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Road Test:: Does Nissan's 4 Door Sports Car Live Up to The Billing?

Agent009 submitted on 9/12/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 2:03:45 PM

24 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.usatoday.com

Nissan's redesigned Maxima sport sedan goes about its business with such easy grace that you wonder why pricier models can't do as well.

Maxima's long been Nissan's "halo" model: a go-getting growler that gives the whole brand a luster of quick-step performance and snap-turn handling. It's true enough: Nissans drive sportier than many rivals.

The Maxima's slightly bigger outside than the Altima sedan that shares Nissan's "D" platform, as does the Murano SUV and Quest minivan in a nice job of crafting different vehicles on one base. But it's mysteriously tighter inside: slightly less headroom, legroom and width than Altima.

 



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Road Test:: Does Nissan's 4 Door Sports Car Live Up to The Billing?

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Agent009

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

— Agent009 (View Profile)


User Comments

GTR35

Nice!

Love it in black or dark blue.

— GTR35 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 2:58:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

528i

Nissain is like BMW of Japan, ugly cars with good performance and handling.

— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 3:01:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -17   

M35MT

haha agree minus the ugly part

— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 3:03:20 PM | | Votes: 13   

bigmotov

I agree too, however, I like the looks. I haven't had a chance to drive one yet, but I've seen plenty running around and I think it looks nice...muscular looking with a nice unique look. MUCH better than the previous generation, and the interior is much nicer as well.

— bigmotov (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 3:24:57 PM | | Votes: 8   

grysko

Nicely put and so true.

— grysko (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 8:22:04 PM | | Votes: 0   

Star

The new Maxima is ugly like sin and has the dynamics of an SUV. A Suburban is about as sporty as this boated, ugly sedan. Just the usual garbage coming from Nissan. Big thumbs DOWN!!!

— Star (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 4:37:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -22   

eric113

@cpt

no. that should include you.

#read his previous comments.

— eric113 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/14/2008 5:50:36 AM | | Votes: 0   

snatchandgrab

Star, get back under your rock!!Why do you waste our time w/ all of your Japanese hate. Do you own a car? You obviously don't know what you're talking about....as usual.

— snatchandgrab (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 12:59:07 PM | | Votes: 1   

NISSANINFINITI

I have seen a white one in person with the panarama roof and I saw a base model in black. The black is hot as hell....it looked like the grill had diamonds on it, but they driver said she didnt any options on it at all. The car is very very good looking in person...My only complaint is that all the ones ive seen have had the same rims.... no variation of factory rims.

— NISSANINFINITI (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 5:03:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

drake0707

Thats because you need to add the sport pkg to get the 19" wheels. The Maxima is like many other wonderful vehicles. It steps outside the bounds of the "norm". Boring looking cars with less lines than a blank sheet of paper. We needed something as outspoken as its driver. I work at a Platinum Nissan Dealer and the Maxima continues to be Nissan's flagship.

— drake0707 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 5:12:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

350zdon17

My first thought on this car was it was weird looking... then when you see it in person in a showroom or driving on the road it is very nice definetly a head turner with the aggressive grill and headlights....just makes you think how tuff the new Z will be

— 350zdon17 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 6:40:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

BJS470

Awesome car, sport package is sweet and it looks awesome in real life.

— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2008 10:03:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

lakerfan213

Looks VERY good in person. Saw one on the freeway, but forgot what color it was.

The body is very tight and taut. I like the way Nissan did the headlamps.

— lakerfan213 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/13/2008 1:31:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

lewishamiltonpimp

I like it but the whole FWD thing disqualifies it as a possible family car mor me anyway. It certainly is a better car IMO than the Camry/Accord etc.

The interior is nice. I have seen it in person.

— lewishamiltonpimp (View Profile)

Posted on 9/13/2008 9:01:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

fling85

This is way over priced. It looks OK not WOW, For the deep discount in 2008 Acura TL, I will buy that instead for about 10G less....

— fling85 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/13/2008 4:44:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Barrie

It may be ok, but I have a problem with anyone calling a 4 door saloon a sportscar, the Japanese have never made a real sportscar, the MX5 is too heavy and soft more a hairdressers car, and The original MR2 is too heavy, they haven`t improved since, a sports car should be light,cheap, simple and fun

— Barrie (View Profile)

Posted on 9/13/2008 5:50:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Agent63

I think this car takes some time to appreciate. The interior I think is a major upgrade, but it's too much like the Infiniti's. Which makes me wonder why there's that premium on those Infiniti's when a Maxima is nearly the same in quality and almost exactly the same in comfort if not better than the Infiniti's.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/13/2008 7:25:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

snatchandgrab

I have to disagree w/ you 63. I've actually been a Maxima fan for a long time. I also own a 99Q45. I don't think its the same quality interior in Nissan that they put in Infiniti (yes the dash looks the same) but if you sit in the Nissans it doesn't have the same comfort. My 99 Q has the same Quality that my 04 645 has. I know all of you other Bimmer owners want to shoot me for saying that. But I drive both of them all of the time. My Q is almost 10 years old and IMO looks just as good inside as my 04. Honestly, I think most MB and BMW drivers have been brainwashed...Oh, I also have a S430 too. Keep thinking that your car is superior (women do love them though).

— snatchandgrab (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 1:06:51 PM | | Votes: 1   

CommonSense01

I really love how this car looks and i am sure it preforms great for a front wheel drive car. However, if i had to spend MY OWN MONEY right now, I dont see me buying this over a 27 thousand dollar 360+ hp, rear wheel drive Pontiac G8.

— CommonSense01 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/13/2008 11:26:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

StickShiftCamry

Not sporty w/ that CVT.

— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 9:39:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

CommonSense01

sportier than any camry with stick shift.

— CommonSense01 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/19/2008 10:44:44 AM | | Votes: 2   

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