Rep Power: 338

Both my friend and aunt own the same gen Maxima. It's the 96-ish model. My step Dad also owns the recent 2001 Sentra. I have driven both cars extensively and I have come to the conclusion that they feel super funny.

They handle terribly imo. Im no suspension junkie, so this is a limited opinion of mine. I feel like I am controling the car by a thin string at crusing speeds of maybe 55-60 mph. In addition, the Sentra's steering is so heavy. I feel like Im wrestling a racoon on the dashboard.

I thought Nissans were good cars? I mean, their current line-up doesn't intrigue me (design-wise) but they're still good cars in my book.

Has anyone else noticed this? I have not driven their SUV or sport line-up... So like I said this is just my limited opinion on the subject.


I left my flamesuit in the closet... I am not trying to flame Nissan nor am I trying to get flamed by Nissan owners. Please consider that.

 
Rep Power: 563

I personally don't have a lot of experience in the Maxima but I do know I hate the Sentra. It handles like it's trying to tip over all the time.


I also hate the antenna....ghey.

 
Rep Power: 0

I did test-drive the new sentra while looking for a car.. the steering was heavy... also, I could barely get in the freakin car and drive, being 6'2"

I generally like Nissans (esp the 350) and the Datsun's just rock.

I also am a Maxima fan, though I never owned one.

 
Rep Power: 423

In a phrase.... Torsion beam rear suspension.
Nissans are power cars, suspension isn't really their thing, especially the FWD ones. We've had 2, niether were fabulous handlers. The RWD ones, are a different story.... you know how that goes... DRRRRRIFTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 
Rep Power: 0

hehe

 
Rep Power: 0

Maybe the Maxima steering is too quick for you. And I have driven the Sentra before and the steering does feel heavy, great for high speeds but sucks when you are in town.

 
Rep Power: 563

Did you find the wheel springs back too quick? I got the same feeling in the Corolla as well.

 
Rep Power: 0

I actually like the way the Matrix, and echo drove.. (kinda like a corolla) hehe
The echo surprised me.. I wouldn't mind getting one of those, painting it Pink, and putting Yashio Factory all over it..

 
Rep Power: 338

The Sentra we have sucks on pick up aswell. But I know... it's their econo-line

 
Rep Power: 423

I was more reffering to the bulletproof nature of the engines. They're (or used to be) pretty low tech, making them pretty easy to do lots to and not worry too much about blowing them up.

 
Rep Power: 338

^^^

Good point, never knew that. I know someone who had a '92 sentra (that same aunt) that lasted through some really rough times. Got stolen eventually.

 
Rep Power: 338

the suspension on the Max has been the same since the early 90's.... dependent rear suspension in the rear. The VQ is a great engine, but the suspension could use some updating

 
Rep Power: 583

i test drove the sentra in 2001 when i ended up getting the civic. i couldnt really push it w/ the salesman in the car, but i was not impressed. it was better than the corolla, but it was still very sluggish and felt plastic and cheap. im not surprized that the handling is crappy.

im surprized that the maxima is bad tho. i had 3 friends with maximas and they seemed like they were really good cars...at least the power aspect. one of my friends did auto-x in his maxima so i didnt think it handled poorly. maybe he had an older version than what you drove. he had the 95-98 generation.

 
Rep Power: 0

I dont know cuz the sentra was my sister's rental and i just took it out for a spin for like 3 minutes cuz my sister was bitching that i am gonna crash the rental.