Getting older is not bad (Nissan MAXIMA rental review)

[12,000 RPM]

Been pushing this while they put the THIRD engine in the Civic....

High key, I'm smitten I was not expecting to like the car this much. Key word here: EASY.

Pluses:

- Turbo engines are pretty cool for what they are, but there's just nothing like the response of a big displacement naturally aspirated lump. It doesn't feel as brutal as the specs and bench racing stats suggest, but it definitely makes haste. No thought necessary, just dip your foot in the throttle and go.
- CVT is actually pretty good. When you are just cruising you don't notice, but at like 80% throttle it mimics a regular gearbox. Very satisfying.
- Interior is as good as it can be at the price point. When you really start poking and prodding it shows its costs, but cursory driving glances look great.
- Infotainment system is really easy and logical, with a nice big flat screen and about 8 different ways to input controls. Luxury marques could learn something from this
- Stereo gets r dun. Does not extend down to 25Hz but has some good wattage + low end extension and plays clean at high volumes. BT sync is dead easy as well.
- Body dynamics are definitely optimized for like 6/10ths driving but for the street that's fine. It has enough grip to drive confidently. Better tires would be appreciated. It does peg leg out of tight turns.

Minuses:
- Honestly I'm struggling. I did experience some brake fade, but that can be fixed with some more aggressive pads. For the street better tires + pads are enough, BBKs are almost always overkill.
- Rental has doo doo brown halogens and no sunroof. I would spec one with the coffee brown interior, HIDs and a sunroof.

It's kind of a shame that people write these kinds of cars off. After like 36 hours or so I really get it. For the street this makes so much sense, and it's much nicer than something like an Accord. I feel really relaxed in and when I get out of this car... big contrast to Demon Civic. This definitely changes things

[2o6]

....why are you putting another engine in your Civic?

[ifcar]

....why are you putting another engine in your Civic?

He's sprucing it up with a third engine so that it will go three times as fast. That way he can get good money for it when he trades it in on a new Murano coupe.

[12,000 RPM]

....why are you putting another engine in your Civic?

Replacement engine had a broken power steering bracket.

[MX793]

Replacement engine had a broken power steering bracket.

Power steering delete, because racecar.

[MexicoCityM3]

Hey Sporty. Big comfy sedans are nice.

[shp4man]

Try a truck. You might like the view. Don't need to obsess about macho issues. 

[giant_mtb]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome

[SJ_GTI]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome

[MrH]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome

[MrH]

If you really like it, you can get those at huge discounts.  I'm not particularly a fan, but $6k+ off MSRP isn't difficult to get on a new one.  Not sure if that sways your decision at all.

[12,000 RPM]

They are a little too much specced how I want.

Now on the other hand.......... tell me about your Genesis. The 12+ V6s are in my price range and look quick enough

[MrH]

Ugh.  Just no.  Don't do it.

[12,000 RPM]

Ugh.  Just no.  Don't do it.

Can I at least get some whys

[ifcar]

Can I at least get some whys

You'll be fine if you skip the R-Spec suspension, which wrecked the couch part of his rocket.

[MrH]

Can I at least get some whys

Give me a Toyota Avalon over a Genesis any day.

Tons of issues with me:

- Audio system would totally crap out all the time
- Tramlines really, really bad.  One of the worst I've seen in a car.  Seems like it mostly just came down to suspension geometry as the culprit.
- bad O2 sensor
- Seats were awful
- Ride was rough.  Non-R version would probably help there.  Dynamically it was still bad.  Drove like a pig on stilts.
- Steering weight was really heavy and inconsistent.  Combine that with the tramlining issue, and you're in for a tiring road trip of correcting steering.
- Korean leather is the worst.

[12,000 RPM]

Was it aligned to spec? What size and type of tires were you running? How are the roads by you?

[68_427]

Was it aligned to spec? What size and type of tires were you running? How are the roads by you?

I'd say it's probably not the roads  or tire size/type considering his BRZ had wider tires, and was on coilovers.

IIRC he had it aligned multiple times and even had the rear subframe or something replaced (OG was damaged) and it still wasn't any good.

[Vinsanity]

I won't lie, I like the interior of the current Maxima better than that in the Q50. Do you remember if your rental had adaptive cruise? I didn't get to try it out myself, but I heard that the system completely shuts off when it brings the car to a stop. It was a solid contender until I heard this info.

[12,000 RPM]

I don't know if it did. I think it was an SV so it might have. Truthfully I like the interior + stereo of the Maxima better than my G too.

[MexicoCityM3]

Not to be an ass, but I think you would be impressed by basically any modern car then.

[12,000 RPM]

Not to be an ass, but I think you would be impressed by basically any modern car then.

Oh you're definitely being an ass. Have you ever driven one? And does it make you angry that Nissan makes a better entry level luxury sedan than BMW?

[veeman]

I like the styling of this generation Maxima.  Have you considered a certified one instead of new? 

[12,000 RPM]

I looked, but they were just out of my price range this go round. And I'm hoping my family situation will enable me to get a coupe when it's time to replace the G. I really liked the Maxima though. W/new tires and pads it would be great for pure commuter duty.