Generation Gap: Nissan Maxima Edition [1981 - 1999]

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 08/03/2016 at 22:24 • Filed to: Generation Gap, Nissan Maxima

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Welcome to Generation Gap where we ask you about your favorite generation of a certain multi-generational car nameplate. Then, explain why your choice is right to the rest of us uneducated folks.

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Last week we had a quintessentially American family saloon featured here on Generation Gap. This week we have a very Japanese car competing in the same segment, one that has evolved to embrace the American culture increasingly over the years. The venerable Maxima has had eight generations since its conception and today we compare the first four iterations. Which original pre 2000's Maxima was best?

The options:

First Generation [1981 - 1984] G910

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Second Generation [1984 - 1988] PU11

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Third Generation [1988 - 1994] J30 and facelift

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Fourth Generation [1994 - 1999] A32 and facelift

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Die-Trying > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 22:37

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fourth....... power, “handling”......... nothing to get attached to.

dogisbadob > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 22:38

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My answer has to be the 4th gen. It looks so cool, especially the SE version. Also, I have an I30, which has all the coolness of the 4th gen but with some extra luxury and prestige.

I do like the second-gen wagon, too.

And FUCK Nissan for not selling the 4th gen wagon over here. I guess it’s too awesome for us to handle :(

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 08/03/2016 at 22:52

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Wow! I never even knew about the 4th gen wagon! That is truly certifiable awesomeness!

LongbowMkII > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 22:58

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Why stop at 99?

Amoore100 > LongbowMkII 08/03/2016 at 23:02

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Because the rest come next week! By splitting them it encourages people to consider generations that might have otherwise been overshadowed by the sheer number of cars presented.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 23:02

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A friend’s mom in high school had a second gen. The car had great turn in for a FWD car. It felt light and nimble compared to an Accord of similar vintage. I had an aunt that had a triple black third gen, with a manual. That was also a fun car to drive, but felt a little mushy compared to the second gen. I had a friend with a fourth gen, it seems to fill the family car role the best of all three.

Second gen is the best.

RT > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 23:04

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That A32 Maxima wagon/estate was sold as the Nissan Celfiro in Japan.

Arguably the previous generation of the Celfiro was even cooler, since it could be had with an RB engine, making it like a 4-Door RWD GT-R.

RT > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 23:13

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I say J30, it was the peak as far as quality goes and was made in-between my two favourite automotive eras.

As far as know there was no direct relative to the J30 though, not even an Infiniti version. That might be a good thing though, as it shows Nissan were really trying when they made it.

The yellow foglamps are a nice touch too.

Amoore100 > RT 08/03/2016 at 23:19

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Agreed. That was ‘80s Nissan at its best.

Amoore100 > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition 08/03/2016 at 23:19

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Plus wagon!

Invinciblejets > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 23:36

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1st gen.

Because rwd driftlyfehellajdmflushbro

RT > Amoore100 08/03/2016 at 23:48

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80s Nissan were genius, especially in 1989.

I mean look what they came up with in one year:

First, a twincharged Micra - this is Group B Rally tech here.

Then, the definitive drift car - which looks super sexy in “Sileighty” form.

Next, one of the best ever Z-Cars which also looks very ahead of its time.

They even launched their luxury brand with a very ambitious vehicle.

Finally Godzilla. All in one year.

When was the last time a car manufacturer had such a good line-up within a single year?

Nissan can really create something amazing when they want to/have the means to do so.

wafflesnfalafel > RT 08/04/2016 at 00:39

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no question - 3rd gen. Nissan at the peak of their game.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 08/04/2016 at 00:43

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I still love the look of the third gen.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 08/04/2016 at 00:44

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Also, not sure when you said J30 if you meant the Infiniti J30, because that was RWD iirc.

Amoore100 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 08/04/2016 at 00:49

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I totally agree, that was back when boxes looked good and, while a lot of cars looked similar, it was the details which set them apart unlike the swoopy atrocities of today.

Amoore100 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 08/04/2016 at 00:49

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Yeah, J30 was just the internal code for that generation Maxima (i.e. E30 BMW 3 Series). It seems weird that they would use the same alphanumeric as the marketing name for a completely unrelated Infiniti...

Amoore100 > RT 08/04/2016 at 01:14

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That is simply astounding. Good lord, how can one company be that productive in a single year?! Nowadays I’d be surprised if they even refreshed one model per year, that’s about as exciting as it gets at Nissan today. A shame, really.

Also, don’t forget that two Pike Factory cars made it out in ‘89 as well, the Pao and the S-Cargo!

Amoore100 > Invinciblejets 08/04/2016 at 01:17

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I knew the RWD Maxima would have some supporters. It’s basically a bigger, more modern 510 wagon which makes it all the more awesome.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 08/04/2016 at 01:22

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My mom had a black one with peanut butter guts after she got tired of her third gen supra scraping on our hill entrance angle when she pulled in the garage. Loved that supra, even loved that funky Infiniti.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 08/04/2016 at 01:22

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Bruh do you even greenhouse?

Amoore100 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 08/04/2016 at 01:25

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Amoore100 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 08/04/2016 at 01:26

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Anyways, your mom sounds awesome! Both the Supra and the J30 were some magnificent big Japanese machines and I commend her excellent choices!

RT > Amoore100 08/04/2016 at 06:40

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Yep, it was technically also the year the Nissan Leopard was introduced into the US market among other things. They did so well there’s too much to list. xP

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 08/04/2016 at 07:28

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Sorry grew up as the only non black kid in elementary school in Memphis. And then when my dad moved us to a nicer neighborhood, was the only non white kid in middle school. I picked up and continue to use slang from my hometown.

Peanut butter guts = darker than caramel colored leather interior

Amoore100 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 08/04/2016 at 11:52

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Oh, haha, that explains the colloquialism...in the context, I thought what you were implying was that the Supra was so low that the oil pan gave out and spilled oil all over the drive, thus the whole ‘peanut butter guts’ analogy. Makes more sense now!