Maxima. Family sedan or sports sedan? you decide.

There is a big discrepancy with the maxima. Some people see it as a family sedan. Some people see it as a sport sedan. Well it's both. The reason why I like the Maxima is its overall abilities. It goes 2 ways. GUYS: you can trick your wives into buying the maxima because it can fit the whole family on a long trip in comfort, pick up the occasional co-workers to go to a formal dinner, and than be driven like the beast that is hidden underneath. Girls: you can trick your husband into buying this car because you can tell him its quick, handles great and looks good while you just want it for casual driving to pick up your girlfriends and go shopping.

Exterior: You can tell a Maxima apart from other sedans. It has that mean look to it and that wide stance. The Accord, Camry, Passat look more like friendly vehicles that don't attract much attention. I personally love the look of the rear of the car, I like the smoked taillights on my SE. The side of the car has a nice slant to it, suggesting a sporty look. The windows are large and provide great vision. The mirrors are small enough to resist wind noise, but large enough to get a good view around you. I drive highway everyday, and wind noise is minimal.

Interior: Well thought out, buttons are easy to reach and extremely easy to use. Climate control is simple, clockwise for hotter, counterclockwise for colder. Most things only require an initial setting than it does rest on it's own. Steering is engine speed sensitive, switch the headlights to auto and they go on at night off in the day, and turn off with the car. Climate maintains its own temperature and sets itself to best setting to heat or cool the quickest. Cruise control stays at your set speed. Front seats are called "Non fatigue design seats" which work well. As with most Nissan's very easy to use and everything works as advertised. Power adjustments are great on the seats including lumbar support. Lots of leg room in he front and the rear. Rear is very surprising. The rear seats fold flat allowing for large items to fit through the trunk. Total of 4 logically placed cupholders with a clever piece that removes from the front to allow 1 liter bottles. 2 power outlets 1 front and 1 in the rear allow access from any part of the car. The center console is slightly small, though well thought out. Lifts up for storage for CDS, has a compartment on top for a cell phone with clever holes in the side to allow for wires for chargers, headsets, etc. Adjustable elbow rest has 2 settings for different drivers. Adjustable head rests support your head and keep you at a good level for good visibility.

Performance: I do not have the 17" wheels package, but the car takes corners very well. You will be surprised on the grip it has, especially if you have the 17" package. The suspension in the SE is sport tuned which means a rougher ride and better handling. Surprisingly, it absorbs bumps very well and rides smooth but lets you "feel" the road. It does not really go out of balance with bumps around corners it is quite confident. The car has great acceleration with the standard 222HP 3.0 liter V6. earned 10 best engines for YEARS now and it is compared to any kind of engine, not just cars. It is difficult to earn that award, obviously Nissan has been working hard to keep this engine optimum. It is very smooth and cannot be heard at highway speeds. The exhaust note is silenced but has a little growl. Nissan has gotten it 0-60 (manual tranny) in 6.7 seconds. Average drivers will get in the low 7's. That is quick. Braking is 60-0 in 128 feet. The best cars stop in 100-110 feet. You do the math. The 4 disc brakes are large, and I tested them they resist fading for a fair amount of time. You have to be doing high speeds (70-80) and keep stomping on the brakes down to almost stopped to get them to fade.

Great overall car, My 2000 SE has 98,500 miles and still drives like new. I've seen older maximas have over 400,000 miles on them. Take care of it and it will take care of you! Give great thanks to Japan to being so dedicated in building quality cars for us. Good job, japan.