Rented a 2018 Nissan Maxima for the day, my thoughts
07-17-18, 02:39 PM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Rented a 2018 Nissan Maxima for the day, my thoughts
Well, I had to put the Pacifica in for the open recalls (cruise control accelerating out of control, slipping out of park and rollin away, you know, silly stuff) and to address the freezing nav headunit. Chrysler rented me a car from Enterprise, and I got to choose between an old Dodge Grand Caravan for free or a new Nissan Maxima for $15. Happily forked over the $15 LOL. Drove it around a good bit, put about 90 miles on it.
Black on black, nicely equipped with leather and nav. Overall I liked it a lot, felt quite premium, nice interior, some of the best fake stitiching I’ve seen on an interior. Comfortable seats, reasonably good ride and quiet but quite agile and peppy. Great engine, very smooth and powerful with a great sound.
I was surprised I didn’t hate the CVT, I guess they’ve come a long way. Felt pretty natural, fake shift profiles worked pretty well.
Tech is absolutely archaic, I mean mid 00s Lexus level, they badly need a reworked infotainment upgrade. Snappy and quick to enter destinations though, faster than what I have in the Lexus or the Pacifica.
Obviously not a car that would interest me, but I would definitely consider a Nissan or Infiniti product in the future
Black on black, nicely equipped with leather and nav. Overall I liked it a lot, felt quite premium, nice interior, some of the best fake stitiching I’ve seen on an interior. Comfortable seats, reasonably good ride and quiet but quite agile and peppy. Great engine, very smooth and powerful with a great sound.
I was surprised I didn’t hate the CVT, I guess they’ve come a long way. Felt pretty natural, fake shift profiles worked pretty well.
Tech is absolutely archaic, I mean mid 00s Lexus level, they badly need a reworked infotainment upgrade. Snappy and quick to enter destinations though, faster than what I have in the Lexus or the Pacifica.
Obviously not a car that would interest me, but I would definitely consider a Nissan or Infiniti product in the future
07-17-18, 02:57 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
I thought Chrysler got that Slip-Out-of-Park problem fixed (after Anton Yelchin's death) when they redesigned the last-generation E-Shifters...and the Pacifica also has that new rotary-shift.
Chrysler rented me a car from Enterprise, and I got to choose between an old Dodge Grand Caravan for free or a new Nissan Maxima for $15. Happily forked over the $15 LOL. Drove it around a good bit, put about 90 miles on it.
Black on black, nicely equipped with leather and nav. Overall I liked it a lot, felt quite premium, nice interior, some of the best fake stitiching I’ve seen on an interior. Comfortable seats, reasonably good ride and quiet but quite agile and peppy. Great engine, very smooth and powerful with a great sound.
I was surprised I didn’t hate the CVT, I guess they’ve come a long way. Felt pretty natural, fake shift profiles worked pretty well.
07-17-18, 03:06 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
I think CVTs are much easier to live with in cars with sufficient power. The one in my sister's Murano doesn't bother me, and nor does the one in my Highlander (though that's quite different). But I've hated the CVT in the Corollas I've driven, as the CVT just seems to highlight the weak engine.
07-17-18, 05:18 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Nissans went through severe cost-cutting (and horrible, plastic-toy interiors) when Carlos Ghosn first implemented his Scrooge measures to try and get the company back on its feet. Today, perhaps only the Versa still shows signs of that....perhaps because of its extremely low price, which is down around the Mitsubishi Mirage level, and undercuts even the Kia Rio. But most Nissan sedans, today, including the Maxima are as nice or better than their competition inside.
I think CVTs are much easier to live with in cars with sufficient power. The one in my sister's Murano doesn't bother me, and nor does the one in my Highlander (though that's quite different). But I've hated the CVT in the Corollas I've driven, as the CVT just seems to highlight the weak engine.
Last edited by bitkahuna; 07-21-18 at 02:33 PM.
07-17-18, 06:31 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
Well, I had to put the Pacifica in for the open recalls (cruise control accelerating out of control, slipping out of park and rollin away, you know, silly stuff) and to address the freezing nav headunit. Chrysler rented me a car from Enterprise, and I got to choose between an old Dodge Grand Caravan for free or a new Nissan Maxima for $15. Happily forked over the $15 LOL. Drove it around a good bit, put about 90 miles on it.
Black on black, nicely equipped with leather and nav. Overall I liked it a lot, felt quite premium, nice interior, some of the best fake stitiching I’ve seen on an interior. Comfortable seats, reasonably good ride and quiet but quite agile and peppy. Great engine, very smooth and powerful with a great sound.
I was surprised I didn’t hate the CVT, I guess they’ve come a long way. Felt pretty natural, fake shift profiles worked pretty well.
Tech is absolutely archaic, I mean mid 00s Lexus level, they badly need a reworked infotainment upgrade. Snappy and quick to enter destinations though, faster than what I have in the Lexus or the Pacifica.
Obviously not a car that would interest me, but I would definitely consider a Nissan or Infiniti product in the future
Black on black, nicely equipped with leather and nav. Overall I liked it a lot, felt quite premium, nice interior, some of the best fake stitiching I’ve seen on an interior. Comfortable seats, reasonably good ride and quiet but quite agile and peppy. Great engine, very smooth and powerful with a great sound.
I was surprised I didn’t hate the CVT, I guess they’ve come a long way. Felt pretty natural, fake shift profiles worked pretty well.
Tech is absolutely archaic, I mean mid 00s Lexus level, they badly need a reworked infotainment upgrade. Snappy and quick to enter destinations though, faster than what I have in the Lexus or the Pacifica.
Obviously not a car that would interest me, but I would definitely consider a Nissan or Infiniti product in the future
Last edited by Htony; 07-17-18 at 06:35 PM.
07-18-18, 05:12 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
I rented one not that long ago, and noticed that my knee pushed in the door panel, quite surprising. I looked up the configuration and it was 2nd from the top, wasn't a base car. As an owner of a 4th gen Maxima, it's sad to see how this car co. has fallen.
Then again, I got a brand new Rogue recently, and although it didn't drive very well, it was well appointed and had 7 miles on it when I got it so I actually liked it--way better than a Pathfinder last year that I got. The steering wheel was actually nice and it had radar cruise, and I could get XM311.
I think I only need a few more rentals this year to move up to Executive. That will mean bye bye Nissan, hello Lincoln!
Then again, I got a brand new Rogue recently, and although it didn't drive very well, it was well appointed and had 7 miles on it when I got it so I actually liked it--way better than a Pathfinder last year that I got. The steering wheel was actually nice and it had radar cruise, and I could get XM311.
I think I only need a few more rentals this year to move up to Executive. That will mean bye bye Nissan, hello Lincoln!
07-18-18, 05:25 AM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Maxima is a nice car.
Not sure about now but about a year ago they were running CRAZY lease deals - you can get SR trim, which is about $40k for $350 per month. Interior/ seating position are very good.
Not sure about now but about a year ago they were running CRAZY lease deals - you can get SR trim, which is about $40k for $350 per month. Interior/ seating position are very good.
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07-18-18, 05:32 AM
#8
Pole Position
Good write-up. Did you notice which trim it was? Did it have a pano sunroof?
I rent cars pretty frequently and I recently had a loaded Altima and was pretty impressed with the seat comfort (as you mention on the Maxima) and I also really didn't mind the CVT feel of the engine and liked the agility and pep of the car overall. I don't really care for the exterior of the Maxima but I agree the interior is well-executed. I really wish they'd bring back the option of a manual transmission in the Maxima - they were truly 4 door sports cars back in the day with the manual.
I rent cars pretty frequently and I recently had a loaded Altima and was pretty impressed with the seat comfort (as you mention on the Maxima) and I also really didn't mind the CVT feel of the engine and liked the agility and pep of the car overall. I don't really care for the exterior of the Maxima but I agree the interior is well-executed. I really wish they'd bring back the option of a manual transmission in the Maxima - they were truly 4 door sports cars back in the day with the manual.
07-18-18, 06:34 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Good write-up. Did you notice which trim it was? Did it have a pano sunroof?
I rent cars pretty frequently and I recently had a loaded Altima and was pretty impressed with the seat comfort (as you mention on the Maxima) and I also really didn't mind the CVT feel of the engine and liked the agility and pep of the car overall. I don't really care for the exterior of the Maxima but I agree the interior is well-executed. I really wish they'd bring back the option of a manual transmission in the Maxima - they were truly 4 door sports cars back in the day with the manual.
I rent cars pretty frequently and I recently had a loaded Altima and was pretty impressed with the seat comfort (as you mention on the Maxima) and I also really didn't mind the CVT feel of the engine and liked the agility and pep of the car overall. I don't really care for the exterior of the Maxima but I agree the interior is well-executed. I really wish they'd bring back the option of a manual transmission in the Maxima - they were truly 4 door sports cars back in the day with the manual.
It's funny on the car rental webpage, there is a checkbox for manual--I wonder if there's a manual rental available in the nation? (from a chain, not an exotic or Turo)
Even the '18 M3 CS cannot have a manual, it's getting so crazy out there. The new M5 has a slushbox auto. No matter what anybody says, I prefer a 3rd pedal. My wife hasn't driven a stick in 2 yrs., and just asked me on Sun. do I think she still can? Honey, like riding a bike!
07-18-18, 07:15 AM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Why not use voice command in GPS? I use it all the time. Nissan has been under dog no matter how they build their vehicles. During the Korean war ROKA was supplied with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu trucks by Japanese. Of those 3 trucks Toyota turck was least liked by soldiers back then due to anemic power train.
The one I drove was very solid, well appointed, had about 5k miles on it, no rattles or looseness, all the materials were holding up nice. Would I buy one over a Camry or Accord? Without hesitation.
07-18-18, 08:03 AM
#11
I've never understood the hate for it.
I had it as a rental for a few days. Really nice looking car, looks more expensive than it is. Interior is very nice as well, it had a sporty "cockpit" type of feel. Steering weight was also better than average.
I had one of its competitor's, the Chrysler 300, as a rental recently too. All that car had going for it it's interior space, a smooth ride, and nice styling. Interior quality and fit/finish were putrid.
I had it as a rental for a few days. Really nice looking car, looks more expensive than it is. Interior is very nice as well, it had a sporty "cockpit" type of feel. Steering weight was also better than average.
I had one of its competitor's, the Chrysler 300, as a rental recently too. All that car had going for it it's interior space, a smooth ride, and nice styling. Interior quality and fit/finish were putrid.
07-18-18, 08:13 AM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
I actually thought it had zero steering feel, as did the rogue (using the '16 or '18 BMW 3 series as having little to no feel, if the BMW were 10/100, with 100 being excellent, the Maxima was a 0. I think it's on purpose and what people want now. The GM of the Lexus dealer seemed to want honest input, so as we drove the RX-L, I showed him this is what I don't like about many cars today, and I turned the steering wheel with my pinkie while standing still. Either I have Jack Lalanne's pinkies, or there is a lot of assist today.
07-18-18, 09:44 AM
#13
^ I know its kind of funny how we have come back full circle to way overboosted/numb steering like old American cars with power steering from the 60's/70's/80's.
As for the new Maxima, if its 35-40k, I'd rather just have a less well appointed Infiniti Q50. If you stay light on the options, a V6 Q50 is about the same price as a loaded Maxima. I can deal with less features for a much better chassis with RWD, just don't select the silly electric steering option on the Q50.
As for the new Maxima, if its 35-40k, I'd rather just have a less well appointed Infiniti Q50. If you stay light on the options, a V6 Q50 is about the same price as a loaded Maxima. I can deal with less features for a much better chassis with RWD, just don't select the silly electric steering option on the Q50.
07-18-18, 05:03 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
I actually thought it had zero steering feel, as did the rogue (using the '16 or '18 BMW 3 series as having little to no feel, if the BMW were 10/100, with 100 being excellent, the Maxima was a 0. I think it's on purpose and what people want now. The GM of the Lexus dealer seemed to want honest input, so as we drove the RX-L, I showed him this is what I don't like about many cars today, and I turned the steering wheel with my pinkie while standing still. Either I have Jack Lalanne's pinkies, or there is a lot of assist today.
In exchange for much simpler design, no hydraulic fluid, no leaks, less drag on the engine, better fuel mileage (marginally), and no periodic service or replacements to speak of, the flip side is a major loss of steering feel, particularly with BMWs.