1SICKREVIEW: Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV & Acura TL FWD tech
01-16-10, 10:20 PM
#32
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I think you yourself hit on one reason for the Maxima's low residual here......its questionable looks, plus the fact that it just doesn't sell, brand-new, in the same numbers that the Altima does, or have the same popularity. More often than not, people who look at the Maxima end up buying an Infiniti G sedan for the same money.
Did you and your GF check out a BMW 335i? It will probably run more money than a typical Maxima or TL, and probably not equal their long-term reliability, but gotdamn (to use your term), is it nice car to drive. I posted a number of times on how I think it's a better buy, dollar-for-dollar, than the M3. It also comes in an xi AWD version.
If I was spending 45-50K for a new car, it would be a tough 3-way choice between a 335i, an Acura RL, or a Lexus GS AWD. I assume, though, with your GF, the target price range is somewhat les than that.
Did you and your GF check out a BMW 335i? It will probably run more money than a typical Maxima or TL, and probably not equal their long-term reliability, but gotdamn (to use your term), is it nice car to drive. I posted a number of times on how I think it's a better buy, dollar-for-dollar, than the M3. It also comes in an xi AWD version.
If I was spending 45-50K for a new car, it would be a tough 3-way choice between a 335i, an Acura RL, or a Lexus GS AWD. I assume, though, with your GF, the target price range is somewhat les than that.
) and she does too. We have talked about the S5 and Q7 and need to check them out but that is another can of worms. 
Very nice review, having an 09 Maxima I'm always glad to hear positive reviews about the Maxima especially ones from 1SICK, day in and day out I'm impressed by the car, and the CVT despite what many have said about it, but you really have to drive it to understand.
Before I got the 09 I was gonna buy an 08 TL-S but Acura has always had funky sales tactics, and I never appreciated the smug attitudes that they are just as high class as Lexus, Benz or BMW, any Acura dealer I have visited they always have a way of saying "This is an Acura" over and over
The current TL just has a weird spaceship like body, the headlights and taillights look amazing at night but the overall looks just don't win me over, photo chopped images of it with the last gen front end and a revised rear end make it look way better, and I have read good things about the 6speed AWD version, and I wonder how long before Acura puts the 6speed auto in it from the ZDX
Before I got the 09 I was gonna buy an 08 TL-S but Acura has always had funky sales tactics, and I never appreciated the smug attitudes that they are just as high class as Lexus, Benz or BMW, any Acura dealer I have visited they always have a way of saying "This is an Acura" over and over
The current TL just has a weird spaceship like body, the headlights and taillights look amazing at night but the overall looks just don't win me over, photo chopped images of it with the last gen front end and a revised rear end make it look way better, and I have read good things about the 6speed AWD version, and I wonder how long before Acura puts the 6speed auto in it from the ZDX
The Maxima is fantastic, you need to bring it to a meet when it gets warmer!No its never been RWD and before the G35 came along was the Nissan 4DSC/poor man's 540/GS. Even with it being FWD, it doesn't scare me off as my expectations for it are different and I don't desire it to be some 911 driving sport sedan. I felt it was perfectly fine under most conditions.
What is also amazing is the Maxima has a CVT only and no longer offers a manual. I think this is a smart move as the Maxima is FWD with tons of power now and a manual would muddy things. They are smart to keep the manual in the G37 if you want one.
CJ posted an article recently showing how luxury brands really have their work cut out as there are some damn good cars from non-luxury brands. The Maxima is one of these vehicles. Pretty much on par with the TL/ES/G37 etc etc.
01-16-10, 11:28 PM
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01-16-10, 11:37 PM
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No its never been RWD and before the G35 came along was the Nissan 4DSC/poor man's 540/GS. Even with it being FWD, it doesn't scare me off as my expectations for it are different and I don't desire it to be some 911 driving sport sedan. I felt it was perfectly fine under most conditions.
01-17-10, 11:55 AM
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01-17-10, 12:07 PM
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01-17-10, 03:19 PM
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01-17-10, 03:40 PM
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The current gen Avalon is pretty nice. However, for the past couple of years its sales have been dropping off dramatically. I wonder with the small difference in price, if buyers are opting for the ES?
01-17-10, 04:36 PM
#42
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This will go in my "shopping" thread.....she might just get the 450h and I might just drive the 2GS around until we decide (not to mention wedding, new home, yadda yadda). We actually got offered a tremendous deal on an AWD GS 300 at my Lexus dealer but we were like "no we are NOT going to drive the same car".
01-17-10, 05:56 PM
#43
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01-17-10, 06:26 PM
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I have read the Avalon is stuck in an odd place, it's price get up next to the ES and the Camry is just as big, hence the slower sales numbers.
01-18-10, 08:31 AM
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Yeah my entire plans for the 3GS have been pretty much "thrown out the window"