Junket time: Checking out the 2009 Nissan Maxima
Today I'm at a press junket to check out the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima. I've got a soft spot for Maximas; I learned to drive on a first-generation '82 Datsun/Nissan 810 Maxima. The current-gen Maxima is a perfectly good car, but ever since Nissan introduced the V6 Altima back in '99 (anyone remember the Altima SE-R?), there hasn't been much reason to buy one. And when Nissan's Infiniti division launched the stellar G35, there was even less reason to buy one. Classic middle-child syndrome.
The new 2009 Maxima is trimmer, more powerful (+35 hp/+8 l-ft) and slightly more fuel-efficient (+1 MPG on the highway) than the outgoing car. Will that be enough to break the Maxima out of its rut? And is a 290 hp front-driver going to succeed with today's gas prices? I'll find out today. Meanwhile, if you want to post your own predictions, you know where the "comments" link is. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Nissan
Any more than 250hp on the front wheels only is pushing it…I really enjoyed driving the Mazdaspeed3 (263hp on the front wheels) but torque steer becomes pretty gnarly, and if you hit a small bump in the road or are ascending an incline, watch out for little surprises as the front wheels pop off the ground. What’s the curb weight of this car?
I thought they where going to bring a turbo diesel to the the US.
Actually current gas prices might help the sale of big cars. If you have a family and are downsizing from and SUV and really still don’t want a minivan a fullsize car can be a great choice. They get what 21 City and 28 highway? That really isn’t too bad at all, beats and SUV.
You’re so right, LWATCDR. There are many more things out there that we Americans can’t seem to live without that are much more expensive than gasoline. Ever consider what that Starbucks Mocha Latte costs per gallon? Yet many of us think nothing of paying $5 for a 16oz coffee.
The full size car at 25mpg beats the full size four-door pickup and SUV any day of the week, and has nearly as much room. Hell, bring back the full size station wagon (not the Dodge Magnum sportback sedan). Add AWD for the snowbelt states and you still have a good family hauler that goes through snow.
I had heard that there may be a diesel in the works, but only with a stick because the Peugeot sourced engine won’t work with the current CVTs Nissan has… I sure like the looks of the new model better than the last few years. And if they make it sportier handling, quicker shifting, etc it might be nice. My wife has an 05 Altima – decent, good looking car but it feels too big/heavy – it’s not fun to drive at all.
Well Eric I am not for wasting gas but that is just it. Some people do need a big vehicle. There are even people that need a big SUV. The Problem is that too many people bought big trucks and SUVs when they really didn’t need to.
I want to get a pickup just from going to home depo and such. Too bad GM doesn’t make the ElCamino, Ford doesn’t make the Rancharo, and VW doesn’t make the Rabbit pickup anymore.
Hey GM how about bringing back the ElCamino? Just base it on the HRR and it could be a cool little seller.
I think that there was an El Camino-like concept based on the Pontiac G8. If I recall correctly, it was being considered for production. Keep your fingers crossed.
This price as tested car is $1500 more than a base Lexus 350. There’s no way that I would take a Nissan over a Lexus for comparable bucks. Status aside, at trade-in time I know which car I’d rather be driving into the Dealer’s lot with…and it wouldn’t be a Nissan!