Nissan Maxima SE Review

Overall Rating

Speed, comfortable ride, sleek looks with the new sides and a more aggresive front.

not luxurious enough, the cabin is loud for a new car.

The Nissan 2002 Maxima SE is a great car at a good deal. But if this thing can't beat out a pontiac Grand Prix GTP, then it loses on both ends. Not enough luxury and not enough quickness. Remember, speed kills.

Members' Comments onJimmy.'s Review

• HuZe. on 23rd May 2002

  First of all, the review makes no sense. How can someone say that speed kills and also say that the 2002 Maxima isn't quick enough? I have one--w/ a six speed, and it would eat up any Grand Prix. It's plenty fast, although, Nissan could've spent more time on the tranny however.
  ~HuZe

• D. on 19th Jun 2002

  Does anyone realize that the Grand Prix is a turbo.....even if it's a little faster, I would rather have the 3.5 255 hp Maxima engine with no turbo hands down....although the front torque over steer gets annoying! By the way, I don't feel the car is noisy inside....did you forget to close your window?
  D-

• clibaratio. on 12th Sep 2002

  The Maxima can smoke any Grand Prix no problem, i dont give a damn if the Grand Prix is supercharged a 255 horsepower maxima can smoke it. The interior is like one of the best things bout the car, so nice. What type of car can u get with xenon headlights for under 40 grand? All i have to say is that the maxima is the best car ever.

• SirMagnusArcadis. on 14th Sep 2002

  I agree, I have a 96 I30 (cushy maxima) and it can eat up any 3800 powered car (ie gp) supercharged or not. note: i also have owned a 3800 bonneville in the past. -- whoever this is obviously doesn't have a clue.

• ThE BiG BoY. on 30th Sep 2002

  I disagree with you, because the maxima can and will smoke any Grand Prix. My 2001 Maxima I think is the best they make compared to american made Grand Prix. The noise compare in the cabin is all most nill compared to the Grand Prix. Nissan Maxima has always been ahead most america and imported cars in it's class.

• Dogg. on 30th Dec 2002

  I bought a 2003 Maxima fully loaded. It's one of the fastest cars I have ever driven in. For a family/sports coupe it goes pretty damn good. The interior is very quiet and comfortable. I don't know how the cheaper Maxima's drive or about the performance but mine cooks. I have not been beat off the line yet and of course I am talking about by normal cars but sporty ones. You can also add alot of stuff to them for performance and looks. If you don't have a 6 speed then you shouldn't be buying a Maxima but rather a Altima. I have no complaints yet except for the tourque ripping my front tires up due to the awsome power of the 255HP and the excellent suspension which is a must. The car is very reliable and when you do need parts Nissan gets you in and out of the garage very fast. NISSAN ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

• Buddyluve. on 8th Mar 2003

  As a mechanical engineer, I differ on some of the points made. Yes, it is possible for the 3.8 supercharger V6 GTP to beat a Maxima off the line. However, the Maxima on paper is a quicker car (much quicker with the manual). Maxima manual is roughly 6.5 in zero to 60 tests. (Anyone telling you otherwise is either burning their clutch or running past redline - a no no in either case). The GTP (auto only) is in the 7's.
  
  As far as engines go, I would take the 3.5 nissan over the ancient GM pushrod 3.8 V6. Yes the pushrod does put out a generous amount of torque, but it lacks any type of variable valve timing to increase horsepower naturally. (Any true engineer will tell you that blowers are a fake way to achieve horsepower).
  
  The nissan wins the reliability and fit and finish argument (if there was one). Also, if I was "forced" to purchase a ten years used grand prix or a ten years used Maxima - the Maxima is a no brainer.
  
  Thanks for reading,
  Mike

• Larry. on 13th Jul 2003

  I consider myself an expert when it comes to family sedans. i know the hp or trim llines for any car made in the past 20 years. ive been studying cars forever. for one, the maxima has surperior reliability. secondly, the maxima will keep up with the grand prix gtp with auto, and smoke it with 6 speed. the engine in the maxima is one of the most refined v6 engines in the world, compared to that old pushrod loud garbage. the far more reliable, refined maxima wins here, even if it didnt have a 6 speed manual, its still better... even though the 6 speed manual could be reason enough!

• i30tgtpman on 14th Sep 2003

  Stock numbers ... i do not have the manual tranny times.. just automatic...
  
  1997 GTP is 6.8 seconds
  2004 GTP comp G is 6.5 seconds, 2004 GTP 6.6 non comp
  2000 Maxima & I30t Automatic is 8.0 seconds Pretty slow
  2002 Maxima & I35 automatic is 6.8 seconds
  2002 Altima V6 Automatic is 7.3 seconds
  
  These numbers are from GM and Nissan, no magazines.. direct from the mfg!! Notice nissan no longer officially quotes 0-60 and 1/4 mile times as of this year.
  
  #2 Both the 3800 Supercharged V6 and Nissan VQ V6 were BOTH named to Wards Auto World's TOP 10 ENGINE LIST OF THE PAST 100 years... As far as the 3800 being Pushrod garbage, you don't know what your talking about... it was named to the same prestigious list as the Nissan VQ engine. They are both good engine choices...
  
  Yes...I own both a 2000 I30t and 2002 GTP, Love both cars for different reasons... but my GTP is much faster then then my Infiniti... 6.8 vs 8.0...

• Hawk2003 on 15th Dec 2003

  I own a 02 Maxima and a Grand Prix. The Maxima will smoke the Grand Prix. As far as owning an auto v/s man. There is only a 1sec. diff between the two and the only way to tell that a part you would have to be a pro driver.(I know everone thinks they are). Anyway what ever the review the Maxima is a true sport car. There's not much that can take it, and for sure not a mustang. I have to agree with the torque steer, but if you put a strut bar on the strut towers that will help.

• MaximumMaxima on 5th Jan 2004

  You can have the GTP. While I was waiting on my salesman to do the paperwork on the Grand Prix GTP I had picked out I asked to test drive a 2002 Maxima sitting on the lot. I don't care what the 0-60 times are recorded as, coming from a dead stop the Maxima actually had smoke coming from the tires. Plus, when I drove by the glass building, it looked a lot sharper. The GTP was fast, but NO WHERE NEAR as exciting. Needless to say, I bought the year old Maxima. To my salesman, sorry you had to start the paperwork over! And to my husband, no, you'll have to keep driving your Camaro.

• i30tgtpman on 5th Jan 2004

  I would rather have a NEW GTP anyday over a USED maxima. Just like I would rather have a NEW MAX over a USED GTP anyday. Same thing.
  
  Burning rubber all depends on the tires on the car and the torque and gear ratios. Remember the GTP does have more low end torque & MORE overall torque then the Max, 280 @ 3600rpm vs 250-260 @ 4000rpm. Also remember that 2002 Max probably doesn't HAVE NEW tires like the new car would have. Besides that is what traction control is for. If you are burning rubber, you are just sitting there while the other car has already taken off and beaten you. Why did you choose the used car over the new one? you don't know the history of the used one, how it was driven, cared for etc. It could have beat on for all you know or raced all the time. Besides the new car would have had the FULL 3 yr 36k, your 2002 probably only has 1 yr left on the warranty if any warranty.. Good luck.
  
  PS: Both GTP and Max-I30-I35 are nice cars, I own both, '02 GTP and '01 I30t

• GP Comp G on 14th Jan 2004

  I would love to see any Maxima owner spend 200 bucks in mods and get the same results as putting a smaller pulley and an CAI on a GP. I bought a comp g because the 3800 is one of the most easily modded engines. It will be easily pushing 340-360 HP and running 12s with a couple grand...show me that with a maxima.

• sentay on 14th Jan 2004

  The Maxima and the GTP are both fine cars in their own rights. They both have very relaible engines, which have won awards. I own three cars. A 98 GTP, 04 GTP, and lastly an 02 Altima. Before I decided to buy my 04 GTP, I considered buying an 03 and 04 Maxima. I decided to go with the GTP for several reasons: 1. you get more for your money with the GTP, 2. the Supercharged 3800 is a stronger engine, now matter how you look at it, and I like the styling of the GTP better. Has anyone noticed that the Maxima and the Alitma look a lot a like. Maybe thats because they are built on the same platform. Why would I want to pay $32k for a suped up Altima. Remember I already have one.

• maxima on 15th Jan 2004

  YOU GUYS ARE MAKING MUCHO MISTAKES COMPARING THESE CARS!. The 2004 Maxima is slower than the previous generation with the 255hp engine. the 04 Maxima's 0-60 may be 6.8 for auto and 6.3 for manual, but were SUPPOSED TO comppre the 02 MAX. THE 2002 MAX has been tested as 6.0 with the 6 speed, faster than any comp G tested. The 2002 Maxima SE 6 speed is FASTER THAN THE UNRELIABLE COMP G GTP. The Maximas cabin is loud for the money, but not as loud as the doodoo GTP! whichever one looks better is up to you, but the Max also gets better milage. There are other differences too but the Maxima is faster. Oh yeh, the Maximas Vq engine has been one of the best in the industry since 1995... cant say that aobut GM's 3800series turbo/ superchged or not. The VQ earns this respect for combining an unsurpassed combination of smoothness, economy, quietness and power deliviery!

• maxima on 15th Jan 2004

  sorry if 2 similar messages were posted by me, but:
  
  The 04 Maximas 0-60 auto time is 6.8
  The 04 Maximas 0-60 manual time is 6.3
  BUT THE 2002 Maximas auto time is 6.5
  and the Maximas's 6 speed time is 6.0
  ( if you need proof ill find which tester did this and which editoin). this all compares to the Comp G's 6.5. SO THE MAXIMA IS FASTER.
  Its also, no question, more reliable by far.
  The Maximas interior is slightly loud for the money ( compare to a quieter and cheaper 02 Camry).... but the Max is always quiter than the GTP. Nissans VQ engine has been the best v6 in the industry since 1995, for its unsurpassed combo of quietness, smoothness, economy and power delivery which is especially broad throughout the powerband range. The GTP does give u lots for the money as many American cars do... but the obvious tradeoff ( which everyone knows aobut ) is that Nissans, Toyotas, Hondas, and their luxury devision's models are the most reliable on the planet. Id rather have a reliable, smooth, fast sporty car with a 6 speed, than loud abnoxious, unreliable car thats auto and its only perk is stright-line acceleration and a few more buttons. The MAXIMA wins

• mexicanparrot on 22nd Jan 2004

  I currently purchased a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE after my 2004 Grand Prix Gomp G broke down! I have to say, after driving both of them the Maxima SE is by far more reliable and also is a little bit faster, despite a 3.5L engine as compared to the Comp G's 3.8L! The Maxima's interior is also by far cooler with it's eight way power seat, high class power sunroof, heated leather seats, etc... Also, after research, Nissan's V6 engine was rated in the top ten by Ward's Auto World every single year since 1995, when Nissan designed the Maxima to be as reliable as an Accord or Camry/Avalon if not more! I see my fully loaded 2002 Nissan Maxima as a sports sedan faster than the Comp G and also as reliable as the Toyota Avalon XLE!

• kkannif on 16th Mar 2004

  I just bought an 02 max se w/ 6spd
  I love the cabin noise. I drive with the radio turned off just to hear the engine.
  Now as far as the GTP having more torque , you need to read up on torque and HP. Bottom line HP is what you need to go fast. HP is derived from the torque an engine puts out.HP = torque x rpm / 5252. If you like torque park your pos gtp on the end of a lever.

• gujuruffryda on 19th Mar 2004

  I just had a question..Im going to buy a maxima pretty soon...I was thinking about a 99 or an 02-03...but I just can't take my mind off if the 99 or same year as Maximaa..Can a honda accord coupe EX-V6 smoke the maxima?? half the people tell a maxima is better and others say accord is better..tell me what you guys think
  thanx

• tsciullo on 27th Mar 2004

  I have driven them both and I don't want to be a magazine racer here but the Maxima eat's the Grand Prix off the line let alone when you get on the highway. The Maximas passing power will leave you in the dust. The motor is far better than that ancient pushrod and far mor reliable.

• Importsrule86 on 23rd Apr 2004

  If you think the GTP is better your on crack. The GTP is a supercharged 3.8L and the maxima is just a naturally aspirated 3.5L and the 02 6 speed maxima still wins even though it is .3L smaller and not supercharged. You can't even compare the two. If I owned a GTP I don't think I would be talking any type of smack on this page because being beat by a smaller unsupercharged engine that is more reliable is pretty shameful.
  
  02'Maxima's HP= 255
  02' GTP's HP= 240
  Maxima's 6 speed time is 6.0
  Comp G's time is 6.5.
  sorry friends but you can't argue fact.
  
  And as for GP Comp G's comment, if I had a few grand to put into a 02 max I could run that horsepower all day long. It may not be as easy because this engine hasn't been out as long so there isn't as much out there for it yet, but thats just a matter of time. The maxima's engine is untapped as far as power there is so much more you can do to it for options EX:turbo/supercharger, NOS not to mention the computer, fuel, and engine component options there are.
  Few thousand would do me just fine with a maxima.
  
  2002 maxima Vs. 2002 GTP...
  hands down Maxima

• Archaea on 6th May 2004

  hah...you guys make me laugh...I have a lightly modified GTP. Slightly smaller supercharger pulley adding about 25hp...Catback exhaust with 2.5" pipe and wide open muffler system, adding maybe 10hp, and cold air intake adding maybe 5hp. 240hp plus 40hp = 280 hp, prolly 320 torque, because our cars run off the factory line with 240hp and 280 torque. My friend has one of your dearly loved Maxima se's.....you know what he said when he rode with me in my GTP. "Wow your's is a lot faster than mine - how much power do you have again?" It's all about the torque.......Our big American engines out torque those japanese engines and therefore we outrun you...So I've spent $60 on the pulley, $360 on the exhaust, and $40 on the cold air intake. Roughly 450 bucks, and I promise all of you guys that you'd see nothing but dual exhaust tail pipes extending their lead up into the horizon on race day...For the money I've put into my GTP, it's hella fast. It's not hard at all to get a GTP to run 13.5 in the quarter, and we have style. 25 Mpg too! I'd take my GTP anyday over a Maxima SE.

• johasafat on 21st May 2004

  Maxima shmaxima.... heres is the real deal. without a doubt a six speed maxima from 2000-2004 will smoke a gtp because 24 valves is better than 12. plain and simple. If only GM would wisen up and let that gtp breath for up to 90mph it will eat up a maxima after that though it does gasp for air and the maxima is just startin to flex its lungs. remember though anybody can do 90, its how fast you get there that counts........

• i30tgtpman on 24th May 2004

  Importsrule86,
  
  Compare Apple to Apples. Maxima Automatic vs GTP automatic
  
  2002 Maxima AUTOMATIC 0-60mph is 6.9 seconds !!
  2002 GTP AUTOMATIC 0-60mph is 6.8 seconds !!
  
  Dead EVEN. Both cars are quick. Remember the GTP weighs 150 pounds more. 3500 vs 3350. Also note, the GTP gets better EPA rated highway gas mileage. 28 vs 26,
  
  BOTH GTP & Max require PREMIUM gas for max performance, bummer

• i30tgtpman on 24th May 2004

  MexicanParrot,
  
  The GTP 3800 S/C V6 was ALSO on Wards top 10 engine list of ALL TIME, just like the Maxima V6

• i30tgtpman on 24th May 2004

  Food for thought, the new Honda Accord 3.0L V6 coupe with manual transmission is faster 0-60mph then the Maxima manual.
  
  Honda Accord 5.9 seconds, Car & Driver
  Maxima 6.3 manual , some state 6.0, depends on magazine
  
  Wait, the Accord has a smaller engine too, 3.0L vs 3.5L
  
  Kind of funny that the Maxima's bigger 3.5L can't beat the smaller Honda 3.0L LOL!!!

• i30tgtpman on 24th May 2004

  I'm not biased towards either car, I do own a I30t and a GTP, so I drive both daily and can comment. I know many GTP owners that trash the Max without owning it-driving it and many Max owners that trash the GTP that don't own one or drive it daily either. A one time drive doesn't count. The I30t-Maxima has a better quality interior, some more refinement etc. Also HIGHER resale value. My I30t is a more comfortable car for longer-highway trips then the GTP. Both cars have their minues and pluses. I personally think the GTP looks and stands out much nicer then the Max, esp the 2000-2003 max. Many times in my 2002 two-door coupe GTP, people will comment, "Nice car" Where as in my 2001 I30t, nobody even notices me. Yes, GM did KILL the 2 door GTP coupe, last year was 2002. Bummer. Both are great cars. I have had good luck with both. Interesting thing is that my GTP has been more reliable then my i30t? Go figure?
  
  TODAY as I'm writing this, I30t is at the dealer, hard-rough starting occasionally again!! Last time they replaced all 6 ignition coils which fixe the problem until now. Check engine light is on. It's a 2001 with only 23k original miles fully loaded Touring edition I30T. Only use Mobil 1 oil, premium 93 octane gas etc. Well maintained car.

• maxima on 24th May 2004

  WHOA, I30GTPMAN!, lets be fair.
  
  The 02 Maxima SE Automatic was timed 0-60 in 6.5, manual 6.0. And both Maximas were loaded ( Car and Driver Mag). The GTP may have better highway gas milage as many American old V6's do. Not city (or suburban) though, which is where most people drive. The 3800 V6 by GM was on the list, but Nissans VQ is the ONLY ENGINE ON THE LIST EVERY YEAR SINCE THEY STARTED. Go to Ward's Auto World site, they tell you every engine each year and can explain to you why the Maximas V6 is better..

• maxima on 24th May 2004

  I30GTPMAN, also,
  
  The Accord 6-speed COUPE got 0-60 in 5.9. In response to your "isnt it funny" line, isnt it funny how you compare a Coupe to a loaded, roomier sedan? The same year Max SEDAN does 60 in 6.0 loaded! Also since thats the NEW Accord vs. not the newest Max, the Accord handles like crap compared to the .86g's of the 04 Max!. ALSO- its only slightly funy how Honda's 3.0 makes a close HP rating, but less than Nissan's 3.5. But Guess What... The Honda engine only makes 212lb ft of Torque. You wanna guess how much the Maxima makes? Or the Altima 3.5? HAHA, thats right. 246 and 246-249 respectively. ONE MORE THING, consult any mechanic, auto tester, especially Consumer Reports. Anyone will laugh at you if you think the GTP will remain as much intact as any year Maxima since 1995, living the same lives. By the Way, I know you like your I30 also, but The I35 which is what should be compared is a whole lot nicer than yours. It doesnt only have the bigger engine, but many many interior changes and some exterior too.. Thanx but the Maximas a better car and has a more loyal ownership base.
  
  Larry R from suburbia, NYC

• mexicanparrot on 25th May 2004

  i30tgtpman,
  You misunderstood what I mean. The Maxima's VQ engine was on Ward's auto world 10 years straight and the GTP was on for 4 or 5 years, but not for ten years running. It is not even on this year! I checked on the official website, so please do not lie!

• mexicanparrot on 25th May 2004

  i30tgtpman,
  
  You cannot judge a car's reliability based on just your personal experience. You could have brought a lemon and not even know; sometimes, lemons happen and is never reported. From what I have seen, and actual ratings from insurance companies, the Maxima is far more reliable than the GTP (especially long term). I own a 2002 Maxima with 31,900 miles on it and notheing has ever gone wrong. My mom owns a 1995 Maxima and has 200,000 miles on it and only had to tune up the engine once. We have faith in Japanese cars and not American cars, but this is just our personal experience.

• mexicanparrot on 25th May 2004

  i30tgtpman,
  
  Also, you posted about 4 times! Are you afraid that people will like the Maxima more? Or are you trying to force people to buy a GTP just because you like it more?

• Archaea on 25th May 2004

  Hey....just for the record...Those times are off on 0-60 numbers anyway...Check out www.intense- racing.com. Us GTP owners get stiffed on those charts. The tests are done with Traction control on and for racing we never would use that also GTP's have a "performance shift" option. I don't think the times quoted by the mags are real world times. A GTP's quarter mile is faster than car and track lists it. Our cars average 14.8 stock off the showroom floor. Look at www.intense-racing, they are a club site and have been to the tracks with MANY GTPs, the 14.8 time is the average they've figured for a bone stock GTP. Now heres the thing. Spend an extra $750ish on the car and you've got about a 13.5 second vehicle. 13.5 second vehicle puts you in the class of a Camaro SS, or Firebird WS6, or even a Corvette. Consider that the GTP is a roomy 4 door - which is a huge plus over those aforementioned sportscars, and that the GTP by nearly everyone's opinion is the more aggressive styled and "cool/headturning" car - Combine all this with the inexpensive mods from websites like PFYC.com, and zzperformance.com, and intense-racing.com. Your unfaultering love of the maxima will soon find its wavering. I've owned my GTP since Sept. and I couldn't be happier, It is my first choice of cars and just like any vehicle if you take good car of it you'll find it will be reliable as anything else. My car is a 2000 GTP and Consumer reports rates it better than average overall and actually has no "bad" areas. Perhaps American engineering is finally catching up with Japanese engineering. Point being. I have all the options you guys are talking about liking so much with your maximas. My GTP has every option, I have leather interior, bose stereo system, sunroof, heated seat, dual climate control, + something cool no Maxima has - a HUD which shows my speed, radio station and other console information all on my windshield, so you don't have to look down at the dash while driving. I paid $14,000 for my 38,000 mile GTP, including a 36,000 - 3 year warranty. I've opened up the exhaust from the 'cat back'. I've put on a K&N cold air filter, tiddled with my Supercharger boost settings(maxed them out), upgraded and shrunk my pulley size to provide 11.5 lbs of boost vs. stock 7.5, Added higher quality spark plugs, and upgraded my engine thermostats. I've added performance tires and I have about the 13.5 second car. I'd put my car up against any of your maximas with $750 dollars in mods. All this and I still get about 23 or 24 mpg average overall. Now how can anyone gripe about that? I hear it said over and over again that maxima's interior is nicer. That's a preference. I honestly perfer the GTP's. It's got a great style. All console lights throughout the entire dash are red, everything is curved nice and it all comes together with the leather interior very nicely. You'll find no complaints with this GTP owner. If you live in Kansas City and want to race me with your Maxima, you just send me an e-mail and invite all your friends. I'm waiting for any challenges.
  
  jvonengeln@hotmail.com

• i30tgtpman on 25th May 2004

  MexicanParrot,
  
  You posted 3 or 4x yourself too. I didn't mean to tell people what car to choose, I like both my I30t and GTP. In my case the GTP has been much more reliable for me. Which goes against the odds, LOL! I30t should be more reliable, stuff happens. Next time I will NOT be buying a GTP since they stopped making the 2 door coupe! For me, REAL Grand Prixes have 2 doors, NOT 4. From 1962 to 1987 all GP's were 2 doors. They were also rear drive and V8 powered, oh well. I am going to buy another Infiniti to replace my I30t in 2006. I buy a new car every 5 yrs.
  
  What I said was that the 3800 S/C V6 was on Wards TOP 10 list of ALL TIME. Wards did a special list about 2 yrs ago choosing their top 10 engines of all time. Both the 3800 and VQ were on there. Very impressive honor for both engines. So how did I lie? Not being rude. If you thought I did, I apologize.
  
  BTW... the wiring harness needs to be replaced and headlight covers on my I30t, all under warranty. They gave me a G35x loaner. Nice car. I think it has the 260hp VQ in it. All wheel drive too.

• i30tgtpman on 25th May 2004

  Maxima,
  
  Road and Track tested the NEW 2004 Nissan Maxima, 6 speed manual at 6.5 seconds 0-60mph. It had a .81 skidpad.
  
  www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/592003155724.pdf
  
  The I35 isn't a whole lot nicer then my I30t, esp. that horrible worst in class torque steer. Much worse then my I30 or GTP torque steer. Same car as my i30, just faster bigger displacment engine and a few extra optoins and slightly dif. trim. Nice car though. I had a I35 as a loaner many times.

• i30tgtpman on 25th May 2004

  Archaea
  
  The GTP can sometimes be a hard car to launch correctly in a race. Too much tire spin from that 280 torque at 3600 rpm LOL, Max can spin the tires pretty good too.
  
  GTP did away with the performance shift in 2001. Only the 1997-2000 have it. More of a gimmick, the car will still run the same STOCK 6.8 second whether its on or off.

• i30tgtpman on 25th May 2004

  Maxima,
  
  I don't care for Consumer Reports car reviews. Those reliablity ratings are only based on magazine subscribers such as myself, that fill out the survey and mail it in. I subsribe to it for other stuff then cars.
  
  One Exapmle, is that CR does NOT like the i30 and I35, yet they love the Max which is the same car? LOL! If anything the I35 is a slightly more refined quieter maxima. How can they not like it? They say you should just buy a Maxima instead and save $$. They fail to reveal the longer warranty on the Infiniti, loaner cars and other perks etc that come with the I35. I35 is not that much more then Maxima. Somebody had leftover 2003 I35's end of last year for only $26k. DEAL!!
  
  One last example, CR has NEVER tested the GTP, only the GT. They had the nerve in 2002 or 2003 to test the Grand Prix GT, 200 horse against a fully loaded Accord and Camry V6 last time It was not comparing apples to apples. Everyone knows they should have tested THE BEST Grand Prix which is the GTP against the BEST Accord & Camry V6. Of course the Camry-Accord were same or faster, because it wasn't a GTP, LOL When CR was questioned about that, they said that a GTP was NOT available, YEAH RIGHT!! Last time in 1997 a GTP wasn't available either, makes you laugh!
  
  BTW... JD powers just rated GM's reliability as now surpassing Nissan.
  
  I would never drive a 1995 car, I personally buy a new car every 5 yrs. Once you hit the 10yr mark with anything you are asking for trouble. Thats just me.

• mexicanparrot on 25th May 2004

  i30tgtpman,
  
  I did not mean to sound rude. I am glad that you were just stating opinion and not trying to bash the Maxima. Yes, the GTP two door is a pretty nice looking car, but my personal experience was not what I have hoped for. I went for the Maxima because my mom had a 1995 w/200,000 miles on it and no problems. A friend of mine has a 1997 Maxima w/96,000 miles and no problems. Yes, I agree with you that the GTP and VQ engine are on the special Wards Auto World's top ten engines list, but on the regular one that comes out each year, the GTP failed to make it on the list.
  
  But other than that, it is fair to say that both cars are cool looking and both are really fast, but I prefer the Maxima for reliability. My mom is going to trade in her 1995 MAxima GLE for a 2002 or 2003 Infiniti Q45 in a few months. I think it is a better car for the money than the Lexus LS430 (people have too much faith in Toyotas in my personal opinion).

• mexicanparrot on 25th May 2004

  Archaea,
  
  Please stop comparing the "regular" Maxima 4 door to your "modified" GTP two door! Also, both the Maxima and the GTP are about the same speed. A friend of mine modified his Maxima SE 6 speed and now has over 300 hp and over 300 lb torque. If you want a true race then you better be a good driver.
  
  Please also note that cars serve a better purpose than just racing. The Maxima is a sports sedan, but is also a family sedan.

• i30tgtpman on 25th May 2004

  Maxima
  
  I'm considering the 300C Hemi next time around for 2006 depending on gas pricing, LOL! 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds, IMPRESSIVE, esp. for a full sized car! Bigger-roomier then maxima-GTP-I35, FASTER and gets EPA rated 25mpg highway, only 1 less then max! It also runs on mid grade 89 for max performance not 91 super. It's rear drive and V8. It uses some mercedes parts.