TPNova1

A 24yr old guy I've known for awhile and really never cared for decides to write my girl a reply to a list he was on that she sent out about cars, here's his reply:

".... although I do have new wheels...new Maxima... LOVE IT!!! my first V6 with a stick... a beautiful thing.. was going for the RX-8 but wasn't happy with my last test drive... Maxima had better accelleration, and well... was just more comfortable... guess I'm getting old... still wan't a 2nd car now....."

-Now what is wrong with this statement? I know I am being biased because I do not like the guy for other certain reasons, but if he really was into 'driving' as much as he's always said, then he would obviously know about the RX8 road feel, handling, use of the sweet spot RPM range. Maybe certain people prefer a car everyone else has, but really, if you want any more comfort than the RX-8 has, why dont you go buy a Buick LeSabre guy.

Thanks, its my bad day rant of the week.)

8_is_enuf

The 8 is awesme, but if I'd have known the Air conditioning was going to suck like this I'd have sprung the extra cash for a G35 Coupe... Any 1 thing can cause a person not to buy something this expensive.. (and yes I've had the recall work done)

rev-2-9k

The Maxima drives pretty bad. When I test drove one, I cut the test drive early when it switched lanes on me on the on ramp due to torque stear. When you slam on the brakes the car drifts to the passenger side. The car is just balanced all wrong and to expensive for what you get. Oh yeah the 04's have a real ugly grill.

93rdcurrent

Yeah and V6 or not the Maxima isn't going to have the same acceleration we do. It may be 265 hp but it weighs in at 4,546 lbs. It's a beast, and with its poor handling I would go so far as to call it a pig.

ranger4277

My air conditioning is awesome.

RotorManiac

^^^mine too^^^
the best air con i've seen in a car

buzzwordenabled

In heavy stop-n-go DC traffic on the beltway, I have found the air conditioning a little bit below par compared to my previous cars. I don't think its a problem with the air conditioner -- it's really a function of the heat generated by the rotary.

With all of this rotary-related heat, I find that open windows and moonroof are not enough to keep you cool in traffic. I'm looking forward to the fall when I can enjoy a little fresh air in the car.

I am also pretty confident that I will some day cook a computer laptop in traffic. The heat from the exhaust keeps that trunk well nice and toasty. It's kind of "neat".

DViOuS

huh? i live in seattle and a/c is not really required here, but even i must admit the a/c is kinda crappy with 80degree weather...

did you guys get some service on the a/c like i've read on the board with some a/c amplifier thing?

Morgan

I live in FL and my AC is AWSOME. The temp guage says it's usually around 100 when i get in my car after class..i roll down the windows, turn up the AC for about 30 seconds, roll the windows BACK up, turn the AC down to 3 or 2 and ahhh...it's soooo nice and comfy.

buzzwordenabled

Aside from a friend's 253HP Mini Cooper S, I have never driven a front-wheel-drive "drivers" car. Even that Mini is more about giggles than rewarding skill.

As for the ugly Z and somewhat cleaner G35, they are not nearly as functional as our little RX-8.

I bought my RX-8, because the rotary is so darn entertaining. Where most pistons have hit their rev-limiters, you can stomp on the gas in an RX-8 and the car surges forward. There's not many "daily drivers" that are perfectly happy spinning through 7k RPM in a corner. The overrev afforded by the rotary is simply a hoot on the backroads and makes up for its relatively modest torque. You can't beat it.

Pistons are so passe. I have joined the rotary religion.

SpacerX

Currently in AL with 90º heat. AC has no problems...

As far as driving impressions, and "driver's car" issues, the Maxima is a full-size family sedan with some power. It's built on a stretched Altima platform. It might possibly be considered a "driver's car" if you're talking about drivers who have to have a full-sized sedan... but certainly not on par with any of the sport coupes. I find your "friend's" comments laughable, and probably motivated by something other than cars...

8pex

Rewiews on the maxima have been pretty good, but they say the torque steer kills it.

MTLbroker

2003 Maxima was the best. Last year it was made in Japan - just before the redesign. Got an SE 5-sp and 17" wheels. Very refined and 0-60 in 5.9

MP3Guy

I sometimes wonder if some of these guys complaining about the A/C are used to the old R-12 refrigerant, which blew a lot cooler.

MP3Guy

I sometimes wonder if some of these guys complaining about the A/C are used to the old R-12 refrigerant, which blew a lot cooler.

m477

Someone posted a series of quotes from magazine reviews about how the Maxima and (V6) Altima were barely drivable due to the torque steer. I searched for it but I can't find it now. Maybe it was on another forum...

downshift

Funny how this thread has devolved into a RX-8 vs. Nissan cars and A/C problems thread.

TPNova1

I'll say, the main bust is the torque steer, and the beastly 4500lbs. Its a damn sedan way overpowered. -not a sports sedan like the ///M5, thats a sports sedan, and again, its RWD, not front. I've never known a front drive car to be a player in the drivers edge "feel the road" world.

Thanks fellas. - you all make me feel better. I can't wait to see a Max on the backroads leading to I95

8_is_enuf

I had the AC amplifier put in... Live in Atlanta and already I have to run the AC on 4 to keep in cool.. and I still sweat through my shirt.. BTW .. I am not a big sweat hog.. Just used to A/C's taht cool the car better...

blksf8

my airconditioner isn't that good either. I too had the recall work done. I didn't notice much of an improvement in the AC.

bubble

The Maxima weighs 3,400 pounds according to Edmunds.
Curb weight = weight of vehicle
Gross weight = worthless

TODreamer

I used to really like Maximas

but yeah, that torqur steer is brutal, its waaaaay too heavy and the styling just isn't on point anymore..... I liked the generation before this current one

Kinda reminds me of a big..... PIG. LOL

ptiemann

The Maxima does not weigh 4500 pounds. It weighs 3470 pounds.
That is only 450 more than the RX-8, enough to make it a tad slower at the stop light though.

Source:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sp...IP&tab=2&sub=3

-Peter

HeelnToe

Possibly more important than how much, is WHERE that weight is.

You don't feel the weight of the RX-8 because it's all pushed into the center, giving it incredibly sharp responses.

I doubt the average family sedan can replicate that feeling, regardless of weight.

JimW

I liked the 03 Maxima way better from a performance point of view, compared to the new one. You can't compare it with the 8, it's a completely different car, sedan and a 4 door sports car! There is no way you can go 65 mph on one of those circular off ramps and still feel rather sedate in a Maxima, although it is a very good car and I like it.