Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry
Hello,
I am comparing new 2007 Altima with 2007 Camry in terms of handling, reliabity, safety ,depreciation, etc. If anyone has any input, please let me know.
Thanks.
I am comparing new 2007 Altima with 2007 Camry in terms of handling, reliabity, safety ,depreciation, etc. If anyone has any input, please let me know.
Thanks.
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Why not get the Camry SE V6 instead of the XLE if you wanted a taunt suspension and "tight" steering?
I just got the Altima and am very happy. The car is tighter, the back seat is comfortable, the leather seats are leather and not the cheap leather trim of the Camry. It is quieter and rides well. I like the larger gas tank.
I am disappointed in the radio (minor), not sure if I like the push button start from a safety aspect. and it is too early to know if the mileage will be as great as the Camry.
Both cars are good choices but I am happy with my change to the Nissan.
I went to my local Nissan dealer and test drove an Altima. The car was nice. It was so nice that I took it home for the night and drove it around (with the dealer's consent) to get a more in depth feel. In the end, I decided that the difference wasn't worth taking a hit for thousands of dollars. The fact that the Altima needs 91 octane fuel kind of sealed the deal. A few mpg less is one thing, but that combined with 20 cents a gallon more was more than I was prepared to do.
The one thing I have to take issue with though is the comment regarding the leather seats. I found the seats in the Altima to be stiff and "thin" feeling, whereas I think the leather in the Camry is much softer and more "luxurious" feeling. The seats in my Camry are a lot more comfortable. The Camry feels a lot more "solid" than the Altima to me as well. Bear in mind that I want to ditch the Camry and was prepared to buy the Altima, so I have no agenda.
The handling on the XLE is boatlike and floaty. The SE is quite a bit better, but quite a bit behind the more sporty sedan offerings (Mazda 6, Altima SE, TSX). The V6 motor in the Camry is strong, but the experience (like everything about the Camry) is muted and unexciting. You could have a small sewing machine under the hood for all the audible delight it offers.
Toyota is a company that holds driver isolation as a virtue and driver involvement as a vice - an outlook that is evident in everything about the Camry. If your outlook is the same, it should be a very good choice.
Jaeger
The choices are 2007 Camry LE vs 2007 Altima 2.5S .
From the research I've gathered or "general knowledge", the Camry is suppose to be far more reliable and longer lasting. The convenience package that it comes with seems far better then the altima's. But I've heard reports about some engine issues/ acceleration delay in the 2007 model. The 2007 altima however, seems more appealing with the keyless entry, CVT transmission, and from what I heard, a pretty powerful torque/horse power for a 4 cylinder car.
I ask you guys who are far more experienced and knowledgeable, which would you prefer if you had to pick between the two, and why? I personally like the Altima, but my mother (who is paying for much of it), had some bad experiences with Nissan with our old time Nissan quest, thus doesn't trust the reliability of Nissan. If the reliability of Nissan is that poor, I would take the camry to ensure my sister has a safe car when she keeps it.
P.S. Have any of you driven them and know the actual mpg of the two cars? From what I've seen, the numbers they give in the advertisements aren't accurate. Thanks!
Message #381 in 2007 Altima:
For the March issue, Consumer Reports magazine tested five family sedans (Kia Optima, Saturn Aura, Pontiac G6 and Chrysler Sebring), titled it Leaping Ahead, with the sub-title The Redesigned Nissan Altima Accelerates to the Top of Our Ratings. Also, they tested both four cylinder and V-6 versions in this comprehensive test. The four cylinder won almost all the acceleration tests--only beat by .2 of a second by the Saturn Aura 45-65, had the best gas mileage of all. The V-6 won ALL the acceleration tests (0-60 6.4), (45-65 3.9), 1/4 mile 15, and got best mileage of all tested. It begins by saying "The Altima 3.5 SE virtually ties with the Honda Accord V6, our top-rated family sedan. The four-cylinder Altima 2.5S is relatively refined. Both are coupled to a smooth continuously variable transmission, which helps them attain commendable fuel economy." CR continues: "Both engines deliver strong acceleration yet get commendable fuel economy. The 175-HP 2.5-litre four cylinder accelerates better than some V6s and returned 25 MPG overall on regular fuel. Although it requires premium fuel, the smooth and punchy 270-HP 3.5-litre V6 returns 23 MPG (I'm actually hoping for better) overall, comparable to some four-cylinder engines. Both are mated to a smooth CVT. Braking performance is very good. Both halogen and HID low beams perform well but have a sharp cutoff." About the interior it says "The Altima has nicely textured, well-fitting materials. Drivers have plenty of room in the cockpit, even with the optional sunroof. The steering wheel has an awkward telescope adjustment and coarse tilt settings. While rear-visibility is hampered by a high rear deck, the 3.5 SE's optional backup camera works well. The Altima's bright back-lighted gauges are easy to read. The controls are straightforward and the optional navigation system is easy to use." I will have to say, on my first highway trip, I did find the seats harder than usual, as some others have pointed out, but not badly so.
this car. In a word: WOW! The redesign is excellent inside
and outside -- firmness of seating notwithstanding. Sportier
than Toyota Camry and without the acceleration issues many
consumers have ascribed to Camry. What's not to like about the 2007 2.5S Altima? The updated styling, automotive technology (CVT transmission), and affordable financing
options available through Nissan are all -- first rate!
I won't bash the competition, however, I 'm not aware of a better car anywhere for a working man's price.
Basically, more power, better EPA ratings, smaller dimensions, bigger trunk and huge gas tank. Nissan also had better deals than Toyota.
We had 4 adults in out Altima last weekend and there weren't any complaints. Performance wise, you didn't even notice the weight. That CVT and 2.5L combination is sweet. Why bother with a V6.
To another poster... check you manual, but premium is only recommended in the V6 for best performance, but I don't think it's required. The engine will altimatically retard the timing to compensate for the fuel your using. You'll may lose 2-3% in mileage and about 30 peak horsepower but not much if any loss at low RPM's in normal driving.... but premium costs about 10% more than regular.
I have hte same issue wiht my BMW motorcyle. I usually just use premium since it gets 40+mpg anyway, but I can use regular and take a 5-10HP hit.
The first car I tested was an '08 Camry SE 4-cyl. I expected a car that was a lot like my Mom's '05 Camry LE 4-cyl; easy to drive, light, reliable, and considering what I'd heard about the SE version of the new Camry, it needed to be a fun car to drive. However, I was not impressed during my test drive. The engine felt underpowered, the wheel felt heavy, the features were lacking, and while it had cool gauges, the overall fit and finish in the car was severely lacking compared to my Solara. Don't get me wrong, it was clean, but a lot of stuff in the car felt "flimsy" to the touch.
Next, I went and test drove an '08 Accord EX 4-cyl, and boy was that nice. The engine was powerful, steering was light, response was great, and ride comfort was top notch. However, I hated the center stack, and the final price was about $1000 more than the Camry, and the EX I tested didn't even include leather, while the Camry SE I tested did. However, I loved how the Accord drove.
I didn't even think about the Altima until later, and I was put off by the thought of driving a car with a "rubbery" CVT. I finally decided it was worth a test drive, so I went and drove a 2.5 SL sedan... I was totally blown away! The car was quick, nimble, responsive, pleasing to look at, clean, and comfortable. It was an absolute blast to drive too! I've never had that much fun in a car before... and this was only the 4-cyl Sedan. The Ikey and CVT were the best bits about the car as well... neither of these features were on the Camry or Accord I was looking at. The leather is firm but comfortable, and the interior is very clean and functional. The Accord is a little more roomy and nicer on the inside, but the Altima was far more "user friendly" with its stereo and climate control.
A few weeks later, I bit the bullet and bought a loaded 2008 Altima 2.5 SL w/ connection pkg. and haven't regretted it one bit. It has been so much fun to drive, and the gas mileage has been supurb... 25-26mpg almost all city driving.
I will concede that if you want straight up comfort and ride manners, the Camry XLE is a much better choice as it has several more "luxury" options, but bear in mind, you pay for those options. I couldn't see myself using that stuff, and I value a responsive ride over numb comfort, so I chose the Altima. You need to test drive the Altima to know what I'm talking about... Its responsive, but the Altima also smooths over bumps and potholes much easier than my old Solara did. It's also a lot more fun to drive. I'm not sure how Nissan did it, but the Altima is the clear winner in my books.
I'd be surprised if the hp hit is as much as 13hp, much less 30hp!
Our Odyssey van (a 2000 model) had a 3.5L which asked for premium to make 210hp and 229lb-ft of torque. On regular, it made 205hp and 217lb-ft. Really not noticeable.
Can an Altima owner tell us the numbers?
I've commented on this extensively at the PetroZero forums,
With one of these new 8(12) speed transmissions the FE difference between preminum and regular may not even be measureable.
*** Six "real" gear ratios plus 3 or 4 more using the lockup clutch to take the torque converter's "gear" reduction, and POOR efficiency, out of the loop.
Not to address the issue of CVT's having an infinite number of gear ratios.
But now everyone seems to be complaining about how often the transmissions "shift" gears.
Gas is above $4.00 and headed north, rapidly, live with it.
In the states that have Altima hybrids they seem to have lots.
Camry hybrids seem to be rare everywhere.
Any ideas if you can get an Altima hybrid shipped to a non "allowed" state?
By comparison I found the Altima to be quiter, with better braking and neck snapping acceleration if you're so inclined. I have nearly 16K miles without any problems other than an occasional glitch with the power seat not tracking 100% perfectly. My biggest beef with the car is the crappy OEM Bridgestone Turanza's, I'd love to see nissan put Goodyear Tripletred's on instead.
I highly recommend using at least midgrade gas, as I noticed a drop in mileage by about 4mpg when I tried regular and some noticeable HP drop too, despite having added a K&N air filter in.
Camry: Calm, comfortable cruiser that has rock solid reliability and usability. It's usually considered a car that's "easy on the eyes" and the wallet, but it doesn't generate excitement when you drive it. It's affordable and easy to maintain. It's a great "grandma" car.
G35: Quick and exciting sport sedan. The G35 was built to handle curves with poise that is usually only beaten by BMW's 335i. The G35 also has a 306HP V6 with a 7500 RPM redline. The car is very fast, no matter what the conditions are. However, it was NOT engineered to be quiet and comfortable like the Camry. Adding extra sound deadening adds a lot of extra weight to the car. This would take away from the driving experience drastically. You can't get the thrills OR technology offered on the G35 on a Camry.
There's a reason the G35 costs more than a Camry. It's an apples to oranges comparison.
Also, Nissan is NOT merging with Dodge. They're partnering together to engineer new vehicles much the same way Toyota and Pontiac partnered to create the Toyota Matrix and the Pontiac Vibe.
Furthermore, when I was testing new vehicles, I tested both the Camry and the Altima... I bought the Altima. The Camry is a good car, but lets face it. The Camry is about as interesting as a log in the middle of a road; it's there and there's no way to avoid it. Go drive a Camry and an Altima on curvy roads and you'll quickly see why the I bought the Altima. The Altima is far and away the more competent handling sedan. Not to mention Nissan's 2.5L/CVT engine easily outpaces Toyota's 2.4L/5-speed automatic. There's no comparison.
The revised 2010 Camry (due in early 2009) will feature the 2.5L I4 engine that is currently in the 2009 RAV4. It produces 179hp in that application.
Just thought I'd pass that on.
TheGrad
Once, I pay off my 2008 Rav4 I'd eventually like to get an Altima.
That's only in the SE model. The I4 LE will only produce 169hp.
However, I'm interested in what Toyota will bring to the table with the introduction of this new engine. I may have to test drive one of these when they hit the sales floor in a couple of months.
However, the big IF on this car is will the SE model inherit good steering feel like a proper sport sedan? If it doesn't, It's still a lost cause. Throwing more power at a car with numb steering only leads to one thing.... a powerful car with numb steering. :P
If that's the case, I'll keep my Altima.
With a powerful FWD you have only two choices, "numb" stearing or torque stearing that will yank the stearing wheel from your grasp.
Or, you can buy an Altima/Maxima which can be equipped with either a 270HP or 290HP V6, and feel no torque steer at all. However, the steering wheel is still fully responsive and gives you plenty of road feel as well. That's another option.
Many modern day FWD cars with high HP/torque engines are overcoming/alleviating torque stear by automatically derating the engine via DBW in low gear ratios or in an accelerating tight turn.
290HP...sometimes...
Nissan has finally gotten their act together and are starting to put Michelin Primacy's on all versions of the altima except the SE which has the crappy OEM Turanza's EL400 still. While the Primacy's aren't the best tire they are ten times better than the OEM Bridgestone Turanza's. If you get a camry or a lexus opt for the OEM Michelin Energy's if you can rather than the OEM Bridgestone Turanza's. The Michelin Energy's isn't a great tire either but it is the better of two evils. Avoid OEM Bridgestone Turanza's EL400 at all cost!!!!!!