Ok, so my 3rd gen is paid off. And now has 225,000 miles on it. I need to buy a second car, so I can take some stress off it. Put it down for some maintenance. I want another Max as my second car. A VQ 5 speed to be exact. However, I am still undecided on a 4th or 5th gen. Soo many people say 4th and soo many say 5th is better. I want all the opinions I can gather, to help me make a decision. I dont want to pay more than $250 per month. I am sick of paying $350-$400 payments a month. I was thinking 97-99 SE's for the 4th gen and only a 2k for the 5th. Please let me know what you guys would honestly reccomend. The car will also be there for a looooooong rode of mods to come. I am not getting rid of the 3rd gen because it has still got alot in store. Thanks for the opinions.

 

The VQ should see a S/C in about 2-3 years Max.

 

I have owned both 4th and 5th gen(still do..) and I do feel that the 5th gen has a better interior, and a better front end exterior. 4th gen is a better all around car, due to the 5th gen's tail is kind of.... ugly, but engine wise... both are about the same, I do feel that the 5th gen's accelartor is a little touchy... make is very hard to drive in the 1st and 2nd gear. Both are great cars though.

 

Buy a 4th Gen I got a 95 SE 5 spd and I love it

 

if i were to pick a 4th gen id say a 99 SE Limited 5spd...unfortunately those are a rare find

if i were to pick a 5th gen id go with a 2001 Anniversary, but you want 2000

(how bout another 3rd gen like a 94 SE 5spd with low mileage? or are you really hooked on the VQ)

 

Well, I already have the VE. And love the VQ. So I am going to buy another car. Probably so I can put the VE down, and rebuild it...slowly...The VQ motor is butter, especially in 5 speed form.

 

I just picked up my 99 SE 5spd fully loaded on Monday and I'm enjoying the car so much!! The VQ is so smooth and powerful, and it has such a wide powerband. And the 5spd is great!

I wanted to get a 2k2 6spd, but the 5th Gen's don't have enough knee room in them for me to be comfortable so I went with a used 4th Gen - mint condition

 

im about to do the same, im going with a 99 se 5 speed

 

My mom has a 2K auto and I have a 95 5-spd both SE's. I have driven both and while they have the same engine, here is what I think about the cars in general.

5th Gen: Interior is built around the driver and the driver feels more integrated into the car. I am not a fan of the looks, but to each their own. The car seems more solid in terms of safety, but isn't nearly as fun to drive IMO. This may be because it has an auto, but the car doesn't get me as pumped to drive as my 4th gen. My mom has also expressed the same thing, and my sister and I have noticed it in her driving. . . It has become more granny style since buying the car. . . When she owned mine, before I bought it, she would be doing 80 weaving in and out of traffic on the Bay Bridge (scared me to death sometimes).

4th Gen: Interior is more wide open but seems to have better visability. I think the back end looks better, but it safety record is only so-so. It is annoying not to have the fold down rear seat sometimes, but to most it isn't much of a worry. Car does bring out the driver in you and makes me drive more aggressively, and most who drive it experience the same thing. Again I don't know if it is because it is a 5-spd, or if it is the car. Also this could be a good or a bad thing. Rattles show up more and more in my car, but it still seems a lot more solid than most of the cars I drive at work everyday, I work at Enterprise Rent-A -Car so the cars are all in the past 2 model years and most have under 30K.

Again it is up to you. . . The cars aren't that much different, but there are some things that are a little different that you might want to look at. I would just test drive them both and see which one you like better. Everyone is going to have their own opinion, so just listen to your own.

 

Thanks for you review on both cars. I really appreciate all the input. I guess another thing that will be the choosing point is, which one is faster, and more sporty.

 

I don't think one is faster than the other. . . You can make each one just as fast all it takes is money. 4th Gen I would say is performance with some cost in safety, 5th Gen is just performance but safer. As far as more sporty, it is all up to you. . . 4th Gens seem to be more agressive, but then you can get an AE and it comes with a body kit from the factory which I think helps the look. They both will handle just as well, but I would definately recommend a FSTB for a 4th Gen as it makes a big difference. I haven't driven the 5th gen enough to determine if it would benefit it as much, just because it seems more solid. Someone else may be able to help you on that.

 

I have owned both. I love both.

I had a 97 SE 5spd. I liked it a lot, which is why I just got my 2k2 6spd.

It is a tough call. I know I will never buy used again. I have done it too many times, all you do is take on other peoples problems that no will let you know about. The 4th gen I love the looks, for some reason I still like the looks, I love the front of my 2k2, looks diesel.

I drive both pretty much the same, the 6spd makes it much more fun. I generally try to drive like a normal citizen with the occasional outburst of ******* racing. Both cars are great to me; so it really comes down to what you want dood.

Good luck.

PS, you get what you pay for.

 

Go for the 4th gen. They are great. They have lots of style to them, lighter than the 5th gen, ride great, no problems really.

SuDZ

 

s14

 

Go with a 5th gen Don. Check out my homepage for updated pics

 

Get a 4th gen. I think the looks is much more agressive although I think the rear looks slightly better on the 5th gens. Basically both aren't much different besides looks so I'd base the decision more on that. Also get a 97-99 because they have better crash test ratings and also look a little better and definitely get a 5 speed no matter what.

 

Makes no sense to have two maximas(to me). Looks like you want a 4-gen for everyday and then a project car. Look outside the box! If you have a good 4-door daily driver, you can get all sorts of neat project cars for a 2nd car. The 3-gen doesn't make sense. S14 is a good choice, hybrid honda, convertible etc...... cheap alternatives are endless!

 

Get a 97 with a 5speed

 

Thanks for your input jeff. My goal is more along the lines of 2 daily drivers. Since the VE is sooo high mileaged and if it were to take a dump, I would be screwed. My GF will need a daily driver just like me. Max is a perfect daily driver and fun to mod. I really need to daily drivers and maybe down the road a project car. But for now the focus is always having a daily driver. I kind of wanted to get the second car to rebuild the VE.

 

Well I have a 02SE and a 97SE and I would say that each has its advantages and disadvantages. I still think that the 97-99 SE is the best looking Max stock.

 

Go fourth gen. I have a 95 and i love to drive it. It wont cost as much as a fifth gen and you get the same out of both. And I hear 5th gen's are uncomfortable. They just look good.