Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Nissan Altima
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
-juice
I REALLY think the Sentra SE-R V Spec should have an IRS. It really upsets me for performance issues!
I'm SOOOOOOO confused with Nissan sometimes!
The Passat had a 10/100k powertrain warranty, but it was transferable only to family members. That means you are not covered unless you buy it from your brother. VW changed that for 2002.
Depends on your needs and what kind of price advantage the used car carries. Nissan carries an edge in reliability over VW, FWIW.
-juice
Only big deal I've found with Nissans is that they eat brakes.
I currently drive a 2000 Camry LE V6, so while my standards are pretty high, it's not like I'm driving a Lexus or an Audi or something. So maybe my expectations are not in the stratosphere for a family sedan. The interiors seemed pretty similar, although the control stalks on the Altima were a bit "stubby", but they worked well. The 4-cyl Altima felt faster than my V6 Camry and had better handling. However, I do think that my Camry has a slightly smoother and quieter ride, which is what I would have expected. The Altima was pretty quiet and smooth for a 4-cylinder. I really enjoyed driving it and I was very comfortable in the driver's seat.
Here are some of my observed pros and cons.
Pros:
1) Beautiful and sporty styling
2) Impressive power for a 4-cylinder
3) Very good handling (more confidence inspiring on curves than my Camry)
4) Better gas mileage (than my V6)
5) Huge 20 gallon gas tank (for more time between fill ups)
6) Smooth and quiet ride (for a 4-cyl)
7) Auto up and down power windows for both driver and passenger side
8) Roomy trunk and passenger space (lots of rear seat room and head room)
9) Comfortable driving position
10) Tilt and telescopic wheel
11) Radio and in-dash 6CD system (radio lists call letters and type of music for each station)
12) Trip computer and outside temperature gauge (also used word descriptions for weather conditions)
13) Trunk release located on driver's door (I wish the gas door release was also put here)
14) Excellent reliability history for previous gen Altimas
15) 16 inch wheels on SL
16) Beautiful and sporty styling (worth mentioning twice, this is one sharp looking car!!)
Cons:
1) Hard feeling leather in SL
2) No hydraulic supports for hood (my Camry has this)
3) Gooseneck hinges in trunk (not a huge deal, my Camry also has this, but the Passat has cool hydraulic struts here too)
4) Neon orange-yellow lighting in dashboard (this would take some getting used to, however, you can dim it a little to make it easier on the eyes)
5) Some small fit and finish details, like the way the switch for the gas tank just protrudes from a rough cutout in the floor carpet (my car could use some work in this area also)
These are all of the comments I can think of from my driving experience. I do have some questions about what is available for the V6, but not for the 4, but I'll list those some other time.
All in all, this was a very good test drive. I didn't want to come back to the dealership. I was very impressed and I couldn't stop staring at the car, it is really, really sharp. I like the fact that it's a beautifully styled car, with a sporty look and feel, but with the practicality of a family sedan. It's like having your cake and ice cream too. And having an award-winning Nissan engine (as well as reliability) is a definite plus. My car seems so plain in comparison, although she has never let me down and has performed flawlessly. My Camry simply does not have the pizzazz of the Altima. Oh well.
There was only one thing that bothered me, before I got the chance to drive off, the radio went dead. I asked the salesman about it and he said that it sounded like the amp blew because someone had the bass up at the maximum. He also admitted that they had been having problems with the Bose systems, but not the Clarion systems in the S. While I was impressed by his honesty (or so it appeared) I was a bit troubled by the prospect of having the radio system fail on a car with less than 200 miles on the odo. Although this has nothing to do with the actual mechanical performance of the car, it would still be bothersome to me. Plus, it meant that I didn't get to hear the sound system in my test drive. And let's face it, I must have some music when I drive. I hope Nissan corrects this issue.
If I were ready to trade now, I would probably get the Altima. And I still might when the time comes. It does seem to be the cure for the common car. Like anything else, it's not perfect and could use some improvements, but overall it's an impressive package. I was leaning toward the Passat as my next vehicle (although the reliability issue was a real sticking point) but now I'm leaning more toward the new Altima. Now for the hardest part, the waiting (sigh) .....
Just my two(?) cents .....
SilverCrown
I'm concerned about the Bose comments. My salesman said he could put me in cars with both sound systems and claims I'd like the standard sound system better. Has anyone compared the two? I crank the tunes from time to time and hate it distorded. I'd hate it worse if it blows fuses.
Overall, I think the Altima is about the same as the Maxima, no better no worse. Same with the Camry and Accord. The carpets are pretty much all cheap and thin, and the headliners are like mouse fur.
Interestingly, I did notice Kia and Hyundai are trying harder. The headliner in those is padded and covered with a cloth material. Same with the Galant and Passat. Kia and Hyundai also have articulating hinges for the trunk, as does the Passat. Toyota has a cover for the gooseneck hinges, so give them half credit.
But honestly, I think Nissan benchmarked the Accord and Camry and pretty much matched those. It isn't until you step up to a TL or especially the ES that you notice substantially better interiors.
-juice
Frankpcb
Yes it was about $1,600 under MSRP before they added back the 300 ad fee and 249 conveyance. I bought it in New Haven CT. So I guess I did about the same as what you see in CarsDirect. I don't know if Cars Direct has any fees. The after market stuff was bought at MSRP. I know the dealer paid less but don't know how much. I'm sure he made a little extra there but I couldn't help myself.
How long your brakes last on a Nissan is directly proportional to your driving style and type.
In the 20yrs. that I've been driving Nissans, I've owned an Altima, P'up and two Maximas and with each vehicle I've gotten about 65,000 miles
from the brakes. My driving style is conservative
with 85% Hwy. driving. BTW, these vehicles also
do not eat clutches ( approx. 125,000 mi ), again
a function of style and type of driving. Yes, there are exceptions , but generally Nissans
don't have a problem with this.
If you don't believe Consumer Reports, talk to mechanics. Even the cats at the Nissan dealership admit to this.
I stand by my earlier declaration, Nissans eat brakes. If that's the worst that can be said of a car, I'd say that's pretty impressive.
I keep seeing posts on aftermarket dash items in wood grain. Do all dealers handle this or is there a web site you can purchase this at. Does it go over the radio and temperature controls?
How is it installed (sticky back tape?)
thanks in advance.
-juice
I have tried e-mailing you, but your e-mail watcher will not allow me to come through. I don't understand that. Anyway, have a happy new year. That goes for everybody!
Sid.
-juice
http://www.paulwendy.com/altima/fogs/index.htm
i already have my 3.5 SE but my girlfriend thinks my car is just a "regular" car. Main reason being the cloth seats. I'm looking to get leather with seat heaters sometime soon.
I wonder if they can put the seat heaters in the rear seats as well.
Thanks buddy
I say you do a few full-throttle merges onto a highway to show her that 240 horses are certainly not "regular".
What does she drive, a Bimmer?
-juice
Is there any option worth getting? I am sure I will dislike the bose stereo just as much as the stock. Leather gets too hot in the summers plus it wears out just about the time you think of trading your car in. I don't want to get the whole C package just for the alloys. Anything?
I sell in the tri-state area. You can find a 2.5S in stick pretty easily. The ones I've seen have come with mats, micofilter, splashguards and the auto-dimming mirror. Email me at sdawson713@hotmail.com if you need for info.
Sid
- Engine was what I expected; smooth, powerful and a little noisy
- handling and brakes were great (again as I expected)
- found the ride and road noise much better than I expected
- cheap interior is evident which scares me (squeaks and rattles put me in the looney bin)
- a lot of nice features, e.g., power outlet in center console
The big problem was with the ergos. We found that to fully depress the clutch the seat had to be moved up way too much compared to the brake and gas. The clutch had a very long throw and seemed it did not need to be depressed nearly the amount of full travel to disengage it fully. I am 5'10" and my wife is 5'2". I was able to live with it but my wife has short legs (even for 5'2"), i.e., she "sits" almost as high as I do. I thought the telescoping steering wheel would be a bonus for this type of scenario but she found that even with the wheel jammed forward she had to practically have the wheel in her face to deal with the clutch. It seems the ergos are aimed at taller people.
What's the deal? Is it just this particular car being improperly set up? My wife walked away saying no way to the car, but I do not want to turn my back on this car until I am assured this is the way it is. How do other shorter drivers find this car (especially the manual transmission)?
Thanks.
Don't sweat it. If you get pre-approved for a Nissan loan and it's the best rate then you can enter a nissan dealership and ONLY haggle on out the door price. Don't even play the foursquare game and tell them you're paying cash. Once you agree upon a price, then slap down your approval and you're done. Personally, while it's fun to wring out salesmen weaned on their insipid 4 square sheet, I'm prone now to using Costco or other email programs to get a straight 100-200 over invoice price and not hassle.
When we shopped cars a couple of years ago, the Audi A4, VW Passat, and Toyota Solara all flunked. The Accord Coupe, Acura CL and Infiniti G20 passed. We recently tried the new Altima at a car show, it unfortunately had an automatic, but it seemed to have adjustments to spare for both of us so I was hopeful that it won't be a problem with a manual.
Adjustable pedals are offered on some Fords, and pedal extenders are available for just about any car. You may want to consider those as an alternative.
I have long legs, so I have the opposite problem. My Miata's tight, my Forester is roomy. So I bet the Miata would pass your test but the Forester would fail.
-juice