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Wednesday, September 15, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER C3 AUTOMOTIVE Nissan Maxima: No compromise sports sedan (Continued from page C2) comes to a new Nissan product. "We also had the chance to integrate the product," he added. "The world you find on the inside is the world you see on the out­ side." Sheesh, designers. What he means is that, for once, the North American design team had some influence on the interior, as well as the exterior of the new Maxima. And it's a very comfortable interior. The hip point has been raised and the steering wheel moved back and down. The raised vantage point provides excellent visibility. Firm seats are butt-friendly with 8-way seat adjustment switches moved for­ ward for easier access. Fold-fiat AJC vents compliment the smooth-finish dash. Controls are big and simple with chrome hints on rotary HVAC and audio but­ tons (the radio is now above the heater controls). A console remi­ niscent of the former 300ZX fea­ tures storage and an adjustable armrest. Other interior improve­ ments include new front seat belt adjusters, bigger buttons and longer front and rear door han­ dles. There's plenty of space inside the car, about 2.4 cu.ft. more than last year, thanks to the 2" wheel­ base stretch. A good part of the space increase is applied to rear seat knee room but the trunk also Make sure you can see at night I m p r o v e d highway markings and better automo­ tive lighting are helping to hold down nighttime traffic accidents, but the after-dark fatality rate is still nearly triple the daytime rate. While driver condition (visual acuity, sobriety and other factors) is a big factor in this statistical phe­ nomenon, car con­ dition also plays a major role. A large number of cars have one or more lights out or have deficiencies in the windshield wipers and/or washer system. With intensified public awareness measures this could be prevent­ ed. Anyone capa­ ble of driving should be able to check his or her lights, windshield wipers and wash­ ers periodically. It is irresponsible to endanger peoples' lives through sim­ ple vehicle neglect. With the fastest growing segment of our driving population, the older driver, another factor becomes very important. 90 % of all sensory input needed to drive comes through the eyes. But as our eyes change with age, your sensitivity to glare increases, you need more illumination and you'll find you won't adapt as well to the dark. Also, you'll lose some or your peripheral vision. It makes sense at any age to reduce your vul­ nerability to an accident and here is some advice from the Car Care Council of the A u t o m o t i v e I n d u s t r i e s Association: Be sure you can see and be seen after dark. gains more luggage capacity. One of the strongest points of, the Nissan Maxima has always been the 3.0 L engine. When you calculated power/weight ratios on the Nissan lineup, the Maxima always came up favorably, better than some so-called sporty cars like the slug 240SX that was finally put to sleep last year. Any improvement to the Maxima's already able V6 would be a bonus but somehow Nissan has man­ aged to milk another whopping 32 horses out of the revised engine, for a class-leading total of 222 hp @ 6400 rpm. The new heights of power have been attained through better breathing - a larger air intake chamber, new intake and exhaust manifolds and a variable capacity muffler with a special flap inside that opens above 3000 rpm, easing back pressure. The 2000 Maxima comes in three trim levels. The 5-speed GXE starts at $28,590, about the same price as last year but Nissan estimates that the 2000 model contains $2000 worth of extra equipment. It's almost unfair to consider this an entry level model when you con­ sider included standards like AJC, ABS, heated power mirrors, key­ less entry & immobilizer, auto headlights, retained accessory power, power windows and locks, in-glass antenna, cruise, tachometer, variable wipers and I could go on and on. It was kind of depressing to learn that only about five percent of customers opted for the smooth shifting 5-speed but, oh well, the automatic transmission with trac­ tion control adds $1,400 and the 17" wheel package bumps up the bottom line another $800. Nissan refers to the Maxima SE as its "no compromise sports sedan" and it lists at $34,000 - $2,749 less than last year. The SE adds some GXE option packages and extra goodies like smoked tail lamp lenses, rear spoiler, leather on seats, steering wheel and shifter, front fog lamps, 200 watt BOSE 6-speaker audio with rear mounted woofer and, more importantly, performance enhancements like viscous limit­ ed slip rear differential, sport alloy wheels and a sport-tuned suspension. For those in search of plusher luxury without the need for an ego-stoking upscale Infiniti badge, the GLE lists at $34,900, also priced substantially less than last year and this top-of-the-line model maxxes out the option list with all the above extras plus wood and chrome trim touches. Regardless of trim level, the 2000 Nissan Maxima offers dri­ vers a unique blend of sports car­ like handling and 5-passenger comfort. I was afraid that mon­ keying with the Maxima might change the dynamics of its dri- vability but it's still a pleasure to drive. In fact, it's even better than it was. The stiffer body, thicker stabilizer bars and revised rear suspension have reduced body roll to a standing equivalent to the last generation 300ZX. Those are the kind of improvements that Nissan feels will keep Maxima customers coming back. As Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada's marketing director says, "Many buyers are on their third or fourth Maxima - simply because they cannot find a better pack- iiage. But, hey, don't just read all about it. Visit your local Nissan store and test drive the new 2000 Maxima yourself. 1999 GMC Sierra Regular Cab AJAC " Best New Pickup Truck" WAL-MART U lysses b h A ll-Season R adial Tire s • Passenger all-season steel-belted radial tires • Whitewall sidewall styling • Available in 75 and 80 series (depending on size). starting from pi55/8omsoim) 191' P acem ark H ig h Traction winter Radial Tires • Double steel belts fo r s treng th and durab ility • Polyester radial cord body. Starting from PI45/80*12 29" L ig h t-T ru c k > Namebrand all-position, all-season for highway driving • Good highway traction and handling for a smooth nde »Hard-worldng long, even-wear tread ■2-ply radial polyester with 2 sturdy steel belts. Starting from P2J5/75TIS 197 Trail Mark Radial APR Light Truck and RV Tires • All-position, all-season • All-terrain, aggressive tread design excellent for all-weather traction on or off road • Sporty white or black letter sidewalls. Starting from P205/75k1S(97S>SL0Wl 67" See Automotive Department for more sizes and prices. EVERY TIRE PURCHASED .AT WAL-MART INCLUDES: • installation • New tire valve • Flat repair • Road hazard warranty • Rotation every 10,000 km • Nationwide warranty • Available in stores with Automotive Centres only. AJ»u.-MA*rr HASSLP. if*EE PLAK1 W E S E LL F O R L E S S everyday! S! I ONLY AT YOUR ONTARIO PONTIAC*BUICK*GMC DEALERS GREAT SELECTION GREAT LEASE RATES & PAYMENTS WE'RE READY TO DEAL y i9 9 9 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe Y l9 9 9 Pontiac Sunfire Sedan . . / 'y C M k s . x y i9 9 9 Pontiac Grand Am PURCHASE FINANCING UP TO 48 MONTHS y 1999 Buick Century y»999 Pontiac Trans Sport ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ FIVE STAR SAFETY RATING Pontiac TVans Sport has been award­ ed five stars (top safety rating) for both driver and reareeat passenger in side-impact testing.** Side-impact air bags are standard on Pontiac Trans Sport ASK AB O U T FACTORY TO DEALER INCENTIVES DURING CANADA-WIDE CLEARANCE f ^̂1 ta HURRY. OFFER ENDS SEPTEMBER 30,1999. We'd like you to know more: Come visit us at your local dealer, on our website at www.gmcanada.com or call us at 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Financing on approved GMAC credit only. Example: $10,000 at 1.9% APR, the monthly payment is $216.52 for 48 months. Cost of borrowing is $392.96. Total obligation is $10,392.96. Down payment, trade and/or security deposit may be required. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Offers apply to select 1999 new or demonstrator models, and to qualified retail cus­ tomers in Ontario only (excluding Northwestern Ontario). Dealer trade may be necessary. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers. See your dealer(s) for conditions or details. " Testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). http://www.gmcanada.com AUTOMOTIVE Ulysses bh All-Season Radial Tires 191' 29" 197 Trail Mark Radial APR Light Truck and RV Tires 67" EVERY TIRE PURCHASED .AT WAL-MART INCLUDES: • installation • New tire valve • Flat repair • Road hazard warranty • Rotation every 10,000 km • Nationwide warranty • Available in stores with Automotive Centres only. S! I ONLY AT YOUR ONTARIO PONTIAC*BUICK*GMC DEALERS PURCHASE FINANCING UP TO 48 MONTHS HURRY. OFFER ENDS SEPTEMBER 30,1999.