NISSAN MAXIMA REVIEWS AND RATINGS

2004 Nissan Maxima
Writer's Notes 2004 Nissan Maxima Specifications Base price: Approximately $28,000 Engine: 3.5-liter V6 (265 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 255 lb.-ft. @4,400 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual (SE models); 6-speed manual (optional on SE models); four-speed automatic (SL models) Wheelbase: 111.2 in. Length: 193.5 in. Width: 71.7 in. Height: 58.3 in. Head/hip/legroom (5-passenger vehicles): Front - 39.7/53.5/43.6 in.; Rear - 37.1/54.8/36.5 in. Curb weight, lbs.: 3,432 (SE); 3,467 (SL) Fuel economy: 20/29 city/highway (SE manual); 20/28 (SE automatic) 20/27 (SL) Safety equipment: Front and side airbags, ABS with BA and EBD, LATCH child seat tethers 5 questions about the 2004 Nissan Maxima How does it drive? We drove automatic and manual versions of the new Maxima and different trims with both the four-and five-seat configurations. We found the automatic version the most predictable to drive, with handling that is clearly more crisp than previous generations. Especially notable was its weight transfer in corners, as we traveled a series winding back roads from San Diego to Palm Springs, California. Its suspension tuning made it hug the corners and its low-end torque provided plenty of available power to accelerate from a stop and pass slower traffic--giving it a sporty feel. It has been reported that its zero to 60 mph time is 6.3 seconds. Notable are its 40 percent increased torsonial rigidity and power rack-and-pinion steering that is engine-speed sensitive. What are some of its best points? Its styling both inside and out. Creative new features include the Skyview Roof, with two sunroofs that provides great interior lighting and more of an open-air feel, along with the availability of 4/5 passenger seating. The Elite package's four-passenger bucket seating, with its rear center console, makes it look much more like the new-luxury player that Nissan hopes it will be. It comes with a power rear sunshade and cargo pass-through. The five-passenger seating, with luxury cloth or leather, has a 60/40 split fold-down rear bench. Any complaints? While we liked the sound tuning, spiritedness and close-ratio shifting of the manual transmission, we discovered some torque steer (a slight pulling or directing of the front of the vehicle on acceleration) in this version. Once used to it, however, we were able to toss this version around on our great driving roads and enjoy all of its other attributes, especially its great brakes. Notable is an optional helical limited-slip differential that is torque sensitive and provides instantaneous locking for increased traction and performance. When is it on sale and where is it built? The new Maxima will go on sale in March at the 1,100 Nissan dealers in the U.S. Its exterior and interior were designed at Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan and it was assembled for the first time in the United States at Nissan's North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plant. What colors does the new Maxima come in? It comes in eight colors, including Red Opulence, Radiant Ember, Spirited Bronze, Liquid Silver, and Champagne Mist, Majestic Blue, Onyx, Winter Frost and Black with interior trims that include Black, Bright Orange/Black, Frost and Café Latte. Comments or suggestions about this review? Send an e-mail to: editor@autobytel.com Autobytel Inc. operates the popular automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, and Autosite.com. xxx	After years of offering increasingly similar Altima and Maxima models, Nissan introduces the 6th generation Maxima with increased horsepower, improved performance and breakthrough exterior styling. You might never mistake it for an Altima again. The Altima-Maxima platform cannibalization emerged when the two models became increasingly less distinguishable from one another. Both offered luxury features, performance tuning and seating for five. Both also competed with the best-selling Camry and Accord, and therefore, in many cases, with each other - especially as pricing for each model hovered around the mid-20's. With the 2004 model, Nissan aims to change that by distinguishing Maxima as a luxury-level sport performance sedan, not an ordinary family car. The vehicle has humble beginnings as the 1981 Datsun 810 Maxima, but boasts over 2,000,000 in cumulative sales over its lifetime, which has included several major re-designs (notably in 1986 and 1990). Now in its sixth generation, Maxima is ready for a mid-life crisis - the good kind. Nissan wants to emphasize that the mid-sized Maxima has evolved from a speedy family sedan to a high-end sports car and it is now being positioned against Acura TL, Audi A4 V6 and Toyota Avalon, instead of the Camry and Accord. Target customers are 60% male with a median age of 47 and household income of $100,000. Only 20% of projected buyers will have children in their households - this family sedan is aimed to be more bachelor material. Maxima is available in two trim levels, SE and SL. Both come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, alloy wheels, four-wheel discs with ABS and a host of high-end amenities. SE models add sporty features and options, such as 18-inch tires and wheels and an optional 6-speed manual transmission. SL versions get upscale appointments such as a 6-CD changer and optional DVD navigation. Option packages include: Premium Audio Package (320-watt Bose audio, with AM/FM Cassette/CD-6, 8 speakers, RDS and speed-sensitive volume control); Sensory Package (with heated power seats and mirrors, and leather trim); Driver Preferred Packages (adds a rear spoiler, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and other amenities); Journey Package (DVD navigation with the Driver's Preferred Package); and Elite, which layers 2-passenger rear seating, a rear power sun shade and heated rear seats on top of the Journey Package). Pricing for the 2004 models is between $28,000 and $34,000. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, cruise control, power windows and locks, center console with armrest and storage, HomeLink transceiver and power folding exterior mirrors. On the outside, this new version is dressed for attention. Styling cues from the new Z include a sculpted hood and a nose that dips low toward the road. Nissan's new grille, with a wide chrome placard badge centered between crosshatched intakes, is capped by Z-like oversized headlamps. A side view reveals sporty accents, with a curving hoodline that drops almost to a hatchback shape in the rear. The back end is snubbed and thick, adding to a couching stance. A dual exhaust has four chrome-tipped pipes. Overall, the vehicle is longer, wider, taller, and has a wider wheelbase than the previous model. Under the hood, the 3.5-liter V6 puts out 265 horses @ 5,800 rpm and 255 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,400 rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on SE models, which are also available with a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The SL comes with a 4-speed automatic. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and traction control are available as an option on models with an automatic transmission only. A completely redesigned interior has a racing-inspired 3-gauge instrument cluster and brushed metal trim. A 5.8-inch screen displays vehicle information in the center dash, while a modern-looking audio system consists of three narrow horizontal spaces built into the metal trim. The industry-first 'Skyview Roof,' standard on all models, is a long rectangle of glass stretching from the front to the rear of the cabin. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, cruise control, power windows and locks, center console with armrest and storage, HomeLink transceiver and power folding exterior mirrors. The higher-end SL adds wood-tome trim instead of metal, 8-way power driver's and 4-way power passenger's seats, in-dash 6-CD changer and heated front seats. Standard cloth or optional leather seats are available, with rear seats available either in standard three-seat 60/40 split configuration or 4-passenger configuration with center console. This option is available with the Elite option package. Independent front strut and multi-link rear suspension components are designed for improved stability, better damping and less harshness. Suspension is sport-tuned on SE models for added performance; 4-disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist are standard. Safety equipment includes front and side-impact airbags, an emergency inside trunk release and LATCH child seat tethers. With a new package of performance, styling and luxury, the next-generation Maxima is a long way up the evolutionary ladder from its first iteration. Sharing DNA with the 350Z, the former sedan-around-town is becoming a sports car designed for the fast lane. --Photos Courtesy of Nissan North America --Story by Sue Mead Sue Mead works as a photojournalist and features writer for more than two dozen publications. She has written for Parade, Popular Science, Open Road, the Road & Track Buyers Guide, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics and Diversion and she has worked as an auto editor for CNN/fn. Sue has co-driven in two of the world's toughest off-road races, the Baja 1000 and the Paris-Dakar Raid. She attended four Camel Trophy adventures for Land Rover North America and has participated in several long-distance adventure drives. She recently completed her first book, "Monster Trucks and Tractors" published by Chelsea House. Sue lives in New England.

Source:  ABT