NJ Vike wrote:
through the years. For 2006, they finally got the grille rightYou'll
always experience torque steer only when you floor it. Since the
drivetrain hasn't changed in these years, the torque steer issue will be
the same for all of them.

You will find that any car that is pushing 250+ hp through the front
wheels only is bound to experience torque steer. Look at the Acura TL,
the Altima 3.5 and of course, the Maxima. They have all pretty much
reached the limit of how much power you can push thorugh the front wheels.

I'm almost willing to bet that if the next generation Maxima has upped
the ante to 300+ hp, as is usually the case, you will see a 4wd system
on it. 300 hp through the front wheels would be downright dangerous.

CD

Dell wrote:
....

The large turning radius is also due to limiting the turning angle in
the CV joints. Because you own such a powerfull FWD car, those beefed up
CV joints sacrifice turning angle in order to handle all that power. Oh,
and if you could turn the wheel any more, the torque steer would even be
worse.

CD

"Codifus" <codifus (AT) optonline (DOT) net> wrote

Just like the Acura RL.

I'm willing to wager that Nissan will do this right after I purchase one :-(

Thanks. I think I'm sold on the Maxima :-)


Ken

"Dell" <wry26 (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

One more question. Does the Maxima require premium fuel?

Thanks


"NJ Vike" <ErieLackawanna (AT) Scranton (DOT) com> wrote

Premium fuel is recommend for optimum performance (i.e. best power,
mpg). The car will operate fine on 87 octane, but with retarded
timing.

Here is my take on the matter: If you can afford a new Maxima, you can
surely afford the extra $2 per tank to use premium fuel.

Cheers,
Nirav
96 Max GLE, 128k

I have found I get better milage using 91 octane gas. Enough to make up the
difference in cost.

"njmodi" <njmodi2 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

I guess I have options then. Great.

Is this new Altima with the 3.5 going to outrun the Maxima? I'm referring to
this new one that has come out.

Ken




"You_Know_Who~" <you.know.who (AT) att (DOT) net> wrote

That's a good question. I assume you're talking about the Altima SER.
The Altima and Maxima are the same platform. With more creature comforts
like NAV etc, the maxima will be heavier but both the Maxima and Alt SER
have 18" rims, the Alt SER's rims are forged, therefore a wee bit
lighter, so the SER should be faster, but only a little.


I would think that the Altima SE 3.5 would be fast, if not the fastest.
Yes, it's 10 hp down from the 2 cars mentioned above, but it has 17"
rims, less rotational mass to deal with, and nearly the same hp. The SE
3.5 comes with a 5 speed stick as opposed to a 6 speed stick that the
others come with. The biggest advantage to the 6 speed is good mpg at
highway cruising and better mid-throttle acceleration in city driving.
In full out mode, though, the difference between the 6 speed manual and
5 speed shouldn't be so great, thanks to the beefy torque curve of the
VQ35. Sweetest V6 on the planet.

It's a sleeper

CD




NJ Vike wrote:

Yes, that's the one. I think the SER might out run the Maxima but as you
say, not by much. I still like the room and styling of the Maxima. I'm
looking forward to getting one very soon.

Ken



"Codifus" <codifus (AT) optonline (DOT) net> wrote