I love the Seascape, but there aren't many around and finding one with the equipment you want makes it even more dificult. My next choices are Pewter, Silver and Black. Silver and black seem to be about the easiest to come by.
I'm looking for a basic 2.5S with minimum extras (fogs, mats, etc.) and silver and black are the easiest to come by in that equipment. Seascape only a couple around (SE Michigan) and they're stickered a couple of thousand higher.
D-Day for me is next Wednesday (lease turn in) and it's down to Altima and Millenia. Can't do better price wise than the Millenia given the equipment level, warranty and free loaner car.
Question for me is do I want to save a little money ($40 lease payment difference) and get something a little more updated in styling. Tough call given the overwhelming amount of extras on the Millenia (moonroof, cassette-CD, heated seats, traction control, power everything, side airbags, leather, etc.)
at the beginning of the year I was about to buy a 02 altima. They had a ruby colored one then. I'm shopping again and I can't find that ruby color on the 03. Why did they get rid of it, or am I not correct about this?
at the beginning of the year I was about to buy a 02 altima. They had a ruby colored one then. I'm shopping again and I can't find that ruby color on the 03. Why did they get rid of it, or am I not correct about this?
Who knows why Nissan dropped the Ruby color ( burgandy to me ). I thought it was a really " Classy" color. The Sonoma Sunset is REALLLLY RED. It belongs on a Fire Truck or a 2-seat sports car, not a 4-dr., somewhat upscale sedan. imo.
Try looking at the " Merlot " Maxima. It's metallic burgandy with VERY large metal flakes in it that makes the car actually sparkle in the sunlight.
I couldn't agree with you more roar1. I like burgandy, but now the Altima red is NOT burgandy. And, they are hard to find as already mentioned. It has a "primary color" look to it, like an infant's red ball. Actually, the blue looks almost as infant colored as the red.
Are the car manufacturers trying to HERD us ALL into white, black, silver, beige ?
After an arduous process I finally made the decision to get a Black 2.5S with an aftermarket gray leather interior. Hoping to pick it up today. Overall I think it's the right decision. 2002 Car of the Year, Audi-like styling, roomy, mid-20's everyday mileage and reasonably well equipped. All for around 20 grand.
As much as I love cars I don't see spending big bucks. This car is reasonable to insure (my Millenia deal which fell through would have added $400/yr. to my insurance) and is for my purposes just as desirable as cars costing 10 grand more.
Will at some point do some aftermarket wheels and also thinking about an aftermarket grille which really upgrades the looks and is easy to install.
I picked it up this afternoon and I was very pleased with what I saw. Frankly, I was a bit concerned that the gray interior might be a bit to dull or bland. Well let me say that with the leather interior it was gorgeous. If I could give anyone a little advice it would be to go for a leather interior. This so upgrades the look of the interior that your car takes on the character of a car costing thousands more. This is my second car with after market leather. I was very pleased with the look and durability of my first and the second looks even better to my eye.
Everyone has there own preferences in equipment and appearance items on a car, but frankly the money spent on leather is in my opinion the most well spent.
As for the rest, the car performs very well. Accelleration is comperable to my 190hp Mitsubishi V6 and the car is quiet with good road isolation. I look forward to the next several years of my lease in this car.
Cayennered:Did you purchase the extended warranty, and if you did, How much did yu pay?and How Long? I took a year to decide on getting one and I don't know why?The car drives beautifully.Am very happy. Added a spoiler and looks even better!
I'm leasing for 39 months so I don't antcipate a need for an extended warranty.
As happy as I am with this car I did notice excessive wind and road noise on the freeway today. Even noticed it at lower speeds. Has anyone else had this problem.
On Altimas.net I found mention of a TSB relating to a door seal defect that caused wind noise. Hopefully that may be the problem. It's always easier to solve this kind of thing when you know where it emanates from than having to scour the whole car to find the problem.
Still think the car is terrific. A good friend who owns a Volvo S80 went on when he saw my Altima today about how nice it was and how he felt he overpayed for what he got in the Volvo.
When I bought the car I knew about the road Noise. But here in New York City you can't drive that fast so I don't hear that much. What I noticed though is that on Black asphalt the car is really soft and quiet. On course surface you hear the road noise. Also because of speed limits here (30MPH)in Nyc on local roads the rpm needle is between 1 and 2 1/2 and at that speed the car is quiet so I'm not affected. do 90% City driving. This car is also a head turner. Alot of folks drive up and look over the car. I was pleasantly surprised that the interior doesn't rattle with the cheap materials Nissan used in the car. Overall, I'm happy with this car.Btw, did u read last week that the Ford Focus is the worst car ever introduced since NTSb has been keeping records. It already qualifies for the Lemon law Recall in at least 10 States already.
Sorry to hear about your bad luck. It happens with all cars. Looks like you got a Friday afternoon car. I don't think Nissan's response was good, but any manufacturer is going to say that.
Just read Edmunds road test comparison of the 3.5SE. They made mention of the fact that the car seems to have a lot of road noise coming into the cabin which they attribute to a shortage of sound insulation. Interestingly, today being my second full day with the car I found the noise to be less bothersome than I did the previous day.
It was a mild day today and I did some driving with the window open which of course eliminated the issue. Also seemed to be less wind noise with the windows up though still a fair amount of road noise. Radio helps but also I think since I'm not a guy used to super quiet cars I'll simply adjust to a bit higher noise level. Still I wonder if an undercoat or similar insulation might make a difference. Edmunds indicated that there was no insulation in the wheel wells.
Edmunds test went on about cheap interior materials. All I can say is that with the after market leather package I have the materials look great. A little hard plastic here and there is hardly noticable.
All in all I feel I'm driving a $30000 car for $20000.
It's way cheaper to buy after market leather. U can even buy it from the dealer. To get leather U have to go to SL and that about 4 t0 5 grand more. I believe in NYC it runs about $1,100.00 plus tax.
Regarding after-market leather vs just buying an SL. Someone told me that putting the leather on after market increases your chances for longer term interior rattles and squeeks ten fold. Anyone else hear this ? Is this because some parts are removed then put back to add the leather later ?
It makes sense, because the interior work I have had done, (twice) has led to loose fitting parts or even missing screws.
If it isn't true, then it's tempting to go after market due to the cheaper cost AND apparently the quality of after market leather is better than Nissan's factory leather !
Ahossa and cay ...... have you noticed any "fitting" issues or such with your Altimas ?
I just had aftermarket leather put on my new Altima. This is the second consecutive car I have done this with.
There were absolutely no problems of any kind with my previous car. In fact in the 39 months I had the vehicle I never even used the leather cream that came with it and the leather was was absolutely perfect when I turned it in. Rear and passenger seats looked like new and even the driver's seat only had the slightest of visible wear.
No fitting problems and absolutely no squeaks or rattles with the seats.
My new Altima's leather looks fantastic and in my opinion far better than the OEM leather.
I can only say that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend after market leather.
Looks much much much better than the factory pleather they (Nissan) call leather.
Comparing the Altima 2.5SL I looked at yesterday to the Glacier Pearl Max GLE I also looked at, the Maxima's interior looks similar to a Lexus or Audi, while the Altima's interior looks like a Mitsubishi or Dodge. That's just how bad the leather looked. The blond leather looks awful IMO. I still LOVE the ALtima though, I hope the interiors are improved so I can buy one!
On another note, I was in Atlanta and Buford, GA Saturday. Nissans sell like CRAZY in Atlanta! Everybody was driving a Maxima. The GLE model is extremely popular in the Atlanta area. Altimas were plentiful as well.
I was in Long Island yesterday, and Altimas were everywhere! I went on a 20 minute drive and saw at least 10 Altimas driving around. At one point there were 3 Altimas stopped at the same traffic light! I couldn't believe it. Altimas are not nearly as ubiquitous here in Boston.
"The survey results are summarized in Consumer Reports’ New Car Preview 2003, which is on newsstands.
Some foreign models didn’t fare as well.
The Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Subaru Impreza all dropped to average reliability. The major complaint for all three: squeaks, rattles and loose trim, which are part of the survey’s “body integrity” and “body hardware” categories.
Despite the weaker showings, each is still recommended by the publication."
I've been in a serious research and car search over the last few months trying to decide which sedan to buy, and ultimately, which Altima to buy.
I waited until the new Accord was available because I really wanted to buy a honda due to the reputation of being so reliable. Unfortunately I was dissappointed in the new Honda for many different reasons, with the most important reason being styling. Of course this is a personal opinion thing, but I've tried to force myself to like the Accord without success. Does anyone actually like the three big knobs on the front dashboard? The interior also looked terrible, but it was of high quality and seemed that it would wear through the years fine. So scratch the Accord for design and styling - its one of the ugliest of the new cars in my opinion. Dang it!
The Camry is just too boring. The V6 has 192 horsepower for god's sake! Scratch the Camry for being boring and having the weakest engine, by far, of the three. I test drove a four cyl. and it was just ridiculously slow. Also, on the NHTSA website at http://www.nhtsa.gov it shows many problems with total brake failure and transmission problems on the new models (which really surprised me, considering I own a 2000 Avalon which my wife loves).
So that leaves the Altima, of which I said I wouldn't buy when it first came out, after I looked at the interior. Any how, here I am. After reading message board after message board, and reading all the reviews I could find, I'm actually interested in the Altima still. To me the interior is the main draw back, with some concern on longterm reliability and integrity, but that styling! I really like the way the car looks. Once again -personal opinion. So I decide to purchase a 2.5S...until I test drove it. I'm sorry but the 175 horsepower 4 cyl. is way over rated. I was entering the highway using an entrance ramp and I guess I was shaking my head because the salesperson said "floor it!" and I said "it IS floored!". Needless to say there was only silence in the back seat where the salesperson was after that. I was really shocked how poor the 4 cyl was. It was also VERY noisy when down shifting and the engine would just roar, but the car went no where. I must say though that most everyone I've talked to that owns the 2.5 says it has enough power for them. The problem I have with that is that I drive a Mazda MX6 with 118 horsepower and a five speed, and I quarantee it would blow the doors off the 2.5S. I guess the five speed makes a big difference. The car itself seemed very tight and well put together. Aftre all that I've read about the car, I was actually pleasantly surprised with quality, including the interior. Really, while the interior was basic, only the door panels need to be upgraded. The rest of the car was impressive. Needless to say that I decided to test drive the 3.5 SE V6. I was impressed by the power of the engine. Overrated? No, I don't think so. Now if I could only find a Polished Pewter 3.5 with the NEW charcoal interior I'd be set. And oh yeah, don't expect the sales people to even know that there is a new charcoal interior, let alone what it looks like. I must say though, that the charcoal interior fabric looks a hell of a lot better.
Would you consider buying the 2.5 with a manual transmission? It would feel a good bit more powerful than the automatic version. Or if you're looking for a real treat, test drive a 3.5 with the manual. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
I'm a bit surprised at your disappointment with the 2.5S engine. I just moved from a 190hp V6 Galant to the 2.5S and frankly I was pleasantly surprised by how well the 4cyl. performed. I've found it to be quick off the line and today I took a 150 mile freeway trip and the car passed with ease even at speeds above 70. There is a bit of engine noise on off the line acceleration but nothing that I found bothersome even though I was coming from many years driving V6 engines.
My only quarrel with the car is what I perceive to be excessive wind and road noise. I've seen almost no one complaining about this so perhaps I'm too sensitive about this particular subject. As for the interior I have a beautiful aftermarket leather package (even armrest is leather) and that has more than cured any cheapness to the look of the interior.
I met a friend for lunch today and he was blown away by the looks of the car (he drives a Taurus). Thought it was an A6 or a Passat. All I know is that while this car is far from perfect what I got for a mere $20000 (great looks, uniqueness, nice equipment and performance) makes this a great deal
I own a 2003 2.5s - I've noticed that if you stick your foot in it hard, the auto tranny downshifts and yea it'll feel as if its roaring and going nowhere. If you accelerate smoothly, the engine is strong and smooth and never feels stressed like alot of 4 cyls. I traded a 4 cyl 2000 camry on the alty and there is no comparison in terms of power and handling. I also own a 99 maxima gxe and the 2.5s compares favorably- its almost as powerful and it handles better.
While trying to decide which four door sedan to purchase not only did I consider the Accord and the Camry, but I did consider the Mazda 6. Even now, days before I buy a Altima, I'm wondering if I should wait for the 6. I recently had the chance to look over a 6 at a car show, and even though I have always liked Mazdas, and drive one currently, I was disappointed. My wife even said that it looks like a teenager's car. It did seem rather small (even though the specs say different), and it just did not have the "class" that the Altima does. The main reason I've decided not to wait is that it comes with a freak'n Ford V6. I use to be a Ford man until I bought a Ford Ranger with a V6. The truck was a dog, and the engine was powerless- even with a 5 speed. To me its so unfortunate that Ford has destroyed the good name of Mazda, though Mazda may not have made it without Ford.
As far as buying the car with a 5 speed- I'm done with manual transmissions. I'm done with changing a clutch every 120,000 miles, and just the hassle of driving in the big city and traffic with one. Goodbye 5 speed.
When I did a test drive in the Altima, I didn't notice the wind noise as much as I did the tire and road noise in the 3.5 SE. I specifically listened, and had my wife listen, for wind noise and road noise. Niether of us really heard any wind noise, only the road noise.
It looks like tommorrow I'm going to TRY and buy a 3.5. I finally found the one I was looking for. I'm starting at invoice and working my way up. Most websites, including Edmunds, shows that the dealers are expecting to make $1100.00. Thats $1100.00 above invoice. I say NO WAY! There are 2002 2.5's and 3.5's still on the lots for god's sake! My max is usually $500 above, but I may go all the way up to $800 just to get the damn thing. I'll let you know what happens. I'm putting on the boxing gloves - wish me luck.
I am totally befuddled by your statement. I have a '92 Taurus with 187K miles on her "freak'n Ford V6" and have never had a problem! I would appreciate a little more power but I can't remember deciding not to pass or pull into traffic because of a lack of power. My current Lincoln LS also has "a freak'n Ford V6" and the LS is ONE FINE MACHINE. The engine has been around practically forever and is well known to be reliable so I do not understand you abhorrence of it. Would you care to elaborate?
I agree with keyrow. I had a Sable with the 3.0L Ford V6 for 124K miles. It was smooth, quiet, decent power for a wagon, and no problems beyond routine maintenance. I currently own a Ranger STX with the 4.0L V6. It doesn't seem as responsive or as refined as the Sable's V6, but it's a totally different application. What it lacks in off the line grunt it makes up for in stump pulling power. It's at 88K and no problems whatsoever. Overall, I'm very happy with my "freak'n Ford V6" engines.
... in the Mazda 6, is a whole different beast. Better (in terms of low-end grunt and high-end pull) compared to a stock Ford unit, thanks to VVT (variable Valve timing) and an all-new all-aluminium Mazda head, reviews have been amazed at the extent Mazda has improved upon (an already pretty good, if not class-leading) Ford engine.
Not to mention the 4 year 50K mile warranty, which trumps the Nissan's warranty.
I strongly suggest you wait a few days (heck, literally until this weekend, on average) for the Mazda 6 to be in stock at your local Mazda dealer, and give it a fair shot at your money as well. Buyer's remorse is not a good thing
And I am absolutely amazed at the fact you think the Altima has more 'class'. While everyone in the press, and current owners even, are unanimous about the Altima's driving and handling aspirations, the populace about equivalently biased against the Altima's chintzy interior and absolute lack of 'class'. But to each his own, I guess.
The Altima's interior looks very cheap, about Cavalier grade. The Mazda6 is much better. I sat in one at the NYIAS, and it was very nice inside. No hard, cheap, shiny plastics like the interior of the Nissan is full of. And the wood trim that Nissan uses is uglier than in my friend's 1994 Cougar!
comments about the Altima refer to its exterior styling.
I have been limiting my shopping for a car to drive by window shopping since I won't really be in the market for several months and don't want to be an inconsiderate buyer.
I spot cars in which I am interested and point them out on the roads to my wife when we are driving together. Every single vehicle I pointed out gets the ho hum shoulder shrug - except the Altima. When I first pointed it out, she cooed and said that it looked classy.
And I was compelled to check out the Altima on the web after I saw one in the parking lot at work. It exterior shape made quite an impression on me and I was shocked to see "Altima" on the back of the car when I walked around it.
Now, I must admit that after test driving one, my enthusiasm waned a bit because of some weak points of the interior. I don't particularly care for the gauge arrangement and the fuel door release just sticks out of the carpet, but it's still in the running.
I agree with capitano on the exterior styling comments. IMO, the Mazda6 with the sport package (spoiler, side sills, etc.) looks a bit boy-racerish. The Altima looks more upscale. I like the looks of the 6 without the sport package, however.
The #1 comment I get when people see my Altima is, "Looks expensive."
Seeing as how most of the pics I had seen of the 6 showed the "boy racer" sport package pieces, I was surprised to find that of the 32 cars due into my local dealer, that only one of them has the sport package on it.
Personally I don't mind the sport package much. Where others see "boy racer," I think autobahn peformance car, but then my tastes tend to be more european: like em smaller, like wagons and hatches.
I prefer smaller cars as well. The Altima is much too much car for me! I am used to being able to make U-turns in mall parking lots and squeezing into tight spaces with hardly any effort.
Also, the front and rear fascia treatments on the Altima (esp. the rear one) is alot more boy racer than the 6.
First tank fill in my 2.5S today. About 50-50 city-highway driving and I averaged around 27mpg. Not bad for a car that's not quite broken in yet. As for the classy-non-classy issue. No question the vehicle is stylish. A friend told me yesterday that when he appraoched the car for the first time he thought it was an Audi A6. As for the interior, it's not a problem if your willing to spend a little and go with an after market leather package as I did. Seats are beautiful (even has leather armrest) and door trim in vinyl instead of cheesy cloth is a definite improvement. Still plastic on the doors but who cares. When I look at the seats I feel great. As for the dials and dash I'm fine with them. Remember this is a midsize $20000 car not a $35000 luxury car. I think that this car becomes a more problematic choice if you go all the way with a 3.5SE and spend 28-29K. At that price the competition gets a lot stiffer. But in the 19-22K range your competition is Camry and Accord. I like the Mazda 6, but to be honest with you it looks like a million other cars from a styling standpoint. The Catera comes to mind. It's certainly a good choice and if you have time it's worth testing before making a decision.
I've overcome my negative feelings about road-wind noise and just about every other aspect of this vehicle is great from my point of view. Actually the one styling point I don't like is the tailights. Just dont like the clear lenses and would jump at the chance to replace the clear lens with a smoked or body colored lens cover. Hope that some aftermarket specialist will come out with this. They've been doing a real number on the grill in the aftermarket. Frankly, my car's black and the grill really doesn't look bad.
Overall, looks, 27mpg, roomy and inexpensive to buy makes this car a winner in my book.
but I am not buying one until the mid-cycle update. Hopefully a new interior will be in the works. I agree with whoever said the 6 looks too boyracer-like with the bodykit. Bodykits are just as bad as spoilers, I CANNOT stand them.
Sorry if I've struck a nerve about the "freak'n Ford V6", but the Ford Ranger that I once owned just totally put me off on all Ford products - and especially the V6. Of course that was 9 years ago! So, of course, I'm sure things have changed since then. Maybe I should "revisit" my opinions of Ford. I did own a '83 Ford T-Bird with a 302 V8, and it was a great car. I put 129000 miles on it without a single glitch.
Yes, I will agree that the Mazda 6 interior is much better than the Altima's.
Well I finally did it. I purchased an Altima. The exact car I wanted, for the price I wanted - 500.00 above invoice. But, the sale was so easy, I'm beginning to wonder about the invoice prices that are given on the net. Here are my numbers: The car- 3.5 SE, with the following options- mats, cabin air filter, and sidesills. Sticker: $24116. Invoice w/options- $21993. The amount I payed: $22493 + tax, title and license. No trade in. The negotiations went so easy and quick, now I think I could have purchased it for less, or maybe the invoice prices are wrong on the internet. Ha! I can't win. I get it for the price I want, and I'm still disappointed.
Now, the car. First, I recommend NOT getting the sidesills. I just noticed that my side sill has become slightly unglued on one end. Apparently, the sidesills are glued on! At least thats what the service dept. told me. This is the day after I bought the car. It wasn't that way when I bought it. The dealer said I'd have to leave it for 3-4 hours. Argh! What made me a little angry was that he said there were many cars ahead of me, so I asked "did they just purchase their cars yesterday?", but that didn't phase him. I'll get it fixed some time soon. Geez!
You know, its good to be in a "head turner" again. The car runs like a top and feels tight. Everyone has commented on the car, which surprises me because I live in an area where BMW's and Mercedes, etc. are as common as any other car. I am very impressed with what the car offers for the price. Even the interior seems fine with the new Charcoal material, except for the door panels- but I can live with it. The horsepower is impressive and so is the handling. I really like the 17 inch wheels. It takes the corners as well as my Mazda MX6, and I think that says alot. The turning radius is a bit wide, and the suspension is a bit rough, but the suspension makes it feel like a sports car somewhat, which is what I was looking for - a four door sedan that feels like a sports car. I'll keep you posted on any problems.
I hope I don't feel like I made a mistake when I finally see the Mazda6 on the road. To make myself feel better, I'll just have to leave the 6 in the dust.
So I got my first car wash for the Altima. Ten days out and everything is fine. Love the 2.5's power and handling. Still wish the road-wind noise was more subdued. If and when I make my first service visit I'll inquire about it.
This car continues to astound from the looks perspective. Took a lady friend to lunch today and got another amazing reaction to the looks of the car (another friend couldn't stop raving about it at lunch the other day). She was just oohing and ahhing as soon as she saw it and then spouts off that it reminds her of the Bentley she saw the other day. The Bentley? Well, I'm sure the Bentley also comes in black and I believe it has vertical tailights, but....a Bentley?
Anyway, I've had no rattles or other problems thus far and my side skirts are still hanging on. Hopefully this will continue. As for the Mazda 6, while I'm sure it's a nice car and it was definitely on my list (it didn't turn up before my lease ran out) I have no second thoughts at all. At 20 grand the Altima combines great value, with great looks and fine equipment. At 28-29 grand it may be a bit pricey and less competitive but it's a super deal near 20 grand.
Has anyone noticed that the heat takes quite a while to kick in before the car gets warm? I have been having this problem about i month now . I took it to the dealer and the mechanic said it was working fine.
Those who have had one long enough to be well broken in: What is the best mileage you see in a trip? For instance, filling the tank and driving 2 or 300+ miles of largely interstate travel, with minimal stopping / slowing for traffic? I see an EPA rating of 26 - anyone exceed this? Under what exact conditions? What cruising speed? A/C on? Etc.
Very curious . . .
Thanks, - Ray Who rented a 2.5 automatic from Budget for a week recently . . .
Comments
I'm looking for a basic 2.5S with minimum extras (fogs, mats, etc.) and silver and black are the easiest to come by in that equipment. Seascape only a couple around (SE Michigan) and they're stickered a couple of thousand higher.
D-Day for me is next Wednesday (lease turn in) and it's down to Altima and Millenia. Can't do better price wise than the Millenia given the equipment level, warranty and free loaner car.
Question for me is do I want to save a little money ($40 lease payment difference) and get something a little more updated in styling. Tough call given the overwhelming amount of extras on the Millenia (moonroof, cassette-CD, heated seats, traction control, power everything, side airbags, leather, etc.)
Right now my quotes are:
Millenia $394, 42 mo. 15000/yr. 0 down.
Altima $353, 39 mo. 15000/yr. 0 down. (with dealer installed leather)
Both are very nice cars so the decision won't be a bad one either way.
Look here for one: http://www.getauto.com
I thought it was a really " Classy" color. The Sonoma Sunset is REALLLLY RED.
It belongs on a Fire Truck or a 2-seat sports car, not a 4-dr., somewhat
upscale sedan. imo.
Try looking at the " Merlot " Maxima. It's metallic burgandy with VERY large
metal flakes in it that makes the car actually sparkle in the sunlight.
It has a "primary color" look to it, like an infant's red ball. Actually, the blue looks almost as infant colored as the red.
Are the car manufacturers trying to HERD us ALL into white, black, silver, beige ?
B-O-R-I-N-G !!!!
As much as I love cars I don't see spending big bucks. This car is reasonable to insure (my Millenia deal which fell through would have added $400/yr. to my insurance) and is for my purposes just as desirable as cars costing 10 grand more.
Will at some point do some aftermarket wheels and also thinking about an aftermarket grille which really upgrades the looks and is easy to install.
Everyone has there own preferences in equipment and appearance items on a car, but frankly the money spent on leather is in my opinion the most
well spent.
As for the rest, the car performs very well. Accelleration is comperable to my 190hp Mitsubishi V6 and the car is quiet with good road isolation. I look forward to the next several years of my lease in this car.
As happy as I am with this car I did notice excessive wind and road noise on the freeway today. Even noticed it at lower speeds. Has anyone else had this problem.
On Altimas.net I found mention of a TSB relating to a door seal defect that caused wind noise. Hopefully that may be the problem. It's always easier to solve this kind of thing when you know where it emanates from than having to scour the whole car to find the problem.
Still think the car is terrific. A good friend who owns a Volvo S80 went on when he saw my Altima today about how nice it was and how he felt he overpayed for what he got in the Volvo.
It was a mild day today and I did some driving with the window open which of course eliminated the issue. Also seemed to be less wind noise with the windows up though still a fair amount of road noise. Radio helps but also I think since I'm not a guy used to super quiet cars I'll simply adjust to a bit higher noise level. Still I wonder if an undercoat or similar insulation might make a difference. Edmunds indicated that there was no insulation in the wheel wells.
Edmunds test went on about cheap interior materials. All I can say is that with the after market leather package I have the materials look great. A little hard plastic here and there is hardly noticable.
All in all I feel I'm driving a $30000 car for $20000.
Anyone else hear this ? Is this because some parts are removed then put back to add the leather later ?
It makes sense, because the interior work I have had done, (twice) has led to loose fitting parts or even missing screws.
If it isn't true, then it's tempting to go after market due to the cheaper cost AND apparently the quality of after market leather is better than Nissan's factory leather !
Ahossa and cay ...... have you noticed any "fitting" issues or such with your Altimas ?
There were absolutely no problems of any kind with my previous car. In fact in the 39 months I had the vehicle I never even used the leather cream that came with it and the leather was was absolutely perfect when I turned it in. Rear and passenger seats looked like new and even the driver's seat only had the slightest of visible wear.
No fitting problems and absolutely no squeaks or rattles with the seats.
My new Altima's leather looks fantastic and in my opinion far better than the OEM leather.
I can only say that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend after market leather.
Comparing the Altima 2.5SL I looked at yesterday to the Glacier Pearl Max GLE I also looked at, the Maxima's interior looks similar to a Lexus or Audi, while the Altima's interior looks like a Mitsubishi or Dodge. That's just how bad the leather looked. The blond leather looks awful IMO. I still LOVE the ALtima though, I hope the interiors are improved so I can buy one!
On another note,
I was in Atlanta and Buford, GA Saturday. Nissans sell like CRAZY in Atlanta! Everybody was driving a Maxima. The GLE model is extremely popular in the Atlanta area. Altimas were plentiful as well.
http://www.cars.com/news/stories/110802_story_ap.jhtml?aff=national
"The survey results are summarized in Consumer Reports’ New Car Preview 2003, which is on newsstands.
Some foreign models didn’t fare as well.
The Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Subaru Impreza all dropped to average reliability. The major complaint for all three: squeaks, rattles and loose trim, which are part of the survey’s “body integrity” and “body hardware” categories.
Despite the weaker showings, each is still recommended by the publication."
I waited until the new Accord was available because I really wanted to buy a honda due to the reputation of being so reliable. Unfortunately I was dissappointed in the new Honda for many different reasons, with the most important reason being styling. Of course this is a personal opinion thing, but I've tried to force myself to like the Accord without success. Does anyone actually like the three big knobs on the front dashboard? The interior also looked terrible, but it was of high quality and seemed that it would wear through the years fine. So scratch the Accord for design and styling - its one of the ugliest of the new cars in my opinion. Dang it!
The Camry is just too boring. The V6 has 192 horsepower for god's sake! Scratch the Camry for being boring and having the weakest engine, by far, of the three. I test drove a four cyl. and it was just ridiculously slow. Also, on the NHTSA website at http://www.nhtsa.gov it shows many problems with total brake failure and transmission problems on the new models (which really surprised me, considering I own a 2000 Avalon which my wife loves).
So that leaves the Altima, of which I said I wouldn't buy when it first came out, after I looked at the interior. Any how, here I am. After reading message board after message board, and reading all the reviews I could find, I'm actually interested in the Altima still. To me the interior is the main draw back, with some concern on longterm reliability and integrity, but that styling! I really like the way the car looks. Once again -personal opinion. So I decide to purchase a 2.5S...until I test drove it. I'm sorry but the 175 horsepower 4 cyl. is way over rated. I was entering the highway using an entrance ramp and I guess I was shaking my head because the salesperson said "floor it!" and I said "it IS floored!". Needless to say there was only silence in the back seat where the salesperson was after that. I was really shocked how poor the 4 cyl was. It was also VERY noisy when down shifting and the engine would just roar, but the car went no where. I must say though that most everyone I've talked to that owns the 2.5 says it has enough power for them. The problem I have with that is that I drive a Mazda MX6 with 118 horsepower and a five speed, and I quarantee it would blow the doors off the 2.5S. I guess the five speed makes a big difference. The car itself seemed very tight and well put together. Aftre all that I've read about the car, I was actually pleasantly surprised with quality, including the interior. Really, while the interior was basic, only the door panels need to be upgraded. The rest of the car was impressive. Needless to say that I decided to test drive the 3.5 SE V6. I was impressed by the power of the engine. Overrated? No, I don't think so. Now if I could only find a Polished Pewter 3.5 with the NEW charcoal interior I'd be set. And oh yeah, don't expect the sales people to even know that there is a new charcoal interior, let alone what it looks like. I must say though, that the charcoal interior fabric looks a hell of a lot better.
My only quarrel with the car is what I perceive to be excessive wind and road noise. I've seen almost no one complaining about this so perhaps I'm too sensitive about this particular subject. As for the interior I have a beautiful aftermarket leather package (even armrest is leather) and that has more than cured any cheapness to the look of the interior.
I met a friend for lunch today and he was blown away by the looks of the car (he drives a Taurus). Thought it was an A6 or a Passat. All I know is that while this car is far from perfect what I got for a mere $20000 (great looks, uniqueness, nice equipment and performance) makes this a great deal
stick your foot in it hard, the auto tranny downshifts and yea it'll feel as if its roaring and going nowhere. If you accelerate smoothly, the engine is strong and smooth and never feels stressed like alot of 4 cyls.
I traded a 4 cyl 2000 camry on the alty and there is no comparison in terms of power and handling. I also own a 99 maxima gxe and the 2.5s
compares favorably- its almost as powerful and it handles better.
As far as buying the car with a 5 speed- I'm done with manual transmissions. I'm done with changing a clutch every 120,000 miles, and just the hassle of driving in the big city and traffic with one. Goodbye 5 speed.
When I did a test drive in the Altima, I didn't notice the wind noise as much as I did the tire and road noise in the 3.5 SE. I specifically listened, and had my wife listen, for wind noise and road noise. Niether of us really heard any wind noise, only the road noise.
It looks like tommorrow I'm going to TRY and buy a 3.5. I finally found the one I was looking for.
I'm starting at invoice and working my way up. Most websites, including Edmunds, shows that the dealers are expecting to make $1100.00. Thats $1100.00 above invoice. I say NO WAY! There are 2002 2.5's and 3.5's still on the lots for god's sake! My max is usually $500 above, but I may go all the way up to $800 just to get the damn thing. I'll let you know what happens. I'm putting on the boxing gloves - wish me luck.
Not to mention the 4 year 50K mile warranty, which trumps the Nissan's warranty.
I strongly suggest you wait a few days (heck, literally until this weekend, on average) for the Mazda 6 to be in stock at your local Mazda dealer, and give it a fair shot at your money as well. Buyer's remorse is not a good thing
And I am absolutely amazed at the fact you think the Altima has more 'class'. While everyone in the press, and current owners even, are unanimous about the Altima's driving and handling aspirations, the populace about equivalently biased against the Altima's chintzy interior and absolute lack of 'class'. But to each his own, I guess.
I have been limiting my shopping for a car to drive by window shopping since I won't really be in the market for several months and don't want to be an inconsiderate buyer.
I spot cars in which I am interested and point them out on the roads to my wife when we are driving together. Every single vehicle I pointed out gets the ho hum shoulder shrug - except the Altima. When I first pointed it out, she cooed and said that it looked classy.
And I was compelled to check out the Altima on the web after I saw one in the parking lot at work. It exterior shape made quite an impression on me and I was shocked to see "Altima" on the back of the car when I walked around it.
Now, I must admit that after test driving one, my enthusiasm waned a bit because of some weak points of the interior. I don't particularly care for the gauge arrangement and the fuel door release just sticks out of the carpet, but it's still in the running.
The #1 comment I get when people see my Altima is, "Looks expensive."
Personally I don't mind the sport package much. Where others see "boy racer," I think autobahn peformance car, but then my tastes tend to be more european: like em smaller, like wagons and hatches.
Also, the front and rear fascia treatments on the Altima (esp. the rear one) is alot more boy racer than the 6.
As for the classy-non-classy issue. No question the vehicle is stylish. A friend told me yesterday that when he appraoched the car for the first time he thought it was an Audi A6. As for the interior, it's not a problem if your willing to spend a little and go with an after market leather package as I did. Seats are beautiful (even has leather armrest) and door trim in vinyl instead of cheesy cloth is a definite improvement. Still plastic on the doors but who cares. When I look at the seats I feel great. As for the dials and dash I'm fine with them. Remember this is a midsize $20000 car not a $35000 luxury car. I think that this car becomes a more problematic choice if you go all the way with a 3.5SE and spend 28-29K. At that price the competition gets a lot stiffer. But in the 19-22K range your competition is Camry and Accord.
I like the Mazda 6, but to be honest with you it looks like a million other cars from a styling standpoint. The Catera comes to mind. It's certainly a good choice and if you have time it's worth testing before making a decision.
I've overcome my negative feelings about road-wind noise and just about every other aspect of this vehicle is great from my point of view. Actually the one styling point I don't like is the tailights. Just dont like the clear lenses and would jump at the chance to replace the clear lens with a smoked or body colored lens cover. Hope that some aftermarket specialist will come out with this. They've been doing a real number on the grill in the aftermarket. Frankly, my car's black and the grill really doesn't look bad.
Overall, looks, 27mpg, roomy and inexpensive to buy makes this car a winner in my book.
Yes, I will agree that the Mazda 6 interior is much better than the Altima's.
Well I finally did it. I purchased an Altima. The exact car I wanted, for the price I wanted - 500.00 above invoice. But, the sale was so easy, I'm beginning to wonder about the invoice prices that are given on the net. Here are my numbers: The car- 3.5 SE, with the following options- mats, cabin air filter, and sidesills. Sticker: $24116. Invoice w/options- $21993. The amount I payed: $22493 + tax, title and license. No trade in. The negotiations went so easy and quick, now I think I could have purchased it for less, or maybe the invoice prices are wrong on the internet. Ha! I can't win. I get it for the price I want, and I'm still disappointed.
Now, the car. First, I recommend NOT getting the sidesills. I just noticed that my side sill has become slightly unglued on one end. Apparently, the sidesills are glued on! At least thats what the service dept. told me. This is the day after I bought the car. It wasn't that way when I bought it. The dealer said I'd have to leave it for 3-4 hours. Argh! What made me a little angry was that he said there were many cars ahead of me, so I asked "did they just purchase their cars yesterday?", but that didn't phase him. I'll get it fixed some time soon. Geez!
You know, its good to be in a "head turner" again. The car runs like a top and feels tight. Everyone has commented on the car, which surprises me because I live in an area where BMW's and Mercedes, etc. are as common as any other car. I am very impressed with what the car offers for the price. Even the interior seems fine with the new Charcoal material, except for the door panels- but I can live with it. The horsepower is impressive and so is the handling. I really like the 17 inch wheels. It takes the corners as well as my Mazda MX6, and I think that says alot. The turning radius is a bit wide, and the suspension is a bit rough, but the suspension makes it feel like a sports car somewhat, which is what I was looking for - a four door sedan that feels like a sports car. I'll keep you posted on any problems.
I hope I don't feel like I made a mistake when I finally see the Mazda6 on the road. To make myself feel better, I'll just have to leave the 6 in the dust.
This car continues to astound from the looks perspective. Took a lady friend to lunch today and got another amazing reaction to the looks of the car (another friend couldn't stop raving about it at lunch the other day). She was just oohing and ahhing as soon as she saw it and then spouts off that it reminds her of the Bentley she saw the other day. The Bentley? Well, I'm sure the Bentley also comes in black and I believe it has vertical tailights, but....a Bentley?
Anyway, I've had no rattles or other problems thus far and my side skirts are still hanging on. Hopefully this will continue. As for the Mazda 6, while I'm sure it's a nice car and it was definitely on my list (it didn't turn up before my lease ran out) I have no second thoughts at all. At 20 grand the Altima combines great value, with great looks and fine equipment. At 28-29 grand it may be a bit pricey and less competitive but it's a super deal near 20 grand.
I had 2 questions:
(1) Did you pay the Advertising Fee ?
(2) Are you going to use Premium gas ?
Very curious . . .
Thanks,
- Ray
Who rented a 2.5 automatic from Budget for a week recently . . .
Not necessarily the power, since you have an 8 and the Altima is a 4, but other stuff...