Hey all,
Ive had my 1998 maxima since 2002 and have mostly loved the thing. I lowered it and put sports suspension along with some other mods(y-pipe). A couple years ago I was rear ended and have lower back pain so my max is killing my back even with the shortest drives. I've been looking into new cars lately from small eco cars to avalons, and now I find myself here.

1-I would like to spend between 13-15k on a car and have less then 55 thousand miles on it, is this a possibility with the 7th gen?

2-Like I said my back is somewhat f'd up, Im also 6"2. How is this car for long drives?

3-Ive seen some people say they can get 30mpg or better on the highway with cruise, is that far fetched? I have my own photography business and drive all over the place.

4-If this car doesnt sound like the perfect car for me, Im also looking at 2008 Avalons, 2010 mazda 6(2.5), 2010 subaru legacy (2.5i), and possibly a 2011 sonata. looking for reliability, decent size trunk, and comfort, a plus but not necessity would be quiet cabin just because Im an audiophile. I have also been thinking about waiting a little and getting a 2013 altima, but it sounds like the 4 cylinder has some problems already.
Thanks for any help guys (I hope the max works out)

 

1 - you can probably get an S model used for 17-19k, 13-15k is kind of low.

2 - it's great for long drives. one of the few cars i could actually fit in and stay comfortable

3 - i still get 30 mpg on the highway (not averaging in the city commuting) with all my mods; its definitely possible just keep RPM's under 2000.

4 - get the Max.

 

You should know with little research that the maxima has a small trunk, smaller than the altima. So if you get a max just make sure it has fold down rear seats you wont have any probs w your photography equipment than. The rear seats don't fold down in all models.... some models have just a hole at the rear center arm rest for ski's etc.

 

yea I noticed that upon research. I can fit all my equipment and a small sub in my fourth gen right now and have my gf's jeep for bigger jobs. Thanks for the heads up on this issue either way.

I have just started my research, but I've seen a couple used 7th gens on autotrader for under 16k. I just have to worry about all the flood vehicles in my area.
Thanks for the replies

 

1. Seems like a reach for 7th Gen Max's with that type of mileage. I'd be cautious if I found one in that price range.

2. I took my Max from Boston to DC last month just before the big blizzard. Ride was great! Leather seats were comfortable and I wasn't cramped at all. Stopped once in NJ for gas and a bite. The way back was the same. Planning on doing a Boston to Cincinnati run this summer.

3. I haven't touched 30 mpg with this car. I also haven't consistently driven south of 70mph either. That said, on the Boston - DC trip, the dash indicator said I got 27.2mpg (91 octane or greater) and averaged 67 mph. In reality I got 25 mpg. Total miles were somewhere near 900.

3. (part 2) FYI keeping the tach below 2k rpm definitely will help with the gas mileage. But that means you're doing 60 mph or lower. Once you hit 65 - 75mph the tach bounces from 2100 - 2300 rpm. This will significantly drop your mpg in this car. This is not earth shattering news, but economical and Maxima do not belong in the same sentence.

4. Last summer (>90F the entire week) I took my dad's 2010 Altima SE-R from Dover (NH) to Dover (Ohio). That was an awesome ride! Even though it has a different chassis than the Max, it was still pretty smooth. That car definitely got more than 30mpg. You could prolly find one of these closer to that price range. Performance is not too far from the 7th Gen Max.

 

I had a Altima rental for a month. The seats are comfortable, the cars handles fairy well, very quite on the highway and gets good gas mileage. Also Consumer Reports rates it highly for reliability. For your budget it makes a lot of sense.
PS don't get an Accord, it will kill your back

 

Yea, Ive read reports on the accord seats. What model altima did you rent? 2013?

If I cant get the maxima I would at least like to stay with nissan.

 

The front is comfortable but the back seats are a bit small.

A bonus:

Look for the 09-10 models with the rear armrest Radio Controls. Those apparently are super rare.

 

I rented a 2012 Altima for a month and recently a 2013 Altima. I thought the 2012 had better handling and ride. The 2013 is a redesign.

 

I think it will be tough to hit that price point. Definetly in the cloth entire S model with not many options.
If you want a comfortable ride, avoid the sport model.
I had a 96 before, the 2011 is a much better ride to start with.