CTC Review: 2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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From the small and economical to the large and luxurious, that is the way it goes sometimes; an advantage for the luxurious part, perhaps but a disadvantage on the size front.  Generally, I have no use for a large car so they do not swoon me as they would some, but I will admit I like the ride and feel you generally get in a longer-wheelbase car.   More...

[curls]

Nice looking car... aside from the atrocious wheel gap and small wheels for a car of that size.

[toolatecrew]

There is one down the street from me. I think I like the looks better than the G37 Sedan. But I just don't see where this thing fits. Its too close in price to a G37 and doesn't have a performance advanatge with FWD. I don't know if it justifies the gap over a v6 Altima either.

Much better than the last few years of Maxima.

[Alex_S]

I'm sure this drives really well and MUCH improved from the 2001 Maxima my father owns.  Interior looks nice BUT I still can't get over those ATROCIOUS headlights.  An absolute styling disaster imo; it's all about the details for me.

For my money, I might forego some of the sport for a little more plush in the Genesis Sedan.  We've had simply too many problems with brakes in our Maxima (head to go through Nissan Canada HQ to get things resolved) that there is no brand loyalty to Nissan in our household.

[Mitlov]

I don't know if it justifies the gap over a v6 Altima either.

Sure doesn't in my book.  Sure, apparently they've stiffened the chassis more for the Maxima (built off the same platform though), but if you want sportiness, at least the Altima 3.5SE comes with three pedals and a stick.  Other than that, it appears to me to be an Altima with $5000 strapped to the name badge on the trunk.

[articsteve]

Looks much better in person.

[goonboy]

I agree with curl's comment about the gap in the wheel wells.  Those look like 16 inch non-low profile tires in their instead of the standard low profile 17's.  WEAK.

[sailor723]

I test drove one of these a month or so ago when I had my wife's '05 in for service. Meh....It's a very nice car but there are lot's of nice cars around these days. While it's certainly an improvement over the previous model, it really didn't strike me as a standout in any way.

[toolatecrew]

Loaded Altima V6 (no nav) 36,600
Base Maxima 38,700
Base G37 37,900

Just doesn't make sense.

[nsmyhte]

I agree with curl's comment about the gap in the wheel wells.  Those look like 16 inch non-low profile tires in their instead of the standard low profile 17's.  WEAK.

I beleive they are actually 18's because I know 19's are optional. I think the wheel wells are just too big period not matter what size wheels it has on. I've seen it with the optional 19's and the car just looks like its on stilts. Nissan needs to lower the ride height and shrink the whell wells a bit.

The car's stance is just a bit off. I'm sure it's possible to lower the car via the aftermarket but you shouldn't have to do that just to get a normal stance.

[nsmyhte]

I still think it's not different enough from the Altima. Especially since they are both the same size now.  Nissan should have made it bigger than the Altima or at least given it AWD.  The price point hurts the Maxima as well. What rational person would get this over a G37 which has more power, doesn't have a CVT and is rear wheel drive? Plus the added prestige of the Infiniti badge to boot.

[Spec5]

I agree with the general consensus around here - this is a car that has lost its place. I thought this new car was at least going to offer AWD to distinguish it more from the Alty?

I would definately save the cash and grab the Alty instead. Or if you're serious about looking for more of a performer - the G8 GT starts at $37,450 - and I'm sure local dealers will sell for less. Of course it'll be discontinued but parts aren't likely to be a problem for the first 5 years anyway. And at least the G8 has character. This thing seems souless. Not quite a cruiser, not quite a sport sedan.

[Blueprint]

I agree that it looks good in person (it has "presence" as we say), but no stick and 38 k$ ?

The real entry-luxury rides are actually cheaper (323i, C230, IS250, ...) and available with a proper stick shift.  The value depends on what you want : gizmos or a great basic car.

[Jaeger]

MUCH improved over the previous generation Maxima, but I still can't warm to the CVT.  In manual mode it does a very good job of immitating a conventional manumatic, but the rest of the time it just feels odd.  Given Nissan's stated goal of returning the Maxima to its 4DSC roots, the lack of a manual transmission seems a glaring omission to me.

As others have said - it's hard to justify either the Maxima's price premium over the Altima, or its price parity with the G37.

Jaeger

[ovr50]

We owned a 1992 Maxima for 3 and 1/2 years and it was a good car. Only problem I recall was that it was tough on brakes (someone else mentioned brakes above). Other than that, reliable and powerful (for the times). Did one long distance run to N. Calif in 1993 and it was a comfortable and capable hiway cruiser.

However, today, there are so many capable cars around, and (as others have said) Nissan's own Infiniti models somewhat eclipse the Maxima for similar money. Plus, the Altima has grown up close to the Max. Doubt we would ever buy another one.

[Eldon]

nevoia de a verifica:)

[Juke1]

Take an Accord, load her up to try and match the Maxima in equipment(and you can't) and you will pay $42000 for 1/3 the fun in driving and no comparison in looks.

March sales in this category

TSX (since Honda does not have a flagship car) 107
Azera 27 
Amanti 9 
Avalon 39
Maxima 127 

[toolatecrew]

Take an Accord, load her up to try and match the Maxima in equipment(and you can't) and you will pay $42000 for 1/3 the fun in driving and no comparison in looks.

March sales in this category

TSX (since Honda does not have a flagship car) 107
Azera 27 
Amanti 9 
Avalon 39
Maxima 127 

Do you have figures for Genisis and G37 since both are comparably priced?

I don't read to much into figuresd on a new Model introduction on the first couple of months. Its new after all.

Please don't think that I am against the Maxima. I actually prefer the looks to the G37. My 99 Maxima is still going strong. I think the new Maxima is a step back in the right direction after the last few years.

[Factger]

The new maxima fills in a void. Honda has the tl (based on the accord) toyota has the es350 (Based on the camry) and now nissan has the maxima.(same platform as the altima and murano) Why don't they market it as a infinity is because they can attract traditional maxima owners who have left the model and now want to allure them back.  
I know why people like the g37 and based on performance and value they should buy ithat car but the g37 loses sales to the tl a front wheel dive car (for the most part bmw and acura) Some people like the space savings of front wheel drive versus rear wheel drive and lots of toys. That is where the maxima comes in.

The sales for the maxima for the (US market) month of april are in and the 09 maxima sales are up +62% from a year before. It sold more cars that month than all of the total amount of cars sold by infinty itself let alone the g37. (3901 maxima>3256 Total infinty car line). So nissan has some success with the maxima. (tl sales-3105 down-27% ) (g37 sales-1944 Down-47%),(Hyundia Genesis-2076)  G8-2013Down-8%) (cts-3876, down-28%)

So base on sales the maxima does have a place. Money is what matters.

I have to say I am on my second maxima and still do not know which cars to consider. I am not sold on the new maxima. I am still on the fence on which car I will buy next.
There are alot of cars (ones listed above) out there now but this car has alot of thought and engineering put in it.

I look at the new maxima like this. The maxima is in a church pue. The g37 is ahead and the altima is setting behind and it cannot move ahead or back. The engineers and designers did a pretty good job with this car with those boundries. And sale of this car in this economic time shows it.

sorry for rambling

g

[Juke1]

Take an Accord, load her up to try and match the Maxima in equipment(and you can't) and you will pay $42000 for 1/3 the fun in driving and no comparison in looks.

March sales in this category

TSX (since Honda does not have a flagship car) 107
Azera 27 
Amanti 9 
Avalon 39
Maxima 127 

Do you have figures for Genisis and G37 since both are comparably priced?

I don't read to much into figuresd on a new Model introduction on the first couple of months. Its new after all.

Please don't think that I am against the Maxima. I actually prefer the looks to the G37. My 99 Maxima is still going strong. I think the new Maxima is a step back in the right direction after the last few years.

G35/37 310 vs Genesis 228