the debate continues: altima vs maxima

ok, so i am looking at getting a new vehicle...and the altima 3.5 SE is pretty high on my list. what i don't understand about all this talk about maximas being the better vehicle. after having test drove both, i can understand what people are saying about the interior, and a few other things that are better on the maxima.


here is the thing though, i live in canada. a fully loaded altima 3.5 is $33,000, while a fully loaded maxima is $38,900. that is a price difference of almost $6000...for that amount of money, i could throw in a brushed aluminum or carbon fibre interior kit, add a better exhaust, and some awsome wheels. then i would have a car that is just as fast (if not faster) than the maxima, with a really nice interior, and a better looking exterior than the maxima (IMO). i prefer the way the altima looks compared to the maxima anyways, but with bigger wheels on the alti, the maxima wouldn't even compare.

anyone disagree?

Well, for a while I was thinking of getting the 3.5 altima also, but I didn't have enough money, so I just got me a 4th gen maxima. It is true that the altima is way cheaper compared to the maxima, but i belive that the 2002 maxima comes with 255 hp and a 6-spd tranny (not sure though) while the 3.5 altima comes with 240hp (again not sure). oh and the 02 max is also a 3.5. I personally prefer the style of the max. But again its your money and your choice.

yes, the maxima does have 255hp while the alti has 240hp, but they have the same engine. the only reason the maxima has more ponys is that it has a less restrictive exhaust. upgrading the exaust on the altima will yeild an extra 18hp, at least with the exhaust i am planning on getting.

Originally posted by day_for_night
upgrading the exaust on the altima will yeild an extra 18hp, at least with the exhaust i am planning on getting.

oh is that what the advertisement said :hehehe:

nope, that was the quote given to me from the distributor...www.mossyperformance.com

You have to remember the weight factor. If the altima puts out almost the same amount of horses as a maxima but weighs less then it should, theoretically, go faster(if speed is a big choice in your decision). I love my maxima but I am not assamed to admit that some cars are built faster...except honda's:D :finger: :D






j/k around, Just hate the kids that think they are gods because they changed out the H's on their car and dunno that the intake they popped in is missing the O2 sensor and their car is running really lean:rolleyes: Love that gas milage though:D

back up to the top with you

ya could jus stop bitchin and jus save ya pennies and get a 350Z

or jus wait a yr or so and get the ugly ass 2004 max with the V8

ya could jus stop bitchin and jus save ya pennies and get a 350Z

ohhh yeah, cause those cars are in the same price range now aren't they, genius. i wouldn't being buying an altima if i could afford a 350Z, use your head.

or jus wait a yr or so and get the ugly ass 2004 max with the V8
if you are going to quote me, at least get it right...i said 'ass ugly'. and that's casue the prototype IS. i'm not saying i wouldn't love the V8 with 300+ hp, but again...price range.

Go for the altima, its actually one of the fastest japanese cars available at the moment as far as top speed is concerned.

It's got 15HP less then the Max, but it weighs a lot less too. and yes, it does look better :)