Altima *6*-speed?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Here is my speculation... The new Sentra SE-r Spec-V is scheduled to get a 6-speed manual. Sport Compact Car website and magazine have stated that the manual tranny will be bullet-proof because it is the same one going into the new Maxima, and will handle the 260+ hp scheduled for that vehicle.

So...... Given the engine crossover that Nissan is now involved in (i.e. the highest Sentra engine is the base Altima, the highest Altima is the Maxima base, etc....).... Wouldn't it make sense to just have the six-speed in the Altima 3.5SE as well? Love to hear opinions or actual information about this. Thanks.

[The_Chosen_One]

Make sense to me, a lot of things have made sense lately with Nissan. However, we did have a high performance Sentra before and the Maxima has always been "hi-po". However, we still got stuck with just the base 240 version in the states! Time will tell..

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Here's why I think Nissan choose to use a 5-speed in their Altima instead of the SE-R and Maxima's 6-speed. Basicly because Nissan needs to keep the Maxima on top of the Altima in terms of performance.

Remember the Altima now does 0-60 in a Maxima shattering 6.3 seconds with its 5-speed manual. Because of this huge increase, Nissan is giving its Maxima a 260hp motor and a 6-speed to compensate and to keep it in front of the Altima. If you gave the Altima that same 6-speed its performance would most likley be on par with the Maxima because of its weight advantage, obviously this wouldn't be acceptable for Nissan as it'd lose massive amounts of Maxima sales to the lower priced Altima. So they're giving the Altima the 5-speed to effectivly slow it down. heh.

But now for the good stuff. The current generation maxima is only going to be around for one more year. Its getting totaly redesigned to be sold the Summer of 2002 as a 2003 model. The redesign will enlarge the car and move it up in price to the level of Toyota's Avalon. When this happens, I can see the Altima now getting the 6-speed since it will no longer be competing so closeley with the Maxima, like it will be for the next year.

I'm really curious as to what direction Nissan is planning on taking with the next Maxima. Will it be performance oriented? I mean if its Altima is already doing 6.3 second 0-60, how much faster can they really make the Maxima before it treads on the 2003 Z car's turf? The plot thickens.

[This message has been edited by Classic SE-R (edited 05-29-2001).]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

That's right, the 2002 Altima will be using a 5-speed. You can read the press release here (http://www.nissannews.com/nissan/product/vehicles/altima/frameset.html).

Or to save some time:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Backing each engine is a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmissions. Automatic transmission-equipped V6 Altimas offer an available traction control system.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[The_Chosen_One]

Classic..you speak as though Nissan has already decided on the 5 speed? Have they or is it your speculation? Also..it does look like all the new Nissan are hitting 60 in 6.5 or so, the only thing sepreating them is the amount of luxury an dprice. lol I see it like this...350Z in 5.6 or less, Maxima 5.6-6, Altima 6.3, Sentra 6.5-7. What you think?

[The_Chosen_One]

Well I'll be a...lol