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So just wanted to remind everyone that people really can get different impressions from the same car, so just test it out. If you dont like it, fine, but in my opinion you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not at least seeing for yourself.
Legacy is nice, but its transmission (automatic) is somehow weird, not shifting when it should. (It does have an auto-manual mode, but I'm not a fan of this concept.) Also, despite the specs showing almost 2" more front legroom in the Legacy than in the Altima, in practice, the Legacy is more cramped, with no room for the driver's left foot. I'm coming from an old Altima with tons of legroom, and the new Altima does feel as spacious for the driver (I'm 6'0), despite a loss of 1.5" of front legroom on paper.
The CVT is really nice, not sluggish at all! Both the 2.5S and 3.5SE accelerate great with it (with me and a dealer in). Actually, as was the case back in 2002 when I was deciding between the 2.5l and 3.5l versions of that year's Altima, on the whole, the 2.5 feels a bit more "agile" and "light" than the 3.5, apparently because of its lower weight. I would not pay extra for the 3.5 this time either if the 2.5 was offered with the stability control option, which was a must for me (totaled my previous car because of lack thereof). If you want stability control but do not want a rear spoiler, Nissan gives you only one option, a fully loaded 3.5SL, which is what I got. BTW, leather seats are OK, just had to play with the adjustments for a while.
I was planning on test-driving also a Dodge Charger AWD and a Saturn Aura, but decided not to - was perfectly happy with the Altima.
Now, for the open-minded among you, for the past few days I've been driving a rental 2006 Huinday Sonata V6, and it far exceeded my expectations - the engine is smooth and quiet with a great pull at low RPM, the auto transmission makes the most of the engine torque, and the suspension is nice. (And it has stability control.) If you can live with a somewhat less than stylish interior, Sonata is a surprisingly good car.
I am looking into 2007 2.5S..
These were my impressions that led to the purchase of the Altima: The Accord's suspension was too soft for my taste. The Camry SE had very good ride and handling, but the styling didn't grab me and there were a number of reports of transmission problems. The Legacy GT didn't feel as responsive as the Altima (not sure whether it was a function of the automatic transmission's downshift delay or the turbo lag). I felt like I was sitting too low in the G6 with respect to the height of the dash. The G6 steering was a little heavier than what I was looking for.
2008 Nissan Altima coupe unveiled
Nissan today unveiled the 2008 Altima coupe at the Los Angeles auto show. The car will go on sale as a 2008 model in summer 2007. "Rather than just eliminating two doors from the Altima Sedan, we gave the Altima Coupe its own style, its own dimensions and its own interpretation of Nissan’s exhilarating driving pleasure," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.
Though the new coupe shares much with the latest edition of the Altima Sedan, which went on sale in early November 2006. Dimensionally, the Altima Coupe rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, a full 4 inches shorter than the Sedan. Overall length is 182.5 inches – 7.1 inches less than the Sedan. The Coupe also has a lower profile – at 55.3 inches it is 2.5 inches shorter than the Sedan. In terms of major body panels, the two cars share only a common hood, with all other panels and lights unique to the coupe.
The new Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is the "next generation" version of the VQ-series V6 offering 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Also available with the new Altima Coupe is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Customers can chose between a CVT transmission and a 6-speed manual.
Had to cancel the sale on the blue one, but another dealer who had the right color matched the deal ($700 over invoice including everything pre-tax). So this seems to be the going rate here in MA/RI area, and it's well below Edmunds' TMV.
I had been waiting for-EVER for the car to come out, as I had pretty much decided on an altima (after being unimpressed with the Sentra) but didn't want a 2006.
I love it. I got the convenience package and BLACK. Oh man, it's HOT!
I'm coming from a 2000 Ford Focus (which I did love) so it's a bit bigger and I can definitely feel that, though I'll get used to it in no time. Plus it's quieter, roomier. Sexier!
I paid (apparently - I'm thinking there was some number fudging going on) $200 below sticker because the dealer I went to didn't have the car I wanted and I had a "Friends and Family" couon from another dealer. They laughed at me when I "bargained" with them, but...I figured the prices weren't going to budge anytime soon - especially with the lots FULL of 2006s.
And, I know it's just a silly feature but I friggin' LOVE the push button start!! It's so cool, I feel like I'm starting up the batmobile or something.
A burgandy or deep plum color would look great on the Altima IMO, or even a color similar to the odd Seascape would look good IMO. I'd also like to see a true beige instead of the Pebble Beach (which looks similar to Polished Pewter but is slightly lighter)
But above all, I'm in LOVE with the new coupe!
A friend wanted a used Passat that a dealer had, and wanted my help negotiating. I agreed, got the necessary info from him, told him what I expected to get it for (about 12k), went into the place, and told him to basically shut up. The salesman, the friend and I are sitting there talking, and the salesman starts asking about price. Immediately my friend says "I'm willing to $15,000, but I'm sure you can do better." Both the salesguy's and my jaws dropped, speechlessly. I told my friend to leave the room that very minute. The salesman and I proceeded to laugh our butts off, and then I applied other leverage and got him to 13,200. I figured the $1,200 was the price my friend had to pay for being an idiot.
Sort of along those lines, when we were first married, my wife and I would always fight when we made a major purpose. I would be so "nonchalant" that she would think I was not going to buy and would start trying to convince me about how much she wanted it. Right in front of the salesperson.
But after a while, it started working to our advantage. We would argue so much that the salesperson was ready to agree to just about anything to get us out of their office. I cannot tell you how much we saved on our first house.
:P
"Sonoma sunset" looks almost burgundy, the dealer had an Altima in this color on the floor and it's quite nice. The problem though is all the chrome on the front grille and the trunk, which looks garish on any bright/primary color IMO. Spent a while staring at two cars side by side, one dark blue and another gray, and had to go for the gray, even though always wanted blue.
The way all always approached a major purchase is to never show over-interest and enthusiasm but my wife would think that I really was not interested. Therefore, she would try to "sell" the purchase to me. I'd then get made because I would think she was being too willing to buy. She would then get made at me for being made at her.
Then we'd starting arguing (mostly about the purchase itself, I will say we never got personal arguing with each other). The salesperson would then offer us better deals than we originally asked for just to get us out of their office.
All completely unplanned.
All very effective.
But in the interest of marital bliss, I think we will try your strategy from now on.
Give us your impression. Is it smooth? Is the clutch progressive? Are engine rpms hanging when going from one gear to another like in most cars today? What rpms engine shows at 100 km/h
I did not like the seat, it seemed too flat, low (even with height adjusted to maximum), and a bit hard.
On a side note...I find the creation of a mythical base model by Nissan to be kind of obnoxious. It is apparently only available without A/C, only in manual transmission, only in black and only by special order. Why even bother...of course, I know it is so that they can advertise base price of about $2000 below the real base price.
looking to purchase a new 07 altima, which I love what is best the bottom line price to expect from a dealer? I also have a friends and family nissan discount. What is that worth? Comparing the altima to the Acura tsx. Much smaller card but the resale value is a lot higher. Any thoughts
Thanks viv3
Some questions:
1 - Anyone seen more promising tests?
2 - Does the CVT suck up that much power?
3 - Does anyone know the similarities/differences between the 3.5 in the Altima and the one in the G35? Where does the extra 36HP in the G come from?
I only tested the 3.5 w/ 6 speed.
It is smooth and is quite easy if that is what you are after. CLutch pedal is extremely light and progressive enough although it is not proportionally gradual as you will wish. Harder to kill the engine by mistake in your pedal skill. Engine hangs long. It is basically not like a manual sporty vehicle of yester year but rather clutch as if you are switching off the hp, flip a gear, let out the pedal reasonable well, you do great & not effort, too easy.
None of the sport car feel and forget about heel and toe stuff. At least I don't the pedals positioned or angled right for that kind of driving.
There is a roadtest 2 on the 2007 ALtima done by Road & Track or someone on the 3/5SE manual. that will have the max speed and max rpm to figure that out. MY guess for this kind of power, it will be 2500 rpm or a little less = very quiet.
Now, I did not try a 2.5 manual. If it is 2.5, I will think the noise level will be annoying at all speed when you are trying to take off a little faster. It will be quiet when cruising.
Tony
Have you tried using the mid-grades of 89?
Thanks for your insights.
:confuse:
One of my reasons for wanting a car of a different color is so I can pick it out in a parking lot. My current car is a variation in taupe and it is nearly impossible to tell it from the sea of other cars of nearly the same color.
No haven't tried Mid Grade yet.
I have used Av-gas 110 (avation grade) and let me tell you, the engine loved it, but its very pricey and just wanted to try it once.
Tony
I did look at the Jade color during lunch. While it was nice it did give me the feeling of a greenish taupe. If I want a car that stands out in a parking lot I don't think this is the color to pick. Then again dark red isn't exactly a rare color either. At least it isn't a shade of gray!
One big surprise was the Majestic Blue. On the web site I thought that color was very dark and near black. It's a very metallic blue that actually shows quite nicely! Now if I can only see it on a clean car in the daylight.
Now my dilemma is to choose red vs blue. I do like how the red is accented by the taillights but I'm not fond of the non-metalic paint and the fondness that cops have to ticketing speeding red cars. The blue is a nice color is less contrasty with the sun roof giving the car smoother lines. From the front of the car I prefer blue. From the back I prefer red. Help!
Anyone have an idea of which color is more popular? My goal is to have the less popular color. I'm thinking it may be blue.