6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.
Welcome to Maxima.org!
Welcome to Maxima.org,
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access
to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to start new topics, reply to conversations, privately message other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join Maxima.org today!
19, SE. The SL puts me to sleep and is sooo dissapointing through the curvies. Buy a sonata, they have about the same ride feel as an SL although much cheaper. SE all the way!!!!
19, SE. The SL puts me to sleep and is sooo dissapointing through the curvies. Buy a sonata, they have about the same ride feel as an SL although much cheaper. SE all the way!!!!
Unfortunately, the 6th gen SE's are kinda dissapointing in the curvies, too. Not nearly the same as earlier gen SE's. It's my only real dissapointment with my '07.
Even though the difference between the SE and SL has narrowed in terms of sportiness, I could never own an SL based just on image.
__________________
Current Maximas:
'07 SE - Dark Slate / CVT
'01 SE Anniversary Edition - Icelandic Pearl / 4AT
My SE's perforrmance in the curves improved with a stiffer anti-sway bar in the rear (Cattman). Stiffer after market struts will also help.
I'm sure it would - its the rear end wallowing around in the curves that I find so disconcerting. But mine's a lease plus still paying college tuition, so....
I guess my dissapointment stems from the fact that I don't believe you should have to do an aftermarket upgrade to an SE to get an acceptable everyday driving experience. SE's historically included a suspension upgrade. Now it's just as wimpy as an SL, just with nicer wheels and bigger tires (and no fugly fake wood on the dash, lol).
Its a similar difference that I felt in two company cars I had back in '93/'94. I had a '93 Intrepid ES that I ordered with the top level suspension (fatter sway bars, stiffer springs and bushings, 225/60-16 Michelin XGT-V4 tires - tuned by Emerson Fittipaldi, if I remember the marketing propaganda). I loved that car - it drove amazingly well for its size - much larger than even a 6th gen Max. When that car got totalled in nasty accident, it got replaced by a '94 Intrepid ES "off the lot" that was identical in every way except that it had the mid-level suspension (no suspension upgrades, same size tires but Goodyear Eagle GS-A's). I absolutely hated that car... rear end floated around just like my '07 Max does and the damn Goodyears squealed on every turn. (at least the Goodyear RSA's don't do that!)
So you are correct... small differences in suspension and tires can make a huge difference in how a car drives... they just should have been included on the SE in the first place.
__________________
Current Maximas:
'07 SE - Dark Slate / CVT
'01 SE Anniversary Edition - Icelandic Pearl / 4AT
Guess Nissan did not want the price of the SE to get too high. IMHO the RSA tires are the worst thing about the car. Now that I have Michelin Pilot Sports, it handles much better and is a champ in the snow -- vs the RSAs.
I still have my OEM struts and shocks, but others on this site rave about the aftermarket struts and shocks and what they do for handling. I'm waiting for the sturts to go and will then go that route. I plan to keep this car for at least 200 K miles or so.
98SE new when I was 28 and now an SL and 35. I must be getting old. I could have waited for an SE but I got a great deal on the SL they had on the lot so I took it.
I think this might be a little biased because most older people dont belong to forums. Hell my parents dont even know what a forum is and its usually older people in this area that have 6th gen maximas.
I know i belong to the 5.5gen but the 6th gen that i would want is an SL with the elite package, navigation, power sunroof, rear spoiler either from the 04-06 years or the one that come on the 07. but it would have to have the SE rims which look way better. i guess i like the wood trim, and leather, the h.i.d, and the feel. I'm 21!!
I think this might be a little biased because most older people dont belong to forums. Hell my parents dont even know what a forum is and its usually older people in this area that have 6th gen maximas.
Be careful about generalizing. There are a few grey hairs on this site. For example, I drive an SE with a 6 speed while lightonthehill (slightly older than I) drives an SL (with auto). I don't think that age necessarily has anything to do with which model you pick. The model you pick has more to do with whether you want sportiness or near-luxury. I chose sportiness (and a 6-speed) while "light" chose near-luxury. Neither of us is wrong -- we picked what we wanted.
My 2 children are both married to spouses who won't even try to learn to drive stick (my kids both do). So even some in their 30s (I'm in my 60s) are not completely with-it.
Be careful about generalizing. There are a few grey hairs on this site. For example, I drive an SE with a 6 speed while lightonthehill (slightly older than I) drives an SL (with auto). I don't think that age necessarily has anything to do with which model you pick. The model you pick has more to do with whether you want sportiness or near-luxury. I chose sportiness (and a 6-speed) while "light" chose near-luxury. Neither of us is wrong -- we picked what we wanted.
My 2 children are both married to spouses who won't even try to learn to drive stick (my kids both do). So even some in their 30s (I'm in my 60s) are not completely with-it.
oh sorry if i offended, i was actually implying that there wont be as many votes in the older age range for either, i would agree that its what the owner prefers.
SE and only SE..... 4 of them
Same age... same opinion! The SL/GLE are still "my father's Maxima".
, save gas go buy a hybrid
26 when I bought my SE (27 now) and still lov'n every minute of it 
Linear Mode
