Grand Prix GTP vs. Nissan Maxima

This is a decision i am gonna try to make when summer comes around. I am looking for either one of these cars from about 97 to 99. I know alot about the gtp but the maxima is more of a mystery to me. In terms of performance, aftermarket support and reliability which car would you choose?

The GTP will be faster from a roll for sure, off the line a 5 speed Maxima would be faster. Maxima would handle better for sure, MUCH better build quality and reliability. There's also a lot of aftermarket support for the 4th Gen maxima's. But the GTP is already supercharged, which makes it rather easy to get some hp at a cheap price. They're both good cars...I think I would go for the Mxaima b/c of the looks and the availiability of the 5 speed, but then again I'm biased, I drive a Maxima. :biggrin:

A kid i knew in highschool had a GTP when i had my 95 5 speed maxima. we raced and it went both ways a few times. i'd take him off line pretty consistently but he'd usually catch back up. sometimes i could hold the lead but usually he'd catch back up. GTP's are not as fast as you'd expect from the specs considering it weighs in a good 600 lbs more than a 4th gen maxima and is only available in automatic. i'd rather have the maxima although, as thrasher said, the GTP is easier to get power from and i'm a little biased. it says a lot for the maxima though, being able to hold it's own against a car with 50 more hp and a s/c. if you wanna spank stock GTP's all day, keep saving and get a 3.5 maxima 6 speed.

What years do the 6 speed Maxima's start?

the first year was the '02.

Performance: GTP it's a little faster, it may not handle as well, but it handles well enough for my likes.
Aftermarket: I'd say the GTP, it's just cheaper to get power from and it only takes a few small mods to get good power.
Reliability: Maxima, although the Grand Prix is pretty good as well.

I'd opt for the GTP myself, I just like the looks and straight-line power, but the Maxima is certainly classier, and is a very well put together vehicle. Either one is a good choice.

I really like both of them very much

That generation Maxima had the VQ motors correct? Theres a pretty good aftermarket there...the maxima also has looks, and handling

On the otherhand, GTP's look damn good as well, have an awesome powerband, and can be made to be a very fast powerful car...however their quality is more suspect, but you will get one pretty cheap

those maxima's had the VQ and the maxima has been on Ward's 10 best list ever sice that generation maxima was introduced back in 95 and it even made it again this year as did the altima(obviously), that's 11 years and running.

this was what they had to say about it in 1999, before they changed the maxima for 2000:

"Nissan VQ 3L DOHC V-6

Ah, the subtle package. The Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Maxima and its superb 3L DOHC V-6 don't engender the sort of fuzzy feelings that drive buyers to Accords and Camrys - and we don't understand why. There isn't a driver who comes back after any time in the Maxima who doesn't gush with praise for both the car and the VQ engine's rip-snort-with-refinement.

All WAW(Ward's Auto World) testers say this duo is demonstrably more entertaining than any V-6-toting Accord or Camry. And Nissan bandwagon critics say the Maxima looks dull, but it's no more prosaic than its rivals.

The VQ's throttle response is exhilarating, its refinement without peer - 6,000 rpm in third gear is almost relaxed - and even its fuel economy can't be faulted. It's a 3L V-6 that, when hard on the throttle, gives sports cars something to consider.

The GTP will be faster from a roll for sure, off the line a 5 speed Maxima would be faster. Maxima would handle better for sure, MUCH better build quality and reliability. There's also a lot of aftermarket support for the 4th Gen maxima's. But the GTP is already supercharged, which makes it rather easy to get some hp at a cheap price. They're both good cars...I think I would go for the Mxaima b/c of the looks and the availiability of the 5 speed, but then again I'm biased, I drive a Maxima. :biggrin:


Seeing as I drive a Grand Prix, I suppose I'm biased in the other direction. I'm not well versed on the Maxima, but I know some about the Grand Prix. The GTP would defintily be faster from a roll like thrasher said, and they aren't horrible from a dig by any means. I also agree that that the Maxima would handle better, but the GTP has that straight-line power that you can't beat. I don't know about the relaibailty being all that much better in the Maxima, besides an occasional problem with the intake, the GM 3.8 tends to be a very reliable engine. If anything, with the GTP you'd have to worry about the transmission, but with proper care that shouldn't be a problem. The 3.8L engine also has a vast aftermarket, zzperformance.com and pfyc.com are just two sites that have alot of parts for the 3.8. If you don't mind taking a step down on the Grand Prix, a GT would tend to be even more reliable. The performance is decent, not really a fast car stock but its not a slouch either.

I think the Maxima is classier looking on the inside and out. The GTP may have the edge on power against the '99 model year Maxima but on looks it's got it beat.

well if speed is what you want then get the GTP. GTP's with a chip bolt ons and pulleys are quit beastly. the max would need juice to beat it.

however looks wise the maxima is like whatevery one says more expensive looking and has a better built interior not to mention better looking.

so if you want a car to cruise around in and has a little kick to it, get the max, if you want a car that can hual 5 guys and still have great potential get the GTP.

its pretty hard to get a max into the 13's. that usually requires alot of juice or a blower, but the GTP needs bolt ons, pulleys, chip and drag radials.

What about a Grand prix GTP or a mitsubishi galant GTZ

What about a Grand prix GTP or a mitsubishi galant GTZ

(This is assuming its a 99-03 GTZ)

Well on straight line power, the GTP wins hands down over the GTZ. The GTZ is closer to a Grand Prix GT in performance really, although the GT i believe is faster. I think the GTP would handle better as well, but having never driven a GTZ I couldn't tell you from personal experience. The thing that the Galant would probably have going for it is the interior, probably nicer than a GTP, but then again Pontiac has never been known for doing a great job on interiors. Also, I don't think the GTZ would require premium fuel like the GTP. Seems to be the GTP that would win in this case.

Another good sporty sedan from Nissan to consider would be the Altima SE-R. Or how about the Mazda Millenia S or Ford Contour SVT?

well considering that the altima se-r cost close to 30K ,its 10 K over this budget. hehe

not to mention that for what he'd pay for an SE-R altima he could get an 02-03 3.5 Maxima and have money left over. Other than 5 hp, the only benefit to the SE-R is that it has all wheel independent suspension instead of the multi link beam.

well considering that the altima se-r cost close to 30K ,its 10 K over this budget. hehe

$30k, that is a bit much and I suppose he is looking for a used car, which there wouldn't be that many pre-owned Altima SE-Rs to begin with. Also come to think of it another new car to consider that may also be a bit out of your price range but perfectly suited would be the Hyundai Azera.

But my opinion still stands that you should also look into the Mazda Millenia S, which is pretty much a better handling and more plush alternative. While the Ford Contour SVT on the other hand might not seem as powerful but is 300lbs lighter and with a very tunable Duratec engine. And of course there is also the older Legacy GT models, the pre-94 models also come turbocharged.

I am not saying the Maxima is a bad car, quite far from it actually. But it is good to look into the potential competition, and yes there is used car competition for it.

well i wouldn't get the millenia S since they're not built that sturdy. my friend had one. also the miller cycle engine is garbage. not to mention the super chargers needs to be over hauled every 60K miles. you can't get any mods for it becasue of the nature of the miller cycle engine. so its basically a stock car no matter what.