Test Drove 2009 Nissan Maxima 4DSC

[Jacko3]

So, on my way home from my mechanic, I decided to stop by and have some fun. I decided that test driving the 2009 Nissan Maxima 4DSC would be a great way to have fun. I tested a fully loaded SV version which had 19" wheels.

First of all, the steering wheel is smaller than the steering wheels of any Infiniti model---very sporty looking. I don't know of anything that exists in the interior of a fully loaded 2007 and 2008 G-35 Sedan that wasn't in the 2009 Nissan Maxima. I had to wonder why i should buy an Infiniti G-35 sedan when the Nissan Maxima was there--but this concern was alleviated after the test drive---read on. Only difference between the two cars maybe their engine----Maxima has the VQ35DE engine and G-35 Sedan has the VQ35HR engine. Another difference is that the maxima is a front-wheel drive while the G-35 Sedan is a rear-wheel drive.

The car felt as heavy as a G-37---very sturdy. It was relatively quite in the cabin for a VQ35DE under normal driving condition. But step on the gas and you will here a nice grunt under the hood. The shifter was nicely placed close to the driver to allow for seemless shifting. The ngine bay had cheap stuff under the hood. The air intake seemed too small for an engine that size---seemed seriously restricted.

With the CVT transmission, the Nissan Maxima shifts better than the G-35 Infiniti Sedan, with almost zero lag between shifts. Its shifting was unbeleivably smooth. Only other car in the infiniti line up with such a smooth shifting without the CVT transmission is the FX 50.

However, the 2007 and 2008 G-35 Sedan is more responsive when the throttle is pushed. The 2009 Nissan Maxima felt less agile but capable. As far as i am concerned, the G-35 Sedan will flog the Nissan Maxima, all day long.

The Nissan Maxima was well behaved. But i felt its throttle response needed a little tweeking to get it to be more responsive. Its weight is its biggest draw back especially on a front-wheel drive. That car seemed like a tank. The trunk of the car was barely larger than the trunk of a G-35 Coupe. The G-35 Sedan trunk is large enough to bury a full grown human in it. The car was sporty but not as exciting to drive as a G35 Sedan or a G-35 Coupe.

I would conclude that the 2009 Nissan Maxima is a good compromise for anyone who wants to get away from getting in trouble in a 2007 and 2008 G-35 Sedan (Traffic tickets). So, i would say that the 2009 Nissan Maxima is the highest quality maxima I have seen so far---well built and capable. But it is not an Infiniti and does not feel like one.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima felt more like a 2006 IS-350 than it did feel like an Infiniti.

Modified by Jacko3 at 9:08 PM 9/6/2008
Modified by Jacko3 at 9:11 PM 9/6/2008

[zozoka1212]

You really can feel the differences between the G35 sedan and the Maxima when you take a spirited turn.

I do agree that is the best what Nissan did so far. Good job Nissan.

zozo

[mrsmithGrider]

When I read the title on the main page I said to myself...I bet Jacko wrote this one up and whoa and behold....lol...It comes to no surprise to me that the maxima feels this way....It's more of an entry level luxury car than a sporty luxury sedan that they try to market it to be. I find it oxymoronic for them to be calling this car a four door sports car....thats a bit much, but it is a nice car. I saw one up close and from the outside it looks nice. I dont like the front of the car at ALL. They could have done a better job with the front grill and head lights. The side of the car along with the back looks nice and sporty. Which reminds me when is Nissan going to change the look of the Z....sorry I digress, buts the maxima is otherwise a nice car.

[SVTCOBRA]

I haven't driven one yet, but I did go with a co-worker on a test drive.From the passenger side, it was a very comfy ride!!! My eyes kept being drawn to the hood...the lines seemed strange....As far as sporty-ness, I'm betting my 02 Max SE felt sportier. Betting the 09 Max will be more at home cruising down the HW than the twisties.

[Jacko3]

Zozo:

If i felt like being tame---I would go with the Maxima---could save me from some tickets---this is the car for those people with G-35 Sedans who have racked up traffic citations and still want to drive something with performance that is less docile.

However, if you have a lead foot and the demons of performance possesses you as it has possessed me, without a doubt, I would go for the G-35 Sedan---no comparison in performance behavior and feel.

[Jacko3]

I am worried that the weight of the car, which made it sturdy is what is taking away from its sportiness---it needs to go on a diet. In fact, the Maxima felt heavier than the G-35 Coupe which we all know should be on a diet.

[Jacko3]

mrsmithgrinder:

How are ya today? Thanks for the compliment. Maybe they marketed it as a sports sedan by not comparing it to non-premium brands like Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, etc. Maybe on that account, and in that entry world, maybe it is.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Hey Jacko, nice write up, I too was very intruiged by Nissan's new max, the front end is very similar in facia to the G's. I know the F/F would be a downside due to weight, but I'd expect the CVT transmission to even further compromise the sportiness.

Nice lookin' car though, all in all, (I think it's trying to look like a G )

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

I think the CVT just makes it faster!

[Sentientbydesign]

I don't think that the throttle response is a problem with the Maxima.

It's the transmission and how it shifts. For the most part, that transmission is designed to optimize fuel efficiency. When you step on it, it gradually shifts "gears" an slowly increases engine speed.

You won't get that nice quick downshift that a normal AT would give you.

[Jacko3]

Nate:

That sounds interesting! So, why would Nissan call it a sports sedan and market it at such, while working towards fuel efficiency. I just didn't get that umph from the car as I get from a G-35 Sedan.

[Sentientbydesign]

I'll need to actually drive it before I give my opinion of it being a 4DSC, but I personally think that title should have died around 2001.

The Maxima is a heavy boat with new lines and a moderately powerful powerplant.

It's still FWD. It's still has squishy suspension (I assume). It's an even bigger boat!

I think Nissan realizes that very few of it's Power-Class offer fuel efficiency. Hell, my G is getting me 16 mpg right now. I can pop 20 if I drive on the FWY and maybe 22 if I drive 70 on CC. That's anything but fuel efficient.

The CVT is their answer, especially since they keep upping HP and displacement instead of using the VVT for economy.

I want a little dial with 3 modes: Economy, Regular, and Track

I'd be much happier with my G if it had that.

[Jacko3]

Nate:

Seems like they have those settings in the GTR for the suspension, Traction, and Transmission.

[joe603]

Not a fan of wrong-wheel drive...good to hear that the car isn't up the Infiniti standards....even though it's priced similarly.

Nate...my 05 coupe gets 19-20mpg mixed all day long. It's your driving style or there is a problem (and I don't baby my car whatsoever either...)

[Sentientbydesign]

Not a fan of wrong-wheel drive...good to hear that the car isn't up the Infiniti standards....even though it's priced similarly.

Nate...my 05 coupe gets 19-20mpg mixed all day long. It's your driving style or there is a problem (and I don't baby my car whatsoever either...)

There are a couple of things working against me. My wheel well cover flew off on the FWY about 2 weeks ago. I got the replacement cover, but haven't installed it yet. I noticed my mpg go down shortly after that. I'm also missing most of my front spoiler (not the chin lip, the one attached to the underbody cover). I think that's hurting it as well.

Lastly, I need to check to see if they put in new spark plugs when they swapped out my engine. If not, they definitely need to be changed.

CA gas doesn't help much either.

[zozoka1212]

When I went to the dealer to see and testdrive I saw the sticker price. It was 37+k and the G base was 39+k. Only 2k difference. For that much money probably there is some other FWD cars in the segment. Not sure tho.

zozo

[Jacko3]

Yep! Thats about right! The one i tested was about 37+K.

[Eddiesalsa]

morning...

New to this site....

I was in the market for an 09 Max a few months ago...test drove it like 3x then my nephew told me to check out Infiniti....and wow.... The G35 handle much nicer, felt sportier, and the whole instrument console was much better than the 09Max... I didn't go with the G37 as I needed a 4dr sedan... I had on 07 Max and what sold me was the CVT Transmission very nice and smooth... but after driving the G35, there is no way it comes close to the performance of the G...

Also I took in considration that the Infiniti line holds its value better than the Nissan line... I brought the G35 Journey with all the bells and whistle... the only thing that was a bit of slight turn off was that the fog lights are not seperate and lowered like most have them.. I wonder if there is a kit or add on accessory to add Fog lights to the lower grill...

Thanks....

[joe603]

Check out this thread for a fog light install:

http://forums.g35club.org/zerothread/364427