Conclusion
$41,498 gets you in a 3.5 SL, and adding $2,950 gets you a navigation system. That amounts to $44,448. The Acura TL Navi costs $45,600, the Saab 9-5 with automatic and navigation costs $48,460, the Volkswagen Passat 3.6 with navigation costs $45,110 and the Infiniti G35 with navigation costs $47,140.

Personally, I think the Maxima would compete better with the $42,900 Lexus ES 350, although its navi is part of an $11,900 option package. The Max isn't a bad car at all, but it faces very tough competition. And there's backstabbers in the family, as both the Altima and G35 offer more power for less money; the G35 is rear-wheel drive, which manages its 306 horses better. The Maxima turned 26 this year, and I wonder if it will see its 30th birthday.

The Max is having troubles finding its place in this highly competitive segment.

Back in 1989, the Calgary Flames won the Stanley Cup over the Montreal Canadians, the Exxon Valdez barfed its liquid cargo on the Coast of Alaska, the first episode of Seinfeld aired, Zsa Zsa Gabor was arrested for slapping a cop in Beverly Hills, and the Maxima was a breakthrough. There hasn't been a poster of the Maxima on my wall for years.



Marvelous V6 engine
Quick-acting CVT
Nice cockpit


Arguable exterior styling
Low roofline for rear-seat access



Torque steer (too much power for a front-wheel drive car)


Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux