bonzelite

iTrader: (2)

i have a 90SE 5spd and i love it. i love the classic shape and styling of it. and i have been attracted to 5th gens, especially after i drove one. the shape and styling of those is just bad-a$$. the SE is gorgeous.

i want to start knowing facts about them: what does anniversary edition offer over the others? what is the quickest of the 5th gens? what are some drawbacks to the 5th gens quality-wise? do they actually suck? or is there a year model that stands out as particulary awesome? or avoidable?

i'm not interested in automatics. only manual SEs.

Quicksilver

iTrader: (1)

'02-'03 Due to the 3.5L VQ35DE engine (which is supposed to be 255hp/246tq, but in reality is 240hp/265tq). Good luck finding a 6 speed, as they are relatively rare in the used car market...

TheyCallMeSteel

I havent seen a problem finding 6 spd. Maxipads when Iwas looking for a new car. (02+ that is)

bonzelite

iTrader: (2)

now that is a first: maxipads. heh. lol.

Maximam

Get a '02+ 6 speed SE! IMO that is the best Max ever!

01SE02SER

Of the 5th gens, if I had to choose from used ones, I'd go with either:

- '01 SE / SE 20th Anniversary Edition
- '03 SE

I would choose the '01 VQ 3.0 because they at least had one year after the '00s to work though any problems. The same with the '03 VQ 3.5 vs the '02.

I bought an '01 SE new and after almost 3 years she runs great with very little problems. To this day, I wish I had forked over the extra dough to get the 20th Anniversary Edition as that is the best looking 5th gen, in my opinion.

A genuine 2001 SE 20th Anniversary Edition has the following:

- Aero body kit
- Infiniti I30 muffler of that year
- AE version of the stock 2001 17" wheels
- AE headlights
- AE trunk badge
- Chrome door sills
- AE carpeted floormats
- AE pedals
- AE shift ****
- AE key
- Preferated leather
- Engine cover
- 227 HP (as opposed to 222 HP of the '00/'01)
- Viscous limited slip differential

Here's a review:

http://www.epinions.com/auto-review-...39F5D02E-prod2

If you want to see pics of an AE, there are a few on eBay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2432486834

Of course, the '02/'03 have the better engine with more HP, but I always love that AE.

Peace.

Quicksilver

iTrader: (1)

Approx 1 out of every 200 used '02-'03's are 6 speeds...they are not easy to find at all right now. Your comment makes no real sense b/c if you're buying new and want a 6 speed, then you order a 6 speed...

TheyCallMeSteel

Yeah I guess my post didnt make sense. What I meant to say was, when I was looking for a car to replace my Grand Cherokee, I saw a handful of 6 spd. Maxima's. I only checked out two nissan dealerships and two infiniti dealerships. (I went with the infinti)

Igor911

iTrader: (10)

I just bought the last BRAND NEW 6 speed in MD last month...get that? eh.

All the other 6 spds, i think it was 2 or 3 were managers demos.

Mine had a 100 miles on it when I got it. Talk about hard to get

92 SE-R 02 SE

..

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

6546546546541

Maximam

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/r...used&x=56&y=14

BLKMAX005SPD

iTrader: (1)

there is an 02 Maxima 6 speed forsale in the forsale section...
He has pics and everything...
check it out

JoesMAX

iTrader: (2)

when my lease is up maybe i should sell my car then if theyre so hard to come across

trey

ahahhaha tooo funny

bonzelite

iTrader: (2)

your help is great. thanks lots. i am partial, too, to the AE manual. i can mod that car to the extra horsepower if i wish. i would be going from the 3rd gen VG30 to the 5th gen VQ30. quite a leap. i believe the 5th gen i drove was an 02 SE manual 6spd. that s.o.b. was FAST. i was shocked. especially 3rd gear. that seemed to be the thrust gear or something. wicked force in the seats.

jjs

Obviously, don't expect that same feeling from an AE, but as one who has one...I think you will be pleased anyway.

chigga

iTrader: (2)

don't sleep on the autos either if you got a 2k2 0r 2k3. the car still surprises me on how easy it gets up compared to my old 4th gen(R.I.P) with mods..

GreekMaxima

with tein lowering springs... the 6 speed is AMAZING!!!

studman

From having owned a 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gen, get the 2002+ SE 6 Speed. There's no comparison between the 3rd gen and the 5th (other than body preferences). While I agree that it would've been nice to have the VQ35 in the 4th gen body, there is still something to be said for the extra power.

Having driven both a 2001 AE SE and now a 2002 SE, there is a difference between them. If you are looking for raw power, get the 2002+. If you are looking for reliability and stability, get the AE. The 2002-2003s are finally starting to get all the bugs out of them. I have one of the first ones and can tell you every known problem out the box before everyone else has them.

No matter what 5th gen you get, you should seriously consider adding a RSB. It will definitely improve the handling to make it more like the 3rd/4th gen.

Good luck with whatever your choice is.

If you also need another comparison, PM E55AMG2. He's had both the AE and now a 2003 SE.

SkoorbMax

Last november I saw an 02 fully loaded SE with a 6 speed. At the time it had 10,500 miles. It was $20,500. I damn near wet myself but it was out of my price range so I settled for my 00 SE 5 speed instead ($15,300). I love my car, but that 02 was sweet and the price was RIGHT!

bglandon23

I own both a 2k1 AE ( auto) with intake and a 2k3 TE 6 speed (stock for Now) and the 2k3 is the best BY FAR my wife who drives the AE can even tell a difference when she drives my car. just my 2cents

RocketMAX

iTrader: (1)

I just bought a fully loaded 2k 5spd max in June for $13.9K
I am really happy with it but i'm still kicking myself in the a$$ for passing up a Brand New 03 Super Black SE /TE 6spd with Leather and HLSD for $24K with 1.9% financing. I did a lot of haggling but I walked out because I wanted it for $23K.

chigga

iTrader: (2)

here let me help you out... you shoulda grabbed that. i wish i had the chance to get a 6 speed. i checked all the nissan dealers far and near to me and not one had a fully loaded or even leathered out 2k2+ maxima...

bonzelite

iTrader: (2)

hmmm. you guys are making good cases for the 2003 SE with 6spd.

chigga

iTrader: (2)

basically if you CAN get one definitely grab it. if not the auto is lovely too in my opinion...either one will do you good