nissan altima or nissan maxima? Which is better?

Depends on the year. The Maxima is the higher end car, but you can equip an Altima to be a lot like a Maxima. The Maxima (depending on the year) will have a 3.5 L V6. The Altima will have a 2.5L I-4, unless you get the higher end which some have a 3.5L V6. Therefore the Maxima will have more power, but slightly less gas economy. The Maxima is also a bigger car on the inside and out. If you plan on keeping the car for any amount of time (or you have kids) you may want the extra size that the Maxima offers. But because of all the reasons I've mentioned the Maxima will usually be a more expensive car to purchase. It will also be more expensive to maintain. It uses the same engine as the 350Z which requires premium fuel and more oil. The Altima can use regular unleaded.

That's pretty much it. You didn't mention whether or not the Altima was the newer coupe model, but because it's a newer model, and you're buying used, I'm going to assume you aren't looking at an Altima coupe. There's also some differences in the packages, but again... buying used you're going to be limited to whatever the dealer has on his lot.

i would definitely have to recommend the maxima. as far as year goes, the 95-99 generation was great and ahead of its time. It comes with a extremely reliable 3.0 engine and does 0-60 in 7.5 seconds which is a good enough boost for you. I would recommend to get the Maxima GLE, which comes leather, sun roof, cd player, casette player, cruise control, dual power seats, and also a programmable garage door opener. One of the main reasons why i did not purchase the nissan altima is because in this generation the altima was a much smaller car. Test drive the maxima and trust me you will love it. Had a maxima for 11 months and did not have a single problem with the car that was not my fault, (had a few accidents, not gonna lie). The only negative thing that i can say about the maxima and the altima might have the same problem, is that you might have a check engine light come on when it hits this age. Obviously have it checked out and scanned by a mechanic, but mine came on for a knock sensor which i never replaced but did not do any harm to the engine, just soemthing stupid that you need to pass inspection. But the truth is that if you are getting it inspected you can have the computer cleared and the inspection place won't know anything is wrong with the car.

The Altima will definitely cost you less. Most Altimas have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, though some have a 3.5-liter V6. All recent Maximas have that same V6. The Maxima is likely to have a nicer interior; up through 2008, it was also a larger interior, although this does not apply after 2009.

That V6, incidentally, prefers premium fuel, so if you hate spending money at the pump you might go straight for a four-cylinder Altima.

These cars don't compete with each other. The maxima is the altima's big brother so to speak.

Maxima is bigger, only comes with a fairly large V6, has more trunk space and passenger space, is longer, wider, and heavier so it gets worse mileage.

Altima is smaller, has an inline 4 or a V6 option (depending which years you're looking at, but for about ten years now the V6 has been an option) but that V6 is tuned down from the maxima so it's not as powerful. It has less room inside but it will get better mileage and if you have the 4-cylinder, it will get much better mileage and be cheaper to maintain.

They're very different cars though- a brand new maxima starts in the low 30 grand range and a brand new altima starts in the low 20 grand range.

Are you sure about the 4cyl maxima? I don't think the maxima even has a 4cyl option. If i'm wrong and it does the 2.5S should mean they both have the same engine. The altima should get better gas mileage as it's a lighter smaller car. The maxima is a more luxurious vehicle and will most likely have better interior and such. You can't really compare the two unless you know what options each one has: leather, sunroof, alloy wheels, heated seats, etc.

The Maxima is the higher end of the two, but I have an Altima and love it. Great on gas too

Depends on which year. If you're talking about 2004 Maxima then go for it. Altima is not so good. Maxima is much better.

Maxima

Maxima It has a cooler name. I would sugest witchever has better speakers.

their is only one way to find out.FIGHT!