My local Nissan dealer is encouraging me to trade my '01 AE for a loaded '02 Altima 3.5 SE (leather/wood, every option).
Any thoughts? What should I consider? Dealer believes the new Maxima ('04) will be very similar to Altima but heavier and much more expensive than the present Max. (That Altima I am considering is $30k with options.) Thanks for your advice

 

It's your call. Test drive both and see which one you like.

Consider exterior styling, interior styling/quality and performance/handling. Take your pick.

You're the best judge of what you like. Both are quality cars.

 

After my Accord was totalled I very seriously considered an 02 Altima SE as well. But I just couldn't bear the interior. Low quality materials, cheap looking, poor fit and finish, and I hated those hooded guages. I'm so tall that I couldn't even see the tops of them when sitting normally. That last thing is something just specific to me, though.

If interior quality is something you don't care about, get the new Altima and save a couple of bucks. If you do care, I say get the Maxima.

I would have gotten an 02 6spd, but I didn't fit in the damned thing!

But I'm more than happy with my 99 SE 5spd, and the interior is very nice too

 

If you want speed go with the Altima 3.5SE. If you want a more plush and better-built interior go with the Maxima.
-Cyrus

 

Unless you are well heeled enough to trade in cars every year, I'd keep the '01 Max. The AE edition is sweet. What exactly prompt you to even consider trading it in? I'd understand if you went AUTO to Stick but from what I can tell, the upgrade path you are considering isn't a step up...it's just newer.

 

The Altima is faster?? We went to buy an Altima but the interior drove us to the Maxima. You'll be happier with the Max.

 

N/A 5Spd Altima ran 13.9 at Capitol Raceway I believe...
-Cyrus

 

That's fine but test drive both cars. Will you feel a difference in speed or accelleration probably not. Will you notice a difference in fit , finish, and quality....absolutely.

 

If I were you, I'd go for a 2002 Maxima. They're basically the same price as a fully loaded Altima 3.5

 

The 2k2 Max... or wait until the 2k3 models come out to see if Nissan takes care of some of the glitches in the Altima interior.

Good luck.

 

I too was considering the Altima SE 3.5L 5speed over the 2k2 Maxima SE 6speed..

But after trying to get a price, the Altima's still sell for near MSRP and 5speed/v6 combo was pretty rare.

Thus really it was only a 2,000 CDN dollar price difference from altima to maxima.

Umm.. but the fit and finish on the maxima is not just one level better, its about 5 levels better. I swear the interior quality and feel of the materials gets worser and worser each time i get in the car.

There is only two things that the altima has advantages for and that is that the altima has a way better suspension and is much more roomier than the maxima.

But if you consider what you get for the little bit more for the maxima, especially since in Canada it was only approximately a 2000 dollar difference, the maxima benefits from:

6 speed tranny
HID headlights
Helical cut limited slip
Better build quality
More prestigious name
Memory seat
heater leather steering wheel
OVerall way better looking dashboard
Really cool power sunroof switch
etc..

I would say keep your 2001 AE edition because the only advantage the altima has over your ride is about 20 hp more. Its definitely not worth it.

ED

 

Your dealer would encourage you to trade you car with 1000 miles in, since it's your money that would be wasted. Why would you trade a '01 car for an '02? Next fall would you trade an '02 for an '03 if the dealer encouraged you? Don't forget, they are in the business to sell. Just remember who you're dealing with, and that they're not on your side. It's like having your own realtor tag-team with the listing agent and try to sell you a home--time to fire that realtor if you didn't sign an agreement.

 

02 6 spd man

 

Maxima!

 

Well i must say, don't be stupid, GET THE MAX. You will not regret it. When i went to look for my new ride, i was originally looking at the new altima, which i must say is a phat ride. It definitly has come a long way. But at the time i got my 02 MAX,(new years weekend 2001) they were not moving on the altima price, and it landed up that the maxima was cheaper than the altima. GET THE MAXIMA!!!!, hands down

 

I paid 29,800 for a top of the line 2K2, Navi and averything possible. The leather in the Alti is inferior, and it is not at the level of the Maxx..... Get a Maxx , there's a reason its called the " FLAGSHIP " !

 

my local dealer was selling Altima SE 5speeds at near msrp. He was begging me to take the Maxima 6 speed with sunroof, 6-disc in dash etc etc, for $24k. The sticker said $28.5k!

Anyway, my cousin bought an Altima 3.5 5sp recently, and I just drove it earlier tonight. I have to say I was unimpressed. The article I read in Motor Trend tested it at 14.3 (if I remember right) in the 1/4mi. My Maxima does a 15.0. But I swear, his Altima does not pull as hard as my Maxima. And I punched it. It just felt sluggish. Although there were two of us in the car, at 200+ lbs a piece

But speed is not the most important thing. I got in the car, and the front seat area is very spacious. Other than that, I was underwhelmed. I thought people were being overly critical calling the dashboard cheap, but I was wrong. They were being kind. It looks aweful! I think Nissan may have designed it for GM, but decided to use it in the Altima instead. Right down to the Pontiac guages.

It handles solidly. I couldnt really push it though. I didnt want to make her owner nervous. Throttle response is dead (is it drive by wire?) Clutch feels like it should be in a Camry, not a sport sedan. Steering is vague at best, sloppy to be sure.

Overall, a very nice car. It is just not as finely attuned to the driver as a Maxima. But I dont think Nissan was aiming for us. They are looking for Camry/Accord buyers. I think they will reach them with this car.

But fortuneatly for us, they are keeping the Maxima around.