CTC Review: 2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV

[Jimmy Skum]

Just spent 10 days driving one as a rental in AZ. An old man's car. Whiny in acceleration and not that quick, wallows in corners and just plain boring inside. Smooth and quiet at speed, 80 mph on the freeway, but more reminiscent of a Caddy than anything else. Had a sticker on the rear quarter light, 4DSC (four door sports car)! They must think they have to tell us or we won't know.

The HP is close to my 335i but there is no comparison in handling, performance or quality. There is a price difference sure but worth every penny of that difference IMHO.

[wing]

Wow, I guess I'm the only one that thinks this thing handles really well.  Certainly it doesn't wallow. 

I think some people need to sit in the passenger seat with me for a few days, they will realize, almost all cars these days are more capable than 99% of drivers.

[Spheric]

I miss the Racoon tail lights of the previous gen Maxima.... 

[Mitlov]

Wow, I guess I'm the only one that thinks this thing handles really well.  Certainly it doesn't wallow. 

I think some people need to sit in the passenger seat with me for a few days, they will realize, almost all cars these days are more capable than 99% of drivers.

For the record, my beef with the Maxima isn't that it wallows (I've never driven it), but that it doesn't seem to fit a role distinct from the Altima and the G37.

But I think your comment may miss the point that some people have made.  You don't need to reach a car's handling limits to dislike the way it "feels" as it goes down the road.  Am I a talented enough driver to push a Crown Victoria to its limits?  No.  Not at all.  But that doesn't mean I'll like how it "feels" compared to a 3-Series as I drive each awkwardly at a 7/10ths pace.

[wing]

The new does feel sporty though, I'll get to that in Day 3.  The old one, not so much, but I guess a car is what you make of it.

[toolatecrew]

Take an Accord, load her up to try and match the Maxima in equipment(and you can't) and you will pay $42000 for 1/3 the fun in driving and no comparison in looks.

March sales in this category

TSX (since Honda does not have a flagship car) 107
Azera 27 
Amanti 9 
Avalon 39
Maxima 127 

Do you have figures for Genisis and G37 since both are comparably priced?

I don't read to much into figuresd on a new Model introduction on the first couple of months. Its new after all.

Please don't think that I am against the Maxima. I actually prefer the looks to the G37. My 99 Maxima is still going strong. I think the new Maxima is a step back in the right direction after the last few years.

G35/37 310 vs Genesis 228

April Numbers

Maxima
Genisis 370 Base Price 37,900
G35 324 Base Price 37,900
Maxima 133 Base Price 38,900

Like I said I like the Maxima but one has to question Nissan thinking with where they position it. 

[Spec5]

Jimmy: I'm curious about your "quality" statement with regard to your 335i since the german manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes, Audi and VW) are all worse overall compared to Nissan.

BMW (20), Mercedes(27), Audi (22) and VW (25)

Nissan (14)

Shockers: Hyundai (, Kia (10), Mitsubishi (9), Scion (1)

[Factger]

Sorry but I hate to say this but canadian sales's # do not express the success of the car as a whole.  Even on nissan's website they praise the sales of the 2009 maxima in "North America". It may not be as successfull in Canada right now but it is giving nissan something to smile about in these hard economic times.

NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS

Nissan vehicles saw sales of 42,258 units in April compared with 66,318 units sold in April 2008, a decrease of 36.3 percent.
April sales of the Nissan Z sports car totaled 1,561 units in April, a 29.2 percent increase from a year ago.
Maxima sales of 3,901 in April were 62.7 percent higher than April 2008 sales of 2,398 cars.

I have to say the base price seems to suck for canadians for sure compared to the other models. It must be the american dollar since it is manufactured in the US. I also think you have to look at the options each model has also. But I think the Genesis would have the best base options of the 3.

 

[ovr50]

Jimmy: I'm curious about your "quality" statement with regard to your 335i since the german manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes, Audi and VW) are all worse overall compared to Nissan.

BMW (20), Mercedes(27), Audi (22) and VW (25)

Nissan (14)

Shockers: Hyundai (, Kia (10), Mitsubishi (9), Scion (1)

You are confusing "quality" with "reliability". The 335i has higher quality (as Jimmy said) but it may have worst reliability. Two different things.

[Jaeger]

Wow, I guess I'm the only one that thinks this thing handles really well.  Certainly it doesn't wallow. 

I think some people need to sit in the passenger seat with me for a few days, they will realize, almost all cars these days are more capable than 99% of drivers.

No, you're not alone.  I have driven it and found it very well buttoned down.  Didn't even come close to "wallowing".

Jaeger

[toolatecrew]

Sorry but I hate to say this but canadian sales's # do not express the success of the car as a whole.  Even on nissan's website they praise the sales of the 2009 maxima in "North America". It may not be as successfull in Canada right now but it is giving nissan something to smile about in these hard economic times.

NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS

Nissan vehicles saw sales of 42,258 units in April compared with 66,318 units sold in April 2008, a decrease of 36.3 percent.
April sales of the Nissan Z sports car totaled 1,561 units in April, a 29.2 percent increase from a year ago.
Maxima sales of 3,901 in April were 62.7 percent higher than April 2008 sales of 2,398 cars.

I have to say the base price seems to suck for canadians for sure compared to the other models. It must be the american dollar since it is manufactured in the US. I also think you have to look at the options each model has also. But I think the Genesis would have the best base options of the 3.

 

In the US the base Maxima is more "base" you can get one that doesn't have leather ,Bose audio of Fog lights for 30.190 US  35 K Can.

The Base Canada Model is equivialant to the US SV Model.
The Sv is 32,800 us or 38,400 equivialant in Canada (only $400 difference BRAVO Nissan on that one)

If they offerd the base Maxima they would UNDERCUT the G5 and Genisis by 2K instead of being 1k more as entry level.

Not sure the thinking on that.

[Jimmy Skum]

I was providing my perception from 10 days of driving which finished last Sunday (10th), so very recent experience. I did many freeway miles and many in the city too at varied speeds. I am also an ex Maxima owner, two cars ago actually, last one was a G35 and now the 335i. I would take my old Maxima over the one I just drove, I think mine was a 2001.

As I said my overall impression was that it reminded me of an American car, "soft" compared to the 2001 is how I would put it.

Maybe I've been lucky with the 335i but I've had no issues with it and it's still real tight after two years.

[wing]

I think your perception is off since you are use to a 335i now, a very tight and firm suspension.

[IceAndFire]

I know the pricing isn't quite the same but would people compare this with say...a VW Passat CC?  I sort of see those two as being in the same area of car.  A relatively large sedan, with sporting intentions, a turn towards the "coupe" styling and sleek lines, and based on the more general mid-sized entry for that company.  Does everyone thats having a problem with the positioning for the Maxima also having the same perception of a positioning issue with the Passat CC?  Just curious.

If I were older...and had the money.  I think it'd be between these two.  Course things could change when I actually get to be the age that I think these are oriented to.

[Factger]

I was providing my perception from 10 days of driving which finished last Sunday (10th), so very recent experience. I did many freeway miles and many in the city too at varied speeds. I am also an ex Maxima owner, two cars ago actually, last one was a G35 and now the 335i. I would take my old Maxima over the one I just drove, I think mine was a 2001.

As I said my overall impression was that it reminded me of an American car, "soft" compared to the 2001 is how I would put it.

Maybe I've been lucky with the 335i but I've had no issues with it and it's still real tight after two years.

I think it was the weight of the car was the reason your 2001 (3180lbs) might of felt more tighter compare to the 09 max (3560lbs). my 96 5 speed was under 3000lbs handled ok but was easy to toss around because it was so light. I am sure this 09 handles better than either car, it is just heavier.

[Mitlov]

I know the pricing isn't quite the same but would people compare this with say...a VW Passat CC?  I sort of see those two as being in the same area of car.  A relatively large sedan, with sporting intentions, a turn towards the "coupe" styling and sleek lines, and based on the more general mid-sized entry for that company.  Does everyone thats having a problem with the positioning for the Maxima also having the same perception of a positioning issue with the Passat CC?  Just curious.

If I were older...and had the money.  I think it'd be between these two.  Course things could change when I actually get to be the age that I think these are oriented to.

Automobile Magazine recently did a comparison between a CC 2.0T, a Maxima, and a loaded Mazda6 V6.  I thought it was a fair comparison.

And the VeeDub won 

[banfield]

"...they do not swoon me...".  Sorry mate, but "swoon" is not a transitive verb, so this reads very oddly. Of course, you can always argue creative license! 

[sailor723]

I know the pricing isn't quite the same but would people compare this with say...a VW Passat CC?  I sort of see those two as being in the same area of car.  A relatively large sedan, with sporting intentions, a turn towards the "coupe" styling and sleek lines, and based on the more general mid-sized entry for that company.  Does everyone thats having a problem with the positioning for the Maxima also having the same perception of a positioning issue with the Passat CC?  Just curious.

If I were older...and had the money.  I think it'd be between these two.  Course things could change when I actually get to be the age that I think these are oriented to.

Automobile Magazine recently did a comparison between a CC 2.0T, a Maxima, and a loaded Mazda6 V6.  I thought it was a fair comparison.

And the VeeDub won 

Interesting comments....We're starting to look around for a replacement for our '05 Max (lease is up in Sept) and the CC is certainly among the possibles at the moment.

[Spec5]

Is the tip in on the throttle on this Maxima really touchy!? I find with my Sentra its VERY sensitive and its difficult to leave from a stop smoothly.

[wing]

Most definitely now -- that is typically done on lower horsepower cars to make them feel fast.