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2009 Nissan Maxima - First Drive Review
Nissan execs admit that, in the wake of the company’s merger with Renault, the Maxima was given second billing to the Altima when it came time for their respective redesigns—especially after the current Altima debuted in 2007 wearing hand-me-down duds from its big brother. The two cars were nearly indistinguishable, and the Altima’s optional 270-hp V-6 meant it was more powerful than the flagship Maxima.

The 2009 Maxima changes that. The eye-catching shape, with its liquid-like flow, will be mistaken for nothing in the Nissan stable but does share many cues with the current Infiniti design philosophy, particularly that of the recently introduced 2009 FX. And the power issue is resolved with a bump of 20 horsepower over the Altima’s optional V-6, endowing the Maxima with 290.

Sporty starts with size, and the 2009 Maxima reverses the trend toward bigger and heavier by shedding inches in nearly every critical dimension. Length is down almost four inches, wheelbase has been cut by two, and the roof is a half-inch lower. Width is up 1.5 inches, however, for a sportier stance. If back-seat passengers miss those longitudinal inches, at least they now have extra space to splay their knees. Unless Maxima passengers are circus-sized, however, they shouldn’t have any complaints. Seats front and rear are comfortable and firmly bolstered, with the rear seats perhaps more comfortable and snug than the fronts.
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2009 Nissan Maxima - First Drive Review



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BimmerGuyFL78BimmerGuyFL78 - 5/20/2008 3:46:05 PM
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I do not understand why someone would want to spend 35-38K on a Nissan Maxima which is FWD?? There is a better alternative, it's called the Infiniti G35.

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222max222max - 5/20/2008 3:49:46 PM
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These are estimated prices. Official prices have not yet been announced.


07G35J07G35J - 5/20/2008 4:52:24 PM
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Some people will prefer the Maxima over the G35 for one reason: interior space. I bet the Max will be bigger inside than the G is. The G might be better when it comes to performance, but people have different priorities. It's called choices.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/20/2008 5:55:26 PMView My AgentSpace
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The G35 has a useful amount of space. I don't think that's a strong argument.


0to600to60 - 5/20/2008 6:36:16 PM
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The G35 does not have a useful amount of space. I owned both. I currently have the G which I need to trade for the Max because I need the extra room for my business. The G is a small car. Trunk space is very limited and rear leg room is not that great. Maximas are pretty big. Not quite avalon size but you can think of it like comparing an avalon to a camry


0to600to60 - 5/20/2008 6:36:40 PM
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And the max is WAY more fuel efficient.


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 5/20/2008 9:27:50 PM
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some people are such idiots...the guy saids why would you spend that kind of money on a maxima, when you could buy a G35 which is a japanese car, and your saying japanese cars could never win with euro fans...and people boosted that comment.........does that even make sense....how can you call yourself an enthusiast and not know the G35 is a
japanese car and made by nissan or for matter keep bringing politics in to this this isnt about countries its about cars??????


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/20/2008 10:01:07 PM
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I certainly would not spend that on any vehicle with the dreaded CVT. The article does not say that the CVT has been replaced by a conventional automatic. Right now I'm tying to make a deal on a nice Passat with the Tiptonic to replace the leased A6 Quattro I just turned in. I admit only that this Nissan looks good.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/20/2008 10:58:01 PMView My AgentSpace
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"Nobody complained about a 35K FWD audi, but have no problem complaining about a superior performing 35K FWD Nissan."

Huh?

The "35K FWD audi" that you're referring to--A4 2.0T--will now be a really great sedan to drive and to look at, but the quattro version will obviously be much better.


07G35J07G35J - 5/21/2008 10:01:44 AM
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S4cabriofoxone: "The G35 has a useful amount of space. I don't think that's a strong argument"

I never said the G35 did not have any useful space. I just said it has LESS space than the Max.


EL34EL34 - 5/20/2008 3:50:20 PM
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bulldogzbulldogz - 5/20/2008 4:12:00 PM
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does your boyfriend make you wear a paper bag in bed?


_43LE_43LE - 5/20/2008 4:32:40 PM
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"Does this car come with a car cover that can be used when driving it because I would feel like an ignoramus sitting in the ignorant lookin' thing?"

What do you mean that you "would feel" like an ignoramus? We all just assumed you always felt that way all the time. ;-)


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/20/2008 5:48:50 PM
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43le-

LOL!


EL34EL34 - 5/20/2008 7:01:23 PM
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I'd feel like a stooge driving this new Maxima.

Like a nincompoop!

Or a moron...


simmonsdpsimmonsdp - 5/21/2008 7:40:12 AM
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a car cover when driving, that's funny... :-)


SDswtc44SDswtc44 - 5/20/2008 4:08:38 PM
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the new headlights are...interesting...

I think i would have to see this car in real life before i pass judgment on its looks, but the new 370z is gonna have the same basic shape for the headlights so it seems like this could be the new face of nissan.

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lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/20/2008 5:49:56 PM
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at least its waaaay better than acuras new face, imo


adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 5/20/2008 4:16:01 PM
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The Infiniti make-over now at an Infiniti price.

For only a couple more thousand, you can have a G35, but I guess this is an alternative route.

Personally, I'd rather have the Infiniti. You get a better warranty, loan cars, and service. That to me alone is worth $2000. Plus, You get 20 more HP and RWD and a manual transmission!

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Bmw8terBmw8ter - 5/20/2008 4:27:46 PM
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Let's be honest. As capable as the G35 is, it's not nearly as good looking as the Maxima.


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/20/2008 5:51:19 PM
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Let's be honest. As capable as the Maxima is, it's not nearly as good looking as the G35.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/20/2008 5:57:00 PMView My AgentSpace
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Actually the G35 will look a bit bland next to this car, which is funny. The Infiniti has so much more on its side, though.


wkc5354wkc5354 - 5/20/2008 6:35:56 PM
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FINALLY !!! A GOOD LOOKING MAXIMA AGAIN !! THE LAST TIME THE MAXIMA LOOK ANY GOOD WAS THE 1994 to 1999 Shape!!! GOOD JOB NISSAN BUT BETTER NOT MAKE THE PRICE TOO CLOSE TO A G35.

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0to600to60 - 5/20/2008 6:40:50 PM
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I dont understand why people cant understand the size difference between a G35 and a Maxima. How about camparing the 3 series to a 5. Now do you see the difference. The maxima is a fairly large vehicle. the G is small. The G would not make a good family car. The Maxima would if you have kids. Especially older teenagers. Try packing a G's trunk for a vacation. I have and it aint pretty. never had the prob with the maxima.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/20/2008 10:56:18 PMView My AgentSpace
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The G is significantly larger than the BMW 3 Series, though. So are the new Audi A4 and the Acura TL.


daytonavioletdaytonaviolet - 5/20/2008 11:52:21 PM
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I couldn't agree more. This car fits the perfect niche for someone that needs the size of the M, but their budget is at the G (or slightly less.)

When you compare it to a car of it's own size, it's a bargain.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2008 10:53:03 PMView My AgentSpace
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It actually has a more powerful engine than the M35...

Whoops... Infiniti probably doesn't want you to know that.

Can you say torque steer? Will this be available with AWD?


DROOPYSAKKDROOPYSAKK - 5/20/2008 8:48:18 PM
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in about a year this car will lease great and they will be EVERYWHERE.

i like very much


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tattedtwicetattedtwice - 5/20/2008 9:16:33 PM
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This thing still repulses me, but I do have to commend nissan for taming the torque steer demons. They may want to stop stating that they designed this thing to be the best handling FWD car in the world, though; a look at the numbers shows that if that was their goal, they failed miserably.

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BoredBored - 5/21/2008 2:43:35 AM
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Fix the nose and give it RWD or AWD and Nissan might have a winner.
With 290 HP and FWD for a car that size, it mine as well be a Buick or Cadillac DTS!

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JUGNUJUGNU - 5/21/2008 6:01:46 AMView My AgentSpace
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Earlier i thought the rear is Yaris'issh and it's a bit on uglier side but now i can see some 350Z design cues in it's rear. Similar tailights. So that's very nice. I always liked the stylish front end with unique and curvy headligths and that nice infiniti like interior.

therfore overall it's a good looking car.
It's competitors here in Middle East are Honda Accord V6, Subaru Legacy H6, Lumina V6, Saabs...etc and to some extent even Camry.

JUGNU

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simmonsdpsimmonsdp - 5/21/2008 7:43:08 AM
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I think it looks pretty good except for the headlights, they look idiotic.......

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NUggAitsMENUggAitsME - 5/21/2008 8:55:28 PM
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lol , G is way too small , even tough im not a big guy i drive a 06 maxima and would never take a 06 g over my maxima , yes it fwd and its 6 speed manual and has less drivetrain loss , and it feels like shit tough because its a FWD but G is too small very uncomfortable i think .

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DaHarderDaHarder - 5/22/2008 1:37:25 AM
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"especially after the current Altima debuted in 2007 wearing hand-me-down duds from its big brother. The two cars were nearly indistinguishable"

Is This A Serious Statement?

The Current Altima Shares Absolutely No Body Panels With The Maxima, And Hardly Looks Indistinguishable... Who Writes This Tripe?

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