we just got in two brand new 2004 nissan maxima's at my work today. they are one of the ugliest car's i've seen. the front end is nasty, it's got a fat ***, baby got back for sure. the overall shape looks like the new altima's.

i will give it credit though, the elite package is pretty cool. instead of a rear bench seat, it has two bucket seats with a console in the middle. very interesting. prolly won't sell many like this, but is a cool new idea.

here's a link to the new maxima.. freshalloy.com

 

Why would anyone buy a car that big that only sits for ppl?

The car contradicts itself. Well at least it's still powerful.

 

Yeah, point out another car with a 265HP engine, heated rear seats, memory seating, power sunshade, heated steering wheel, xenon headlights, yada yada yada for $35k. You aren't going to find one. And that Elite package is a sweet idea. I never carry more than 4 people in my Pro (and I would feel sorry for the person in the middle if I did) so it makes sense to travel in comfort. Looks like a bargain to me. And it has a lot more grown up appearance than the previous generation.

 

actually a fully loaded is only $32k. i just don't like the styling at all. it looks too much like the new gen altima. it seems too big and chunky compared to the last gen. i think the 2002-03's are one of the best looking cars on the road. i also have two other complaints, among many, about the new maxi. i don't like the new "split grille" nissan trademark design. i think it looks really crappy, especially in person. and also, as on the new altima, 350z, murano, and xterra, they are going with the three pod gauges. WTF! why can't they just go with something different for every car? i know it'd be spendier making all different stuff for every model, but i don't like how they're trying to make styling cues the same on every car they make. there is at least one styling cue that carries over from car to car now.

 

The I think the biggest reason it looks soooo f---ed up is that they stretched the c-pillar back so far... halfway back the trunk... that it looks like a 4-door New Beetle with elephanititis. And the rear bumper continues to creep out further and further as you go down. Yikes! Make the car lonnnnger with absolutely no gain. Good thinking.

 

but have you guys seen the glass roof that runs from the front to the back of the car? it's really sweet looking!

I think the new Max looks decent for what it is: a big bulky touring sedan that packs a punch.

and hey, it's now got IRS instead of that damn beam axle in the back!!!

 

Ha.. It used to be a pretty sweet, trim sports sedan. My grandfather had one back in '94. It was a sweet ride. Quick 190 hp 3.0, sporty ride and handling, and NOT OBESE like the new version. Damn, I thought the newest Toyota Avalon was bulky... This dwarfs it.

 

heh, it's called moving 'upmarket'

sort of like how people's waist size get larger as they get older

 

the "sky view" roof sucks. you can't open them up at all. on the inside of the car, in the middle of the roof it's covered, prolly a support or something running through there. when you're inside, it seems like two different "glass roofs." you can close them with a fold back cover like regular sunroofs, but just can't open them. also, the center stack is hideous. it looks too bulky and seems they wasted a lot of space. it does have a deep compartment, but it's kind of hard to reach into and the opening isn't that big. the radio controls are ok, the buttons are too small and close together though. the dvd navigation is cool, but kind of confusing...and very distracting!!

 

The '94 must have been an SE, because all the other 3rd gen maxima's had a 160hp VE. The new "OBESE" car would walk your grandfather's old '94, and it would probably handle better too. The '94 SE weighs 31xxlbs, a '03 weighs 32xx, and I don't expect the '04 to be over 34xxlbs fully loaded. Independent rear owns the old live axel **** or whatever it was in the rear.

From the reviews that I've read, the '04 is as fast if not a tad slower than the '03, one of the problems is the drive-by-wire which will hopefully be fixed. There is no way that the '94 could hang with a '03 or '04, I've heard as low as 14.2 in the 1/4 from a STOCK '03 6spd (as low as 13.7-8 with mild mods NA on an '02). I'd expect people to be running in the 14.7ish range for the '04s.

Don't assume

 

I had 2 Maximas and all I have to say is that they are getting uglier as well as larger and feel more like a boat with every new generation IMO.

I remember when it used to compete with the Accords and Camry, but the Altima took its place there and now the Maxima feels lost....

 

It's biggest problem is the "tooth" in the grille. Apparently Nissan will be making this a trademark feature and adding it to the entire line, which I think is a huuuge mistake.

 

they're trying to make Maxima the 'Toyota Avalon, with *****'

 

$34,790 after delivery /w DSC (or whatever they call it) and a real moonroof for an SL. An SE is 35,690. Sounds pretty close to 35k to me. Why don't you go and do your research before spouting your mouth off?

 

Oh, come on. I don't think I have to tell another Protege driver that there is more to a fun car than quarter-mile times. As far as cars go, BIGGER IS NOT BETTER. Whether you could actually outhandle the old one is debatable. That's a lot of bulk to be throwing around. Even if it could be done, you won't catch me behind the wheel any time soon.

Oh, his was an SE, 190 hp... which became standard on all models in 95.