Topic: CD Article: 2009 Nissan Maxima

[Sir Osis of Liver]

At 39.84mpg on my last tank of gas I find nothing ridiculous about the CVT, try that with a Camry or Accord

You're turning into a troll.  The thread has nothing to do with the Accord or Camry.  The Altima 2.5 is rated for 8.9L/100km city and 6.3L/100km highway while the Honda Accord AT is 9.9/6.5 and the Camry is 9.5/6.2.  As for 39.84mpg, what the hell is that?  US or Imperial gallons?  Miles?  Can Mitlov translate, please?

I think you got 7L/100km.  100% city stop and go?  No way.  Mostly highway?  Yes.  The Accord is the poorest of the three in the city, with the Camry next and the Altima the best.  It's lead is lost on the highway with all three about the same.  Between the Camry and the Altima, the winner will be the one with the most cautious and sensible driver.

True. I got 7.2l/100km (39.2 Imp MPG) in my Outback, a car not renowned for fuel economy. Of course that was all highway, with cruise set at 103km/hr and without AC, on an 18C day.

I really liked the 1990's Maxima's, but they sort of lost the plot in 2000 when they lost the rear independent suspension and generally made the car softer. The last version seemed pretty awkward and just too big for its sporty pretensions.
This one looks better, but still pretty big. I'm not sure who the audience is for this one.

[Frontier1]

My mileage is combined, max speed highway 115.  I'm curious to see what a 200-300 km trip would be like.

[quadzilla]

My mileage is combined, max speed highway 115.  I'm curious to see what a 200-300 km trip would be like.

Did you mean to say 2,000 - 3,000 kms trip would be like? I really don't think checking mileage for trips that use less than one tank of gas very reliable.

[MKII]

Comparo MY2008 Maxi  3.5 SE CVT  to G35 Luxury A5
 
http://cars.globeauto.com/compare/compare.pl

2008 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE CVT
 $2,992 lower price

Interior Advantages
2008 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE CVT
 Cargo Volume (L): 6 more
 Hip Room (rr, mm): 28 more
 Interior Volume (L): 131 more
 Leg Room (rr, mm): 46 more
 Shoulder Room (fr, mm): 59 more
 Shoulder Room (rr, mm): 33 more

2008 Infiniti G35 Sedan Luxury A5
 Head Room (fr, mm): 10 more
 Head Room (rr, mm): 11 more
 Hip Room (fr, mm): 40 more
 
Exterior Advantages
2008 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE CVT
 Length (mm): 188 more
 Track (fr, mm): 31 more
 Width (mm): 48 more

2008 Infiniti G35 Sedan Luxury A5
 Speed-sensing Steering: Standard
 Ventilated Discs: 2 more
 Wheelbase (mm): 25 more
 

Engine Advantages
2008 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE CVT
 Fuel Econ (city, l/km): 1 less
 Fuel Econ (hwy, l/km): 0.3 less

2008 Infiniti G35 Sedan Luxury A5
 Horsepower@rpm: 51 more hp
 Torque@rpm: 16 more torque
 
 
 

[JSCC]

I still think it would have been better if the new Maxima was the new I35.
If Lexus can sell the ES350 (FWD) and still maintain a luxury image, I don't see why Infiniti could not do the same.

[sailor723]

I still think it would have been better if the new Maxima was the new I35.
If Lexus can sell the ES350 (FWD) and still maintain a luxury image, I don't see why Infiniti could not do the same.

 

 A loaded up V6 Altima would make more sense as the "top end" of the Nissan line-up. The Max would give Infiniti a less sporty,more Luxo-cruiser alternative to the G.

[Jaeger]

I'm not at all sure it would have made any kind of sense for Nissan to abandon the Maxima - a brand name in which they have a considerable investment - by making this an Infiniti model.  That'll happen about the same time that Honda abandons the Accord by making it an Acura model.  I'm not holding my breath.

There is now sufficient separation between Altima and Maxima for the two to more comfortably coexist on the showroom floor.  The Maxima as an I35 would crowd the M35 in a big way - the only meaningful separation being FWD versus RWD - which is what traditionally separates Nissan sedans from Infiniti sedans anyway.

Jaeger

[Mitlov]

You're turning into a troll.  The thread has nothing to do with the Accord or Camry.  The Altima 2.5 is rated for 8.9L/100km city and 6.3L/100km highway while the Honda Accord AT is 9.9/6.5 and the Camry is 9.5/6.2.  As for 39.84mpg, what the hell is that?  US or Imperial gallons?  Miles?  Can Mitlov translate, please?

That's what I call "crazy talk."  I couldn't get that in a 1999 Civic EX coupe with a manual transmission in purely highway driving.

[johngenx]

That's what I call "crazy talk."  I couldn't get that in a 1999 Civic EX coupe with a manual transmission in purely highway driving.

He's using Imperial gallons, which are 4.54L as opposed to US gallons, only 3.78L.  So, his 39MPG is only 32.xxmpg in your terms.

Certainly attainable by an Altima 2.5L, but NOT in city driving.  7L/100km has to be mostly highway driving.  Transport Canada's ratings are attainable, but only by being very conservative with the pedal and observing posted limits carefully.  I can beat them slightly, but it takes real work. Our 'Rolla is rated for 5.4 on the highway, and I can match that by taking divided roads (no passing) and staying at or below the speed limit.  I did get 5.1L/100km on our last trip by using mostly secondary highways with 90 and 100 limits and driving mostly 90km/h.

CVT or no CVT, the Altima won't get in the 7's in city driving.  No way.  Not rated for 8.9.

[JSCC]

I'm not at all sure it would have made any kind of sense for Nissan to abandon the Maxima - a brand name in which they have a considerable investment - by making this an Infiniti model.  That'll happen about the same time that Honda abandons the Accord by making it an Acura model.  I'm not holding my breath.

There is now sufficient separation between Altima and Maxima for the two to more comfortably coexist on the showroom floor.  The Maxima as an I35 would crowd the M35 in a big way - the only meaningful separation being FWD versus RWD - which is what traditionally separates Nissan sedans from Infiniti sedans anyway.

Jaeger

If Honda can co-sell the Accord V6 and TL.
If Toyota can co-sell the Camry V6, ES350, and Avalon.
Why couldn't Nissan co-sell the Altima V6, Maxima/I35?

[Jaeger]

I still think it would have been better if the new Maxima was the new I35.

Didn't seem like you were suggesting that they sell BOTH the Max and an I35 variant.  Seemed like you were saying that this car should have been an I35 INSTEAD of a Maxima.

It's not that they couldn't co-sell Altima and I35, it's that it would make no sense at all for Nissan to completely abondon its most brand-loyal model to create an additional Infiniti model.  Again - it would make as much sense as Honda abandoning the Accord to create an Acura or Toyota abandoning the Camry to create a Lexus.  The question isn't whether they could, but rather, why the heck would they?

Jaeger

[Frontier1]

I still think it would have been better if the new Maxima was the new I35.
If Lexus can sell the ES350 (FWD) and still maintain a luxury image, I don't see why Infiniti could not do the same.

 

 A loaded up V6 Altima would make more sense as the "top end" of the Nissan line-up. The Max would give Infiniti a less sporty,more Luxo-cruiser alternative to the G.

Are you suggesting that Toyota should equally abandon the Avalon and Hyundai the Azera?

[99 Silver]

I saw the 2009 Max at the dealership today when I had an oil change for my M35 and I think it looks much better in the flesh than in the photos.  It is quite an attractive car in my opinion.

[Frontier1]

I saw the 2009 Max at the dealership today when I had an oil change for my M35 and I think it looks much better in the flesh than in the photos.  It is quite an attractive car in my opinion.

Indeed, very nice, rich IMO.

[Ice]

I still think it would have been better if the new Maxima was the new I35.
If Lexus can sell the ES350 (FWD) and still maintain a luxury image, I don't see why Infiniti could not do the same.

 

 A loaded up V6 Altima would make more sense as the "top end" of the Nissan line-up. The Max would give Infiniti a less sporty,more Luxo-cruiser alternative to the G.

Are you suggesting that Toyota should equally abandon the Avalon and Hyundai the Azera?

I believe Toyota IS abandoning the Avalon in favour of a slightly stretched luxury Camry.  I forget when its supposed to happen...next year or the year after.

[initial_D]

Seen the TV ad for the Maxima, 4 door sports car of the 80s Max, though the car itself looked rather attractive, on TV anyway.

Infiniti wants a luxury/performance image, rwd/awd cars only. Don't think we will see a fwd in their lineup in the near future.

[Iso Octane]

Infiniti wants a luxury/performance image, rwd/awd cars only. Don't think we will see a fwd in their lineup in the near future.

I agree.  They really shouldn't dilute the identity that they've successfully built for themselves with something silly like a FWD Nissan rebadge job.  C'mon, that's 90's thinking.   

If the Maxima encroaches on the Altima, then get rid of the Altima (or make it smaller)!  The Max is by far the better looking one right now, and has always been positioned as Nissan's top car.

[Frontier1]

If the Maxima encroaches on the Altima, then get rid of the Altima (or make it smaller)!  The Max is by far the better looking one right now, and has always been positioned as Nissan's top car.

get rid of their bread and butter car, too funny.  As for looks that's all subjective

[Greg B.]

I saw the 2009 Max at the dealership today when I had an oil change for my M35 and I think it looks much better in the flesh than in the photos.  It is quite an attractive car in my opinion.

I also saw one in person and agree that iti is quite striking-looking but the dumb-looking headlights really detract from it. It seems a number of Japanese makes are adopting Anime-esque headlight designs which look very odd.

[Iso Octane]

After seeing a few of the new Maximas on the road, I have to say that it looks really really good in person.  The proportions and subtle bulges and not-so-subtle haunches make the car look very sporty indeed.  Get a big closer, and the clean detail work make the car look very upscale as well.  Even the weird headlights, don't look so weird anymore. 

I'm hoping Nissan succeeds with this new Maxima.  I think it does a good job at differentiating itself this time around.

get rid of their bread and butter car, too funny.  As for looks that's all subjective

Not to worry, Altima1, it's probably not going to happen.