I am looking to buy a '97 to '99 Maxima. Problem is there seems to be a limited number of 5 speeds and even less 5 speed SE's, and the ones who do have them for sale (at least in my area) seem to have them over priced (typicaly 2-3K more than the GXE). From what I've read, it looks like the main diference between the GXE and the SE is the white gagues, the spoiler, the fog lights, the wheels and the suspension. Since I don't particularly care about the spoiler or the gagues, (now here is my question) Would there be any disadvantage to simply buying a 5 speed GXE and then upgrading the wheels, tires, struts and springs?? I think I could do that for less money than buying the SE (thats if I can even find one). Any comments or insight would be appreciated.

 

Spend the extra money and get the SE. It had better suspension plus you get white gauges and other stuff. If you decide to get the GXE, you'll eventually want to make it an SE by replacing things hence spending about the same for a REAL SE. Hope this helps. I'm BViased though, cuz I have a 5spd SE Just check out my homepage.

 

buying a GXE and upgrading struts, springs and tires is the way to go. true that the stock SE's suspension is better than the GXE, they are not as good as aftermarket. even if you did get an SE, you still would probably eventually want to upgrade to aftermarket. Also, the SE rims are nice, but i think they are usually 16". Most people like 17 or 18" rims. So go for the GXE and upgrade. another difference with the SE is that they have body colored pieces, not chrome. actually i kind of like chrome door handles and grill. some don't. it's your call, but don't let the GXE fool you. as many others here will say, the GXE is a very good platform to start with. I'm glad you are ultimately letting the transmission dictate your purchase. I think 5 speed is the way to go. many have converted their autos to 5 speed because they realize that 5 speeds are usually better performance wise. Good choice and good luck on your purchase.

 

Here is some insight for you. If you plan on racing the GXE it has a speed limiter just like the GLE model. The SE model does not have this speed limiter. I hope this helps you with your choice.

 

there is a method to remove the limiter, so not really a big problem...and i say if there is a big price difference between the two with fairly the same amount of options, go with the GXE and start going after aftermarket products...if you would be happy with the SE and not really want to mod, then you might be better off with the SE and spending more money up front...but if you get caught in the modding frenzy, you'll want to save the money and go with the GXE, then do what you want with the car...just my opinion

 

Buying the 5 speed GXE would make the most economical sense. Especially if you're going to switch out the suspension anyway. As for the gauges that's not a big deal like you stated. YOu can always buy overlays - even in colors other than white. I thought Maxs after 96 all had chrome handles (I hate the chrome handles ) ALso, like someone all ready stated; you can remove the limiter. You are definitely on the right track getting a 5 speed. Good luck w/ your search. I guess I pretty much agree w/ 97BlackMax

 

I pretty much agree with the others. If you plan on modding your car get a GXE and save the money for the mods. If you are going to leave it stock get the SE for the better suspension and looks. Whatever you do get a 5 speed and you really can't go wrong.

 

I was just thinking this same thing the other day. I spent an xtra 2K to buy a SE, when i could have spent, 55dollars for white gauges, 900$rims, $500 and even a spoiler (to each his own) for 150$ish... and i'd still be out ahead!!!!!

GO WITH THE GXE! Just know this, the trim around the windows is silver on the GXE, its black on the SE (black is better, but again, to each his own)

MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL! GET A 5SPD! and yes, i know i'm yelling! its important!

 

I have a Black 97 SE 5-speed and loaded. I looked at alot of the SE's and GXE's before i chose mine and there really are only a few 5speeds around. I liked the look of the SE's front and the no chrome handles...IMO and the suspension was tighter. I dont get up much about 110mph here so the speed limiter wouldnt bother me. Id say get the SE if you just want the car, but get the GXE if you "might" want to mod it up with suspension...ETC.... its your choice

 

save the money and buy the gxe, unless all the toys are imprortant to ya. i bought a gxe and the with the money i spent on spoiler, body kit, wheels and tires and tint and im still costed less than if i woulda bought an se

 

if you dont care about the limiter which you wont really use unless you dont love yourself get a GXE, also the SEs come with ABS thats a mod that GXEs dont come with but if you dont care about that then go with the GXE, so I see people forgot that SE's do come with ABS brakes that alone costs over $1000, and the SE suspension is garbage, compared to aftermarket suspension which is a whole lot better if you ask me, I dont think is worth what the $1000 over. Ill get some sprints for $141 shipped and some Konis for $480 and your suspension will be far superior then GXE and SE suspension. Wheels thats a different story. Gauges are like $65 and they are nice and pretty as well.

 

By the way, who knows what GXE stands for?

 

are all SEs standard with ABS?

 

I have an SE and i gotta agree about the suspension on them
I have 85K on stock's and its about time for me to get some new GR-2's... right now im starting to feel every bump under my new toyo's

 

"Essential"!

 

GXE pride

I have a GXE with a black grille and custom black/ blue suede leather seats...
I am lowered so suspension issues arent an issue... the only think I'm missing is 50 buck or less polyurethane suspension bushings...

I will have a Type 2 or a stock wing soon, and all I will have left of the GXE is the chrome trim around the windows... which looks great to me

and I thank god I saved the 3gs and spent them on more meaning full mods than digital cluimate controls that break and powerseats that break... and rattling Bose speakers... rattling sunroof... a Bose headunit that goes wacko... umm urr.. all the other SE **** i can live without

 

i have an se, thats what i would go with

 

I bought a 96 Maxima Se 5 Speed about three months ago and i am overly extatic about it. I just wish that my 47 over ticket gets dropped so i can afford the insurance and start modding it nicely. If your gonna buy a max make sure its a 5 speed. One option i think people neglected to mention were the leather seats and trim an SE comes with and a sunroof. I looked at a GXE and couldn't stand the cloth. Maxima deserves Leather. And from now on i wouldn't be able to drive a car without a sunroof. If you want just the sport and the power from a max with the limiter than by all means get a GXE. I belive an SE is well worth the price hike, even though i plan to get aftermarket parts like springs and shocks and rims. Id still rather put them on an SE than a GXE.

 

you can get custom leather put into the GXE that would be even better than factory leather, even two-tone color...so that's not really a big issue either

 

yup the quality of Nissan leather is crap haha a Maxima deserves aftermarket leather not Nissan crap leather... I've been in SE's with leather... and dude that stuff is just not worth the money you pay for it... its nice than cloth but.. its way to slippery and gets hard way to quickly for 700 bucks form leatherseats.com I got leather seats navy blue suede inserts and Pacific blue double stitching now that looks sweet now I'm just waiting for the custom suede leather door inserts

speed limiter is a wire cut or a upgraded ECU away and even w/o an ECU my max hit almost 130 and I never hit the limiter

 

I don't believe all SEs come standard with ABS because I remember sitting in an SE without ABS when I was looking for my car but I can't guarantee that it was an SE because the dealer knew nothing about Maximas and I didn't really either at that point.

 

most Maximas didnt come with ABS if you do find it it'll be on an SE or GLE

I duno the ABS system on the max doesnt feel too good.. kinda like the crappy systems you find on econo cars

 

Gotta a 97' 5spd SE which I love. No ABS.

 

Man, you guys are really depressing me even more since all I could find within 50 miles of my house for a reasonable price were auto's...

 

Get the:

GXE: If you plan to modify the suspension (i.e. lower the car). Then later plan to do performance mods.

SE: If GXE is an auto and not plan on doing tooo much of a suspension upgrade, but rather plan on performance mods.

One last thing, if planning on no mods at all then definately SE!!!

 

my 96 gle doesnt have a limiter. its only in gxe's w/o the c&c package. i have had mine 130+

 

GXE's with 5-speeds don't have the C&C package.

 

My GXE has ABS, depends on how the original owner order it, or how the dealership ordered it.

K

 

Oh, if you are going to upgrade your stereo, STAY AWAY FROM BOSE.



K

 

If you plan on modding the suspension and wheels immediately, get the GXE. You will save money that way. If you can live with the stock SE suspesnion for a while, get the SE. You spend a little more, but you get alot more goodies with a sport suspension.

I got my SE and immediately added a FSTB and RSB to the stock SE setup. That was great and I didn't feel the need to upgrade the suspension further for a long time. Then, after 100K miles, my tokicos started getting soft, especially at speed. That's when I upgraded to H&Rs and Tokico Blues.

DW

 

All SE's do not have ABS. I have a 1995 SE black 5-speed and it doesn't have ABS. The brakes are still very good even stock.

My opinion is to go with the SE. I like the stock fog lights, white gauges and wing. If you look hard enough you may be able to find one cheaper than what you are seeing..patience is a virtue when it comes to this... if you can afford to wait a few weeks or so.

 

GXEs own you!

 

I got the SE cause it was nearly the same as the GXE in price and also had a sunroof

I like the look of the SE. If you plan on changing all the suspension and rims then go with the GXE. But I know that it would take alot longer for me to get the cash and time to change all those things.

Lots of people say buy a less expensive car and then spend the extra money to mod them. It's not really extra money unless you're paying for the car all at once, but since most people make payments it means slightly smaller payment.

 

I've got a 95 SE without ABS. I think it wasn't standard till 97.

 

You need rims

 

I dont think it was even standard on 97+ Maximas... i think it was an expensive option

 

if u are going to change the suspension and rims after u got the car anyway, then get the GXE, the SE only gives u a better suspension, a spoiler, a white guage and the titanium rims....

 

my neighbor has a gxe with abs, it was a 900 dollar option............i dont have a speed limiter (i got the package which includes sunroof, power seats, and intermittent wipers)

 

i have a GXE and i didnt hit the speed limiter the one time that i hit 125...anyway, as most of the guys mentioned, if u r gonna change the suspension then go for a GXE. i got the white gauges for $20
and if u want to see what can be done to a GXE, see Cheston's Max at MaximaDriver
if you don't intend on modding it, go for the SE

 

That pretty much sums it up right there...