3.5 Maxima vs 3.5 Maxima (LS1 Vette joins in!)

[carrrnuttt]

This happened only about an hour ago, on my way to work.

I was driving my normal brisk pace, going around sparse traffic that was probably still a bit sleepy considering it was about 4:30 AM.

There was a break ahead in the 'traffic', where 'traffic' stands for two cars pacing each other at about 40mph (speed limit = 45mph), and this stock-ish light blue Maxima GXE (indicates automatic) was trying to get to it. Unfortunately for him, I had other plans, and I downshifted and got ahead of him to the 'break' (where 'break stands for the one lane the sleepy drivers were not occupying).

I guess the other Max driver with the stock HID's (indicating a 2K2-2K3 model with a 3.5) wanted to wake up too, so he basically paced me. I went up to 80 (no traffic), and the blue Max paced me all the way to the speed, which indicated he wanted to play.

At the next light, there were three lanes, with the middle lane occupied by a car already, so I took the left open lane, while the other Max darted to the far right lane.

It's on.

Knowing he/she was an auto (both of us have dark tint), I knew that the other Max had the advantage with the launch, especially with me still learning my car.

A quick glance around for cops. None in sight. Cool. I do see a red LS1 Vette behind me though...

Light turns, and I SPIN all the way through 1st gear (ugh), and the other Max jumps a whole car ahead of me. By the end of second, however, I was already even with the other Max, and by the end of third, I was a full 3 cars ahead. This was when I noticed the Vette was already next to me, waving...

The thing that makes me smile at this point, was that the Vette wasn't pulling as fast as he probably thought he would. He was walking, definitely, but by the top of 4th, which is about 120 (completely clear ahead, on a wide, 3 lane road), he was only about 2 cars ahead. The Vette shut down at this point. I am sure if he decided to stay on it, he would've walked more, but when he was passing me, it was still a walk, which is good, considering. He at least had an exhaust, which I am positive was his ONLY mod, otherwise I'd been murdered.

I was done at that point, but I rolled my windows down, and I gave the Vette driver a thumbs up as I catch up to him, yelling: "What can I say, it's my family car!" The Vette guy laughed, and both him and the Max both turned left at the left arrow ahead, while my light going straight was green, leaving me to grin about the morning, completely awake...

[turtlecrxsi]

Nice race. Those are some insane speeds for a 45mph area.

Question: I always considered the Maxima to be the flagship Nissan (in luxury, performance, etc.). Interestingly enough, I find the new Altima to be larger than the Maxima. So I think the Maxima is still the top of the line because it has a more streamlined, performance oriented design, whereas the Altima is just big family sedan. I'm asking about this because my wife noticed some time ago that the Altima was actually a bigger car but I've always known the Maxima to be the better car. Is this still true?

[rice(er)]

nice race mang

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by turtlecrxsi

Nice race. Those are some insane speeds for a 45mph area.

Eh, it was about 4:30 AM, on a three lane road (wide lanes per), with at least 2 miles of straightaway ahead, with no traffic in sight.

Originally Posted by turtlecrxsi

Question: I always considered the Maxima to be the flagship Nissan (in luxury, performance, etc.). Interestingly enough, I find the new Altima to be larger than the Maxima. So I think the Maxima is still the top of the line because it has a more streamlined, performance oriented design, whereas the Altima is just big family sedan. I'm asking about this because my wife noticed some time ago that the Altima was actually a bigger car but I've always known the Maxima to be the better car. Is this still true?

That's what I like about the Max, compared to the Altima, and even the newer Maximas. The 5th generation Max looks sleeker, but hides a spacey interior. Compare for yourself:

2002 Nissan Maxima Internal dimensions:
• front headroom (mm): 1,029
• rear headroom (mm): 950
• front hip room (mm): 1,405
• rear hip room (mm): 1,364
• front leg room (mm): 1,115
• rear leg room (mm): 919
• front shoulder room (mm): 1,445
• rear shoulder room (mm): 1,427
• interior volume (liters): 2,902

2002 Nissan Altima Internal dimensions:
• front headroom (mm): 1,036
• rear headroom (mm): 955
• front hip room (mm): 1,346
• rear hip room (mm): 1,339
• front leg room (mm): 1,115
• rear leg room (mm): 925
• front shoulder room (mm): 1,440
• rear shoulder room (mm): 1,425
• interior volume (liters): 2,922

[BP2K2Max]

good kill. it is possible that the GXE maxima was standard, it's the GLE's that are only available in automatic.

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

good kill. it is possible that the GXE maxima was standard, it's the GLE's that are only available in automatic.

I did not know that the GXE's came in manual. This was definitely an auto though, based on how his motor sounded alone, as he scooted.

Tell you what man, this car definitely impresses me everyday. I already have some moods that came with the car and I plan on adding more here soon.

[2000LS1Z28]

Good kill. I think the vette owner might have been playing with you. I'm not trying to short change you, but a vette should put well over 2 cars on you by the 1/4 mile. I use to put about 4 cars on 350Z's when I was close to stock, and I would think that a 350Z would be faster then a Maxima. Not dogging you, just trying to make sense of the close death.

[youngvr4]

nice carrrnuttt, been needin one of your story's, i can imagine everything perfect
those maxima's are what? mid 14 second cars?

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by 2000LS1Z28

Good kill. I think the vette owner might have been playing with you. I'm not trying to short change you, but a vette should put well over 2 cars on you by the 1/4 mile. I use to put about 4 cars on 350Z's when I was close to stock, and I would think that a 350Z would be faster then a Maxima. Not dogging you, just trying to make sense of the close death.

The 'Vette stayed behind until I killed the other Max, then decided to jump in from behind. Meaning I had all the momentum in the world. Considering I was already accelerating when he decided to go, the fact that he walked is a testament to how fast the car is. What made me happy is that he was walking VERY slowly, as in from 95+ to 120, he only put two cars on me. Maybe it was my momentum, maybe my mods work, but if you think about it, if we were even, with him coming from behind, that's an easy 4 cars.

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by carrrnuttt

Tell you what man, this car definitely impresses me everyday. I already have some moods that came with the car and I plan on adding more here soon.

well, i'm glad you like it. I hope it treats you well. and rember, cattman headers add 30 more HP