Nissan Holds Down 2002 Maxima’s Price

Nissan North America has released pricing and final engineering data for its 2002 Maxima, and considering that several of the new models come standard with equipment that was part of an optional trim package last year, has kept prices fairly level (“Nissan Maxima Gets More Oomph,” First Drive, July 18).

The new SE with automatic transmission, for instance, is $200 more than a comparably equipped 2001 SE.

On the engineering side, the Maxima’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine has lost 5 horsepower since preliminary figures were handed out at the press introduction earlier this summer. The final numbers: 255 horsepower and 246 foot-pounds of torque, rather than the 260 horsepower with which it was credited in our review.

By trim level, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for 2002: GXE with four-speed automatic transmission, $24,699; SE with automatic, $25,449; SE with six-speed manual (on sale Oct. 1), $25,449; GLE with automatic, $27,099. Prices don’t include Nissan’s $540 delivery charge.