Nissan to offer a diesel Maxima?

Nissan's 1995-1999 Maxima could have become the starting point for one of the greatest ever sport sedans. Lightweight (3000lbs), Limited slip up front, 205 Lb-ft of torque (far more than any 6cyl Bimmer of the time except the M) and amazing build quality. From there on- it's been downhill all the way. Now- there isn't even a 6sp manual.
Unless the Maxima re-emerges from its current bloat-barge rot, as an all wheel drive, light weight, 400bhp, 6sp, cutting edge machine that draws from the upcoming GTR instead of the Avalon/Lucerne/Azera et al, count me out- Diesel or not.
A case of a super platform deciding to follow mediocrity instead of leading.

I had a 99', the best car I have ever owned. I took a look at the 07, still front wheel drive, noisy crappy transmission (CVT), cheap interior materials and worst of all, overpriced. $35,0000 will get you a loaded Maxima or a decently loaded G35x. Ill have the G35.

I think a diesel would be awesome, but I don't see how Ghosn can still the call the maxima a sports car. I have owned an 85, a 93 SE 5-spd and currently have a 98 Auto for my beater. IMO the 3rd generation 89-94 was the best maxima. The materials used in the interior were top notch, the car had great handling for a fwd and class leading power, it really deserved to be called the 4DSC. The 4th gen 95-99 is when Nissan started cost cutting, interior quality while still nice went down and they went from an independent rears suspension to a solid beam axle in the rear which they said enhanced handling, but was really much cheaper to manufacture. It still performed well in a straight line, but the 3rd gen was much more nimble. I love my 98 still but REALLY miss my 93. Since then the maxima just keeps getting bigger and bigger and to top it all off, they get rid of the 6-speed manual this year. I can't really call it the 4dsc any more, and the maxima has always been one of my favorite cars........

Stone

I think what your talking about should be a version of the Altima.

Ghosn just keeps giving me reasons to like him.

Go for it Nissan, but please replace the CVT with a conventional 6- or 7-speed automatic while you are at it.

Kill it, please. The Maxima was great, ten years ago. Now, it's so confused. No direct competition-- no sales, either. A design that still hasn't "grown on me," an interior that doesn't stand out in a field of value-luxo barges (Avalon especially), an engine that is no longer particularly powerful compared to others, and NO MARKET SEGMENT!!! The Altima and Sentra are the only ones they need...

Kill the Maxima? What is wrong with you? I would take a Maxima over a Passat, Avalon, and Azera.

No way. There is a gret oppurtunity to move the Maxima to the next level. They should reincarnate the maxima by using either the g35/m35 platforms. This would be a great niche vehicle for nissan. The maxima used to have some of the highest owner loyalty in the in the business. If they bring back the winning formula of years past, they will no doubt bring back the customers they lost.