So I'm looking to get a Maxima, and I've only driven the S trim at this time. I've been doing more research and wondering if the SR model is right for me. Below are the things I like about the SR (in no particular order).

1. Paddle Shifters.

I would like these mainly for snow, i.e. forcing the transmission into a "higher gear" reduces the torque being delivered to the wheels and helps avoid wheelslip in the snow.

However, I'm also confused as to what the difference is between paddle shifters and moving the gear stick to the left for a simulated manual mode? Doesn't this accomplish the same thing that the paddle shifters do? I mean, when I drove the S trim, it sure seemed to me that I had full control over what gear ratio the vehicle was in when I moved **** to the left.

2. Low beam LEDs.

Surely I can switch these out myself right?

3. Cooled seats.

Is it true that when this is active that there is a whirring noise? i.e. is the fan audible when the seat cooling is active?

 

I might be the only one, but as someone that has had manuals my entire life, until I got my 16' Max, I feel that paddle shifters are useless in automatics. They're supposed to make it "Easier" to shift but I'm personally so used to having one hand on the shifter that I just can't get comfortable with paddle shifters, especially on the track where they are supposed to be most useful.

The slap stick that comes standard will do everything you want it to do in snow, unless you're doing some crazy snow covered road races. If you are, make sure to post videos

 

Thanks!

I was going insane trying to figure out why these were being touted as such a great feature. I mean, all I really wanna do is override the gear ratio while driving in the snow, if the standard slap stick does this then my only reason for wanting an SR are the seats and wheels. (something tells me I'll prefer the softer suspension for a smoother ride).

 

Some people love them so it would be a great feature to them, but I've never gotten comfortable with it so it's just gimmicky to me. I went with the SV personally, it was only $10 more bucks a month on the lease and I wanted the leather, heated seats, and sonar. The only thing I wish it had were LED headlights, if this is plug and play I'll buy some bulbs and put them in.

Try the SR, I enjoyed it, the ride was still softer than what I'm used to, but it just wasn't worth the extra cost to me.

 

Yes, you can definitely hear when the fan is on cooling the seats--especially at the highest power level. Doesn't bother me ever, though, because any music I'm playing drowns it out.

 

It must not be too bad, because I've never heard it. I'll have to try it with the music turned off (and I don't play the music very loud).

 

if your trying to decide on which one, its not because of the paddle shifters, its because of the diffrent leather, diffrent handling, smoother ride, climate controled seating, and the suspension.All of this alone is worth going for the SR. I love mine and couldnt be happier!!!!

 

Yeah the leather definitely looks great in the SR, as do the wheels. But the ride isn't smoother. How can it be? It has a stiffer suspension.

Stiffer suspension means the chassis maintains its ride height better (also reduces frame roll and pitch) than all other trims, the downside (or upside depending on what you're looking for) is more road feedback in the form of feeling the bumps etc. But as ATDoel mentioned, it's certainly not a big difference. I am yet to drive the SR, will do so tomorrow.

 

Most people don't think of the paddle shifters as being for UPshifts, but for DOWNshifts. I don't have a Maxima, but in my TLX I grab a couple gears every now and then for a quick burst of power (instead of using 'passing gear').

i also sometimes downshift when coming up on a corner or on traffic a little too hot, and use engine braking ro slow down.

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This is the way I look at it, comparing the S to the SR is a 5.2k difference in price. For me, the SV was a 3.3k difference. While I do like the seats a little better, the only other things in my mind that are improvements are the wheels and suspension components.

The suspension components that are different are the front stabilizer bar, stiffer shocks, and "retuned" dampers. You can get all of those aftermarket (which would be upgrades over the stock SR components) for cheaper.

 

Yeah, I honestly think the SV is the way to go. You get the heated seats, and have the flexibility to upgrade the ride dynamics down the line.

Btw, what are the sonars used for on the SV? I looked around but the SV doesn't seem to have the ICC or the blindspot detection, so what are they for?

 

They're parking sensors.

 

Yeah, they'll alert you if you're getting really close to something that will hit the bumper while moving less than 5 miles an hour.

 

the SR has the ICC blindspot, and parking sensors, mine beeps everytime im changing lanes when someone is close or in my blind spot, it also beeps when i senses somone is crossing behind me and im backing up, great feature