Nissan Maxima Review

Customer Test Drive

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2003 Nissan Maxima SE

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Ratings

Overall:
Comfort:
Performance:
Quality:
Appearance:


Comments
Favorite feature:	The 255HP V6 coupled to the 6-speed manual AND limited slip differential.
Least favorite feature:	Handling overall (see review).
Advice to buyer:	Worth a look, esp. if you must have a manual trans, but there are better cars out there. Don't miss test-driving the WRX.
Detailed review:	Whatever happened to '4DSC'?!? This car is fast in a straight line, but handles poorly. Its firm suspension promises fun, but the Queen Mary turning radius, the excess body sway, and the numb, non-linear steering disappoint. Other drawbacks: Cheap, failure prone Bose radio - the in-dash 6-CD changer is certain to break; apparent appetite for oil, regardless of maintanance history (the Maxima.org board is full of complaints about this); and the brakes offer decent, linear feel but are marginal in capacity and the rotors warp easily. There is almost no lateral support in the leather seats, but at least they’re better than the cloth seats I looked at. The clutch and shifter work decently. The back seat and trunk are VERY roomy.
Also considered:	2003 Acura 3.2TL 2004 Subaru Impreza 2003 Honda Accord
Vehicle purchased:	2003 Nissan Maxima


About This Reviewer...
Name:	Eric Schindelbeck
Location:	Midlothian, Virginia
Other vehicles owned:	2006 Honda Odyssey
Review submitted:	October 16, 2006

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