:icon18: :pics:

The reason behind Nissan not fixing the CSC issue is a matter of lowest common denominator. You can bet that if the Z was a volume car like the Altima it would be a different story.

The CVT is less of an issue when mated to a 3.5 and more of an issue on its 2.5 counterpart, but they're still a crapshoot. I have owned CVT-driven Altima coupes without issue, but can tell you their 6MT counterparts are completely different vehicles.

Now to my point - you say why buy the Maxima if you're looking for what the Q50 already has, and I say why buy the Maxima when the 3.5 Altima exists? It's not $3,000 better looking (yep, subjective for some), it's not $5,000 better driving (slightly less subjective, but still subjective), and it doesn't carry $8,000 more tech in the car (not subjective at all).

Those numbers represent a ballpark of how much more it costs you to get into a Maxima with respect to looks (S trim over Altima 3.5 SL), handling characteristics (SV trim over Altima SL), and all the tech (Platinum or SL or whatever).

You're paying a lot more money for not a lot more car. The car makes little sense if you look at the big picture of things - the Altima has been nipping at the Maxima's heels since 2002, and this generation needed something crucial to truly set it apart from an optioned out Altima. Hell, the last generation needed something to truly set it apart, and while it is indeed a nice car, it failed.

It looks different. That's it. And that's not enough.

The only part of the argument I do agree with is the tech piece, only because the Altima received the new tech with the refresh. Lookswise, the Maxima has it in spades (even with the uglier one coming out soon). Looking at a comparison with the current Altima and Maxima, I'll list some improvements or things the Altima doesn't have that the Max does. Anything the Altima does better can be summed up in new nav ui and slightly larger rear seat.

Better power steering unit with more feedback and faster turning ratio. It also uses the Z steering wheel (which I like more than the Altima's)
Higher rated dampers, springs, front sway bar, front strut tower bar, and available rear seat brace.
Larger and wider wheels with optional Re50's. You can get the in dark metallic with the SV sport package (which I like)
Rear seats are buckets, not flat. The fronts are bolstered more on the sides, have a cooled driver seat and thigh support. The driver side also has seat memory.
Optional dual sun roof, a sunroof already comes standard.
rear trunk uses dampers to hold the lid, not some metal swing arm. Same with the hood.
Maxima comes with a 20 gallon tank, Altima only 18. Luxury cars generally come with big *** tanks. This is kinda moot as Altima mpg is better.
Maxima has 12.6" fr and 12.13" rear brakes, .9" and .63" larger than Altima's
The nav system is 7" compared to 5" on the Altima. It also supports DVD playback, Altima only does CD.
Aluminum door sills are standard.
Maxima comes with an available rear window power shade.
The trim offerings are of higher quality, especially the premiums Atlantic cherry wood trim.
Maxima also comes with available ground lighting.
That 20hp advantage helps the 100lbs weight difference.


There is value in the Maxima over the Altima. Yes, it's a cash cow for Nissan, and some of these options don't equal their actual value, but the fact that they aren't even offered in the Altima keeps the Maxima a few steps ahead of the Altima. Equal straight line speed and some leather doesn't mean one is a better value than the other because it's cheaper. Keep in mind, value is subjective as well.
I purchased my 14' SV sport Maxima for $34k. It stickered for $39k. Even if I was able to get a fully loaded Altima for $30,000, IMO, there is more than $4,000 in content that I am willing to pony up. I also bought this Nismo, so I would say that I'm inclined to pay a little more for the things I want. I'm not disagreeing with you RicerX, you have a point, I'm just sharing what the Maxima offers that you don't get in an Altima. The difference is in the details. See below below for reference.


Build Your Nissan Maxima | Select Model | Nissan USA

Versions - Build Your 2015 Altima | Nissan USA

And every other car you see is not a Max unlike the Altima, the Alti is the number 2 selling midsize and you can clearly see that on the streets. They are everywhere in large numbers! :tup:

Ground lighting can be had on most non eco nissans now.

Nissan brought one to Cars and Coffee here in Nashville area last weekend. Looks better in person than pics IMO. Has a real presence to it, and I thought the interior was exceptional. The quilted leather and stitched dash are nicely done.

$40K for a Maxima....*High pitched whistle*. Cars in general are expensive.

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saw a test maxima today overall i like it the back could of flowed better .. but hey the front gives me hope for the z36

It looks like Nissan stole the Kia Optima design... :ughdance:

/\ Yeah, especially that rear quarter panel design

+1

Indeed they did, but Kia's overall execution looks better than this thang!

Its been about that for several years now in top trims...people say the same about top trim 370's.....lol.:driving:

Well...
 

Each to their own I suppose.
Some of the things people do to their 370s here is fooking frightful, IMO.
It's all relative.

104

BOOYAHHHHH!!! Nailed it!!!

I shouldn't even post with you around... You're like the JDM voice of common sense and reason. :tiphat:


People on our forum complain about Hyundai copying off of Nissan. Meanwhile, we just copied off of Hyundai's lower end company. lol:owned: