by the way I am a mechanical and structural designer and I speak from experience errors in preliminary designs are very very common. I just bought a 2001 AE and I love it.

 

how you so sure that nissan will have the delay?

 

Tell him to trade the sucker in. I'm already on the list and I made a similar purchase earlier this year.

 

I would choose the AE car your husband bought in a HEARTBEAT!!! I think the '02 Maximas look trashy, and everything theyve changed looks like an afterthought. The gauges look like some wanna-be timex ripoff IMO. They should have just upped the engine and waited until '03 to redo the body.

 

Even though I'm very impressed with the 02 Max I still would have purchased my AE. This was truly Love at First Sight and I haven't looked back since.

 

No Thanks. Could you imagine how much money we wold have to eat trading in a car a in a couple of months? I believe he will have to be satisfied with the 01 AE. I think he also likes the fact that he does not see many - almost no other AE's on the road here, we live in Maryland. Stefnee

 

I've got a very good idea of how much of a bath I'm going to take on the trade. The '01 AE is a great car, I'm sure he'll love it.