Nissan Altima

ruski

dealers already think that they will be able to gouge.

kroliph

I don't think they can afford to gouge with this car. Nissan really needs this car to be a hit. There is going to be competition. I believe a new Camry is due out this fall as well. Besides, if the dealers decide to gouge, I'm in no hurry. If there is one thing I have learned, they will build more of what ever you are interested in. I think Nissan is actually going to decrease production of the Max and plans on making up the sales difference w/ the Altima. Whatever happens, there should be some interesting cars to drive this fall.

cafemoca

http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/cars/cars.html

The 2002/2003 Japanese car models seem to look very much alike. This one has the new Camry and Accord.

Can't wait to test drive the new Altima...

ludacris

lets see...the maxima pic is a photoshopped image of an opel (even the spy shot is a photoshopped opel astra), the buick regal is the lancia thesis, the G35 coupe is photoshopped with 2 doors taken off, the RX300 is fake, teh toyota solara is really a peugeot (with photoshop)...the accord i dont know. but the camry pix are real

maxamillion1

but they came from www.mag-x.com somebody just photoshop the front camry pic to make it look like it's lights were on. All of those pictures are fake, and if the Accord picture is real, they might as well stop selling the car, because it is too darn ugly, it's just the current Civic with fancy door handles.

ruski

I already got an e-mail from one dealer urging me to sign up now for the Altima as they will be a hot item and hard to find. Yeah right.

ludacris

"...and if the Accord picture is real, they might as well stop selling the car, because it is too darn ugly..."

agreed! lol

ruski: usually mass market family sedans won't be hard to find...just usually lol...

cafemoca

I had no idea that most of those pics are fake... I think I saw it from the Honda Accord forum.

Talking about the new Altima, the salesperson told me that they've got lots of orders for the SE already...hm...suspicious...

s852

I suppose that could be true, it there is little reason to "order" a car like that site unseen when there will be plenty of these cars available in a few weeks or months.
The Altima will probably be the highest volume car Nissan sells in the US. They should be just as easy to get as an Accord or Camry later this year.
They are not limited production low volume vehicles.
Most likely, only people who are very desperate to get an SE in a particular and unflexible choice of color and option combination in the first month of the debut would have to think about getting on some waiting list.

maxamillion1

I have been keeping in touch with a guy from Freshalloy.com he (AustinNissanDriver) will be able to test out the new Altima in about 3 weeks, he says that he will take about 30 pictures of the entire car, he will also mesure the width of the trunk space opening, so you might want to find out how wide your current car's trunk space is, so that you will know if the New Altima is "comparable" with your car, I sure hope it is. The suspense is killing me for this car, I just wish it would drive by my house one afternoon, I would stop the darn car in the middle of the road. (kidding)

Also, I saw the drawings for the new Camry in Motortrend's August 2001 issue, the regular models, which appear to be LE and SLE now, are still as bland as before, but the TRD model is HOT!!!! The NEW Altima SE will have some serious competition if the Camry TRD looks like that, I can't wait until September..
Max

vnguyen16

Can you scan the 2002 Camry pics and post them here. We are going to have a lot of discussion and comparison between 2002 Camry and 2002 Altima.

maxamillion1

but I didn't buy the magazine. I looked over it this morning @ B&N. It should be on sale at your local book stores, but I can tell you one thing, the TRD version will be hot, if it looks like the pictures, it will tie with the Altima for 1st place when I look at cars this Fall. It features an antenna like the Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo, the car is really european looking in TRD trim, but the base models, as I said earlier are just too darn bland for my taste, maybe with a nice set of mud guards and a sunroof wind deflector, it will look a lot better I don't know.
I can almost bet that the New Altima will be featured in the Motortrend's November 2001 issue in October.
Also, I wonder if we can start a Thread for the "2002 Nissan Altima vs 2002 Toyota Camry"

This is really killing me.

bimmer4me

it will look alot better. I would have never thought these items made a car look better...lol

speedracer3

I think the "gaouging" talk will only be the case in the first few months when the new Altima hits the dealerships. Nissan is making a WHOLE LOT (they expect to sell 190,000) of these cars and soon enough dealers will be packed with new Altimas ready to move, so I would not sweat it.

wie_gehts

From these pictures, if they are real, the 2002 Camry and the 2003 Accord look almost identical to me. They aren't ugly, but if it weren't for a different logo on the hood, I would think it's the same car! At least in these pictures.
The 2002 Altima is a nice piece of work, it looks more elegant and upscale than one would expect from a midsize in this class. Also, the power of the engines are incredible. I mus wonder though, how Nissan is going to sell an Altima that outpowers not only its bigger Maxima, but even the Infiniti i30, there is the i35 though, but yet, it's in the same horsepower category (or am I wrong, please correct me as I am not sure). Having 240 hp in an Altima sounds really a lot to me, maybe this is a bit shooting too far. Especially, considering the current Altima, which I always considered not only an ugly duck, but also I never really considered it to be in the same class with ither midsize car, Camry, Accord, 626, neither size nor power wise, and surely not style-wise. But then, the new Altima seems like Nissan wants to elevate it not one but two car categories up.

s852

For 2002, they will have 260HP compared to the 240 on the Altima SE.
The 2003's might have even more power.
It seems like the I30 has not been around that long, but if there is going to be a new 2003 Maxima, then there will be a new replacement 2003 I35.

s852

http://www.vtec.net/news/items/671.html

Sounds like the new 2003 Accord V6 will now have AT LEAST 240 hp.

redline65

But those are all peak horsepower figures, and depending on where in the powerband horsepower and torque is delivered will ultimately determine which car is faster, right?

wie_gehts

Indeed, and this ultimately ask the question, what does the typical midsize sedan driver need 240 hp for? when was the last time midsize sedan drivers do stoplight races etc.
Why, for example, instead of contiously upping the horsepower, don't they improve fuel economy instead? With this horsepower race, will we see 300 hp Accords soon, god forbid, if I think about driving on NY's streets. I would rather cut their hp in half, so they can't all drive like maniacs.

aes1519

I haven't kept up with all the posts. What is happening on 7/27???!!!???

maxamillion1

Will be allowed driving impressions on this date, so we expect to see great info by that date.

speedracer3

Note that Nissan only has the 3.5L engine on the SE model which will not account for the majority of its sales volume. The Altima I4 will be Nissan's bread and butter sedan and 180 ponies is great for a 4 banger. I think Nissan is on target with the engines, now if the price is right, they have a home run.

c1rybick

Might it stand up to scrutiny that since the Maxima appears to be made bigger, why not give it the Q45's V8? That would forever seal the Maxima's fate as a sports sedan. The Passat had the W8 available now (or soon, I'm not exactly sure).

Sporin

I'm most interested in the 4cyl. version. With the upcoming Sentra SE-R Spec-V's 180hp, 2.5 liter I4, generous interior space, Nissan's excellent build-quality, and solid suspension design, this car will blow a 4cyl. Camry or Accord out of the water.

That is, if it comes as promised. :-)

speedracer3

The Maxima might get the V8 in 2003 when it gets redesigned. It is unclear what Nissan plans to do with the Maxima, some say it will be the next Avalon fighter others insist it will be a full sized sport sedan. Let's hope Nissan doesn't ruin the Maxima in favor of the Altima.

speedracer3

The current Sentra is a good size for a compact car, but I wouldn't say it has "genereous interior space". I sat in a Sentra SE and the back seat feels crammed. If you are considering the SE-R V-spec I would go and look at a current SE and see if it suits your needs, if you like the SE you will probably love the SE-R V.

Sporin

I was referring to the upcoming Altima, which will have the SE-R Spec V's engine.

speedracer3

Opps...sorry, I misread, but I know you had considered the Sentra thereby my rant.

bimmer4me

The Maxima is clearly a sports sedan. I only hope Nissan continues this for the 2003. The Avalon is undoubtedly a Japanese Buick.

Sporin

Sentra, yeah, I'm waiting to drive one with the new, bigger engine. The current SE is nice, but liek you said, the backseat is tiny. At this point, the #1 small sedan for me is the Protege. Still waiting to see just how cheap an Altima will be (base).

aes1519

Thanks! Very much looking forward to driving results.

nikecar

yup... we wanted to get either a Protege or Sentra which were the top 2 cars to replace our lease turned-in Neon...

We opted for the Protege ES because while it had less zip than the Sentra SE (but on par with GXE), the back space is what put us over the top.. if I drove the car, no one older than 2 would have gotten behind me...

ajacat

Oh, I just couldn't bring myself to type "thanksamillion" but you know I mean it . How great that AustinNissan will measure the trunk opening??? That's amazingly nice.

unofficial real-person driving results will be great to hear too. I'll be counting the days.

I wonder how many 3.5s will be made, as a percentage of total Altimas made.

You know, Honda may come up with 260 hp or whatever but the lines on this Altima are just so beautiful, at least in pics. No Accord is going to look this good. They can't let it--it's got to appeal to too many people.

and side note to wie gehts re the mpg issue: didn't someone post some rather nice numbers for the Altima, even in the 3.5? I thought they were both in the 20s. Or did I make that up? That's one thing that's been impressing us.

My speed-loving cyclist husband who loves manual and fixes everything himself and loves feeling the road at this point actually likes -- gasp -- an Avalon (I seriously felt like I was in a boat, but it's got a HUGE trunk opening and the back seat fits my husband stretching out, if he wants and it's got the mystifying better mpg #s than the Camry and it looks like the huge embassy-Benz a little part of him has always wanted --although a few more $$ than we really want to spend, at least at this point and a few too few hp, IMO) and I'm saying o.k. let's see how it comes out and see which you like better (I hope I know the answer). The next few weeks will be so fascinating.

Only 15 more days...
Best,
ajacat

tcpip1

Just heard that the '02 Camry will have the Navi option. The '02 Altima does not seem to have it as an option.

s852

The 2002 Maxima will have optional navigation as a feature to differentiate it from the Altima.
Now the Maxima will have 260 HP and be even more close to the I35 than it is now. The I35 will have little other than, conservative and more elegant styling, the power rear sunshade and a better warranty to differentiate from the 2002 Maxima.

maxamillion1

Ajacat,
Only 20% of Altima sales will be 3.5SE models.

himomer

Ive noticed a couple of people wishing they could get one option without another. If Nissan is planning on accomadating buyers as it is doing with the current gen altima, then you will be able to get any option you want without getting an unwanted one, or at least i think. In my area i have seen quite a few GXE's with leather. I was also test driving a Maxima one day when i saw a GXE with Leather and the Titanium stuff on the SE that someone had specially ordered.

s852

Leather and the titanium trim is available aftermarket. That is probably what you saw on the GXE.

har1bush

If Nissan went out to customize and suite everyone's needs and desires, the new Altima doesn't have a shot at being stickered for 25K (for SE V6)... Think about it... The new Altima will be cheaper than the '01 Maximas, but will have similar equipment levels and a better engine. Just like how you save money by shopping at Costco, car companies can lower costs by ordering more of the same thing.

nikecar

yeah, leather was more than likely aftermarket.. All the dealer did was farm it out to someone and charge a premium.. If you can find out who the installer is, then you avoid the middleman. I've known some folks that have done that by talking to the techs or looking in the phone book for local shops..

as for options, c'mon.. its like Rooms 2 GO... buy a piece save abit, buy a set, save alot.. If they allow every option to be installed independently, every single car will be a factory order. if there are 20 options, imagine all the combinations there will be just to please everyone.. no way is that cost saving...

lsc

Let's as a guide for use the prices on the options on the Maxima.

Sunroof - $899
Cold Pkg and side air bags - $539
HID headlights - $500
Leather w/ Bose ~ $1500
ABS - $300
Spoiler - $300
Traction Control - $300

Although this is just a guide you have $4338 of options here. That means the base SE has to cost less than $20662 for the loaded altima to be at $25000 or under.

I guess we'll wait and see. But I would have to think that the loaded Altima SE would MSRP around $26000-26500.

speedracer3

"buy a piece save abit, buy a set, save alot".

actually, it's "buy the piece, save a little, buy the room save a lot"

but is always so true.

That is why a loaded Maxima SE costs more than a base GLE. In the SE, everything is optional, while just about everything on the GLE is standard.

nikecar

buy the piece, save a little, buy the room save a lot"

oops... but at least you got it...

sdatta

O don't see it having more than 260, since that what the CL and TL Type S's produce. Will Honda finally offer their V6 with a stick shift? If not, I'd rather have the Altima SE with the stick.

As for the new Maxima, my hunch is that it will go after the TL buyer than the Avalon buyer.

himomer

Ok, i didn't know that it was aftermarket, i was interested in the Altima SE for about 3weeks then I didn't like it anymore cause the salesman lied to me. 3 weeks earlier i went down to nissan and test drove a red SE and i liked it but it was red. So a couple of days later i got a letter in the mail about the new SE Limited, so the next week i went back to the lot and the car wasn't there and the salesperson that i usually have(a laid back young guy that didn't seem to like the sun) wasn't there so i went to look at the Red SE again and an older guy came out so i said "when will you all get the SE Limited" he said we have it "I said where is it" and he said 'youre standing by it' i knew he was lying but i said "oh, this is nice" he said 'sure is we just got it yesterday', and i said "oh really" then i said "well let me take it for a drive" while he was gone to get the keys i left, and never went back to nissan. I decided to go for GM since half of my family works there!

jarednoah

judging by the pics alone, the redesigned altima is undoubtedly hot. I wonder if it will still look hot after, say, 5 years. I dont think IMHO that such radical change in design will stand the test of time. We always dislike the blandness of the Camries and the Accords, but did we ever think why is that? Because it has been tried and tested that their designs will still look good and not look outdated after some time. I think this is where millions of $$$$ in Research and Development has come up with. It wouldnt be so hard for Honda or Toyota to come up with a design that will look very cool "now",(Look at the S2000) and they chose not too, why again is that? because such designs will be passe' in a couple of years time. For those who are waiting for a totally new looking Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, you will be in for a disappointment because this two doesnt radically change their designs every MY. There might be huge changes in HPs etc, but not in exterior design.

For the new Altima, though its good in looks and performance in paper, i would be more careful at first. Wait for the 2nd or 3rd model year when everything is reviewed and consumers have drive them. Their engine might be the best but if the rest of the car is crap then you have a crappy car.

So to all of you who are excited to death. It wont hurt to wait a bit.

pat

Check out Edmunds.com's "First Look" at the 2002 Altima by following the link in the Additional Resources box on the left sidebar of this page.

Here's a quote from the intro:

In conceiving the 2002 Altima, Nissan's designers and engineers returned to the drawing board once again, in an effort to restore the car to its former glory. It's a move that should prove quite successful. Bigger, more handsome and more powerful than ever before, the third-generation Altima bears all the earmarks of a real winner.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

har1bush

quite frankly, these first drive articles on Edmunds are hardly worth reading... they only repeat what the manufacturers have stated months ahead of time.

jochi

I think the Altima's styling is a great design that does not need tacky cues to make the design, unlike the Maxima. It is these kind of designs that can be blueprints for future generations therefore building brand recognition. I see the new Altima as a start of something the Germans do very well. Find a good design, nice and clean, then improve on it every generation. It's clear that you can see the family lineage in a 15 year old 3-series bimmer, but it is hardly passe. Look at a 15 year old Camry though. Not only does it look nothing like the current Camry, but it is PASSE!

bigbadboss101

We know that the engine will be good. The exterior looks crisp, but the interior might not sue everyone. What remains to be seen is how the car handles, safety ratings, fuel economy, price, etc. In a couple weeks we will see if the Altima is start of something great (the Z, G35 etc to
come in 2003).