2008 NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: STUD OR DUD? 2009 Nissan Maxima Leaks Out

Stud, I want one!

Me 2!

I have to admit, this Maxima has grown up.

Lets start with the back. Ver muscular and conservative, and looks fast and big body all at the same time.
This back styling give me Lexus IS 350. Nissan always knew how to shape the but of car.
But I hate that dip they have in the back fenders, that makes the car look ugly cause it's the same thing they did with the 2008 Honda Accord. Even the 2204-2008 Maxima's didn't have this which made the car looks more expensive. Cars that are price over $30,000 should have a smooth body all the way around. Even the 2007-2008 Altima's doesn't have that dip in the fenders either
Because of this the back styling gets a B-

Back Styling B-

Side Styling
Very muscular. Same looking design theme from the Infiniti G35 & G37. I also see lots of Lexus ES 350 side styling also even with those long chrome door handles.

Side Styling B+

Front Styling
Once again Infiniti G35 Muscular design theme with the hood. The Grill is PERFECT! GOOD JOB NISSAN ON THAT! WAY BETTER ON THAN THE CURRENT MODEL. The headlights is very different so it dares for attention therefore it will turn heads. I like them.
Front Styling is conservative, muscular, and has that low profile look all at the same time.

Front Styling A+

Interior Styling
Once again Infiniti! I'm pretty sure it's going to have the CD Gigabyte Hardrive that burns CD's like the Nissan Maurano. Steering wheel is excatly like the 2009 Infiniti FX. Love it. Interior styling kinda reminds me of the Maxima's old days back in the 90's.

Interior styling A-

Overall

Is this a Four Dour Sports Car? HELL NAL AND VERY LONG WAYS FROM IT! WHAT THE HELL THEY GET THAT IDEAL FROM? IS THIS WHAT NISSAN CALL A FOUR DOUR SPORTS CAR? I hope not, cause that will be funny. This no way near look like a Mercedes CLS or the upcoming 4 door sports car from BMW or the Audi A7.

But overall this is one great looking car, it's most sure a STUD. Does it have what it takes to compare against the Chrylser 300C, Toyota Avalon? Yes.

Over All Styling: B+
Nissan has created one great looking car inside and out

****I meant the back styling gives me the Lexus ES 350***

only without the long tail lights, and without the spoiler, and that ugly chrome trimming, and of course those darn dents in the fenders.

it`s overall similar to infinity`s designs . nothing weird when they were designed by the same man . silver1-"Steering wheel is excatly like the 2009 Infiniti FX."-mistake , infinity fx50 have other steering wheel . car look very good .

"abcd"

WHAT THE HELL!!!!

Now you look again, maybe you need glasses or something!

here is the pic of the 2009 FX 50 Steering wheel:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0803_2009_infiniti_fx50_first_look/photo_04.html

Now u look at the Maxima's. Only thing thats different is the symbols!!!!!
same buttons same design, excalty 100% the same except the symbols!

2009 Infiniti FX50:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/
suvs/112_0803_2009_infiniti_fx50_first_
look/photo_04.html

I hope it has a conventional automatic instead of the dreaded CVT. Also, where is the protective side molding to prevent door dings.

silver1 - I don`t see this same steering wheel , yes it`s similar .

"abcd"

Since you don't see it, then tell me whats the difference on it except one says infiniti and the other says nissan?

Stud ,Stud ,Stud , I am definately going to buy the diesel one to replace my 2000 maxima can't wait

silver1 - maxima has concavity where is symbol .

The new Maxima has a very classy and sporty appearance, I like it!

Any infos on the specifications?

Not yet, probably will release in the next 24 hours

I agree. Dud.

Agree somewhat.

Front End looks odd and high around the wheels.

Side profile looks good, rear looks good.

Interior...oh boy
First, in the 90's, Infinitis had mostly Nissan parts-bin interiors. Now, in this decade, the Nissans seem to get the new Interior designs in the Infinitis. This is watering down the Infiniti label.

Let's hope its not massively oversized and that there's an AWD option, or AWD standard for that matter.

i dont care for it either. I think They confused when designing the car. it is curvy and yet robotic looking ... I think the interior is very sharp, although looks almost a twin to the Infiniti M35. Nissan and Infiniti have to distinguish their cars more differently. Why buy a G35 vs the new Maxima? Especially since the interior of the New Maxima from pictures at least looks more luxurious. I just dont get it.

Now I'm seeing the Q45 in the front...

BMW4U: Instead of asking: "Why buy a G35 vs the new Maxima?" (The performance of a RWD cannot be compared to that of a Fwd), but ask: Why buy a Lexus ES330 when you can have the new Maxima.

This is what I have to say about the new Maxima...

How is the Maxima a design we have never seen before? The hood is the G37, the headlights are uglified Q45 headlights, the grilled is from a Skyline GT-R, and the rear tailights are uglified versions of the new Toyota Venza.

Barf.

The interior is pretty nice, but its cues are DIRECTLY from the new G37. Look at the audio control knobs, etc on the centre stack. Wtf???

I agree with you M35MT, the headlights remind me of the Q, even the grille a little bit.

Well, the ES330 isn't being sold anymore unless you are shopping in used car lots. You are really talking about the ES 350. So in answer to that, the ES350 has MUCH more luxury than the Maxima and is not as damned ugly!!!!!! The quality of the ES 350 cannot be compared to a Nissan. C'mon! What planet do you live on!?

Looks like a mish-mash of other cars put together, with an Infiniti interior.

Right on!

STUD!!!!
Now, I'm having mixed thoughts about the headlights. I guess I'll grow into them because I do like the rest!

JUST A THOUGHT:...FOR EVERYONE WHO DISLIKES OR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT DESIGN...MAYBE THE BOTTOM PART THAT ACTUALLY SHOWS ON THE SIDE FINDER OF THE CAR COULD BE THE FRONT TURNSIGNAL OR EVEN A CORNERING LIGHT (I30 &I35's USED TO HAVE THEM)I THINK IT HAS A REASON THAT THAT ONE PART WRAPS AROUND TO THE SIDE FENDER......I PERSONALLY DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT THOUGH.....

It is a mishmash but a successful one. The design of the car works in my opinion.And whats wrong emulating a bit of Infiniti style. The Maxima is supposed to the flaggship sedan of Nissan's car division. It needed to be more upscale and separate itself from the Altima. I hope they reduce the torquesteer issues of it's predessesor.

What the heck does nissan want this to be? a truck? The height needs to be lowered and i always hate how nissan flattens our their fenders at the edge way too thick.

Anyhow, overall it looks like a cheap design and has nothing over the less expensive camry or accord IMO.

Because they have the need to push the sheet metal out as far as possible to look like the biggest car on the road :-)

"nyhow, overall it looks like a cheap design and has nothing over the less expensive camry or accord IMO"

Do you even know what you're talking about? The MAxima does not compete with the Accord nor the Camry. The Altima does that.

"A competent vehicle by all means however no longer leading the pack when it came to agility or gas mileage."

Seriously agent009, what are you talking about? What car in this category has better handling than the Maxima?

This is a very well thought out design. Props to Nissan for a job well done.

zorbeeze, save the basic info on cars for someone else...besides, i already stated that it looks cheaper than the less expensive (meaning lower class) camry and accord. so yea, they're not in the same class but they still look better. get my point now??

For the record, this car was never known to have great handling. In fact, there are many reviews that state the car has way more torque than the FWD chasis can handle, aspecially on turns. The Acura TL is the leader in it's class for that.

"The Acura TL is the leader in it's class for that"

Now you'll get all the Acura fans angry for putting the TL, a supposedly Luxury car, in the same category as the Maxima.
Although, i do agree that they belong in the class.
Though, the TLs handling is similar to the Maximas not better not worse. If you think the TL is a good handling car than i'm afraid to inform you that you have no clue as to what a good handling car is.

For a FWD 4 door family sadan, yes the TL has great handling. It also has better handling than the Maxima but I don't care for either car. I'm just making a point here since you tried to defend the wack maxima so much. Do some research and you'll find out for yourself wise guy.

As far as knowing how cars should handle, hmmmm lets see here...I've only owned cars that CAN handle, such as 325Ci with coilover suspenssion and G37S 6-spd.

Now don't waste my time anymore trying to prove an uninteresting subject.

"As far as knowing how cars should handle, hmmmm lets see here...I've only owned cars that CAN handle, such as 325Ci with coilover suspenssion and G37S 6-spd."

So you're one of those dump punks who come to my shop to modify their cars and then crash because they think they can drive. Cool.

I also like the hood's wave-like form as on Infiniti's G35. It's a great transition from Nissan's flagship to Infiniti's entry-level model.

I AGREE 10000% WITH THAT ....THE MAXIMA (NISSANS FLAGSHIP) IS SUPPOSED TO BRIDGE THE GAP FROM NISSAN OVER INTO INFINITI, BUT KEEP ITS DISTANCE AT THE SAME TIME (FWD)WHICH IS WHY THEY DISCONTINUED THE I35(WHICH I OWN AND LOVE) IT WAS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME CAR AS THE MAX. SO THE TOP OF THE LINE NISSAN (MAX) PICS UP WHERE THE ENTRY LEVEL INFINITI (I35/37) PICKS UP (WHICH IN THIS CASE MORE THAN LIKELY MEANS SHARING THE INTERIOR) REMEMBER THE I USED TO BE A FOUR CYLNDER BUT THEY HAVE IT CORRECT NOW......

LOL

Love the rear.

But I am not digging the headlights. They just don't flow w/ the rest of the design.

Overall I would choose both the Accord and the Malibu over this.

Obviously you haven't seen the new Malibu. Also the Malibu since it re-introduction in 1998 has been a pretty dead nuts reliable car. Might want to do some research on that.

This doesn't compete with the Accord, nor the Malibu... the Altima does, and handily beats both.

says you (s4 re: altima vs. malibu) Motor Trend said the Malibu was more refined and ulitmately the better car than Altima. I don't particularly care for the Malibu (it's just a bit too small for me) but i think it looks better than this.

I'll have to see it in person and get used to it. Maximas are like that, they always look weird at first. i remember when the '95 version came out. the rear end was really weird at first, but people got used to it.

Stud, I like the muscular appearance of the car. I wasn't very fond of the last generation's design, so I'm glad to see this one looks so good.

That car looks like a freakazoid!

HAHAHA ROTFLMAO!!!...what's going on here? :-D

I knew one of these days you would agree with me.

Welcome to the real world ;-)

That car doesn't compete with the Camary.

"better designs if they want to compete with the Camry."

LOL

"Nissan needs better designs if they want to compete with the Camry"

To compete with the Camry in design?????
ahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

That was funny. Seriously have you thought of a career in comedy?
The Camry a leader in design. ahahahahaaaaaaa

First off, the MAxima DOES NOT compete with the Camry. The Altima competes with the Camry and the Altima is ten times the car the Camry will ever be.
Second, the MAxima competes with the Avalon, it's just that Toyoto built the Avalon for old boring american man, whereas Nissan built the Maxima as a sedan with good performance that can rival cars with a higher price tag.

it competes wit the Avalon

Yeah I keep forgetting that the Camry is world class..boring POS

Watch out, don't poke your eye out with one of those tail lights ;-(

Maxima is looking good again!

And you know if EL34 doesn't like, it is definately a stud.

Why must you be Spies drama queen?

lol

Drama queen?

I just enjoy making fun of autospies' village idiot.

not that great.. sorry..

nice improvement over the old one. The interior actually looks really good!

It is an improvement over the current design. As prices continue to rise this is a nice alternative to a G35 since it is bigger and had a very nice lookig interior. Lets hope that they woke up and put an engine with more power than the Altima!!! I don't know if I would call it a stud but it is far from a Dud. The Lines Flow nicely and the headlights are cool. It is nice to see a company try some new style instead of the same old BS.

Folks, Nissan needs to go back to copying Mercedes-Benz.

lol!!!

You have more posts here than anyone else. And lately you've been bashing Nissan constantly. I sense fear. Be cool dude, stop crying.

you know, I don't know what BMW or VW was thinking when they were going to look more asian. especially the toyota jetta.

I had to see it many times before responding but I'm gonna go with Stud. The more I looked at it the more I realized the extra lines in the hood and in the rear, whcih looks a little busy but it makes sense and I think nissan finally has it right. What about that interior? Maybe straight out from an Infiniti but who's complaining? It's gorgeous.

WOW THIS CAR IS A DEFINITE STUD. Nissan has done a good job. I would go out and buy one today if I could. Looks great!

DUD!!!!

This thing looks more confused than Ryan Secrest.

Dud - rear end looks better than the front - like the interior though.

Nissan design-wise have been risk takers lately IMO, separating themselves from the rest of the japanese pack, but it looks really good to me. I just love that little kink in the headlights, which I also believe will be a design trait on the 370Z. Much better interior also. I think its pretty much a given that it'll have the 3.7 liter engine also, so I'll go ahead and say its a STUD.

UGLY - Look at the rear end. Does anyone see an older Pontiac Grand AM that had the spoiler looking like a tongue sticking out. I've owned an '88, '95, '98 and 2004 Maxima. This by far is the worse looking rear end. When they increased the size back in 2005 model, it looked like another fat "American" car. I now own a 2008 Infiniti G35. I was hoping they would have taken a knife to that fat-a#% but I guess not.

Best looking Maxima since the 4DSC of '89. (Am I wrong in thinking that that moniker was first usd in '89, not in the '70s as the article states?)

1970toyotamarc,
You are NOT wrong. I was wondering where they came up with that as well, since the Maxima debuted in what? 1982 or something?
This car is hard to call. It may look better in person and in a different color. The reason Nissan is using the same freaking interior with every car is economies of scale. I liked the second and third generation designs and bought a fourth generation Max with my ex-wife. We regarded them as a step above Accord and Camry, but not quite Audi or BMW. Maximas were their own niche, really. Not so much anymore, but in the 80s and 90s.

It looks like a peanut.

So looking at these pictures is like looking at yourself in the mirror, isn't it?

but where is poll for stud or dud?

Stud. Looks pretty good, much better than the current generation. Good job Nissan! Just make sure the performance is there.

This car is no better looking than the RL or the Genesis, but I dont see all the hate that those two got.

Major DUD. Headlights are a mess and they tried way too hard with the design details. The fender sculpting reminds me of a last generation Tiburon... wasn't a good look there, nor is it a good look here.

As Nissan continues to refine the Altima, it's hard to fathom why they continue to bother with the Maxima.

Looks nice! I say stud! But I hate the Toyota Yaris inspired rear lights...

Agree.

STUD STUD STUD!

It's not for me, but it's a class-leading STUD, looks-wise, especially the interior. Nissan/Infiniti is turning into the benchmark company for interiors.

There is something else like it, in fact according to most reviews it's way better than the 5er- it's called the Infiniti M.

GTR - I have a 535i and it is the best sedan on the market for performance balance and feel. I have driven the M35 and M45 on an actual track at a driving event for BMW, but there is no comparison.

I dont like this New Maxima at all. It doesnt work for me, but that is my opinion. Interior is very nice, but it is so much like the M35 & M45 that I just dont get it. The Maxima should be a step below the Infiniti equivalent in regards to interior and exterior fit and finish. It looks like Nissan has put in on par with the Infiniti M.

Definitly a stud, but with small corrections. Smooth the front gril and lights, for God's sake change the cheezy wood trim that's all over Nissan/Infinito line up.

But doesn't it look shorter than the current model?

STUD!!!...i wonder if that Nissan Intima might be the new Q???

Its studish. I like the interior but I think they should have gone rear drive on this bad boy. Maybe water down the G35 chassis a little and tune the engine in the 280 range. I think that could have been a winner.
But overall I like the look of it. I don't think I'd spend 40 grand on one but its pretty okay.
T

Well, then it would cannibalize G35 sales. There would be no point.

Its studish. I like the interior but I think they should have gone rear drive on this bad boy. Maybe water down the G35 chassis a little and tune the engine in the 280 range. I think that could have been a winner.
But overall I like the look of it. I don't think I'd spend 40 grand on one but its pretty okay.
T

I guess I will like it eventually, I'll hopefully see it in NY this coming weekend.

From the front directly head on it appears to have almost a new Accord shape with the bog squared off grille shape. And from the side view, BLECH!!! What's with all that wheel gap!!! The current Maxima has nice sleek fender rails and the wheels are tucked neatly into the wells. That seriously needs some cleanup.

I also want to see the 300hp RWD from the G, and a performance oriented SE version with optional 330hp turbo V6 and the M's AWD.

Dud. But I do like the interior.

The Maxima used to compete with the Camry and Accord, but Nissan decided to make it a little bigger.

The Altima used to compete with the Civic and Corolla, but now it's a little smaller than the Camry and Accord.

In the end, who gives a crap because this new Maxima stinks!

EL34: "The Altima used to compete with the Civic and Corolla, but now it's a little smaller than the Camry and Accord."

What are you on, EL34? The Altima never competed with the Civic and Corolla. It's always competed with the Accord and Camry. And the current Altima has a BIGGER interior and trunk than Accord and Camry:

Altima:
Front Headroom: 40.6 in.
Front Hip Room: 56.8 in.
Cargo Volume/Luggage Cap: 15.3 cu.ft.

Camry:
Front Headroom: 37.9 in.
Front Hip Room: 54.6 in.
Cargo Volume/Luggage Cap: 14.5 cu.fy.

Accord:
Front Headroom: 39 in.
Front Hip Room: 56.6 in.
Cargo Volume/Luggage Cap: 14 cu.ft.

Get informed before you start typing all that non-sense you get from the voices in your head.

The car looks odd. I think i agree it's a DUD in design. But the Infiniti like interior is very good.
Hope it drives great. BTW Maxima is very popular here in Middle East. The current car is nearly 8 to 9 year old and it's still selling ok (we didn't get the current American Maxima)

JUGNU

STUD. Clean design, Muscular looks, Awesome interior, Modern gadgets, Great reliability, Good value and performance...Nissan done a homework.

A+

Is there a purpose for this car in the Nissan line up? Don't get me wrong I like the car,its good looking not the train wreck the current model is. With the Altima and the G35, doesn't it over lap in to both cars territory?

STUD!!!!!!

Those headlights need to be put out of their misery, but other than that, this is a stud, hands down. Very Infiniti-like.

to be honest i like the way the car looks its something different but not bad, and it seems to be the only car in the nissan stable that got a redesighn that doesnt look like the old car with a refresh, still confused about that, why so daring with the maxima and not the infiniti cars, or altima. i also dont get why that dash is straight out of a g35 it seems that they want to move nissan and infiniti further apart not closer

I want to like this car... but I dont know. The side view looks hideous, the front is ok, the lights are way to awkward and I hate the tail lights with the spoiler. Interior is an infiniti replica. I agree that they seriously should destinguish the brands.

STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD STUD!!

DUD! Looks like a hippo...

Front end looks like a Scion

Obvious troll is obvious.

Can anyone please explain the headlights to me?

What shape is that suppose to be?

o_O

I wouldn't call it a stud, but it's WAY better than the current Maxima (and the one before it). Doesn't anyone see the similarity with the new Lincoln MKS in the side profile?

I will call it a stud but dude you are right about the profile. Maybe Ford and Nissan worked something out when Nissan wanted a partner.

http://online.wsj.com/media/info-autos0601-linMKS1.jpg

STUD.

I think this is the Maxima we've all been waiting for. It deserves a "4DSC" sticker on the rear window, if my predictions are correct.

It looks very much like an Infiniti (Q45 front, G35 side profile), but at the same time that doesn't matter, because Nissan/Infiniti share a common, very cool design language that works on anything but the Sentra.

Nice interior, probably nice specs, nice looks, what's not to like?

S4, you might like the engine, transmission or the breaks, but can you honestly say you would drive a car that looks like this new Maxima???

Be honest?

If I was shopping for a car in this price range, YES.

The rear is excellent: Coppied from the Toyota Mark-X, The fronts a nightmare - r they blind?

So, according to the one and only huu76, this car looks like a Toylex ALL OVER. Not a trace of Nissan DNA in sight--only Toyota, Lexus and Scion, of course, because everybody copies their designs and ONLY theirs! Right!

Glory to God in the highest! Nissan has finally designed a decent tail for the Maxima since 1994

What's up with those headlights? They look like an afterthought in design. The whole car just looks like a design "by committee". Nothing flows together.

U-G-L-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once again S4, you confirm your unofficial status as Autospies, most balanced, objective poster. EL34- you're a bit of an idiot, but I think you do it only to rile everybody.
Anyhow- the new Maxima: Semi stud.
6-speed maunal=STUD.
Auto/CVT only= semi STUD.

I want to like it but a few things keep me from doing so...First of all the headlights are a little crazy & over-the-top, the fenders could be a little less flared, & you can only hope that rear spoiler is an option!

The interior is spot-on & best in class IMO, topping the Accord & Malibu; but how could it not be when it's obviously ripped straight from a modern day Infiniti.

Wow, What a DUD. What the f**k is nissan thinking, they have successfull models such as the maxima and to prove that the look works, they have styled it after the 350z and then styled the altima after the maxima. Now they are redoing the whole look which will KILL nissan, not to mention infiniti. Anyone know who designed this car (person wise) maybe the whole designer crew got replaced with 10 year old kids that watch pokemon and design their cars based on the show. Anywho, a tottal dud, i really love the current style of the maxima and i think they should go by the following statement:

If its not broken, DONT FIX IT.

This car looks way more premium that the outgoing Maxima. The body is sculpted with beautiful curved and circularly raised and creased body surfaces. The shape looks very organic, and the whole body looks as if like it is one single body, as if like this shape was curved out of one single piece of solid metal. The body panels now look to be made from metal, instead of the previous maxima's plastic ones in some parts of the body. And the overall shape is very much like that of an Infiniti G rather than the Altimalike, that the outgoing maxima used to look like. And the grill is much lower, and i just love the old school classic nissan shape of the grill, really very different from outgoing maxima. I will not call it gorgeous at first sight, but the design is very very unique, and different from all the cars in the segment (avalon, Azera, Impala) and it looks more like a piece of art than a car, really, i know such terms are used only for italian marques, but nissan seems to have transformed their car from a mundane transporter, to something resembling a moving sculpture. I don't know about you guys, but the design really excites my senses and my imagination, it really conjures up the sense of art in me, and the design has grown on me a great deal. At first sight, the design may look awkward, but the more you look the more you understand it. Super........ It's a definite STUD.

man that car is uuuuuuggllllleeeeeee.

move over toyota solara, and meet the new 'ugkiest car in the world'

hey nissan! call pininfarina.

Looks good.Styling has always been on of nissan's strong points.

seems like opinions are very polarized. Some love it, others hate it. But i'll stick to my words, the car is a STUD.

eeeeeeeeeeewe nasty head lights nissan needs to design their vehicles different from infinity ones cause its muscular looks is very close to the m45 where is the car i cant see its its a stud without those head lights great interior though

At first glance I thought...DUD...then after looking all the pics I would say....STUD!!!

Interior is nice and it def looks more refined and luxurious. Its no MB but it def is going in the right direction. Ghosn must be proud...

Dud. The front grill looks taken from a Scion Tc and what's going on with the front headlights defect? Looks like another "design by committee". Each feature by itself is not bad, but when thrown together nothing matches.

I like it.My only concern is 290HP through the front wheels.Every car maker claims they have solved the torque steer issue.

STUD!!!!!
I LOVE IT...BUT IN TRUE NISSAN STYLE IT WILL ONLY LOOK BETTER IN LIKE 2 OR 3 YEARS WHEN THEY DO THE "FACELIFT" ON IT....ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN THAT AWEFUL JOB THEY DID TO THE MAXIMA ESPECIALLY 04-06 WITH THE BIG PLASTIC BADGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GRILL...IT GOT A LIL BETTER WHEN THEY DID THE FACELIFT IN 07-08 BUT THE INTERIOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN CHEAP SINCE 04-08....SO THIS IS LEAPS AND BOUNDS BETTER AND I AM A MAXIMA FANATIC....I WAS REALLY LET DOWN WITH THE 04-08 MAX...I STILL TO THIS DAY DONT UNDERSTAND THAT DESIGN AT ALL....I AGREE WITH MOST OF YOU THOUGHT THEY NEED TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE ENGINE THOUGH (FROM THE ALTIMA)A 3.7 WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT...BUT I AM DEFINATEY PLEASED

A STUD!!!!!!!

IN RESPONSE TO: "I hope it has a conventional automatic instead of the dreaded CVT. Also, where is the protective side molding to prevent door dings."
THE LEXUS'DOESNT HAVE THE BODY MOLDING ANYMORE EITH....MOST HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THAT IVE NOTICED

NISSANINFINITY, only stupid manufacturers have done away with the side molding. People who buy their cars end up with door dings from lo-lifes who park to close to other cars and can't open their door properly. These lo-lifes usually drive beaters so they don't care. Greedy shopping mall owners are also to blame as they try to keep parking space width to a minimum so that they can pack more cars into the parking lot. It looks to me like the people who design some of these cars have company cars and don't care about door dings.

The questions I have are... is it smaller than the current Maxima (and more like the 4th and 5th gen), is it available in stick? I would have a 3rd question and that is if they were being offered in AWD, but I think that's pretty much a no - an awd maxima would really eat into G35x sales.

I used to have a 4th gen Maxima and really loved it. To me, at that price point, it was an excellent combo of luxury, sportiness, styling, and refinement. The ads seem to emphasize "4DSC" for this new one, but I find it hard to do that if it's still the same Avalon sized car with front wheel drive spinning 290 hp on an automatic transmission. I could be wrong, but I believe lately Nissan hasn't been offering their more fully equipped sedans with manuals (i.e. can only get Altima in base trim with manual, and not with the leather and premium packages). the current gen Max doesnt' come in manual anymore as well.

I guess stick shift is probably a smaller market for them, but i think FWD with 290 hp and only an automatic transmission alone will probably drive certain enthusiasts away on that alone.

I owned a 1990 Maxima SE and to this day it is one of my favorite cars. As soon as I saw it on the lot "I had to have it". This car does not do that for me.
The '90 was a 4 Door Sports Car (a little sticker on the rear door window told me that). This car isn't (and truthfully neither was the '90).
Seriously, it was a beautiful car that aged well. I never had a minutes trouble with it after 7 years of ownership. Nissan has lost their way with the Maxima since then. Maybe this car will look better in person but I agree, it's kind of a mish-mash of several cars.
Another car that when I saw it I had to have it was the first Audi TT. Never bought one though.
Another was the Nissan 300ZX. Had one of those. The latest "had to have car" for me was the Honda S2000. I am on my 3rd (had an '03,04 and now an '06).

I had a 99 GLE. Easily the best car I have ever owned. Im going to the show this week, so ill look at in person and make final judgement.

I like it, not generic. It should be a home run for Nissan

I can't believe the front end is so ugly. Uglier than an Accord, in fact, which is hard to do. Also, those wrap-around headlights look like a kid who was playing with a model and glued a piece on the wrong way. It just isn't cohesive.

I can't believe the front end is so ugly. Uglier than an Accord, in fact, which is hard to do. Also, those wrap-around headlights look like a kid who was playing with a model and glued a piece on the wrong way. It just isn't cohesive.