What transmission would you have liked in the 09 Maxima?

*Jopa416* · 03-25-2008, 08:23 PM

Unless Nissan changes their minds and offers a 6 speed manual in the 2009 model year these are the options, for the money, as I see them.

For about $30K Sticker you can get a loaded up Honda Accord Coupe with a 6 Cyl, 6 Speed Manual.

For about $40K Sticker you can get a loaded up Acura TL-S with a 6 Cyl, 6 Speed Manual.

I gotta believe that a loaded Max will fall in this range.

Of course there are other cars that offer manuals, such as BMW 3 Series, but they climb up into (and past) the 40's pretty quick & except for the super expensive M models I am not impressed by BMW.

For those who don't like manuals you can get whatever you want. Lucky you.

STARR · 03-26-2008, 01:35 AM

The 7th Gen looks great, but I really hope it can perform as well or better as an Acura TL-S 6MT, the Acura can out handle and out perform the G35coupe and 350Z

*2k2PhatMax* · 03-26-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARR

The 7th Gen looks great, but I really hope it can perform as well or better as an Acura TL-S 6MT, the Acura can out handle and out perform the G35coupe and 350Z

That has to be a joke....

I just dont understand why they dont make a manual option in some of these car....

*xx-Marshall-xx* · 03-26-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2k2PhatMax

I just dont understand why they dont make a manual option in some of these cars....

Thats a fact

jwaters943 · 03-26-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2k2PhatMax

That has to be a joke....

I just dont understand why they dont make a manual option in some of these car....

While the TL-S may not "feel" as good at the limit compared to it's more balanced RWD competition, it certainly holds it's own against the G sedan. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's better than the G37 coupe or 350Z though. Still, it's about the best high-performance FWD sedan I can think of.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=4459
http://forums.thecarlounge.net/zerothread?id=3177228

jwaters943 · 03-26-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jopa416

Unless Nissan changes their minds and offers a 6 speed manual in the 2009 model year these are the options, for the money, as I see them.

For about $30K Sticker you can get a loaded up Honda Accord Coupe with a 6 Cyl, 6 Speed Manual.

For about $40K Sticker you can get a loaded up Acura TL-S with a 6 Cyl, 6 Speed Manual.

Or you could just stay with Nissan/Infiniti and get a G35.

*soundmike* · 03-26-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jopa416

Unless Nissan changes their minds and offers a 6 speed manual in the 2009 model year these are the options, for the money, as I see them.

Sounds to me like you're saying it doesn't really matter what vehicle Nissan puts out as long as it has a 6-spd. Vehicle class be damned.

*Jopa416* · 03-26-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwaters943

Or you could just stay with Nissan/Infiniti and get a G35.

I agree, you could go with the Infiniti. The coupe is beautiful, but I don't really like the look of the sedan.

Also, the G35 Coupe will cost about $10,000 more than a Honda Accord Coupe with a 6 cyl, 6 speed manual. Is it really 10 K better? I don't profess to know, I am just asking.

*Jopa416* · 03-26-2008, 01:47 PM

I also forgot about the Altima Coupe. You can get a 6 Speed manual in that car too. It is a good looking car as well.

*Maxim(a)SerjVQ* · 03-26-2008, 01:56 PM

anyone thought about waiting a year for an off-lease 09, then grabbing a 6-speed from an 07+ altima and trying a swap? they're supposed to both be on the D platform now, and it wouldnt be a huge stretch, would it? about the hardest part is properly redoing the center console to accommidate the stir stick, and nabbing one off-lease should offset the cost of the tranny.

*NYPD-Arnold* · 03-26-2008, 02:25 PM

A TL will never handle like a Z. Just no.

MattyBlacc · 03-26-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYPD-Arnold

A TL will never handle like a Z. Just no.

werd yo.

*ptviperz* · 03-27-2008, 10:22 AM

I don't understand why you guys who want RWD and 6 speed don't look at the G35S. Great looking and performing sedan with a beautiful Infiniti interior. That's my next car fo sho. Infinti FTMFW!!

STARR · 03-27-2008, 10:29 AM

I've searched for stats and what I'm finding put the Acura TL-S 6MT right behind the 350Z and G35c (2003 models), nothing I find says it beats them but I guess thats what I get for believing Acura owners, I like Acura but after the OP started saying the TL-S with the 6MT can take out 335 and hang with the new M3 he sort of lost everyone.

STARR · 03-27-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYPD-Arnold

A TL will never handle like a Z. Just no.

at 1 time I would have agreed with that but years of experience have taught me that a car has nothing to do with how it handles, it's all up to the driver

way to many times I have seen cars drive like they where on a time track only to hit an exit/on ramp and take it like a they had bald tires in the rain

power and straight line speed is great but fling through the twisties is 10x better

edit: in my 06 I have out driven 350Z, but the 350 driver usually accelerates on the straight and passes on the right, what kind of talent does that take

bb700092 · 03-27-2008, 11:02 AM

Many of us want a manual transmission in the 09 Maxima, especially since it is being touted as the "return of the 4DSC". However, it seems Nissan is sold on the CVT, so it is trying to make the CVT sporty for the 09 Maxima. And then there is the conventional 4/5/6/7-speed automatic transmission that is maybe the most widely used transmission in vehicles today. This poll is to see what percentage of Maxima enthusiasts yearn for which transmission in their new beloved Maxima.

Feel free to comment as you wish.

bb700092 · 03-27-2008, 11:08 AM

I would vote for the CVT. I have driven mostly conventional automatics. I have seldom driven a manual. I love the CVT in my 07 Maxima. If Nissan has really upgraded it and made it sporty, as they say in the 09 Maxima, I am all for it.

*Maxim(a)SerjVQ* · 03-27-2008, 11:11 AM

I don't need a stir stick to get the most out of a vehicle. I admit, while it is alot of fun, when i REALLY get focused (like when i race) I don't even put thought into anything secondary. I've been told when I've played racing games like Rallisport challange, my breathing changes to a point where it seems like I'm either in a coma or a hypnotic trance. I would ultimately preffer a great 6-speed auto; like the new one Ford/GM co-developed. I'd just rather have...pretty much everything else from nissan.

machinehead131 · 03-27-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARR

at 1 time I would have agreed with that but years of experience have taught me that a car has nothing to do with how it handles, it's all up to the driver

way to many times I have seen cars drive like they where on a time track only to hit an exit/on ramp and take it like a they had bald tires in the rain

power and straight line speed is great but fling through the twisties is 10x better

edit: in my 06 I have out driven 350Z, but the 350 driver usually accelerates on the straight and passes on the right, what kind of talent does that take

We are comparing cars not drivers.

*jcalabria* · 03-27-2008, 11:29 AM

I really wish they would offer them all so everyone could have their choice and we could all be just one big happy family.

I always was a manual guy and feel for those who realy, realy, realy feel that their enjoyment of driving is tied to rowing that gear lever. There are probably very few technical obstacles to fitting the Max once again with an MT, but the economics of certifying the new platform/powertain make that unlikely (unless the next Altima revision ends up with the same engine and they can share certifications once again).

I also love a good responsive & crisp-shifting multi-speed automatic, but have driven few recent examples that fit the "responsive & crisp-shifting" criteria... most try way too hard to hide the shifts and be "buttery smooth" while using torque (engine timing or throttle) management to further hide the shift and prevent the transmission from grenading. To me, this all makes for slow mushy shifts and you can feel the engine bogging slightly during the shift. Just awful.

Which leads me to the CVT. I was just as skeptical as many of you at first, but have come to terms with it and appreciate what it can do and definitely prefer it over the current crop of stepped automatics. If and when the time comes that I get my hip replaced and once again can consider a manual, I might do that. Until then I am quite happy with my 6G CVT and expect the 7G CVT to be even better.

BTW, it will be VERY interesting to see what transmission(s) the diesel option will bring with it. I seriously doubt that the CVT will handle the torque that puppy will be throwing at it.

*Maxim(a)SerjVQ* · 03-27-2008, 11:34 AM

jcalabria; I agree with you about the crisp-shifting criteria. the Z/G tranny is a perfect example in my mind, but it would be a pain in the rear to engineer that into a FWD format, and from the reviews I've seen of the 6-speed in the altima, it sounds like it could use a little work. I posted in the manual tranny thread that it would be the best immediate solution is to see if a swap from an altima to a max would work. same engine, same platform now, i really don't see it being a too big of a stretch.

*jcalabria* · 03-27-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxim(a)SerjVQ

jcalabria; I agree with you about the crisp-shifting criteria. the Z/G tranny is a perfect example in my mind, but it would be a pain in the rear to engineer that into a FWD format, and from the reviews I've seen of the 6-speed in the altima, it sounds like it could use a little work. I posted in the manual tranny thread that it would be the best immediate solution is to see if a swap from an altima to a max would work. same engine, same platform now, i really don't see it being a too big of a stretch.

I actually liked the shift quality in my 4Gs... very quick responsive shifts. The '00 tranny was a disaster. Dealer said it was normal... I called bullchit but that didn't get me anywhere. They later came out with a TSB about it, but I was near the end of the lease and didn't care too much. The '03 was significantly better but still shy of "good". I've only driven one 6G with 5AT and was not overly impressed.

I know I have many fewer knots in my stomach from the CVT than I would have from a sloppy shifting AT. I loved virtually everything about my S60T5 except the POS Aisin 5AT. Talk about overmanaged... it took over a second to complete a shift, the engine was torque limited to 200 lb-ft in 1st and 2nd gears, and you could feel the engine bog significantly beyond that during 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. The damn thing even used to shift itself into neutral at traffic lights (disabled in a later software update). Even in manual mode you had to initiate a shift at 4500rpm to get it to shift at redline. It was a perfect example of a transmission ruining an otherwise great car. Dealer always found everything "within spec" - ended up selling it because I couldn't stand the way it shifted.