Maxima QX

[WhipLash]

I just happened to be driving behind a new model Maxima today, its the first time I've actually seen one on our roads. That quite surprising considering they're out a while now, but then again it is a Nissan. What really took my attention, however, was the similarity of the rear of the car to the now defunct Ford Scorpio. So is this Maxima yet another failed attempt to grab some of the upper V6 luxury market? Does it have what it takes to take on the likes of BMW, Mercedes, and to a lesser extent the Lexus? Somehow I get the feeling this one is more of a miss than a hit.

[Justin]

No of course it doesn't. I was out for a walk (an activity forced on me by my spouse, and totally unnecessary since the invention of the internal combustion engine) and I saw a 1996 BMW 523i and a 1996 Maxima V6 24v parked next to each other. No contest. For me, the Maxima was a large Corolla, the BMW still a very respectable driving machine. The new one looks like a large Primera. Who would pay over £20k for a Jap luxobarge which isn't a Lexus? And come to think of it, why is Lexus different?

[Tony]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I just happened to be driving behind a new model Maxima today, its the first time I've actually seen one on our roads. That quite surprising considering they're out a while now, but then again it is a Nissan<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well I think you've hit the nail on the head there Whip. It has to be one of the most anonymous luxury cars on the market today http://www.eforecourt.com/UBB/sick.gif. With very bland looks, its carries no status whatsoever with its Nissan badge, unlike a BMW or a Merc. Hell even the V6 badge doesn’t help its image. At least Toyota market the Lexus as a separate entity from their mainstream cars. I’d say the only place this will sell in significant numbers would be in the States, where big engines and Jap bland looks go down well with the Yanks.

[Ballyfermotman]

I drive an Omega (company car) and it is due for changing and I had been considering the new Maxima.
Now I'm not so sure.
I actually thought they were a nice car to look at.

[IVO']

I just cant understand why Japanese/Korean firms put so little imagination into exterior/interior design.

Its probably because the larger American market generally (with exceptions of course) judges car by size and little else.

I think I said it before but has anyone noticed how eastern designs have gone backwards instead of forwards (with the debatable exception of Toyota) in the last few years? - e.g Prelude,Accent, and long list of boxy sh*te - Atoz etc...