You're a multiple-personality type seeking a luxury fix, but would rather not have to pop a dramamine every time you buckle up. Or you'd rather be in a sports car, but have kids (or more than one friend) or suffer from that fear of being flattened by a wayward SUV. If you're a retiree who wouldn't be caught dead in an "old guy's car" you probably won't do much better for the money. Of course, you could just head for Barrett-Jackson and pick up a '69 Firebird.

If you're looking for a cushy, comforting, wrap-yourself-in-a-down-comforter of a luxury car, walk away now. Nothing to see here. Those who prefer true-blue, sports sedans in the Audi/BMW vein, would be better off test driving the SE model. Of course, for them, front-drive is likely a dealbreaker anyway.

· Speed Merchants:

· Fashion Victims:

· Treehuggers: No

· Mack Daddies:

· Tuner Crowd:

· Hairdressers:

· Penny Pinchers: No

· Euro Snobs: No

· Working Stiffs: No

· Technogeeks: No

· Poseurs: No

· Soccer Moms: No

· Nascar Dads: No

· Golfing Grandparents:

· Manufacturer: Nissan

· Model tested: Maxima 3.5 SL

· Model year: 2005

· Price as Tested: $33,160

· Engine type: 3.5-liter DOHC 24-Valve V6

· Horsepower: 265 hp SAE @ 5,800 rpm

· Torque: 255 ft lb @ 4,400 rpm

· Redline: 6600 rpm

· Wheels and Tires: Continental, 225/55R-17

· Drive type: Front wheel drive

· 0 - 60: 6.4 secs.

· 1/4 mile: 14.9 sec @ 95.8 mph

· Top speed: 140 mph (electronically limited)

· Fuel economy city/highway: 20/28

· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 5 driver; 4 passenger / front seat 4; rear seat 4 / 4

[by Mike Spinelli]

Related:

Jalopnik Reviews: 2005 Nissan Maxima SL, , [internal]

The Nissan Maxima SL would have made a hell of a Buick. One shake of its golf-bag-devouring bustle,