thought i'd share this with my fellow NISSAN heads.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 209
thought i'd share this with my fellow NISSAN heads.
Nice, got to respect the 3rd and 4th gens. Think the 2nd gen shoulda been rep'd there although, this car will continue to have an enthusiast following for some time to come!
Good read.
Cliffs;
1992-1999 Maxima
Nissan has historically positioned the Maxima from a sportier angle compared to its competition. Introduced to the U.S. in 1981, the first Maxima, a rear-drive four-door powered by the same 2.4-liter I-6 found in the 240Z, was sold as the Datsun 810 in its debut year, with "Maxima" being the range-topping trim level. The following year, the 810 moniker was dropped completely. But sedan shoppers were in for more confusion when Datsun itself changed names in 1984, and placed both Nissan and Datsun badges on the back of the Maxima in an attempt to make the transition easier for the public. The next model year wiped the slate clean, introducing a second-generation Maxima for 1985. With the car now sporting a 3.0-liter V-6 and front-wheel drive, the template for the modern Maxima was beginning to take shape.
Fast-forward to 1992. The less-boxy third-generation model has been on the market for three years, and the forced "4DSC" (Four-Door Sports Car) marketing label is becoming an even tougher sell in the face of stiffening competition. How do you inject sportiness back into your flagship sedan? If you're Nissan, you drop a hotter engine into the top model, add a few other performance goodies, and call it a day. The 1992 Maxima SE received a bespoke twin-cam 3.0-liter VE30-series V-6 producing an even 190 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, compared with the lower GXE model's 160 hp and 182 lb-ft from its single-cam 3.0-liter unit. SE models came standard with a five-speed manual, and with that transmission also enjoyed a viscous limited-slip differential and torque-optimizing variable intake runners.
The third-generation model was also the last Maxima to employ an independent multi-link rear suspension, until the sixth-gen model adopted the setup years later. Acceleration in the SE model was strong for the day, and matched by few cars in its class. But handling was never one of this generation's strong suits. In a 1992 comparison test between a Maxima SE, Mazda 626 ES, and Toyota Camry SE, the Nissan came in dead last, largely due to its just so-so handling ability. That performance shortcoming would be addressed in the next-gen model
Though the VE30 engine had the power to take on the best V-6s of the day, its bloodline ended with the third-gen SE, giving way to the mighty VQ family of engines. On paper, the engines appear similar, but the aluminum-block VQ30 is the VE30's superior in almost every way imaginable. Horsepower is identical to its predecessor, though torque was increased to a solid 205 lb-ft. The new engine also gave the Maxima a more usable torque curve, and power delivery was now smoother thanks to lighter internals.
All fourth-generation Maximas received this engine, making the differences between the trim levels less dramatic. Handling was markedly improved, despite this car utilizing a solid beam rear axle. The fourth-generation Maxima had all the right stuff, and we recognized its improvements by naming it Import Car of the Year for 1995. Enthusiasts of a certain age will likely remember this generation in particular, as they probably knew someone who owned one. The Maxima is a quick, practical means of transportation that can easily be found on the used car market for very little money. And with a large tuner following and decent aftermarket support, it's hard to deny the Maxima enthusiast-car status.
Our take on the 1992 Nissan Maxima SE:
"...Nissan's aggressive move to keep the Maxima SE in line with constantly improving alternatives should pay dividends. The latest changes go a long way toward making an exceptionally nice tourer into a bona fide performance four-door."
Our decidedly '90s-inspired take on the 1995 Nissan Maxima SE:
"I catch the opposing driver's eye as I hand my five-year-old her Barney doll. He looks back with disdain at the pencil-neck, Rogaine-using, child-strung conservative in a boring car he doesn't recognize. His error. (I whisper, "Hang on kids." But, familiar with this drill, they're already braced.) At the green I give the punk a hole shot that would make Don "The Snake" Prudhomme proud. Since the Maxima SE blasts 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, even if the other guy's ready -- and good -- I beat him to the merge point. Camille waves the purple dinosaur in his face; from the rear car seat, Jackson, my three-year-old son, gives him a Power Ranger chop."
Cliffs;
1992-1999 Maxima
Nissan has historically positioned the Maxima from a sportier angle compared to its competition. Introduced to the U.S. in 1981, the first Maxima, a rear-drive four-door powered by the same 2.4-liter I-6 found in the 240Z, was sold as the Datsun 810 in its debut year, with "Maxima" being the range-topping trim level. The following year, the 810 moniker was dropped completely. But sedan shoppers were in for more confusion when Datsun itself changed names in 1984, and placed both Nissan and Datsun badges on the back of the Maxima in an attempt to make the transition easier for the public. The next model year wiped the slate clean, introducing a second-generation Maxima for 1985. With the car now sporting a 3.0-liter V-6 and front-wheel drive, the template for the modern Maxima was beginning to take shape.
Fast-forward to 1992. The less-boxy third-generation model has been on the market for three years, and the forced "4DSC" (Four-Door Sports Car) marketing label is becoming an even tougher sell in the face of stiffening competition. How do you inject sportiness back into your flagship sedan? If you're Nissan, you drop a hotter engine into the top model, add a few other performance goodies, and call it a day. The 1992 Maxima SE received a bespoke twin-cam 3.0-liter VE30-series V-6 producing an even 190 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, compared with the lower GXE model's 160 hp and 182 lb-ft from its single-cam 3.0-liter unit. SE models came standard with a five-speed manual, and with that transmission also enjoyed a viscous limited-slip differential and torque-optimizing variable intake runners.
The third-generation model was also the last Maxima to employ an independent multi-link rear suspension, until the sixth-gen model adopted the setup years later. Acceleration in the SE model was strong for the day, and matched by few cars in its class. But handling was never one of this generation's strong suits. In a 1992 comparison test between a Maxima SE, Mazda 626 ES, and Toyota Camry SE, the Nissan came in dead last, largely due to its just so-so handling ability. That performance shortcoming would be addressed in the next-gen model
Though the VE30 engine had the power to take on the best V-6s of the day, its bloodline ended with the third-gen SE, giving way to the mighty VQ family of engines. On paper, the engines appear similar, but the aluminum-block VQ30 is the VE30's superior in almost every way imaginable. Horsepower is identical to its predecessor, though torque was increased to a solid 205 lb-ft. The new engine also gave the Maxima a more usable torque curve, and power delivery was now smoother thanks to lighter internals.
All fourth-generation Maximas received this engine, making the differences between the trim levels less dramatic. Handling was markedly improved, despite this car utilizing a solid beam rear axle. The fourth-generation Maxima had all the right stuff, and we recognized its improvements by naming it Import Car of the Year for 1995. Enthusiasts of a certain age will likely remember this generation in particular, as they probably knew someone who owned one. The Maxima is a quick, practical means of transportation that can easily be found on the used car market for very little money. And with a large tuner following and decent aftermarket support, it's hard to deny the Maxima enthusiast-car status.
Our take on the 1992 Nissan Maxima SE:
"...Nissan's aggressive move to keep the Maxima SE in line with constantly improving alternatives should pay dividends. The latest changes go a long way toward making an exceptionally nice tourer into a bona fide performance four-door."
Our decidedly '90s-inspired take on the 1995 Nissan Maxima SE:
"I catch the opposing driver's eye as I hand my five-year-old her Barney doll. He looks back with disdain at the pencil-neck, Rogaine-using, child-strung conservative in a boring car he doesn't recognize. His error. (I whisper, "Hang on kids." But, familiar with this drill, they're already braced.) At the green I give the punk a hole shot that would make Don "The Snake" Prudhomme proud. Since the Maxima SE blasts 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, even if the other guy's ready -- and good -- I beat him to the merge point. Camille waves the purple dinosaur in his face; from the rear car seat, Jackson, my three-year-old son, gives him a Power Ranger chop."
The Maxima is a quick, practical means of transportation that can easily be found on the used car market for very little money. And with a large tuner following and decent aftermarket support, it's hard to deny the Maxima enthusiast-car status.
Dr J
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 75
That was a pretty good read! Brought up some good memories of when I was mesmorized by the 200SX as a kid, had a 280ZX while on active duty, and almost traded in my Mustang for a 300ZX. I had no idea that the GTR was so powerful! I consider myself a car guy, but I had a co-worker that talked about the Skyline so much that I was sick of the car by the time it was brought over.
I was gonna ask if they had any other articles about other brands... Here's 1 for Toyotas
http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...nt_and_future/
My family has had as many Toyotas as Nissans.
Dr J
http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...nt_and_future/
My family has had as many Toyotas as Nissans.
Dr J
I personally think the maxima went in the wrong direction after the early 5th gens. What made the maxima stand out was its different look. The 6th gen and up got big and bulky with smoother lines. Dont get me wrong, it kept the performance but the look went all wrong. My dad owned an old Datsun Z car and now I own a 4th gen and he owns a 5th gen. Great article of the early history and engine dev
Well as I quoted above, the enthusiasts and aftermarket support have more quantity for the newer Maximas. Not too many cars, enthusiasts, or mods for the 1st and 2nd gens. 3rds are holding, some new products for the 4th gens, but the newer ones are definitely getting more fun stuff! The 10 year old cars are phasing out, probably shipped to a 3rd world country, if not the junk yards. You guys with 5th gens and newer are getting the residuals of what the 3rd and 4th gen guys created, and I think that's what the article was trying to say.
Dr J
Dr J
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