You have the VQ30DE. It has a 10:1 compression ratio
Now, yes the manual says you should use the premium gasoline (doesn't state a specific octane rating because it varies). Basically you can run 87 octane with out any problems, many people do it and there really is no problem with it effecting engine life or anything, I know lots of people who have put 250,000 miles on their VG/VE/VQ (engines) using nothing but 87 octane. irseg is correct, our maximas have knock sensors, so if the engine detect pinging or knocking it retards the ignition timing. Doesn't really hurt anything, but you aren't getting the best performance from the engine. Then again if you never really go above 3000rpm it is probably not going to be a big concern for you.
One thing I will add is that in my 1992 Maxima SE 5spd (it has the VE30DE engine) I noticed that when I run 87 octane I dont get as good of mileage compared to when I run the 92 octane. I did some math and most of the time its cheaper to run the premium than it is the 87 octane. My Dad has a 2000 SE 5spd (it has the VQ30DE-K engine, which is the same as yours except it has a variable intake, a composite intake manifold, and more agressive intake cams. It's rated at 222hp vs. your 190hp). I asked him if he would do the same thing (run a few tanks of 87 and see what kind of mileage he gets compared to his normal average with the 92), he had the same results as me, but personally I would go off his results more than mine because 1. his engine is for the most part identical to yours, and 2. he is a much more consistant driver than I am.