Nissan Altima

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Comments

  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    the new G35 is nice. especially the coupe.
  • kelly523kelly523 Member Posts: 18
    is available as a free download (in Adobe .pdf format) from both www.altimas.net and www.freshalloy.com
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    I did a trip to NJ this weekend on 95 (600 miles round trip) and averaged 25 mpg travelling between 70 and 90 mph, that includes blowing the porsche 911 that refused to get off my [non-permissible content removed] away -damn this car gets to 120mph fast...
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    Acmeroadrunnr: Were U drivin a 3.5SE?
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    musta been an old 911. If a newer 911 wanted to leave you .. he woulda.
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    Yes, I have a 3.5se and the guy driving the new porsche convertible did try to catch me (remember, he was the one riding my [non-permissible content removed]) but I think he must of missed a down-shift or something because I waved to him in my rearview and punched it and I could see that he was accellerating but he wasn't closing in on me at all, but when I got off the pedal he did pass me. Like I said, I got to 120mph quickly, there is so much torque that it feels like the front wheels are just digging into the pavement.
  • icstarsicstars Member Posts: 18
    I'm interested in your gas mileage experiences with the Altima 3.5SE.....

    Are these sticks or auto trans cars? Are you both using premium gas, and--if you know--what mileage are you getting city and/or highway? Also, I am wondering if you are calculating yourself between fill-ups or taking the "word" of the onboard computer?

    Thanks in advance.
  • icstarsicstars Member Posts: 18
    P.S. Ohwaitaminute....acmeroadrunnr, you were the one who posted the Porsche story. Well anyway, to anyone who's posting about real-world gas mileage, could you also include a word on your driving style? (i.e. Are you having gas-eating fun while driving your new cars, or are you driving, shall we say, a little more "normal" or "average"?)

    Thanks again.
  • ultimaultima Member Posts: 96
    Hi All... When I stated the milage on my V6 3.5 SE sucked (also, most recent fill-up was with mid-grade gas) I based it on the following...

    Started-out with 3/4 of a tank... Drove 80 miles total (freeway, averaging about 75 mph, and with the air-conditioning on) and when I returned had about a 1/4 tank left (i.e., used a half a tank).

    No... I'm NOT a "lead-foot", was running "mid-grade" gas, and while I'm sure the A/C hurt the milage, it seems like it still should have gotten bit better mileage -- don't ya think?

    Believe me, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Altima (Ultima), but that was a bit disappointing.

    Also, since I only use her for meetings, she's only got about 2,000 miles on her right now -- has anyone noticed if mileage goes up significantly as the Altima's V6 breaks-in???

    Would love to hear from anyone who can assist...
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    I use Sunoco 93 octane and my onboard says that I average 26.8 mpg, my calculated average (based on fillup) is around 25 mpg (based on my recent trip to NJ). I use the ac (temp control) quite a bit and enjoy the sport driving the car offers.
    BTW: I also like to drink a cup of coffee while driving in morning traffic so I got the auto.
  • stebustebu Member Posts: 204
    Lets see... in the Altima 1/2 tank is 10gal, so 80miles/10gal = 8mpg!?... hmmmm. Either you have a leaky gas tank or, more likely, the typically inaccurate gas gauge. Did you actually determine how much gas you consumed beyond reading the gauge? A good way to get a more meaningful reading is to top off the tank and run it almost dry while recording the mileage from full to empty. Then top it off again and divide the elapsed mileage by the amount of gas consumed. This gives a fairly accurate reading averaged out over a full to empty tank load.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    I have a manual 3.5SE and do all my mileage calculations by hand. Over 7500 miles I have averaged 19.6 MPG. That's with about 80% city/20% highway driving. I drive fairly conservatively most of the time, except on those highway on-ramps which are just too difficult for me to resist.
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    "except on those highway on-ramps which are just too difficult for me to resist"
    I hear ya :-))
  • cfocfocfocfo Member Posts: 147
    Macho Macho Man
    I want to be, a Macho Man !

    I wanna buy an Altima so I can beat a Porsche too.
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    cfo...are you one of those village people or are you the cfo of the peanut gallery? ;-)
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    Believe me!

    I have an 02 Maxima SE and just the other day I hit the accelerator a little too hard to get around another car and almost gave myself whiplash! Serious!

    You gotta be careful with that gas pedal! If you hit it a bit hard, better hold on cuz the torque steer is gonna be a tad rough.

    You Altima guys have it better, though, as you have standard traction control. My SE does not, so my arms are gettin strong! ;-)

    Obi
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The Altima does not have standard traction control. It's only available on automatic SE 3.5 models. I think it should be part of the ABS package for all models.

    I rented a 2002 Maxima SE a couple of months ago, and found the torque steer very disheartening. I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T with traction control in it, and find the Maxima's power even harsher. You could easily lose control of that car if you don't know what you are doing.
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    Even with the traction control in the SE, heavy accelleration will pull the car to the right and you have to compensate by oversteering to the left. Both the Max and Altima SE have quite a bit more power (torque) than the Passat, so I am not surpised that you were taken off guard.
  • paulv4paulv4 Member Posts: 8
    How difficult is the oil change in the SE? The filter seems easy to get to and the drain plug is within reach. Any advice?
  • icstarsicstars Member Posts: 18
    I'd be interested in hearing your calculated gas mileage for more/mostly city driving on 93 octane. Even though you have an automatic and I'm considering a stick, it could only get better. Also, you may be the only one posting here that's using premium gas (which I believe is, uh, strongly recommended in the V6's), and that will certainly affect the gas consumption.

    Anyone else with a fillup calculation on a 3.5 SE using 93 octane gas? I believe the highway estimates stated by Nissan/EPA are pretty accurate; I'm wondering more about regular stop-n-go city results.

    Thanks.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    I posted earlier about my mileage on a 3.5SE manual. I use only premium gas (91+ octane) in my Altima, and have averaged 19.6 mpg over 7500 miles of mostly city driving. I'd say my mileage breakdown is around 80% city/20% highway.
  • cfocfocfocfo Member Posts: 147
    I was told by a car salesman, that only 3 of 10 people buying a Nissan refuse to pay that "advertising fee" tacked on by the dealers and car makers. He said it used to be only 2 of 10.

    Where are your negotiating skills folks ?!!

    This is the paint protection scam of the 2000s !
  • nissancarnissancar Member Posts: 9
    There were alot of complaints about the cheap looking material of the 2002 Altima. I test drove the car myself and the reason I didn't buy was the same interior. I am wondering did they improve it material wise and otherwise else if any for 2003 model?
    Thanks
  • lsclsc Member Posts: 210
    I usually get between 22 & 23 mpg using 93 octane. This includes the occasional 'smoke my neighbor' starts.
  • piecekeeperpiecekeeper Member Posts: 18
    Have 350 miles on my 03 Altima. Supposed to get 23/29 MPG with auto transmission. Disappointed with 16.1 MPG, town driving using some air. Would like to know what other 2.5's with auto are getting?
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    Piecekeeper: That's the lowest I have seen on this board. I have an Acura MDX and I get 16MPG in all city driving and that vehicle is 4300lbs.
  • cyril1cyril1 Member Posts: 5
    After 550 miles I am averging 24.9 mpg with a mix of 80/20 highway/city. Also gentle breakin with AC only 50% of the time
  • ultimaultima Member Posts: 96
    I just glanced at the Accord vs. Altima discussion... Man, those are some LOYAL Accord fans.

    I love my Altima SE, and will admit the 03 Accord EX probably has a nicer interior, but there ain't no way ANYONE will ever convince me that Honda has built yet another BORING car... in my humble opinion.

    By the way... Thanks to all for the GAS Tracking tips... I'll try calculating manually and see what the result is.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    If the new Accord is anything like the 2002 Civic LX I drove last night, forget about it! UGH! The worst car I have driven in awhile.
  • clpurnellclpurnell Member Posts: 1,083
    I had the unpleasant experience of driving the civic after the dang GSM of the honda dealership went home with the keys of my car after an appraisal grrrrr.. The only thing worse that I have driven is the saturn SL series. They have really screwed up that car.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Well, the thing I went to was for the ION. It's better in every way than the S Series was, but the steering is wayyy light in it for me. Worse than the 03 Corolla was. But the Civic was the worst. As soon as I sat down in it, I felt like getting right back out and not even driving it. I was only in there for 2 mins. or so, and was miserable the entire time!
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    Anyone knows where you can get discount parts similar to Hondauraworld? Just got an 02 2.5S and wanted to buy the spoiler. Here in NYC the dealers want $300.00 plus installation.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    Try www.nissanwholesaleparts.com for parts in general, though I'm not sure if they have the factory spoiler. If you're looking only for the spoiler, try this place:

    http://www.spoilerdepot.com/Catalog.asp?idModel=146&idB=&A=2&S=2002%20Altima

    I should add that I've never ordered from either of these places, so I can't vouch for them.
  • dabtijdabtij Member Posts: 20
    I'm on a limited budget and looking for the best car (with an engine with some pep) $20K can buy. Anyone have a suggestion over which is better?
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    Even though I've read good things about Hyundai(Their quality is far improved)I'd go with a Nissan Altima. The I4 packs a lot of punch(175 ponies)and the resale value will be higher.The 03 Accord is selling in NYC for $18,695 plus tax if you like thenew style.
  • prontospyderprontospyder Member Posts: 4
    I'm getting about 27.7 mpg after 1800 Miles in my 2.5S. 80%highway 20% town. I rarely use the air conditioner and haven't revved it past 4000 rpm.
  • crashnburn2crashnburn2 Member Posts: 23
    What dealer in NYC are you talking about? I am also in NYC and have been looking. For the Accord I mean. I want to test drive one before I decide.
  • crashnburn2crashnburn2 Member Posts: 23
    I am deciding between the Accord EX and an Altima 3.5SE w/ Cloth. Any comments on the Altima? I really don't have problems with the interior unless it is very horrible. I configured one on the Nissan website and my total came out to $26,295 the way I want it. But the Accord came out to $23,567. Which ever I buy, I will be trading my 99 Accord EX. Maybe the new Accord because its cheaper and I can get the splash guards (included in the price above). I hate the looks of the Altima's splash guards. They stick out to the side to much. Comments...
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    vocus: Do you get paid per post that bashes the Civic or something?

    crashnburn: Shouldn't you compare the Accord 3.0 EX to the Altima 3.5 SE? Or are you looking at the Accord 4 because it's a stick?
  • crashnburn2crashnburn2 Member Posts: 23
    Thank you for me noticing my error. Everyone who has read post number 3739 it is supposed to be Accord EXV6 not Accord EX.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    My only advice would be to test drive both before you decide, and try to keep an open mind.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    No, I do not get paid per post (wouldn't that be wonderful?). Everyone just talks the Civic up as being so wonderful and worth the price and all. When I drove the 2002, it was a huge letdown. And I was not the only one who felt that way either.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    This month's issue of Car and Driver rated the Civic 5th out of 10 in their econobox comparison. They were not impressed with it at all.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I was reading that. Totally surprised. They said the paint quality was poor, and the car was full of rattles. The Civic is beginning to sound like the Hyundais used to, and vice versa.
  • jlgoldenjlgolden Member Posts: 32
    dabtij: There are lots of great choices under $20,000. If you want "pep" then consider a Sentra SE-R, a V6 Sonata (or KIA Optima), or try a 4 cylinder 5-speed Accord - probably have great deals on 2002 models. Really, these are just a few of many great possibilities. You need to get out and drive a few, compare features, comfort, handling, etc., and see which one meets most of your needs and preferences.
  • pda97pda97 Member Posts: 91
    Anonymousposts - I didn't know you frequent this forum, too ? Just to expand on what "afty" mentioned about the Car & Driver comparo....C&D's conclusion on the Civic was, and I quote, "something new from Honda - a loser".
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    C'mon folks -- this is not the place to get into an extended conversation about the positives or negatives of the Honda Civic.

    That C&D comparo has come up frequently since it was published -- anyone want to go over to the Comparisons - Sedans vs. Sedans board and fire up a discussion to argu.., er, talk about that specific article?
  • cyril1cyril1 Member Posts: 5
    With 998 miles on the car and significant highway driving on the last tank of gas (Mobil 93 Octane), I got 28.4 mpg. Not bad for a V6 rated only 26 mpg for highway.
  • ultimaultima Member Posts: 96
    Also Try:


    www.ebay.com, www.grubbsauto.com, www.merchantsnissan.com, www.streetbeatonline.com

    www.autostockinc.com, www.j-jent.com, www.performancecenter.com, http://shop.sportruck.com, www.nissan-accessories.com, www.nissanparts.cc

  • ultimaultima Member Posts: 96
    I agree... The Civic shouldn't be compared to the Altima. I looked at several cars before buying my '02 3.5 SE V6 (Silver).


    The power/performance issue aside (which the Altima has plenty of) I just thought everything else looked BORING... Judge for yourselves:


    Altima

    image


    Camry

    image


    Accord

    image


    Passat

    image


    Also... Please DON'T kill me guys, but I'm really curious why so many people seem to want a MANUAL over the AUTOMATIC???


    I live in Los Angeles, and I couldn't wait for the day I didn't have to sit in traffic (which there is TONS) play the "clutch game".


    Is it just a "performance" thing? Really, I'm just curious.

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