thebo: the maxima has a cvt transmission, which will reduce your driving pleasure (i assume you value performance and driving fun since you're getting a v6)..while the maxima is a great car, at the moment, the Honda Accord and Mazda 6 are the benchmarks. I don't even like Hondas but everything I read/hear/see about the new Accord is just too good to ignore. I'd threaten you into buying the Mazda 6 but there's no V6 there. So as a complete all rounder champ, there isn't anything to compete with an Accord in the V6 segment. But hey, I am talking about the 4 door sedan, not the 2 door Accord Coupe. If the Coupe, then I'd take a Maxima (or ANY other car) just because the Accord Coupe has such an ugly bum:-)