Why isn't there more love for the '17 Maxima

"RacinBob" (racinbob)
04/07/2018 at 10:02 • Filed to: None

I was randomly thinking about a new Accord sport and I saw a new Maxima at work and thought it was a nice looking car. Then the more I thought, I realized I could get a year old certified Maxima for the low 20's that is the same size and is really quick. V6, 300 hp, Hmmm.

DISCUSSION (18)

Under_Score > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 10:16

Most of Nissan’s lineup*. The Maxima doesn’t have much headroom with a sunroof for tall people, but otherwise, very nice car.

Edit: These use Premium gas, so if you’re up there, maybe an Infiniti or something would be better. Despite the stereotypes, an Altima V6 would be a good option, too. My sister’s Rogue has a Nissan CVT; it needed a TCM a few years ago, but otherwise it’s been super reliable.

interstate366, now In The Industry > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 10:17

I’ve read lots of complaints about the CVTs in Nissans in general.

WilliamsSW > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 10:19

It’s a good concept but with the CVT it’s a hard pass.

WilliamsSW > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 10:19

It’s a good concept but with the CVT it’s a hard pass.

Textured Soy Protein > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 10:25

It’s not different enough from the Altima to get much attention from regular car shoppers, and the fwd/cvt combo turns off people who get a Q50 instead.

ToyotaFamily > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 10:31

My personal opinion? The Accord is much better. It might not have some of the fancier options the Maxima has (panoramic roof, AC seats, heated steering wheel), but I think the Accord drives a lot better. The CVT + 3.5 doesn’t seem to be a good combination.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 10:33

Accord or GTFO!

Monkey B > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 11:28

because look at it...

fintail > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 11:29

Weird styling, rental car image, douchey aggressive driver image, CVT, thirsty for expensive fuel while not a premium brand, etc.

Maxima Speed > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 11:38

Heres the thing with the Maxima now. While its got a cool exterior and a well appointed interior, its got a CVT and it has less power than a Camry V6. It has been outplayed in its own game by the Camry, which is now sportier, arguably better looking (more luxurious), more powerful, and more fuel efficient. The 4th gen that I used to have was a significant upgrade compared to the Camry V6. To be fair even until this model year the Maxima was a more powerful competitor than the Camry. My opinion is get the Accord (because manual trumps all) or wait a year and get a certified preowned Camry.

Edit: I thought the Camry had more power that it has. Apparently it only has 301HP, why did I think it had 330HP?

wafflesnfalafel > ToyotaFamily
04/07/2018 at 11:43

agree - 3.5/CVT just doesn’t feel very good, (that combo in the Murano is the worst CVT i’ve driven.) And the “flying roof” styling in the back is still weird. But I do like the new nose, and the interior is nice. I do like the new Honda styling - though I was looking at one the other day and they are really big.. I’m not sure if I need something that big.

Discerning > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 12:07

The 2017 Maxima actually sold well in its segment. It sold 67k copies, which is a respectable number in the large entry car segment.

Only the Impala and the Charger beat it in 2017. But Nissan managed to sell twice as many maximas as the Avalon (32k) and 50% more than the Taurus (40k).

That’s not too shabby, if you ask me.

Tapas > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 12:11

I don’t know how it drives, but I think it is overstyled.

I have the same complain with some Hondas. After a redesign, they love sculpting each year model refresh unecessary by adding a bunch of lines and features. That just ruins the whole design for me.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 12:15

My parents had one as a rental and fell in love with it, but fwiw, they got an Azera Limited instead when it came time to buy. And I have very few kind things to say about that car, but to sum it up, it serves no purpose, as it isn’t comfy or sporty or effecient. Our Suburban is more fun to drive, and worth the 11mpg gas mileage to take it on vacation instead.

TheRealBicycleBuck > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 12:51

I had one as a rental for a week. While nice, it felt like getting in and out of a sardine can. That’s why I won’t be buying one.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 13:11

all maximas in my area are driven by assholes that perpetually swerve in traffic.

RacinBob > RacinBob
04/07/2018 at 14:43

I guess my question wasn’t so much about a new one as it is about a used ‘17 (likely ex rental) Maxima S at $20k. It seems like that’s a pretty substantial 300 hp car for that year and new Civic price point. What else is there?

pip bip - choose Corrour > RacinBob
04/08/2018 at 03:26

coz it’s a Maxima is my bet.