2009 Maxima analysis, specs, kudos and rants

[Nissan Sport Ed]

Nissan Sport magazine has just released its review of the 2009 Maxima, along with all of the car's specs. We've also blogged about our likes and dislikes. Check it out at www.nissansportmag.com (http://www.nissansportmag.com)!

We'll also have a full styling analysis in the Spring 2008 issue, which releases next month. Enjoy.

Dave Bexfield
Managing Editor, Nissan Sport
www.nissansportmag.com (http://www.nissansportmag.com)

[drakutis]

Can you tell us if it will use regular or premium fuel?

[InfiNissan Lover]

I really hope that the provided information about the 2009 Maxima having platinum tipped spark plugs is incorrect. The new Altima V6 and just about every other V6 equipped vehicle in Nissan's line-up now come with iridium tipped spark plugs, which can go for about 120,000 miles without changing.

Nissan omitted a lot of features found on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas that are now not available in the 2009 Maxima.

Manually folding side mirrors? The 2007 & 2008 Maximas had an option for motorized ones.

Side driver's mirror is the only one that dims on the 2009 Maxima? The rear and both side mirrors on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas can dim.

I guess Nissan felt the need to get rid of a few past features in order to afford other features on the 2009 Maxima.

The motorized side mirrors were such a cool feature on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas. They have saved me a whole lot of trouble on some days.

Anyway, let's hope that Nissan went with iridium tipped spark plugs for the 2009 Maxima.

[bb700092]

I really hope that the provided information about the 2009 Maxima having platinum tipped spark plugs is incorrect. The new Altima V6 and just about every other V6 equipped vehicle in Nissan's line-up now come with iridium tipped spark plugs, which can go for about 120,000 miles without changing.

Nissan omitted a lot of features found on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas that are now not available in the 2009 Maxima.

Manually folding side mirrors? The 2007 & 2008 Maximas had an option for motorized ones.

Side driver's mirror is the only one that dims on the 2009 Maxima? The rear and both side mirrors on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas can dim.

I guess Nissan felt the need to get rid of a few past features in order to afford other features on the 2009 Maxima.

The motorized side mirrors were such a cool feature on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas. They have saved me a whole lot of trouble on some days.

Anyway, let's hope that Nissan went with iridium tipped spark plugs for the 2009 Maxima.

Are you sure that Nissan got rid of those options in the 09 Maxima that were there in the 07-08 Maxima? I think we just do not have the complete specs/options list. But if Nissan did get rid of those things, I would be really sad and disappointed.

[RonSteinbach]

Nissan omitted a lot of features found on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas that are now not available in the 2009 Maxima.

Manually folding side mirrors? The 2007 & 2008 Maximas had an option for motorized ones.

Side driver's mirror is the only one that dims on the 2009 Maxima? The rear and both side mirrors on the 2007 & 2008 Maximas can dim.


On my 07 Maxima, I have manually folding side mirors. I have to press a button for the mirrors to fold. When I get back in the car, I have to press the button again for the mirrors to unfold. The mirrors don't automatically fold when I shut off the car and automatically unfold when I start it again. I would call my mirrors manually folding, although I don't have to get out of the car and strong-arm my mirrors into folding by using my hands.

I am not sure of Nissan's use of the terminology for the folding mirrors.

As to the auto dim on the rear view mirror, isn't that such a standard feature that Nissan wouldn't even mention it? As to the side mirrors dimming, I have never really noticed. I will have to check when driving at night.

[dkmura]

Can you tell us if it will use regular or premium fuel?

Unknown at this point. But looking at the specs, I'd put my $$ on premium.

[Darth62]

Can you tell us if it will use regular or premium fuel?

It will most likely have premium recommended but not required.

Some here have speculated that premium would be REQUIRED as a result of the higher compression ratio in the VQ35 that will be in the new Maxima. However, the current G35 also has a high compression version of that engine that gets over 300 HP. And, that engine runs fine on regular.

[dkmura]

It will most likely have premium recommended but not required.

Some here have speculated that premium would be REQUIRED as a result of the higher compression ratio in the VQ35 that will be in the new Maxima. However, the current G35 also has a high compression version of that engine that gets over 300 HP. And, that engine runs fine on regular.

Depending on your location (altitude, humidity, temperature), any of the VQ motors will run on less than premium fuel. But the knock sensor will have the ECM pull timing like mad in an effort to prevent damage. So the question should be whether the engine runs at optimum performance on anything less than the recommended fuel.

David Muramoto
Editor-in-chief
Nissan Sport Magazine

[Darth62]

Depending on your location (altitude, humidity, temperature), any of the VQ motors will run on less than premium fuel. But the knock sensor will have the ECM pull timing like mad in an effort to prevent damage. So the question should be whether the engine runs at optimum performance on anything less than the recommended fuel.

David Muramoto
Editor-in-chief
Nissan Sport Magazine

There is a slightly different issue here. According to Nissan, running with 87 octane can lead to a loss of power and fuel economy with the VQ35 so that premium is RECOMMENDED. In the manual for the G37 though, premium is REQUIRED with the statement that longterm use of regular can damage the engine.

All that notwithstanding, your post nicely sums up the real world situation.

[reb]

I tried 87 octane, engine knocks. I'm sticking with mid-grade 89 octane. Which I was told is a 65/35 blend of premium and regular. The actual octane is closer to 90. Runs fine.

[jcalabria]

Heard mine knock this week for the first time... guess I shouldn't have tried the Wal-Mart/Murphy regular!

It was in exactly the situation I have expected might be knock-conducive with the CVT... climbing a hill with the motor down at about 1400 rpm... the high load/low rpm situation the CVT loves to be in when driven conservatively. It was VERY light knocking, if I hadn't been next to a large building with my window open I probably wouldn't have noticed.

[Darth62]

Heard mine knock this week for the first time... guess I shouldn't have tried the Wal-Mart/Murphy regular!

It was in exactly the situation I have expected might be knock-conducive with the CVT... climbing a hill with the motor down at about 1400 rpm... the high load/low rpm situation the CVT loves to be in when driven conservatively. It was VERY light knocking, if I hadn't been next to a large building with my window open I probably wouldn't have noticed.

You should NEVER feel or hear knocking because your car will adjust firing accordingly. The issue is not actually experiencing "knocks" it is how much power and fuel economy you lose.

[jcalabria]

A agree completely... never did it before, but it DID yesterday. Also never used Wal-mart regular before, either. That'll teach me, lol. Probably got beyond what the timing could adjust for.

[reb]

Has nothing to due with off brand regular. I am using Exxon gasoline.


Here is what the owners manual states about the light knocking JC and I are talking about.

"However,now and then you may notice light spark knock for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a cause for concern, because you get the greatest fuel benefit when there is light spark knock for a short time under heavy engine load.

read it for youself on page 9-4:auto3:

[InfiNissan Lover]

Has nothing to due with off brand regular. I am using Exxon gasoline.


Here is what the owners manual states about the light knocking JC and I are talking about.

"However, now and then you may notice light spark knock for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a cause for concern, because you get the greatest fuel benefit when there is light spark knock for a short time under heavy engine load.

read it for youself on page 9-4:auto3:

Now you guys know how annoyed & embarrassed I feel with that damn engine ping. :(

My 2008 Maxima has been having a light engine ping since the second day I took delivery of the ping-o-matic. I have gone to about 5 different stealerships only to be told by 4 of them that the engine ping is no cause for concern, but I disagree heavily. One dealership told me that my car's light ping is not normal because it is constant. They wanted me to bring it back to them but it seems that Nissan dealers think that your life consists of taking Nissan cars to dealers. I have very little time to be bothered with car issues and I bought a brand new car thinking that I would be spared the BS I had with the used cars I have purchased but Nissan f****d me over yet again.

The stupid engine ping happens on levelled roads, it happens at highway speed, it happens with every kind of PREMIUM fuel I put into the damn car, and it happens under engine load. The pinging IS getting worse but I have already given up on this issue. I just told myself to wait for the upcoming redesigned 2010 Toyota Avalon & trade this 2008 ping-o-matic for it. This 2008 Maxima will most likely be the last Nissan product I purchase after having been pro-Nissan since I got my license 12+ years ago. :( This is such an embarrassment for a Japanese make. Surprisingly, I rarely hear American cars ping and that is sad considering that Japanese cars are supposed to be better.

I have just not been a totally happy camper with Nissan products. There was always some kind of issue with every Nissan vehicle I owned. They were:

1992 Nissan Maxima GXE (Exhaust leak from rear engine manifold)
1998 Nissan Maxima GLE (Transmission hesitation from faulty shift solenoids)
2003 Infiniti I35 Sport (Engine ping)
2008 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL (Engine ping, fuel gauge displays wrong fuel capacity, passenger seat rattles over rough roads, high pitched whining noise coming from the rear of the car)


If Toyota makes the next Avalon with a more responsive transmission, 60/40 folding rear seatbacks and folding side mirrors then those things will be enough to seal the deal with me as those are the only gripes I have with the current Toyota Avalon.

[Darth62]

Has nothing to due with off brand regular. I am using Exxon gasoline.


Here is what the owners manual states about the light knocking JC and I are talking about.

"However,now and then you may notice light spark knock for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a cause for concern, because you get the greatest fuel benefit when there is light spark knock for a short time under heavy engine load.

read it for youself on page 9-4:auto3:

I once again have to observe what a pleasure it is to visit this board. You guys are so damn informed.

Thanks for the all the info, guys.

[reb]

That statement in the owners manual is based upon the engine burning the specified high octane fuel. So according to Nissan, light knocking is "normal" for a VQ35. Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of this. Live and learn I suppose........:rolleyes:

[InfiNissan Lover]

That statement in the owners manual is based upon the engine burning the specified high octane fuel. So according to Nissan, light knocking is "normal" for a VQ35. Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of this. Live and learn I suppose........:rolleyes:

Honestly? The statement in the owner's manual is Nissan buying itself time to try to fix a problem that they had no answer for until the 2009 Maxima came with a higher engine compression ratio.

So now with a higher and hotter combustion ratio the engine ping problem is solved. Voila! Let's hope for their sake that it DOES work because you don't find many other cars with engine ping out there.

I know that Toyota and Honda are not having a problem with it.

Nissan, you better further check that VQ V6 engine if you want to keep on bragging about your reign at Ward's Auto World's 10 Best Engines List! :mad:

[jcalabria]

Honestly? The statement in the owner's manual is Nissan buying itself time to try to fix a problem that they had no answer for until the 2009 Maxima came with a higher engine compression ratio.

So now with a higher and hotter combustion ratio the engine ping problem is solved. Voila! Let's hope for their sake that it DOES work because you don't find many other cars with engine ping out there.

I know that Toyota and Honda are not having a problem with it.

Nissan, you better further check that VQ V6 engine if you want to keep on bragging about your reign at Ward's Auto World's 10 Best Engines List! :mad:

Ummmm... higher compression ratio will make potential for knock/ping worse, not better.

My very unique self-induced pinging experience this week aside, your car has an issue that is NOT endemic to the species. I feel for ya, though.

[reb]

I only heard the knocking after burning two tanks of 87 Octance. For the previous 3k miles I was using 89 Octane. I added some premium to top off the tank last week and the knocking appears to be gone.

[InfiNissan Lover]

I only heard the knocking after burning two tanks of 87 Octance. For the previous 3k miles I was using 89 Octane. I added some premium to top off the tank last week and the knocking appears to be gone.

Man! You guys are lucky! I could burn 1,000 octane in my car and it would still ping. Then again, it would probably explode with 1,000 octane...LoL!

Jcalabria, I figured that a higher compression ratio equaled a higher ignition timing. Thus if the '09 Maxima's ECU retards timing for whatever reason then the engine will technically be whatever degree above what would be a lower engine timing for a VQ engine with a regular compression ratio.

For example:

2008 Maxima factory timing at 90 degrees if low octane fuel sensed then retard timing 3 degrees timing now at 87 degrees

2009 Maxima factory timing at 93 degrees if low octane fuel sensed then retard timing 3 degrees timing now at 90 degrees


Or is my figuring of mechanics just a crazy (_!_)umption? LoL! :D

[Montmax]

Now you guys know how annoyed & embarrassed I feel with that damn engine ping. :(

My 2008 Maxima has been having a light engine ping since the second day I took delivery of the ping-o-matic. I have gone to about 5 different stealerships only to be told by 4 of them that the engine ping is no cause for concern, but I disagree heavily. One dealership told me that my car's light ping is not normal because it is constant. They wanted me to bring it back to them but it seems that Nissan dealers think that your life consists of taking Nissan cars to dealers. I have very little time to be bothered with car issues and I bought a brand new car thinking that I would be spared the BS I had with the used cars I have purchased but Nissan f****d me over yet again.

The stupid engine ping happens on levelled roads, it happens at highway speed, it happens with every kind of PREMIUM fuel I put into the damn car, and it happens under engine load. The pinging IS getting worse but I have already given up on this issue. I just told myself to wait for the upcoming redesigned 2010 Toyota Avalon & trade this 2008 ping-o-matic for it. This 2008 Maxima will most likely be the last Nissan product I purchase after having been pro-Nissan since I got my license 12+ years ago. :( This is such an embarrassment for a Japanese make. Surprisingly, I rarely hear American cars ping and that is sad considering that Japanese cars are supposed to be better.

I have just not been a totally happy camper with Nissan products. There was always some kind of issue with every Nissan vehicle I owned. They were:

1992 Nissan Maxima GXE (Exhaust leak from rear engine manifold)
1998 Nissan Maxima GLE (Transmission hesitation from faulty shift solenoids)
2003 Infiniti I35 Sport (Engine ping)
2008 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL (Engine ping, fuel gauge displays wrong fuel capacity, passenger seat rattles over rough roads, high pitched whining noise coming from the rear of the car)


If Toyota makes the next Avalon with a more responsive transmission, 60/40 folding rear seatbacks and folding side mirrors then those things will be enough to seal the deal with me as those are the only gripes I have with the current Toyota Avalon. Why didn't you keep the I35 longer.......The 3.5 is just a pinging machine form the Atli to the G series....

[jcalabria]

I only heard the knocking after burning two tanks of 87 Octance. For the previous 3k miles I was using 89 Octane. I added some premium to top off the tank last week and the knocking appears to be gone.

Filled up with Texaco 93 yesterday ($3.42/gal, btw)... knock completely gone today, just has it has been for the last 21 months and 23k miles. This last tank of gas is the one and only time it ever pinged, and not coincidentally, it was the worst mileage I've gotten on a tank of gas since I passed the 10k mark. Retarding ignition timing due to knock is not conducive to good fuel economy.

As I've said, I don't doubt that InfiNissan has an issue with his car, and I feel bad for him, but the problem is not a widespread VQ or VQ35 issue. I've accumulated a total of ~80k miles on two VQ35 Maximas (+384k on VQ30's) and this one incident on one tank of gas is the only time I have ever experienced any knocking whatsoever.

[reb]

I would DEMAND a new car if mine pinged on premium gas and they could not fix it. In the past, I won a lemon law against Ford and GM. Believe me, there is no way that I would be in Infini's position. No one screws me and gets away with it..............

[InfiNissan Lover]

Why didn't you keep the I35 longer.......The 3.5 is just a pinging machine form the Atli to the G series....

Oh man dude, I wish I could have kept that car longer, but the engine ping was driving me crazy! Also, the car was ridiculously uncomfortable to drive. After 2 hours of driving the car, my back would just be pulsating from the pain. At least this 2008 Maxima is more comfortable but then again, it pings. :(

Reb, I am trying to get a lemon law case against Nissan for this car. I really hate this crap because I have zero time to be dealing with these issues. As a result of the engine ping this 2008 Maxima gives me 13.8 mpg every tank full. It has about 7,200 miles as we speak. I am surprised that this car can get through the week on a tank of gas. I have a daily commute to work of 52 miles (about 26 miles both ways) and it takes about 40 minutes to get there.

If I do win the case with Nissan then I doubt that I would get into another Maxima. I would most likely ask for my money back and then go and get a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla. I am not a 4 cylinder engine guy as I have always had V6 cars, but the current economy is really not giving me much of a choice. I might even go hybrid with a Honda Civic Hybrid.

I thank you guys for hearing me out & feeling for me because I am truly feeling it here. And to tell you guys the truth, I am not really upset at the fact that I might have a lemon on my hands. I am actually more upset of the fact that the one car company (Nissan) I have loved and supported for 8+ years is actually forcing me to go and seek a different car company to spend my money on.

I have been a Nissan enthusiast since the first time I took the wheel of a 4th gen Maxima back in 1995. I later became a parking attendant and was exposed to so many different cars. After driving so many Acuras, Lexus', M-Benz's, and BMWs I could actually feel something very special coming from every single Nissan Maxima that came into the garage I was working in. I fell in complete and total love with the Maxima since that time. It is just too bad that the Maxima is just a shadow of its former self.

Oh well, I am older now, and now I am thinking differently. I no longer want the sportiness of a car but now I desire reliability, comfort, & total satisfaction that I don't seem to be getting with Nissan.

I can't begin to tell you guys how I am sooooo done with Nissan. I am already saving up money to get my first car outside of Nissan. The next car will most likely be a Toyota. :(

[joeB]

Infinlover, I sold my 03 Altima 3.5 SE to CarMax last summer and test
drove the Sentra, Corolla and Civic. I have always had V-6's too but
I bought a Civic because of gas prices. I have a 07 four door LX with
auto and it gets 35 on average, best I have done was 44 mpg on a trip.
Its no VQ, but it has more than enough power for a 1.8 liter four. So far
I have no complaints about the car, its the first Honda Ive ever owned.
They have amazing build quality and a very upscale quality interior also. :)

[SHIFT_6speeds]

I went from a 2002 Maxima SE 6-speed manual to a 2007 Honda Civic. But I opted for the Si Sedan. I avg 25 to 28 combined mileage to 37 highway at times. The absolute worst mileage I ever had was 23 mpg avg for a tankful during a harsh winter week on ice.

My Max gave awesome gas mileage for its size and power (I never got under 23 avg and had hit 34 highway a few times). But the car just wasnt satisfying around corners, horrible turning radius, and felt too big for my needs. I was waiting for the new SE-R, but when the newer Sentra came out I just totally laughed, then threw up. LOL I also contemplated the Altima Coupe, but again, very dissapointed. Too much Ghosn cost cutting/Renault influences for me.

I drove a few Civics one day, then drove the Si, I was in love with that car. Then the Sedan came out, so I got one exactly the way I wanted it. The car is an amazing handler and roomy for its class.

This New Maxima has really resparked my Nissan ethusiam big time (notice my new avatar). But I wont own anything but a true manual tranny. I am hoping Nissan will get their heads out of their butts on this one and offer a great shifting manual for this car. The 6-speed in my Max felt like slop compared to the slick shifter in my Si.

Nissan seems so close to getting this Max right.

[RonSteinbach]

I went from a 2002 Maxima SE 6-speed manual to a 2007 Honda Civic.

This New Maxima has really resparked my Nissan ethusiam big time (notice my new avatar). But I wont own anything but a true manual tranny. I am hoping Nissan will get their heads out of their butts on this one and offer a great shifting manual for this car.

I have owned as many manual transmission cars as automatics. The best transmission I have owned is the CVT in my '07 Maxima. For '09, the CVT is supposed to be much improved. The CVT shifts 5 times faster than anyone can shift a manual. So, why do you want all that work? I once paced a driver with a manual G35. Everytime he shifted, I pulled two car lengths ahead, until I was even with him. For smooth power, manuals and automatics are obsolete when compared with a CVT.

[JayG35]

I have owned as many manual transmission cars as automatics. The best transmission I have owned is the CVT in my '07 Maxima. For '09, the CVT is supposed to be much improved. The CVT shifts 5 times faster than anyone can shift a manual. So, why do you want all that work? I once paced a driver with a manual G35. Everytime he shifted, I pulled two car lengths ahead, until I was even with him. For smooth power, manuals and automatics are obsolete when compared with a CVT.
I agree with you on that Ron. The CVT feels amazing even in an Altima 2.5S, it makes that car feel as strong as the old 3.0L Maximas, despite having "only" 175 hp in a 3,200 lb body. In the 09 Maxima, with the improvements made to the engine and CVT, I have no doubts that this car will be able to keep up with a first-gen G35 in terms of acceleration, and feel smoother doing so. I think that the 7th gen will be a triumph, it will be a car that will have people questioning the validity of luxury models like the ES and TL. The last Maxima to really achieve that was the 4th gen, the first car with a VQ and, not suprisingly, the last Maxima with this compact a body.

[joeB]

The G35 driver must of been a bad driver. :cool:

[SHIFT_6speeds]

Ron, I don't care about which is faster, I just prefer the "work" and driver involvement of a real clutch for my left foot and gears to row through. Shifting is one of my favorite things about driving a great car.

Automatics simply bore me to tears and so does anything without a clutch (manumatics).

That's just the way I am.

[RHMax]

Ron, I don't care about which is faster, I just prefer the "work" and driver involvement of a real clutch for my left foot and gears to row through. Shifting is one of my favorite things about driving a great car.

Automatics simply bore me to tears and so does anything without a clutch (manumatics).

That's just the way I am.

I do miss shifting sometimes, but it's not as fun for me on a VQ35 because of the torque curve, or rather a lack of one.

[RonSteinbach]

Ron, I don't care about which is faster, I just prefer the "work" and driver involvement of a real clutch for my left foot and gears to row through. Shifting is one of my favorite things about driving a great car.

Automatics simply bore me to tears and so does anything without a clutch (manumatics).

That's just the way I am.

Come to Los Angeles sometime and spend 2 hours in rush traffic! After shifting 4,000 times in 40 miles, you will opt for a CVT!:)

[SHIFT_6speeds]

Come to Los Angeles sometime and spend 2 hours in rush traffic! After shifting 4,000 times in 40 miles, you will opt for a CVT!:)

LOL I knew this part of the conversation was going to go there. I have friends in Dallas that always tell me "you'd give up your manuals if you lived here". I can understand that, but I don't live in areas with terrible traffic (although I do visit areas like that quite often). I am not fond of large city living. I like my open spaces and one traffic light and one 4-way stop to work. I love the long stretches of roads we have around here. My only complaint is that there aren't enough S-curves. Lots of straight roads which can get boring no matter what you are driving at times.

So as you can see...I still want my manual to be real with a clutch. Thanks! :D

[JayG35]

LOL I knew this part of the conversation was going to go there. I have friends in Dallas that always tell me "you'd give up your manuals if you lived here". I can understand that, but I don't live in areas with terrible traffic (although I do visit areas like that quite often). I am not fond of large city living. I like my open spaces and one traffic light and one 4-way stop to work. I love the long stretches of roads we have around here. My only complaint is that there aren't enough S-curves. Lots of straight roads which can get boring no matter what you are driving at times.

So as you can see...I still want my manual to be real with a clutch. Thanks! :D

When I read your post, I was thinking gosh, he's describing a place like Oklahoma, where I'm planning to move with my significant other next year. Then I looked at your profile info... cool!

I don't like large city life, maybe cause I've spend 25 years having the biggest city on earth pounded into my conscience daily.:p

[InfiNissan Lover]

Ron, I don't care about which is faster, I just prefer the "work" and driver involvement of a real clutch for my left foot and gears to row through. Shifting is one of my favorite things about driving a great car.

Automatics simply bore me to tears and so does anything without a clutch (manumatics).

That's just the way I am.


Hence his FA user name of, "SHIFT_6speeds" :26:


Ron,

I read that you were greater disappointed with the overall package of the new 7th gen Maxima due to its reduction in size. I remember that you had a similar doubt about the Maxima's integration with Nissan's CVT but later on you tried one and bought one. I have a feeling that this same thing might repeat itself with the new 7th gen Maxima. Thus the saying of, "Don't knock something until you have tried it" among this generation.

I often say that I am done with Nissan, but I just may eat my words and buy another one. Preferably when their clean diesel vehicles start hitting the showrooms. While diesel fuel is way more expensive than premium gas; if Nissan's turbo-diesel gets the mileage that they reported while testing a diesel in the Renault Mégane in Europe then you won't even feel the price gouging effect on diesel fuel.

An article of Renault's 2.0T diesel is found at ~~> http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/12/the-fast-and-the-frugal-megane-renault-sport-dci-launches/

The car has a 60 litre gas tank. I mean, given that it is a much smaller diesel unit than what the 2010 diesel Maxima is going to get but the great mileage numbers for diesel engines are there.

60 litres = 15.8503231 US gallons

In the article it says that the 2.0T engine in the Mégane gets about 36 mpg. So, 36 x 15.8503231 = 951.019386 miles to the tank!!! Let's say that there was a typo in the article and the editors really wanted to say 36 miles per litre, then 36 x 60 = 2,160 miles to the litre fuel tank. Translated would be: 2,160 miles to the litre fuel tank = 570.611633 miles to a 15.8503231 gallon fuel tank. Math is not my best subject so pardon me if I am off. :o I used decimal numbers to stay within a somewhat accurate spec.

BUT! Can you for one second even picture getting somewhere within this kind of mileage in your car?! My 2008 Maxima gives me like 289 miles to the tank as the car can barely make it through even one week. Not too mention that Nissan is already experimenting with diesel hybrids. Here is an article to back that up. ~~> http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/09/nissan-adds-die.html

On top of that, Nissan's diesel hybrid is on a commercial scale. Way to go Nissan!!!

[SHIFT_6speeds]

When I read your post, I was thinking gosh, he's describing a place like Oklahoma, where I'm planning to move with my significant other next year. Then I looked at your profile info... cool!

I don't like large city life, maybe cause I've spend 25 years having the biggest city on earth pounded into my conscience daily.:p

Cool! And I am originally from NJ also. Monmouth County. Been out here since '84.

[RonSteinbach]

Ron,

I read that you were greater disappointed with the overall package of the new 7th gen Maxima due to its reduction in size. I remember that you had a similar doubt about the Maxima's integration with Nissan's CVT but later on you tried one and bought one. I have a feeling that this same thing might repeat itself with the new 7th gen Maxima. Thus the saying of, "Don't knock something until you have tried it" among this generation.


Probably so! The Nissan website has more information on the '09 Maxima. I checked it out today (nissanusa.com). Nissan seems to be emphasizing that the new Maxima is a 4-door sports car. If it really is, that may sell me even with a little less space inside. But when I buy my next new car, I will check out all the other brands, even Buick! [Just kidding on the Buick part!!:p]

And, I will certainly check out the 2010 Ford Taurus which looks like it was designed by Nissan! http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-finally/

[omelet1978]

Probably so! The Nissan website has more information on the '09 Maxima. I checked it out today (nissanusa.com). Nissan seems to be emphasizing that the new Maxima is a 4-door sports car. If it really is, that may sell me even with a little less space inside. But when I buy my next new car, I will check out all the other brands, even Buick! [Just kidding on the Buick part!!:p]

And, I will certainly check out the 2010 Ford Taurus which looks like it was designed by Nissan! http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-finally/


Ok, first of all if you read this article they talk about "Ford Taurus Forums".........There are Taurus forums out there???? :cool:

So is the Taurus supposed to be the competitor to the Maxima and the Fusion the competitor the the Altima? I actually do like this design.

[drakutis]

I didn't see anything new on Nissanusa.com. Did I miss something?

[RonSteinbach]

So is the Taurus supposed to be the competitor to the Maxima and the Fusion the competitor the the Altima? I actually do like this design.

Ford's problem has been that the Taurus hasn't been a competitor to anything! It didn't sell as the Ford 500, nor as the renamed Taurus. The old Taurus was allowed to become a rental/fleet car until it died. The Fusion has been selling well as against the Camry, Accord and Altima.

[jwaters943]

I didn't see anything new on Nissanusa.com. Did I miss something?

I think he's referring to the mini-site (which has been up for a while):

http://www.nissanusa.com/09maxima/index.html?intcmp=09Maxima.Promo.Homepage.Home.P1

[jcalabria]

When I read your post, I was thinking gosh, he's describing a place like Oklahoma, where I'm planning to move with my significant other next year. Then I looked at your profile info... cool!

I don't like large city life, maybe cause I've spend 25 years having the biggest city on earth pounded into my conscience daily.:p

New Milford, huh? I'm also from Bergen County (most of my life). Commuted into Manhattan (59th & Park) daily for 4 years, then another 4 from Ridgefield to Englewood Cliffs crossing all the Fort Lee GWB traffic, then another 3 years from Ridgefield to Paramus on the Rt 80 & Rt 17 parking lots. ALL WITH MANUAL TRANNY CARS! Never bothered me at all. Then I moved to Charlotte and found out what real traffic is - infrastructure has not kept up with growth and virtually all commuting is on very clogged city & suburban surface streets... no highways anywhere near where I need to go.

[jcalabria]

I often say that I am done with Nissan, but I just may eat my words and buy another one. Preferably when their clean diesel vehicles start hitting the showrooms.

At least that one will be supposed to knock! :hide:


My 2008 Maxima gives me like 289 miles to the tank as the car can barely make it through even one week.

Not to rub any salt in, but I'm averaging 365 miles on 16 gallon fill-ups. All city/suburban, never see a highway.

How many miles on your '08? Mine wasn't very good until after 10k miles. Then again if your ignition timing is always retarded because of the knock that will hurt your mileage, too.

[InfiNissan Lover]

At least that one will be supposed to knock! :hide:

LoL! I know! That is the WHOLE point! LoL!!!


Not to rub any salt in, but I'm averaging 365 miles on 16 gallon fill-ups. All city/suburban, never see a highway.

Wow! Those are fantastic numbers. I wish I had hopes of reaching those numbers but I feel that my car's engine was doomed since the second day after taking delivery of the car.

How many miles on your '08? Mine wasn't very good until after 10k miles. Then again if your ignition timing is always retarded because of the knock that will hurt your mileage, too.

My 2008 Maxima currently has about 7,600 miles on it. I thought that my poor gas mileage would improve after 10,000 miles like your car's mileage did, but I doubt it as the car continues to ping with the engine ping slowly getting worse and worse.

Funny though, I checked the engine oil today after driving 1,300 miles on newly changed oil and the oil level was perfect. The car is not burning a drop of oil. I find this extremely awkward being how the car pings so badly sometimes. My prior Infiniti I35 also did not have any kind of oil consumption and it pinged worse than a node on a network!

I have already sent my lemon law letter to Nissan certified, with delivery request to see if I can try to start the lengthy process of a possible vehicle buyback. I have a lemon law lawyer on my side so I hope I can get rid of this car before it totally frustrates me beyond all reason.

I am soooooo looking forward towards getting a Honda Civic.

[SHIFT_6speeds]

I am soooooo looking forward towards getting a Honda Civic.

I LOVE mine! The Si is Incredible for it's class.

[JayG35]

New Milford, huh? I'm also from Bergen County (most of my life). Commuted into Manhattan (59th & Park) daily for 4 years, then another 4 from Ridgefield to Englewood Cliffs crossing all the Fort Lee GWB traffic, then another 3 years from Ridgefield to Paramus on the Rt 80 & Rt 17 parking lots. ALL WITH A MANUAL TRANNY CARS! Never bothered me at all. Then I moved to Charlotte and found out what real traffic is - infrastructure has not kept up with growth and virtually all commuting is on very clogged city & suburban surface streets... no highways anywhere near where I need to go.

Yes I've read of many such growth issues in southeastern cities, and am avoiding them like the plague.:D It's where all the New Yorkers who are ready to retire or are as fed up with the area as I am are going. Out west, it's happening with Californians flocking to Arizona, Nevada, and the Pacific northwest.

Honestly the traffic in Bergen only started getting truly awful about 10 years ago, and has gotten steadily worse. You'd think New Milford were a suburb of LA now at rush hour- mile-long backups at each traffic light. Paramus is hopeless during the rush; I take side streets. Can't wait to get out of here.:caged:

[jcalabria]

Yes I've read of many such growth issues in southeastern cities, and am avoiding them like the plague.:D It's where all the New Yorkers who are ready to retire or are as fed up with the area as I am are going. Out west, it's happening with Californians flocking to Arizona, Nevada, and the Pacific northwest.

Honestly the traffic in Bergen only started getting truly awful about 10 years ago, and has gotten steadily worse. You'd think New Milford were a suburb of LA now at rush hour- mile-long backups at each traffic light. Paramus is hopeless during the rush; I take side streets. Can't wait to get out of here.:caged:

The population of Charlotte proper has nearly doubled since 1980 (315k>610k, from 47th to 20th largest US city :eek:) That doesn't count the surrounding area which has grown as well. I started visiting here in '82 and moved here in '93. Except for a still under construction I485 outer loop (started in ~'91, not to be completed 'til '11!) not much has happened in the way of road construction. I live just inside the loop and commute to center city, so it doesn't help me much anyway. Same for light rail... first line went in a few months ago - on the other side of town.

As soon as I moved here in '93 it was obvious that traffic was a severe problem and I never bought another MT car again after that.:( I do miss it... had a lake house in Sussex county and used to love charging up Canistear Rd from Rt 23 up to Highland Lakes - great road BTW (curves... elevation changes... scenery... it WAS, anyway, probably all built up and "safety-ized" by now).

[jcalabria]

LoL! I know! That is the WHOLE point! LoL!!!




Wow! Those are fantastic numbers. I wish I had hopes of reaching those numbers but I feel that my car's engine was doomed since the second day after taking delivery of the car.



My 2008 Maxima currently has about 7,600 miles on it. I thought that my poor gas mileage would improve after 10,000 miles like your car's mileage did, but I doubt it as the car continues to ping with the engine ping slowly getting worse and worse.

Funny though, I checked the engine oil today after driving 1,300 miles on newly changed oil and the oil level was perfect. The car is not burning a drop of oil. I find this extremely awkward being how the car pings so badly sometimes. My prior Infiniti I35 also did not have any kind of oil consumption and it pinged worse than a node on a network!

I have already sent my lemon law letter to Nissan certified, with delivery request to see if I can try to start the lengthy process of a possible vehicle buyback. I have a lemon law lawyer on my side so I hope I can get rid of this car before it totally frustrates me beyond all reason.

I am soooooo looking forward towards getting a Honda Civic.

Unless your knock has caused some physical damage, I wouldn't think it would have any effect on oil consumption. I never had any oil consumption issues on any of my VQ's, even with 168k & 171k miles on the '95 & '96.

I hope you realize some satisfaction from your Lemon Law case... good luck.

[InfiNissan Lover]

Thank you.

I really hope that I can get Nissan to buy the car back and give me some kind of money back. I don't know if I am going to buy a brand new car. I might as well buy a used car next after what I went through. I am thinking of either a Honda Civic or Accord, or something else. I am tired of car notes and I want to live free for a change.

I am almost 70% certain that I will probably get a new Honda Civic decently equipped though. I don't plan to pay more than a grand total of $22,000 for it with all the options I plan to have on it. I am sure glad that I didn't sell my Garmin navigation system.

I admit that I will miss my '08 Nissan Maxima very very very much, but I am tired of my cars having little screwball issues. I just hope that I won't get any stupid issues with the Honda Civic I plan on getting if I win the lemon law case.

It will sure be something very new to me to own something outside of Nissan, but at the same time I am also looking forward to the change and the better gas mileage. Once and if I do get the Honda then you'd best believe that I am going to begin my studies on Honda's motors more than what I have exposed myself to.

I know for a fact that no one makes a better 4 cylinder engine than Honda, and I am pretty excited to hopefully experience it for the first time.

[jcalabria]

I know for a fact that no one makes a better 4 cylinder engine than Honda

Not wanting to jinx you, but... Nissan also has that reputation for V6's and look at the issues you've had.

[InfiNissan Lover]

LoL! Where is the optimism jcalabria???

You know something? It is funny that you mentioned that because that is the same exact thing I thought about today when I was at work. I even thought about the potential fact that I could get a Honda with a busted transmission, because Honda isn't really known for good trannies. :(

I just hope that it all works out in my favor. The new Honda Accord is very very nice but I think I am going to have to stick it out with a Honda Civic. I need the 30 city 40 hwy miles per gallon of the car.

[joeB]

And you dont have to buy premium gas. :cool:

[SHIFT_6speeds]

And you dont have to buy premium gas. :cool:

I do! ;)

[JayG35]

The population of Charlotte proper has nearly doubled since 1980 (315k>610k, from 47th to 20th largest US city :eek:) That doesn't count the surrounding area which has grown as well. I started visiting here in '82 and moved here in '93. Except for a still under construction I485 outer loop (started in ~'91, not to be completed 'til '11!) not much has happened in the way of road construction. I live just inside the loop and commute to center city, so it doesn't help me much anyway. Same for light rail... first line went in a few months ago - on the other side of town.

As soon as I moved here in '93 it was obvious that traffic was a severe problem and I never bought another MT car again after that.:( I do miss it... had a lake house in Sussex county and used to love charging up Canistear Rd from Rt 23 up to Highland Lakes - great road BTW (curves... elevation changes... scenery... it WAS, anyway, probably all built up and "safety-ized" by now).
Sussex County is still beautiful, as is Cape May county way down south where we have a beachfront house in the family. Those are probably the only two regions that I could even begin to tolerate in NJ these days . However, they're still way too expensive for this poor-ish boy though.

The NYC sprawl has continued to span deep into Bergen and Passaic, increasing congestion and sending the cost of living and taxes sky-high. Having experienced much of southern California in-depth the past decade, I would have to say that the northeast NJ congestion is just as bad as LA (funny cause people around here seem to think that it's worse out there). That is to say nothing of the rush-rush hustle-bustle attitude which leaves little room for a sense humanity; I just cannot stand it. Very few genuine, polite people here (another Cali stereotype that you yet also see in the NY metro). No, I certainly couldn't picture having a manual tranny here. Heck, I have no clue where you'd find space to learn without driving to the northwest corner of the state.

I have some visits planned to Oklahoma this year and should be moving there with my girlfriend. God knows my Altima will be happier with the relative lack of traffic and wide open spaces. There are supposedly some nice mountian roads ala the Catskills of upstate NY in the southeastern corner of the state. Top it all off with a solid, growing economy down there and a low cost of living, and I have no clue why I've stayed in Jersey for 25 years, lol.

[drakutis]

Tried,

You may not be able to answer this, but do possibly have any idea when we might start seeing media test drives of the Maxima?

And have they started assembly of them yet? I would think so if they are looking at June for sales to start.

Thanks for all of your past info!! You've gotten us closer than we could ever imagine being.

[jcalabria]

LoL! Where is the optimism jcalabria???

You know something? It is funny that you mentioned that because that is the same exact thing I thought about today when I was at work. I even thought about the potential fact that I could get a Honda with a busted transmission, because Honda isn't really known for good trannies. :(

I just hope that it all works out in my favor. The new Honda Accord is very very nice but I think I am going to have to stick it out with a Honda Civic. I need the 30 city 40 hwy miles per gallon of the car.

As far as I know most of the tranny problems are with V6 models... clutch packs were burning up because they weren't up to the V6's torque. So with a Civic the outlook wouldn't be too grim.

The tranny issue was just about the only thing that kept me from picking up a '03 TL-S when I bought my '03 Max (the Acura dealer tried to ease my mind by telling me they always have at least 3 replacement trannies on the shelf and have the swap process down to a one day in and out) and was still in my mind in my '07 Max vs '06 TL comparison as well.

[NissLover]

(the Acura dealer tried to ease my mind by telling me they always have at least 3 replacement trannies on the shelf and have the swap process down to a one day in and out)

Ummmmm thats not what you tell someone to ease their mind. Thats like basically saying......"Oh your tranny is bound to die on you........BUT every single time it fails, we will have one waiting for ya! That ones got your name on it! So that makes it all better!" Wow, I would have looked at the dude and said, "Are you seriously freakin kiddin me? Peace out!"

[jcalabria]

Ummmmm thats not what you tell someone to ease their mind. Thats like basically saying......"Oh your tranny is bound to die on you........BUT every single time it fails, we will have one waiting for ya! That ones got your name on it! So that makes it all better!" Wow, I would have looked at the dude and said, "Are you seriously freakin kiddin me? Peace out!"

I know, lol... I looked at him like he was out of his mind and then went across the street and bought the '03 Max. I felt a little bad because he was actually a knowledgeable and decent guy (he WAS being honest, right) - he even took me to some less traveled areas and encouraged me to beat on the TL-S when we took it for a test drive. The TL-S was a NICE car - the power delivery was not as broad as the VQ35 but oh boy, was that a rush when the VTEC turned her loose - it actually scared my wife when she drove it.

Incidentally... that was April '03 and the first 6Gs were on the lot along side the 5.5s. I just couldn't accept the 6.0G toothed grill, fisheye cornering lamps or the dash design, so I ended up with the 5.5G. Glad I did... that has been my favorite Max of them all.

[NissLover]

Well, yeah I'll give him some credibility for honesty. Still wasn't a smart thing to say.

Yeah Nissan did an amazing job with the refresh of the 6th gens. But the midlife refreshes on the Max are always great (4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 gen). Snap, just imagine the refresh of this new one which is pretty damn amazing to begin with.

[qstarweb]

The 2009 Maxima SV with sport package comes with manual shifting mode that causes the CVT to function like a 6 speed transmission and you can shift easily using the paddle shifters on the wheel. What more can you ask for, if you enjoy driving and shifting gears yourself?

Dean

[SHIFT_6speeds]

The 2009 Maxima SV with sport package comes with manual shifting mode that causes the CVT to function like a 6 speed transmission and you can shift easily using the paddle shifters on the wheel. What more can you ask for, if you enjoy driving and shifting gears yourself?

Dean

A real clutch for my left foot. :D

[joeB]

Would of been better to have a manual with the auto.
Like it used to be. :cool:

[qstarweb]

I have owned as many manual transmission cars as automatics. The best transmission I have owned is the CVT in my '07 Maxima. For '09, the CVT is supposed to be much improved. The CVT shifts 5 times faster than anyone can shift a manual. So, why do you want all that work? I once paced a driver with a manual G35. Everytime he shifted, I pulled two car lengths ahead, until I was even with him. For smooth power, manuals and automatics are obsolete when compared with a CVT.
I couldn't agree more with Ron. When I had once thought I was close to decided that I would trade my 2007 Maxima for a 2008 G35 Infiniti, the one thing that struck me as taking a step back was going from the CVT to a 5 speed automatic on the G35.

Yes the 2009 the CVT is improved. It is more "sport tuned" and responsive, especially in the DS mode. And if you get the SV with sport package as I have, and you want to shift, it emulates a 6 speed and you have shift or the paddle shifters to do the shifting.

One time I pulled up at a stop light in my 2007, where both lanes go straight. On the left was some teenager driving a pimped out Mitsubishi Lancer. He floored that thing and he was winding out one gear after another, it whined almost as loudly as a motor cycle. I just put the gas down and passed him with ease, showed his car to be a joke.

Dean

[qstarweb]

A real clutch for my left foot. :D
G35 Infiniti with the 6 speed manual is your ticket.

[SHIFT_6speeds]

G35 Infiniti with the 6 speed manual is your ticket.

yep, I think that's my next car.