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Nissan Altima
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Comments
Only problem I encountered with this car and it annoys me a lot is squeaking..It used to be just when you hit a pothole now it is becoming its way of life! (I experienced this only with old cars that I own). I found some on squeaking but I just have the numbers... Anyway I can get what these are? Thank you
99-052 SEP 99 Interior - Squeak and Rattle Repair
98-110 JAN 99 Squeak and Rattle Repair - Supplies
The dealer is in NYC. Should I take the deal?
I need help:
I drove the GLS (4cyl and 6cyl): great interior and quality but I felt the car to be a bit underpowered and the brakes soft.
The 2002 altima is exactly the opposite: GREAT v6 Engine (a rocket), great outside looks, excellent brakes, more "organic" drive....but cheap looking material and inside fit and finish.
My wife wants the Passat and I prefer the Altima
Any feedback would be appreciated
thanks
mazen
Vancouver, WA
Be careful, it could be a lowball price just to get you into the showroom. As I often tell my customers, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. One thing I would definately suggest is that you investigate the dealer with the Better Business Bureau. (www.bbb.org) If they don't recommend them, i'd shop around.
Sid
rep.
So 1 fax, and 2 phone calls later...
Altima 2.5 S VELVET BEIGE / BLONDE INTERIOR
Automatic
Splash guards
Foglights
Floor mats
Auto Dimming Rearview mirror w/ compass
$18,800 plus tax title and license.
MSRP as configured on Nissan's website: $20,055.
I think I did well.
I will pick up the car in 3 days!
Passat or Altima? The key is who is the primary driver? If it's her car, let her choose.
The Passat does seem over-engineered. Check out the carpets, the door hinges, the articulating trunk hinge, the headliner, visors, all very nice. But reliability is not a strong point, and the 1.8T only makes 170hp, same as the 4 cylinder Altima.
The Altima is all engine. Reliability should be a plus, too.
-juice
My impressions:
The engine is 90% as sweet as the BMW, and very comparable to the Lexus, though in a different way...there is just something about an I-6 that can't be duplicated.
The Altima is quicker than both the BMW and Lexus in a straight line, but doesn't "feel" as quick as I thought it would.
The suspension is well set up with a good combination of stiffness and compliance. I was impressed. The Altima, however, is not as composed as the BMW or Lexus on rough and/or twisty roads. Also, it is obviously front-wheel drive in that it exhibits some torque steer and understeer.
Interior plastics and layout don't compare to the BMW but the Lexus is surprisingly cheap inside, although the Lexus is a nicer place to be in. The Altima doesn't really trail the Lexus by too much, and it is a lot roomier.
The Altima is noticeably noisier on the road. I heard most road noise coming from the back of the cabin (trunk or back seat area?). I also heard a few rattles dring my test drive.
I was surprised to learn that ABS is not standard on the Altima. I was impressed to learn that the ABS option includes side airbags, side curtain airbags, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Although traction control is noticeably absent, these options really bring the Altima up to the plate to compete with more expensive "luxury" imports.
The BMW is one of the best looking cars on the road so I won't compare it to the Altima. I do think the Altima looks great, and is the best looking Nissan product ever! The Altima looks better than the Lexus, which I think looks like a Honda Civic with clear lenses.
Anecdote: driving to work this morning, I saw what I thought was an IS300 ahead of me. As I caught up to it, I saw that it was actually a last generation (94-98) Honda Accord with round red stickers taped to the back trunk lid, flanking the license plate. I know my cars very well, and it still fooled me until I got right up to it!
I was very impressed with the Altima. Carefully equipped, it is a true bargain, and a terrific sports sedan! Optioned up with all the goodies, it becomes somewhat less compelling because of the near-luxury competition. Bottom line - nothing costing around $28,000 will give you the combination of performance and features that the Altima offers. You could go with the BMW 325i or Audi A4 1.8T at that price and get more respect at the country club, but you won't get climate control, moonroof, 240 hp, leather, auto dim mirror, etc.
I congratulate all you '02 Altima owners out there. You've made a great choice on a fine car!
Ask owners, and even the ones that suffered reliability problems tend to long for the materials quality that the Passat offers. They may need to move up to an Infiniti/Acura/Lexus to get what they're accustomed to.
If VW had reliability under control, there's no telling what they could do.
-juice
I personally don't listen to cassettes anymore so it's not a problem, but if you do, I can see why you would be upset.
I just posted some comments on VW reliability on the Passat board. If you get a chance take a peek, I think it's post #2705 or thereabouts. I came to the same conclusion that you just did. If VW's reliability improved, they'd have some near perfect vehicles, especially in the non-luxury class. Then buying a Passat would be a no-brainer for me. I guess you just can't have it all, try as you might. *Sigh* .....
-juice
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/service1.cfm?SearchTopic=Vehicle
I believe if you call Nissan with the TSB number, they can tell you more about it.
Has anyone(midnightcowboy?)driven both and come away with the same experience? Love the car but that tire howl is a deal killer for me if its common with all SE-R's
brickers:
"I do have one question, the dealer mentioned something about the 3.5SL's suspension being more luxury tuned, hence absorbs bumps better and has better sound insulation compared to the 3.5SE or the 2.5, I did drive both and couldn't tell the difference too much. Any thoughts on that?"
Thats my understanding regarding the suspension as well. While I can tell a difference its pretty subtle imo. I also tend to pick up on a lot of details with vehicles in general that others wouldnt bat an eyelash at. That said, I can understand you not being able to tell the difference.
What I don't understand is that neither A/C nor a stereo are listed as standard OR optional on the 2.5 (non-S). Is Nissan offering the base model purely to say they have a mid-size that costs under $17k? Are the a/c and CD stereo available as dealer-installed options? If not, I would be surprised if they sold a single unit. What gives?
I also find it maddening that: in order to get a sunroof on the 2.5S (this is the mid-grade model, mind you), I'd have to spend more than $2600 over the base price (because you have to get the 'convenience package', which includes a bunch of stuff I neither need or want: keyless, alloys, power seat, etc.). I hate package bundling.
That said, the Altima S with the roof and convenience package even for $21,400 seems like a hell of a deal.
I've had two myself, and several friends have put them in. None ever had a single problem.
-juice
Bundling options seems is hardly unique to Nissan. Toyota is infamous for it, and even Honda fans gnash their teeth about option packages.
FWIW I have a theory that buying a car is a two-step process. First step: pick the specific model. At this point, buyer still trying to be rational, keeping to a budget.
Second step: trick it out. Here buyer loses emotional control, and now those seductive options packages suddenly start sending the OTD price higher than we'd meant to go. But too late. We're hooked, and we grin sheepishly as we exceed our budget.
At least that is how I have bought cars. Just a theory.
IMHO things like A/C, CD, and ABS should be standard in this day and age. Safety features, too. When you standardize you save assembly costs by not having to change things over and over again on the assembly line. I bet it helps quality ratings too.
-juice
I also felt the steering was overboosted a little.
-juice
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
I love the power of my new Altima but I think I'm going to have to swap out the cloth seats with some nice aftermarket leather. The factory leather was not for me.
Thanks
High strength steel used on the chassis affects safety.
Have any of you had problems will the paint Job?
My buddy does it seems as if the clearcoat is wearing out in spots all over the car causing the paint to peal and the primer exsposed. The car is 3 months old. Please let me know.
Thanks
b_thedude
regarding the paint on 2002 Altima's. My wife bought her silver 2002 2.5 Altima just before Christmas. the Car was built in Novemeber.
so far so good...the paints holding out. I've always owned GM vehicles and never have had a paint problem. Now I'm getting nervous on hearing about paint problems!
So far she loves her car. We went on a 250 mile trip at Christmas and we drove 75 on the freeway.
Posted a good 31 mpg.
"Nissan will have a brand new 2 door model in late 2003. It might even make it to the U.S !
It will compete with the Solara/Accord Coupe, and is based on a shortened Altima platform with the same engines. "
....