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Nissan Altima
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Comments
The supercharged 3.8L in the GM cars can produce much more power. It had to be detuned because the transmission in these cars is only rated for up to 280 lbs*ft torque. The preproduction Grand Prix prototype, the GTX, made 300HP easily.
BTW, how much torque does that Honda 2.0L produce? Don't bother replying, I know the answer - very little. The 3.2 L engine in the Acura Type-S is relatively wimpy on torque as well.
You seem to be misinformed(although quite opinionated). FYI, the Riviera was not too bad in the curves, and Grand Prix GTP is not bad either. It is not at the top of the class, but it can hold its own.
300M is actually known for very good handling, especially in the PHP version (that's what I have). I think it is only 1mph slower than a Corvette through the slalom test. As for 300M's power - I almost spanked a last generation Mazda RX-7 the other day on a lonely stretch of highway. Almost because we tied. Way past 120mph (I could not tell how fast, because the speedo stops at 120)
Thanks for reminding me about Grand Marquis, I have been quite excited about the upcoming Marauder.
Oh yeah, got to say something about the Altima - I think it looks great and promises to be an awesome car.
Can't wait to testdrive the new Altima.
As for the GTP. According to the lastest Motor Trend the GTP pulls through the slalom at 61 mph. Compared to an IS300's 67 mph, a BMW 328i's 66 mph and I can't find info on the TL Type-S but the base TL pulled 62 mph, so odds are good the better tires and suspension should up that. Based on past experience with Nissan's, I'm fairly sure the SE Altima for 2002 will do some major numbers too. Or at least Acura numbers.
The 3.2L in the TL puts out only 232 lbs.-ft of torque. Compared to your much larger and supercharged 3.8L's 280 that is small. But then again, it's a bigger engine and it has a supercharger yet it's only pulling 240 hp/280 torque. Your explanation makes some sense until you notice Pontiac has had the GTP in production for quite a spell, they could have fixed the transmission issue. Hmmm.
BTW, the Chrysler 300M's numbers are nice all around. Nice body style too. Though if you were "spanking" a last gen RX it means the driver wasn't trying or didn't know what he was doing. Short of an exotic or a Supra from that era, not much can spank a 255 HP RX-7. That thing was a rocket in any gear. driving one of those I've pushed people back in their seats just by goosing the throttle. Only other car I've felt that much pull in was a Turbo 911.
"We think Nissan is being extremely conservative with the numbers and doesn't want to reveal better numbers until the near release of the car.
Note that Nissan went on a crusade against heft and weight utilizing aluminum for the hood, trunk, and some front suspension components. We predict the car will weigh in around 3,200 pounds even though it is larger than the current Maxima. One source indicates that the 4-cylinder Altimas will probably average around 28-32 mpg for those who aren't lead-footed as others. As for the V-6, expect a more palatable 25 mpg for highway driving."
I happen to agree....the inital posted figures do not make sense...if the posted figures were correct, the heavier Pathfinder with the same engine would do the BETTER gas mileage than the Altima. Impossible!
as far as the GM 3.8L, it is capable of making over 300HP when S/C. But Pontiac can't do that since the Caddies are making around 300HP. Also, squeezing too much power... making higher compression engines tend to reduce durability.
Now as far as the American car comments, have to say the Crown Vic is one hell of a car that lasts forever, would have bought one if they were dealing on them, instead got an Intrepid R/T. Also, the GM 3.8 engine, who cares what size it is if it puts out good power and fuel economy. I also think a 3.8 supercharged will run away from any of those other cars at a stoplight.
per Edmunds the Lexus ES300 doesn't have navigation.. you wouldn't call that car luxury?
or the Daewoo Leganza? has Auto climate control. is that car luxury? no.
Actually, a lot of us buy Accords and Camrys for their refinement, excellent build quality, smooth free revving engines and excellent ergonomics. Looks like the new Altima may join the club. Now for those of you who get a big joy out of having the fastest accelerating times from 0 to 30 mph, you can have your agriculture sounding GM 3.8 equipped cars.
Redesigned Altima, Maxima, Camry & Solara, Accord (coupe and 4 door), TL, IS35 probably redesigned in '04, Intrepid, 300M, and possibly 1 or 2 new Infinity models.
The Infinity model range will go from 4 to 6 models. I think it's very likely they will create an Infinity model based on the new Altima, but really seriously upscale. Will compete against the TL, wherease the I35 will increase in size as the Max will in '03.
It's a great country. Ruski, what do they drive in Russia?
Here you will find some interesting things about Japanese cars coming to a dealer near you.
But what about the Daewoo? they still have auto climate control.. do you think they are Luxury?
venus537 - save you agriculture comments for yourself. You have not idea what you are talking about, just repeating someone else's moronic comments.
On the luxury note - Daewoo isn't a luxury car. My statement earlier was about the new Altima lacking many luxury amenities like heated seats, memory seats, navigation system, auto climate control, etc. I don't see the new Altima as a near-luxury vehicle that you described. The next Max will have more of the luxury amenities. The Altima will be on the level of Accord/Camry, but much sportier.
But what i think is the Altima will now more compete against the Camcords and the Maxima will be a more luxurious sports car aimed at folks going for the slightly higher cars like a 3-series or something like that.
I was saying the Max would be geared towards the more upscale market and the Alty aimed at the the Camcords. The Alty will have some luxury amenities, but yeah, its not going to be aimed at any more "traditional" luxury cars.
Also, the Grand Prix was redesigned for 1997, so the 2004 model would be a change after 7 years of the current model.
Also FYI, there is not black market in Russia now. Hasn't been for quite a few years now.
Thanks
ehaase; Wow, Ford is really sizing up. Also, although I thought the Grand Prix first came out in '97, I believe they called it a '98 and it didn't come out till later in the year ('97). At least that's what my memory tells me. At least that was the case for the sisterships Intrigue and Regal. Or did the Pontiac just come out a year earlier than the Regal and Intrigue?
haha.. no. seems you can't go back and edit after you leave the forums. at least it never lets me edit unless I'm still in the forum, never a day or few hours after I first posted...
surfing19
probably not.. well actually there is.. but the site is getting revamped and is currently down. When its back up I'll post the link. There is also video too. Its from the NY auto show
Anyway, I hesitate between this new (upcoming) Altima and the new (upcoming) Subaru WAX. I have yet to see both "in person", though...
I know I used to drive much faster in my youth (passed a cop in the median with radar once doing 100 and he never came after me).
Nikecar, you are without a doubt my hero for the week. Anyone who as a youth passed a cop with a radar in the median, going 100 miles per hour or better, has got to be a good guy. I think that's pretty funny. Now, if anyone over 30 years of age does it, they are a dolt and taking needless risks.
To no one in particular, I hate to see Oldsmobile go. The general didn't give them enough time for their new models to catch on, in my book. It takes time for a reputation to be rebuilt--more time than 2-3 years which is when Olds really started turning the corner, I think.
I had a supercharged 3.8L in my GTP. It was awesome. There were two things I wished were better - dim headlights and slow-moving power windows. Everything else was great. Power delivery was of the "point and shoot" type. It had a very smart and smooth transmission.
300M is 1999. It has been good to me. It developed a bad engine speed sensor a couple of times and went into limp mode (running slowly and not shifting past 2nd gear) Dealer fixed it promptly, under warranty. It is an awesome car and is a blast at high speeds. It is also very maneuverable and corners very well. It is not very strong when accelerating from 0mph, it is good, got better with age, but not earth-shattering. I still love it. It has some nice luxury features that the Grand Prix does not have (memory seats, both front seats are 8-way powered and heated). But the GTP had some nice features too - Head Up Display was one of my favorite.
Now that my wife got her RX300, I don't have a luxury of choosing two cars and have to make a tough decision: another GTP, another 300M, or the new Altima? The Acura TL-S would be nice but probably too expensive (they don't pay as much in FL as they did in NYC)
I can't wait to test-drive the new Altima. I miss my GTP, but when there is a comparable car on the block, and it has MUCH better headlights and probably faster moving power windows...
that was the day I drove from Daytona to Tampa in under 1.5 hrs. heh heh heh
One can enjoy chomping on the gas and flying around on public roads, but there are plenty of driving schools, car clubs and tracks where you can take you vehicle on a regular basis and drive it to the limit in various ways. Learn some driving skills to boot.
-B