Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Nissan Altima
This discussion has been closed.
Most popular vehicles
Popular New Cars
- New Acura MDX
- New Acura RDX
- New Audi Q5
- New BMW 3 Series
- New BMW X3
- New Buick Enclave
- New Cadillac Escalade
- New Chevrolet Equinox
- New Chrysler 300
- New Dodge Challenger
- New Ford Edge
- New Ford Escape
- New Ford Expedition
- New Ford Explorer
- New Ford F-150
- New Ford Focus
- New Ford Mustang
- New Honda Accord
- New Honda Civic
- New Honda CR-V
- New Honda Fit
- New Honda Odyssey
- New Honda Pilot
- New Hyundai Elantra
- New Hyundai Santa Fe
- New Hyundai Sonata
- New Hyundai Tucson
- New Jeep Compass
- New Jeep Grand Cherokee
- New Jeep Wrangler
- New Mazda 3
- New Mazda 6
- New Mazda CX-5
- New Nissan Altima
- New Nissan Maxima
- New Nissan Rogue
- New Porsche Cayenne
- New Ram 1500
- New Subaru Crosstrek
- New Subaru Forester
- New Subaru Impreza
- New Subaru Outback
- New Tesla Model S
- New Tesla Model X
- New Toyota 4Runner
- New Toyota Camry
- New Toyota Corolla
- New Toyota Highlander
- New Toyota Prius
- New Toyota RAV4
- New Toyota Sienna
- New Toyota Tacoma
- New Volkswagen Jetta
- New Volvo XC60
- New Volvo XC90
Popular Used Sedans
- Used BMW 5 Series
- Used Chevrolet Impala
- Used Chevrolet Malibu
- Used Chrysler 200
- Used Dodge Charger
- Used Ford Fusion
- Used Ford Taurus
- Used Honda Accord
- Used Honda Civic
- Used Hyundai Elantra
- Used Hyundai Sonata
- Used Tesla Model S
- Used Toyota Camry
- Used Toyota Corolla
- Used Volkswagen Jetta
Popular Used SUVs
- Used Acura MDX
- Used Acura RDX
- Used Ford Edge
- Used Ford Explorer
- Used Honda CR-V
- Used Honda Pilot
- Used Hyundai Santa Fe
- Used Jeep Compass
- Used Lincoln Navigator
- Used Mazda CX-5
- Used Nissan Rogue
- Used Subaru Crosstrek
- Used Subaru Forester
- Used Tesla Model X
- Used Volvo XC90
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Rather than reading a BusinessWeek or Martha Stewart Living review of the Altima, go to the dealer and see it for yourself.
Sorry if this is making no sense - basically you have 18 choices and it will take you to whatever you set, mixing up AM and FM if that is how you programmed it. It's working consistently on our radio, I kind of like it since we only have 6 stations we listen to anyway and this doesn't require me to switch the radio from FM to AM, which is quite an effort you know, I figure I'll easily save 25 seconds a year with this radio!:)
The VW has great money factors and residuals, and their standard bumper to bumper is 50K, and I drive 15-16K a year, so I think the VW would be a much better bargain (although I haven't actually checked it out yet). The Saab is a nice car, fun to drive with also a better warranty than the alty, and they offer 4K lease cash on the 9-3 I'm interested in. The maxima is out as I couldn't stand to wake up in the morning and look at her (not comely to my eyes), and the Honda Accord styling might put me to sleep at highway speeds, which wouldn't be a good thing. Ditto the Camry. As for the Accord coupe, if those tailights weren't worse than the Maxima's, I'd give it a try. Someone please teach some of the Japanese brands to build a body with more flash than a Kenmore washing machine. Fortunately, Nissan seems to be catching on, as evidenced by the Alty and the upcoming G35 and Zcar.
THe one person who thought they could lease an Alty at a good price was rudely surprised it wasn't to be. Has anyone had any luck leasing one at an attractive price point? Someone on the leasing board asked about the money factors for the Alty, so I guess they'll be posted there soon. I'm interested in the 2.5S w/convenience pkg, microfilter, and possibly the ABS/airbag combo. Definitely no leather for me--being used to the leather in a family member's luxury car, I'm spoiled and don't want it unless it is outstanding, which it is not in the alty.
Hope this post makes sense...we just waddled in after a Halloween party...
BTW, you're picky about styling, but you're considering the Saab 9-3? What's up with that? The Accord that I leased was completely uninspiring style-wise until I saw the payment. Now she's one fine looking piece of metal. Just call me "Shallow Hal".
People approach me and are surprised that it doesn't cost more. People are surprised that it gets the mileage that it does. It really doesn't matter as to what others think, I'm the owner and I'm satisfied.
Why did I buy it -- It meets my needs! If I had read and heeded the mulitude of posts above whining about tire ratings and "cheap" interior, I would've cheated myself of an automobile that delivers what it promises.
I didn't want the 3.5SE because of the higher price and 17" low-profile tires. I can only imagine the punishment those tires would've dealt me every week. I don't want leather. The S model is everything that I want.
I expect that many will post to this note bashing my input. Who cares! If you don't like the new Altima, go somewhere else! Frankly, I'm tired of the whining from some people!
Hopefully, Edmunds will begin an Altima Owners page. This is a great service that I enjoy with one of my other vehicles.
Altima 3.5 se with abs and trac control at $23,445.00------Or Maxima SE at $24,000.00
(the prices are carsdirect qoute) Now at these prices , without changing anything about cars wich is better deal. Maxima comes with abs , but no trac. cntrl.. Altima has rear indepentent suspension, which the Maxima does not. Maxima has new xenon headlight, Altima not. Every time I come up with a reason to go with one I find something I like better on the other. ARGHHHHHHHH! I ,like others, have a hard time (right or wrong) justifying spending Maxima prices on an Altima. The Altima is comanding (at present) near 800 over invoice, while the Maxima only 300 over invoice. Also would anyone know of any incentives Nissan might be giving come Novemebr on the Maxima?
The 2003 Accord WILL NOT HAVE 240HP!
http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46115
The link in the first post does not work anymore so here is a new link to the article in question.
http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=417
Just so you know.
New Altima 2.5L engine runs incredibly quietly, had plenty of power for highway driving. Seemed like a V6.
I see where people are coming from on the interior, but the car I looked at was stickering for under 21K, and I'm not sure now many cars in this price range have that much better interiors (Volkswagons are are much nicer, too bad adults can't fit into the back seat). Particularly curious was a cell phone holder that could have held a loaf of bread.
Steering was ok, not as good believe it or not as my Mazda Protege. Seemed a little over boosted. As I didn't get to drive the 3.5L, I didn't notice much torque steer.
Suspension was nice, felt the road without feeling it in my kidneys (a principle complaint about the above mentioned ProES).
Road noise was excellent. They must have spent a lot of time on this one, I could barely hear the engine and the tires were quiet as well.
Basically, its a winner--as evidenced by how quickly they were leaving the lot.
"As for the Accord coupe, if those tailights weren't worse than the Maxima's, I'd give it a try."
????
I know that's YO and not MO, but hold your horses there dude. The Accord Coupe is one of the nicer cars out there, espcially the rear. Those taillights are sharp and tight. Also, and it might not be everyone's flavor of the week, but I think aftermarket Altezzas on the coupe, leaving the mid band as is or body-colored, even enhances this car without making it ricey (like on the Altima, IMHO).
My hope is that when the next gen Accord comes out next year, they leave the coupe as is for another year. This car looks as good now as it did 3 years ago. SHARP. My neighbor bought a black one loaded to the scalp, with ivory leather. He rarely drives it and cleans it every other day. He agreed to give me the first chance to buy it when he unloads it. To which I say, o yeah.
Dude you need some better facts than from an Edmunds forum (no offense to the forum peeps) and a site like Autonews. How do they KNOW that Honda's 3.2 won't produce 240HP? They didnt even specify a #.
Tom (last name unknown) from American Honda already said that the next Accord will beat the Altima in HP and Torque.
And check this: the current Altima with manual does 0-60 in about 6.9 to 7 secs. The current old model Accord does that in 7.6 secs WITH AN AUTOMATIC and 40 fewer HP. That's just about a half-sec diff b/w the two. The next Accord will be pretty incredible - anyone trying to discredit them will get a black eye next fall. Even if by chance the Accord comes out with less than 240 (say, 230), it will run past the Altima. Honda's engineering will see to that. If you doubt me, ...
Check this 2: The Infiniti Q45 has greater HP than the Lexus LS430 but guess what? I'll leave that to you to research.
FasterThanU
Why would Honda SHOOT itself in the foot by puting a 240+ horsepower in a car that cost's less than there own Acura TL? Humm??
Maybee 225HP or 230HP, But 240+... Think about it.
Basic marketing dude!
Are you one of the ppl that is waiting for an Accord Type R? lol!
BTW, THIS IS NOT A HONDA discussion. :P
The Lexus and Q45 numbers are about the same due to gearing. Taller gearing in the Q. The Q still makes it to 60 in 6.0 seconds per the last Car and Driver if I am not mistaken. That is actually faster than the previous comparison test that you are referring to by about .3 tenths. Not far at all off their claim of 5.9. Reasonable.
As Amazing2u was saying, Honda making the new Accord 245 or 250 horses and the TL-S at 260 doesn't make much sense at all. After or right before a redesign of the TL, maybe so, but that doesn't mean that competition sleeps in the meantine.
As for Tom (don't know his last name), maybe the new Accord will have more, maybe it won't. Just saying that the reputable automobile magazines and sites don't just pull numbers out of thin air. They usually get their information from sources inside the manufacturers.
Acura TL-P.
Also, the Accord coupe comments, I agree, it's the best design of the Accord coupe ever, for once it doesn't look like an Accord sedan minus four doors, the only reason I can't buy one is because they are just to small in the backseat for my things, and I just don't feel right sitting in a coupe. Might have to give the next one a try next year. I can't wait to see this new Accord though.
Anyway, I drove 2 of the Altimas a 3.5se 5 speed and a 2.5sl auto. Both handled well though the steering felt a little too light to me. In addition I noticed that on a brief drive on some potholed highways that even minor ruts or holes seemed to change the vehicle's direction. The engine on the 2.5 auto was fairly quiet but power seemed just ok to me especially when starting out at the bottom of a hill. The 3.5 was a blast and is reason enough to buy this car IMO. There was some torque steer but not too bad. I read a lot about the interior of this car being substandard but after the first look back in Sept I just thought those people were being picky. However yesterday I took a closer look and now I think that there is some merit to this. The door panels in particular seem cheap. Also I didn't care for the black leather, the texture is a lot like the tarp I use to cover my gas grill in the winter. Even the cloth is only so so. Kinda feels like terry cloth to me. The Blonde leather is better so I will go for that. Finally out of the 4 cars I sat in 2 had trim problems. I actually had a piece of plastic on the rear passenger door pull pop out of place (I popped it back in) when I tried to shut the door. Still the 3.5se was such a blast to drive and great looking that I would buy the car anyway! Sorry for the long post.
Anything over 150-160 is already more than adequate with a full load of passengers and some stuff in the back. Discussing and comparing cars within a couple of dozen HP of each other in the over-200HP segment strikes me as childish playground boasting games!
And car companies are playing off and profitting from this mentality!
I feel that handling and comfort, and overall build quality and reliability are WAY more important than a few HP.
My $.02
maxamillion: you'd wait till next year for the '03 Honda before buying, eh ? IMO, that is a smart move. If the '03 Honda gets a 220+hp, that will be a real winner, when you throw in its quality interior materials, solid build quality, great fit and finish and undeniable great re-sale. It will beat the '02 Alty hands down. Unless... Nissan were to take input from forum like this instead of BusinessWeek and others praising it to high heavens, without pointing out the obvious.... The obvious ? It's been well debated here already...
nafrong: where have the Maxima gone ? Sold, of course. People are already realising the greater "value" in the quality workmanship of the Max over the shoddy materials in the high priced Alty ! and savvy buyers are going with the better put together.
ahossa: you captured the essence of several of us who have looked at the Alty, svelt new design and all, and have come to similar conclusions based on similar observations. maxamillion put it very well when he said: "... Nissan has a great product on their hands, it's just that Ghosn was too cheap to give a very nice car, a very high quality interior.."
Me I am going to wait till the '03 versions of the Alty and Honda come out. If Nissan does the right thing, I'd want the Alty 3.5 SE with manual tranny, my kinda car..., if the price is right. Otherwise, I just might buy the old-reliable Honda and save a little bundle instead...
Before going after serious sport sedans, I say ban any and all behemouth, gas guzzling unsafe to drive at speed pickups, SUVs, and minivans. Just this afternoon I watched a guy in his 2002 Ford Explorer pull out of a gas station like a bat out of Hades. He was accelerating and turning at same time. He came darn close to tipping that SUV over. He looked a little ashen white as he sped by me in the opposite direction. Wouldn't happen in any 240 or 255 HP Nissan sport sedan.
Power, performance, handling, ride, build quality, fuel economy, and reliability are NOT mutually exclusive. A good car in this price range should deliver all or nearly all. Think BMW 3 Series does a good job in this regard. It sells well with little or no discounting.
The Altima 2.5 seems like a great value but they sure want blood for the 3.5. I always liked the Maxima a lot more.
You and others tend to dismiss the Max's handling simply because of its rear suspension while the handling of the Max continues to receive praise from the press. Take a look at an article here on Edmunds http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/spin/45264/article.html. They state that "Handling is precise with good feedback coming through the leather-wrapped wheel, and so neutral was the Maxima's behavior while tackling the twisties that it was hard to tell which wheels were propelling the car. Given the car's athletic handling, one would expect a much firmer ride than that delivered by the SE's supple suspension, which absorbed all but the most severe bumps in the road." Another article here at Edmunds is http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/46808/article.html where they state "Responsive steering, flat cornering and neutral behavior when unraveling a twisty road make one realize that a ripping sport sedan needn't cost $40,000". Yet another article praising the Max's handling is http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/00maxima.htm where they state "It is also the back roads that will reveal the excellent cornering ability of this car. Without getting into the technical details of the suspension improvements, it is enough to say the Maxima is rock solid in the corners." I could probably find many other articles that praise the handling of the Maxima but people like you would probably still dismiss it as a sedan with a minivan's suspension.
Honda with high torque? LOL. What's next, a Honda that has a V8? (little dig on Honda's pathetic "luxury" division that offers a FWD V6 flagship)
<<And check this: the current Altima with manual does 0-60 in about 6.9 to 7 secs.>>
Where did you get those numbers? Every review I've seen puts the manual 3.5SE at 60 in 6.30 or lower.
< The current old model Accord does that in 7.6 secs WITH AN AUTOMATIC and 40 fewer HP.>>
Yeah over a second difference. Oh, and it's an Automatic. You can't and won't be able to get an Accord with a V6 and stick. Honda has no reason to release a stick model as they appeal to the middle-of-the-road sedan buyer, not the performance minded.
<< That's just about a half-sec diff b/w the two. The next Accord will be pretty incredible - >>
New math. ?
<<anyone trying to discredit them will get a black eye next fall. Even if by chance the Accord comes out with less than 240 (say, 230), it will run past the Altima. Honda's engineering will see to that. If you doubt me, ...>>
I doubt you. Honda can work wonders with its cute little inline 4s but I just don't think Honda's all that when it comes to making engines with the torque. VTEC's a neat gimmick though.
ashutoshsm:
<<Anything over 150-160 is already more than adequate with a full load of passengers and some stuff in the back.>>
I don't know how or where you drive but for me, and my current car, more than the driver slows the vehicle down. I've got 155HP and nearly the same torque. Yet, the car with a full compliment of passengers does no zip to 80 on a freeway merge. For my money, anything less than 200 is useless.
<< Discussing and comparing cars within a couple of dozen HP of each other in the over-200HP segment strikes me as childish playground boasting games!>>
Or is smacks of people who like to enjoy their cars and not be mere passengers.
bradshawg2@aol.com
The acceleration is exhilarating... I took a couple of friends out for a 'fun' drive. Both of them almost wet their pants. The V-6 is unbelievable...we didn't know it would have so much pull at 80mph.
the maxima is a great value... i just got the brochure, and the interior is very nice.
it's kind of funny though, because I remember in 2000 when people were saying that the material in the 2000 Max was a grade below the '99.
Think about it - Honda and Toyota have left this niche empty, in order to sell profitable SUVs. The market has been left for Subaru and Audi for years.
We took a road trip this weekend in our sedan, and have to leave several items we would normally take with us at home. Our stroller alone takes up half the trunk. No wonder families flock to the wagon bodystyles SUVs offer.
Wagons can be good looking, too. Look at the Protege5, the Lexus Sportcross, and the Mazda 6 wagon. You could even argue they look better than the sedans.
AWD would kill any torque steer, offer all season traction, and it would make the perfect excuse to get all those folks out of their view-blocking monster trucks. I think we'd all like that.
-juice
As far as wagons are concerned...I am all with you.
You said:
"Sell it as a safety issue. An mother-to-be will love that. Turn the suv safety issue on its head. Tell her she doesn't really want a poorly accelerating, poorly braking, sloppy handling tippy mobile that guzzles gas and money to boot. That would be dangerous and uneconomical as well.
You need to start saving up if you're going to have a family. SUVs don't just typically cost more to buy, they also cost more to fuel, maintain, and insure."
From this I gather you have not looked at the cost of insuring an SUV. My wife has a Sequoia. For arguments sake, say it cost $40K. I drive a '98 Camry, which cost $22K in June of 1998, now worth maybe 6-8K. The difference in costs to insure, 26$ per year. If I didn't have collision coverage, the Sequoia would be 400$ per year CHEAPER than my Camry. Apparently, the people in the insurance business think her Sequoia is a hell of a lot safer to be in than my Camry.
You said:
"If she's still balking on the size issue, bring some big bags and a baby stroller (borrow them if you have to) to the nearest dealership and show her how easily they all fit in the Altima's big trunk. Demonstrate with a car seat how there is plenty of room to maneuver it in and out of the spacious back seat."
Have you done this? What kind of car seat do you have? When we put my daughter's Graco Coachrider in the middle of the back seat of my Camry, there is not enough room on either side to fit an adult for a ride longer than a run to the supermarket. I have not been inside the new Altima, but I cannot fathom it being a hell of a lot bigger than my Camry. And in terms of the trunk, pack up not just the stroller, but throw in her pack-n-play, the diaper bag, the clothes bag, the toy bag, your suitcase, your wife's suitcase, the toiletry bag, the gifts for grandma and the fruitcake for dessert. See how much room is left then. I know it because I have had to bring my daughter to Grandmas house in the Camry. My wife had to sit with the fruitcake on the floor the whole way. Can it be done, absolutely. But it sucks. Especially when the baby starts screaming for a bottle and her bottles were stupidly packed in the bag deepest in the trunk!
Then you said:
"I'm not sure why everyone's convinced they need suv, minivan, or even a wagon just because they have a kid. Actually, I do know why. It's because the auto industry has them convinced of this. If you're going to have several kids, yeah you will need something with more seating room, but otherwise, c'mon. It's really a matter of want, not need. Yeah, maybe it's a little easier with the extra size, but look at all of the negative trade-offs. Heck, my folks raised three boys with nothing more than midsized sedans. I don't remember complaining about a lack of room."
Exactly. My parents Torino wagon could fit a pool table in the back. But they also didn't have carseat laws, backseat shoulder belt laws, booster seats and all the other crap that we have to deal with today.
Lastly, you said:
"I do remember having some fun driving a few of those sedans doin' stuff that would have put me upside down by the side of the road had they been suv's. I'm with you on this one, behind you 100%. Stick to your guns, then give me the courage to do the same with my wife!"
Exactly, try and pass that by your wife, and she'll chew you up like last night's dinner. Although it may be a way to guarantee that I won't have to be the one to drop her off at daycare anymore...
It sounds to me like your post to the I don't like SUV's board was mistakenly put here.
Crapgame
There are too many factors, including highly subjective ones, and too many inherent differences between the cars to objectively compare the Maxima's handling to a Camry or Accords. Are we talking base model or sport? Manual or automatic? With or without TC? TC on or off? Size and weight differ. They have different tires. And different suspension set ups.
A much more aggressively set up Maxima SE 6-speed manual with LSD will likely have better objective handling results (skidpad and slalom) than a base Accord or Camry V-6 automatic. But the real difference would be between a Maxima with and without IRS. Guess Altima 3.5 SE is closest standin, but it has different, less aggressive tires!
Think this is why Infiniti G35 is going to IRS. Lack of IRS really stands out in a serious Sport Sedan! Can't find too many besides Maxima and Nissan did it due to lack of funds in mid-1990s. De-contenting the suspensions really changed the beast. The 1990-1994s were sport sedans.
It is not that I don't agree with you. I am just trying to understand why people NEED a van or SUV to carry less than 3 kids to school or any other activities. Are you willing to create a separate topic for this? I would be interesting to see opinions. I might be missing something.
Good to see you were able to address almost every one of my points and conveniently left out others. Honda and Toyota can get more out of less with their cars. How do you explain the Lexus LS430 beating the Q45 in 0-60 with less HP? The easy answer is better gearing, but the real answer is better engineering.
As for Honda - they concentrate on I4s because they're more efficient, and if you think getting 120HP per liter is not a great engineering achievement, then let's see Nissan do it.
Honda's V8 is coming out in the next RL and NSX. Sure, a V6 in the RL is underachieving, but that's soon to be remedied. If you think Honda can only build I4s, you're ignorant.
I will not put a car seat on the side seat of a sedan. In my wife's Seq? Possibly, but I wouldn't like it. At this point, we only have one child, but when the next comes along, the first one's booster seat will go into the middle of the third row. When we go to grandmas house (Grandma does not have a child-friendly house) everything that could possibly be needed goes. You've heard of Murphy's Law? Well, Murphy lives with me. So we have to bring everything. And I mean everything. We managed a couple times in the Camry before we got the Seq., but we were packed like sardines, and everytime you hit the brakes, diapers and bottles etc. went flying around the cabin. So is the SUV essential, absolutely not.
To me, what it boils down to is safety. Speaking from experience in frequent commuting through the metro NYC area, drivers are a lot quicker to cut me off in my Camry than they are to cut me off when I drive the Seq. My insurance company says my Seq is safer for my family. And if my wife is going to be hit by some kid flying around in some souped up rice-rocket, then I want more steel around her to give her the best odds I can. Them's the absolute truth.
240hp is more than enough, maybe even too much for FWD w/open differential. Despite the Altima's too-light steering, the wheel still tugs when you turn and accelerate. AWD would tame it so that you could apply that power effectively in just about any situation.
At least give us a limited slip differential. The cheaper Spec V gets it. Traction control is another alternative. But neither does all that AWD does.
As for wagons, times have changed. Remember, people are spoiled by all the space in their SUVs, and a sedan may be a hard sell for someone that could haul a dish washer home in the box. That Maxima wagon was a box on wheels. New wagons are far more stylish.
Passat has 170hp-190hp, AWD, but not the reliability you expect from Nissan. Subaru has 165hp-212hp and is really the only other option. You guys don't think a 240hp wagon styled to excite could win some market share for Nissan?
Look at what AWD+big power has done for Subaru. The WRX has helped the Impreza increase sales 200%. I'm sure Nissan would be more than happy to see the Altima suffer the same fate!
-juice
But lets have manual transmissions and good V-6s available. Dont put everyone in a "category".
I would prefer FWD or RWD. AWD sucks up too much gas. They still have work to do before i buy into that.
OK, RWD is fine with me, at least for those not in the snow belt. G35 looks good.
-juice
<<Dont be such a punk. I wasn't even talking to you and you're a punk.>>
It's an open forum. You want to carry on a private dialogue, do so via e-mail, otherwise accept other people will respond to your postings.
<< Honda and Toyota can get more out of less with their cars. How do you explain the Lexus LS430 beating the Q45 in 0-60 with less HP? The easy answer is better gearing, but the real answer is better engineering. >>
This is proven by...oh, no proof. You prefer Honda and Toyota. To each his own.
<<As for Honda - they concentrate on I4s because they're more efficient,>>
Actually, it's their bread and butter. Think about it. How many USDM Hondas sell with V6s or higher (if Honda released a V*, lol)? A marginal portion of the Accords sell with V6s and you've got the Minivan. Over at Honda's "luxury" division they sell quite a few V6s, but I think even you would agree that the majority of Honda's revenues come from cars pushed by I4s - RSX, Civic, Accord, Prelude.
<< and if you think getting 120HP per liter is not a great engineering achievement, then let's see Nissan do it.>>
Who said Honda had poor engineers? I actually praised their engineering skill, "Honda can work wonders with its cute little inline 4s."
<<Honda's V8 is coming out in the next RL and NSX.>>
We'll see. At this moment it's vaporware.
<< Sure, a V6 in the RL is underachieving, but that's soon to be remedied.>>
After close to 15 years of offering a "luxury" division without a RWD, V* car. Wow, on the ball.
<< If you think Honda can only build I4s, you're ignorant. >>
Never said that either. You should respond to what's WRITTEN.
Anyway, you got one thing right - I prefer Hondas and Toyotas but if Nissan had gotten everything right in the Altima, I'd pull for it. Make no mistake, its performace numbers are great for a family sedan, but look at the other factors - quality and price, and it's a tough sell in its segment. If Nissan thinks performance alone will sell (aside from its Toyota-derivative styling), they're wrong. So far all I've seen out of the Altima is a poorly-conceived marketing campaign just like the Q45's.
Sure Acura is lacking in a RWD V8 car - but look at it this way. The original Q was a performace machine, but got killed in the market. Infiniti's only decent seller is the I35, and its new Q is doing badly. The TL is the #2 luxury seller (second only to the Town Car - go figure), beating Lexus, BMW and M-B. So market forces play by a set of rules that Nissan/Infiniti are not playing to very well. And I like an underdog - but not an underachieving one.