Pulled the trigger on an 08 SE!!!
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Thanks.. Haven't gotten pics yet since its already dirty. Ugh.. The joys of buying a car in the winter. Here are the specs so far. Its dark slate with a moon roof. The addition package would've been nice but I couldn't justify the extra 3K. 
I'd like to upgrade the stereo but not sure what my options are yet since the console is a little odd looking..
I'd like to upgrade the stereo but not sure what my options are yet since the console is a little odd looking..
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Joined: Jun 2002
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haha.. I'll get pics on here hopefully tomorrow. Its snowing right now so we'll see how that turns out.
Not sure if there is a difference between the 07 and 08. I was looking for an 07 initially but the 08 just fell on my lap.
I absolutely love it. I also get a good workout when I go shopping since I end up parking as far as I can.
I absolutely love it. I have the SE and its smooth ride, how much smoother is the SL I wonder?
yeah, I told him one of my requirements was to have a functional roof. Once you have a moonroof, its hard to go back.
Not sure if there is a difference between the 07 and 08. I was looking for an 07 initially but the 08 just fell on my lap.
I absolutely love it. I also get a good workout when I go shopping since I end up parking as far as I can.
I absolutely love it. I have the SE and its smooth ride, how much smoother is the SL I wonder?
yeah, I told him one of my requirements was to have a functional roof. Once you have a moonroof, its hard to go back.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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no.. no MT. I THINK since they introduced the CVT, they did away with it. Not sure why...
oh. do you guys know what the SpeedSense function is? The manual doesn't say much about it. I know that it adjusts the sound in relation to speed but not sure in which order. Faster = Louder? :-)
oh. do you guys know what the SpeedSense function is? The manual doesn't say much about it. I know that it adjusts the sound in relation to speed but not sure in which order. Faster = Louder? :-)
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 603
From: Philadelphia
no.. no MT. I THINK since they introduced the CVT, they did away with it. Not sure why...
oh. do you guys know what the SpeedSense function is? The manual doesn't say much about it. I know that it adjusts the sound in relation to speed but not sure in which order. Faster = Louder? :-)
oh. do you guys know what the SpeedSense function is? The manual doesn't say much about it. I know that it adjusts the sound in relation to speed but not sure in which order. Faster = Louder? :-)
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Congrats! The '08 is a fine automobile.
You asked how much better the SL rides? The SL definitely rides less firmly than the SE, which is much appreciated by us old folks and by many who use the Maxima as a family car. But if the SE ride is not too harsh for you, it gives slightly better lateral maneuverability at speed than the SL. You can somewhat control both ride and/or maneuverability via close watch on the tire PSI. The recommeneds PSI for the SE is 32, which rides rather comfortably. But some here go several pounds higher in order to maximize lateral maneuverability, as well as improve the MPG just a touch.
As to '07 vs '08, they are exactly the same except Nissan has changed the way they handle the Driver Preferred Package on the '08. That only concerns you if your SE is loaded with all options (other than Nav).
Yes, the only tranny on any Maxima after the '06 is the CVT, which takes some adjusting to, but seems to be holding up well so far.
Afterlife - The '09 gets much more than a facelift; it will be an entirely different vehicle than the Maxima we have grown to love. It will be very powerful, very plush, but with a sports suspension, and will be a clear step up in both performance and price.
The primary reason Nissan took the manual tranny out of ther Maxima is because they will now consider the Maxima to be their luxury flagship, no longer an easily affordable and moddable 4DSC. That niche was filled the more affordable, strong and reliable 3.5 Altima, which can be had with manual tranny.
As the introduction of the '09 seems to have been pushed back to maybe March, with arrival at dealer lots probably not until summer, your '08 will be 'the latest and greatest' for another half-year or more, and should be very reliable. I personally feel the 6th gen Maxima is a very stylish vehicle. Again, congrats!
You asked how much better the SL rides? The SL definitely rides less firmly than the SE, which is much appreciated by us old folks and by many who use the Maxima as a family car. But if the SE ride is not too harsh for you, it gives slightly better lateral maneuverability at speed than the SL. You can somewhat control both ride and/or maneuverability via close watch on the tire PSI. The recommeneds PSI for the SE is 32, which rides rather comfortably. But some here go several pounds higher in order to maximize lateral maneuverability, as well as improve the MPG just a touch.
As to '07 vs '08, they are exactly the same except Nissan has changed the way they handle the Driver Preferred Package on the '08. That only concerns you if your SE is loaded with all options (other than Nav).
Yes, the only tranny on any Maxima after the '06 is the CVT, which takes some adjusting to, but seems to be holding up well so far.
Afterlife - The '09 gets much more than a facelift; it will be an entirely different vehicle than the Maxima we have grown to love. It will be very powerful, very plush, but with a sports suspension, and will be a clear step up in both performance and price.
The primary reason Nissan took the manual tranny out of ther Maxima is because they will now consider the Maxima to be their luxury flagship, no longer an easily affordable and moddable 4DSC. That niche was filled the more affordable, strong and reliable 3.5 Altima, which can be had with manual tranny.
As the introduction of the '09 seems to have been pushed back to maybe March, with arrival at dealer lots probably not until summer, your '08 will be 'the latest and greatest' for another half-year or more, and should be very reliable. I personally feel the 6th gen Maxima is a very stylish vehicle. Again, congrats!
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thanks lightonthehill.. Good Info there.
I never really thought about the PSI affecting the ride that much. Something to keep an eye on if I ever feel that the ride changes.
As for the 09, I saw a preview of it and I'm just ok with it. Then again. as with anything, I'm sure I'll end up loving it. I have a feeling that I'll keep this one for a while though. I had a 1997 Maxima SE that got totaled by the insurance so I had to buy something. Check this.. I bought it in 1998 with 40K miles on it. I drove it throughout college and enjoyed not having a car payment...10 years and 216K miles later, I ended up rear ending an explorer because he decided to slow to a stop in the fast lane to see if the guy in the breakdown lane was putting the spare on correctly. ;-) So, that sucked. I had antifreeze leaking everywhere, hood all pushed up...however, it still started up and drove ok to get into the breakdown lane. I digress...
I'm pretty brand loyal so I decided to stick with this make/model. My wife has a new Nissan as well. I've read that this is the best engine Nissan has built, I hope so.
Can't wait for the summer to enjoy the car.
As for the speedsense, I guess thats a good thing? Not sure if I would have much use for it but I'm sure I'll figure out the pros and cons of that one day. If need be, the mute button is within reach.
I'm not a big fan of how they work the packages. I mentioned it before that I wanted the xenon lights, but for me to get it, I would have to upgrade to another package. Bringing the price to the next class of cars. Ugh.
I never really thought about the PSI affecting the ride that much. Something to keep an eye on if I ever feel that the ride changes.
As for the 09, I saw a preview of it and I'm just ok with it. Then again. as with anything, I'm sure I'll end up loving it. I have a feeling that I'll keep this one for a while though. I had a 1997 Maxima SE that got totaled by the insurance so I had to buy something. Check this.. I bought it in 1998 with 40K miles on it. I drove it throughout college and enjoyed not having a car payment...10 years and 216K miles later, I ended up rear ending an explorer because he decided to slow to a stop in the fast lane to see if the guy in the breakdown lane was putting the spare on correctly. ;-) So, that sucked. I had antifreeze leaking everywhere, hood all pushed up...however, it still started up and drove ok to get into the breakdown lane. I digress...
I'm pretty brand loyal so I decided to stick with this make/model. My wife has a new Nissan as well. I've read that this is the best engine Nissan has built, I hope so.
Can't wait for the summer to enjoy the car.
As for the speedsense, I guess thats a good thing? Not sure if I would have much use for it but I'm sure I'll figure out the pros and cons of that one day. If need be, the mute button is within reach.
I'm not a big fan of how they work the packages. I mentioned it before that I wanted the xenon lights, but for me to get it, I would have to upgrade to another package. Bringing the price to the next class of cars. Ugh.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,795
From: LA/OC, CA
I like the 6th gen maximas but I don't like the way they sag in the back. If you load it up with passengers, it's going to look like it's springs are worn out. I wish they would raise the back part, or atleast lower the front. 5th gen maxima had a perfect balance.
just so you know.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
teeezemaxSE - Very nice car, but holy smokes at all that snow! We don't know what all that white stuff is down here south of Atlanta. In fact, until the last ten days of December, we went a year with virtually no precipitation of any kind falling from the sky; driest spring on record, driest summer on record and driest fall on record. Wash your car here and get a $1000 fine and your water cut off and the meter locked.
You mentioned seeing a preview of the '09 Maxima. There has been no preview of the '09 Maxima. Half the folks on this board have searched the internet for months for any spy photo, and there have been none. What you may have seen is the odd-looking aqua thingie with suicide doors that some misinformed soul proclaimed as the '09 Maxima. Be assured that is not the '09 Maxima.
It must be nice to live where you can wash your vehicle (as soon as the weather clears). That slate color has a real touch of class to it. I think it looks more 'upscale' than even the sharp-looking black.
As you get a little older, or worse, very old and feeble (like me), you will come to appreciate the many extras in the package you were not quite ready for. For the SE, that package not only adds HID headlamps; it also adds a rear sonar system (for backing up), heated outside mirrors (won't fog up), power folding auto dimming outside mirrors with tilt down in reverse (great for an old geezer who can no longer turn his head), Bluetooth Hands-Free phone system, drivers seat entry-exit system (a blessing for someone with two bad knees and a bad back - like me), drivers seat power lumbar system, heated steering wheel (I'll NEVER own a car without this), power tilt and power telescoping steering column with memory function, and a comprehensive memory system - drivers seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors (two memory settings each, remote control activated). That last system enables my wife and I to switch drivers and properly adjust everything with the tap of one button.
All those goodies are sort of excess baggage to a young, agile, 'take control' sort of driver, but are an unbelievably appreciated God-send to an old creaky fart like me. I would have paid an extra $1000 just for the heated steering wheel alone, and I keep it on eight months of the year. When you reach my age, you will understand.
And thanks for the quick picture.
You mentioned seeing a preview of the '09 Maxima. There has been no preview of the '09 Maxima. Half the folks on this board have searched the internet for months for any spy photo, and there have been none. What you may have seen is the odd-looking aqua thingie with suicide doors that some misinformed soul proclaimed as the '09 Maxima. Be assured that is not the '09 Maxima.
It must be nice to live where you can wash your vehicle (as soon as the weather clears). That slate color has a real touch of class to it. I think it looks more 'upscale' than even the sharp-looking black.
As you get a little older, or worse, very old and feeble (like me), you will come to appreciate the many extras in the package you were not quite ready for. For the SE, that package not only adds HID headlamps; it also adds a rear sonar system (for backing up), heated outside mirrors (won't fog up), power folding auto dimming outside mirrors with tilt down in reverse (great for an old geezer who can no longer turn his head), Bluetooth Hands-Free phone system, drivers seat entry-exit system (a blessing for someone with two bad knees and a bad back - like me), drivers seat power lumbar system, heated steering wheel (I'll NEVER own a car without this), power tilt and power telescoping steering column with memory function, and a comprehensive memory system - drivers seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors (two memory settings each, remote control activated). That last system enables my wife and I to switch drivers and properly adjust everything with the tap of one button.
All those goodies are sort of excess baggage to a young, agile, 'take control' sort of driver, but are an unbelievably appreciated God-send to an old creaky fart like me. I would have paid an extra $1000 just for the heated steering wheel alone, and I keep it on eight months of the year. When you reach my age, you will understand.
And thanks for the quick picture.
I understand that, but if you load up a 5th & 6th gen Maxima with passengers, the 6th gen is going to sag in the back more. Why Nissan did not realize this, is beyond me. If I owned a 6th gen Maxima, my first mod would be to lower the front only, or raise the back.
Its funny becasue I own 2 maxima"s. My wife got hers first and has the hid"s,bluetooth etc... When I got mine I didnt pay to much attention and later figured out I didnt have the hid"s etc.. I was bummed so I had to mod mine and be different.
Originally Posted by lightonthehill
The primary reason Nissan took the manual tranny out of ther Maxima is because they will now consider the Maxima to be their luxury flagship, no longer an easily affordable and moddable 4DSC.
Indeed.
2000-2003 wheel well height:
Front: 28 1/16"
Rear: 27 1/4"
source: http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/sp..._decision.html
I wonder how big the difference is with the 6th gens?
2000-2003 wheel well height:
Front: 28 1/16"
Rear: 27 1/4"
source: http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/sp..._decision.html
I wonder how big the difference is with the 6th gens?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 89
From: High Point, NC
Congrats on the car. I have had my 07 SE now for 7 months and am very happy with it.
I do agree with others, there needs to be more of a balance in the ride height front to rear. The front is too high in comparison to the rear. I would love to fix this, but seldom have people in the back of my car, so for now I can live with it.
I do agree with others, there needs to be more of a balance in the ride height front to rear. The front is too high in comparison to the rear. I would love to fix this, but seldom have people in the back of my car, so for now I can live with it.
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From: Peoria, Arizona