For those who drives a forth generation manual Maxima, I'm thinking about getting a parts car and converting my new 1999 Nissan Maxima SE into a Manual.

"This engine comes alive (with the manual transmission)"- Regular Car Reviews

The problem is that I've never driven a manual before, hell the Maxima is my first car. So here's the question, is the manual transmission for the Maxima easy to learn? Is the clutch touchy and would the V6 damage the transmission if I shift too rough?

Oh yeah noob here, nice to meet y'all, the previous owner told me that this forum would help me a lot if I want to learn more about the Maxima

 

Nah.. It's like riding a bicycle. You'll get the hang of it and then you'll be on your way.

By all means do your research on the manual conversion. I don't consider it to be a trivial activity.

How many miles do you have on your engine?

I'm no expert on auto to manual conversions.

Since you have a 99 model, be sure to keep a spare key around in the event the chip key should fail. I just got another key made at Ace hardware for my 99 model to keep two spares on hand.

As a side note, I make my kids learn how to drive on a 4th gen 5-speed. Actually, they don't have much of a choice. The "standard issue" vehicle in this household is a 4th gen.. They are great cars!

 

If you live where it gets cold, not really a downfall but be prepared to warm up your car for a bit. If you turn and go, your tranny will be taking a beating. 5 speed tranny can take a beating just make sure you have 5qts of fresh fluid in there.

 

Learning a stick shift is a skill which some find easy to learn, while for others, it might take a while.

I've had my 5 speed maxima for ten years. The stick shift really does let the engine perform well.

If this is your first car, and if you have not worked on mechical and electric items much, this project might be more difficult than you expect.

I haven't needed to replace the clutch on the maxima yet. But I'm about to do that on a 2003 Toyota Corolla. Front wheel drive is more difficult to deal with than I expected. I've been working on my own cars for many years.

 

5th is too short for the highway. 5 speed swap is easy but it will be time consuming. Might as well go 6 speed. It's a bolt on. I was ready to spend several grand for parts when I found an org member parting out and I got everything for 1/10 of the cost.

 

Go for the stick - it is VERY easy to drive with the Maxima due to the good low-end torque on these engines. It makes driving much more fun, and gives you more control - especially in snow/ice.

 

Manual ftw. This is my first stick vehicle and it was very easy to learn, even tho others with more experience driving stick told me that my clutch was unforgiving and difficult to work. It just goes to show that a car's owner is generally the only one that truly knows how to touch her and make her purr

 

These cars are great to learn to drive maunal in. I test drove my wife's, father's 08 mustang gt and the difference between my max and the gt are so huge in the shifting area. It made me realize how smooth our trannys are (if you've properly maintained your tranny of course.) My advice on the swap, don't do it. Sell your maxima and buy a manual max. These cars are a dime a dozen.

 

By the look of ur post you want the car to become alive....auto tranny holds the record for being the fastest in the 4th gens so....might wanna think twice about spending all that $$$ for a half second pull when for that same amount almost you can rebuild and get a valve body upgrade and be faster IMO.... most might disagree but its on you.

 

Auto vs manuel hmm. .. well there is a completely different feel to the car lol. In the manuel Your operating the machine and shifting gears who doesnt like that lol. The Experience you get driving a manuel maxima is something you'll never forget. Op didn't state he was going to build a 10 sec car and is a noob at that lol. Either way man do your research, it can be done.

 

77305 miles, the car is still mint considering it's from 1999

 

Yeah I'll think about it, as you guys probably know it's hard to find parts cars for this model, I will consider my options. In case you're wondering, this car have to be my daily driver for at least until I get a job after college.

 

Do you commute a lot in gridlock traffic? That's my only gripe about manual transmissions. It's fun to really interact with your car as you drive it. Changes the experience.

CS_AR will start a 4th gen museum one day, I'm sure