SW17LS

As others have said, Toyota/Lexus way of doing a CVT and Nissan's way are very different. Nissan has had a lot of well documented issues with their CVTs and strength.

Personally I don't like the way CVTs drive and would never purchase a vehicle with a CVT.

KJG92

I've had a 1984, 1987, 1991 and a 1992 Maxima. The 87-92 were all SE 5 speeds. Very fun cars to drive and I believe the fun stopped with the '92 because I have not had another one. This one looks like a Mazda 6 to me but most all new cars are starting to run together. Some of these manufactuers need to hire some of the Dodge guys to come over and design a car for them. I like the black car, midnight edition or something like that but that does not mean I'll be a customer. The only thing Nissan builds that I would buy is the GT-R. I'll reserve that statement though for when the new Titan comes out with its cummings diesel.

spwolf

PSD and Nissan CVTs have very little in common.

I would be open minded when trying Maxima with CVT with competition though, nothing against CVT in general.

Sulu

The Honda CVT (in the North American Honda Accord with 2.4-litre 4-cyl engine) and the Toyota CVT (in the North American Corolla) have had generally good reviews; both are belt-and-pulley CVTs.

Honda and Toyota also limit their use to 4-cyl engines and smaller, not using them with their 6-cyl engines, as Nissan does.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Nissan's older CVT was terrible and felt like they used a single rubber-band to connect the input and output pulleys. It would be easy for Nissan to improve the design since the old one set the bar standard so low.

corradoMR2

Sat in the Maxima a while back. Was a top-line Platinum. Nice interior for the 45K (Canada) price tag, but the chunky snout and floating roof doesn't do it for me, so it's a pass. For just a little more (50K), I'd get a Q50S with a proper 7-speed, rear-drive, better handling, luxury brand, and nicer interior which again puts the Maxima in a tough spot to compete IMO.

stlgrym3

iTrader: (4)

it's a shame, Maxima was a well recognized name when i grew up in the late 80, early 90s, i guess the introduction of the Altima had cemented it's slow and painful death the last couple decades. Toyota has done a better job integrating both Camry and Avalon together, each has its own market.

spwolf

darn, the pricing is too close... makes more sense for base model?

Aron9000

^^ Nissan really hasn't figured out what to do with the Maxima for several years. It became bigger and softer for the 1994 model year, and has gotten bigger with each redesign. Its always been marketed as a sports sedan, but IMO its always been more of a smooth cruiser with a big engine.

Nissan really hasn't figured out how to price it either. Ever since the Altima got bigger and they introduced the G35 both in 2004, it sits in this weird middle ground.

If you want a proper sports sedan that handles with a well set up RWD chassis, the G35 was only a few thousand dollars more.

If you just wanted a big comfy cruiser with a honkin V6, the Altima had you covered for several thousand dollars less.

The Maxima IMO was never worth the premium over a loaded V6 Altima. With this radical redesign, its still a cruiser with a big engine being marketed as a sports sedan, but IMO they nailed the styling and the interior is finally nice enough to where it might actually be worth the premium over the Altima.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

I agree. I had an 87 maxima and loved it.

You guys remember the horrible stanza?

Ever since the altima had a big hp bump, it practically stepped on the maxima's toe.
It was a lot cheaper and the maxima just disappeared.

I just saw the new maxima on the road the other in a dark color wasn't too impressed

dseag2

I had a '94 Maxima SE and loved it. Really a fun car! They have gotten heavy and full of luxe items, just like every other model.