Reader Response/Remix: Quality To The Max

Welcome to Reader Response/Remix, where we give individual readers a chance to submit long-form counterpoints to existing TTAC articles. If you’d like to comment at length on something we’re published in the past, send your contribution to editors@ttac.com and head it “Reader Response”. Let us know how you’d like to be credited. Submissions may be edited for length, content, and to make it look like you agree with us when you really don’t. — JB

Reader D. Alexander is a Maxima owner and he’s got some comments regarding Jack’s Maxima review:

“Pretty good review, Jack. I think you nailed the big picture, though there are some subtleties to owning one. I reviewed a 2010 S here a few years ago, which I subsequently bought.

I chose the car for looks and speed. It is, between 40 and 80, the fastest car in this class and dead even with the G37. The only current car that trumps it is the 2013 Altima, which probably has the best powertrain in anything under $35K. I tested that one and concluded there’s almost no reason to prefer the Maxima except the styling.

The G37 comparisons are only vaguely on-point. I considered one of those and stopped considering it after I drove it. The 7AT from 2010 sucked compared to the CVT, as did the seats. Actual transaction prices are also significantly higher with the G. I paid $27K OTD in early 2010 for my Max. The G at any trim level would have been at least $5K more, and the low-spec versions aren’t much ahead of the Max in handling. Likewise, the styling theme is ‘anodyne invisible’ by comparison.

After 3.5 years and 30K miles, the main beef I have with this car is the number of niggling problems. I’ve probably had thirty. It initially wouldn’t track straight. The stock battery is crap and had to be replaced. The sunroof shield cracked. There were a half-dozen interior rattles from one area or another and a whistling sound at highway speeds. The passenger seat was replaced because the weight detector was defective. The door locks squeak when I turn the car off. One of the interior DC sockets failed. That’s just the stuff I can remember; I’ve yet to have an oil change without at least two new items on the list.

It was a fair value when it was introduced. The mainstream sedans have so upped their game, though, that I’m disinclined to recommend it, even though I still love to drive it.”