2009 maxima test drive

[Big Mike]

Fellas,

Test drove the 2009 Maxima at the dealership today and all I can say is WOW!!! I drove the top of the line model ($42K) and it has everything but the kitchen sink. I went to the stealership for a service call and the service rep personally took me and showed the three cars to me. The car handles pretty good, a little smaller than my 04 but feels tighter and the fit and finish is better.
Even riding on 19" wheels and tires the ride was pleasant. The car has some balls now, I was bliping through the gears on the paddle shifter like I was at the track. If you don't like using premium fuel in your maxima don't get the 09, it is REQUIRED! The gas mileage is not that great either but for almost 300 horses its not the worst. When I punched it I didn't get any torque steer!! I don't know if I will buy the new max but I will sleep on it tonight.

Mike

[Terrentius]

42000US? Holy crap. That is way too much. I call my Max my "Cheap Japanese Muscle Car" and I like the fact that we get a pretty decent performance @ a pretty decent price. At that price I think I would start looking at an Audie or a Lexus.

[Big Mike]

There is definately a mark up on the price. The one I drove had everything you could get in the car. The base model still costs $32K, at least these are the prices in Virginia.

Mike

[Matts04Maxima]

I read in a car mag that premium is recommended, or at a cost of like 7 hp, and 3 ft lbs.

[drakutis]

It says you can use regular under certain precautions. It's 9-5 in the manual.
2009 Nissan Maxima Owner's Manual
http://www.nissanusa.com/pdf/techpub...san-Maxima.pdf

2009 Nissan Navi Guide
http://www.nissanusa.com/pdf/techpub...-04IT-Navi.pdf

2009 Nissan Maxima Quick Reference Guide
http://www.nissanusa.com/pdf/techpub...Maxima_QRG.pdf

[maximadave]

Does it have the "light spark knock is normal" page on the '09 Max?

[IlyaK]

Premium? That's probably because they are in cahoots with the oil companies. Try 87...if it's bad...go to 89...if still bad...stick to 91/93. Otherwise, keep using the cheaper fuel if you are gas concious. I prefer 93 and will only use 93.

[maximadave]

page 381

However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.

[guayliu]

Black on black SV with sport package and navigation. Stickered at 37K.

First the good: looks much better in person -- perhaps it was the black color, but looked aggresive and sporty as others who have seen it in person have noted. No torque steer, and CVT did not bother me much. Put it in drive sport and really couldn't notice any "shifts". Ride is pretty good as well even with sport package. Lots of power and handling was ok. Good sized trunk.

Now the bad. Couldn't get comfortable in the front seat. Didn't know if it was the seats or the adjustments, but my 6'1 frame didn't fit well. Inside is really a mish mash from the Nissan parts bin. Side door handle also rubbed against my knee which was real annoyance. Hood curves were a distraction. Really a weird feeling going down the road as you can't see the front edges of the car. Steering was TERRIBLE. Seemed to be some play in the wheel and did not feel buttoned down at all. Some have mentioned that the TL Type-S is too stiff, but this didn't seem stiff enough. Felt like I was driving a high powered Buick. CVT/engine droning was very annoying (think the Edmunds video). Rear seat not as roomy as the TL or my 99 Maxima. I could sit "behind myself" but my knees rubbed the seatback when getting in.

Overall, very disappointed. Really wanted to like this car, but did not feel like a 4DSC at all, and thought my 99' SE was sportier. Curious to see how others feel, especially since most of the reviews have been pretty good.

[4themax]

I drove the basic SV model today (before any sales rep even got the chance!) No premium or sport package on this one. The ride was very smooth and unbelievably quiet. A nice sound to the engine when it is started. Overall I was very pleased and will be getting one. All of the negative comments about the CVT had me worried but when I pushed the petal, that car took off (from a dead stop)... we went on some 2 lane roads and then interstate. No problem or hesitation getting me merged into 5:00 traffic. No torque steer that I noticed. I really like the exterior of the car, it a great redesign for Nissan, it is really awesome in person. One thing I enjoyed was looking in the side mirrors and seeing the muscular rear quarter panels. I have an 02 and have enjoyed it but it will be replaced when pricing settles down. This one was stickered at $36,100. A little confusing when the only thing on it was the tech package shown on another thread at $1800. I figure this car should have been right around $34,300 ($31900 base, $600 delivery and $1800 tech package). I want one but will not pay retail and certainly not more than retail... I think until the "build your own" is on the Nissan site the dealers will get away with anything because we don't know what the actual retail prices for the packages are. I also enjoyed educating the sales rep about his product!! Overall a 9 out of 10.

[foxbat]

42k???!!!! anyone who pays anything north of 32-33 for a max is on crack. a well optioned faster, sexier, more prestigious, rear drive g35 can be had for about 35k....are these dealers serious??????

also, nissan has certainly disappointed me with this car: motor trend just did a road test and their car went 0-60 in 6.1, virtually identical to a boring v6 camry 0-60 of 6.2. and let's not even get into the quirky cvt, and questionable exterior. and dealers want as much as 42k?????.....i'll be over at the infiniti dealer thank you.

[gopack504]

The dealer I stopped at had just 1 new Maxima. No one drove it, and they didn't let anyone drive it. After a handful of people drooled over it they took it to service. I will say it is a NICE car! I did sit in it and it was very comfortable. I thought the interior was nice. The one I looked at was not a premium or sport version and the sticker price was $36k. As much as I liked the car there is no way I will pay $36 for a non-premium Maxima. The new Maxima now stands out from the other Nissans on the lot.

[IlyaK]

I drove my first 09 today.

Sticker was $36.5k.

Over all, very quick, drives good.

I couldn't really see the nose of the car due to the curves, I did NOT like the steering wheel material (too smooth, easy to 'slip' with).

I dunno why you all hate CVT...this is the first time I've experienced it and I LOVE it.

Good car, but I'm going for a G35x/TL-S. This generation is over-priced. It would have to fall down to $32k for a LOADED one for me to consider it.

[Oolatec]

At their new place in Palatine, IL. Well, I saw it as I drove by. It's out on the lot, right in front for all to see. I'll have to stop by this weekend to take a closer look. I think it was black. lol

[AllBlackMax]

Went and test drove the 09 SV with the sport package. I think now is a good time to put it out there:

About a month ago I went to the track and ran a best time of 14.799 in the 1/4 mile with all of my mods.

The '09 Maxima, STOCK runs 14.5 and now I know why.

Confirming something you guys already know is the CVT is waaaay better than the 5AT that came with the 6th Gen. I immediately put it in DS mode and used the paddles. I LOVED the paddle shifting during hard driving! The gear changes were quick and the CVT felt like it was in the right "gear" all the time.

Interesting thing I noticed though,
In DS mode, when you really stomp on it, it does in fact go to redline in addition to the shifts being super quick but noticeable. And contrary to what people think, when you stomp on it, the revs do drop a little in between "gear" changes; the revs don't stay exactly the same.

Another observation is with VDC turned off the CVT holds the gear in DS mode throughout the rev range up to redline.

The premium leather is fantastic, the dash is wonderful, everything about the car is excellent. With all that being said, I hate to say it but, I want a little more out of my next upgrade. Not that the new Max isn't great, it is for what it is; I just want more this time around.

Steering was a bit light, handling was nice though.

The '09 Max is a GREAT car even with the CVT ESPECIALLY if you're used to driving an auto.

I guess what bothers me is the '08 G35 sedan auto does the 1/4 in 13.8.

BTW the car I test drove was a SV with sport package and NAVI for 37k.

[SuperStasiu]

42K WTF lolz just wait half a year till they dont sell any and then they'll be at 30K or less lol . I saw the car in person at maxus looks sexxy but i still have doubts to the reliability of a cvt holding 300hp. Awaiting first tranny failure thread.

[jcalabria]

Originally Posted by IlyaK

I dunno why you all hate CVT...this is the first time I've experienced it and I LOVE it.

Virtually all who knock the CVT fall into one of three categories:

• Never drove one.
• Drove one for a quick spin around the block and proclaimed "it sounds funny".
• Need something to take out their frustration on over the loss of the 6MT.

I have not heard much, if any, negative stuff from CVT owners. I'll be the first to admit that the 6.5G CVT has room for tweaking the the ratio mapping, but even without the tweaks found in the 7G, it was without a doubt a better transmission than the 6G 5AT.

Can't wait to drive the 7G CVT to see exactly what's been tweaked.

[vladi77]

Yeah we all know these sticker prices are not going to be there for long. With the shape of the economy and gas prices you will see major discounts. I will not be buying this car for another 6 months to 1 year. But I will also wait to see what the reviews are on the Diesel model or even the rumured RS model.

I am disapointed that all these car companies are now combining options into packages that force you to take something you do not want just to get something else. I began to see this with Lexus about 3-4 years ago. I was looking to price their new GS 300 but then saw they only had 2 options $4000 for a technology package and $2000 for navigation. You could not just get a sun roof and xenon lights you had to get the $4000 Package.

[NYPD-Arnold]

Originally Posted by jcalabria

Virtually all who knock the CVT fall into one of three categories:

• Never drove one.
• Drove one for a quick spin around the block and proclaimed "it sounds funny".
• Need something to take out their frustration on over the loss of the 6MT.

I have not heard much, if any, negative stuff from CVT owners. I'll be the first to admit that the 6.5G CVT has room for tweaking the the ratio mapping, but even without the tweaks found in the 7G, it was without a doubt a better transmission than the 6G 5AT.

Can't wait to drive the 7G CVT to see exactly what's been tweaked.

All mags and sites have panned the CVT, as well. Nissan would've been much better off just using an FWD variation of the JATCO 5AT from the Z/G/M/FX - great gearing, lightweight, 200 millisecond gear changes, prevents power from failing above 80MPH.

The death sentence of all CVTs is that they die once they reach 80MPH, it's the same with the Altima 3.5 and the Murano. If the CVT is such a Godsend, someone needs to explain why the Altima 3.5 is much, much faster as a 6spd. The difference in power between a CVT and MT reminds of the older days when the performance margin between MTs and ATs was enormous.

[jwaters943]

Equipping the Maxima with Jatco's old 5-speed auto would kill the MPG rating. It would likely go from 19/26 to 17/24.

And, the ONLY criticism the CVT has gotten has to do with the fact that Nissan is calling the Maxima a sports car. Otherwise, the reviews of the CVT have been glowing. Most owners won't even know or care the car doesn't have a traditional automatic.

[jcalabria]

Originally Posted by NYPD-Arnold

All mags and sites have panned the CVT, as well. Nissan would've been much better off just using an FWD variation of the JATCO 5AT from the Z/G/M/FX - great gearing, lightweight, 200 millisecond gear changes, prevents power from failing above 80MPH.

The death sentence of all CVTs is that they die once they reach 80MPH, it's the same with the Altima 3.5 and the Murano. If the CVT is such a Godsend, someone needs to explain why the Altima 3.5 is much, much faster as a 6spd. The difference in power between a CVT and MT reminds of the older days when the performance margin between MTs and ATs was enormous.

I would suggest that the magazine tests fall into the "took a trip around the block and proclaimed that it sounds funny" category.

I always wondered why the 6G Max had an Aisin AW55 5AT considering Nissan's close ties with JATCO. My Volvo S60T5 also had an AW55 and it was the biggest POS auto tranny I ever drove. Sold the car because of it. Always loved getting back in and playing the CVT after getting out of the otherwise superior Volvo.

The falloff over 80mph in the CVT does exist... its one of the things I was referring to about room for improvement. Easy workaround is to drop her into manual mode 5th gear. I'd still take the CVT over the AW55 any day of the week. Whether that trait is engineered into the CVT purposely by Nissan as some self-preservation method or they just didn't spend much time developing that portion of the ratio map, I really don't know. I suspect it might be a little of both. I also suspect that the percentage of Maxima buyers who really care about it - or would even notice it - is about the same as buyers who opted for 6MTs, and we know how much Nissan worries about them. Its certainly not a trait that represents a "death sentence" for the CVT - just one that concerns only 2-3% of the potential buyers.

The CVT is most advantageous in city & suburban driving. In that environment, it is smoother, quieter, quicker and more fuel efficient than a stepped AT ever will be. It is such a pleasure to have a transmision instantaneously respond to throttle changes without any of the crap you have to put up with in most ATs. No waiting for downshifts, no indecisiveness over what gear it should be in, no sloppy shifts that are either too hard or too soft but almost never "just right". Its also a pleasure getting 15%-20% better fuel mileage than I did with the same engine coupled to a conventional AT.

[AllBlackMax]

I don't know what 09' Max CVT ya'll drivin'. The one I drove went to 100+ without any hesitation; and yes the salesman was a little nervous.

[dboogie]

Originally Posted by AllBlackMax

I don't know what 09' Max CVT ya'll drivin'. The one I drove went to 100+ without any hesitation; and yes the salesman was a little nervous.

I got a chance to drive the Dark Slate SV today, my first time driving a car with a CVT, and that thing had no problem pass 80 mph. Heck, I merged onto the highway and when I looked down, I was doing 90. I eased up off of it for a bit and cruised at about 70. Then the traffic opened up for me. I stepped on it and the needle was pulling strong at 105!! I slowed up at that point. Sooo, failing pass 80 mph I definitely didn't experience anything like that and I have to give the CVT two thumbs up.

I found a nice cloverleaf to test out how it hugs in a curve. FLAT all the way around! It felt really good. This was in an SV without the sport package.

The vehicle was very responsive. No torque steer. VERY QUIET!!. Soaked up bumps really well. Brakes hauled me down very effectively. I'm thoroughly impressed with the Maxima.

[MONTE 01&97 SE]

Originally Posted by AllBlackMax

Went and test drove the 09 SV with the sport package. I think now is a good time to put it out there:

About a month ago I went to the track and ran a best time of 14.799 in the 1/4 mile with all of my mods.

The '09 Maxima, STOCK runs 14.5 and now I know why.

Confirming something you guys already know is the CVT is waaaay better than the 5AT that came with the 6th Gen. I immediately put it in DS mode and used the paddles. I LOVED the paddle shifting during hard driving! The gear changes were quick and the CVT felt like it was in the right "gear" all the time.

Interesting thing I noticed though,
In DS mode, when you really stomp on it, it does in fact go to redline in addition to the shifts being super quick but noticeable. And contrary to what people think, when you stomp on it, the revs do drop a little in between "gear" changes; the revs don't stay exactly the same.

Another observation is with VDC turned off the CVT holds the gear in DS mode throughout the rev range up to redline.

The premium leather is fantastic, the dash is wonderful, everything about the car is excellent. With all that being said, I hate to say it but, I want a little more out of my next upgrade. Not that the new Max isn't great, it is for what it is; I just want more this time around.

Steering was a bit light, handling was nice though.

The '09 Max is a GREAT car even with the CVT ESPECIALLY if you're used to driving an auto.

I guess what bothers me is the '08 G35 sedan auto does the 1/4 in 13.8.

BTW the car I test drove was a SV with sport package and NAVI for 37k.

14.79 is your best time, seems like you should be running a few ten