Saw the New Max Tonight

[6speeder]

I saw the '04 Max tonight. There were two. One was black and the other was Champagne Mist. Both had regular style sunroofs and the black one was a fully loaded SL with the Elite package. It's not bad but I now have no doubt that buying the '03 Max SE 6sp was definitely the right thing for me to do. I had my '03 next to it and the '04, lookswise at least, has an entirely different character. It's nice, but not for me. It looks like it's trying to appeal to an older crowd IMO.

[fatddyslam69]

WOW>.....thats cool....where was this? A dealership? Do dealerships have these cars yet? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif... http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[6speeder]

Yes. I saw these at City Line Nissan in Drexel Hill, PA.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Glad to hear you prefer the 03 over the 04. I was beginning to think I was the only one.
I concur that the 04 seems to be focused differently than the previuos generations. I believe the 03 is much more of a 4DSC than the 04.

[Not_Vin_Diesel]

The 04 is definitely out to pull a slightly different crowd than previous generations, but just slightly. At 265hp with that same torque steer we all love it will still have 4DSC capabilities, but it's even more pliable to luxury car lovers now with some borrowed features from the I35(rear sunshade) and the Q(power tilt/telescope wheel) as well as power folding mirrors.

[jbgoodmax]

The 04 is definitely out to pull a slightly different crowd than previous generations, but just slightly. At 265hp with that same torque steer we all love it will still have 4DSC capabilities, but it's even more pliable to luxury car lovers now with some borrowed features from the I35(rear sunshade) and the Q(power tilt/telescope wheel) as well as power folding mirrors.



The new Max reminds me of a Mix between a Lexus GS and Q45. If freshalloy was right about the interior fit and finish then this should be a winner.

[r32guy]

I've been saying that this car looks like its got Lexus GS in its blood, all along. Although maybe a GS crossed with an Altima, but still an admirable combo.

[mayhem]

Awhile back I was wondering if anyone could have designed a car less attractive to me than the new Z, then Nissan introduces the new Max and I began to see a pattern. I had an 04 follow me for much of the commute home last night...the guy seemed to be having some fun with the powerband, but I just couldn't get past the looks of that thing...what a monstrosity.

And now just when I was wondering if it was possible to make a car uglier than the 04 Max, along comes the Titan. Looks like Nissan is definitely taking a stand on the love it/hate it designs...too bad.

[stotty203]

What points are you trying to make? If you are just voicing your opinion fine that's great, but appartently not a lot of people agree with you on the Z, since it is the best selling sports car in America right now, outselling even Corvette. I agree with the love it or hate it design, but that is what makes Nissan great. If you want a humdrum car that everyone will think is OK but does not provoke any emotion or excitement at all, buy a Camry. The thing about the Altima/Maxima is that they are the few cars in that segment that you can actually get excited about driving, and I am glad Nissan is heading in that direction.

[CoCo_PuFf]

What points are you trying to make? If you are just voicing your opinion fine that's great, but appartently not a lot of people agree with you on the Z, since it is the best selling sports car in America right now, outselling even Corvette. I agree with the love it or hate it design, but that is what makes Nissan great. If you want a humdrum car that everyone will think is OK but does not provoke any emotion or excitement at all, buy a Camry. The thing about the Altima/Maxima is that they are the few cars in that segment that you can actually get excited about driving, and I am glad Nissan is heading in that direction.



Don't worry, I got your back on this one stotty203 http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/mad.gif.

[Just_Plain_Obi]

Ok, I finally saw this new Maxima and I'm gonna give the pros and cons and then sum it up at the end. Here goes!


Pros:
1) Bigger and roomier
2) 18 inch wheels
3) Quad exhaust is NICE!
4) Autostick (BUT, you can't start in 1st gear like the Acura TL-S and CL-S and it won't let you redline it if you are upshifting or downshifting)!


Cons:
1) BOOOORING styling! Inside and out. There is just not a lot going on inside. Plus, the orange instruments and lighting are "Blah". I never was a fan of it in the new Altima either. The outside is boring as well. It is nice, but nothing grabs me and says, "I MUST OWN THIS CAR!" Also, without a real spoiler, this car has a HUUUUUGE butt!
2) Cheap, cheap, cheap dash materials. This thing was put together with cheap parts IMO. The plastic reminds me of the interior of the Altima and G35. I did not like the interior of those cars either. Definately not as nice as my 02 SE. Not by a long shot.
3) Xenons not standard on a $29K sticker?? HA! No thanks!


Thats about it for now. I didn't get to drive it because it had just come in. All the salepeople were "looky loos" just like me. I had to explain how the foglights worked for everyone! Good times!


So, in close, would I buy this car? The answer is "No" and here is why:
I am sure this car will outhandle and outdrive my current Maxima. There is no doubt about that. But I think they have geared it towards a much older audience. They have priced it towards an older audience as well. If they were looking to compete with the TL-S and Audi A6, they have sure priced it that way. Too bad it is not nearly as nice as either one of those cars on the inside. The outside will hold up. It is boring just like the TL-S. Unfortunately folks, it looks like they have left the Altima to us previous generation Maxima owners. That is all fine and good if they get the Altima interior looking better. For me? My next car will still be the Mazda RX-8 at this point in time. That is unless somethings else comes along that I want instead.


Obi
2002 Maxima SE
Sterling Mist/Frost Cloth

[ALTOWNER]

The dealership I work for recieved 5 new maxima, and of course I got a chance to drive a few of them, 2 SL's and 3 SE's (two automatics, one manual)
I am biased of course, but I really think Nissan hit a homerun with this car. I think the interior is a lot nicer than the altima...which is getting a change soon, the car has a lot of nice features in it and the ride is really smooth and responsive. People will complain about anything, no company can make "The Perfect Car" but true nissan fans will really like this car. And if you don't, no one will make you buy it so don't worry, go get something else.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

woodfield nissan, schaumburg IL has 7 '04 maximas in. i had to check it out for myself based on all the negative responses here. i was not impressed by the interior at all. more specifically, the center console resembles the CTS', only of lower quality. the exterior was nice though. i'm sure it will do well. personally, for the money, i'd take a similarly priced g.