[Tk1015]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a 2011 mustang but I can't make up my mind on whether I should buy the mustang or a maxima :shigrin . I've been looking at the 2009 Maximas for a while but I had a chance to drive the 2011 mustang over the weekend and I really liked it. This would be a daily driver so, I don't know if it is reliable, ok in the snow/ bad weather, etc. Could anyone help me in my choice? :cooldude:
The mustang would be a v6 coupe, can't have too much power at such a young age :laughlitt

Thanks in advance

 

[Waters]

Since you are on a mustang forum, most of the responses will side towards the mustang. That being said, I would choose the mustang over the Maxima....but, yes, it does suck in the snow :smilie

 

[Lethal302]

They're completely different cars. If you want luxury and 4 doors with fwd get a maxima. If you want performance and not too many luxurious flashy things, get the mustang. However, I'd have to get the GT. If it were between a v6 mustang and a maxima I'd just get the maxima. A little slower but alot more extras

 

[pmr2000]

If you need a adult usable back seat and more bad weather security get the Maxima. Mustangs are more about performance, style while still being somewhat of a practical everyday car if needed.

Maxima's are great cars -used to be rear wheel drive, they were pitched as the 4 door sports car but kind of morphed into a glorified Altima....

 

[Allez Rouge]

Do you want a car that you can drive, or do you want a transportation appliance?

I don't mean that to be as snarky as it may sound. As Lethal says, they're two completely different cars. A Mustang, even a V6 Mustang, would be more appropriate for someone who genuinely enjoys driving and is, to some extent at least, a "car guy." A Maxima is better suited to someone who cares less about the driving experience and just wants to get there in ultra-reliable comfort.

There's nothing wrong with either vehicle; both are valid contenders with a lot to recommend them. The point is that the questions you need to be asking are not really about these two cars, but rather about you.

 

[GT Gone]

... Mustang. :bigthumbsup

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Do you want a car that you can drive, or do you want a transportation appliance?

A Maxima is better suited to someone who cares less about the driving experience and just wants to get there in ultra-reliable comfort.

you.

Wouldn't exactly consider the Maxima or a Nissan for that matter to be ultra-reliable.

 

[Guest]

Whichever one is RWD.

 

[heavyD]

Wouldn't exactly consider the Maxima or a Nissan for that matter to be ultra-reliable.

Exactly. Nissan is the Chrysler of Japanese auto makers. Chances are a Mustang would be just as reliable or more reliable than a Maxima. If you are set on a Maxima I suggest you save money and get a top of the line Altima instead as the Maxima has become a redundant car as the Altima has the same engine and does everything as well for less money.

 

[MCA2011]

I got my Mustang after 7 years in a Maxima

I had (still have) an 04 Maxima. The Maxima is a fun car that errs on the side of practicality. The V6 Mustang is a fun car that errs on the side of fun.

As some have said if you need the extra space, adult friendly backseat, better road manners, more comfy ride etc, Maxima is a good choice.

The Maxima has a quicker response right off the line (there I said it) but would be overtaken within 50-100 ft. It has "inspired" acceleration, but not anything close to the V6 Mustang.

Snow? For a FWD, the Maxima sucks in the snow, at least with any all-season tires I ever tried. Maybe it's different with winter tires, but tires are pretty expensive and short-lived on the Maxima, so I didn't run 2 sets. In hindsight, might have been a good idea.

Voice of experience: Depending what you really want vs need, either is a great choice in its class. If the Mustang suits your day-to-day needs, its helluvalot more fun.

 

[Allez Rouge]

Wouldn't exactly consider the Maxima or a Nissan for that matter to be ultra-reliable.

Oh, hell, that's right, a Maxima IS a Nissan, isn't it? For some reason I was thinking Toyota.

 

[Tk1015]

Ok so, I guess I should ask now, how reliable (mechanically) is the mustang. I've heard different stories about fords.
I don't want to buy it and then regret it. Is it drivable in the snow? I'm not looking to go offroading or anything.

 

[MCA2011]

Ok so, I guess I should ask now, how reliable (mechanically) is the mustang. I've heard different stories about fords.
I don't want to buy it and then regret it. Is it drivable in the snow? I'm not looking to go offroading or anything.

I would say they are comparable in the snow, neither is particularly good or bad.

The Maxima does have its very own, fairly common but unique and distinctive AT problems, Mine started around maybe 90-100K where it *slams* into 1st when downshifting from 2nd while rolling to a stop (sometimes upshifting too)... especailly bad after a highway drive and going to side roads.

i also needed to replace both cam position sensors, one at ~120K, one at ~140K.

Brake wear is avarage or maybe a little worse, exhaust and suspension have held up very well.

Combined MPG with a decent amount of local driving, there is not a huge difference but the edge goes to the car with 305HP :bigthumbsup

 

[FirstFord94]

The Maxima does have its very own, fairly common but unique and distinctive AT problems, Mine started around maybe 90-100K where it *slams* into 1st when downshifting from 2nd while rolling to a stop (sometimes upshifting too)... especailly bad after a highway drive and going to side roads.

I don;t think your problems apply to the current body style maxima, since it uses a CVT transmission, thereby, technically not having a 1st gear.

You can't get much different than a mustang and maxima. If you're as young as you imply (OP) in one of your posts, then I'd go with whatever is cheaper to buy and maintain. I've traditionally liked the maximas, but the addition of the CVT transmission to the current car kills it for me---plus the lack of a manual transmission option. But, it's a decent enough car all the same.

The mustang is also a decent car. But if you live in an area where it snows a decent amount, I wouldn't get a mustang for my first car. Unless I REALLY wanted the mustang. But if you're going to get the mustang, be forewarned, you WILL need dedicated snow tires to get anytthing resembling decent traction. Nonseasons or summer tires are completely inappropriate in snowy conditions for the mustang. You can get by with noseasons in the maxima because the fwd is better in such conditions.

If you just want a decent car to tool around in, which it sounds like you do, I'd just go for the maxima.

 

[s197gt]

In New York State you'll love a Mustang if it has FOUR snow tires on it...nothing less.

I drove an 05 Mustang V-6 all one winter (in NYS) with four Michelin X-ice snows on it. So much fun that I took unnecessary weekend roads trips EVERY weekend. With traction control and anti-lock brakes driving a rear wheel drive car is a totally different experience than in years past. And now, all new Mustangs, regardless of engine size, also have limited slip differentials as well.

If you buy a Mustang, check websites for 'take-off' wheels. Buy a set of those, and FOUR snows, and you are in business...less hassle overall...as tire mount and balance labor has gotten too expensive for a yearly change of tires on same wheels.

If you decide on a Nissan (Datsun...LOL), then the Altima is a proven best seller of what they have to offer. A better deal than the Maxima for sure. More bang for the buck.

Suggestion: Move out of the salt belt if you have a chance. I gave up on it recently. Too damn expensive are the monthly car repairs there. Though the car bodies are made to last somewhat better now, still, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING attached to the underside of a car rots, causing never ending replacement of parts.
Read the current Consumer Reports...July 2012...what's people's biggest complaints about their cars...the fact that the price of car repairs has gotten too high.

Now that your are asking about reliability of a Mustang. Well, it is certainly better than average these days. Ford is trying harder than any other North American auto manufacturer in that area.

 

[2011boytoy5.0]

Dude, go for it. You only live once. Get the most bang for the amount of bucks you got. Get the GT V8 if you can afford it at your age. Don't get in over your head on a montly note that you cannot afford.
Good luck.

 

[Paul78CAN]

I drove my 2011 V6 in the Winter just fine, put good snow tires on all corners and take it easy.

 

[Mulletude]

I plan on driving my GT this winter......like others have said snow tires make all the difference (not just on rear wheel drive muscle cars either - ALL cars).
Plus if it's a manual just take off in 2nd if it's slick (at icy lights, for example).....

 

[s197gt]

Mulletude

I thoroughly agree.

Personal opinion: In the salts belts, snows should be required, in winter months, on all cars. Too many idiots out there with FWD cars, driving on summer or all season tires, thinking they can safely get by in the snow.



Note: I am formerly from Rochester myself. Tried it again five years recently, gave up...due to expensive, and constant necessity for car repairs.

 

[412horses]

I never found either my '09 V6 or my '12 GT to be especially difficult on snow... But then again I learned to drive on RWD cars. To get an idea of what I was in for I tried to get my new car to slide in snow last winter (secluded area) and couldn't make it break traction.

Cars without the standard all-weather tires are probably a whole different story as would be if you're a knucklehead out there driving in rain or snow with the all the controls off.

Personally I'd get the Mustang and can recommend the GT or the V6 as I've owned both. You can get a boring old fart car later in life when you are a boring old fart. And if you keep driving Mustangs maybe you can avoid ever becoming a boring old fart. :winks

PS I've had zero mechanical defects on the '09 or the '12 GT so far, and I can't say that for any of the three Hondas (1992, 1994, 2001) that preceeded them. The 2001 in particular was complete crap.