1990 L wagon w/255k vs. 2000 Maxima SE w/76k

[evolutionmovement]

My sister just picked up a babied 2000 Maxima from some rich guy for dealer trade in and she wanted me to drive it the 100 miles back. The car is mint except for the brakes which are junk (rear needs rotors and pads). It's a sweet gray with black trim.

Interior - decidedly better in the Maxima with more adjustable seats which are about the same comfort-wise in the cushion. Ergonomics go to the Legacy with everything being closer to reach. I'll ignore the intuitive placement aspect as I'm of course far more familiar with my Legacy, but I don't remember ever having to hunt for things even when I bought it (never did find the mirror adjustment in the Maxima). Sound system is better in the Maxima, though one speaker was buzzing to the Lost Highway soundtrack worse than my original ones do. Wind noise is still present, but quieter, with some odd sounds likely from the rear wing in the Maxima. Road and mechanical noise are much less than the old Legacy. Legacy has more utility as it's a wagon.

Suspsension: Junk in the Maxima. This is the SE and it still understeers like a pig on a greased floor. Absorbs bumps as well as my Legacy used to at 100k, but does beat Legacy's now crashy ride in their present comparable states. Car wanders worse than the Legacy which has very shot steering rack bushings (this will soon be remedied). Steering is artificially weighted with 'feel' in the Nissan, while the Legacy (with aftermarket steering wheel to be fair) has real communication. Chassis in Subaru is so much better balanced in transition, turn in, and entry even with shot suspension that it's embarrassing for Nissan (though my sister doesn't seem as red-faced as I'd be if I were the Maxima).

Engine: Smooth and powerful in the Maxima with a broad power band, but strangely appears unimpressively quick as the torque isn't killer enough to kick you off the line and is so linear that you never feel a later kick either. The Maxima gets better mileage than my Legacy in its present config (so do some SUVs, dammit). Legacy with original muffler on its way out has cooler boxer sound while Maxima V6 is so quiet it could be a Buick, but it's not. It's an SE - let's hear that thing a little!

Transmission: I'm sick of the debates, so I'll leave this out. The Maxima is auto, the Legacy is manual. I will say - Maxima takes to long to kick down.

Safety: Legacy has better avoidance skills as smaller, more nimble, and constant listening to myriad of sounds for an off-tone of impending failure keeps driver awake more. Maxima has ABS. Air bags in Maxima should save you when you wallow through an exit ramp and into a tree.

Conclusion: Maxima is not a bad car, but I'll keep my Legacy thank you and I'd just spend the purchase difference between them in restoring it. But if I had a gray Subaru I'd repaint it that dark gray metallic the Maxima has (or maybe the last BMW M5's gray).

Steve

[tris91ricer]

Okay! Well said. Quite alot said, but good review nonetheless!

[evolutionmovement]

I was bored and felt like posting it.

Oh, and the Maxima's headlights are immeasurably better.

Steve

[206er]

my friend has a pretty beat up 1991 maxima that Ive driven quite a bit. its pretty nerve racking to drive hard as the steering has some serious issues. the power steering kicks in and out during a hard corner and is way misaligned. I like the VG30 though, and the interior is really comfy. definitely not a performance car, though a maxima wagon would rule as a DD.
anyone else like the old RWD maximas? they had an L28 like a datsun 280zx, along with the R180 diff I think. there was also a diesel maxima. man, how sweet would a RWD maxima wagon with a ~300hp L28 turbo be? total sleeper.

[legacycontinues]

My mother in law has a 99 altima and it is a piece of crap. The thing can barely keep tires on it. The trunk started leaking and filled with water during and after the hurricanes. The spare tire well was full of water which ruined the jack and tire wrench. Nissan did squat.

Alt died, speakers died, CD player craps out al the time.....whats next?

[evolutionmovement]

The second generation Altimas were terrible. My mother has had two 1st gens and I'm not particularly impressed with them either, but they're not terrible, just very average about everything (including reliability).

Steve