(without actually buying a BMW).

This is actually a very simple process, which I will lay out in a step-by-step format, including photos. All in all, if your maxima already has a decent suspension setup the final stage of the process should cost less than $2k and you will never again have complaints about your maxima's handling!

So here we go:

First thing (obviously) is to pull the maxima into the garage, jack it up, and make sure you're using jack stands.

 

Second, have a friend give you a ride to go buy an old Jeep Cherokee. Preferably with high miles, a suspension lift, and worn steering, suspension, and brake components...but even an old XJ in good condition will do fine.

 

Third, drive the Cherokee exclusively for a couple of days. Don't turn the radio on! You want to hear all the rattles and noises as well. Make sure to drive on some twisty roads and on the highway!

 

Finally, park the Cherokee and take the maxima off the jack stands.

Go for a drive!

Your maxima will feel like it handles better than a BMW and rides better than a Town Car. Oh, and that one little rattle you've never been able to find? You won't even notice it!

 

Lawls.

After driving the Miata for 6 weeks, my 4th gen felt like a race car.

 

LOL oh hardy har har. someone is in a good mood. I have a 1988 Chevy S10 Blazer for hauling car parts, like the manual tranny sitting the back.

 

eh, so many "how do I make my maxima handle like a BMW" discussions recently, I just couldn't resist

 

lmao good write up!!! I honestly thing this should be sticky'd lol

 

Lulz...

 

... dork....

 

That's how I feel after driving my sister's 99' Honda Civic for a couple of weeks, and then getting back into my car! lol

 

Hey Josh,
Is that cherokee for sale? I dream about owning one!

 

Felt like you were supercharged, didn't it?

 

****in' twin turboed with a stroked motor!

 

lol no, I just bought it couple months ago and have already spent too much money on it.

next week it's getting some 31x10.5s on it though

 

*****

 

I lol'd

 

i lol'd myself to death.

for the greatest thread of all threads...

 

.....

 

Something similar happened to me when I drove my friend's busted 1995 SC300 5M around for a month. His steering blew mine out of the water, but my suspension felt worlds ahead of his (probably due to poor tires, blown suspension, etc).

 

This should be a sticky...LMAO


Hey, how do I make my girl handle like she came from hunts point????

 

How do I make my Hennessy taste like wine?

 

How do you make the Jeep handle/ride like a Maxima?

 

I do this too, lol. When Im feeling like man I need more for the max. I just drive the ole 92 Bonneville aka tank. Once I jump back into the maxima, the suspension feels stiff, it turns on a dime like crazy, gas pedal becomes real sensitive and then you feel the power when you get on it. Nothing like a trick of the mind to get it back in beat.

 

Awesome!


Also, if you don't like Chrysler products, a Ford Ranger is an excellent substitute. I swear that frame has sections made of jello.

 

lol I think im going to try this, dub it the "mental mod"

 

Great post, we need more like it.

 

Great write up.

You can also try another method. Pickup and install a set of blown struts and shocks, put on the factory RSB, lower your tire pressure and go for a ride. Reinstall a your suspension setup and raise the tire pressure to spec and go for a ride.

Cost: Less than the $2k, but you won't end up with a second car.

 

pass her onto 300 of your closest friends and when you get her back she will handle like a pro.

 

Drink better cognac. I prefer Remy Martin XO...and I heat the snifter.

 

Sounds like my solution...Drive a pissed-out Buick Century with bad struts all winter, then switch it up for a Maxima with a fully modified suspension (sans sway bars (coming soon!)). It won't feel like a BMW, it will feel like a freakin' F1 car!

Oh, and 3rd Gen handling > 5th Gen handling any day of the week...

 

depends on what you're doing. On a smooth track, the 5th gen rear is superior, IMO, as it allows more tread to the road and inside tire camber doesn't go positive on turns like with IRS.....

For autocross on parking lots, it's a different story.

Plus 5th gen power makes up for any handling disadvantage vs. 3G

 

Ibmatt

 

That's assuming you have crap soft springs and massive body roll.
get rid of the body roll and have a decent amount of rear camber, and the back end sticks extremely well.

and that power is relative..... you're comparing stock for stock.. talk to the guys that have seen my 3G on track, and you'll hear different than the talk you're spewing.

 

so, you're assuming that people (other than a select few) will actually tune the rear suspension?

Don't get me wrong, the only Maxima in the mid-Atlantic that has beaten me at autocross in 4 year is a 3rd gen (gdmaxse). He was beating me by about 2 seconds typically, with him on r-comps but me on shaved RS2's....BUT, when we had "equal" tires the previous season (and similar suspension setups) he was about 1/2 second slower (and that with the fact tht i will admit HE is a better driver than I am...a rare admission).

Are you saying that you'd be faster on a racecourse than, say, an 02 maxima assuming:
1. driver skills are equal
2. cars are equally modded and setup
3. tires are equal


It's all about who can setup and drive the car best...you know it as well as I do.

 

I'd say they're probably equal in that regard. It would come down to driver. but

ultimately, the 3 gen will do a bit better because of the size difference. overall size is slightly smaller (and lighter)- the 3 g has better aero.... but they can fit the same tires.. the same power to the ground roughly..

at this point we're picking nits. they're going to be basically equal for lap times given the same mods.

 

Conclusion: 3rd gens were ahead of their time while 5th gens were only keeping up with the times.

 

I like that statement... Good way to put it.

 

i know im late to the laugh, but i dont care

 

LMAO!!!!


Great post!