Nissan Altima

ashutoshsm

Easy CD Creator 4

Although I prefer Nero (5.0 or higher) - much more stable program, with better (audio CD) functionality. It comes free with some drives, or download a shareware version at ahead.de

cjs2002

why are talkin about cd burners... how easily we get distracted... anyway I've heard through the grape vine that currently you can get a better deal on an 03 maxima than an altima... any comments on that... thanx

ultima

http://www.streetbeatonline.com/nissan4.html

http://www.autostockinc.com/grilles.html

http://www.j-jent.com/newproducts.html

http://www.performancecenter.com/products/?maincategory=accessori- es&category=Body

http://store.yahoo.com/southwestautoworks2002-store/20nisalv6exp.- html

http://shop.sportruck.com/trenz/grilles-imports.html#Nissan

http://www.activetuning.com/products/map/nissan/altima/

maxamillion1

I was out driving around town today, enjoying the day off, when I spotted this ALtima 3.5SE, it was typical: spoiler, visor, splash guards and sills.

Now, I am wondering, which pkg. sells the best for the 3.5SE? Is it the Sport, Sport Plus, Leather, Leather Sport, or Premium Leather pkg.? To me it seems like I NEVER see the SE without a spoiler? Anyone have any idea?

ianpierce

Just to answer a few questions -

RAY - My car is an automatic and so far, with 3000 miles on it, it has gotten 20.6 mpg in the city. I haven't driven it enough on the highway to know what that mpg is.

Remember that I wrote that it handeled just as good as my MX6? Well, not exactly. I put it to the test and it seems to have a little more body roll. It is a larger car and taller as well, so I think this has something to do with it.

FASTALT -As far as the suspension being stiff, it is actually not as stiff as my MX6, but for a four door sedan I think it is somewhat stiff. My wife's Avalon has a much better ride, but it gives up alot in the responsivness and handeling because of it.

Also, thanks for the info on the gas sloshing around in the gas tank problem. I propbably will not have it repaired for the same reason you had mentioned.

gbedro2

Fastalt - Here's the bottom line concerning the suspension on the SE.
I beleive to start of the wheels itself are 17 inch alloys wraped in Bridgestone Tuaranzas. Lower profile tires and larger rims automatically give the driver less ride comfort.
This combination of wheel and tire equates to a dramatic increase in handling.
The susupension on the SE is different from the suspension on the 2.5base model, The 6 cylinder is equiped with a "sport - suspension" again the driver will realize the benefits in handling however,.. yes the ride is stiff.
Garrett

vocus

Looking through my new 2003 car price book tonight, I found that traction control is now included with ABS on all models with automatic transmission for 03, not just the SE. Smart move, Nissan!

lmp180psu

Agreed that it is nice that Nissan decided that you don't have to have a V6 SE to get an important safety feature. Now if they would just make a V6 SL version without the sporty suspension to appeal to a larger audience.

vocus

If you really wanted to, I bet you could change the springs/shocks out of an SE with a base S model's to soften up the suspension. I know it's done in VWs all the time. Just a thought...

Kirstie_H

"for a story on HORSEPOWER, i'm looking for a passenger car buyer, NOT AN SUV, VAN OR TRUCK BUYER. and, preferably, someone who bought A NEW VEHICLE in the last 6 months. the kicker here is i want that man or woman to have bought the car based on HP, 200 hp or MORE. the look of the vehicle, tho, is important, of course. but secondary to the kick-butt engine power. i think the wolf in sheep's clothing cars like a v6 ford taurus, nissan altima or the v-6 honda accord could be kind of fun. tho, hey, i'm not going to turn away a dodge viper buyer. but i do think the
others would be more interesting."
 
If you fit the bill and care to share your story, please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com asap, no later than Wednesday, January 29, with your daytime contact info and a bit about your new car.

cjs2002

greetings, I was reading a post above about changing out the shocks on the 3.5 SE to those of like the S or SL... is this possible, has anyone done it... any ways I wanted to know if it caused any problems and if not... would the dealership do it or would I have to get my friend to put it up on his lift and do it for me.... thanx...

warank

I have a 99 Altima 99, and recently I am hearing a strange sound from hood when I start the car in the morning for the first time, but once the car heats up the sound disappears. The sound never comes up later in the day. This only occurs when engine is very cold.

Has anyone experienced the same?

vocus

I am sure it's possible. The shocks have to be the same size to fit the body of the car, right? I know on a VW, the shock/strut change is not hard, but don't know about an Altima. Why don't you call the dealer, or else log on to altimas.net and ask there. They seem to have alot of knowledge about Altimas.

pat

A number of argumentative posts (and messages related to the argument) have been removed.

Please remember that civility and respect are requirements for posted messages in the Town Hall.

Also, please realize that the Town Hall is not monitored in real time; rather part-time independent contractors review the messages as often as possible. But there will always be a window of time where messages that should not have been posted may remain.

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You are NOT entitled to respond in kind. The MA is not "waived" because someone else violated it first.

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Sending an email will get a host to the problem topic as soon as the host gets online. That is the best way to get the quickest response.

Sorry for the length here, but as responsible community members, it is important to understand these things.

Send me an email if you have any questions, or want to talk further about the bad situation in here.

Thanks!

vocus

I saw an ad on TV tonight that Nissan is offering 0.9% financing on all 2.5S models with automatic transmission. I am in MD, so I don't know if this is a regional thing or not, but definitely worth checking into.

schweikb

I bought a new 2002 Alt 2.5S in June '02. I have a weekend house in NYS's snowy Catskill Mtns so I wanted ABS. I wanted to buy locally in the boonies to help their economy, but no dealer I went to had any Altimas w/ ABS. I found several dealers in my weekday area (Westchester County, NY) that had Alti's with the ABS package. In fact the dealer I bought from had 6 Alti's with ABS. I found it puzzling since the ABS IMO helps the most on snow and ice, but the dealers in the snow belt didn't offer the option. On the other hand, the dealers in the milder NYC suburban area all had ABS equipped cars in stock. Curious.
I like my ABS, they work very well and are triggered with less annoying pulsing and noise than the ones on my 98 Trooper - a later technology version in the 02 Alti I guess.
The only problem I have in the snow is the traction issue.
With the stock tires I could not get up the 1/2 mile private road to my house. I put 4 Bridgestone Blizzak's on and now I can get up the hill, but they set me back $600+ at Tire Rack. I bought the package with new steel wheels, balancing etc. so I mounted them myself and will switch back myself in the Spring. I really wish traction control had been avaiable on the 4 cylinder Alti's, not just the V6.

vocus

Well if you would have waited until 2003, you would have gotten it. The ABS package for all automatic transmission models (except the base 2.5) includes traction control.

Speaking of which, has anyonoe even SEEN a base 2.5 model? I only ever see the 2.5S and the 3.5SE models on the roads. I saw an SL on a dealer's lot, but never seen a base 2.5 anywhere.

schweikb

Didn't know that. It kind of pisses me off because I spent about 4 months looking at every possible car in the the size/price/performance segment and almost did not get the Alti because of the non-traction control issue. I did not want to get the V6 for personal views on what I call "excess". I talked to several dealers about the availability of traction control on a special order basis and they said that the official Nissan view is that the 4 cylinder was too weak in terms of power that it would not warrant traction control. Well, no use in crying, I guess if you wait too long to make a decision you would have the advantage of hindsight, as they say - and life would be boring. Thanks for the information.

schweikb

Not saying you are wrong, but I checked a catalog I have for the 03 Altima and according to it traction control is available (as on 2002's) only on the 3.5 model. I did see electronic brake force distribution as part of the ABS pkg., but that is not traction control. Can you tell me your source for your information? I have a freind interested in an Alti 2.5 but wants traction control as well. If you are correct, we may get another Alti owner.

maxamillion1

Traction control is only available for the 3.5SE with Automatic transmission. It's included if you get the ABS pkg.

It's NOT available on the 2.5S and 2.5SL.

vocus

Now I KNOW I read somewhere that you can get traction control with the ABS package on the 2.5S model. I didn't dream it. I thought it was on CarsDirect, but it wasn't because I just checked. Man, that's got me mad now!

Sorry for giving the wrong info as well.

schweikb

No big deal - but an interesting point can be made about the accuracy of some of the non-manufacturer-run auto sites. I found a number of incorrect package, std equipment vs. optional issues on the various sites when I was doing my pre-Altima searches. On top of that the auto makers make changes as they go and some of these are not reflected in their info. On my '02 Altima I got a combo compass/dimming rear view mirror as a factory option that isn't even listed in the owners manual. I had to download a Maxima owners manual form some website and I discovered those instructions re: re-calibrating, etc. applied to the '02 Altima I bought.

maxamillion1

It's no biggy! I really wish TRAC was available on the 2.5S! I don't want the 2.5SL or it's Automatic tranny.

cjs2002

Greetings...

I was just at a dealership on thursday test driving both a 2.5 and 3.5 both of them had the traction control on the sticker... for 03 they've changed there concepts because too many people wanted the 2.5s with traction control, yet still refused to step up to the 3.5... just thought I'd let ya'll know (note, TCS is only with auto matics.... have a nice day

ultima

You STILL haven't picked up a car yet?

Curious... Have you narrowed your choices yet -- thought you were looking at a 2003 Maxima as well...

Ultima.

cjs2002

lol.... yes I finally picked the car I want... I'm gonna go up and argue price and do the final stuff in two weeks... thanks for askin... but I decided to get a 3.5 SE with leather and all the other goodies... unless anyone has any different suggestions and or warnings... I'll keep ya updated

ultima

Get the AFTERMARKET LEATHER!!! You will be TRULY SORRY if you don't. The Nissan leather SUCKS!!! I have the invoice... Total cost for the Aftermarket Leather was only $850.

Also, know that Nissan get's a 3% or 4% dealer holdback on Invoice, which means on a $25,000 INVOICE, Nissan is kicking the dealer back between $750 to $1,000 which you can use to negotiate a below invoice deal.

Also, I know some folks really like that Auto-Climate control, but I've heard it doesn't work so well. I bought mine with the manual tempurature control and it works fine.

I got a 2002 3.5SE V6 "OUT THE DOOR" (made the dealer back into the price) with two-tone aftermarket leather for $25,000 -- again, out-the-door after tax, lic, etc... I've also heard of other folks doing even better.

Ultima.

cjs2002

hey thanks for the advice... I may just take that aftermarket advice... yet I sortta wanted the heated seats... so I'll have to look into it... plus I need to find out where to get the after market leather here in ohio... thanks again...

ps. I really don't want the auto climate controll either but it comes with one of the packages that has the stuff I do want so... oh well... thankx again

ultima

Usually THE DEALER already has a company they work with -- that's how it worked with mine.

I just took the car back to their service dept., the company they subcontract the leather work to picked-up my car, they had it for about 3 days, then I just picked it up from the Dealer when it was done. That was it... AND I got to pick the two colors I wanted.

s852

I am sure aftermarket leather is available that is better than what Nissan grows for the Altima, but that doesn't really fix the interior.
The door panels are so cheap looking even on the top line Altimas. They look like what you would expect in the most basic model of a pickup truck. Plastic (instead of chrome handles like VW and Honda have) and no carpeting along the lower section of the doors. The center console looks cheap and the dash has too much cheap hard plastic.
Nissan could easily fix this, but I think they are too afraid of stepping on the Maxima if the Altima's interior is "too nice." Not to mention that a completely loaded 3.5SE is already heading towards $30K MSRP as is.
I would think more seriously about buying an Altima if these problems were fixed since the styling is sportier than an Accord and you can get a combination of options not available on an Accord and an Altima is cheaper than a Passat.

kelly523

I've had a 2002 2.5S with frost interior for a year now. No problems with the interior, but I would agree that there could be some interior improvements. My suggestions: move the gas cap release to the door with the trunk release, put a dead pedal in the car, real chrome door handles, and better materials on the upper doors where your arms rest. Maybe these will be handled with a refresh once the 2004 Maxima is out and there's not so much overlap between the two models.

Other than that, it's hard to argue with the value this car offers for the money. Nissan is finally offering cut-rate (2.9%) financing, which sweetens the deal.

ultima

It's my understanding that cjs2002 has already viewed the available alternatives -- including the Maxima, which I suggested he consider, as well as the Accord and Mazda 6 -- and has decided on purchasing an Altima.

Thus, my suggestions are taking that into consideration... i.e., if he's asking for help when buying an Altima, us Altima owners should be helping him for the information he's asked for at this point.

I too am an Altima (3.5SE V6) owner, and picked this car over the Maxima, G35, Accord, Mazda 6, Acura, etc. for a variety of reasons.

He can NOT buy a new interior, but can substantially make it nicer with the "aftermarket leather" -- so that's the advice I've offered.

Ultima.

~~~~~~

jtkz13

To be honest, the leather to me doesnt look or feel that bad. I would like some opinions from people who have 2002's on the condition of the leather after an extended amount of time.

jrock80

I test drove the 2003 Altima 3.5SE and the 2003 Accord EX V6 Sedan before I made my purchase last month. I did find that the Altima had a little more pep when floored going up long hills, but that the Accords V6 and transmission was much more response and revs lower at highway speeds, which may be why it gets better gas mileage. Anyway, I did end up purchasing the Accord based on: more solid performance, quality in engineering and craftsmanship, lower cost of ownership, better residual value, as well as the Honda name in reliability and service. I have seen the Accords 0-60 rating anywhere from 6.7-8.0s and the Altimas from 5.9-7.3 The 5.9 as stated in one article was based on the 5 speed manual transmission, which doesnt even apply here. But what is the actual Altima 3.5SE automatics time? The new Accord has been verified by at least 3 sources to be 7.0 flat, in the same article car and driver said the Altima automatic was 7.3. The new Accord has also won #1 on car and drivers 10 best list, #1 in Road and Tracks sedan comparo, and #1 in car and drivers sedan comparison. Just curious to get the real information to see what is actually right. Useless information no doubt, but I was just curious.

jps4915

Based upon the feedback in this forum - mostly from Ultima, I added aftermarket leather to my 2.5S (Polished pewter/frost). The quality is very good and I agree with Ultima that it dresses up the interior. I've also noticed that the leather seems to adapt to your body temperature (at least in the winter -we've had very low temperatures here over the past two weeks). I've owned two Maxima GLEs in the past with Nissan leather and the seats were incredibly cold in the winter and hot in the summer. My most recent Max had heated seats, so I had used this feature extensively in the winter. So far, no need for heated seats in the Altima. I ordered the perforated leather seats to breathe a little better in the summer. We'll see, but I am optimistic.

My aftermmarket leather job was performed by Classic Soft Trim. In response to an earlier question, this firm has a large office in Cincinnati and a few others in Ohio. Classic Soft appears to be the "preferred" Nissan vendor in the Midwest and offers quite a selection of "Nissan leather" colors. If you lease, Nissan will residualize the cost of leather if the dealer orders through a preferred vendor.

vocus

I read it in Consumer Guide. www.consumerguide.com. They could be wrong though...

schweikb

I went to a dealer this weekend to see if traction control is optional on '03 2.5 models with automatic. None of the cars the dealer had in stock included this, although some had the ABS pkg. The salesman I spoke to said he does not believe traction control is available on any 2.5's, although he suggested the factory could make such a change and the dealer might not know until they start to show up. I am curious that cjs2002 says he actually drove a 2.5 with traction listed on the window sticker. That is puzzling.

schweikb

I checked out the consumer guide site you mentioned. They show as an option: "Braking and Airbag Pkg." as follows - manual $799 $693
automatic $1,099 $953. They go on to list what's in the package:
Antilock brakes, traction control (automatic), front side airbags, curtain side airbags. NA 2.5.
 
I believe the "NA 2.5" at the end says it all, NA ususally means "not availalble" (in this case on the 2.5).
I am still interested in cjs2002's comment that he actually drove a 2.5 with traction.

cjs2002

bedford nissan was the place where I drove the 2.5 and 3.5, this is where I've been goin since they seem to be the most respectful towards me... they just recieved these two cars 2 days befor I came in and said that they would become more readibly available in the following months... I asked them why it wasn't offered in 02 and they said that there was no need because it dind't have as much horse power, yet in due to the overwhelming majority of people who asked and wished the 2.5 (mind you not the base 2.5, but the S and the SL) had the traction control.. therefor nissan disided to try adding this option in with the 2.5s. thank you for your opinions on the altima and its interiors... so far that hasn't played a key role because that doesn't honestly bother me... but I am checkin in to the after market leather (thanx ultima)
Have fun and I'll keep ya'll posted

vocus

I thought that my "NA 2.5". they meant the base 2.5 model. I haven't even seen that model on the road since the Altima was redesigned. Also, CarsDirect doesn't list traction control as an option on the 2.5S either, and they would even if it was a mid-cycle change.

Guess it's the same as the XE model in the former generations. I only saw one of those since the Altima debuted for 1993...

I am about to go to a local dealer myself and see who is right, whether traction control is indeed avaiiable with the 2.5. I think it should be, of course. I hate marketing gimmicks that make you purchase other options or models just to get a safety feature.

schweikb

Great - going to the source! Oops - that assumes they know anything - and probably that varies by dealer, day of the month and phase of the moon as well. Excellent point on how the marketing guys bundle packages so you have to buy a 9 zillion watt amp and double-tiered fringe balls for the back window in order to get something that will save your life!
Someone earlier said I could have gotten traction control by "stepping up to the 3.5L six." To me that is not necessarily stepping up. I don't mean to start an environmental crusade here - but generally I think if someone can stay with a four and use regular gas, that is a higher level of human endeavor. Getting the six would be "stepping down" in my view.
Anyway, let me know what you find out.

cjs2002

I'm goin back this weekend... I'll ask and look for myself again.. who knows... the dealers are worse thean layers... always saying the wrong things... I'll let ya'll know what happens

lmp180psu

The Nissan website says that TCS is only available on the 3.5 SE with auto. So unless Nissan hasn't updated their website, I don't think TCS is available on 2.5 models (S or SL). The "design your nissan" tool still lists just an ABS and Side Airbag package w/out TCS. Hopefully someone finds out the real answer.

cjs2002

greetings...
I just wanted to let ya'll know that I'm finally getting my 03 Altima 3.5SE..... I loved everything about it and finally sat down with my father and chewed through the pricings with the stuff I wanted in it... I ended up getting leather heated seats (which by the way I did find out that one of my closest friends works on cars and will install different leather in it for me if I wish), Sunroof, xenon lights, and the ABS package.... so basically all the goodies... we sat down to negotiate price and I ended up with a figure for a buy at 23,000... is this good... I thought it was but I'm not shir... they ordered my altima since I want Black inside and out, so it'll be in, in two weeks they told me... and then I have to go back and sighn the papers.. but befor I signed I wanted to see if that price was good or should I haggle more...
ps... sorry for this bein so long

dan517

Last night, I traded my '00 Chev Malibu for a 5-speed 3.5SE! What a contrast...this car is a dream! The Chev was nothing but a pain, and the Altima drives like a dream! It's fully loaded, light silver, charcoal interior, tint windows...This was a great move. Last week, my wife got rid of her Pontiac Sunfire for a '01 Sentra, and she is also very pleased. I now know the feeling that many of you experience and write about in your postings!

regfootball

how is all that horsepower and the stick?

ctalerico

I think you got a great price! I have a 2002 2.5S with no leather seats or ABS and it was close to 23K. I don't know what you did to get that price. I bought mine at Carmax here in Maryland where they don't haggle over price. It's sticker or nothing. The reason I bought mine there is because they gave me the most money for my trade (Oldsmobile Alero). The Nissan dealer kept telling me that with Oldsmobile going out of business the trade value would keep getting lower the longer I waited. Toyota told me the same thing when I was looking at the Solara. Both places wanted to give me $2,000-$4,000 less than the trade-in value blaming it on Olds demise. I would be happy with your price. Especially since you got everything you wanted on special order. Around here they don't want to do special orders for you. Congratulations on your new car!

vocus

Just so you know for the future, you can sell your car to Carmax and not buy theirs. You could have sold the Alero there, then went somewhere else and gotten a better deal than MSRP on the Altima.

Anything over invoice, with the specials the way they are now, is too much. Plus, I think there's a rebate on the Altima as well, but not totally sure.

Bob Bell Nissan in MD advertised Altimas in stock for $2000 off invoice last week...

mney6

There are no rebates on Altima's at this time.
They do have .9 financing for 36 months and 3.9 for 48 and 60 months.
The 2000 discounts are off of MSRP,not the invoice.

cayennered1

I've had my 2.5S for three months and am very satisfied. No problems whatsoever, but do feel that wind and road noise and ride quality is still below par for this type of car. Michigan roads suck so this contributes to issues of ride quality, but I find that I have to turn the radio up quite a bit at highway speeds because of road and wind noise. While it's possible an undercoating might help with road noise I don't know what could be done about wind noise. I know some aren't bothered by this but I came from a relatively noisy car (99 Mitsubishi Galant) and the Altima seems noisier to me.

Anyone discussed these issues with a dealer and have there been any suggestions to improve the situation?

I also have aftermarket leather and it's sensational. Door trim isn't great but I have consistantly had complements on the interior from passangers. Just the other day a young women I was with commented on how nice the door locks looked (many have critisized their cheap plastic appearance). I guess in the end we all critisize our cars since we want them to be perfect and they usually aren't. But the fact that virtuall every person who has ridden in my car has strongly complemented the interior suggests that perhaps it's not as bad as many think.

As to the exterior, the more I see of what's on the road right now, the more I see the Altima as a real looker. Just saw the 04 Maxima in Motor Trend and trust me, the Altima blows it away on styling. Also saw 04 Malibu in MT and I'm still shaking my head in dismay.