2007 model shown
The Nissan Maxima is back for 2008, and prices for the premium midsize sedan have jumped ever so slightly to $28,130 for the SE and $30,380 for up-model SL. Nissan for some reason felt the need to bump the price by $80 for both models. New for 2008 is a Platinum Edition Package that includes bi-xenon headlights, hands-free Bluetooth, and memory for the seats, steering wheel, and side mirrors. The new package will provide savings of $1,350 vs. buying the options separately. The Xtronic CVT is back once again and will control Nissan's excellent 3.5L VQ engine, and the exterior is unchanged from last year's refresh. No word on whether Nissan intends to continue the strange tradition of having the sporty 18" rims on the SE and the smaller, less attractive 17s on the more expensive SL.
[Source: Nissan]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Skhardra @ Aug 14th 2007 4:53PM
The Maxima's design has aged very well, IMO. It's still one of the best looking sedans on the road; muscular and elegant in much the same the last BMW 5 series was. No, they don't look the same, but they both possess that appearance of power, agility, and luxury.
Ligor @ Aug 14th 2007 5:01PM
i agree, except for the luxury part
now all Nissan needs to do is make a AWD option so that they can differentiate it from the Altima even more.
Rambo @ Aug 14th 2007 5:08PM
"The Maxima's design has aged very well"
This was never and will never be an attractive car. The sales reflect that. By the way, what's with those stupid flog lights!
Reality Check @ Aug 14th 2007 5:00PM
Talk about forcing a product down our throats! The CVT transmission is a bad idea that won't go away! After driving the Altima and Maxima I just hate that CVT thing. It's just weird that the new Altima is a better drive then the Maxima that costs more! But either way the CVT ruins both of them and the artificail shift point feel just so artificial!
1337 @ Aug 14th 2007 9:54PM
Audi does it right, Nissan does it wrong.
Tim @ Aug 14th 2007 5:22PM
I never thought I'd see the day when a Maxima would sticker in the 30's. No wonder they don't sell any of these things.
ZapBranagan @ Aug 14th 2007 7:00PM
As a long time owner of Nissans and Datsuns dating back to the early 80s, I say ...
blah...
What the hell happened to Nissan?
tbirdkatz @ Aug 14th 2007 7:18PM
The problem is the Altima has taken the Maxima's spot. Infiniti G35s are only $33,000, so why would somebody take a Maxima. The Altima is almost as big as the Maxima, and has more hp from the same engine as well. Back in the '90s this wasn't a problem because Nissan Altimas were smaller like the current Civic and Sentras were economy cars. Nissan shifted its entire line up a size when they added the Versa and updating the Altima in 2002, basically screwing over the Maxima.
Mondo @ Aug 14th 2007 7:58PM
As an owner of a 2002 Maxima I agree wholeheartedly. Now, when is that GT-R coming out again?
Tai @ Aug 30th 2007 1:27PM
The G35 sedan is 31,500 base msrp so yeah definitely a better choice vs the Maxima. I think Nissan should just discontinue the maxima since the Altima seems to have taken most of its sells.
Bryan @ Aug 14th 2007 7:41PM
UNless this car gets larger, and better looking, the price is not justified. Oh, and quality would be nice too. This is the ugliest Nissan of modern time. Wait, no, thats the quest lol. Or is it the Titan?
psipwrd @ Aug 14th 2007 8:07PM
It doesn't need to get any larger, that's the problem. The Sentra's too tall (with 4 donuts like the first Neon), the Altima would be the perfect Maxima with a better interior, and there should be something between the size of the current Altima and a smaller Sentra called Altima. Each of those cars are at least 250lbs overweight.
Bryan @ Aug 14th 2007 8:12PM
PSI...you know the Maxima and Altima were basically on the same frame right? I think the Maxi-pad was only stretched a couple of inches. However, its rear and was stretched from the US to Europe and the north pole to the south pole..and then some!
Andrew @ Aug 14th 2007 8:51PM
I agree with others re: Altima taking over Maxima's old turf. Unless I'm mistaken, you can't even get the Max with a manual transmission. Oh well, it's still a good car, just a different target audience now. It's up against the Avalon, which is fine. It fills out Nissan's lineup. And while it may appear to be priced in G35 territory, the Infiniti is still significantly more expensive when comparably equipped (by my standards anyway, a couple grand plus the Nissan will probably have incentives on it).
Still, I'd rather have the G35 minus some options, or an Altima for a lot less.
John R @ Aug 14th 2007 9:52PM
Since they fixed the front fascia I've found the car more attractive and I didn't mind the CVT when a drove one. But I agree with others as the Altima ostensibly makes more sense.
IMO, Nissan should bite the bullet and make the next generation RWD and offer it with a manual. What will eventually be the G37 sedan will be fine as it makes more power, is smaller/lighter and has the luxury badge.
Reality Check @ Aug 14th 2007 10:17PM
I am now speachless! Almost every post made sense and everyone was polite!....
strangway @ Aug 15th 2007 12:10AM
The Infiniti I35 is gone, but I don't see why Nissan can't pair the Maxima and G35 as platform twins. It works for the 350Z and G35 (2006) coupe. I'm sure the next gen Z will take after the G37 in the power department.
The RWD 270HP Maxima. The return of the 4-Door Sports Car. 4DSC stickers all around!!
Seriously, you wouldn't want it to have the 300+HP VQHR, or people wouldn't buy the G35.
It will be the Pontiac G8 Killer. Well, almost.
strangway @ Aug 15th 2007 12:10AM
The Infiniti I35 is gone, but I don't see why Nissan can't pair the Maxima and G35 as platform twins. It works for the 350Z and G35 (2006) coupe. I'm sure the next gen Z will take after the G37 in the power department.
The RWD 270HP Maxima. The return of the 4-Door Sports Car. 4DSC stickers all around!!
Seriously, you wouldn't want it to have the 300+HP VQHR, or people wouldn't buy the G35.
It will be the Pontiac G8 Killer. Well, almost.
strangway @ Aug 15th 2007 12:10AM
The Infiniti I35 is gone, but I don't see why Nissan can't pair the Maxima and G35 as platform twins. It works for the 350Z and G35 (2006) coupe. I'm sure the next gen Z will take after the G37 in the power department.
The RWD 270HP Maxima. The return of the 4-Door Sports Car. 4DSC stickers all around!!
Seriously, you wouldn't want it to have the 300+HP VQHR, or people wouldn't buy the G35.
It will be the Pontiac G8 Killer. Well, almost.
strangway @ Aug 15th 2007 12:10AM
The Infiniti I35 is gone, but I don't see why Nissan can't pair the Maxima and G35 as platform twins. It works for the 350Z and G35 (2006) coupe. I'm sure the next gen Z will take after the G37 in the power department.
The RWD 270HP Maxima. The return of the 4-Door Sports Car. 4DSC stickers all around!!
Seriously, you wouldn't want it to have the 300+HP VQHR, or people wouldn't buy the G35.
It will be the Pontiac G8 Killer. Well, almost.