Buy the Nissan Maxima or NIssan Altima?

Question

Looking for the year 2002 models especially. Should I go with the Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE or the Nissan Altima 3.5 SE?

Same engine but I still want to know

Answer 1

you are talking about 2002 model. in that year the nissan release the current altima model but the maxima was the same as the previous model not the new ones I think a lot of the answers talking about the new maxima the big one. any way i like the altima more its a nice car and boes not look like any other car I have the 2.5s cause i like 4 cylinder. but if you like 6 cylinder and good performance car go for the altima SER it is the best

Answer 2

i would definitely have to recommend the maxima. as far as year goes, the 95-99 generation was great and ahead of its time. It comes with a extremely reliable 3.0 engine and does 0-60 in 7.5 seconds which is a good enough boost for you. I would recommend to get the Maxima GLE, which comes leather, sun roof, cd player, casette player, cruise control, dual power seats, and also a programmable garage door opener. One of the main reasons why i did not purchase the nissan altima is because in this generation the altima was a much smaller car. Test drive the maxima and trust me you will love it. Had a maxima for 11 months and did not have a single problem with the car that was not my fault, (had a few accidents, not gonna lie). The only negative thing that i can say about the maxima and the altima might have the same problem, is that you might have a check engine light come on when it hits this age. Obviously have it checked out and scanned by a mechanic, but mine came on for a knock sensor which i never replaced but did not do any harm to the engine, just soemthing stupid that you need to pass inspection. But the truth is that if you are getting it inspected you can have the computer cleared and the inspection place won't know anything is wrong with the car.

Answer 3

Funny that people guess at these answers. My mom owns an 06 Maxima SL, and I own an 05 Altima SE-R. Yes, the same engines but tunes to the engine, intake changes, and the sort give the maxima a horsepower and torque advantage, thus faster. But if speed isnt relative, style will be. I sit in my moms car (leather) and in mine (leather) and can easily see that hers is higher quality. Maxima is Nissans top notch car thus they put the most effort into it, and this makes the Altima a few thousand cheaper, I enjoy my Altima and wouldnt trade it for the world, but it is clear to see that the Maxima is higher quality than the Altima.

Answer 4

The Altima is faster since it is lighter, but I would trade my Altima for a Maxima any day. The Maxima, I think, looks way better and is more luxurious. Plus, there are so many Altimas on the road. There is no cheap 2.5 version of the Maxima, so they are much more rare...but there's plenty of 2.5 Altimas running around making your car "common" even though the 3.5 turns it into a completely different car.

Answer 5

The Maxima. thwe Altima had many updates but pre 2001 Altimas were more reliable. The Maxima remained a solid reliable, ride until it was redesigned in 2004 based on the newer Altima. then things went sour. has been built as well ever since. Get the Maxima. Altima is newer looking but not as well made durng those years.

Answer 6

I think that the altima is a lighter car so it would be faster and it might even Handel a lot better. But if you are looking for a sporty luxury car than I think the maxima is better.
Have you looked at the new Toyota Camry is very nice and the V6 version has 268 hp.

Answer 7

the maxima is more sporty looking but the altima should be a little cheaper because the maxima will have more features on it. the altima is a four cyl. in that year.

Answer 8

I would say the Altima,
I have a 2005 and I have driven the Max, as well.

I just can't justify the higher payment when I get all the same options, and a sharp look with better gas mileage.

Answer 9

Go with the 2002 Nissan Maxima. Get it in black, tint the windows, put a catback exhaust on it, strut bar, sound system, air intake, headers, and what ever else you want. That is a very sexy car and it is fast.

Answer 10

if you want to go early IVe got the 93 altima 2.5 4cin,it a large 4 cin bit rough but,everthing else is perfect,I got it because it know as fast (two) 2.4 and2.5),yes you can get it about 2300+ everything works on the car (lots), engine and year has lot of fans,allway run like new supper engine,mine just ran over 100,000 and it so crisp and strong,its faster than the most six/8 cin. easly (tested), I had many cars this car is the most fun, my last car was a mustang 94 ho. g.t lot of goddies, my altima 4 cin beat it to 65mph 0-60 low 5 second.the autotran shifting is perfect.0-65 first red line 6,500 blast by anybody in there one two shift(come on the cam at 35mpg) 4 valve plus long runner for ,very torque for city driving if that your fun,ether way there well built car,mine was the first model to compete with the accord so it was over design(so many extra detail) in america,also I can floor it all day ,and it dont eat that much gas (first car)?