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Nissan Altima
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Comments
http://www.nissannews.com/nissan/news/products/relautopasse2002049111852.shtml
I believe Ford has already had 4 price increases this year. Is that Nissan's first?
-juice
Toyota 3.0 AND 2.2 ENGINES DO!!
Nissan power trains are the best in the industry
~Alpha
Check out post #3193 by smithcon. He says, "My car [a 2.5S]... consumes about a quart of oil every 700 miles. "
-juice
~alpah
I've had cars that used less than 1 quart between 5k oil changes, but consider 1.0 quart acceptable. I've heard about the dealer or manufacturer "story" that 1 quart per 1k miles is acceptable. I don't buy it and would be extremely unhappy with that type of oil usage.
Anyway, I'm very pleased with my '02 Alti.
The 2.0l Jetta also burns oil, and the owners and dealers insist its 'normal'
Manufacturers should be forced to recall their oil-burning cars!
I have experienced burning oil and some engine noise. I don't know if they're related. The burning oil was as follows:
at 1400 miles I checked the oil and it was 1/2 quart low. I filled the oil and (stupid me didn't change it) drove the car 1100 more miles. At 2500 miles I checked it again and it was 1qt low. At this point I changed the oil. I then monitored the oil. If I remember correctly at 4000 mi it was okay, but at 5000 it was 1/2 qt low again so I changed it.
The noise is a slight rapping at cold start-up and lasts until the engine warms up. It gets louder and faster with RPM and usually only happens when driving (when the engine is under load). As a somewhat knowledgeable wrenchhead this smacks of valve trouble. Unfortunately this only happens regularly when the temperature is below freezing so it was impossible to get into the garage (darn mild winter) It happened once or twice when the temp was over 40. I can keep it from happening at any temp by letting the engine idle for a minute or two at start-up. I will monitor the situation and get it to the dealer when I can predict it will make the noise.
I don't know if I damaged the engine by not changing the oil at 1000 miles, but the book told me not to, so the warranty should hold. I'll just have to wait and see.
BTW - the 5 speed is very disappointing. I'm not happy with the clutch at 9k miles it has very long motion with only an inch of which is useful and it engages very high. The shifter is notchy too, especially when cold. Other than that I love the car. The interior has never bothered me.
Thanks in advance for answers.
I think Nissan needs to make the Altima S available with in a V-6 and not make ABS a $900 option.
Too much of a price gap between base model & SE.
Not my type of car, but thought I'd share those tidbits.
-juice
Sandman: brake pads are cheap. Just hope the rotors are OK.
-juice
I have a pathfinder with a 3.5 and I am changing oil every 10k miles using Amsoil. My truck has drank almost 2 quarts in 8k miles.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/pressdisplay.cfm?year=2002&filename=pr29-02.htm
The Altima gets 3 stars for the front, 4 stars for the rear.
I must admit that I am disappointed in this result. I love the Altima SE's sportiness but also want it as a family car, and a 3/4 rating is not that great for a newer design. By comparison, older designs like the Acura TL and Accord EX-V6 get a 4/5. The Passat has a 4/4. The new Camry hasn't been tested yet.
Hopefully the Altima's NHTSA and IIHS frontal crash test results will come back better.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Two strikes against the Altima - substandard interior and mediocre side crash results.
I still like the way it looks and the price is attractive. I hope the frontal impact results are much better. If so, I will keep it on my shopping list. I don't know if they can incorporate any improvements now for 2003, but it might be worth the effort. The interior is getting a re-do because of consumer backlash.
This might lead to some serious discounting for the 2002 models. Especially considering that the new Mazda6 will be released in late August.
-juice
PS- Less than 40 days till the World Cup...can't wait.
-juice
-juice
Legacy?...I thought you would be WRX kinda of guy.
My brother Acura TL seems a lot more solid.
That and the interior have been read downers. The engine is still awesome as the car pulls super strong up to 90 mph or more. The best in on the tollway after you pay...I am flying outta there!
Please also note that the vehicle tested was NOT equipped with the front side airbags. Quite conceivably they could have improved the 3-star rating for the driver. It's not a given, though, as some vehicles have no difference in the test!
The side curtains would not help with this test because the impact barrier simulates a relatively low-riding vehicle. But the side impact airbags could well help with the driver.
Here is a list of NHTSA "mid-sized" vehicles for 2002.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/NCAP/Cars/2002MidS.html
There are some folks who don't believe in the crash tests, as they are based on just one vehicle being tested and not statistically representative of all vehicles out there.
Crash tests aren't everything, but to me they're a tie breaker when the score is close.
I may still price an Altima with the side bags, who knows. The wife prefer's the Maxima's styling and that's out of our price range.
-juice
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
I think its fair to assume that with the Side Airbags you'd probably see the Altima improve to at least a 4 star driver side impact rating. (the 4 star rear side impact rating really isnt all that bad).
All things considered, folks, it is somewhat disappointing that the kick [non-permissible content removed] Alti only received 3 stars driver side impact, but this is only part of the Crash test picture, you still need to consider frontal and offset crashes into the equation. PLUS the Altima accelerates, handles and brakes well in all trim lines, and AVOIDING an accident in the first place is more than half the battle. PLUS: Cars today are exponentially safer than cars just ten, even FIVE years ago- for goodness sake, SIDE IMPACT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (meaning one star in this test) only came into effect in 1997!!! Considering that the average age of vehicles on the road is a bit over 6 years, if you drive a new Altima, it seems you would be safer than the average driver anyway!!!
~alpha
I got my 2000 Maxima SE auto in '99 (when it hit the market) for around $23K. Granted it's got cloth and no Bose but it's just fine for me. You can really deal on Maximas right now, they are giving them away.