It looks like that many Maxima owners are getting new cars these days. Most of them are buying other brands of cars. This is very normal for people to try something new but some stay with the new Nissan Maxima. What would be some choices that people will get if they got another car. Would it be the Lexus, BMW, MB, Audi, Acura, Honda, American brands, Porsche, etc.? Let's get some serious comments and not get overboard with our dream cars like Ferrari and Lambo now. Wouldn't it be fun that we start another BBS for former Maxima owners? This way we can still stay in touch with each other on the net but can express different opinions with all of us owning a variety kind of cars. Then we can still be one BIG family right!!

Ken

 

My next car will be an E430.

 

Let's face it, the Maxima is no slouch. There are nice things about the car no matter which generation, and for someone who is not choosey it's a great car. We don't know yet but I'd bet the 4th gen lasts 10-12 years on the road or more. But most of the people here are relatively young, 20's, 30's, so it'd be weird if they didn't aspire to having something better. Many I'd like to think are like myself, practical, and took advantage of the maxima giveaways back in 98-99. When dealers slashed six grand off list and more, how could you not?

The other thing is we're human. When you play hockey and after the game someone drives off in a 540i, you feel a little pressure to say hey, I deserve the same. I like the m3, I don't think anymore than 50-55 is worth it no matter how much my job will pay.

 

my pathfinder has been somewhat perfect. It seems I'm always worrying about something on the max.. a rattle, a tcm, a vibration, my AC going out. Not really decided. I will say that totally trouble free operation will not be on the side of the maxima on my next purchase.

 

get a truck next time around. I really don't want to screw around modifying a relatively expensive daily driver any more. Plus, I'd have no interest in modifying a truck, unlike the other good ole boys here in Texas. Nor would I be inclined to try to instigate races and drive like a bat outta hell all the time...it'd be strictly a utilitarian vehicle. I think the Dakota quad cabs with the 5.2+ V8s are nice trucks...ditto the Ford F150 quad cabs...I wouldn't consider the Nissan Frontiers quad cabs...too small with a tiny bed and the new design is too funky for me...Toyota Tundras are really nice but kinda pricey, but I'd look into them.

I also plan on eventually getting a cheap project car on the side. Sorta like Shing's CRX but something less...buzzy (no offense). Thinking like a 240Z, ~65-67 Mustang fastback, etc etc. Something with loads of potential but not something that you see all the time...I really enjoy modifying and tinkering, but let's face it...the Maxima has no real aftermarket support. Plus, it's supposed to be a quiet and comfortable sleeper, and everything you do to this car (like any engine mod), the car gets harsher and noisier. I'm sick of always feeling like "damn, I shouldn't have done that mod". With a project car that's intended to be on the rough side, I'd have no issues. 240s are looking like a really nice project car to me right now. Another cool project would be a 69 or 70.5 Camaro with an LS1/6 dropped in...but I doubt I'd do that because I'd be a Chevy owner...what a friggin stigma. (Spit!)

I'm sure that like 99% of the people think I'm a loser for this plan, but I could really care less. To be honest, cars really don't fit my lifestyle all that well so it's time for me to get something rugged for everyday use. If I ever move to Colorado or the NW like I plan on, I need a truck anyway. I really, really, really like the A6s and new BMW 3 series', but I'll pass on those until I'm later along in life and can more easily afford and enjoy them without the compulsion to modify...I'm sick of modifying daily drivers.

[Edited by Keven97SE on 08-27-2000 at 03:53 PM]

 

Something fast, cheap, and definetly not mainstream. Maybe a rotary Miata, FC Rx-7, SR20DE-T powered 510, something not normally seen...

 

Uh, I dunno if you remember, but for a time the Maxima BBS (in old form, like Chad's or Peels forum) was pretty much a Maxima AND former Maxima owners BBS. Do you realize how many people post here who don't even own Maximas? There's nothing wrong with that, of course. I just thought it was kinda funny you mentioning the "family BBS" when it already happened already. And do you know what we got out of it? A bunch of shut down forums due to senseless bickering. I have nothing against people upgrading from Maximas, but I don't like it when opinions turn into arguments and ends up getting the forum shut down for those who use the BBS for legitamate purposes.

As for your other question, of course people will upgrade to other cars. The only case I can see myself getting another Maxima is if I drive my 97 for ten more years and truly "upgrade" to a newer Maxima. Right now, there's not that much difference between the 4th and 5th gens so it's not really a huge upgrade.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if more than 75% of us get a different brand of cars. I love my Maxima, and I'll always be a Maxima enthusiast but the engine and the suspension don't take the mods too well. Engine has an annoying drone at cruising rpms, and my tokicos and KYBs are too bouncy.
If I were to get a new car, it would be the new Subaru WRX or IS 300 6speed. Can't go wrong with either cars, and they have a huge aftermarket support(at least in Japan).

 

Maybe a sedan from Europe(Audi/BMW) or a SUV from Japan.

 

our suv will be arriving w/i a few months...then i've yet to decide what will be my next car...i'm going for something 2 seats much more sporty...but not costly as i'm still saving for my 1996 911 C4.

so either a:
new miata w/ sport pkg
1994-5 mr2 turbo
1996 300ztt
1997+ 240Z

or something similar

in order of preference:
1994-5 mr2 turbo (rare, <1000 produced combined years)
new miata w/ sport pkg
1997+ 240z
1996 300ztt

Robert

 

I am sure my next car will be the IS 300(when the 6-speed comes out) I just love a foordoor sedan. And that car looks sweet. Test drove one and loved it. NOT bad for 35,000 grand loaded.

 

'94 SE 5-spd
95-99 SE 5-spd
2k SE 5-spd

I didn't think I'd consider a Max again, but my experince with this one has been good, and I'd expect a newer one to be even better.

Otherwise, it'll be the current S4(don't like the upcoming A4) or an E36 M3..maybe 4doors.

It's gotta have 4 doors, that's all I know.

 

Well, seeing as by the time I'm ready for my next car, the maxima will be a fat, bloated, luxury oriented sedan like an Avalon, I would say it will definately not be on my list... I don't know if I'd consider nissan again or not, it all depends on how the altima turns out...

Currently, I think when my lease is up I'll probably go for an S4. However, thats 2 years, 5 months away so the market may have changed by then and there may be a more compelling options.

 

I will be keeping my 95SC for a long time as I'm very happy with it. When it comes time to replace the 91GXE, it's up to the wife since it'll be her car. If it was up to me though, I would look for a gently used 99SE and transfer all my mods to it. I don't see a 2K Maxima in my future but if the next major upgrade appeals to me, I would consider it.

Jim

 

It's hard for me to say because I'm not getting rid of Max for quite a while unless I come into a lot of money or something. I'd really consider a S/C before I'd get another car, BUT....

I'd consider a F150 Lightening because I'd love to have 12 second truck. Just add a pulley, chip, drag tires and couple other simple mods. It would be perfect for my job because I tend to carry a lot of equipment and gear. I rent F-150s all the time and they are nice trucks. A 98 Cobra with 4.30 gears, X-pipe, intake, mufflers, and Nittos drags wouldn't be bad either. 4 door wise I'd get an S4 and add a chip, intake, and exhaust. Honestly, I'll probably never buy a new car. There's just too many nice 1 year-old cars that are selling 20% less than the new model. I like to let the first buyer absorb the initial depreciation.

Dave

 

Think about it this way, doesn't one always see better things in life? I mean no one is trying to switch to a lower pay job right? No one is trying to move to a smaller house right? No one wants to get demoted at work right? That same theory should apply to cars too, it's normal to move onto better toys.

Afterall what's the fun in sticking with the same brand forever? Isn't it cool when you are 80 years old no longer can drive, you look back and say hey I have had Honda Nissan Lexus Jaguar Audi BMW Benz Porsche Ferrari all kinds of toys, or you prefer to say I have had 87 Maxima, 91 Maxima, 96 Maxima, 2000 Maimxa, 2005 Maxima...?

 

I'll be going back to a Honda - probably an Accord EX. The Max has a great engine, no doubt about it. It's a smooth and comfortable cruiser, but, for the 99% of the time when my right foot's not planted on the floor, I much prefer the firmer steering, more refined suspension, and, especially, the shifting of a Honda.

 

will be my own worst enemy It will be fun cutting off all the little sedans though.

 

I was about to trade in my 97 Maxima for the 2000 when it just came out, but I decided not to because I think the 2000 is ugly front and back. I will probably keep my Maxima for a long time because it has yet to give me any trouble. Maybe I will consider getting the 2002 Maxima with the 3.5 V6, or if they make it rwd in the future.

But I would probably get a brand new RX-7 or 300ZX, when either one comes out.

 

Convertable: Boxter, or a used 911 and the last choice is a Z3. If I don't get any of those I will be search for an E320 or E430..

 

I don't like the way the Maxima is going- It is getting bigger and rounder by the year. I liked the look of the 96 and 97 but the 2000 hasn't grown on me yet. With a Stillen body kit it looks alright but I think that it is going to end up like a current SHO. The engine is about the only thing that I like on it.

I test drove the IS 300 for a day at a local Lexus invitational meet and loved it. It kicked the BMW 328 *** as well as the Audi A4 quattro. It is a good looking car that definatley has room for a blower under the hood when I was looking. That car ranks up there as something that I would like to own. Basically anything that I would get would have to have forced induction and be an import. The gas guzzling V8's just doesn't do anything for me anymore when they can be blown away by modded V6's. Mustangs look fast and have a good aftermarket backing but the quality sometimes lacks and the fuel economy sucks. Camaros can be extremely fast with mods but I just don't like them. BMW's are way to expensive for what they are.

I might be looking at one of the following for my next car: A Supra TT with BPU, hopped up Subaru WRX (?), Mitsu Legacy (is that the right one?), RX-7 turbo, 911 Porsche TT, a really used Skyline GTR, or a Lexus IS 300.

 

I don't know for sure what Nissan has planned for the Max,( but we can all hope) but I think its a great car. It may not be the best car out there, but not a lot comes close to it. We don't have that many choices for sport sedans, and I think the Maxima is a good bang for the buck. I think with the right mods, it handles as well as a BMW, and outrun a stock M3 or GS400, ( I need a SC) and the bill comes out to much less. Lexus is nice, BMW's demand quite a bit of resepect, but I think the Maxima does too. I still want an M3, or a GS 400, but I'm pretty sure there will always be a maxima in my garage....

 

I'm a maxima enthusiast
I'm only 19 and i've owned the following cars
85 Max maroon 114K miles pos everytihng in it was broken
then
85 Max silver 70K miles YES ANOTHER ONE
then
92 Max GXE maroon 60K miles i'm about to sell it sob..
now
95 Max SE 95K miles and i love it i don't know how i lived without the DOHC motor

so i'll be keeping this till i get out of college prob 3 more years..

After that who knows what cars will be available but i really like the S4 right now.

Ant

 

IS300 is better value for the money, and has the potential to go twin turbo. But stock wise, I doubt it kicks 328 *** performance wise.

Sure modded V6 can blow away stock V8, what if V8 gets modded too??
12.01 in 1/4m for supercharged GS400?
Afterall it's still hard to blow away stock V8 like M5/E55 with modded V6.

 

Maybe coilover is much better than H&R/Tokico combo, cuz my Maxima with that setup was no where near the handling of a stock BMW, go test drive on, you will understand.
By the time you really have a M3 and a GS400 in your garage, trust me you won't want a Maxima in there too, people think differently when circumstance changes

 

I love them. Never said I didn't. But, If I can have a fun, great driving car for less, why not. I don't have a huge disposible income like some, I have a family to take care of. While I as of now could afford an M3, (I looked at buying one while living in NYC) I chose not to. Good thing to, because I had to relocate to take care of my parents. Instead of being stuck with a nice monthly payment,I got a great deal on a 95 Max, and have spent my spare income on modding the hell out of it as I can, and have been able to take care of my more important responsibilities. I agree. There will always be cars out there I can't beat. That's true though for just about ALL of us. There are Ferrari's that get beat by modded Eclipses! That but burn they're asses! The point is we can't outdo everyone else, no matter how much we try or spend, so why spend all our money trying. I love cars, don't get my wrong, but there are so many other things in life, why spend it all on one thing.

 

*sigh* next time around, i will NOT get another maxima...

i think by the time i'm old enough for a new place/full time job, i might grow out of the modding thing and see myself in a 3 series or A4...

BUT, if i get lucky, i'll buy me a skyline .. heh.. and live in it. :P

 

I may have a Maxima in the garage for the rest of my life.
My wife has 4 criteria for her car - "4 doors", "5 speed", "any color except white", "Not too big, but not too small".

For the money, you just can't beat the Maxima when it comes to fun, reliability, and performance.

 

Probably either an S4 6-speed, a convertible M3 5-spd, or an IS300 6-spd and drop the Supra twin turbo's on it! I've seen it done before on an SC300, so why not a IS300?!

 

Since I found out in Atlanta that I fit the Maxima demographics, I'm reconsidering. A blue Anniversary edition would be nice.... but do I wait for the 3.5 engine in 2002. The Lexus IS300 is nice but I don't want to waste in 80 miles per day on the beltway. And finally the PT Cruiser- definitely the project car... but 22k for a 4 cylinder?? My 90 is still in good shape other than poor paint by Paul's Bodyshop and my wife's old van just got a rebuilt transmission guaranteed for three years. So no hurry- I'll buy when the spirit says buy!

 

I see by far the most popular choices are the main three cars like Audi S4, BMW 3 series, and the Lexus IS 300. I wonder how many will be getting them in a year or so. I personally think you guys have some good choices of cars lined up. Hey maybe one day in the future we can have a meet with all former Maxima drivers!! I think it will be fun. Why limit to just one kind of cars? Somebody should start a club or group for people that like to modify their cars regardless of brand(s). I know there are a few of them started in NY and NJ. Up here in MA there is a group of guys that hangs out together. We own all different kind of cars like Acura, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, BMW, MB, Lexus, etc. Couple of the guys want to start up a meet with some sponsorships from local car dealers and performance shops. I think this can work out for the diverse group we have here. Don't hurt to give it a try, right?

Ken