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Nissan Altima

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Comments

  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    The mystic Emerald is a very elegant looking car. The Sonoma will be very flashy and attactive. Both are very appealing. If you are young I will say The Sonoma. If you are in your 40s I will go with the Light green.
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    was anyone able to find a cargo mat for te trunk?
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    Isn't it funny...those are my two exact FAVORITE colors!

    I tend to like Mystic Emerald slightly more. Mystic Emerald looks very elegant and classy...Sonoma looks classy as well...but it's something about Mystic Emerald that I really like.

    Anyway, get the color that looks the best to you. I like them both...but I like Mystic Emerald just a little more.
  • malibu_jackmalibu_jack Member Posts: 75
    It appears that they only change to the 2004 model Altima is a new colour. Smoke Grey.
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    Yes, the bigger changes (new grill, taillights and interior) are not until the 2005 model.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    ... for getting away with selling (very well, I might add!) a car with a substandard interior for 3 whole model years!
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    I think the Sonoma Sunset color is AWESOME. I'm a fan of darker colors, and I wish Nissan had a deep navy available on its cars instead of that crayon looking blue they have available on the PF, the Sentra, and the Altima. Anyway, if there was a color like Sonoma Sunset available on the Sentra when I bought it, I would have chosen that. (The red offered, "Inferno", I believe, just doesnt have it").

    Re: interior--- a lot of people do not have an issue with the Altima's interior, and many like the design, if not the matierials. Its a very good car at a fair price. It was marketed well. It is stylish and caters to those who need room but also want sportiness (rules out the smaller Mazda 6). Thats why it sells.

    ~alpha
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    Hopefully the car will receive the change soon. But the problem is that now Nissan and Toyota will update there cars at the same time. 2005 will be an interesting year. Isn't the new Passat out by then as well.
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    is worse than competing cars, but the overall car is a huge improvement on the super-crappy 2nd generation Altima.
  • bmwdriver02bmwdriver02 Member Posts: 46
    2004 Info from Autospies.com:

    Enhancements to the 2004 Altima:
    ·4-cylinder models will meet the latest U.S. federal governments emissions standards (FED Tier2 Bin5) and those units sold in California (and other states with California-certified vehicles) will meet PZEV standards (late availability)
    ·New exterior color – Smoke
  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    We have this car and really like it alot. It handles nicely and is quite comfortable, especially with the power drivers seat. Ours is Titanium Frost and it always looks good, clean or dirty.

    The wife chose the car for her daily driver and after 2 years, she still thinks it's great, and you know what they say about a happy wife...!

    The Sandman :-))
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    But the 2nd generation had it all over the 3rd generation interior materials wise.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You think the 2nd generation was nicer than the 3rd inside? I have to disagree. The 2nd generation's interior reminded me too much of the Sentra's when I drove one back in 2000. At least the 3rd gen's has style, if not the best materials inside.
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    Was the best for its time. It went down hill with the restyling and decontenting.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Yea, theres nothing like those Mike Tyson punch out passenger side airbags....

    There is no doubt in my mind that the current Altima is far and away the best generation overall, as it should, IMO, be (newer, in theory, should always be better).

    ~alpha
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    I said "for its time." Of course the current ones are better and more modern now. The 2nd generations were the bad versions especially in styling.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    ... debuted when Nissan tried cost cutting. Remember, the same year the bland Mazda 626 debuted as well. The economy was bad back then, so I blame both cars on that factor.
  • paula0612paula0612 Member Posts: 12
    i was just wondering if i should have my dealer locate a 2003 Nissan Altima SL in the color that i want or should i waite a bit longer and order a 2004. (though there are no major changes between the two years). thanks Paula
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    You will be puchasing a 1 year old car if you buy now.Also you will be loosing out on the 1 year warranty. Warranty goes like this: 3years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first.yours will end 2006. If u buy 04 it will end 07. Which color R U leaning towards?
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    "Warranty goes like this: 3years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first.yours will end 2006. If u buy 04 it will end 07."

    Huh?
    Thought it was always from date of purchase?
    So - would not matter - if they happened to have an 04 and an 03 on the lot - either one you bought, you'd have exactly the same length of coverage. Am I missing something here - specific to Nissan - or the Altima????
    - Ray
    Confused . . .
    2022 X3 M40i
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You're right, the warranty goes from date of purchase, not model year.
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    That is for sure. The 2nd generation saw some heavy decontenting....but nothing is as bad as the 3rd generation Altima. Those materials are cheap! I have read many car reviews for both the 2nd gen and the 3rd gen...yet the 3rd gen always gets hit because of cheap interior materials. The 2nd gen. faced some heat because of it's interior materials as well, but never as bad as the 3rd gen. The 1998-2001 Altima wasn't on par with Honda or Toyota's standards....but the 3rd generation has some plastics that look and feel worse than a Hyundai Accent.

    I do like the 3rd generation Altima though...it looks better than ANY of the other two generations. The car has some style to it...and it looks better than the Mazda6....for sure.

    1st gens interior materials cannot be beat...even the new Maxima doesn't have it beat.

    And I believe the 2nd generation has it beat as well, afterall even the SENTRA has better interior materials than the 3rd gen. Altima.

    As a matter of fact, I came VERY close to getting a Black 2.5S Altima with Convenience Plus Pkg., splash guards, sunroof visor and wheel locks...at a price of $16,988 but I turned it down because I can't deal with the interior materials.

    The car had hail damage by the way....I am still in love with the exterior style of the Altima though...especially with splash guards...I can't stand the side sills...they look tacky IMO.
  • bigfurbigfur Member Posts: 649
    I read some where (dont ask me where ive read alot) that the 3.5 engine requires premium gas. i was just curious what the 2.5 engine used??? im assuming it is also premium but i dont know for sure. if anyone could help thatd be great!
  • pjerrellpjerrell Member Posts: 2
    Part of the reason I did NOT want a 3.5 engine is that it takes premium gas. The 2.5 does NOT,it uses regular...:)
  • pjerrellpjerrell Member Posts: 2
    I have had my car since April. I sold my 1992 Camry to with 64,000 mi.on it to get this one. I loved my Camry and it was and still is an excellent car. I fell in love with the looks on the new Altima. I have the silver with charcoal leather. The Bose stereo is awesome!!! I am hoping this car will hold up as well as the Camry, and hold its resale value. I sold my Camry to a friend for $4000.00 so I did pretty good for an 11 yr old car. I am considering putting in synthetic oil when my first oil change is due. I had it in my Camry and it did good by me,does any one have any opinions pro or con about that? As for the interior of my Altima, I like the the look in mine with the silver metal and wood accents. I think it looks very nice. I love the heated seats and outdoor mirrors too, comes in handy in Michigan ;) One thing I am having a problem with is that I am 5'4", and I cannot reach all the windshield and back window areas to clean, my arms are too short!! Have to get a step stool to wax the roof too! LOL! Overall I do like the car alot,and am happy with my choice.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Congrats on the Altima. I think it's a nice car, even though some say the interior materials aren't up to the price. I didn't find it a problem on the 02 I test drove that was used. Interior materials aren't everything: I had an 02 Jetta that started rattling at 1900 miles, and they have one of the best interiors out there, some say...

    Your 92 Camry only had 64K on it?!? Do you ever drive? :)
  • bigfurbigfur Member Posts: 649
    Thanks, just helped make that decision for me.
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    Greetings,

    I have now owned and driven my '02 Altima SE (V6 automatic) for 13 months now and it has close to 20k miles.

    I have not had any problems to date. The only work that has been done is the routine oil changes and rotating the tires (twice now) which are original and easily have another 15-20k miles on them. The car is blackout and the leather interior is holding up fine as well as the rest of the interior and exterior of the car, another note is the alloy wheels made it thru one of the worst NE winters and they are still in perfect condition (much unlike the cheap alloys that were on my previous car, a 2000 Accord). The Bose stereo is the best stereo I have ever had in a car -get it you will be happy you did! LOL
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    I don't see that model listed on Nissan's web site, or on any of the pricing guide sites. You sure it's not an SL?

    I like the Altima, but don't want a 4 cylinder....

    Deke
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    It's the 3.5 SE. It's there. I just checked.
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    Hmmmm. Is it available with traction control?

    We're up in the air deciding on the Camry or Altima. We'll probably get whatever comes with traction control. My Olds Intrigue got me through the rough winter here in the NE with the TC kicking in only a few times. Talked the wife out of a 4WD SUV.....

    Deke
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    I think traction control is available on the 3.5 SE with automatic transmission but not the 5spd.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    The Mazda 6 6-cylinder comes with Traction Control as well.
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    Maybe I'm missing something....www.nissanusa.com lists the 2.5S and 2.5SE and the 3.5SL. I see no 3.5SE. Is there another site that has updated information?
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    I don't know where you're looking, but here's the latest information:

    http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelHomePage/0,,20700,00.html

    It lists the 2.5, 2.5 s, 2.5 SL and 3.5 SE.
  • valli2valli2 Member Posts: 10
    I am trying to decide on what to buy. I love the look and power of the new Altima. I really have a two part question. Since I have only driven the 6 cyl. I am interested to hear from anyone who has a opinion on the ride and power difference of the 4 cyl.? But my main concern is in the gear shift. I am talking about automatic. OK, I am talking very laymen terms here, so be patient. In the gears you have of course, neutral, reverse etc, and DRIVE. But in this car when you shift to Drive I am worried that it would be VERY EASY for it to slip into DRIVE 3 ( the lower gear)since in their design they have put them side by side with no locking mechanism. Anyone having problems with this? I mean even if you accidentally hit the shifter it could slide over into 3rd gear. Yes or No? Thanks for your input. It is the main worry for me.
  • ultimaultima Member Posts: 96
    Don't worry about it slipping into 3rd gear... I drop it into 3rd at speeds well over 80 mph (and even dropped it into 3rd today at around 100 mph). It works GREAT for passing and "zoom zoom" (sorry Mazda folks).

    Gas mileage will suffer a bit driving this way, but it's waaaaaaay cool from a "performance" stand-point.

    Enjoy your car -- the engine is AMAZING!!!
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    You can use the Zoom Zoom terminology if you like. Mazda corporate may not approve, but Mazda and Nissan, IMO,a re the only two car companies except niche players like the Scoobie WRX) from (based out of - irrespective of where the cars are built) Japan that give two hoots about making fun-to-drive vehicles for everyday use any more!
  • precious_j84precious_j84 Member Posts: 2
    My husband is 6'2 and we want to buy the Nissan Altima 2.5 SL. Would he be able to fit comfortably?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I am 6'3 myself, and test drove an Altima 2.5S with the power driver's seat. The car had plenty of room for me and was comfortable on the test drive. I probably would have bought it actually, but I got a deal I couldn't pass up on something else.
  • malibu_jackmalibu_jack Member Posts: 75
    so what did you end up getting?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    He got a PT Cruiser, and before THIS discussion becomes one of the many getting sidetracked in vocus' car woes and purchases :-) let me suggest you check out the Jetta discussion here in Sedans. The whole story is there, you can join in and ask him any questions that strike you about his recent, um, adventure in losing his Jetta and gaining the PT.

    It might be that you can find the story in a Cruiser discussion, but I can't say for sure...

    : )
  • precious_j84precious_j84 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks Vocus!!! It's really hard to find a car that he can fit it and not look scrunched. You've made our decision alot easier, thank you.
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    pathost, you made my day. Your latest post above had me in hysterics. I could just FEEL your exasperation through cyberspace! It's hilarious what you put up with; the repetitious posts, off-topic stuff, etc etc....but you still run a tight ship!!
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Not so much frustration as a need to keep the fact that we have topically oriented message board underway, as opposed to a freestyle chat room.

    Heh.

    Erm, back to the Altima now....
  • cayennered1cayennered1 Member Posts: 193
    It's funny you bring this up as when I purchased my Altima 2.5S in November as I drove away from the dealer I was unclear whether D3 was the regular drive mode and drove it for 6-7 miles in that gear.

    Since then I have never even accidentally shifted into D3 so I don't thinkit would be much of a problem.

    As to Performance of the 2.5. I love it. Much quieter than most 4's and performs like a 6. Looks very upscale. It was parked next to a CTS today and looked much the more expensive car.

    Oh yeah, 9 months of ownership and no problems whatsoever. Two oil changes and a tire rotation has been it.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    I am currently in the middle of a 5000-mile road trip in my '02 Altima 3.5, and I thought I would share my impressions so far on this trip.

    The seats are very comfortable for long drives, and power even with the A/C on is abundant. The suspension seems to have been designed with highway driving in mind, because the harshness you encounter in city driving disappears and the ride feels comfortable yet controlled. Gas mileage on the highway has been excellent, up to 30 mpg for a tank. The 20-gallon gas tank allows for 500+ miles between fillups, which has helped us make great time on the longer legs of the trip.

    Finally used the pop-up center armrest, which is actually quite nice when you're cruising on the highway. Also, the 6-disc CD changer and Bose stereo have been very nice to have.

    The only real complaint I have is excessive wind noise from the sunroof. The noise first starts becoming noticable around 60 mph, and by 80 mph it is loud enough to be annoying. Our workaround so far has been to close the sunroof shade to muffle the sound, but I will bring up this issue with my dealer when I get home.

    We've been staying with family and friends along the way, and the Altima has gotten many compliments from them. My fiancee's aunt and uncle, who drive a Lexus RX300 and Volvo S80, both commented on how nice and expensive it looks. My fiancee's sister wanted to trade it for her minivan. And my cousin is now considering buying one after checking mine out.

    The Altima has been an excellent road trip car so far. Wish me luck on the return leg of my journey!
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    The wind noise from the sunroof....do you have the air deflector? Just curious to see that if you do, then it would make no sense to pay the extra for something that doesn't work. If not, maybe it would help??

    Deke
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    No air deflector. Maybe it would help, but I don't like the way it looks. I would rather just live with the wind noise because it doesn't bother me that much.
  • paula0612paula0612 Member Posts: 12
    i totally agree with how the wind deflector makes the Altima look. i feel it cheapens the look. i asked a dealer if they can be removed if i find a car and it already has it on. he said there is no problem to remove with do damage to the paint. most of the cars around here that have a sunroof have these. i feel they should just leave it off and let the person purchasing the car to have it put on if they want. just my opinion. Paula
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