hopefully i can get some insight from you guys that have the Maxima now.
ive been test driving the new maxima and love it But notice that there is a fair amount of engine noise you can hear when driving and accelerating hard. And i also noticed when driving in sport mode an sometime regular cvt drive mode in light traffic it felt like the transmission was looking for a gear to stay in and felt sluggish. can anyone elaborate on these from driving there cars for a while now..

i come from a 03 honda accord and the car is soo smooth , the engine u cant hear a thing while drving it hard and the tranny shifts smooth...

i love the maxima, maybe i test drove a lemon.? but i did hear alot of engine noise...

 

Try another one at a different dealership. I had a 99 Accord, it was nice, but not even close to my 09 Max.

If you find another one at another dealership and find you don't like it, it could be that it's not what you're looking for.

 

The VQ35DE (that comes in the Maxima) has taken some criticism for being too coarse at times. It's tuned for providing good low to mid-range power, but can sound labored as it approaches redline. Not sure what you felt in light traffic, but in sport mode you might have been reving the engine more than you thought.

Your comment about the Maxima's powertrain being "sluggish" is quite baffling. The CVT provides power on demand and usually your biggest problem is whiplash as the tranny finds the powerband RIGHT NOW. Remember, the CVT is different than any Honda tranny you've ever tried. It doesn't hunt for gears--rather, the flexible steel belt rides between two spindles to make an infinite number of gear ratios. If your right foot stays steady, it looks for the most efficient range to keep the engine in. But put your foot down and it shifts unlike any auto transmission to get you to into the meat of the powerband immediately!

 

I rode in my daughter's brand new today 2009 Accord EX a couple hours ago. I was struck by the high amount of road noise in the cabin compared to my Maxima. The feel of the two cars is far apart in my opinion with the quietness and luxury of ride and interior going to the Maxima by a good margin.

The pumped in intake noise is what you are hearing. I don't like it either. I would prefer a little exhaust noise instead.

At low speeds the CVT coasts around 1100 RPM and is very economical in town because of this lugging. My worst tank has been 23.2 mpg. I agree there is a slight lag in finding the ratio when you push on the gas. In manual mode, it seems hooked up really tight and goes like a bat from Hades with just a little push on the gas. The CVT is supposed to "learn" your driving style so perhaps with repeated accelerations from low speeds it might smooth out.

As suggested, drive it some more and decide if its peculiarities are something you can live with. For me the strengths far outweigh the minor annoyances.

 

great feedback. thank you and thanks guy for all the input..i will also try another delaership and car to drive. i love the maxima, Drove the new Tl and hate the looks and its not as fast as the Maxima..