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It's funny how times change. My daily driver is a 1987 Toyota FX, and there is not a SINGLE cup holder in the vehicle!
The comment about cup holders appearing in late-model cars is interesting. Cup holders appeared. Ashtrays disappeared. Cigarette lighters did, too. So did vent windows. What's next? ;-). BTW, if my count is correct, between front and rear, there are 10 cup holders for 5 passengers. Four in the front center console, 2 in the rear center arm rest, and one in each of four doors. "Anyone need to stop for a bathroom break?!?!"
though the 3 are great, fits almost any cup!
California Emission Performance - 180 months/150,000 miles
California Emission Defect - 180 months/150,000 miles
California Emission High Voltage Battery - 120 months/150,000 miles
Hybrid Electric(HEV)System - 96 months / 100,000 miles
http://www.nissanusa.com/pdf/techpubs/altima_hybrid/2007/2007_Altima_Hybrid_WIB.- - pdf
"I have no good news. I spoke with distribution on your vehicle and it will be an October production car as they will not be building leather or technology packaged cars until their over surplus of the base cars have dwindled. "
Our own experience was that our dealership was getting groups of hybrids in, about 5 at a time, in various colors (mostly tech packages). We could choose from the color combos. Fortunately, one of the incoming cars was exactly what we wanted, so we only had to wait about a month.
I'm very suspicious of a dealer claiming that there's a glut of tech packages. They're rare, as near as I can tell (at least here in Northern California), here at the end of the model year. Maybe a few phone calls would be in order. Even one to Nissan US Corporate might shed some light on the issue. My only question for your dealership is, "If there's a glut, where are these cars? I'll go buy one there!"
I think I used an Italian hand gesture at that news.
Putting a new product on the market is always a crap shoot. Though the Toyota Prius has demonstrated itself to be very popular, it hits a slightly different market segment than the NAH. The NAH is a sport-hybrid, which is hitting a segment that Nissan (and others) doesn't completely understand, yet. It's people who want good feel of driving a hybrid, without giving up sportiness, and apaprently, gadgetry. I'm sure Nissan's marketing and sales departments are looking at the sales figures with a bit of amazement. No one wants the base package to speak of (unless you can't afford the higher-priced packages). More people want the connection package, but what the heck, for a few thousand more, you get all the cool stuff...
I'm guessing that Nissan had it upside down. They probably built a lot of base and connection packages, thinking, "these hybrid drivers are all about economy and price point", while building relatively few of the tech packages for the "unusual" driver who wanted hybrididity, serendipity, and fun.... :shades:
In any manufacturing business, inventory sitting in a warehouse or on a lot costs money for the company. The manufacturer wants to get their product in the hands of the consumer as quickly as possible to keep the cash flow healthy. You can bet that Nissan will get the car into your sweaty little hands as soon as they possibly can.
Now that they're overcoming the shock of the overwhelming popularity of a car they thought wasn't going to sell very well, I bet there are a lot of assembly workers getting a lot of overtime out Kentucky-way (where the NAH is built). Fingers crossed that you won't have to wait too long...
the one good thing is, i know you move up the queue if a customer is attached to a car instead of a dealership name
i do hope you get your car earlier than later, but plan on december
For those not impacted by the AMT, the Nissan has the full hybrid rebate available, which drastically reduces the price of the car vs. a Prius.
What Hybrid Rebate are you talking about? I can't find anything. If you are talking about the tax credit, that is old news.
I can't agree entirely with this statement - not everyone is looking for a full blown version of the NAH. You could make the exact opposite statement - anyone who wants to spend $32,000 for a hybrid should get the Camry - I belive you can get a similar equipped Camry for less. I think Nissan grossly overpriced their options - $7,000 for the Tech package - that's insane.
I actually had to look around to buy the "base" NAH. I still have the same mechanics/styling/performance as a fully blown version. Why would I want a Prius instead? The only thing I'm missing are the extra creature comforts which I still can provide in part by using my Garmin GPS and my BlueAnt bluetooth speaker - which I can move to my other vehicles. The "base" NAH is a well equipped car - not a stripped version.
You can get $1,000 to $2,000 off sticker on a "base" NAH plus the tax credit making it a great bargin and you'll be able to recover the "hybrid premium" in a very short time.
I wish Nissan would have split up there options into seperate available items as I would have liked the heated seats.
Sorry, yes, I was referring to the tax credit.
I realize it is "old news", but I was responding to a message that said one might as well buy a Prius rather than wait for an Altima Hybrid. My point is that the Tax Credit was available for the Nissan, but (after Sep 30) not available on the Prius. That could be a serious chunk of change for a taxpayer who is not subject to AMT.
I really don't see whats the problem to get base Altima Hybrid instead of Prius. If u have 4 or 5 people in the car and go uphill than u know why u didn't or glade u didn't get the Prius.
I am way ahead of you. Also told that the build date would be in October and delivery would be the end of November. Almost 6 months from the order and deposit date.
I have ridden in many Altima base cars and the seats kill me and just to plain for my taste. That is why I wanted the tech package.
'08 mpg: 42/36 for the Altima vs. 48/45 for Prius.
The Altima is 550 lbs. heavier but has 162 vs 82 (more)torque
The Altima has a wider turning circle 37.4 vs. 34.1 ft.
The Altima has smaller luggage space 10.1 vs 14.4 sq. ft.
There are other differences, but for me the above are what's important. It appears that except for the more powerful gas engine, the Prius has the advantage.
What do you think? How would you chose between the two?
Steve
Steve
I think it boils down to whether you want a smaller car or not. They are both great cars, but objectively, the Prius is the better car unless you want the niceties (better seating, bigger interior, maybe some more technological goodies) of the NAH. The Prius has much better mileage and is cheaper, although I would say I would feel much safer in an accident in the NAH. All of the above, like I said, boils down to whether you want a smaller car or not.
The other big change is the styling. I've heard very positive things about the NAH's styling, and very few people disliking it. The Prius is more of a "love it or hate it" styling, though, and the hatchback design does take a little bit of getting used to.
Ultimately, I don't think you could go wrong with either one. If you don't have issues with the Prius styling, and don't mind the smaller interior, the Prius is your car. If you want something bigger with maybe a few more creature comforts, go for the NAH.
PS. I think the difference in the cargo areas is a little misleading. The Prius may have more overall space, but if you filled up that space, you would also likely be blocking your rear view. Assuming you don't want to do that, I would guess that the storage space is about equal, except the Prius' space is deeper while the NAH's is taller. The Prius still has the advantage, though, as I'd rather have the deeper space.
but for what it's worth, i love my NAH
How much did youll pay for etching/documentary/registration. I go charged 199/299/400 - I think I got taken for a ride there. Any suggestions?
documentation isn't horrible, a little on the higher side
i'm not sure about registration for NJ
but we'll just say you gave back the destination and handle fee, overall, not bad
You should also read the article Hybrid tax credit bait and switch which describes all of the ways that the credit can be reduced by your particular tax circumstances.
Also i did get the Altima with CVPKG instant of the Prius cause it has more room and a lot more power for a family car to seat 5. For 31K or more for the Tech. PKG why not u get the Prius with PKG 6 for around 26K(that how much 2 month ago when i searching for Altima which they where on sale could be more now) isn't that the same question???