CD Article: 2007 Nissan Maxima

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:

"Smoother and less angular" than the outgoing Maxima, the 2007 model is "a fast, smooth, luxury-oriented, cruiser," reports Paul Williams.  No need to worry about its new continuously variable transmission, he says. "The 'performance tuning' of the Maxima's CVT is well suited to the car's character, in that it doesn't detract from the engine's power when required," he reports.     More...

[toolatecrew]

No more manaual? The 2006 was already too bloated and heavy for me but this kills any interest I had. I still rember the 2002 5 speed Maxima I almost boyght and how much I regreted missing out on it. but hey they know their markets and I can't rember the last (new generation) Maxima I saw driven by someone under 50.

At least it better looking than it was. Should sell to the crowd that finds the Avalon too sedate?

[a4_tom]

Checked one out while looking at Versa. The interior has taken a huge improvements, in terms of materials and fit-and-finish.

[Mitlov]

I think dropping the manual is okay.  The Maxima is barely cheaper than the far-sportier G35 sedan; I would assume that many of the folks who were interested in a manual-transmission Maxima might end up going with the Infiniti instead.

[Wolfe]

There is also the Altima SE-R with the six speed manual available for those looking for a sporty front wheel drive car with the 3.5L V6 engine.

[Bullet Blue]

No more manaual? The 2006 was already too bloated and heavy for me but this kills any interest I had.

I agree. I've always liked the Maxima and the fact that Nissan offered a manual with it. Now that that option is gone, I have 0 interest in this car. But I'm sure we're in the minority in thinking this way. I'm sure they'll hit their target market a lot better this way.

The facelift is much better though. A lot less... awkward looking. Glad they finally got rid of thayn stupid belt buckle on the grille.

[wing]

No more tooth!

[tpl]

A friend has the older shape, pre 2005 ?   with a manual transmission.... not for me but it goes well and is reliable.

Pity they could not have put a DSG in the new one.

[Oz]

We used to have an 04 Maxima, the first thing that went was that stupid bucktooth grille. Got an aftermarket replacement asap.

But then again the car didnt last very long either.

I wonder if they've done anything about the ridiculous torque steer on the new one, it was just insansely bad to drive in winter time. The fact that the previous generation has an uncanny resemblance to a Saturn didnt help it either.

[tpl]

The older body had IMHO an atrocious ride quailty... Nissan had obviously sucked all the goodness oout of the rear suspension at some point

[Mattesa]

This design isn't aging too well.  It looks better, but it's too late, IMO.

I think dropping the manual is okay.  The Maxima is barely cheaper than the far-sportier G35 sedan; I would assume that many of the folks who were interested in a manual-transmission Maxima might end up going with the Infiniti instead.

The manual for the G35 comes as part of a $6000 package.

[safristi]

TO  INFINITI.......................AND.......................G35.................no brainer

[a4_tom]

G35 6M/T only comes with performance package.

[Mitlov]

This design isn't aging too well.  It looks better, but it's too late, IMO.
The manual for the G35 comes as part of a $6000 package.

That's lame.  It's not that way in the States; on Infiniti's US website, I can build a manual G35 that costs US$31,850 (that includes 18" wheels and the "sport-tuned suspension").  For comparison, the cheapest automatic G35 I can build is $32,100 (with 17" wheels and without the sport-tuned suspension), and the cheapest Maxima I can build is $28,655 ($31,195 with leather).  Hopefully Infiniti will stop doing that options package thing to the manual G35 when the new model comes out?

[toolatecrew]

That's lame.  It's not that way in the States; on Infiniti's US website, I can build a manual G35 that costs US$31,850 (that includes 18" wheels and the "sport-tuned suspension").  For comparison, the cheapest automatic G35 I can build is $32,100 (with 17" wheels and without the sport-tuned suspension), and the cheapest Maxima I can build is $28,655 ($31,195 with leather).  Hopefully Infiniti will stop doing that options package thing to the manual G35 when the new model comes out?

36 K canadaian (conversion) for a G35 Spd? tell me that wouldn't kill here?

That would be CHEAPER than a base 2007 Maxima!!!

I don't wanna start the whole Canada US price thing too much but dang if Infiniti sold them at that price in Canada with the low finacing they have right now I would think they would sell more than a couple of them to prospective TSX buyers or even to people looking at loaded Mazda 6's or Subaru Legacy GT.

[Arthur Dent]

Seems to me that the Maxima is going back to its roots in sense - when first introduced its was boring car but a cheaper alternative to an equally boring Mercedes.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

What happened to my hot '4-door sport sedan'? 

I'll miss the manual. This should continue as the relatively affordable larger executive sport/touring sedan IMO. WITH manual tranny!

[a4_tom]

Maxima has always stand for "4DSC" or "4 Door Sports Car". This tradition has been broken with the introduction of current car, as well as Altima V6.

[Benhaze]

What happened to my hot '4-door sport sedan'? 

I'll miss the manual. This should continue as the relatively affordable larger executive sport/touring sedan IMO. WITH manual tranny!

I agree with you SAM. I was turned off by the previous interior and was waiting to see the new one, hoping for big improvements. But not only the lack of manual that is a big let down for me, the CVT trans kills any interest I had in this vehicle!

[Oz]

Its funny how they make fun of Nissans as a Japanese brand with an American design philosophy. I still remember Clarkson ripping the 350Z.