Nissan Altima

speedracer3

Here in South Florida (Havana North), there are more and more 2.5S around. Have not seen that many SEs around. I have seen some beautiful Altimas around town, still love the looks.

Hey Juice!....Brasil has no shot this world cup. Dale Argentina!.

Speed

ateixeira

Argentina will beat France in the final. You're right, Brazil doesn't look as strong this year. But they did get a relatively easy group in the first round, while Argentina got IMO the toughest.

-juice

danniksw

I just helped my mom purchase a new Seascape Altima 2.5S w/ Convenience Pkg, ABS and Frost interior for $22300 out the door at Douglas Nissan of Orange in Southern California. She test drove the Accord, Camry and Altima and thought the Altima had the most "oompf." We were able to get the price for $100 over invoice by faxing all 35 Nissan dealerships in Southern California and asking for their lowest prices. Douglas Nissan (specifically Andrea, their Internet and Fleet Sales Manager) told us they'd match it, so after we got the lowest price, I called them and they beat the next price by like $400. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get it in Silver w/ Charcoal interior like my mom wanted, but it's almost impossible to find a car w/ just Conv Pkg and ABS. They really should make ABS an automatic feature in these cars.

ateixeira

I agree, ABS should be standard on all Nissans.

-juice

chicago_chic

I agree that ABS should be standard, especially for a company that pushes it's safety features.

By the way, a dealer in the Chicago area today told me that you can't get ABS in an 2.5S or 2.5SL without also getting a moonroof!

ateixeira

I'd get a 2nd opinion.

-juice

alpha01

Consumer Reports got a car to do the 0-60 trick faster than an "enthusiast" publication... The Feb 02 Consumer Reports has the Altima 3.5SE doing it in 7.1 seconds, while Car and Driver recorded 7.3 in the December 01 issue. (By comparison, the CR time for the Camry V6 was about 4 tenths slower, which is what I would say is their average time behind the enthusiast publications.)

And of course, I realize that not many people are going to feel the difference between 7.1 and 7.3 seconds to sixty, but I did find it an interesting anomoly considering how many among us (including myself at times) doubt the ability of the CR engineers/auto testers.

~alpha

maxamillion1

Who won the comparison, the Camry? Where did the Altima place 2nd? or 1st? or 3rd? Surely not 4th? Thanks in advance.

blueguydotcom

I'm guessing that was the lazy-person transmission and not the 5 speed? 7.1 with the manual sounds downright wretched.

sgrd0q

juice, speed, what are you guys talking about? England got the toughest group! And I see England going all the way to the final - beware of this young kid Owen!

afty

Camry got 1st, Altima got 2nd, and I don't remember who got 3rd and 4th. They complained about the harsh ride and the interior fit and finish in the Altima.

I noticed the fast 0-60 time as well. The interesting thing is that CR doesn't brake-torque their automatic cars like Car and Driver does. The Altima was far and away the fastest car in their comparison, though.

speedracer3

Sorry to disagree but in Europe France is the team to beat, they are still World Cup Champs. Back to the Altima. I think that when the new Maxima comes out Nissan will make nice improvements to the Altima. I think Nissan is holding back on the Altima not to totally overshadow the current lame duck Maxima.

venus537

CR testing is more in line with real world driving. for instance, who in the hell brake-torques their car when accelerating from a stop.

the na autoshow picked the altima as car of the year. do you guys/gals already know this or this new news?

afty

There's a Car of the Year article here:

http://autoshow2002.carpoint.msn.com/ArticlesNACTY.aspx

The Altima beat out the Cadillac CTS and Ford Thunderbird for the award.

himomer

I've noticed some discussion about after market leather, and I was wondering does "synthetic leather" (vinyl) trim come with it to cover up the cloth trim on the doors? I just can't imagine a car with leather seats and cloth door trim. Also, who is a good manufacturer of aftermarket leather, I am looking to update my interior. The backseat headrests are dried out from sun damage.

storyteller

himomer: A name often mentioned in connection with high quality is Katzkin (www.katzkin.com). Their site lists materials for the doors as well as front and rear seats.

ateixeira

Sounds like C&D got a slow time, which is odd because usually they are much quicker than CR.

s: "England got the toughest group". Exactly, becausy it's the same group Argentina got! That's what we were saying! :-)

France and Argentina look strongest to me.

-juice

dsgnr

afty: Thanks for the foglight information. Looks like something I could do myself!

e173m

Brooklyn NY... 3.5SE, black, auto, every option available except leather and heated seats including destination and ad fee $25,962. What should I expect to pay for aftermarket leather? and what alarm should I purchase (+cost)?

himomer

I think I'm going to try to save my leather before I get new leather, but thanks again!!

sonny_k9

I've always liked black colored cars (everybody else has my second choice...silver) but I hear a lot of folks saying that black is a tough color to live with. It needs to be cleaned regularly and that dings and scratches really stand out in black. true?

bfyerxa

I like black too, but it is somewhat tough to live with. I have a black 2002 Honda CR-V and up here in Ottawa Canada the constant winter snow and salt spray makes it look like crap really quick. Also, I have heard that the new water-based paints are more prone to nicks and dings in the darker colors but I have no idea if this is true or not.

I am looking at a 2002 Accord, Camry, and Altima. Personally I think the Camry looks cool in black (so does the Altima). I find the color does not matter near as much to me in the blander Accord.

jlangerman

I am very interested in the new Altima 2.5SE 4cyl. options including ABS, Airbags, Sunroof, CD, Power locks/windows. What can you all provide me as a price I can pick one up for? If there are lease or finance incentives on new models, let me know.

mcarlo24

Hello their.... I got my 3.5 SE for 500$ over invoice.... This is not the best deal out their, but I herd of many who didn't even get close to it... It wasn't that hard to get this price.. Find your Invoice price and offer them 200-300$ and before its done they will bring it up a few hundred...
Hope this helps friend....

<---Mcarlo24
3.5 SE Pewter Rocket...
1,100 hundred fun miles and goin
Wooooo Hooooooo!!!!!

melcat29

I test drove a manual transmission 2002 Altima SL 2.5. The tranny sounded like a bucket of bolts. It rattled and clanked everytime I shifted and the shifter was stiff and resistant. Has anyone else experienced that? The saleman tried me make me believe I wasn't using the clutch properly, but I have driven standard shift cars for 30 years. Then he told me that because I am used to driving a Miata, shifting the Altima would feel strange to me. Did I just happen to test drive a bad individual car? Does anyone else out there have a standard shift Altima?

afty

I have a manual V6 model. My tranny does not make the noises you describe, but it is definitely stiff and somewhat clunky. However, I think it has loosened up a bit in the month I've had the car.

alpha01

that I didnt reply to the questions asked of me concerning my most recent post... I was stuck in a frekin snowstorm during my move back to school. In any case, I think the Altima certainly deserved the North American Car of the Year Award, it is a very slick ride....
Congrats to you Alti owners.
~alpha

lsc

The manual tranny in the 4 cyl Altima worried me enough to settle for the V6 auto. I was originally going to buy the V6 manual but the aformentioned and the fact that I heard a Maxima clutch going out at under 30,000 miles... worried me enough to go ahead and buy the auto V6.

I feel that I'm missing out on the 5 speed (DEFINITELY!) but I didn't want that to be the weak link of the car (beside the interior).

vocus

I have been seeing alot of new Altimas on the road. So how is the new model? Just curious, because I have not driven one yet.

ateixeira

melcat: I also drive a Miata, and found the shifter a bit notchy, but I wouldn't call it clunky. Maybe that trans was just bad, or low on gear oil?

-juice

lsc

just kidding. but that's not what i'd like to hear. I don't want too many Altimas on the road.

At least not this soon.

vocus

I live in Maryland, and have seen alot for it being a brand new car just coming out. They are very nice cars though. I just have a hard time swallowing $30,000 for a loaded SE 3.5 though. I mean, it's an Altima. Come on now..

ateixeira

The one I test drove was off Rt. 450 in MD, and the MSRP was $25k and change (cloth, V6, moonroof). Remember they are selling at big discounts now, so you'll only pay $30k if you are blind folded.

-juice

otoluva

Because of exactly the previous posting(2684) Nissan should have named the Altima differently.This is not your father's Altima....LOL.

ateixeira

Nissan is redefining "Altima", though, and the sales figures imply it's working.

-juice

otoluva

Guess we are both on line at the same time

ateixeira

Yeah, sorry I snuck in there. ;-)

-juice

speedracer3

but, have you guys seen the pricing and specs on the new Z??. I am in lust!..Kinda tempts me to forget sedans and go with a totally ME car like the Z.

Speed <---- has weakness for sport cars.

afty

Yeah, the new Z looks awesome. I've had a soft spot for the Z ever since I was little and my dad had a red '78 280Z. Every time we drove somewhere, I always inisted we go in "the red car." My Altima actually reminds me a bit of that old car in its tunnelled gauges and dash texture.

I joked to my girlfriend yesterday about buying a new Z, and her first words were, "Does this mean the Altima becomes my car?" :-)

ateixeira

I think she just hinted it's time for you to propose. ;-)

-juice

speedracer3

Get the Z car while you can. Wait till you get married and have kids and your wife tells you "A sports car?!!..are you crazy you have no room for the kids!."

ateixeira

Yes, yes, yes. The best advice you'll ever get. Do it, now, go put down a deposit to make the commitment. This is the time, if there ever will be one, to be impractical.

OTOH, if you do get hitched and end up driving a minivan, you could always get a used Supra to play around with as a 3rd vehicle. Few people can afford both new.

-juice

vocus

Funny, I work right where 450 comes off 495. I didn't know there was a Nissan dealer around here. Anyway, I mean a loaded Altima with Xenons, leather, V6, Cold Pkg., and everything MSRPs for $30,000. That's alot of money for an Altima, and even more than I would have paid for my Jetta even with a V6 engine in it. A lot to swallow I think. They should have renamed it.

afty

ateixeira - Yeah, I guess that could be one way of looking at it. We've been together for a while now, so at this point it's really more a question of "when" than "will I." She's wonderful, plus she can drive a manual!

speedracer - LOL, that is pretty much what happened with my father's Z. Once I got too big to sit in my mom's lap, he had to sell it since it was a two seater and we couldn't fit all the whole family in it. It was replaced with a GMC Safari minivan. :-(

ateixeira

Inside the beltway. There are a group dealers there. It's on the right.

That is a lot of money for an Altima, but Xenons are not standard even on hugely expensive luxury cars. So yes, a ridiculously loaded-to-the-gills luxo Altima costs more than a much smaller stripped 3 series with 184 hp, vinyl unheated seats and no moonroof.

That doesn't mean much to me.

Jettas are nice, but smaller. They are sized closer to the old Altima, not this one, which has a 110" wheelbase and a back seat that feels (to me) larger than the Passat's.

Passats are hitting $40 grand with the W8, and they aren't as quick as the Altima (C&D).

Perhaps they should have renamed it, but I think the Altima is a good value, especially when you consider you can very easily buy one for $2-3 grand below sticker now.

-juice

ateixeira

She can drive stick? Marry her.

I taught my wife. It was a pre-requisite. ;-)

-juice

blueguydotcom

LOL...you're comparing a stubby little wallowy, rattling Jetta to a 3.5SE Altima? That's unfair to the Jetta and an insult to the much larger, much better Altima.

junaid

Does the automatic transmission in the V6 allow clutchless shifting by the driver? Something similar to the tiptronics, sportronics, etc. offered in the european models.

speedgal

I'm shopping for a 3.5 SE, manual transmission, with no other options beyond the ABS ($749 MSRP add). The dealer came back with a minimum configuration that had to include floormats ($79), microfilter ($49), and the side splashguard package ($289) - says that this is per the manufacturer and he can't get the car without them. He sprung the splashguard package on me in our 3rd session together, which didn't go over real well... They'll need to order this car, since there's nothing like this configuration available.

Anyhow, I figure their invoice for this package, including the unwanted splashguards, destination, etc, at about $21,800. They claim that it's really $22,250 after adding in the 1.75% advertising / showroom fee. I think this fee is BS... I eventually offered $22,300; they wouldn't go any lower than $22,750. So I walked.

MSRP for this package is about $24,050, not including the advertising / showroom fee. Is $22,750 a fair price, or should I stick to my guns?

blueguydotcom

Stick to your guns. Email the Nissan dealers around you with a specific outline of what you want - someone will make you a good offer. Also check to see if any local Nissan dealer is affiliated with AAA or Costco's car buying services. You might be able to automatically get any Altima for a set price over invoice.