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Nissan Altima

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  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    Glad I could help. I'm also surprised Nissan doesn't build more Altimas with the ABS package. I can't imagine they'd have trouble selling them, and it seems like they would make more profit on them as well. When I was shopping for my 3.5SE, I had a heck of a time finding one with ABS.

    Anyway, good luck in finding your Altima.
  • meca2meca2 Member Posts: 284
    mcbain4,why do you want ABS. I have an '01 PF you can have the ABS off of it!! The brakes are very spongy,the ABS is rarely activated,never on dry pavement and very exspensive to repair.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    ABS has nothing to do with sponginess of the brake pedal. For me, and for everyone I know...ABS is the way to go-its a great reassurance knowing you will be able to STEER and STOP on rain slicked roads- I can think of one instance in particular that I am sure I would have had an accident without it. ABS is not cheap to repair, true, but we've now had 3 cars with it, accumulating over 100k miles total- and not a single problem. In terms of the Alti- there are practically NONE in the 19-24K range available with ABS in this area. With Honda offering it standard, thats going to be a major detriment to 4cyl and basic SE sales.
    ~alpha
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...Alpha and I agree completely. All you need is to use them ONCE when you otherwise wouldn't have them, and at that point ABS becomes a virtual necessity for you from there on out.

    We had a moment of drama in the UK earlier this year, with 4-up in a rented Vectra [nice diesel engine, by the way], on a rainy day in traffic. Without ABS, we would have clobbered or been clobbered, 100% certain. As it was, everyone's butt puckered but we emerged with no damage and no one hurt. Anyone who thinks this is a waste of money is mistaken.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    I consider ABS a sort of insurance policy. Hopefully you will never have to use it, but if you do, you will be glad you have it.
  • jbk5jbk5 Member Posts: 26
    I was shopping for my first new car this winter. I really loved the new Altima. However, I was not going to buy brand new car without ABS. Geez, what's a few hundred dollars when the car already costs well over $20,000? I looked and looked and could not find one with the ABS package. So, I bought a GM car. I think it's nuts that Nissan even offers the safety option package if no dealers stock them.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    With the price of the ABS at $749 and including the side airbags as well, I don't see why everyone wouldn't want it. That's a good value. Also, the airbags add a measure of safety as well.

    Think about it this way: One accident will cost a hell of alot more than $749 in repairs if you skid in the rain or something.
  • cfocfocfocfo Member Posts: 147
    I agree with you Meca, I don't want ABS.

    For one, my current car has had 2 expensive problems with the electronic side of the ABS, my third problem is on going - the dash ABS light is ALWAYS on even though the mechanic said the ABS is really working OK. So to hell with it, I'm driving with the light on.

    Secondly, the few days of the year we get rain or snow, I cut my turning and stopping speed in half.

    Third, even if I did slide or swerve, I INSTINCTLY pump the brakes anyway.

    For me, it's an annoying electronic problem I can do without also ! But I realize that we are in the minority.
  • meca2meca2 Member Posts: 284
    Thanks cfocfo. In an article here in Edmonds ABS are responsible for over 23% more dry road accidents where the car leaves the road. If people would drive the speed limit they might not need them!
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    cfocfo:What make car are you having problems with the ABS lights. I had a Chrysler Concorde and that abs light on the dash would go on ever so often but the dealer always resolved the issue.
  • mcbain4mcbain4 Member Posts: 3
    I personally would not buy a car without ABS. I'm sure that someone can make an argument against it, just as people do with airbags (sometimes they can injure a passenger) and even seatbelts (they can trap you in the car in an accident) but I think that in the majority of situations they are a great safety feature.

    I've been to three dealers and can only find ABS on fully-loaded SE's ($29k). I know that it is listed as an option on all Altima's, but it seems most cars on the lot don't have them.
  • cfocfocfocfo Member Posts: 147
    My ABS problems first started five years after I owned the GM car. I had to pay a dealership to fix it the first time, Pep Boys the second, and now for the last 8 months I've been waiting for the ABS indicator light to burn out ! The car is now 9 years old.

    If a dealership would still fix it for free, maybe I would be an ABS fan too. : )
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    Is there anyway to determine from the VIN number what month an Altima was produced? Supposedly the post march 1995 Nissan Altima's are not equipped with the Mike Tyson Airbag System.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    If you have the VIN number, I believe you can call Nissan (800-NISSAN-1) and they can tell you the production date. They could do this for my 2002 Altima, not sure about the older ones.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The Mike Tyson airbag system? Does that one bite a chunk out of your ear after it inflates? :)
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...should be on the required USA data plate that is attached on the door jamb, probably driver's side. It will be in the form of month/yr, and repeats the VIN number, as well.
  • acmeroadrunnracmeroadrunnr Member Posts: 81
    Check the drivers door pillar for manufacture date.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I called Nissan...they said it will take until Monday to retrieve the information? I sold/gave the car to a friend so I am checking for my own interest. I may chase her down and check the door jamb. I thought there would be some easy online decoder or list available. So far I have only found VIN information that determines year and where it was made...not specific dates.

    Thanks for the responses.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    A member at Altimas.net posted a page from a Nissan dealer publication called InSync. This publication details the changes for the '03 Nissans. Here is what to expect:


    All-new last year, Altima receives several refinements and a new option strategy.


    - Revised engine output (3.5-liter). The 3.5-liter V6 engine in 3.5 SE is now rated at 250 horsepower; the torque rating remains unchanged.


    - Automatic transmission standard on 2.5 SL. 2.5 SL is no longer available with a manual transmission.


    - New 2.5 SL standard features. Previously optional, heated outside mirrors, heated front seats, wood-tone trim, and trunk lid trim are now standard.


    - New exterior colors. Two new exterior colors are available: Sonoma Sunset and Crystal Blue. Nouveau Ruby and Opal Blue Metallic are discontinued.


    - New interior trim. The coloring of the center instrument panel, along with the coloring and texture of the dashboard, has been enhanced, and interior metallic accents are now titanium-colored. The color of the wood-tone trim (standard on 2.5 SL, optional on 3.5 SE) is darker and wood trim no longer covers teh cup holder area. The 2.5, 2.5 S, and 3.5 SE receive a new, charcoal-color interior fabric. A coat hook has been added to the rear passenger's side.


    - New padded center console armrest. The padded armrest is cloth-covered on 2.5, 2.5 S, and 3.5 SE. It's leather-covered on 2.5 SE and 3.5 SE with the Leather Package.


    - Revised option packaging. Altima's option packages have been completely revised to create a "stair-step" approach. This approach features a series of packages that increase in content.


    Original scan is here:

    http://home.att.net/~tommasten/altima_info.jpg

  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    The official '03 Altima specs have been posted at Nissan's website, www.nissandriven.com. V6 horsepower is 245, not 250 as I said above. Everything else is accurate. Also, you can see what the two new colors (Crystal Blue and Sonoma Sunset) look like.
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    I checked last week but still saw all the 2002 stuff.

    Does anyone know how they come up with the colors? They replaced a blue with a blue and a red with a red. Is there some fine art that I am oblivious too? Were sales of the previous colors somehow worse than the others?

    I don't get it.
  • pda97pda97 Member Posts: 91
    Both the 02 and 03 Altima manuals say that regular unleaded fuel is OK. But premium unleaded is recommended for best performance. Does anyone know if the 240/245hp figures are based on regular or super ?
  • irontigerirontiger Member Posts: 20
    I hear alot of people say how bad the interior is. Is it worst than the Mustang and comaro? Is it worst than a Kia. On as scale from 1-10 how would you rate the interior?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I would have to rate the interior a 6. The layout is nice, but the shiny dashboard top is just a little too much. I saw one SE model with leather and fake wood. The fake wood in my friend's 1994 Mercury Cougar looks better than the Altima's, and that's saying something! I hear 2003 models will have improved interior trimmings, I surely hope so. That is about the only thing I see holding this car back a little.

    Also, I sat in a later built 2002 model. The interior seemed a little nicer? Did Nissan change some materials mid-year or something?
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    Yes, Nissan changed some of the interior materials over the course of the year. The armrest, cupholder lid, and wood trim all changed for the better from what I've heard. I also heard that the fake wood trim (which I agree was awful) was changed to a darker color that looked better. Not sure about any other changes.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    This was a 2002 S model, and the dash top didn't look as shiny as in the SE model I sat in back in November of 2001 in the showroom.
  • maransmmaransm Member Posts: 29
    Does Altima come with Navigation? If so, what is the price range?

    I am in the market for a family sedan now.. After researching, my final lists are 2003 Altima 3.5SE, 2003 Accord EX V6 with Navi and 2003 Passat GLX.

    Passat is a great car and has everything I wanted, but I saw someone is getting 13-15 MPG and if after broke in they expect around 15-18 the max.. That is not acceptable (my v8 explorer gives 16MPG)

    Accord should be a good take.. only thing is it toooo simple exterior.

    Altima is good looking.. I might lean towards Altima if they fix the lousy interior and if they offer navi?

    Any suggestions?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The Altima and the Passat are not availabe with Navi. If you want that, you have to step up to the Maxima. You might be able to get one of those at a good price too.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    If navigation is a must, consider stepping up to the Acura Tl/CL or the Infiniti G35.

    Or if you can wait, Mazda's exciting new Mazda 6 midsize car comes out in November - 6 cylinder and 4 cylinder versions. See the discussions related to this car, here on edmunds, and take a look at mazdausa.com!

    There are now a number of options in this class.
  • pda97pda97 Member Posts: 91
    Why do you want it ? Getting lost often ? Want an espresso machine to go with that ?
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...will be optional on the new Accord EX V6. It would top out at about $28k for MSRP, still thousands less than either a G or TL.
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    Because I am considering an Accord EX or EXL with 5spd manual and navi system.
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    I think the bad commentary about the interior was stimulated by the price of the car with all the goodies. A 2.5s is affordable and the interior was appropriate to that level car. Step up to a 3.5 SE with trimmings and your coming in on $30k and at that level the interior was not up to the competition. (started me down a whole path of $30k for an altima...I could get a maxima for that...but why get a maxima when I could get a 3.2 TL .....)

    ....

    Just tried to build what I wanted on the nissan site and sadly I can't do it. Playing around with the 2002 set up I couldn't get the cold package without the leather (which was universally panned).

    Now it seems that they really want to push the sunroof. It's in all the packages except the base sport. Now you can't get the 6 CD changer without the sunroof and leather. Bah.

    This means that when I go to the dealer, all the 3.5's will be hovering around $28k and I won't be able to knock them down to my price.

    I hate when manufacturers do that crap. Oh, well. I hope the Mazda boys are more accomodating with the 6.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I don't think it's right for manufacturers to make you buy a whole slew of options just to get one thing. Like now, you have to get the leather in order to get seat heaters. The VW cars let you have heated seats, even with cloth. I hate on the Altima how you have to get so much stuff to get the Xenon headlamps or the traction control.

    The same way on the Maxima. In order to get traction control on it, you have to get leather, a sunroof, and the Bose system. That's crap.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Altima only offers traction control to SE automatic buyers. I personally would like to see this feature migrayed down the line to the other models, at least as an option. You shouldn't be made to buy the most expensive model in order to get decent safety features, that's not fair.
  • keyrowkeyrow Member Posts: 214
    Unfortunately business is built upon maximizing profit (and market share). If fairness is a factor at all, which I doubt, it is WAAAAAYYYYY down the list of priorities. That's CAPITALISM at its worst, but unless a significant majority of purchasers loudly complain or potential purchases are panned for a "better deal" elsewhere nothing is going to change.
  • kingidivinekingidivine Member Posts: 2
    I bought my 2002 Altima less than a month ago and the paint is already ruined. After washing it the other day I noticed spots EVERYWHERE on the car where the clear-coat is bubbling. These spots are small but quite apparent since my car is black. I would assume my whole car needs a new paint job. Has anyone else had this problem?
  • speedracer3speedracer3 Member Posts: 650
    Sorry you had to find out this way, but Nissan paint jobs are terrible...especially with DARK colors. I have a super black 2k Maxima SE and the paint looks like crap. I will never buy a dark colored Nissan car again.
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    The altima is still on my short list of cars, but the paint issue and others are making me reconsider.

    As a side note, when did Nissan lose its touch with the dark colors? I had a 89 Pathfinder in Cabernet Red Pearl (burgundy) and the finish was great until the end. I had some problems where a body shop did a poor job painting a repair, but never had any problems with the factory paint.
    The pathfinder was assembled in Kyoto. Is it the US plant that is causing these problems?
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    Maxima owners have nicknamed the black color "Super Chippy Black" for its poor quality. That said, I have not heard much about paint problems with the Altima. Certainly many fewer complaints than with the Maxima's paint.

    I did a search for "paint bubbling" on Altimas.net and found only one poster with this problem, so it doesn't seem to be a common issue. His was also on a black Altima where he found clearcoat bubbling on the underside of his hood. Don't know what he did to resolve it.
  • speedracer3speedracer3 Member Posts: 650
    "Super Crappy Black"
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    Hey, whatever floats your boat. :)
  • jazzmaniajazzmania Member Posts: 3
    I just ordered a BLACK '03 SL last week, because everyone else is driving Silver or Pewter. Maybe now I know why...
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    Earlier in the year 2 persons had problems with the paint. They contacted Nissan and someone From Nissan Manufacturing was to come out and look at those cars. Thre were no follow ups on this board so I don't know how this was resolved but you are not the first.

    Kingidivine: did you hand wash your car? did you use some kind of solvent or bleach?
  • indyaltimaindyaltima Member Posts: 4
    Am I missing something ?..... I was about to purchase on '02 Altima SE but when I built that same car on the Nissan site for '03 model, it stickers at roughly $1300 LESS ($29,500 -vs- $28200)I am guessing that this is because of the new "packaging" options. has anyone else noticed this?
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    I dunno. I hadn't gotten into it that far. I just noticed that I couldn't configure an 03 the way I did an 02. It's almost like they are doing the Honda DX, LX, EX thing, but doing it in packages.

    Want a steering wheel? Then you'll have to get the sunroof, jacuzzi, marble dash trim and the platinum door handles....
  • indyaltimaindyaltima Member Posts: 4
    The packages are a bit confusing but they are cheaper over all. If you get the Sport Leather Package and add the ABS/Trac. control option (you now have everything except that horrid faux wood) plus adding the accesories of air filter, mats and side sill/splash gaurds you are at $29,114...that same car for '02 was $29,558.....I think I may have just saved some cash...Although I had to point this out to the dealer. Even he didn't know everything that was included in the new packages !
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...and an '03 Accord EX V6 with the 5 spd automatic will MSRP at $26k, or $28.5k if you have to have the NAV system. What is Nissan thinking?
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    that the Altima looks way cooler than the new Accord?
This discussion has been closed.

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