Interesting Maxima story and Max vs. 300c comparison
Interesting Maxima story and Max vs. 300c comparison
OK, so first the story. On Thursday morning I scheduled service on my Maxima. I figured it was time to take care of the CVT flash, creaking dual panel roof, rocking seat, etc. So I took the car in and I was told that after 1st year the roof torquing is an adjustment and I would have to pay for it. They agreed to do the seat since it involved a part and to look into the CVT issue. I got a ride back to my house by the dealership. All seems well so far.
I get a call a few hours later. The service adviser tells me that the tech doesn't believe anything is wrong with the CVT. He then tells me oh by the way our techs got into an ACCIDENT WITH YOUR CAR. Now, here my wife insists I should have been more pissed but I wasn't. I was actually more upset about the fact that they were denying the CVT flash. They assured me that they would have the car repaired and would pay for the rental in the meantime.
So to shorten an already long story I went and saw my Maxima and it was hit on the front passenger side. Fender, bumper need replacing and the light will have to be replaced as well even though it only got a small crack in it. They sent me to enterprise to pick up a rental. The only thing on the lot that even came close was the 300c so I picked it up. Having driven it for the last few days I can say the following:
Interior:
300C is roomier both in the front and rear seats. The seating is more full and luxurious and less stiff and sporty like the max is. The steering wheel is massive and has a nice powerful feel to it. Both front seats have heating and cooling. Steering wheel has heating. REAR SEATS have HEATING. The cup holder cooler/heater option is nice and it really works. The pedals are adjustable.
Technology:
The nav is a garmin and I found it nice and clear and precise on the 8" screen. Everything is integrated really nicely. Most options, seat heating, rear sunshade, etc are all built into the touchscreen display. Rear camera works well. Seat memory was nice and the adjustable pedals is a nice touch.
Most of the tech is one for one with the Maxima in functionality. However, the central integration in the 300 is a nice touch. The rear-view camera is clearly a better quality on the Maxima. I should also note that the rear windshield is small and has a restrictive view on the 300. I much prefer the Maxima for this.
Exterior:
Okay so this might be apples and oranges, or rather just very subjective. I love my Maxima. I think the design is on par with higher-end vehicles and stands out on the road. But there is something about the 300 in black with the front led running lamps that gets more heads to turn. Not that I care for it but I did notice it. In speaking to my neighbors I found that the general perception was that the 300 was a more expensive vehicle. A neighbor thought I got a promotion at work and bought the car! Still, for me the chrome is overwhelming on the 300. I like the uni-body appearance and very stocky heavy look of the 300 but overall I much prefer the Euro/Japanese design of the Maxima.
Drive:
This is definitely where the two cars are very different. The maxima is sporty while the 300 is a big boat. In the Maxima I felt lower to the ground. Control and steering response was very accurate and there was a feel of the road through the steering wheel. The bumps felt harder but everything felt stiffer. I like that sportiness.
The 300 is completely out of touch with the road. You are floating on a cloud. The steering is very fluid - maybe too fluid. The suspension is like air and the rear bounces on bumps. Hard bumps actually cause a little shift in the steering. It's nice if you like the no feel of the road, floating on air feeling but as a driver it's way too detached for me.
Power is good in the car. Hard to compare an acutal transmission to a CVT but after driving the 300 I do miss the no shifting of the CVT.
There is more detail I can go into but overall I have to say that the 300 is a very nice car if you want luxury over sportiness. It's a car that would compete with Lincolns and Cadillacs. Maybe later in life I would enjoy this kind of drive. But aside from that I wouldn't mind the interior of the 300 being transplanted into the Maxima. Well supporting seats, adjustable everything, great navi system and everything centrally integrated. Get the v8 and I think it will be a beast.
I get a call a few hours later. The service adviser tells me that the tech doesn't believe anything is wrong with the CVT. He then tells me oh by the way our techs got into an ACCIDENT WITH YOUR CAR. Now, here my wife insists I should have been more pissed but I wasn't. I was actually more upset about the fact that they were denying the CVT flash. They assured me that they would have the car repaired and would pay for the rental in the meantime.
So to shorten an already long story I went and saw my Maxima and it was hit on the front passenger side. Fender, bumper need replacing and the light will have to be replaced as well even though it only got a small crack in it. They sent me to enterprise to pick up a rental. The only thing on the lot that even came close was the 300c so I picked it up. Having driven it for the last few days I can say the following:
Interior:
300C is roomier both in the front and rear seats. The seating is more full and luxurious and less stiff and sporty like the max is. The steering wheel is massive and has a nice powerful feel to it. Both front seats have heating and cooling. Steering wheel has heating. REAR SEATS have HEATING. The cup holder cooler/heater option is nice and it really works. The pedals are adjustable.
Technology:
The nav is a garmin and I found it nice and clear and precise on the 8" screen. Everything is integrated really nicely. Most options, seat heating, rear sunshade, etc are all built into the touchscreen display. Rear camera works well. Seat memory was nice and the adjustable pedals is a nice touch.
Most of the tech is one for one with the Maxima in functionality. However, the central integration in the 300 is a nice touch. The rear-view camera is clearly a better quality on the Maxima. I should also note that the rear windshield is small and has a restrictive view on the 300. I much prefer the Maxima for this.
Exterior:
Okay so this might be apples and oranges, or rather just very subjective. I love my Maxima. I think the design is on par with higher-end vehicles and stands out on the road. But there is something about the 300 in black with the front led running lamps that gets more heads to turn. Not that I care for it but I did notice it. In speaking to my neighbors I found that the general perception was that the 300 was a more expensive vehicle. A neighbor thought I got a promotion at work and bought the car! Still, for me the chrome is overwhelming on the 300. I like the uni-body appearance and very stocky heavy look of the 300 but overall I much prefer the Euro/Japanese design of the Maxima.
Drive:
This is definitely where the two cars are very different. The maxima is sporty while the 300 is a big boat. In the Maxima I felt lower to the ground. Control and steering response was very accurate and there was a feel of the road through the steering wheel. The bumps felt harder but everything felt stiffer. I like that sportiness.
The 300 is completely out of touch with the road. You are floating on a cloud. The steering is very fluid - maybe too fluid. The suspension is like air and the rear bounces on bumps. Hard bumps actually cause a little shift in the steering. It's nice if you like the no feel of the road, floating on air feeling but as a driver it's way too detached for me.
Power is good in the car. Hard to compare an acutal transmission to a CVT but after driving the 300 I do miss the no shifting of the CVT.
There is more detail I can go into but overall I have to say that the 300 is a very nice car if you want luxury over sportiness. It's a car that would compete with Lincolns and Cadillacs. Maybe later in life I would enjoy this kind of drive. But aside from that I wouldn't mind the interior of the 300 being transplanted into the Maxima. Well supporting seats, adjustable everything, great navi system and everything centrally integrated. Get the v8 and I think it will be a beast.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 171
OK, so first the story. On Thursday morning I scheduled service on my Maxima. I figured it was time to take care of the CVT flash, creaking dual panel roof, rocking seat, etc. So I took the car in and I was told that after 1st year the roof torquing is an adjustment and I would have to pay for it. They agreed to do the seat since it involved a part and to look into the CVT issue. I got a ride back to my house by the dealership. All seems well so far.
I get a call a few hours later. The service adviser tells me that the tech doesn't believe anything is wrong with the CVT. He then tells me oh by the way our techs got into an ACCIDENT WITH YOUR CAR. Now, here my wife insists I should have been more pissed but I wasn't. I was actually more upset about the fact that they were denying the CVT flash. They assured me that they would have the car repaired and would pay for the rental in the meantime.
So to shorten an already long story I went and saw my Maxima and it was hit on the front passenger side. Fender, bumper need replacing and the light will have to be replaced as well even though it only got a small crack in it. They sent me to enterprise to pick up a rental. The only thing on the lot that even came close was the 300c so I picked it up. Having driven it for the last few days I can say the following:
Interior:
300C is roomier both in the front and rear seats. The seating is more full and luxurious and less stiff and sporty like the max is. The steering wheel is massive and has a nice powerful feel to it. Both front seats have heating and cooling. Steering wheel has heating. REAR SEATS have HEATING. The cup holder cooler/heater option is nice and it really works. The pedals are adjustable.
Technology:
The nav is a garmin and I found it nice and clear and precise on the 8" screen. Everything is integrated really nicely. Most options, seat heating, rear sunshade, etc are all built into the touchscreen display. Rear camera works well. Seat memory was nice and the adjustable pedals is a nice touch.
Most of the tech is one for one with the Maxima in functionality. However, the central integration in the 300 is a nice touch. The rear-view camera is clearly a better quality on the Maxima. I should also note that the rear windshield is small and has a restrictive view on the 300. I much prefer the Maxima for this.
Exterior:
Okay so this might be apples and oranges, or rather just very subjective. I love my Maxima. I think the design is on par with higher-end vehicles and stands out on the road. But there is something about the 300 in black with the front led running lamps that gets more heads to turn. Not that I care for it but I did notice it. In speaking to my neighbors I found that the general perception was that the 300 was a more expensive vehicle. A neighbor thought I got a promotion at work and bought the car! Still, for me the chrome is overwhelming on the 300. I like the uni-body appearance and very stocky heavy look of the 300 but overall I much prefer the Euro/Japanese design of the Maxima.
Drive:
This is definitely where the two cars are very different. The maxima is sporty while the 300 is a big boat. In the Maxima I felt lower to the ground. Control and steering response was very accurate and there was a feel of the road through the steering wheel. The bumps felt harder but everything felt stiffer. I like that sportiness.
The 300 is completely out of touch with the road. You are floating on a cloud. The steering is very fluid - maybe too fluid. The suspension is like air and the rear bounces on bumps. Hard bumps actually cause a little shift in the steering. It's nice if you like the no feel of the road, floating on air feeling but as a driver it's way too detached for me.
Power is good in the car. Hard to compare an acutal transmission to a CVT but after driving the 300 I do miss the no shifting of the CVT.
There is more detail I can go into but overall I have to say that the 300 is a very nice car if you want luxury over sportiness. It's a car that would compete with Lincolns and Cadillacs. Maybe later in life I would enjoy this kind of drive. But aside from that I wouldn't mind the interior of the 300 being transplanted into the Maxima. Well supporting seats, adjustable everything, great navi system and everything centrally integrated. Get the v8 and I think it will be a beast.
I get a call a few hours later. The service adviser tells me that the tech doesn't believe anything is wrong with the CVT. He then tells me oh by the way our techs got into an ACCIDENT WITH YOUR CAR. Now, here my wife insists I should have been more pissed but I wasn't. I was actually more upset about the fact that they were denying the CVT flash. They assured me that they would have the car repaired and would pay for the rental in the meantime.
So to shorten an already long story I went and saw my Maxima and it was hit on the front passenger side. Fender, bumper need replacing and the light will have to be replaced as well even though it only got a small crack in it. They sent me to enterprise to pick up a rental. The only thing on the lot that even came close was the 300c so I picked it up. Having driven it for the last few days I can say the following:
Interior:
300C is roomier both in the front and rear seats. The seating is more full and luxurious and less stiff and sporty like the max is. The steering wheel is massive and has a nice powerful feel to it. Both front seats have heating and cooling. Steering wheel has heating. REAR SEATS have HEATING. The cup holder cooler/heater option is nice and it really works. The pedals are adjustable.
Technology:
The nav is a garmin and I found it nice and clear and precise on the 8" screen. Everything is integrated really nicely. Most options, seat heating, rear sunshade, etc are all built into the touchscreen display. Rear camera works well. Seat memory was nice and the adjustable pedals is a nice touch.
Most of the tech is one for one with the Maxima in functionality. However, the central integration in the 300 is a nice touch. The rear-view camera is clearly a better quality on the Maxima. I should also note that the rear windshield is small and has a restrictive view on the 300. I much prefer the Maxima for this.
Exterior:
Okay so this might be apples and oranges, or rather just very subjective. I love my Maxima. I think the design is on par with higher-end vehicles and stands out on the road. But there is something about the 300 in black with the front led running lamps that gets more heads to turn. Not that I care for it but I did notice it. In speaking to my neighbors I found that the general perception was that the 300 was a more expensive vehicle. A neighbor thought I got a promotion at work and bought the car! Still, for me the chrome is overwhelming on the 300. I like the uni-body appearance and very stocky heavy look of the 300 but overall I much prefer the Euro/Japanese design of the Maxima.
Drive:
This is definitely where the two cars are very different. The maxima is sporty while the 300 is a big boat. In the Maxima I felt lower to the ground. Control and steering response was very accurate and there was a feel of the road through the steering wheel. The bumps felt harder but everything felt stiffer. I like that sportiness.
The 300 is completely out of touch with the road. You are floating on a cloud. The steering is very fluid - maybe too fluid. The suspension is like air and the rear bounces on bumps. Hard bumps actually cause a little shift in the steering. It's nice if you like the no feel of the road, floating on air feeling but as a driver it's way too detached for me.
Power is good in the car. Hard to compare an acutal transmission to a CVT but after driving the 300 I do miss the no shifting of the CVT.
There is more detail I can go into but overall I have to say that the 300 is a very nice car if you want luxury over sportiness. It's a car that would compete with Lincolns and Cadillacs. Maybe later in life I would enjoy this kind of drive. But aside from that I wouldn't mind the interior of the 300 being transplanted into the Maxima. Well supporting seats, adjustable everything, great navi system and everything centrally integrated. Get the v8 and I think it will be a beast.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 171
OK, so first the story. On Thursday morning I scheduled service on my Maxima. I figured it was time to take care of the CVT flash, creaking dual panel roof, rocking seat, etc. So I took the car in and I was told that after 1st year the roof torquing is an adjustment and I would have to pay for it. They agreed to do the seat since it involved a part and to look into the CVT issue. I got a ride back to my house by the dealership. All seems well so far.
I get a call a few hours later. The service adviser tells me that the tech doesn't believe anything is wrong with the CVT. He then tells me oh by the way our techs got into an ACCIDENT WITH YOUR CAR. Now, here my wife insists I should have been more pissed but I wasn't. I was actually more upset about the fact that they were denying the CVT flash. They assured me that they would have the car repaired and would pay for the rental in the meantime.
So to shorten an already long story I went and saw my Maxima and it was hit on the front passenger side. Fender, bumper need replacing and the light will have to be replaced as well even though it only got a small crack in it. They sent me to enterprise to pick up a rental. The only thing on the lot that even came close was the 300c so I picked it up. Having driven it for the last few days I can say the following:
Interior:
300C is roomier both in the front and rear seats. The seating is more full and luxurious and less stiff and sporty like the max is. The steering wheel is massive and has a nice powerful feel to it. Both front seats have heating and cooling. Steering wheel has heating. REAR SEATS have HEATING. The cup holder cooler/heater option is nice and it really works. The pedals are adjustable.
Technology:
The nav is a garmin and I found it nice and clear and precise on the 8" screen. Everything is integrated really nicely. Most options, seat heating, rear sunshade, etc are all built into the touchscreen display. Rear camera works well. Seat memory was nice and the adjustable pedals is a nice touch.
Most of the tech is one for one with the Maxima in functionality. However, the central integration in the 300 is a nice touch. The rear-view camera is clearly a better quality on the Maxima. I should also note that the rear windshield is small and has a restrictive view on the 300. I much prefer the Maxima for this.
Exterior:
Okay so this might be apples and oranges, or rather just very subjective. I love my Maxima. I think the design is on par with higher-end vehicles and stands out on the road. But there is something about the 300 in black with the front led running lamps that gets more heads to turn. Not that I care for it but I did notice it. In speaking to my neighbors I found that the general perception was that the 300 was a more expensive vehicle. A neighbor thought I got a promotion at work and bought the car! Still, for me the chrome is overwhelming on the 300. I like the uni-body appearance and very stocky heavy look of the 300 but overall I much prefer the Euro/Japanese design of the Maxima.
Drive:
This is definitely where the two cars are very different. The maxima is sporty while the 300 is a big boat. In the Maxima I felt lower to the ground. Control and steering response was very accurate and there was a feel of the road through the steering wheel. The bumps felt harder but everything felt stiffer. I like that sportiness.
The 300 is completely out of touch with the road. You are floating on a cloud. The steering is very fluid - maybe too fluid. The suspension is like air and the rear bounces on bumps. Hard bumps actually cause a little shift in the steering. It's nice if you like the no feel of the road, floating on air feeling but as a driver it's way too detached for me.
Power is good in the car. Hard to compare an acutal transmission to a CVT but after driving the 300 I do miss the no shifting of the CVT.
There is more detail I can go into but overall I have to say that the 300 is a very nice car if you want luxury over sportiness. It's a car that would compete with Lincolns and Cadillacs. Maybe later in life I would enjoy this kind of drive. But aside from that I wouldn't mind the interior of the 300 being transplanted into the Maxima. Well supporting seats, adjustable everything, great navi system and everything centrally integrated. Get the v8 and I think it will be a beast.
I get a call a few hours later. The service adviser tells me that the tech doesn't believe anything is wrong with the CVT. He then tells me oh by the way our techs got into an ACCIDENT WITH YOUR CAR. Now, here my wife insists I should have been more pissed but I wasn't. I was actually more upset about the fact that they were denying the CVT flash. They assured me that they would have the car repaired and would pay for the rental in the meantime.
So to shorten an already long story I went and saw my Maxima and it was hit on the front passenger side. Fender, bumper need replacing and the light will have to be replaced as well even though it only got a small crack in it. They sent me to enterprise to pick up a rental. The only thing on the lot that even came close was the 300c so I picked it up. Having driven it for the last few days I can say the following:
Interior:
300C is roomier both in the front and rear seats. The seating is more full and luxurious and less stiff and sporty like the max is. The steering wheel is massive and has a nice powerful feel to it. Both front seats have heating and cooling. Steering wheel has heating. REAR SEATS have HEATING. The cup holder cooler/heater option is nice and it really works. The pedals are adjustable.
Technology:
The nav is a garmin and I found it nice and clear and precise on the 8" screen. Everything is integrated really nicely. Most options, seat heating, rear sunshade, etc are all built into the touchscreen display. Rear camera works well. Seat memory was nice and the adjustable pedals is a nice touch.
Most of the tech is one for one with the Maxima in functionality. However, the central integration in the 300 is a nice touch. The rear-view camera is clearly a better quality on the Maxima. I should also note that the rear windshield is small and has a restrictive view on the 300. I much prefer the Maxima for this.
Exterior:
Okay so this might be apples and oranges, or rather just very subjective. I love my Maxima. I think the design is on par with higher-end vehicles and stands out on the road. But there is something about the 300 in black with the front led running lamps that gets more heads to turn. Not that I care for it but I did notice it. In speaking to my neighbors I found that the general perception was that the 300 was a more expensive vehicle. A neighbor thought I got a promotion at work and bought the car! Still, for me the chrome is overwhelming on the 300. I like the uni-body appearance and very stocky heavy look of the 300 but overall I much prefer the Euro/Japanese design of the Maxima.
Drive:
This is definitely where the two cars are very different. The maxima is sporty while the 300 is a big boat. In the Maxima I felt lower to the ground. Control and steering response was very accurate and there was a feel of the road through the steering wheel. The bumps felt harder but everything felt stiffer. I like that sportiness.
The 300 is completely out of touch with the road. You are floating on a cloud. The steering is very fluid - maybe too fluid. The suspension is like air and the rear bounces on bumps. Hard bumps actually cause a little shift in the steering. It's nice if you like the no feel of the road, floating on air feeling but as a driver it's way too detached for me.
Power is good in the car. Hard to compare an acutal transmission to a CVT but after driving the 300 I do miss the no shifting of the CVT.
There is more detail I can go into but overall I have to say that the 300 is a very nice car if you want luxury over sportiness. It's a car that would compete with Lincolns and Cadillacs. Maybe later in life I would enjoy this kind of drive. But aside from that I wouldn't mind the interior of the 300 being transplanted into the Maxima. Well supporting seats, adjustable everything, great navi system and everything centrally integrated. Get the v8 and I think it will be a beast.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 340
From: Long Island, NY
My friend has one with the 20" rims and it rides like a luxury car, very soft like a Caddy. The only one worth it would prob be the SRT w/ a tighter suspension but then you're talking $10K+... The 300 doesnt compare to the Max. Depends on if your looking for lux or sporty.
Edit: The interior is disgusting (no offence). Its typical american interior all plastic etc. I've had a thunderbird, 2 Lincoln LS's, and a Lincoln Mark LT.. so I know the chees interior
Edit: The interior is disgusting (no offence). Its typical american interior all plastic etc. I've had a thunderbird, 2 Lincoln LS's, and a Lincoln Mark LT.. so I know the chees interior
Last edited by Fundem; Aug 21, 2012 at 10:23 AM.
My friend has one with the 20" rims and it rides like a luxury car, very soft like a Caddy. The only one worth it would prob be the SRT w/ a tighter suspension but then you're talking $10K+... The 300 doesnt compare to the Max. Depends on if your looking for lux or sporty.
Edit: The interior is disgusting (no offence). Its typical american interior all plastic etc. I've had a thunderbird, 2 Lincoln LS's, and a Lincoln Mark LT.. so I know the chees interior
Edit: The interior is disgusting (no offence). Its typical american interior all plastic etc. I've had a thunderbird, 2 Lincoln LS's, and a Lincoln Mark LT.. so I know the chees interior
No, not a competitor. Just had a chance to drive one after driving the max for two years so I thought I would share.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 25
From: Houston, TX
Agreed. The 300C is meant to be a larger, more "luxury" brand. Might as well compare a fiat to a jeep. Also, I would perfer a nissan over a dodge/crysler/jeep brand any day.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 105
From: Miami,Fl
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 17
From: Cincinnati, OH
I agree with this also. My first car was a '99 Dodge Intrepid which I loved the concept and size but had a lot of problems with it. I looked at the 300 then but liked the sportier Intrepid. Won't buy that group of brands again.
My brother has an 08 300C AWD, it is bigger and softer, you can get use to it fast but going between the Maxima and the 300 you realize the differences fairly quickly, when my brother drives my car he refers to it as a 4 door Z
I like both, the 300 has 50k with no issues but the service people at the Chrysler dealer are so slow, and don't want to do anything, almost has me wondering if they are paid hourly and not by the job
I like both, the 300 has 50k with no issues but the service people at the Chrysler dealer are so slow, and don't want to do anything, almost has me wondering if they are paid hourly and not by the job
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Finkle
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
13
Sep 27, 2015 09:53 PM
Ray229Harris
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
10
Sep 16, 2015 08:16 PM
jholley
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
2
Aug 11, 2015 09:38 AM