The Nissan Maxima is NOT a rival to the Camry - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ejaymclane · 08-15-2007, 08:58 AM

So yeah, after now owning both i can safely say the 3rdGen Camry is a better car than the 3rdGen Maxima.

Although the Maxima feels more responsive and is better around bends and such, i prefer the ride of the Camry, the looks of the Camry, the interior, the build quality and materials, the engine etc

bigbird · 08-15-2007, 09:11 AM

well thats good that u think it is, but as far as aftermarket parts, sport options, tranny options and power...the maxima is viewed better. but technically its also in a different class. its classed with the avalon since it is nissans full sized sedan. camry is better matched with the ultima. i personally liek the cen 3 camry better then the gen3 maxima but i wish we had the fallowing that car does.

renmike · 08-15-2007, 10:29 AM

Which year(s) Maxima are you comparing to the gen 3 Camry? According to the information on wikipedia, the gen 3 ran from 89 to 94 and the 4th gen ran from 95-99. Now, I've been in what they consider a gen 4 Maxima (95 actually) and it was nice and sporty and I think at that time was competing with the Camry because the Avalon either just came out or had only been out a year or two. I know that nowadays the Maxima competes with the Avalon so to speak, but back then with the Altima being smaller, the Maxima was fairly close in size to the Camry. Looking at the designs, it looks like the Camry and Maxima during 95 96 shared very similar design cues (more rounded, etc.) but Camry started that in 92 (90 in Japan) and have what in my opinion are better quality materials, better ride characteristics and longer-lasting engines.

bigbird · 08-15-2007, 11:27 AM

im sure theat would be the 95-99 thats the closest to the gen3 camry. i dont think theres a question whether the camry engine is better built. i dont hear of to many maximas taht have 260K on the clock

and ur right...the maxima isnt a rival since its better in different ways and worse in others.

renmike · 08-15-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbird

im sure theat would be the 95-99 thats the closest to the gen3 camry. i dont think theres a question whether the camry engine is better built. i dont hear of to many maximas taht have 260K on the clock

and ur right...the maxima isnt a rival since its better in different ways and worse in others.

Here's the biggest difference to me, regardless of performance: The Toyota engines are non-interference, while the Maxima engines (at least the v6) aren't. And while Nissan uses a timing chain instead of a belt, if it breaks like everything has a tendancy to do eventually, you're SOL.

bigbird · 08-15-2007, 11:48 AM

that really makes a BIG differance IMO. i can drive an dnot worry about it much, helps for piece of mind. oh and the reason i classed the maxima with the avalon is that both only had one engine option...V6.

213solider · 08-15-2007, 12:20 PM

talking about nissan anybody like the new nissan sentra coupe i think it look much better than any coupe outh there today.(price under 25K)

Rdizzle · 08-15-2007, 02:22 PM

i would actually prefer a new maxima to a new camry. Just cause i would want the new VQ engine and a luxury car finally

Venom_5 · 08-15-2007, 02:29 PM

i'd take a 2007 Camry SE V6 over any 2007 Nissan .... in terms of the 1995 Maxima vs 1995 Camry, although they are similar sizes they are different classes ... and IMO a Camry > Altima all day long

but like it was mentioned, camry's get shafted with a small aftermarket

mikeyq926 · 08-15-2007, 03:07 PM

i like the new transmission system in the new nissans. the cvt makes those lil sentras quick!

MIC0417 · 08-15-2007, 03:20 PM

Fuck CVT, manual all day long

***CharmCityES*** · 08-15-2007, 07:54 PM

toyota quality > nissan quality
nissan makes good cars, but id rather have any toyota over any nissan any day of the week

mandyfig · 08-15-2007, 08:06 PM

Toyota much better than Nissan. Hands down!

Rdizzle · 08-15-2007, 08:15 PM

i just like the styling of the new maximas and the ablilty to stick on a supercharger. Plus i just like the luxury and so forth. I don't know, i am a toyota guy with Nissan running a close second. What can i say.

RodMillenFan · 08-15-2007, 11:22 PM

Since this is a Gen3 & 4 discussion, I'd note that back in the day, the Camry was absolutely a Maxima rival... also the Accord, the 626, the Taurus, etc., etc. I used to be a big Maxima fan back in the day, when it was the "4DSC" (4 Door Sports Car, for those who don't remember it). When I saw the Gen3 Camry, though, it won me over. The Maxima of the day was starting to get dated in styling, and was stuck with the annoying late-80's device called passive seat belts. GOD I'm glad those days are gone. The Camry in 1992 went for airbags instead of passive belts, and the styling was much slicker. It won my vote, and I still have it today.

The repositioning of the Maxima only came along when Nissan decided to up-market the previously smaller Altima (Remember when it was the Stanza Altima, and when Nissan's ad campaign for the Altima was 'Not Another Camry'?). Suddenly the Maxima was competing with the Cressida-replacing Avalon, and we don't consider it our direct competition anymore.

To be honest, if I were in the market for a Nissan at the Maxima's price-point, I'd redirect that $30-strong toward the VQ that drives the vehicle from the rear wheels as it aughta be... The G35 is a smaller car but DANG I'd have it over a Maxima any day. And I'll hold off on the CVT... those are still meant for snowmobiles, I say.