Nissan Canada will start its updated 2002 Maxima model at $32,900, though you can pay more if you want more toys.
Generally speaking, Maxima has been moved a little upscale in style and tone to allow more room for the hugely upgraded Altima sedan at the lower end of the price ladder.
That low price is for a Maxima GXE with a four-speed automatic attached to the new 3.5-litre V6, which sends 255 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels.
Other 2002 models include the SE with a six-speed manual at $33,900, the SE with the four-speed automatic at $34,900, and the upscale GLE with the 4-speed at $36,900.
There have been feature changes from the 2001 model, meaning the equipment levels probably do not correspond exactly to what you got for your money before. Nissan Canada says there's more equipment on the base model, for instance, but that leather is gone from the base SE.
Other features new for 2002 include that close-ratio 6-speed manual on the SE after Oct. 1, and larger front discs (the front discs stay the same) and a four-wheel / four-channel / four-sensor anti-lock system with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Exterior changes include a new front grille and front fascia with a large air intake, new 4-bulb headlight design with High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights, standard side-sill spoilers, 16-inch (GXE) or 17-inch wheels (with different designs for SE and GLE models), new UV-reducing solar glass, new taillights with clear lenses, revised vehicle badging with the new Nissan logo, and dual chrome exhaust tip finishers.