Altima SE-R? Why?

If anyone can explain this to me, I'm all ears - uh eyes. I know that the VQ35 is now the staple of the Nissan lineup. I realize the top Altima has this engine. I'm trying to understand why a 250hp/250torque SE-R model needs to exist. It's got all the cool stuff; 350z gauge cluster, 18" rims w/ w-rated tires, new lights, sport suspension, 6-speed, dual exhaust w/large chrome tips, modified skirts and spoilers, dark chrome interior, Bose stereo. Sound like a slightly modded Max to me. The price of the car is projected at under $30K. One article I read suggests there will be a line of Nismo products for this car. Unless the Max is going just an old people car, this is a risky move.

instead of asking why u shoudl ask why not, the maxima is obviously targeted to a different demographic then the altima, and nissan wants a bite out of the tuner market, even chevy and saturn have tuner cars. Releasing the SE-r is also a very clever idea because up to this point the only affordable tuner cars are cheap, ie honda civc si- Saturn Ion Redline(lol) , and the sentra. This gives consumers a chance to pick up a very comfortable and classy daily driver that can also go around whoop a*s on little rice rocket punks on the weekends. Its just a shame nissan didnt think of this earlier

Releasing the SE-r is also a very clever idea because up to this point the only affordable tuner cars are cheap, ie honda civc si- Saturn Ion Redline(lol) , and the sentra. This gives consumers a chance to pick up a very comfortable and classy daily driver that can also go around whoop a*s on little rice rocket punks on the weekends. Its just a shame nissan didnt think of this earlier

It will be clever IF the price is right. Part of the reason those cheaper are modded so frequently is because they are cheap. You actually have money left over to spend on mods. In this case, all the cheap mods are already on the car. With a car note, insurance on a registered sports model sedan and $2.10 for gas, where's the mod money??

I'd love to be paying $2.10 for gas! Right now I'm paying 2.42-2.49 a gallon! ( and that's if I'm lucky!) Granted I'm using Premium as always, but still! Using Reg unleaded I definately notice a big loss in power, so I stick with premium. Just wish this gas crisis would end soon!
Damn OPEC BASTARDS!

nissan's pissed they stopped making the 5.5 gen maxima so they decided to turn the altima se-r into one. they shot themselves in the foot with the fat-ass 6th gen. too bad they can't revert to the previous generation's styling.

nissan's pissed they stopped making the 5.5 gen maxima so they decided to turn the altima se-r into one. they shot themselves in the foot with the fat-ass 6th gen. too bad they can't revert to the previous generation's styling.

Nissan has found the Maxima replacement in the Altima, if anyone knows anything about the history of the Altima then you would understand why the car has become so popular.

The Altima when it came out in 93 as the Nissan Altima (Stanza) was originally intended to be the entry level for Infiniti or as replacement for the G20 but Nissan started having it's bankruptcy problems and the Stanza was cut out of the line up because it wasn't selling. Nissan couldn't afford to be out of the market where the Stanza existed nor could it afford to stuff the luxo goodies in the Altima to market it as an Infiniti either, so they were forced to keep the Stanza nameplate on the first Altima in order to keep the loyalist who had bought a Stanza and at the same time show that they had revamped it into something beautiful (at least that's what I thought the first time I saw it) and intro a relatively new model to compete with the 4 cylinder Accord that had more hp/tq plus a bigger trunk and better gas mileage.

With this kind of thinking Nissan had to insure that the Altima would remain because of all of the loyality showed by the consumers once they revamped it in 93 to 96. On the 97 design they lost alot of consumers because the 97 Altima became the 04 Max (in terms of looks) of the Altimas. Hell I didn't buy a 97, I upgraded from a 93 to a 96, even though the 97 had better everything.

Now it's 2000 and time for another Altima revamp but this time in an effort to move the Maxima upscale to compete with BMW 5 Series (as far as size is concerned) Nissan increased the size of the Altima to compete in the class of the Camry (which is where it's intent was all along) but in doing so, they gave it a better suspension than the Max plus in a majority opinion poll it looked better than the 2k Maxima too.

Now the only thing that is/was lacking at the time was the interior and the engine, the Accord had a V6 and so did the Camry, why not the Altima? Someone figured it would sell better if it had a V6 option and bam that's just what they did, in the meantime it would be another 2 years before the Max would be upgraded meanwhile the Altima was selling like hotcakes.

Now since at this same time Nissan had broke even out of it's financial woes with the success of the Z, G and Altima, plus the Murano was coming on strong, they hadn't made enough to revamp the Max totally so they just upped the engine size and threw in a few more goodies to an already great car.

People who were young liked the look of the Altima moreso than the Maxima, plus you could get the same engine in a lighterweight car, then what since did it make to get a Maxima?

Well Nissan went to the drawing board in 04 and scared away most of the Maxima faithful, hardly anyone who owns one of the 2003 below models would dare to buy an 04 because it doesn't have that nimble look or feel to it as previous Maximas.
With that said, the Maxima has had to push hard towards an older more mature crowd whereas the Altima gets to keep the same V6 and appeal to the younger Fast n Furious crowd.

The Maxima will have to come up with something to really set itself apart from the Altima the next time it is revamped otherwise it will be on it's way to the graveyard.

Expect a V8 awd 320 hp Maxima. Why? Because they really need to distinguish between the two so as to not have the Altima continue to usurp sales from the Maxima. Why a V8? Do you have to ask?
Why AWD? That's an easier question, we already have the platform for it (just look at the Murano, Altima and Maxima) and it will cure the most problematic of complaints from most of the Maxima performance purist and that is TorqueSteer.

Why have to exorcise this demon (TorqueSteer) then people will flock back to the Max and Nissan will have everyone looking to trade their 04's in for the thing that will set them widely apart from the Altima, that an also they will have to change the look of the Maxima too, maybe it'll look like a Z with 4 doors.

Right now I'd buy an 04 Altima over an 04 Maxima anyday, especially since the interior has been redesigned (my major complaint on the previous models).

BK2, I totally agree with what you said. :)

Expect a V8 awd 320 hp Maxima. Why? Because they really need to distinguish between the two so as to not have the Altima continue to usurp sales from the Maxima. Why a V8? Do you have to ask?
Why AWD? That's an easier question, we already have the platform for it (just look at the Murano, Altima and Maxima) and it will cure the most problematic of complaints from most of the Maxima performance purist and that is TorqueSteer.

Funny. I said the same thing about a week ago. Since the Max broke $30K, it's entered a different market. Now, it has to contend with Jaguar, Mercedes, Lexus and BMW. Max, at $26K, was the economical choice. Now it's in with the entry-level luxury crowd, out pricing the Infiniti I35. And without the Luxury image, there isn't much room to grow without adding some ground breaking options. My prediction was an RWD VQ40 and a longer body. AWD would elevate the sports sedan to power sedan.

Nissan has found the Maxima replacement in the Altima, if anyone knows anything about the history of the Altima then you would understand why the car has become so popular.

The Altima when it came out in 93 as the Nissan Altima (Stanza) was originally intended to be the entry level for Infiniti or as replacement for the G20 but Nissan started having it's bankruptcy problems and the Stanza was cut out of the line up because it wasn't selling. Nissan couldn't afford to be out of the market where the Stanza existed nor could it afford to stuff the luxo goodies in the Altima to market it as an Infiniti either, so they were forced to keep the Stanza nameplate on the first Altima in order to keep the loyalist who had bought a Stanza and at the same time show that they had revamped it into something beautiful (at least that's what I thought the first time I saw it) and intro a relatively new model to compete with the 4 cylinder Accord that had more hp/tq plus a bigger trunk and better gas mileage.

With this kind of thinking Nissan had to insure that the Altima would remain because of all of the loyality showed by the consumers once they revamped it in 93 to 96. On the 97 design they lost alot of consumers because the 97 Altima became the 04 Max (in terms of looks) of the Altimas. Hell I didn't buy a 97, I upgraded from a 93 to a 96, even though the 97 had better everything.

Now it's 2000 and time for another Altima revamp but this time in an effort to move the Maxima upscale to compete with BMW 5 Series (as far as size is concerned) Nissan increased the size of the Altima to compete in the class of the Camry (which is where it's intent was all along) but in doing so, they gave it a better suspension than the Max plus in a majority opinion poll it looked better than the 2k Maxima too.

Now the only thing that is/was lacking at the time was the interior and the engine, the Accord had a V6 and so did the Camry, why not the Altima? Someone figured it would sell better if it had a V6 option and bam that's just what they did, in the meantime it would be another 2 years before the Max would be upgraded meanwhile the Altima was selling like hotcakes.

Now since at this same time Nissan had broke even out of it's financial woes with the success of the Z, G and Altima, plus the Murano was coming on strong, they hadn't made enough to revamp the Max totally so they just upped the engine size and threw in a few more goodies to an already great car.

People who were young liked the look of the Altima moreso than the Maxima, plus you could get the same engine in a lighterweight car, then what since did it make to get a Maxima?

Well Nissan went to the drawing board in 04 and scared away most of the Maxima faithful, hardly anyone who owns one of the 2003 below models would dare to buy an 04 because it doesn't have that nimble look or feel to it as previous Maximas.
With that said, the Maxima has had to push hard towards an older more mature crowd whereas the Altima gets to keep the same V6 and appeal to the younger Fast n Furious crowd.

The Maxima will have to come up with something to really set itself apart from the Altima the next time it is revamped otherwise it will be on it's way to the graveyard.

Expect a V8 awd 320 hp Maxima. Why? Because they really need to distinguish between the two so as to not have the Altima continue to usurp sales from the Maxima. Why a V8? Do you have to ask?
Why AWD? That's an easier question, we already have the platform for it (just look at the Murano, Altima and Maxima) and it will cure the most problematic of complaints from most of the Maxima performance purist and that is TorqueSteer.

Why have to exorcise this demon (TorqueSteer) then people will flock back to the Max and Nissan will have everyone looking to trade their 04's in for the thing that will set them widely apart from the Altima, that an also they will have to change the look of the Maxima too, maybe it'll look like a Z with 4 doors.

Right now I'd buy an 04 Altima over an 04 Maxima anyday, especially since the interior has been redesigned (my major complaint on the previous models).



Hey, everyones got an opinion, and I'm not knocking yours. But you're tripping your @ss off if you think Nissan's going to come out with a V8 Maxima! LMAO!

jmo

Like Bk2 said, if the Maxima doesnt change to differ its self from the
Altima, whats going to happen to the Maxima? :grinno:

i've read that infiniti is re-releasing the m45 with some new upgrades, and much like the FX vehicle series there will be an M35 and M45. so if nissan releases these vehicles under their name plate also (like the I35 and a maxima) we may see a 4.5 V8 option for maximas. keep in mind that i'm just speculating and nothing is for sure.

Hey, everyones got an opinion, and I'm not knocking yours. But you're tripping your @ss off if you think Nissan's going to come out with a V8 Maxima! LMAO!

jmo

With the risk of sounding like a broken record, how much bigger do you think Nissan will build V6 engines before they just become inefficient? 3.7L? 3.8L? 4.0L? Keep in mind, there is already a 4.5L V8 in the Infiniti lineup. Nissan has recently added another V8 (5.6L) to thier lineup in recent months with the release of the Titan/Armada. Nissan has shown no interest in adding forced induction to Maxima. All the current motor trends are leaning towards more power. Even the toy cars are making close to 200hp. So, if not a V8, what's the next logical step? WWAC!

L

Well, they already have a VQ stroked to 4.0 liters that will be going in the new Pathfinder (not Pathfinder Armada). But since it is stroked and not bored, it will not rev as quickly, thus making it less practical for passenger vehicles. On the other hand, it will probably produce over 300+ TQ, which is perfect for SUV and light trucks.

With the risk of sounding like a broken record, how much bigger do you think Nissan will build V6 engines before they just become inefficient? 3.7L? 3.8L? 4.0L? Keep in mind, there is already a 4.5L V8 in the Infiniti lineup. Nissan has recently added another V8 (5.6L) to thier lineup in recent months with the release of the Titan/Armada. Nissan has shown no interest in adding forced induction to Maxima. All the current motor trends are leaning towards more power. Even the toy cars are making close to 200hp. So, if not a V8, what's the next logical step? WWAC!

L

The V6 on the Maxima can be effecient up to 4.3 litres and that's with a turbo, so I'm sure that it can be even more effecient without one so there may be even more room to bore it out.

However my post stands as is and Nissan needs very badly to distinguish the Maxima from the Altima, otherwise the Maxima will become the Acura Vigor of Nissan. Vigor was a very good car and it looked good too, it just couldn't set itself far enough apart from the Legend in order to capture the market it was intended to do.

I hope Nissan is listening because most of us here will not buy an 04 Maxima but we'd gladly spring (even trade) our 02/03's for a redesigned 320 hp 4.5 Litre V8 AWD Maxima that has the look of the Z with 4 doors.

Whatever said, the Altima is the new Maxima of the New Generation and it is a damn fine car, the only thing Nissan needs to do to it now is to add an AWD option from the Murano and the Fast n Furious crowd will start buying in droves, especially if a Factory Option Nismo Turbo or SC becomes available with a warranty.

i've read that infiniti is re-releasing the m45 with some new upgrades, and much like the FX vehicle series there will be an M35 and M45. so if nissan releases these vehicles under their name plate also (like the I35 and a maxima) we may see a 4.5 V8 option for maximas. keep in mind that i'm just speculating and nothing is for sure.

Ok. let's run with it. The M45 is a RWD V8 is basically the Cedric from over the pond. If they make an M35, that will pretty much kill the I35 as the entry level luxury sedan. It has all the same refinement and is similar in size. This would end the long running Max/Ixx FWD platform that we're all familiar with. It would not be hard to imagine that a version of the M45/Cedric may become the New Maxima. Again, purely speculation at this point.

Ok. let's run with it. The M45 is a RWD V8 is basically the Cedric from over the pond. If they make an M35, that will pretty much kill the I35 as the entry level luxury sedan. It has all the same refinement and is similar in size. This would end the long running Max/Ixx FWD platform that we're all familiar with. It would not be hard to imagine that a version of the M45/Cedric may become the New Maxima. Again, purely speculation at this point.
there are no "if's" on the M35. if you go to infiniti's web page you can build one and price it out already see for yourself (http://www.infiniti.com/form/0,,act...d-52321,00.html). the m35 is RWD so i guess there still is reason to buy an i35. my speculation was wether or not the maxima will get it.

Did you see the price? $38K for the base model, $42K for the AWD version. It's cool they have an AWD 3.5L, but damn. Greedy bastards! Then the V8 went from $42K to $45K. The M didn't sell that well in the states last year. And to create a whole series of cars under that logo and raise the price is... well I don't know what that is.

In my opinon: Any V8 Nissan puts out will stay in their SUV & pickup line. I don't see one going in any of Nissan's cars. That's why they made the Infinity line. More style, more power & better handling. Putting a V8 in a Maxima is going to put the price out of reach for the average Maxima buyer. You can get plenty of horsepower out Nissans 6 cyl.
As for AWD, I personally think it's a waste unless you live up north and drive in alot of snow. I say make rear wheel drive standard on the new Maxima's, with an option for AWD for those who live up north. I used to love my '85 turbo 300ZX. It had rear wheel drive, great power, (for back then, 200hp) and it handled great! Like I said before, AWD is for the snow, and anyone that really knows how to drive a car, can handle a RWD car for all other driving conditions.
:2cents:

In my opinon: Any V8 Nissan puts out will stay in their SUV & pickup line. I don't see one going in any of Nissan's cars. That's why they made the Infinity line. More style, more power & better handling. Putting a V8 in a Maxima is going to put the price out of reach for the average Maxima buyer. You can get plenty of horsepower out Nissans 6 cyl.
As for AWD, I personally think it's a waste unless you live up north and drive in alot of snow. I say make rear wheel drive standard on the new Maxima's, with an option for AWD for those who live up north. I used to love my '85 turbo 300ZX. It had rear wheel drive, great power, (for back then, 200hp) and it handled great! Like I said before, AWD is for the snow, and anyone that really knows how to drive a car, can handle a RWD car for all other driving conditions.
:2cents:

You do realize that Nissan has 2 sedans with V8's. Or at least Infiniti does(Q45, M45). The only SUV that shares that engine is the FX45. The Xterra and Frontier have thier own 6 cylinder engines. AWD is not just about traction, it's about rock solid acceration in any condition.

The VQ40 woould not be used in the Maxima because its designed for low tq. I thought maybe it might be used in the G/350Z but it desinged for a truck and not a car. Thats why its going to be only used in the Pathfinder, Xterra, and Frontier suv/trucks. The I35 for 2004 is going to be the last year since the G35 is taking its place and doing well. The M35 is designed to compete with BMW 530I and E320. Its going to be base on the same FM platform you see in the FX/G/Z but modified to to handle a larger car and wheelbase. Currently the M35 slated to come 270hp with an optional awd system which will later be an option later on in the M45 also. Nissan would not make the Maxima based on that car then that would take sales away from the G35 and the M35/45.The Maxima's current competiors are cars like the Acura TL, Audi A4 and A6, Pontiac Grand Prix and the new Ford Five Hundred. All of these cars except for the Ford have been cross shopped by 2004 Max owners according to what owners sent to Autoweek magazine. Since the Maxima when a step up Nissan needs a car to take that missing spot but yet still keeps its spot too, so they updates the Alitma and added new features. But however if you think about it they are just trying to keep the Altima as competive as possible against cars in its class. As you see the new Accord has a navi system which is pretty good as in its self. And the only way Nissan can answer back is put Nissan award winning 3D navi system optional in the 3.5 models and more luxury-esque interior in all models.The Altima 3.5 will have 250hp while SE-R will have closer 260hp. If you think of it this way, the Altima is just like the Accord or even the TSX while the Maxima is like the Tl. They two different cars having similar options while one is lager and close to upper scale large and sporty while the other is mid class, mid-size sporty. But this more of and educate guess tho.

From what I have been reading speculation, which so far is seeming to be proven true is that the G35 is getting an update for 2005. The update is suppose to include a updated, better quality interior, and 300hp in the coupe but not really sure about sedan though. That speculation also seems true for 350Z how ever its suppose to get like 310hp so they can make room for this sportier limited edition SE-R Altima. Dont know anything about the FX35 and if that getting an update. Also rumor is theirs going to be more SE-R cars like SE-R in the 350Z, Maxima, and a sportier riding Murano myabe dubbed an SE-R model.

I stand corrected. First, I didn't realize there were plans for a VQ40 for next year. I read up and it's the same engine block with a longer stroke and thus 270 torque. So our little V6 may be around for a bit longer, but it still leaves the maxima without a real identity.

Sidepoint: The new Xterra will be featuring Rockford Fosgate system with 300 watts and 9 speakers. Maybe, it's time for the Bose to goes.

Sidepoint: The new Xterra will be featuring Rockford Fosgate system with 300 watts and 9 speakers. Maybe, it's time for the Bose to goes.
I beleive the se-r spec V's have the same system in them.

Yes the SE-R is using that system but I read its not as clear as the bose system. The Bose system is good but it needs to be a more competitive system. The system as a whole needs to be louder and clear. For the G35 220watts(sedan) 240(coupe) is not enough many owners find is good at best. I have heard the new 320watt system in the 04 Max and that system is is only a little better in than the G35 system. Maybe thats one thing Nissan should upgrade the sound system, in their sedans. I have been hearing good things about the upgraded system in the FX and that suppose to be pretty good. Maybe that what they should put in our cars. Or better yet a system making at least 600watt or something. The Maxima has an identiy as a larger sedan with sport, class and comfort. It has some of the features you see in a 90k MB Cl class like the option of heated rear seats and passenger comfort and stuff like that but yet it does not cost as much and competes well against cars like the Audi A4/A6 and acura Tl.

220 watts is more than sufficient for a space 20% of the average bedroom. We're just not getting premium components. I remember pulling the 6x9 cones out of my 91 and they were paper. I replaced them with medium quality Sony's and kept the same amp setup that came with the car. Loud, clear, better frequency responce, bigger thump. I took out the indash unit, slapped in the Sony Xplode. I used the same wiring and the same door speakers. Even the bose speakers improved. We're just getting crap with a premium label and a $1200 price tag.

Yea I know I saw what bose gave in the MB and the Chevys and its pretty much the same.

Maxima owners might find this a delight or something not good.

2005 Infiniti G35 Offers Significant Enhancements [June 3, 04]

SAN FRANCISCO (June 3, 2004) ? Infiniti, Nissan?s luxury division, today announced a number of significant enhancements to its popular G35 sport coupe and G35 sport sedan for the 2005 model year in North America. The changes include the introduction of a new coupe Sport model, a redesigned exterior appearance for the sedan and a redesigned instrument panel and console area with aluminum trim or optional wood trim on both the 2005 G35 coupe and G35 sedan.

Another major enhancement for the new model year is an increase in power for all G35 sedans to 277 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque (from 260 hp/260 lb-ft). The G35 sedan lineup, which added a new all-wheel drive version in the 2004 model year, also receives new exterior styling for 2005 ? featuring a new hood, grille, bumpers, side sills, taillights and wheels.

The G35 coupe?s new Sport model will be available in an advanced 5-speed automatic transmission or with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The Sport 6MT model receives an additional 15-plus horsepower over automatic-equipped G35 coupe?s standard 280 horsepower, bringing its power to the 295-horsepower range (final figures to be released later).

In addition, the manual transmission design on both coupe and sedan models has been improved to provide a lower shifting effort.

The 2005 G35 sedan will be offered in four models, each equipped with a standard 3.5-liter V6, 4-wheel independent suspension and the refined exterior. For 2005, the sport-tuned suspension package has been upgraded with 18-inch lightweight cast aluminum wheels with 235/45R18 tires and drilled aluminum pedals.

The G35 coupe will be offered in three models for 2005, Coupe, Coupe Sport A/T and Coupe Sport 6MT. Both Sport models include a new sport-tuned suspension, Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (V-LSD), 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels and drilled aluminum pedals.

?Infiniti built its reputation on a stunning combination of powerful rear-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles and outstanding customer service,? said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division. ?The G35 has been a key element in our recent product line expansion and with the enhancements for 2005, our product momentum remains strong.?

The 2005 Infiniti G35 sedan and coupe with automatic transmissions are scheduled to be available at Infiniti dealers in North America beginning in October 2004. Manual transmission equipped models will go on sale in December 2004.

The announcement came during the Nissan 360 news media event, a three-week program in San Francisco featuring the automaker?s current and future worldwide product and business plans. At the event, about 500 reporters had the opportunity to drive nearly 70 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles to familiarize themselves with the breadth of Nissan?s global product lineup.