Comparison Test: 2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV vs. 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Was this even a fair comparison?
I mean, a 3.5L vs. a 6.0L?

3.5 and 6.0 are just a couple numbers that can be canceled out when their configurations (OHV, OHC) are different, there are many other factors that determine if two engines are comparable.

That being said, I'll take the L76 any day.

[ronin]

A modern v8 trumps a modern v6. There's a shocker.

[BBDOS CV8]

Originally Posted by ronin

A modern v8 trumps a modern v6. There's a shocker.

More accurate to say 'modern RWD thumps modern FWD'. It not only beat it for go, but for stop, turn, handle - pretty good considering it's bigger, 400lb heavier and Nissan claims to have targetted Porsche handling. And for a GM car was close on the interior. Looks, well girls like the Nissan better.....

[Bravada]

Gosh, the G8 looks gorgeous from ANY angle. It is perhaps the best-looking car GM currently makes. I wish they'd sell it globally as a Pontiac (IMHO it looks the best as one) to start the revival of the brand on a global scale.

I am with those who are surprised by the bad-looking Maxima. With the Intima concept, I thought Nissan is finally giving up "sporty" pretences and just moving into the Avalon territory, where they didn't really have an entry since Infiniti went the sports sedan way. Trying to combine the "comfy cruiser" styling with sports sedan is a disaster, IMHO - too bad Nissan has forgone a promising styling direction and now remains in styling limbo.

The comparison is fair - what you get for $30K from Nissan and GM. Actually, I think a comparo between a G8 and a motorboat costing $30K would make sense too - sometime ago, GM discovered people who bought Corvettes were mostly considering a boat rather than any other car as an alternative purchase.

[member12]

I've been a fan of the Maxima up until 2004. I didn't like the previous model, and I don't like this new one. It's too big, ugly, and does nothing that a V6 Accord can't do.


I can honestly say that the G8 is much more appealing to me. It's just going to take time for me to get around the idea of a Pontiac symbol on the keychain.

[rlaltiowner05]

Originally Posted by member12

I've been a fan of the Maxima up until 2004. I didn't like the previous model, and I don't like this new one. It's too big, ugly, and does nothing that a V6 Accord can't do.


I can honestly say that the G8 is much more appealing to me. It's just going to take time for me to get around the idea of a Pontiac symbol on the keychain.

I can see the ugly part...but the new Max is actually smaller than the current one and smaller than the G8 isn't it? Kinda negates the "too Big" notion.

[Stéphane Dumas]

I just taught of this. Remember in 2006 when "Captain Kirk" Kerkorian approached Ghosn of Renault-Nissan for an alliance with GM? Ghosn as we knew was widely interested. Now we might know why since the G8 had won against the Maxima, he would had bet on a new horse to replace the Maxima

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by ronin

A modern v8 trumps a modern v6. There's a shocker.

lol pushrods.

[tholland]

Originally Posted by Aprime

lol pushrods.

lol all you like... I'd take one anyday

[Aprime]

I don't mind them, it's just that he said modern V8. :V

QOHC = modern (however unproven it may be).

Pushrods = not.

Aluminum block = modern.

Iron block = not (not saying that it's not an aluminum cast, as a matter of fact I have no idea).

[tholland]

Modern engines can still use older technology... it doesn't make them ancient. Using pushrods, for example, allows much more compact packaging and allows easy application of cylinder deactivation, etc. OHC itself is not a new technology.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by tholland

Modern engines can still use older technology... it doesn't make them ancient. Using pushrods, for example, allows much more compact packaging and allows easy application of cylinder deactivation, etc. OHC itself is not a new technology.

SOHC engines have often proven to be inefficient, thus making them technologically impaired and therefore dated technology (albeit, proven), not modern technology.

[ARCANGEL]

I agree the front end of this car is hideious!!!

[Sal Collaziano]

Most people are stupid.

Originally Posted by TriShield

The 14-16mpg overall figures G8 owners are reporting is "respectable" mileage?

Alrighty then.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Aprime

SOHC engines have often proven to be inefficient, thus making them technologically impaired and therefore dated technology (albeit, proven), not modern technology.

It depends more on the age of the engine design itself than the placement of the valve actuators. Up until the last few years, Honda's V6s were extremely competitive and inefficient, and everything except the NSX used SOHC.

(Now they're behind the game, with 300 horsepower from 3.7 liters and 290 horsepower from 3.5 when other major players in the industry have passed them by.)