Hello all, I am loooong time reader, first time poster. I am in the midst of looking to purchase a new vehicle. I have always loved the Altima, and definitely love the new creation of it. I currently drive a Dodge Neon (ack!!) So any complaints about the Altima (interior, trunk hinges, etc) really do not pose a problem for me. I have test driven the Altima 3.5 V6 and was very impressed, but priced just a little above my head. I have also test driven the new 2002 Jetta 1.8t and the driving experience was incredible. Only thing with the Jetta is it is very very small in the back seat, very pricey, and I am worried about all of the horror stories I hear about VW realibility. I have not yet test driven the Altims 2.5 and am looking for information about the performance of the engine. I have heard that it is decent, and feels like a V6, but that doesnt tell me much. I am looking to go with either the Jetta 1.8t or the Altima 2.5. I would like to hear some of your comments, and keep in mind anything is an upgrade when you drive a 1996 3spd Automatic Dodge Neon. Thanks in advance.
Just got off the phone with the head service manager and he made it seem like my wife didn't understand what his honest service writer had said, why would my wife lie I told him. Bottom line here is that I'm stuck but he said he'd send a free coupon for the next oil change. Not much consolation but... Funny, I am the one who always takes care of the cars but since this dealer is near her office and we both thought it would be covered under warranty, I let her handle it. Oh well, live and learn. One thing though, after her free oil change, they won't see our Alty again unless it's warranty work!
Honestly the best thing is to drive them back to back, see which you prefer. My bet is the 2.5 will be just fine, especially paired up with a 5 speed manual, since it doesn't have to wait for a turbo to spool up.
The Jetta just got a bump to 180hp, so performance will be in the same ball park.
If you choose the euro-delivery option (you pick it up in Germany and save a few thousand dollars), you can get a 325i w/ sp pack, CD, sunroof, 5 speed, for about 27k. The car has less power than the Altima (the BMW has a 2.5 liter inline 6 cylinder engine w/ 184 HP), but the interior is much nicer, and the overall feel is much better. Its a smaller car- but the back seat is really fine for most people. The shifter feels wonderful, the steering and brakes and great. I did this and am very happy. Also got to drive the car on the Autobahn! Just wanted to point out that you can get a really great car for just a little more than the Altima. Some people assume that BMWs must cost more than 30k-- but that's not necessarily the case. An Audi A4 1.8T Quattro might be something else to consider- it costs less than you might think. You'll get a lot of standard safety features- but you might get slightly less "gadgets" like an in-dash 6 CD changer or power seats. But, you'll have so much more fun w/ the car that you won't care! Also, BMW and other German manufacturers tend to be conservative w/ their HP numbers and accelration tests because they have to be by German law. Sometimes Nissan and other Japanese manufacturers are a bit optimistic. Also, with RWD, more power makes it to the ground during acceleration since weight shifts to the rear. What I'm saying is, don't dismiss the BMW just because it only has 184 HP-- it feels like plenty of power.
It is hard to put "horror stories" about reliability in perspective. All cars are getting more reliable, even GM and the Korean makes, so you probably have good odds of having a good experience with a Jetta. Consumer Reports just backed off its endorsement of the Jettas based on reliability problems. I read the VW boards, where they just love their German cars and are a bit defensive about reliability problems. The general attitude on the Jetta and Passat boards is that it is a privelege to drive a real German "driver's car" and that if you are hung up on reliability, you should buy a Japanese car. You have to decide if a few small reliability problems are acceptable tradeoffs for the fun of the "incredible" driving experience.
The shipping back is included in the price. BMW handles all of the logistics, registration in Germany, etc. You do have to pay for airfare, food and hotel, but Europe is so cheap w/ the exchange rate. You can get a rountrip ticket to Germany for $300 and stay 2 nights in a hotel for $80 each + taxi both ways about $30/each way + $30/day for food * 2 days= $420. But you're still saving 3-4k over the US price anyway. Now, if you don't like Europe for some reason-- then you're right - its not the way to go. But, I loved every minute of it. If you were planning a trip to europe anyway-- then this option makes even more sense because you don't have to rent a car. Interestingly, the price I paid, is the price that I see used 2000 BMWs being sold at now. Just something that I thought people might be interested in.
Keep something in mind - just because dealers add a markup on the sticker does not mean customers are paying it. It's really just a negotiating ploy, so some buyers feel they knocked more $$$ off the starting price.
A well equipped Bimmer for that price sounds good, just make sure it meets your space needs. I was fortunate enough to attend the BMW Ultimate Driving School, and hot lapped a 330xi a few times. Very impressive and quite fast, but then again they're closer to $40k. Even the 2.5l engine does not feel underpowered at all.
But they are really almost a 2+2, with very tight rear quarters. I much prefer the 5 series, and if power isn't a top priority, they start around $37k, maybe less with the European delivery. I actually think the Altima is a little bigger than the 5 series, really.
You've got me pegged floridian. Wow and it took you only one post.
Maybe I'm so happy with my car, like quite a few other 2.5S owners on this board, because it's a really nice car. I asked in an earlier post for someone to list a bigger, faster, better built, better handling, more comfortable car for $18K (what I paid for mine). I don't remember any replies to that post.
As for my noting the MPG from my trip. I wasn't bragging so much as reporting what actual highway mileage was. Often reported mileage is overstated b/c they drive at the speed limit.
But you nailed it with my last post. I'm just easy to please.
BTW I still don't buy that your post on quality problems wasn't overstated.
The 5-series is actually classified by the EPA as a compact because of its small interior space. The Altima is larger on the inside, though I think the exterior dimensions are about the same.
LoL their buddy.... I read your post about the tin can hood... heheheheh... I finally test drove the SE last night.. What a rocket... Man, I turned into a side street after doing 90 in a 45 zone with the salesman in the back and before I got fully out of the turn I accidentally PUNCHED IT (I dive a ford ranger and ya actually have to push the Gas pedal---Dayum Altima's was super touchy).. I chirped the front tires and regained control in a second or 2, but it got my heart rate goin.... Sales dude says... "GOOD SAVE" LMAO!!!!!! Had a comfortable feel to it, but I do agree about the platics in the car.. They are crap.... And those dayum tunnels ya have to look down to see the gauges.. WIERD!!! Now I wouldn't be able to Co-pilot from the passenger seat (Wifey has a lead foot ya see)... This particular dealer, the one thay now has 35+ in stock has a $500+ markup for Pinstripes and some kind of moldings for the wheel wells, but he said "Don't worry about that" Hmmmm I thought.... maybe I should have gotten that in righting... Well, i havn't negotiated yet, but I'm doing my homework through www.carbuyingtips.com and trying to find more amo here...
You've got me pegged floridian. Wow and it took you only one post.
Maybe I'm so happy with my car, like quite a few other 2.5S owners on this board, because it's a really nice car. I asked in an earlier post for someone to list a bigger, faster, better built, better handling, more comfortable car for $18K (what I paid for mine). I don't remember any replies to that post.
As for my noting the MPG from my trip. I wasn't bragging so much as reporting what actual highway mileage was. Often reported mileage is overstated b/c they drive at the speed limit.
But you nailed it with my last post. I'm just easy to please.
BTW I still don't buy that your post on quality problems wasn't overstated.
brad45: well,I'm pretty anal when it comes to my cars. I will admit that to the average customer they would never notice half the things I pick up on when it comes to workmanship. I'll give Nissan a passing grade, for now, considering they are still getting ramped-up in production up @ the plant in the Hoosier State. But for me when I plunk down my long green I want as perfect a example as can be produced by the hand of man (oops woman too) "O" defects is just about good enough for me. LOL
You're absolutely right the 3 series is much smaller. But, I've found the rear seats to be totally acceptable for people up to 5' 10" (assuming all people including the driver are not taller and don't have to put the seats way back). But, you regularly carry around 6 footers and taller in your back seat then the Altima or even bigger cars would be a better choice. I would not recommend putting 3 people in the back of a 3 series. For me, I don't carry rear seat passengers to often so its not a problem.
Prices for Altima vary from regions to regions. 2.5S is probably selling at 700-1000 off MSRP and 2.5SL about 1200-1500 off MSRP in many regions. Never agree to pay any dealer add-ons. They are garbage. Always negotiate "the final price," which should include all fees. Many Nissan dealers do add many fees to the final price. You will be shocked to see how the number adds up so quickly. Just refuse to any fees or add-ons and, by law, they have to take them off. Although the 3.5SEs bring the most excitement, Nissan expects to sell many more 2.5 than 3.5. The ratio is about 2:1 to 5:2. 2.5S will be and should be the most popular model.
I agree with 100% of what you said. In the particular ad that I quoted the price was $16,999 for a base "S" model. With a base MSRP of approximately 18,700, I came up with the the discount of $1700. Again, I will be visiting this particular dealer next week and will keep you posted.
CNCMAN:The 3.9% financing is real and offered by Nmac.These were full page ads run in the New York Newsday and New York Times about 3 Fridays ago. The week before Thanksgiving.They were Nissan Motor Corporation Ads not any specfic dealer.As a matter of fact I had to show a salesman the ad because he said rarely do they offer deals like that on newly introduced models.Last Friday after thanksgiving Nissan Motor ran 3.9% financing on Maximas in New York City, again in the Friday edition of Newsday and New York Times.Remember 100,000 people are jobless in NYC since Sept 11. When I pass the Nissan dealerships their lots are overflowing with Altimas in Queens county.Also Premium gas is $1.69 per gallon and those 240 horses suck a lot of gas. About $50.00 to $70.00 per week if you drive a lot.Dealers in Pa and Delaware are dealing when you call.We are all in the same recession and as one dealer told me He doesn't want to put his cars under his bed, he wants to move them at a fair price.
That post regarding bringing the BMW over from Germany got me thinking. I've been looking into the possibility of bringing in a 3.5SE from Canada. With the exchange rate, you save about 5 grand. All taxes are refundable once you prove that you've taken the vehicle out of the country, and there's no duty when you bring it into the US b/c of NAFTA. You still have to pay sales tax to your state, but that appears to be it. Has anyone tried this yet? I spoke to a dealer in Toronto and he said it doesn't happen much. One thing that might need to be changed is the speedometer. I can't get anyone to give me a straight answer. The rest of the car (according to Nissan North America) is legal in the US (should be b/c it was made here...). Feedback?
We traveled to Buffulo NY over the summer by Amtrac, an I explained this idea to my mom, she thought it was a pretty good one. I have two problems with it though, one I live in South Carolina, a good LONG piece from any part of Canada, two I want a 2.5SL with manual transmission or a 3.5SE with manual transmission, in Canada, the 2.5SL only comes in automatic transmission, and the 3.5SE isn't available with Xenon headlamps. I like the idea that I could save about $5,000, but that's a long way to drive even though I have family in Mahattan and the Bronx. I think I'm going to have to pass on it though because right now I am leaning more toward the 2.5SL over the 3.5SE.
Also, there is a guy on these boards somewhere that brought a Pathfinder from Canada awhile back, we e-mailed one another back and forth for a while, he didn't have any problems buying in Canada and getting it back here, none at all. Good luck with your purchase.
jgriffi1 and Maxamillion, there is a guy here in Minnesota who actively promotes going to Canada to buy Nissans. He maintains that the best town for the best deals is Toronto and he will direct you to particular dealerships that are happy to do this kind of deal. He has frequently posted here and on other boards. His name is Jon Lofquist and he has made a sort of hobby of helping people save money on Canadian Nissans. You can contact him at jonlofquist@aol.com. Apparently there are no significant paperwork, tax or warranty problems. The main thing is that you will probably have to pay a speedometer tech to convert your car's speedo and odometer from kilometers to miles.
Please keep your hands off our Nissans! I'm looking for a 3.5 and you border hoppers are making it tough to get one under MSRP. It's a myth, there is no money to be saved buying your Nissan here. It is a cold country, wouldn't be worth your while and our border guards are mean!
and snobbish too. My brother nearly got into a fight with one of them when I went to Niagrra Falls, they talk down to you and act like you don't have ANY sense. Needless to say, the Falls was beautiful and Ontario is beautiful as well, we were scheduled to go back next year, but since the Amtrac has to stop in NY for a day we decided that we would wait a while before we go back, if we ever do.
I was hoping to get into one of those totally off topic point - counter point arguments that no one else on the board could care 2 cents about. You know the ones that take 400 lines of text for each rebuttal. Darn, I'll have to go try and stir up trouble in one of the Accord forums. Make a comment like 15" rims are too small and I don't thing the accord measures up to the Hummer 2 or something and see if I can incur someone's wrath.
Seriously, I always appreciate a polite disagreement with someone who is not offended by a little sarcasm.
Edmunds.com has just posted a Road Test of the 2002 Altima. Follow the link in the Additional Resources box on the left sidebar of this page to check it out.
brad45:Yep,you are right, spirited dialog is a lot of fun but a lot of folks just take it too seriously and get their delicate feelings hurt. Back during the old days of Edmunds I used to get constant warnings via e-mail from the so-called hosts threatening to ban me for life because old Isellhondas and I used to get pretty rowdy tearin @ each other. They take everything way too seriously and are terrified lest a whisper of non political correctness be posted on these sacred boards. Plus a lot of the posters on here just don't get it that they are getting baited and go APE over something that is said.
mccarlo, saw your post about NJ dealers not quoting below MSRP. this week, i requested an internet quote from DiFeo Nissan in Jersey City and was quite surprised when they came back with a price for a loaded SE that was about $900 over invoice. the price includes destination charge, $100 service coupon (will never use, but nice gesture) and an offer to deliver it, free, to my driveway -- 40 miles away from the dealership.
did the internet thing once before when buying my wife's CR-V, but the quotes didnt come close to one i found at a dealer. fearful this price is a classic "if it sounds too good to be true..." and will be hit with some back-end BS add-ons when it comes time to sign on the dotted line.
will find out for sure when i hit local dealers tomorrow and see how close they'll come to this price. at least i have a negotiating tool.
If you're afraid of added charges on that quote you got, email them back and ask for an out-the-door quote, including tax, title, license, and all other fees. That way at least you'll know up front if there are any hidden fees, and you won't risk them trying to throw in those fees once you're doing the deal.
The Maxima discussion group has been very explicit on how Americans can save a bundle by crossing the undefended border and buying Nissan products. If this catches on with the Altima, I might as well give up hope of test driving one before my 1999 Maxima lease runs out.
After dropping in on the local dealers several times a week for the last two months, hoping to see a 5-speed 3.5SE, one arrived on Tuesday. It was being "prepped" (4pm) and the dealer said come back at 5pm to test it. I said I would be back the next day, and he warned that it would probably sell that night, and we would not see another until the spring.
When I arrived the next morning, just after the showroom opened, I was informed that the car was sold the night before, and he could not let me test drive it.
I expect that the dealer did not discount from MSRP.
If there are manual 3.5SE's in Canada, they are probably in Southern Ontario (Toronto), and another one may never make it this far east if trans-border shopping Americans figure out how easy and cheap it is for them.
The line-ups at the border have been longer since Sept 11, but when I drove from Montreal to Albany last week, it was quite painless.
to complete my story, went to ramsey (NJ) nissan and was first quoted a price $2,000 over invoice. when told of my aforementioned internet quote, he matched the price but would not include destination -- so he was still $550 or so dollars over my internet quote. then, the salesman tried the add-on cost game; an extra $300 or so for registration, "admistrative fees" and the ever-popular window-etching scam. yeeesh!
then proceeded to action nissan in nyack, ny. talked with a salesman named freddie and told him that i received a very aggressive internet quote. without telling him he beat the price right out of the box and after a little bit of negotiating, came in a mere $400 over invoice. not bad price for a hot car --and no adminstrative/window-etching BS!
now i just have to pick a color. geez, i can't decide. none of the colors stand out, except for the seascape green and that's not my bag. all of you new altima owners out there, what color did you pick? pewter? beige? ruby? and am i the only one that likes the blond leather?
one final observation. the ramsey nissan dealership building was quite nice: marble floors, high ceilings, lots of glass and a pretty receptionist. on the flip side, action in nyack left a lot to be desired aesthetically. but their guy gave me a good price.
the scenario was identical a few years back when shopping for my wife's CR-V. the price we received from a comfortable honda dealership in nanuet, ny (which just got re-renovated!) came no where close to the final price we got from a more cramped dealership in mahwah, nj.
mere coincidence, or something to go buy in the future?
Mom needed a new car, SO; we went to a Nissan dealership yesterday afternoon (Nov 30) with an exact dollar figure in mind, both for the Altima (Out-the-door, of course!) and for the trade. We met with Ron at Garden City (NY) Nissan. Very nice guy, but the managers were real characters. Three hours later, after VERY much haggling, we got our desired deal:
The car 2.5 S 16,552.00 destination 540.00 Auto transmission 782.00 Splash guards 77.00 Floor mats 60.00 Microfilter 39.00
Invoice MSRP TMV $18,050 $19,626 $19,543
Mom got an out-the door price of $18,600 (before tax and plates), which is about 3% over invoice, and more than $1000 under MSRP. We didn't even discuss advertising and documentation fees (since we negotiated final price), but they did try very hard to get us to pay a $349 dealer prep fee. The sales manager tried to get us to split it, but finally dropped it entirely. They also seriously tried to lowball the trade by $550, but we got our asking price for that ($5500). The manager actually tried to explain that his offer for the trade, at $4950, would reduce the tax we paid by about $450, so he was REALLY giving us $5300 for it. We got the $5500 in the end.
Only concession we made: Mom financed with them (at 6.9 %) instead of paying cash - that allowed them to get the car out of there before the end of November. She'll pay off the loan in full as soon as the title arrives (3 to 4 months).
Nice car ! However, if gotten at MSRP + ad + doc fee + prep ++, it would have not been a good value at all, in my opinion.
BTW, drack: My silver haired Mom went for the Silver.
Well Drack... Preciate the info buddy.... I went to a dealer today and started to get into numbers, but couldn't get to far cause we need to know what the resid value of my wifes Acura Integra is.. Now that will give me time to try and get some more net quotes... The Difeo Nissan responded to let me now they had received my e-mail so I hope I will get an answer Monday from them... Now let me ask this, how far are the NY dealer and these NJ dealers that ya taked about from say Edison or exit 10 from the NJ turnpike... Cause I will come their if I have ta ta get a nice deal... I will try and get a quote from ...was it ACTION???.. in nyack,NY... Keep us posted buddy...
Any wife, for some reason, thinks the Pewter color is richy lookin and it's gonna be hers so... I like the beige with a nice black Pin Stripe, and the Moroon colored one...
ramsey nissan is on route 17 south . for you, go up the garden state, get on to route 17 heading NORTH in paramus and travel about 10-15 minutes north. the nissan dealership is on the left side of the highway, which is 17 south. you'll have to travel up 17 north a bit before you can exit and come back south. word of advice; stay away from 17 in paramus on saturdays, especially during the holiday season. its a major shopping hub and traffic is AWFUL!!
getting to action nissan in nyack is a breeze. up the GSP again until it ends and head toward the TZ Bridge. get off at exit 11, which is the last before the bridge. make a left at the light at the end of the ramp and action is not even 100 yards down on the left.
i think edison is about 45 minutes away from nyack. give yourself and hour, just in case.
i'm not sure what I expected in our test drive but after all the hype about altima's redesign it was a letdown.The ride was acceptable,interior room was very good,driver visibility poor,interior quality below average,in a word its still an altima with a better engine than before.
....but I'm here to announce the new Nissan Altima Owners club now available on Edmunds.com Owner's Club board. Please stop by and introduce yourself in Meet the Members and let me know how I can help build your club.
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Sedans.
i'm not sure what I expected in our test drive but after all the hype about altima's redesign it was a letdown.The ride was acceptable,interior room was very good,driver visibility poor,interior quality below average,in a word its still an altima with a better engine than before.
- Altima leads with 42.6% increase; The increase was paced by the highly acclaimed re-designed Altima, launched in late August, which saw its best November ever with sales of 13,675 units, a 42.6 percent increase versus last year.
I test drove an Altima 3.5 this past week while my Pathfinder was being serviced. Nissan has a great automobile here. However, a car like this needs an auto dimming left outside mirror like the rearview auto dimming mirror.
Also would like to see Nissan offer a XM satelite radio option with the Bose radio option.
I drive a Cadillac Concours and I like pure acceleration. The Altima is a fun ride and just needs a little more "electric fuzz." I could leave Cadillac and put one of these fun rockets on the interstate.
DO you mean Major Nissan on N. Franklin Ave. in Hempstead? I did a search and coulnd't locate any Garden City Nissan.
Husband and I did a test drive of the 2.5 S at Cox Nissan in the Bronx, NY today. The car lived up to my expectations. The interior fit and finish was satisfactory. After we made it CLEAR that we were not ready to purchase for another 2 months, the sales man brought us inside to work on us. He quoted MSRP of $19,875 and was adamant that NO ONE was selling below that price. I gave him a smug look but said nothing because I KNOW that CarsDirect is quoting the same car at $18,900. It was interesting sitting in the dealership listening to the salesman explain the reason for the pricing as S-L-O-W-L-Y as he could, as if he was thinking up what he was going to say next. The husband and I laughted as we left. In 2-4 months when we are ready to buy, we'll know where NOT to go!
The dealership was indeed on N. Franklin, but the salesman kept referring to the place as Garden City Nissan. I think he was really new, and the place is right on the border. "Major Nissan" was the name on the envelopes - maybe they renamed themselves recently??
Anyhow, our out-the-door price was $550 less than that at carsdirect.com. Carsdirect is quite competitive, but they include ad fees in quoted invoice price (sort of deceptive) and (in my experience) on the back-end the dealer tries to slap on documentation fees in the range of $200.
I bought a Toyota Sienna in Summer of 2000 and beat carsdirect by $300. It's a good service, and they have a weird arrangement with their affiliated dealerships: If you shop the carsdirect price, the dealerships REFUSE to beat it.
I can't believe that a dealer quoted you MSRP for more than 60 seconds. As you indicated, knowledge is power !
When I was ready to buy my Sienna in 2000, I flooded the dealerships within 30 miles with e-mails and faxes (attn: sales manager), indicating what I would pay (net of ad fees, etc.), and that I would sign right now. I was in and out of the Toyota dealership in less than 20 minutes - no nonsense.
Irontiger: The owner's manual for the 4-banger indicates 87 octane. Might be different for the six.
Comments
The Jetta just got a bump to 180hp, so performance will be in the same ball park.
-juice
Now an A4 1.8T can be purchased for about 25-26k. Much nicer car than the Altima, but not as powerful and much smaller than it too.
A well equipped Bimmer for that price sounds good, just make sure it meets your space needs. I was fortunate enough to attend the BMW Ultimate Driving School, and hot lapped a 330xi a few times. Very impressive and quite fast, but then again they're closer to $40k. Even the 2.5l engine does not feel underpowered at all.
But they are really almost a 2+2, with very tight rear quarters. I much prefer the 5 series, and if power isn't a top priority, they start around $37k, maybe less with the European delivery. I actually think the Altima is a little bigger than the 5 series, really.
-juice
Maybe I'm so happy with my car, like quite a few other 2.5S owners on this board, because it's a really nice car. I asked in an earlier post for someone to list a bigger, faster, better built, better handling, more comfortable car for $18K (what I paid for mine). I don't remember any replies to that post.
As for my noting the MPG from my trip. I wasn't bragging so much as reporting what actual highway mileage was. Often reported mileage is overstated b/c they drive at the speed limit.
But you nailed it with my last post. I'm just easy to please.
BTW I still don't buy that your post on quality problems wasn't overstated.
the SE last night.. What a rocket... Man, I turned into a side street after doing 90 in a 45 zone with the salesman in the back and before I got fully out of the turn I accidentally PUNCHED IT (I dive a ford ranger and ya actually have to push the Gas pedal---Dayum Altima's was super touchy).. I chirped the front tires and regained control in a second or 2, but it got my heart rate goin.... Sales dude says... "GOOD SAVE" LMAO!!!!!! Had a comfortable feel to it, but I do agree about the platics in the car.. They are crap.... And those dayum tunnels ya have to look down to see the gauges.. WIERD!!! Now I wouldn't be able to Co-pilot from the passenger seat (Wifey has a lead foot ya see)... This particular dealer, the one thay now has 35+ in stock has a $500+ markup for Pinstripes and some kind of moldings for the wheel wells, but he said "Don't worry about that" Hmmmm I thought.... maybe I should have gotten that in righting... Well, i havn't negotiated yet, but I'm doing my homework through www.carbuyingtips.com and trying to find more amo here...
Great forum goin here....
Mcarlo24
Maybe I'm so happy with my car, like quite a few other 2.5S owners on this board, because it's a really nice car. I asked in an earlier post for someone to list a bigger, faster, better built, better handling, more comfortable car for $18K (what I paid for mine). I don't remember any replies to that post.
As for my noting the MPG from my trip. I wasn't bragging so much as reporting what actual highway mileage was. Often reported mileage is overstated b/c they drive at the speed limit.
But you nailed it with my last post. I'm just easy to please.
BTW I still don't buy that your post on quality problems wasn't overstated.
Regards, Floridian
Mc24
Mc24
Good luck negotiating.
Also, there is a guy on these boards somewhere that brought a Pathfinder from Canada awhile back, we e-mailed one another back and forth for a while, he didn't have any problems buying in Canada and getting it back here, none at all. Good luck with your purchase.
Seriously, I always appreciate a polite disagreement with someone who is not offended by a little sarcasm.
regards,
Brad
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Floridian
did the internet thing once before when buying my wife's CR-V, but the quotes didnt come close to one i found at a dealer. fearful this price is a classic "if it sounds too good to be true..." and will be hit with some back-end BS add-ons when it comes time to sign on the dotted line.
will find out for sure when i hit local dealers tomorrow and see how close they'll come to this price. at least i have a negotiating tool.
After dropping in on the local dealers several times a week for the last two months, hoping to see a 5-speed 3.5SE, one arrived on Tuesday. It was being "prepped" (4pm) and the dealer said come back at 5pm to test it. I said I would be back the next day, and he warned that it would probably sell that night, and we would not see another until the spring.
When I arrived the next morning, just after the showroom opened, I was informed that the car was sold the night before, and he could not let me test drive it.
I expect that the dealer did not discount from MSRP.
If there are manual 3.5SE's in Canada, they are probably in Southern Ontario (Toronto), and another one may never make it this far east if trans-border shopping Americans figure out how easy and cheap it is for them.
The line-ups at the border have been longer since Sept 11, but when I drove from Montreal to Albany last week, it was quite painless.
then proceeded to action nissan in nyack, ny. talked with a salesman named freddie and told him that i received a very aggressive internet quote. without telling him he beat the price right out of the box and after a little bit of negotiating, came in a mere $400 over invoice. not bad price for a hot car --and no adminstrative/window-etching BS!
now i just have to pick a color. geez, i can't decide. none of the colors stand out, except for the seascape green and that's not my bag. all of you new altima owners out there, what color did you pick? pewter? beige? ruby? and am i the only one that likes the blond leather?
one final observation. the ramsey nissan dealership building was quite nice: marble floors, high ceilings, lots of glass and a pretty receptionist. on the flip side, action in nyack left a lot to be desired aesthetically. but their guy gave me a good price.
the scenario was identical a few years back when shopping for my wife's CR-V. the price we received from a comfortable honda dealership in nanuet, ny (which just got re-renovated!) came no where close to the final price we got from a more cramped dealership in mahwah, nj.
mere coincidence, or something to go buy in the future?
good luck to all. see you on the road!!
We met with Ron at Garden City (NY) Nissan. Very nice guy, but the managers were real characters. Three hours later, after VERY much haggling, we got our desired deal:
The car
2.5 S 16,552.00
destination 540.00
Auto transmission 782.00
Splash guards 77.00
Floor mats 60.00
Microfilter 39.00
Invoice MSRP TMV
$18,050 $19,626 $19,543
Mom got an out-the door price of $18,600 (before tax and plates), which is about 3% over invoice, and more than $1000 under MSRP.
We didn't even discuss advertising and documentation fees (since we negotiated final price), but they did try very hard to get us to pay a $349 dealer prep fee. The sales manager tried to get us to split it, but finally dropped it entirely. They also seriously tried to lowball the trade by $550, but we got our asking price for that ($5500). The manager actually tried to explain that his offer for the trade, at $4950, would reduce the tax we paid by about $450, so he was REALLY giving us $5300 for it. We got the $5500 in the end.
Only concession we made: Mom financed with them (at 6.9 %) instead of paying cash - that allowed them to get the car out of there before the end of November. She'll pay off the loan in full as soon as the title arrives (3 to 4 months).
Nice car ! However, if gotten at MSRP + ad + doc fee + prep ++, it would have not been a good value at all, in my opinion.
BTW, drack: My silver haired Mom went for the Silver.
Any wife, for some reason, thinks the Pewter color is richy lookin and it's gonna be hers so... I like the beige with a nice black Pin Stripe, and the Moroon colored one...
Mcarlo24
getting to action nissan in nyack is a breeze. up the GSP again until it ends and head toward the TZ Bridge. get off at exit 11, which is the last before the bridge. make a left at the light at the end of the ramp and action is not even 100 yards down on the left.
i think edison is about 45 minutes away from nyack. give yourself and hour, just in case.
funny, i'm trying to trade in my integra!
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Sedans.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I was shocked to find the 2002 "old" Accord prevailed in the December 2001 Car and Driver showdown with the new Altima and Camry:
http://www.forbes.com/2001/11/30/1203flint.html
I was shocked to find the 2002 "old" Accord prevailed in the December 2001 Car and Driver showdown with the new Altima and Camry:
http://www.forbes.com/2001/11/30/1203flint.html
Why can't we get the best of the two (Alti & Max)?!
Oh well...
Nissan Division Announces 4.8 Percent Increase in Sales [Dec. 03, 01]
- Altima leads with 42.6% increase; The increase was paced by the highly acclaimed re-designed Altima, launched in late August, which saw its best November ever with sales of 13,675 units, a 42.6 percent increase versus last year.
Also would like to see Nissan offer a XM satelite radio option with the Bose radio option.
I drive a Cadillac Concours and I like pure acceleration. The Altima is a fun ride and just needs a little more "electric fuzz." I could leave Cadillac and put one of these fun rockets on the interstate.
bill hale
knoxville, tennessee
Husband and I did a test drive of the 2.5 S at Cox Nissan in the Bronx, NY today. The car lived up to my expectations. The interior fit and finish was satisfactory. After we made it CLEAR that we were
not ready to purchase for another 2 months, the sales man brought us inside to work on us. He quoted MSRP of $19,875 and was adamant that NO ONE was selling below that price. I gave him a smug look but said nothing because I KNOW that CarsDirect is quoting the same car at $18,900. It was interesting sitting in the dealership listening to the salesman explain the reason for the pricing as S-L-O-W-L-Y as he could, as if he was thinking up what he was going to say next. The husband and I laughted as we left. In 2-4 months when we are ready to buy, we'll know where NOT to go!
Anyhow, our out-the-door price was $550 less than that at carsdirect.com. Carsdirect is quite competitive, but they include ad fees in quoted invoice price (sort of deceptive) and (in my experience) on the back-end the dealer tries to slap on documentation fees in the range of $200.
I bought a Toyota Sienna in Summer of 2000 and beat carsdirect by $300. It's a good service, and they have a weird arrangement with their affiliated dealerships: If you shop the carsdirect price, the dealerships REFUSE to beat it.
I can't believe that a dealer quoted you MSRP for more than 60 seconds. As you indicated, knowledge is power !
When I was ready to buy my Sienna in 2000, I flooded the dealerships within 30 miles with e-mails and faxes (attn: sales manager), indicating what I would pay (net of ad fees, etc.), and that I would sign right now. I was in and out of the Toyota dealership in less than 20 minutes - no nonsense.
Irontiger: The owner's manual for the 4-banger indicates 87 octane. Might be different for the six.