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Nissan Altima
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Comments
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I understand your statement, and also would not have paid MSRP, which on mine was $28565 + a dealer add on package of $945. I could, however, have bought an '01 "S", for about $2000 more, or around $24000. Maybe your dealer won't do it. There were two incentives when I bought. One was a factory to dealer incentive of $4000. The other was a $1500 buyer incentive. They also got rid of the $945 wash, wax, and striping package. That should be labeled "Additional Dealer Profit" anyway. All that totals $6445 in discounts. In addition they discounted it down to $21630, and gave me $150 in free gasoline credit cards. For a before tax/tag price of $21680. The invoice was $259??, or barely under $26000. My cost was more than $4000 under invoice.
The back is another matter. For one, I really liked it jewel lights and all. Then Last night I got to trail one. Noticed a possible problem. There's no real bumper.
Has any one had experiece with the back bumper being hit? Has this been subjected to any bumper basher tests?
they just made it invisible.
But if you need a big eyesore in the shape of a rear bumber, perhaps you could buy an aftermarket one. Hehe you just gave me an idea - I am going to start a business making add-on rear bumpers for 2002 Nissan Altima owners.
dealer will replace.
We are in Champaign, IL, so very flat driving conditions.
Engine noise seems fine to us, I've heard the Camry is better for road and engine noise but the new Altima is quiet in our opinion. If we have to accelerate quickly there is an audible "growl" (for want of a better word!) as the car picks up speed, but then it quiets right back down.
BUT - first inkling that I may have a VIN problem - sent the VIN to my bank over the web and they say it's incorrect. I double checked before sending since that problem has been discussed on this board, I'll try again today and hopefully it will go through OK. Uh oh!
She compared it to the Maxima she drove a few years ago.
Questions:
what is the "real" gas mileage to expect with the automatic and what might she expect in the winter?
Also, Cupholder, don't mess with Ruski's 300M. That is one beautiful, mean machine, so don't compare it to a Buick!
Impressive handling (compared to American family boats (sedans?) and somewhat better than the Accord or Camry. Disappointing (bland and cheap-feeling and looking) interior and ridiculous amounts of torque steer detract from the overall ride. There was a broken trim piece in the armrest container. Not good for initial impression! Decent Bose sound system in the 6.
Also, I was absolutely unable to find a comfortable driving position with the manual seat and tilt steering sheel in the 4, while it was marginal because I could telescope the steering in the 6 cylinder.
Overall, a pretty decent car - but I can wait, and have a feeling the Mazda 6 will be way better! (atleast from the pics and specs)
Quite an exciting time to be buying a family sedan, I must admit. For those buying now, a month from now is ideal - when the Nissan dealers brains get back on an even keel and the demand slows a little!
Also, your name is Velvet2, does that imply that you brought Velvet Beige? I saw that color, it looks pretty nice, I want the Mystic Emerald or Seascape color whenever I buy, maybe even Opal Blue or Polished Pewter, but anyway, congrats on your purchase, you will enjoy it.
I also saw a new Altima at Stein Mart today, I was driving by the parking lot, and I was like "I know those lights from somewhere, so I followed it, then this old lady with her twenty something year old daughter stepped out of it, I parked right beside them so I could admire it, it was a 2.5S in Noveau Ruby with Blond cloth interior, it was really sharp!
WOW!
The local dealership had about a dozen or so mixed variety, but they all had one thing in common...an additional dealer price markup of $1295 for, get this, "Acid Rain Protection".
'Scuse me while I hurl...
Anybody else experiencing such outlandish price markups from their dealers?
I test drove the camry today and it just didn't have the feel that I had when I drove the altima. The back didn't have the leg room that the altima had. After today I've decided to go with the altima. There's one thing though, the car that took for a test drive didn't have the convience package in it. The dealer said that he could do a dealer trade to get the model and color that I want. I have some questions about dealer trades that hopefully some of you can answer.
1. How does a dealer trade process work and will I have to pay extra for it?
2. Can't I just have the dealer order me a new altima with the exact things that I want on it?
3. I don't want some Joe Schmoe driving my new altima to deliver my new car. Plus I feel more comfortable if I'm putting the miles on the car myself. Will the dealer let me go pick-up the car myself?
Someone please answer question #1 because I'm not too sure how this entire process works.
2. Can't I just have the dealer order me a new altima with the exact things that I want on it?
A dealer trade happens when one dealer sells a car to another dealer. Usually it happens for something like $100 over invoice. Your dealer searches through inventories of nearby dealers looking for a car that matches your specs, and if he finds one he buys it from the other dealer and then sells it to you. The advantage to this method over ordering a car is that you don't have to wait for a car to be built and delivered to you. The disadvantage is that it is possible that they won't be able to find exactly what you want and you may have to settle for something slightly different from what you were hoping for. I'm not entirely clear how the two processes would impact pricing.
2) Yes, the dealer can order your car I believe. I for one want a Altima 2.5SL with every option excpet the wood grain trim or a 3.5SE with all the options execpt the rear spoiler(I just don't like them.) I want my Altima in a 5 speed, I have yet to see one, so I figure I will have to order, and I have been told that you can. It could take awhile though.
3) The dealer should have no problem with you going to pick up your car from the other dealership, in reality you are helping them, it's saving them money buy you going to get it. Also, I would check it out before I buy it.
Also, Just out of curiousity, what options do you want on your new Altima? The dealerships in my area have an overwhelming supply of 2.5S models with the Convenience packages, I've only seen one 2.5S without it.
The deal is certainly great and I don't see how you can get such a nice car and pay $2000 less than a similarly equipped 3.5SL Altima. In comparison, Altima is certainly way over-priced. Millenia is positioned to be near-luxury and has been well appraised by reviewers.
By the way, if anyone knows any dealer in Denver can give the same deal, please post your contact info here and I will be more than happy to call you.
Not only is the interior cheap and plasticky...the front grille has a lot of plastic too...
This car in New York would become a rattle box in no time.
240 horses who cares, when you cant stand the interior...and hey that is where you are 100 percent of the time.
oh, the walnut trim...is UGLY...orange yellow...tacky.
Did anybody read the article in NY Times about Nissan sending Pill Bottles to people, and people thought they may contain anthrax, talk about bad timing! So Nissan has stopped sending them out, and is going to send letters of apologies to people who receieved them, and will send regular brochures to anyone who would like to get one. Personally I think they should have just sent us all regular brochures in the first place, and used the extra money on the interior materials, but that's JMO.
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tcdenver: quote
"I am very curious about the price for the '01 Millenia P for $21680 that you cited here earlier. Was it for a brand new car? Or was it a demo? I cannot locate a dealer to offer me that price in Denver. Can you tell us where you are and more about the deal?"
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Yes, brand new, three miles on odo. Was not even on the dealers inventory list yet. A salesman heard us talking, and told them they had exactly what I was looking for on the back lot. Took one look at it and closed the deal at $21830, minus $150 in gas cards = $21680. Cash, no trade, before tax and tag. Out the door $23779. No trick to this deal, and the car is immaculate. I now have 3800 trouble free miles on it after a 3000 mile vacation, and it's ready for the first oil change.
This was Courtesy Mazda in Tampa Fl. Good luck in Denver.
The simple reason is that 99.99% of buyers don't care, so Nissan probably decided to cut costs. Of the drivers that would care, most will end up buying the manual version anyway. Most buyers will never drive this car above 130 mph let alone sustain that speed for any amount of time. Also, the difference in lower speed performance between the H and V rated tires (if there is any) would be unnoticable to almost everyone.
"And there isn't even an option for the automatic buyer to get V-rated tires."
What manufacturer of cars in the same class as the Altima offer V-rated tires as an option? Actually, what manufacturer of cars in the same class even offer tires that are agressive as these so called "low-grade" tires. Remember, this car has been designed to compete with the Accords and Camrys (not the BMWs, Lexuses, MBs, etc...). Even the Maxima GLE, the big brother to the Altima, comes with the same 215/55HR17 tires. Besides, there always is an option; bargain with the dealer when you buy the car to have him install the V-rated tires.
now....back to the Altima!
Anyway it's a great car, marred only by a somewhat low-rent interior. The first 4-door "looker" Nissan has made in quite, quite some time.
M
I give buyers of Altima 3.5 SE automatic enough credit to know they aren't getting the "full" car and its capabilities. Nissan will have to speed limit it. I'll have to see if if Toyota does same or not for Camry V-6 SE in regard to speed rating of tires and top speed; it now has a limited Sport Pkg.
Any Rear Bumper Tests?
one point on the bumper - check out the Accord Coupe's rear bumper - Looks pretty similar doesn't it. There are lots of cars with close to flush bumpers on the market. Let's wait for the tests before we speculate the worst. My biggest concern with the bumper is how to mount my bike rack.
Also in general the 2.5S shoppers, me included, seem to be happiest with the Altima. I hope people searching for a car in the $20K range don't get discouraged by the complaints of people shopping for much more expensive cars.
Sure the interior of the Camry SE is nice, but if the trade off is a car with no personality, no power, no stick and zero handling capabilities, well then the car is essentially useless.
I've yet to drive an Altima SE with a stick. Given my past experience with Nissan, it seems a safe bet that the car will handle well. Plus it's got loads of power AND stick.
In reading these messages I realize I didn't take into consideration dealer mark-up on this car. Don't make the same mistake when you go to buy! Oh well -- I STILL LOVE MY CAR!
BTW, there is nothing wrong with the interior of this car. To each his own.