Engine, engine, engine. Lots of torque, smooth, and responsive. Plenty of interior space and truck room. Good HID headlights (see weaknesses). Overall, an excellent value.

Too much travel on the suspension over bumpy roads. Going over potholes and bumps will actually redirect the car's direction. Steering is a little light, but not a problem. I have heard that theft of the HID headlights is very easy on this car. There is a kit available to remedy this however, Nissan will not pay for it. I heard the kit runs around $350. Check out the NHTSB website for details.

Recently bought a 2003 Maxima SE from Herb Gordon Nissan. I was impressed with the Maxima when I rented one while my Accord was in the shop after an unfortunate incident with a deer. Plenty of power, good interior, and decent creature comforts. I ended up with a black Maxima simply because there wasn't a lot of choices left since the '04 was already out. Compared to other 4 door sedans, there really isn't much of a comparison. This is a drivers car and can be a better car with little tweaking of the suspension. Sway bars and strut tower bars will help to remedy the suspension, esp the rear suspension which is outdated since many cars in this price range come with some variation of of an independent suspension.

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'95 Mustang GT '99 Accord V6

Build quality, engine, brakes, interior finish (meridan edition everything finished, ie. trunk and trunk lid) Auto headlights, dimming mirrors. Above average reliability. Steering wheel controls. Heated pwr seats. Its not that it has all this stuff, for me it has all worked faultless! I've put on 32K.

Premium fuel, auto temp control (air comes on to high for me) but works great. Blase styling, but it fools 'em when the light turns green.

I have driven the Max almost every day for two years. My commute is 42 mi, 10 mi over foothills. I have not had one thing malfunction. The car is still rattle free and tight as day one. You do get some road noise on rough pavement, but other wise very quiet. I have read others are not happy with the Bose stereo. I think it is great, I'm not blasting it, but with the sun roof open, at speed, the Bose is plenty loud and distortion free. The steering wheel controls are super, love that it selects all your presets. Before I bought this car I read many reviews, most positive. My experience so far has been positive also. I looked at the Infinity, Passat, Camry and the Jag. In my opinion the Maxima GLE Meridan Edition compared with the others in features and beat 'em hands down in value. I would recommend it to all, but with the '04' out I might give this one to my wife! If you're looking for used, look for the Meridan Edition-Z Edition (trac contrl) you won't be disappointed. If u buy the Maxima for what it is, an entry luxury family sedan, not a sport car, it is a great value!

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Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mercury Sable

-engine is very smooth and powerful -good build quality -very good reliability -attractively price -good brakes

-no one ever raved about this car's styling -suspension is swampy at high speed -5 spd shifter is stiff and not refined -stereo is average at best -gas tank access compartment is poorly designed and always gets filled with road dirt

I've owned this car for about three years. It is a reliable, low priced powerful, sedan with OK handling. Styling is OK and takes getting used to - especially the rear. Suspension is swampy at higher speeds. Turning circle is too great. Engine is lovely and powerful. Interior is average. 5 speed transmission tends to be rough. Stereo is not as good as the one I had in my 1998 SE. I have always thought of this car as a Japanese Camaro - you get performance on a budget, with the plus of Japanese build quality and reliability.

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-1998 SE

POWER, comfort, handling, solid design, reliability and value

torque steer, gas pedal and brake pedal too close together for my size 13 feet, lack of lights on steering wheel controls.

I purchased my 2003 Maxima two weeks ago and so far I am very pleased. The combination of power and luxury can not be matched in any car under $30,000. This is the most fun I have ever had driving. I chose the 6 speed manual and it is even more than I bargained for. The electronic throttle combined with 255 horsepower on a manual transmission takes some getting used to but once you adjust, very few cars can keep up. The gas pedal and brake are very close together and can be difficult to use for someone with big feet. The SE handles great once you are up to speed but the torque steer is very apparent during quick acceleration. The interior is great with comfortable seats and a well thought out design. The little extras like automatic headlights, light sensitive mirrors and steering wheel controls for the radio add to the luxury feel. Nissan seemed to overlook lighting the steering wheel controls which is surprising for a car that has so many extras. The performance and comfort of this car make its weaknesses disappear. If you like to drive, you will love this car.

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1990 Ford Probe, 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Power, design, and contemporary look.

None

I had my 03 for 6 months and had to upgrade to the 04'. The feel is unbelievable as the whole car reeks of quality. I love the power and the leather is nicer. I think the radio rocks with 8 speakers now instead of 7 like in the 03'. I have the liquid silver and it is beautiful. Heads are turning. I think it looks almost like an Audi or Lex.

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03 Maxima.

power! super quiet engine,smooth ride,bose,and good looks.

on the highway air gets caught under the sunroof when it's all the way open.stearing a little looser than my '01...not a weakness but will take some getting used to.

i had a 2001 maxima and thought i could never love another car more...then nissan outdid themselves with '04. it has so much power and is soooo good looking. for those of you that weren't impressed with the bose system in the past wait until you here the new and improved system in the '04(the old bose comes standard now)i went with the sensory package.it comes with heated leather,power lumbar, power pas seat and the bose with speed sensitive volume. the new informational window has really cool features as well.i test drove this thing and didn't sleep for three days until i went back and bought it.

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'01 maxima and i test drove the mercedes c230 4 door with the supercharged engine.i figured a benz for the same price as the max but that model mercedes had absolutely nothing on the maxima.no power,s

- Powerful, smooth engine. - Quality interior - Cargo space

- Torque steer on quick accelerations from a stop (not dangerous but there) - Small pass-thru from trunk - Have to get moon roof and BOSE stereo in order to get traction control

Powerful, sporty car for those who still need the utility of a family sedan. Price was right, too. Better interior than competitors in this price range, too. Have not driven the new '03 Accord or the '03 Mazda6, but I bet the '02/'03 Max still has the edge.

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2002 Toyota Camry (rental) 2000 Olds Alero

Outside is really nice to look at with great lines. Inside is well put together with great feeling surfaces. The cheaper plastics are used in areas like the sunroof and rear light switches.

The center LED pannel takes a little to get use to. I was a little freaked out by the intensity until I was told how to switch it from day to night.

Test drove the SL and thought it had way too much roll. I have always had a SE and thought I might like the "smoother" ride. After five quick turns, it was back to the SE. The SE is everything you think it should be..a faster engine and better sport handeling. This car rocks.

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2001 Anniversary

fast car fun to drive and a smooth ride

the rear end sways on sharp corners but im sure a sway bar on this car would take corners beautifully

This is the best car I have owned, Its fast handles good and is a very smooth ride, ive kept it completly stock and it maxs 135mph on the highway. Its also a automatic

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Very powerful and flexible motor. well built car that should last quite awhile. good warranty coverage.

A little wiggly in the rear end but so are other big cars. Some Tokico shocks would likely get it under control.

Finally got around to reviewing this very unique car. After about 1000 miles, I decided I hate my 6spd SE. The shifting action was horrible and the handing way too vague. Then I spent some time driving my other car a 95 Lexus LS 400 as well as the cars I was going to trade the Maxima in for. The big LS is ponderous in comparison so I figured I would give the very linear Maxima a chance before I went to the dealer and lost more $. First, Acura 3.2TL type S. Compared to this car the Maxima motor is perfect handling is close and overall feel has to go to the Maxima. Plus it is way cheaper to buy the Nissan. Remember that while the Acura has 260 HP it is VTEC horsepower and the rpms must be very high to get the horses. The Nissan has a much different system which is continuously variable. Next the Lexus IS 300. Way too cramped (the Maxima seats are some of the best I have ever used) and no where near the power of the Maxima. Stereo is better and handling is great but again much more money to buy. So I went back to the Maxima and fixed it up a little. For around $400 you can make your Maxima a dream to own. First you buy and install a front strut tower bar and a rear sway bar. Then you add an aftermarket air intake to free up some extra ponies(keep in mind the Maxima possesses the 350z motor with a terribly restricted intake system) AND FINALLY if you have the 6 speed you get 3 quarts of RED LINE MT-90 and put it in the tranny. Now for the money this car flat out hauls ass and handles very well. Shifting is excellent and crisp. The stereo sucks but it is BOSE what do you expect. And the seats fold down to haul stuff. Overall it is a great bargain. What a deal.

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1995 Maxima SE, 1995 Lexus LS 400, 2002 Altima SE 3.5. 2000 Infiniti I30, Lexus IS 300, Lexus ES 300