Maximum ripoff. I was just browsing around at the auto mall and happened to notice the pricing on the Maximas there. Holy Christ! Equipped with Elite Package, Leather, Nav, and 18" alloys take this car to $42000!!!!! Who in their right mind would pay that for a maxima when you can have a G35 for about $5K less? Loaded Maximas must not be selling worth a crap.

 

Karlhungus:

Those who know, "know", and those who don't, "pay" !!

Sport Sedan Fan - 2004 6MT Sedan
Sport/Navigation/Premium/Aero
Obsidian Black/Graphite & "Titanium"
SHE'S SILVER & BLACK - GO RAIDERS!

 

I was actually looking at the Maxima before I decided to get a G. With the options I wanted (all of which were standard on the leather interior G), it was a couple grand more than the G. That plus the fact the G looked better, drove better, and came with premium service made the decision between the two rather easy.

 

What I can't believe is that an Altima with the 3.5L runs $32,000 or so...right about what I paid for my G!!! Holy crap! I mean, I am sure the Altima is an okay car and everything, but I can't imagine why anybody would pick one over a similarly equipped G35 for the same money. Maxima either. I think Nissan is having some market differentiation issues.

 

What's the difference in terms of enginge performance. Both the Maxima and the Altima have the same V6 engines as our G35, no? A TV ad for the new Maxima quotes 270hp. I don't like the look of either really.

2K4 G35x/Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Premium/Wood
Stillen Hi-Flow/ Z tube/ Crawford V5/ Ground Kit

 

I am not sure what Nissan is thinking. I shop the Max also, and they wanted $32K for and SE. While the G was $28.8K. Go figure!!!! While the Max is a little roomier, it's still WWD, with a ton of torque steer!!! And, the G is definably better looking.

03.5 G35S 5AT - Desert Platinum/Graphite/350Z Tube/Clear corners/HG kit/20% Tint

 

That's "definitely"

WISH I COULD EDIT MY POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

03.5 G35S 5AT - Desert Platinum/Graphite/350Z Tube/Clear corners/HG kit/20% Tint

 

Well the Maxima is designed to go against cars like the Audi A4/A6 so I guess its price might be justifiable? How ever I did see in the paper dealers lowering the price all the way to 27k on a 5spd auto SE with navi and sport package. The Altima is suppose to go against cars like the Accord. Nissan saw how the Accord got a navi and nice features so Nissan plaied in some sense catch up with Honda and there you have the 2005 Altima.

 

Uh, that's not exactly true. The MSRP for a 2k4 Maxima SE (Elite Pkg, conv moonroof, Navi, 18" chromes, XM radio, Rear spoiler) MSRPs for $38.3G but the avg buyer is getting it for $35G. Granted, you could get the G35X or TL for the same money and similar options but, you also get A LOT of Maxima. NOTE: The Elite package with its 2+2 seating config is a rare model. And BTW, the 18" wheels are standard on the Maxima SE; the chromed wheels are an option. 18" wheels arent even offered on the G35S/X.

I dont like the new Maxima but, it is (like it or not) upscale and does compete somewhat with the G35S and TL.

As for the Altima 3.5SE loaded (navi, leather sport pkg, etc,...) the MSRP is $31G but can be acquired for around $28G which puts it on par with a similarly equipped Accord V6 and cheaper than the Camry V6. The upcoming Altima SE-R will probably post similar acceleration times with the G35S 6MT and may have the Maxima's 265hp/255lb-ft version of the VQ35DE as opposed to the regular 3.5SE/SL's 250hp/249lb-ft.

As for the performance differences between the Maxima, Alti 3.5SE and G35S/X its all hairsplitting even with the G35S RWD setup factored in. All run mid-low 14s and trap similar speeds.

$.02



2002 Maxima SE (auto)
- Trust Tower Strut Bars
- Falken Ziex ZE-512s (definite mod)
- Cattman Y-pipe

Best time to date: 14.725sec@93.04mph w/60'-2.169
Englishtown - 9/7/02 (Stock setup)

 

The worst thing about the Max (other than wrong wheel drive) is that monstrosity of a giant buck-toothed mini-van grill they stuffed up its nose! Bleeech!!

 

I agreed. Moreover, the previous generation of Maxima is better (still made in Japan) , and I have one. I bought the 02 Max. in Dec'01 for 23K, that is why I picked Maxima instead of Accord.

Nothing Turns You On More Than The "hotGspot"

 

I like my 02 Maxima better than the 6G Max as well. I also paid only $23G for my Maxima and got it over the 02 Altima 3.5SE because the Alti was/is built in the states versus the made in Japan Maxima.

However, when I bought the Max, the Accord V6 was still in its 6th generation with a solid but relatively weak 200hp J30A1. If the 7G Accord V6 were out for the 2k2 model year, I might have bought that instead, despite it being built in Ohio. (I especially would have considered the AV6 6MT.)

Peace.

2002 Maxima SE (auto)
- Trust Tower Strut Bars
- Falken Ziex ZE-512s (definite mod)
- Cattman Y-pipe

Best time to date: 14.725sec@93.04mph w/60'-2.169
Englishtown - 9/7/02 (Stock setup)

 

But the Maxima, Altima, Accord, and TL are all wrong-wheel drive...

 

After driving driving the G35X, I know my Max will rip the X off the line so long as the pavement is dry. (Probably on the high end the X will take my Maxima.)

I actually told the salesguy that. He smugly stated that the 02 Max had nothing on the X as far as dry weather acceleration. So I asked him if he wanted to run just to find out. He declined.

The G35 def has the handling advantage though.

Trust me. When it comes to acceleration the Max/Alti 3.5SE can hold its own. ;-)

2002 Maxima SE (auto)
- Trust Tower Strut Bars
- Falken Ziex ZE-512s (definite mod)
- Cattman Y-pipe

Best time to date: 14.725sec@93.04mph w/60'-2.169
Englishtown - 9/7/02 (Stock setup)

 

When I bought my G, I had been wanting one for awhile, but I was worried if I could afford it. But when I looked at "lesser" cars like the Maxima, Accord, and Legacy, I found to get them equiped the way I would've like hiked their price to almost 30 grand. Heck even Chevy wants 27,000 for a Malibu!! When you consider financing over a 5 year period the G only cost about $70 extra bucks a month. I decided to suck it up and get what I wanted all along. I'm glad I did because a get a big smile every time I drive. Plus the cute girl at work likes my G alot

The G35 cannot be beat for price, performance and comfort...but then hey, I'm preachin to the choir here.

2004 G35 Sedan Ivory Pearl/Willow Sunroof/Sirius