eyal8r

AND OMG!!! I drove a 2002 Maxima tonight- with the 3.5L AND IT HAULS!!! WOW! I'm impressed!

How different is it from the 2000/2001 models? I know they only have the 3.0L, but, to us non-car guys, is that a HUGE, NOTICABLE difference?

Also- I was in the pressure cooker tonight with the Dealership manager- pushing me to Lease a NEW 2003 model. What's the payment difference going to be between a 2003 SE and a 2002 on a Lease?

Weighing the options, it seems as if a Lease is the best way for me to go- although, can I customize the stereo if I lease? Anything I should be aware of?

THANKS A TON GUYS! I can't wait to get it next week...
D

MacAlert

iTrader: (1)

You can customize the stereo but everything has to go back to stock at the end of the lease leaving you with a lot of equipment going to waste.

eyal8r

unless I can move that equipment into a newer model, right?

MacAlert

iTrader: (1)

You gotta point.

BioMaxDDS

iTrader: (1)

or you can sell them on ebay or some other websites

as far as power difference between 2k-2k1 vs 2k2-2k3. I think 2k2-2k3 auto runs about the same as 2k-2k1 5speed. so you might want to go that way to save some money.

as far as payment difference, i would think 2k2 would be cheaper than 2k3 since its a yr older.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

either way. you will love the max.

POPO6SPD

iTrader: (1)

Yes, you will love either one. This is my first Japanese car and I am loving the tight feel of it, and the reliability! Good luck with it.

WildmanAL

iTrader: (4)

Yeah I went from a 3rd gen. to a 5th gen. That first test drive was very memorable.

Young04

to answer your question about the difference between a 3.0 and a 3.5 - yes, even to a "non-enthusiast", there will be a sizable difference in power. a few weeks ago, i was in the passenger seats of both an auto 3.0 (another guy's car) and an auto 3.5 (my car - while he was driving). the most noticeable difference was at low rpm's where the superior low end torque of the 3.5 motor made the max more effortless during normal driving. at 3K rpm in his car, it just seemed like lazy, everyday driving. 3 grand in the 3.5 is where the motor really starts to pull. at 4K+, the 3.5 motor had a push-you-back-in-your-seat feeling that i felt was lacking in the auto 3.0. the stick 3.5 - well, it's even faster

eyal8r

Well- now I gotta make that HUGE decision on whether to PURCHASE a 2000 model, or, LEASE a 2003! The payments may be similar- of course I'd love to get a 2003 NEW (who wouldn't)- but, can't afford to PURCHASE the 2003. Also- if I lease the 2003, I'd like to add some mod's to it- which, I'd have to remove when the 3 yr lease is up. Decisions decisions...

Mods- definitely a nice sound system, window tint (it's gotta be limo), security system, and maybe some fun stuff to tweak the engine a little more. I don't remember- but does the 2003 SE come with dual exhaust? Again, I can make these changes to a 2000 if I purchase it, but damn, a 3.5 2003 WOULD BE NICE! Any more thoughts?

D

Quicksilver

iTrader: (1)

In all honesty, I can't tell which is a better deal for you unless you feel like disclosing how much you want to pay for your car per month (maximum). I financed mine for 3 years and pay $561.xx a month for it (0.9% NMAC financing). At the time there were no cash back options in my area, but there are now, especially since the 2004 has been released. Also, which model are you looking at driving off in? You want the SE and it's available 6 speed, or the GLE and it's standard luxury appointments (and automatic tranny)?

vito1281

If I were you, if I were choosing between a 2002 and 2003, I would definitely go for 2003. This is not so much because it's simply a year newer, but because 2002 was the first year for the 3.5L engine. People have been having some issues with 2002s, whereas 2003s seem to have much less problems. Although now that I think aobut it, since it's a lease, if you run into any problems, you're fully covered under the warranty.

If you plan on doing mods, especially engine-related mods, you'd be better off purchasing a car. With things like a radio, you MAY be able to take it out when returning it from a lease, and then sticking it into your next car (notice that I said "MAY BE ABLE"). However, with things like y pipes, exhausts, CAI, and so forth, once you return hte car and take these pieces off, you will most likely NOT be able to put it on your next car. In other words, you'll drop a pretty penny on the mods, but won't be able to keep them. Selling them on EBay later on is an option, but don't expect to recover much.

Tough decision for you, but I would say it comes down to whether you want to own or lease at this point.

eyal8r

true true- now that I think about it- I probably won't do anything major to engine mods- MAYBE do a K&N or something. BTW- can you turbo charge these things? Forgive my ignorance, I just don't know much about cars. Other than that- I definitely would like to add a stereo system into it. I guess I can always yank that system out and try to add it into the new car- just dont do anything too permanent in there. I guess I'll probably Lease the thing if I can...
Thanks a ton guys!
D

vito1281

I think there's a turbo available for 4th gens, but only a supercharger for 5th gens (turbo in the makings I believe for 5th gen though).

kramerica72

Next time I will engage hyperdrive. No more lazy, everyday normal driving feeling for you!

MichaelAE

iTrader: (1)

That is an odd analysis...I think most have reported that the power delivery in the VQ30 is better at the high end than the VQ35...it is the low-end where the VQ35 really takes the lead.