2007 Maxima Redesign

[NISTECH]

:

All established name plates have a tendecy to creep upmarket.

Fred please define this statement?

Also for the record, when the A34 showed up I did not like it at all, and here 2 model yrs later I still dont like it. All maxs prior to it in my eyes were the superior car. The A34 and its striking similarity to the L31 takes that away in my opion. It just doesnt stand out to me anymore.

[audtatious]

I tend to agree on the current model. I actually don't mind the side profile and like the rear design. I simply hate the front and miss the waterfall-style dash instead of one that looks like a PC....

[maxima278]

I agree about the front end. I always thought someone would come up with an aftermarket grill that would bring the car together somehow but it never happened. The aftermarket grills I've seen just don't change it much. About the dash, I have a hard time differentiating it from the Altima, and the Murano. I don't know if the maxima is like this, but my parents Murano's dash lights up orange and I hate that.

As far as torque steer goes, I haven't driven an 04, so I guess I shouldn't have commented. My comments were based more on my experience with my 95

[audtatious]

I've driven a '05 and it has just as much torque steer as the previous models. Nothing that a FSTB would not take care of. The gauges and lighting IS orange as well. It tends to get washed out due to placement.

[maxima278]

guess you can add that to the list of things I'd like to see changed. I like guages that light up green. The orange reminds me of a cheap-*** mitsubishi or Chrysler product.

[audtatious]

guess you can add that to the list of things I'd like to see changed. I like guages that light up green. The orange reminds me of a cheap-*** mitsubishi or Chrysler product.

Don't forget Pontiac......

[maxima278]

Good God how could I forget? I must be losing my edge. I'm usually a staunch GM basher. Maybe I've started to think that it just goes without saying. Did anyone know that they finally stopped making the Asstek? There are signs that somebody at GM may be finally waking up. They are still making the same crap that plagues rental car companies and people who just don't care what they drive (i.e. the Impala), but have you seen the Saturn Sky? Wow, who did they rip that off of? Maybe there's hope.

Or not.

[audtatious]

Who knows...

In general, at least US car makers are starting to lean towards us performance oriented folk. Now, if Nissan/Infiniti will provide a 350-400hp vehicle for less than 40k, we'd be set!

[maxima278]

yeah, Nissan seemed to start these horsepower wars, now its time to one up again. The M45 is nice but not nice enough for $60 grand as far as us peasants are concerned

[maxima278]

As much as I don't like the idea of it, the Chrysler 300 is the one to beat right now. With 340 horsepower for $30 grand or less, a lot of people won't care that its ugly.

[audtatious]

Yeah. I liked it at first, but the more I see it, the more I don't like it.

[maxima278]

Its a shame that a 340 horsepower rear drive sedan for under $30 grand has to be made by THAT company isn't it? That's almost like finding out that God likes someone elses favorite football team other than yours. Nobody else even seems to be trying to compete with that.

[audtatious]

Not within that price range they are not. US automakers have found a niche in the market.

[maxima278]

seems like if a japanese company made something to compete in that niche that was actually a good looking car, they would mop up. I mean who would buy a 300 if it wasn't more powerful than the average sedan?

[audtatious]

V8 with terms like "hemi" are opening a new door.

[maxima278]

I know all this sounds like it is off topic, here and maybe we did go off on a tangent, but bottom line, the competition does play a role in how cars are designed, I'm just trying to say that it would be great to have a nissan competing in the segment against the 300 and charger. I don't think anybody was ready for those cars to be released.

[audtatious]

Trends always effect the way car companies design their product. SUV, van and truck markets blossomed over the last 15 years and everyone jumped on the band wagon. Hopefully Nissan will jump on the V8 in a Maxima bandwagon

[maxima278]

also off the subject a little, but how about the bandwagon that says 240sx's are hotter than they ever were, so why in the heck are we not seeing an S16?

[turbo98_240sx]

They (Nissan) really dropped the ball with the way they went about marketing the 240sx in the later years, they went for gray haired old men who wanted a sporty look and good gas millage, look at sales #'s and advertisements for the 240sx. I don't think they will revive the 240 badge and have it be anywhere close to what it was from what I've seen it will look like the new eclipse and will mostlikly be a FWD Nissan is really droppin the ball all over the board if you ask me

[MinisterofDOOM]

They (Nissan) really dropped the ball with the way they went about marketing the 240sx in the later years, they went for gray haired old men who wanted a sporty look and good gas millage, look at sales #'s and advertisements for the 240sx. I don't think they will revive the 240 badge and have it be anywhere close to what it was from what I've seen it will look like the new eclipse and will mostlikly be a FWD Nissan is really droppin the ball all over the board if you ask me

Well, the 240 badge won't come back for sure--the KA has been retured. But you can expect to see a small, rwd, QR25-powered coupe built on a shrunken version of the next-gen Z platform.

[maxima278]

where did you read that? I haven't found any info on anything other than some front drive replacement for the sentra. I'd love to read the details on that.

[NISTECH]

The sentra is not getting replaced. There is going to be an addition to the family, from what I am hearing its gonna be an ugly a$$ baby too. It will be a lower line then the sentra. In all honesty I am feeling this is the beginning of the phase out of the max. I KNOW I KNOW you guys think otherwise. I honestly think the altima is going to replace the max as the flag ship. My opinion.

The rear wheel drive senario "250Z" was one brought out by a dept manager at a nissan dealer in a market trial area back east. I havent heard anything on it yet, nor have I been able to comfirm it with my nissan sources. NICO's 350z forum has more info on it if you wanna read about it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

The rear wheel drive senario "250Z" was one brought out by a dept manager at a nissan dealer in a market trial area back east. I havent heard anything on it yet, nor have I been able to comfirm it with my nissan sources. NICO's 350z forum has more info on it if you wanna read about it.

Ahh, I wondered just how "official" it was.

Wel...it'd be a big hit if they did it, that's for sure!

The sentra is not getting replaced. There is going to be an addition to the family, from what I am hearing its gonna be an ugly a$$ baby too. It will be a lower line then the sentra. In all honesty I am feeling this is the beginning of the phase out of the max. I KNOW I KNOW you guys think otherwise. I honestly think the altima is going to replace the max as the flag ship. My opinion.

I could see the Alty moving in. It's got the same appeal the third and fourth gen maximas had in their day--only MUCH more widespread and popular. If Nissan kills the Maxima (in "essence" or in name) I'll have a vendetta against them for the rest of my life. Same as I hate GM for putting the Malibu badge on a small FWD--there are some things that are just wrong.

I just think it'd be foolish to axe a nameplate associated with so many repeat buyers, loyal customers, and extremely proud and fanatical owners like some of us. How many ultra-proud first gen Altima owners are there? And the second gen was a pos...ugly and boring...I'd rather have had a camry.It seems backward that a car can become suddenly popular and in one fell swoop replace it's former "big brother" in the lineup, AND become the company's "favored" model...Keep making the Altima an amazing car...But just remember the Diamante. It was an excellent big FWD. Then Mitsu stopped caring about it, and it turned into crap. The thought of that happening to the Max is just too unpleasant to entertain.

[turbo98_240sx]

Not to thread jack but.... and sorry about the size I know it is a lil on the big side. Source of article is "speed" magazine Fall 2004, Speed Mag is a Branch of Road & Track btw so I would think it is a pretty reputable source. Sorry about the thread jack and all but just though you might like to know. Personaly I hope if they do bring back the 240 that it looks nothing like the car pictured Uggh.Peace, Pat

On a side note on Friday I'll be flying to MD to pick up my Black on Black 5-Speed Maxima (98') and I'm really pumped to join the Maxima owners club I've always like the Maxima since I took a ride in my aunt's 90' when it was brand new back in the day (I think that is when I fell in love with Nissan too)

[NISTECH]

That picture is I believe a concept of the redesigned Z in 07. Since the z is getting a complete redesign for that MY.

[turbo98_240sx]

Whatever it is IMO it is ugly, But I guess I was mislead and am now read in the face for thread jacking and not even having ligit Info, sorry guys.

[NISTECH]

It wont look like that. that is only a proto type. That is the extreame. It would be toned down quite a bit.

[TurboMax67]

Im glad they are redesigning the body, it is very much needed. I think the 5th gen looks better than the 6th by far, but I still don't like it. The only Maxima I would drive would be a 4thgen 97-99. It's body style looks far more smooth and aggressive.

I would like to see them continue to use the VQ35DE a little longer, but possibly a new Intake Manifold with capabilites like the 2000-2001, or the MEVI. I would like to see it stay FWD, but if they made a RWD system I certainly wouldn't complain.

A complete redesign is needed. The exterior is funky looking, the interior is chinsy or cheap looking. I think the biggest thing I am hoping for would be a VQ35DET in the equation. Don't you guys think its time for Nissan to give the states another good turbocharged vehicle? A stock turbocharged VQ35 would decimate every other stock V6 on the market.

Actually, it would probably destroy most stock vehicles in the states.

[maxima278]

actually a twin turbocharged vq35 is exactly what I read was probably to be released in the new GTR when it comes out. I read that they were hoping for 2007 but I don't believe they will hit that. They've been using G35s as test mules so it was rumored that it would look similar to it, but I also read that that is probably not what it will look like. I'm not sure if it will be called a skyline (it would be a shame not to) but because of pricing it will be under the infiniti name.

...of course with the latest news about the 350z being redesigned I don't know if that will change the plans or speculations...

[NISTECH]

LKast word on the GTR/skyline it was still being hashed out in marketing. They have been unable to come to an agrrement as to what badge it should be marketed under. So it was still not decided at that point.