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Nissan has fine-tuned the midsize Maxima sedan for 2000, understandable because Infiniti fine-tuned the Infiniti I30 for 2000. Since they are built on the same platform, you might as well tune the other as long as you are tuning one.

But, like passing along a cherished recipe minus an ingredient or two, the 2000 Maxima comes out slightly different than its more expensive relative.

The remake of the Infiniti I30 was done in Japan, the remake of the Nissan Maxima in the U.S. The I30 focuses on luxury ride and handling for those who cherish cruising down the highway in total comfort; Maxima focuses more on sporty ride and handling for those who prefer to measure performance in off-the-line and out-of-the-corner capabilities.

Though both are members of the same family, each is blessed with a different personality. I30 is to-mah-toes, Maxima is to-may-toes.

Nissan makes much ado about that 10 sheet-metal panels–door, deck lid, hood, bumpers– are different on each car to give each a unique look. Having had both parked side by side in the driveway, we’ll accept novel front- and rear-end treatments but have to say we couldn’t find the eight other panels that Nissan did.

But like the I30, kudos to the designer who came up with the taillight scheme. Distinctive touch. Finally a little artistry when it comes to lenses and lights. And you thought designers only cared about cupholders. Shame on you.

Maxima has undergone a 2-inch stretch in wheelbase and 1-inch extension in overall length while the I30 also was enlarged by 2 inches in wheelbase, but 4 inches in length. You’ll get one more sleeve of golf balls in the I30.

With either, the added room is appreciated. Cabin quarters were good before; now, there’s even more room to stretch toes and elbows.

I30 and Maxima are powered by the same 3-liter, 24-valve V-6 engine, but Maxima’s is tuned to deliver 222 horsepower, the I30 to deliver 227 h.p. That’s still a 32-h.p. increase in Maxima’s over its current model.

The difference seems to be that the I30 has a zero- to 30-m.p.h. burst, Maxima more of a zero- to 50-m.p.h. spurt.

Maxima has firmer sports-tuned suspension for greater agility and nimbleness; I30 concentrates on limiting up-and-down movement while taking in the scenery.

And Maxima can be equippe d with a 5-speed manual, I30 cannot.

In the cabin, the Infiniti and Nissan look almost identical. The noticeable difference was in comfort levels. The I30 has a little more duck down stuffed in the leather seats than Maxima. Still, the buckets aren’t as stiff as those in, say, a BMW.

Maxima is offered in base GXE, sporty SE and top-of-the-line GLE versions. The GXE is the only one offering 15-inch radial tires. The SE and the GLE we tested come with the larger, more road-gripping 16-inch radials. The SE, the optimum performance sedan in the lineup, offers 17-inch treads as an option.

GLE base price is $26,249, which includes four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock; leather seats; eight-way power driver and four-way power passenger seat; Homelink transceiver for automatic garage-door opening; air conditioning; cruise control; power windows and door locks; Bose AM/FM stereo with cassette and compact-disc player; remote keyless entry; dual power mirro rs; 60/ 40 split and fold-down rear seat backs; tilt steering; digital clock; rear-window defroster; side-window demisters; dual front and rear cupholders; automatic on/off headlamps; sunglasses holder; halogen fog lamps; and a trunk cargo net, which doubles as Chinese handcuffs.

There are only two major options worth getting, traction control at $299, which is strongly advised for any area of the country in which you’ll encounter snow, ice, sand, gravel or rain; and a power glass sunroof at $899, which is strongly advised for any area of the country in which you like to rid the cabin of stale air without having to open the windows.

>> 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE Wheelbase: 108.3 inches Length: 190.5 inches Engine: 3-liter, 222-h.p., 24 valve V-6 Transmission: 4-speed automatic Fuel economy: 20 m.p.g. city/28 m.p.g. highway Base price: $26,249 Price as tested: $26,328. Includes $79 for floor mats. Add $520 for freight.Pluses: Exterior redesign with longer wheelbase and overall length. More cabin room. Peppier engine. ABS standard. Traction control available. Retuned suspension for improved ride and handling. Very good mileage. Minuses: Seats a tad stiff. Traction control optional, not standard. >>