What I love about my Nissan

[NissanSportSarah]

I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima, and it's no secret to anyone who knows me that I love it. But why on earth would anyone love a nine-year-old sedan THAT much?

For me, the Maxima is everything I wanted in a car at this point in my life, a life that has been previously full of coupes or rugged SUVs. It has four doors, allowing me to easily get my dogs in and out of it. It is a 5-speed which is perfect because don't tolerate automatics very well. And that VQ30 puts out a decent amount of power while also repeatedly proving itself nearly bullet-proof.

But what does the Maxima have that I couldn't find in any other six cylinder sedan? For me it's about styling, handling, and a company that I can be proud of representing. Nissan/Datsun has a great tradition behind it, and if you've never really looked into it, I recommend that you spend a little time doing so - the Datsun legacy is fascinating.

I love the way the shifter sits in the center console. It's a perfect height, not only for shifting, but for aesthetics as well. The radio is the perfect distance for me to reach while driving, and not once have I missed having steering wheel audio controls. I can get the climate in the car just right any time of year; it heats up quickly in winter and cools down fast in the summer. The steering wheel feels just right in my hands, and the gauges are functional yet beautiful to look at in any light. I never have a passenger get in the Max for the first time that they don't comment on what a gorgeous car it is, and how they can't believe it's nine years old. The styling is, in a word, timeless.

Some complain that the Maximas have slushy suspension and that understeer is "a way of life." This problem is not one that I've encountered. For day to day driving, the Maxima hugs the curves and makes winding roads a joy to drive. Would I autocross it? Probably not without some suspension upgrades, but those are coming soon anyway; the suspension is nine years old after all. In the meantime, I'm happy with the performance and handling for what I do with it.

What about your Nissan/Infiniti/Datsun? What do YOU love about it?

[Gold Digger]

Well said, Sarah.

I also am a fan of Nissan, and have owned 4 so far in my automotive life.

1. 1990 Nissan 240SX hatch2. 1997 Nissan Altima GLE "Limited Edition"3. 1990 Nissan Laurel Club S Turbo4. 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec

To me, Nissan has the whole package, especially in their early to mid 90's cars. The cars were basic and simple, and didn't have a bunch of un-needed buttons and toys to distract you from the simple joy of driving.

Nissan also builds engines that take abuse rather well, and can also resond very well to mild, moderate or wild tuning, with the SR and RB platforms being well respected in Japan and the US, among other places, and other engines such as the older CA, FJ and VG series holding their own as well. Let's not forget the newer VQ series, either.

As for my current car, the BCNR33 GT-R was a car that I fell in love with upon first seeing it. The body lines are smooth and subtle, giving it a "wolf in sheeps clothing" type look. I had only heard of the Skyline through a friend in 1997, just mere months before the relase of Sony's original Playstation game, Gran Turismo.

It wasn't untill a year or so later that I learned exactly what these cars were and why there was all the hype around them.

Regardless, it's not the hype that made me buy the car, but it is part of it.

Most of it is, I now own a piece of Nissan's racing legacy, in some form or another. The GT-R was known to dominate racing circuits around Japan and parts of the globe. It was a well built, if not purpose built, car that holds its own quite well in stock form, even on a race track.

I have done the small hatch, small-ish four door, and the mid-sized family car. Now it's my time for Nissan's flagship car.

[assocpubNSI]

I guess the thing I love most about my Datsun is the dream of someday driving it on a daily basis.

[Gold Digger]

I guess the thing I love most about my Datsun is the dream of someday driving it on a daily basis.

Hope things all work out for you. Keep that dream alive, because as I found out...dreams do come true.

[audtatious]

I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima, and it's no secret to anyone who knows me that I love it. But why on earth would anyone love a nine-year-old sedan THAT much?

You simply can't beat the 5th generation Maxima....Well, you can if you get the 5.5-gen with the VQ35DE

Glad to see you here Sarah

[Spyder Z 15]

I love the classic styling of the Z32. I've loved this car since I was younger and I've owned 3 of them prior to my slicktop. It's the flowing lines and the cockpit like interior. The shifter is perfect in everyway. I just love the car and I'm thankful that I am able to own one.

Now what I hate about it isn't Nissan's fault. Being 6'8" makes it a pain to fit and I will have to install some different seats in my slicktop. When I had a 2+2 it was easier, but oh well. The price I pay for a rare Z32.

[PBfrEAk]

I love the classic styling of the Z32. I've loved this car since I was younger and I've owned 3 of them prior to my slicktop. It's the flowing lines and the cockpit like interior. The shifter is perfect in everyway. I just love the car and I'm thankful that I am able to own one.

Now what I hate about it isn't Nissan's fault. Being 6'8" makes it a pain to fit and I will have to install some different seats in my slicktop. When I had a 2+2 it was easier, but oh well. The price I pay for a rare Z32.

//Thread jack

What do you mean by slicktop exactly? lol How is it rare?

\\End thread jack

[MinisterofDOOM]

Slicktop is regular hardtop as opposed to t-top. They were only available on the base model and are thus fairly rare. Part of the reason they're desirable is that the base model weighs less (due to lack of many features including the t-tops).

[SteveTheTech]

The 98,99,00 Maxima was one of the best cars of its day both in it simplicity and dependability. Although to 2k model has a different shell many of the same components under all over it. Of all the Maximas available on the market those are the only three years I would ever consider.

Then again I am spoiled by the classic Infiniti. My J has a very similar layout to the Maxima when it comes to center stack layout. Although the underpinnings share some of the same components as the Z32. There is something about these classics this is something MoD and I agree on.

The modern replacements of the classics are loaded with advanced technology and drivetrain improvements that are leaps and bounds ahead of the simpler days.

I think once the new M50 a reality there will be something new to inspire fans.

[audtatious]

You should probably include the '00 and '01 with that as they all had the VQ30. There was not much wrong with the '02-03 either but they did have some updates like drive-by-wire and such.

[SteveTheTech]

I never liked the 2001, and I also omitted the 97 purposely. It was a transitional year. Much like the 2000 mid year transition with the Pathfinder.

[audtatious]

'00 and '01 were the same body (5th gen). '01 did have the 227hp anniversary edition tho.

[SteveTheTech]

Yeah I know I meant it. The anniversary edition was pretty but I think the Max was better with less power. I do not prefer fwd VQ35s. IMHO the Max was the best when it was the simplest. Not 80s simple but mid to late 90s were good years for the Maxima.

[dmuramoto]

I agree with Steve's assessment of the VQ30DE powered Maximas. But then again, I'm biased. My wife has been driving an A32 Maxima from the time the VQ was first introduced. "Mad Max" (my wife named it) has been a great car. I recently got through putting a new fender and bumper cover on (somebody backed into her in a parking lot last year) and replaced some fuel injectors. Otherwise, that white '95 Maxima continues to look and run beautifully. It's never been "babied"; other than I like to keep her clean.