Maxima or Grand Prix?

FivepointOH · 06-17-2001, 02:21 PM

I am looking to get a daily driver, stang is too rough... no a/c, suspension is shot etc etc... I'm going to use it for a weekend car so I can really get crazy on it... or I might sell it since I kind of want a 5spd now. Anyway I'm thinking about either a 97 or 98 maxima or a 97 or 98 pontiac grand prix gtp. I want a 4 door sedan that has a little power to it, leather, sunroof, something that has a good amount of room and is comfy to ride in. I won't be modifying it much probably just a stereo and maybe some rims. Any of you guys had experience with either of these 2 cars... opinions? Thanks.

------------------
92 AOD GT, K&N, ram air, pulleys, 2 ch. flowmasters, 4:10's, shift kit, 1 5/8 mac longtubes and offroad hpipe 14.249 @ 97.34 mph before the headers and hpipe

Unit 5302 · 06-17-2001, 02:47 PM

Why not stay in the Ford family with a Thunderbird (2dr, I know), or an SHO?

As far as the SHO goes, I don't wanna hear anything about repair bills, if you've got money to wig that Mustang out you've got money for the SHO. LOL.

FivepointOH · 06-17-2001, 02:52 PM

I had a taurus sedan before and didn't really like it too much, I want something a little more luxurious... and yeah thunderbird is 2dr.

TJR · 06-17-2001, 04:13 PM

The Pontiac is probably faster, but they feel cheap to me. I've been in a 98-99 Gran Prix GTP and 99 Grand Am GT, and am not really impressed. I've also been in a 95-96 Maxima and it feels more like a luxury car. So for performance I'd go with the GTP, for overall quality/feel I'd go with the Nissan.

------------------
1989 lx notch
89,000 miles
bolt-ons,stock heads/cam
60'- 2.07, 8.90@78, 13.93@99

joe4speed · 06-17-2001, 04:40 PM

Yup, I would say the Grand Prix might be a little faster, but the Maximas are no slouch, either! I would go for the Maxima for quality, and smoothness. My daily driver is an Olds eighty eight. Got to love a/c!

------------------
Joe! 1988 GT, 167,000 miles!!! 13.58@105mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:www.joe4speed.com
99 Ninja ZX-6R:10.32@135mph!
1993 Olds Eighty Eight LSS 16.40@88.8mph

dinomite · 06-17-2001, 11:15 PM

I would say the Maxima, cause we all know how badly gm cars are built, and how cheap they feel b/c of that.

FivepointOH · 06-17-2001, 11:19 PM

Have any of you actually owned/driven maximas and gtp's(besides tjr) or just saying that they are better because they aren't GM... personally I would kind of rather buy an american car than a foreign car even if it is a GM....

Lizard King · 06-18-2001, 12:36 AM

I know you are not looking at modifying it ... but the GTP has some really nice potential! I've heard of high 13s for under $1k.

I have a buddy here that ran last year 13.1 at the track with his GTP, and did some minor adjustment that should make him go over to the 12 second side this year!!

Maxima is a nice car as well... don't they cost an arm and a leg everytime something breaks down though?

------------------

13.66 @ 100.3MPH, Stock (except for K&N Filter)

• Quartermile run

TechnoVixen · 06-18-2001, 08:18 AM

i say go for the nissan. A lot of people i work with have them, and have put TONS of miles on them with no problems whatsoever.... on the other hand, i know a lot of people with pontiacs that are DEAD or getting there fast. Besides, pontiacs are ugly

hehe

------------------
*-Emilee-*

ronny50 · 06-18-2001, 11:42 AM

Go With the Nissan!

------------------
1990 GT 5k Original miles!!
Ripper,Pullies,73 MM C&l Mass Air,8mm Wires,Piaa Headlights,MAC Cold Air (Fender)

NoSlow5.0 · 06-18-2001, 12:14 PM

I have ridden in both. Go with the Maxima. It is posh, and pretty quick too. It just feels like a better car.

Light Em Up!

------------------
My 87 GT....Marbles

AIM: Marbles87Fox
Light Em Up!!!

Stang Runner · 06-18-2001, 12:28 PM

The Nissan has a great resale value. A feind bought 1 at an auction and put 22,000 miles on it and NO repairs and when he sold it it took about 2HR and had over 10 look at it and got $1300 More than what he paid for it. I guy saw how many were looking at it and paid $500 more than what he was asking

Why doesn't that ever happen to me

Mercury · 06-18-2001, 12:57 PM

My dad owns a 98 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, I personally like the car. Its got some decent kick to it. Before I got my New Mustang, I was always borrowing his car on real hot days, or real rainy days, when he was down here (lives in PA).

I'd say I've put about 8 thousand miles on it myself. They drive and Handle nicely, look pretty good especially in RED.

Accerlerates quick, but I dont really like the interior, to much open space for me, and the consule looks kinda funky, but hey thats just my opinion.

Oh one thing about them, MAJOR Torque steer. Can be Extreme at times. If your driving at about 20-30 MPH and FLoor it so it kicks into first, the car about turns 90 degrees and goes flying off the road. Well not quite that bad, but of all the front wheel drive cars I've driven, it has the worst Torque steer.

I personally would go with Pontiac.

------------------
64 1/2 "D" code Red Mustang Coupe. 289, C4, Mallory duel point. Ported & Polished 65 heads shaved .01 with 351 valves, 11:1 comp, 1.7:1 rockers, blue wolverine lumpy cam, modified 4100 Hipo 4 barrel. GT Apperance pkg. And to many others to list
2000 Perf Red Mustang GT. 5spd. BBK Underdrive pulleys, Flotech off-road H pipe. Hurst T-Handle, 40 series Flowmasters, Steeda Tri-Ax
64 1/2 red 6cyl coupe.

RAINSTANG · 06-18-2001, 01:13 PM

Personally I'd ditch both choices and go with an Intrepid ESI. I drove a 95 for 3 years and it was a sweet daily driver. Comfortable, great milage and plenty of power. Way better quality than the Grand Prix and not as pricey as a Maxima.

06-18-2001, 04:36 PM

If someone else works on the car i'd say the Nissan...everything is inaccessable in there and parts (of course) are more expensive than for a domestic, but if it stays reliable it wouldn't be a bad car, but i'd go with the Pontiac. Either one is a decent choice.
I myself was considering getting another vehicle for driving everyday because i'm going to go crazy on my mustang (just ordered some gauges and chassis stuff...waiting for chassis stuff, then more will follow

), but if i did get another vehicle i wouldn't have any money to mod it and i'd be driving a vehicle i don't like as much, so i said hell with it, i like driving a 5.0L mustang. Do you really want to drive something else?
Good luck on whatever you decide.

------------------
'84 Mustang 5.0 LX
My car

Fox Body · 06-18-2001, 08:01 PM

Picking out of the two, I'd personally much rather a Maxima. Good power, very comfortable, very dependable (not to say that the GP isn't).

-----------------------------------------
'79 Mustang Coup w/ 4" Cowl
Stock 5.8L, C4 w/ shift kit
Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s
14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday)

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to
Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left
thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

JM90GT · 06-19-2001, 08:42 AM

I travel a lot, and I have driven all kinds of cars over the last couple years, even though they are always rentals you get to get an idea about all of them. I like both, but my vote would be for the maxima. Plus I remember back in 96, a friends mom had a brand new fully loaded maxima and it was damn nice.

Ripper · 06-19-2001, 05:07 PM

Without a doubt the Maxima. I owned a 96 SE with leather, moonroof, CD, etc. Great car for the money. IMO you get good quality, reliability, performance, luxury, and it's not any more expensive to maintain than a Pontiac, maybe less so. The GTP may have more horses but I believe it's heavier, doesn't handle as well, only offered in auto, resale blows, and is probably much tougher on brakes.

------------------
************************
1999 GT - Laser Red
K&N, Steeda pulleys, Steeda strut tower brace & Tri-ax
(Upcoming mods: subframes (bought), Bassani X (next), & FMS 3.73s

GONZO99TA · 06-19-2001, 05:09 PM

given the 2 choices, you can't go wrong either way.
i have driven many differant versions of each (wife worked at a nissan dealer and now works at pontiac dealer) i would have to agree that the nissan would have a slighlty better resale (not too much though when compared to the gtp. the other grand prixs drop bad though)
the big question is do you want an auto or a stick. i would not buy the maxima auto (it sucks all the power out of it) the gtp only comes in auto.

------------------
99 30th annv. Trans am
79 Trans am black se

Mach 1 · 06-20-2001, 10:09 AM

Are u kidding? Nissan vs. GM.

Nissan, no brainer. There is no way a GM poroduct could even begin to come close to the quality, fit & finish, and reliability of a Nissan.

But, if poor quality american cars are your thing, go for the Pontiac.

------------------
1993 GT/AOD
'93 Mustang GT

06-17-2001, 02:21 PM	#1
FivepointOH Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Sugar Land, Tx USA Posts: 478	Maxima or Grand Prix? I am looking to get a daily driver, stang is too rough... no a/c, suspension is shot etc etc... I'm going to use it for a weekend car so I can really get crazy on it... or I might sell it since I kind of want a 5spd now. Anyway I'm thinking about either a 97 or 98 maxima or a 97 or 98 pontiac grand prix gtp. I want a 4 door sedan that has a little power to it, leather, sunroof, something that has a good amount of room and is comfy to ride in. I won't be modifying it much probably just a stereo and maybe some rims. Any of you guys had experience with either of these 2 cars... opinions? Thanks. ------------------ 92 AOD GT, K&N, ram air, pulleys, 2 ch. flowmasters, 4:10's, shift kit, 1 5/8 mac longtubes and offroad hpipe 14.249 @ 97.34 mph before the headers and hpipe

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06-17-2001, 02:47 PM	#2
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Why not stay in the Ford family with a Thunderbird (2dr, I know), or an SHO? As far as the SHO goes, I don't wanna hear anything about repair bills, if you've got money to wig that Mustang out you've got money for the SHO. LOL.

06-17-2001, 02:52 PM	#3
FivepointOH Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Sugar Land, Tx USA Posts: 478	I had a taurus sedan before and didn't really like it too much, I want something a little more luxurious... and yeah thunderbird is 2dr.

06-17-2001, 04:13 PM	#4
TJR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bowling Green, OH Posts: 270	The Pontiac is probably faster, but they feel cheap to me. I've been in a 98-99 Gran Prix GTP and 99 Grand Am GT, and am not really impressed. I've also been in a 95-96 Maxima and it feels more like a luxury car. So for performance I'd go with the GTP, for overall quality/feel I'd go with the Nissan. ------------------ 1989 lx notch 89,000 miles bolt-ons,stock heads/cam 60'- 2.07, 8.90@78, 13.93@99

06-17-2001, 04:40 PM	#5
joe4speed He said Member...heh, heh Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Jupiter, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 3,718	Yup, I would say the Grand Prix might be a little faster, but the Maximas are no slouch, either! I would go for the Maxima for quality, and smoothness. My daily driver is an Olds eighty eight. Got to love a/c! ------------------ Joe! 1988 GT, 167,000 miles!!! 13.58@105mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:www.joe4speed.com 99 Ninja ZX-6R:10.32@135mph! 1993 Olds Eighty Eight LSS 16.40@88.8mph

06-17-2001, 11:15 PM	#6
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	I would say the Maxima, cause we all know how badly gm cars are built, and how cheap they feel b/c of that.

06-17-2001, 11:19 PM	#7
FivepointOH Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Sugar Land, Tx USA Posts: 478	Have any of you actually owned/driven maximas and gtp's(besides tjr) or just saying that they are better because they aren't GM... personally I would kind of rather buy an american car than a foreign car even if it is a GM....

06-18-2001, 12:36 AM	#8
Lizard King midnightruns.com Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 584	I know you are not looking at modifying it ... but the GTP has some really nice potential! I've heard of high 13s for under $1k. I have a buddy here that ran last year 13.1 at the track with his GTP, and did some minor adjustment that should make him go over to the 12 second side this year!! Maxima is a nice car as well... don't they cost an arm and a leg everytime something breaks down though? ------------------ 13.66 @ 100.3MPH, Stock (except for K&N Filter) • Quartermile run

06-18-2001, 08:18 AM	#9
TechnoVixen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 7	i say go for the nissan. A lot of people i work with have them, and have put TONS of miles on them with no problems whatsoever.... on the other hand, i know a lot of people with pontiacs that are DEAD or getting there fast. Besides, pontiacs are ugly hehe ------------------ -Emilee-

06-18-2001, 11:42 AM	#10
ronny50 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: madison, WI Posts: 70	Go With the Nissan! ------------------ 1990 GT 5k Original miles!! Ripper,Pullies,73 MM C&l Mass Air,8mm Wires,Piaa Headlights,MAC Cold Air (Fender)

06-18-2001, 12:14 PM	#11
NoSlow5.0 YOU HAVE NO MARBLES!!!!!! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Jonesboro,Georgia,USA (Providence, Ri) Posts: 868	I have ridden in both. Go with the Maxima. It is posh, and pretty quick too. It just feels like a better car. Light Em Up! ------------------ My 87 GT....Marbles AIM: Marbles87Fox Light Em Up!!!

06-18-2001, 12:28 PM	#12
Stang Runner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Walker, MI, USA Posts: 1,202	The Nissan has a great resale value. A feind bought 1 at an auction and put 22,000 miles on it and NO repairs and when he sold it it took about 2HR and had over 10 look at it and got $1300 More than what he paid for it. I guy saw how many were looking at it and paid $500 more than what he was asking Why doesn't that ever happen to me

06-18-2001, 12:57 PM	#13
Mercury The Redneck James Bond Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 1,707	My dad owns a 98 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, I personally like the car. Its got some decent kick to it. Before I got my New Mustang, I was always borrowing his car on real hot days, or real rainy days, when he was down here (lives in PA). I'd say I've put about 8 thousand miles on it myself. They drive and Handle nicely, look pretty good especially in RED. Accerlerates quick, but I dont really like the interior, to much open space for me, and the consule looks kinda funky, but hey thats just my opinion. Oh one thing about them, MAJOR Torque steer. Can be Extreme at times. If your driving at about 20-30 MPH and FLoor it so it kicks into first, the car about turns 90 degrees and goes flying off the road. Well not quite that bad, but of all the front wheel drive cars I've driven, it has the worst Torque steer. I personally would go with Pontiac. ------------------ 64 1/2 "D" code Red Mustang Coupe. 289, C4, Mallory duel point. Ported & Polished 65 heads shaved .01 with 351 valves, 11:1 comp, 1.7:1 rockers, blue wolverine lumpy cam, modified 4100 Hipo 4 barrel. GT Apperance pkg. And to many others to list 2000 Perf Red Mustang GT. 5spd. BBK Underdrive pulleys, Flotech off-road H pipe. Hurst T-Handle, 40 series Flowmasters, Steeda Tri-Ax 64 1/2 red 6cyl coupe.

06-18-2001, 01:13 PM	#14
RAINSTANG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Portland, OR, USA Posts: 98	Personally I'd ditch both choices and go with an Intrepid ESI. I drove a 95 for 3 years and it was a sweet daily driver. Comfortable, great milage and plenty of power. Way better quality than the Grand Prix and not as pricey as a Maxima.

06-18-2001, 04:36 PM	#15
84stangLX Guest Posts: n/a	If someone else works on the car i'd say the Nissan...everything is inaccessable in there and parts (of course) are more expensive than for a domestic, but if it stays reliable it wouldn't be a bad car, but i'd go with the Pontiac. Either one is a decent choice. I myself was considering getting another vehicle for driving everyday because i'm going to go crazy on my mustang (just ordered some gauges and chassis stuff...waiting for chassis stuff, then more will follow ), but if i did get another vehicle i wouldn't have any money to mod it and i'd be driving a vehicle i don't like as much, so i said hell with it, i like driving a 5.0L mustang. Do you really want to drive something else? Good luck on whatever you decide. ------------------ '84 Mustang 5.0 LX My car

06-18-2001, 08:01 PM	#16
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	Picking out of the two, I'd personally much rather a Maxima. Good power, very comfortable, very dependable (not to say that the GP isn't). ----------------------------------------- '79 Mustang Coup w/ 4" Cowl Stock 5.8L, C4 w/ shift kit Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s 14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday) "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

06-19-2001, 08:42 AM	#17
JM90GT Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Bartlesville OK Posts: 68	I travel a lot, and I have driven all kinds of cars over the last couple years, even though they are always rentals you get to get an idea about all of them. I like both, but my vote would be for the maxima. Plus I remember back in 96, a friends mom had a brand new fully loaded maxima and it was damn nice.

06-19-2001, 05:07 PM	#18
Ripper Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Danbury, CT, USA Posts: 273	Without a doubt the Maxima. I owned a 96 SE with leather, moonroof, CD, etc. Great car for the money. IMO you get good quality, reliability, performance, luxury, and it's not any more expensive to maintain than a Pontiac, maybe less so. The GTP may have more horses but I believe it's heavier, doesn't handle as well, only offered in auto, resale blows, and is probably much tougher on brakes. ------------------ ************************ 1999 GT - Laser Red K&N, Steeda pulleys, Steeda strut tower brace & Tri-ax (Upcoming mods: subframes (bought), Bassani X (next), & FMS 3.73s

06-19-2001, 05:09 PM	#19
GONZO99TA Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Great Falls, MT Posts: 144	given the 2 choices, you can't go wrong either way. i have driven many differant versions of each (wife worked at a nissan dealer and now works at pontiac dealer) i would have to agree that the nissan would have a slighlty better resale (not too much though when compared to the gtp. the other grand prixs drop bad though) the big question is do you want an auto or a stick. i would not buy the maxima auto (it sucks all the power out of it) the gtp only comes in auto. ------------------ 99 30th annv. Trans am 79 Trans am black se

06-20-2001, 10:09 AM	#20
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	Are u kidding? Nissan vs. GM. Nissan, no brainer. There is no way a GM poroduct could even begin to come close to the quality, fit & finish, and reliability of a Nissan. But, if poor quality american cars are your thing, go for the Pontiac. ------------------ 1993 GT/AOD '93 Mustang GT