1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
...I had a new loaded 1999 Maxima SE black on black leather interior, and I will be the first to say that it in no way held up to the 9-5 SE that I own now. The problem with the Maxima was it's NVH and ride quality. The SE had a way too firm suspension, that really didn't gain it any in the handling department. Also, it was in no way as quiet as the 9-5.
Another issue is price: the sticker on my 1999 Maxima was $30,001! That is ridiculous! In fact, I don't know what I was thinking! I did get a substantial discount due to slow sales when I bought it, but still, I ended up paying $27,000 for it. At that time, that could have gotten me very close to an Audi A4 or SAAB 9-3!
My Max had several rattles. In fact, I had it back to the dealerships three times for dash rattles (mainly from the center of the dash). I have no rattles (or no major ones to speak of) on my 2000 9-5 SE. There was at least one TSB on dash rattles in the Maxima
As far as performance goes, I figure the 5 speed Max would hang with the automatic 9-5 SE, but an automatic Max (like mine) was really hampered by the tranny. Most comparisons I've seen put the auto Max in the mid to upper 16 sec 1/4 mile time, whereas the 9-5 SE V-6 with automatic is somewhere in the high 15's.
Now, I know that the newer Maximas have more horse than the '99 model (mine only had 190HP), and the latest Motor Trend puts the new '02 Infiniti I35 (with 255 HP) at a 15.3 sec 1/4 time - so that puts it only a smidge ahead of the 9-5 SE (and Motor Trend's times are always a little faster for some strange reason than Car and Driver and Road and Track's). It seems Nissan has had some "problems" with their horsepower ratings (i.e. new Q45) in comparison to the performance they generate. I thought it odd that the new Sentra SE-R has performance similar to the original SE-R of 10 years ago, but has about 35 more horsepower.
What does this matter? I think your 9-5 that you are baby sitting is definately the exception, not the norm, as the latest JD Powers reports show. All manufacturers have problems, so don't let one "questionable" 9-5 spoil your tast for Saab enough to try and P#@$ on all of our parades!
And Yes, I do like the uniqueness of my SAAB! How many other black Max's did I see on the highway after I bought mine? A lot!
Rob Catron
'00 9-5 SE
posted by 216.7....
, Wed, 17 Oct 2001 07:15:36, Wed, 17 Oct 2001 17:52:40
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
