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Comments
I bought it on 09/23, did not notice the problem as well, guess it was not a problem back then.
I'll share with you if I have any new info regarding that.
I'm making an appt for early next week.
This is a great engine, but these problems are
not acceptable in a new car.
I'll let all the people who can't wait & have to be the first to be seen driving around in a new model experience all the problems. Even a reliable brand such as Nissan has their problems. It's not too bad buying a new model if the engine is proven, but the Altima's engine is also a brand new design. I'll be waiting till the 2004 model year to buy my Altima (after most bugs have been worked out).
My neighbour is a mechanic. I had him take a look at the car. He told me the lower control arm was bent and needed replacement. He got me a used one for $125 and charged me $100 for labor. I didn't think too much yesterday. But when I think of it now, the lower control arm is pretty sturdy in construction. I am wondering if it really was damaged in the accident. Wheel hitting a curb at 20mph doesn't seem to be that big of an impact? Or is it? I should've checked the lower control arm when he took it off from the car yesterday. But I didn't. I totally trusted him at that point.
Just want to make sure I wasn't taken and I can still trust him... I am pretty sure his labor charge is on the high side. R&S strauss quoted the same, $100, for changing the lower control arm. You think you should get a better deal with a backyard garage... Anyway, can anyone please let me know how likely the lower control arm was damaged in the accident. Thanks a lot.
By the way, just because the guy doesn't have a shop (at least at home), do you think you should pay him less? You're paying the guy for his experience.
My 15 year old could do it for you for $20, but I've seen him strip bolts and round off the heads of screws - you get what you pay for.
Just wondering, what's your insurance deductible? If you had the part replaced with a dealer item and had a regular shop do the work, you probably would've paid your $250-500 deductible.
Sorry for the rant, but I used to help friends out by doing cheap work at home. Not any more - I was taken advantage of too many times, second-guessed, etc. It's not work it.
By the way, Strauss scares the hell out of me - I live in Philly and investigate dealer and shop fraud in NJ, PA, NY and DE - seen 'em do ugly stuff!
Bill
Just two days ago my wife went to start the car in the garage again and it would not start. When I got home from work later that day I could not start the car. It appeared to act as if it was flooded. I had the car towed to the dealer who stated when they went out in the morning it started right up but appeared to have the symptoms of flooding. Has anyone had a similar problem.
Thanks.
Thanks.
I drove him crazy with this as with each small correction, I had to drive the car and then have him adjust what he did a little more. It eventually worked after the third correction.
Good luck and let me know how it turns out. Nice car, by the way. The wife really loves her Alty!
The Sandman :-)
If it's overall wear, rotate more frequently or keep your foot out of it. I like putting my foot into, so I have to pay the price.
If it's an alignment issue, I would definitely take it to the dealer - you're still under the 12 month/12,000 mile "adjustment period" and they need to look at a possible alignment problem.
Take your foot out of the firewall, rotate your tires at every oil change and enjoy your car.
Also, OEM tires suck.
Check the Tire Rack for tires that fit your car, but have a much higher treadwear rating. Let me know what size you have and I'll be glad to make a suggestion (several years in the high performance tire business, plus racing experience - I know what lasts and what doesn't).
I recommend the Bridgestone EL-42 in the same size. The Tire Rack carries the V rated version for $115, the H rated one is $101 - treadwear ratings are the same and the V rated version will handle better.
Thet also carry a Pirelli P6000 in a 235/50-17 for $184, but it only has a 180 treadwear, less than what you have now and less than the Bridgestones.
The stalling is not on a daily basis but every 2 or 3 weeks, regardless of the weather rain or shine. I have replaced the sparks plugs, plug wires, poured fuel injector cleaner and HEET into the gas tank hoping this would clear the moisture and clogged injectors but to no avail. Car has 125,00 miles.
Anyone have the similar problem with Altimas? Any feedbacks will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
The way around it is to use good aftermarket rotors like Bendix or Raybestos, but I'd wait until after 12,000 miles - if the warpage comes back before 12K, they may replace the rotors and the brake pads - that's very common considering pads develop of wear pattern.
Luk
I will take it to the dealership this week to see what they say, but I was wondering what some of you think might be causing these things. Also, have any other '03 owners ('02, too) had similar problems?