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Comments
I would appreciate any and all input, as I have decided to buy one or the other - but would rather spend less and get the Altima
1)Hearing the engine noise. You are not into 2.5. The 2.5 is really bad from the noiseness of the engine itself on even moderate acceleration and then the firwall area insulation. The 3.5 is much quieter on moderate acceleration due to its power but the firewall I will say beign the same in all models SE, SL, still make it a little nosier.
2)The cabin's own insulation from the wind noise, road noise from starting from the anything associated with the 4 tires and its suspension, exhaust, etc. After teh car is born, the remidy is added insulation materials. I had the previous generation Altima before and its cushioning and insulation being minimal as a start did not help. This 07 does not appear to have invest much more money in that and it is a little noisy compare to the Maxima or Avalon or even the Camry.
I don't know what is the dBa comparison BUT nothing mean more than actually driving to compare them all. Besides, it is not only the loadness but also the quality of the noise. Noise that you don't like makes you feel uncomfy even if not that loud!!! So, I will say, trust your ears.
You drove the 3.5SE Altima. You may also have been influened by the added road/bump noise from the harsh/sportier suspension (shock and bigger anti-roll bars) on the SE as well as the bigger diameter wheel w/ teh higher aspect ratio tire therefore much less cushy. I found the SE indeed noisier and somehow a mismatch if I give it leather interior.
With this kind of brand new platform not evolved from an existing one, it is still raw and unrefined because money is eaten up by doing all sorts of new things. I don't feel they will have spend what they should in the noise area. It is obvious. Audi is an Audi. Infinite is an Infinite. This is merely an American design Lego from computers and not w/ a lot of the fine touch of art of engineering.
NOW ON TO THE 2007... I fell in love with the '07 and wanted one but was uneasy about how high the CVT reved all the time (it always seemed to hover around 6k rpm during normal acceleration). Tell me this, is it bad in the longrun for an engine to rev this high all the time?
I figured since the engines were all essentially carryovers, that the problems we had with our '02 would have been worked out.
However, I have noticed a quite a lot of 07s being towed into dealerships. I saw somone at my carwash with an '07 and asked how she liked it. 'Love it' she said, but, the electrical system failed on her once and the car would not start (the car was less than 500 miles old)she said the dealer kept it over-night and the next day it started like nothing happened, and they never figured out what had occured. Looks like a whole NEW set of problems.
This would be in a 2.5, right? I have an '07 3.5 SE and it sometimes gets close to 4,000 RPM, but never over. On a 2.5, it would probably have to rev higher because of less torque--2.5 is only 150 cubic inches--that's only 10 more than the 1960 Falcon's smaller engine. It's not the fact of its being a CVT--it's just the transmission doing its job--a four- or five-speed would be down-shifting all the time to accommodate the lesser availability of torque. I'm amazed at the performance that today is gotten out of what 35-40 years ago would be considered tiny engines. The smallest standard engine in full-size cars was usually at least 4.0 litres--of course I'm aware of all the advancements in engine design over the years making this possible, but it is still interesting.
Actually, if a person from 300 years ago was placed in one of these cars, they'd think they'd gone straight to Heaven without having to pass "GO". I've found mine wonderful, but I'm easy to please--I do notice one little thing that is really not a bother--when the AC is "On" and I'm sitting at a light, I can actually hear the compressor compressing. What is especially nice about it is that it compresses ALL THE TIME and is not sitting there going on/off/on/off/on/off/click/click/click/click like the majority of other cars sitting in traffic that suffer from what has been a commonplace in automotive air-conditioning systems over the past 25 years--the horrible cycling compressor, which, even in the most sophisticated systems harks back to nothing less than the heart of a 1959 Frigiking under-the-dash unit. And all the new cars do not share this feature (a variable displacement compressor)--several weeks before purchasing the Altima, I drove an '07 Mazadaspeed 3 and it was blatant in its manifestation of cycling--"muggy lapses" and all.
"I than drove a 3.5SE Altima and was a bit disappointed in the cabin noise."
This is what I call "progress-induced disappointment". Our cars have achieved such a wonderful level of refinement that even the slightest intrusion of noise causes annoyance. Imagine the thrill experienced by a 40-50 year old person in 1955, fully familiar with the antiquated jalopies of 1946, or even 1952, getting to experience their new Oldsmobile Super 88 replete with high-compression V-8, Hydra-Matic, power steering, power brakes, air-conditioning, power windows, et al. Everything over the past 50 years has really just been a variation on the same themes. They're the ones who had the most fun.
I have a 2.5 and I've never seen it rev just over 4000 - and that was accelerating a cold car in cold weather (not sure if that makes any difference).
6,000 RPM did seem high, even for a 2.5. The first CVT I ever drove was a Saturn about three years ago and it would rev to 6,000 RPM if floored, but then it's only 2.2 litres.
Thanks again...
Not at all--I realize when you pay what we're having to pay for these things, you expect a certain level of refinement. It's possible you may have a leak of some kind--I think Road & Track rated the Altima #2 instead of #1 precisely because it had a wind leak, which is ridiculous for a car like this. Plus they said theirs looked like it had been spray bombed with a depressing primer gray paint job, which is a selective item.
It is competitive comparison. If I can get less noise with a different make and model for the similar amount of money, I will say, one really need to think hard.
I will say the 2.5 is intolerable on any accleration and it is MUCH WOORSE thatn the Generation 3/previous Altima 2.5.
However, when it is light load cruising at 65-70 mph, both the 2.5 and 3.5 are quite quiet but don't accelerate.
I think it's axiomatic that the smaller engines are noisier than the larger ones--they're working harder to accomplish the same task. In spite of all the advancements, there's still no substitute for cubic inches.
Also, most of my miles are highway, yet I'm getting less MPG than I did in my 2005 Altima S (26 MPG this week). I was expecting much better than that with the CVT transmission.
Other than that, I really do like the car. It's my 3rd one in 3 years.
The Mazda3 from 2004 to mid 2006 has been plagued with the dreaded on/off cycling of the compressor. Until recently, Mazda ended up redesigning the HVAC air flow system (venting) which improved the cooling inside the cabin. They also added auto climate control with inside cabin light and temperature sensors to help out with the cooling.
For those who have models made prior to middle of 2006, we are SOL.
I was able to test drive it without the salesman, so I took it to an empty stretch of country road and did the 0-60-0 test. Oh man, it just about took my face off! I think I may have a mild concussion from the force of braking slamming my brain against the front of my skull. Seriously.
And of course it's hard to beat the price of an SE here in Canada. It was more than $8000 cheaper than the LGT (they just would not budge on the price). The truck would have been about the same and slightly cheaper month-to-month because of GM's low financing rates, but it wouldn't fit in underground parking at work (6'2" clearance :confuse: )
I didn't seriously consider any other cars (or trucks) out there because of either performance or features/price differences.
BTW: manually folding mirrors are standard on the 3.5SE models in Canada (there is no 3.5SL trim, but there is a cheaper 3.5S trim that doesn't have the sport suspension or the TCS).
Navigation - entering addresses
Radio control
Heating control
Directly on screen (without voicecontrol) while the car is moving?
Thanks,
Allan
navigation entering addresses: no you cannot enter new addresses while moving.
radio-controls: radio controls work on lcd screen. except in CD mode you cannot use the Track function which lets you see all the songs on the CD, but it does work when vehicle is stopped at a stop light.
heating control: i do not have any heating controls on LCD screen
it would be interesting to know of US spec Navi packages have heating controls on LCD screen?
'07 Altima 2.5SL w/Tech pkg.
ABS
Spoiler
Kick Plates
Sunroof wind deflector
tint
emergency kit
floor mats
So,
- Edmunds.com is telling me 'what others are paying' is $30,335.
I am getting this including TTL at a quote of $30,165
I have not talked down at all. The car isn't due in until the 27th.
Any suggestions, or lessons learned from anyone here?
There has also been a lot of discussion about the cabin noise. I find the car very quiet, especially cruising on the highway. I normally cruise between 75-90 going back and forth to work and have no engine noise or wind noise worth talking about.
I drove both the CVT and the 6 Speed. I opted for the 6 Speed because it was quieter on acceleration and cruise, YMMV.
I have had the car for about 3 weeks with about 500 miles on it. Would be more but it has been snowing here so I have not been driving it.
Anyway it is getting combined about 28MPG on the first tank of gas. Since I filled it up I am now averaging about 30MPG combined. My expectation is that it will settle in at around 30-31MPG once it is broken in with a few thousand miles.
The fun factor is very high with the 6 Speed manual and the engine has a nice note to it when accelerating as I shift. :shades:
With the manual you just drop it into a lower gear and you do not have to think about what the cvt may do. Of course you can use the auto manual mode to simulate. I prefer and trust the manual when I need to "shoot the gap" in traffic since I know there will be no lag.
For me it was that the car seemed quieter than the cvt under acceleration and cruise.
Traditionally I've always preferred manual cars--the one I traded on the Altima was an '04 VW NB GL TDI 5 Spd--but I loved the first CVT I ever drove when looking at a Saturn several years ago. We've gone from two-, three-, four-, five- and now six-speed automatics--STOP! I love the turbine-like smoothness, reminds me of the '50s Buick Dynaflows, except without all the wasted slippage. When you floor it, it is also reminiscent of the variable-pitch stator installed in the Dynaflows from 1955 on and also applied to the Turbo-Hydramatic 400's in '65-'67 Olds/Buicks/Cadillacs.
anyways, as for the return trip to the dealership, that not uncommon. even the best, most reliable cars average something like 2.5 trips back to the dealership, and i've had to take every new car i've ever bought back to the dealer at least once in the first year for something.
and don't let the tow truck give you the wrong impression. after having spent 20k+, most people (myself included) will tell the dealer to tow it, rather than driving it back.
Thanks for reading
I was really impressed with the interior, quiet/smooth ride, comfortable seats (at least from my short test drive). Power seemed reasonable.
What I didn't like was the handling in the snow. It was snowing pretty good, but it wasn't deep at all, and there was plenty of traffic on the roads. It just felt squirmy when accelerating. It felt downright bad. On clean roads, I didn't notice any problem.
I drove a 4-cyl Accord after that, from the same dealership, and it seemed to handle the snow a little better. The salesman said it was due to the wider tires on the Altima. Looking at the specs, the Altima has 215s, while an lx/se/ex Accord has 205s.
Does anyone have experience with the Altima in light-to-moderate snow? Does the V6 with traction and (added) stability control fare any better?
I was actually very very pleased with the way it handled in the snow! I felt secure and didn't feel like there was much sliding/fishtailing. I was being cautious, but even still, I felt like I had good control of the car.
I felt much more secure in this car than I did in my previous car (Ford Focus, for reference) and I don't think I have EVER driven in as much before.
My car is GREAT in the snow, its not the car, its the tires.
Once I put Blizzak snow tires on, no problems, goes through anything. This is my 3rd Altima, the snow tires make all the difference in the world.
I'm finding the driver's seat very uncomfortable though, and have had some prettty bad lower back pain, wondering if my seat is the cause. Anyone else own one that finds the seat uncomfortable? I wish I had my '03 Altimas seat back. Thinking of looking for a Maxima seat to put in, anyone have advice?
I too am having back pain, and drive a lot. Ive had my Altima since Nov. and have 8300 miles on it. Was thinking
of putting an old Maxima seat in it from a salvage yard.
But not sure what to do. Would love my '03 seat back.
As far as gas mileage I get between 29 and 32 mpg. I do
a lot of highway driving as well.
i love the car too.
-Comfort has been fine for me. My seat is reclined back somewhat, so the headrest problem is not an issue for me.
-Driveability has been fun and smooth. I'm still breaking her in so right now I just cruise.
-Headlights are pretty good - in very dark areas there is a noticeable cutoff, but the high beams are great.
-CVT has been fine so far.
2.5 has been enough power for me and all that I could afford really, haha.
I am pretty tall 6' 3" and the seat is pretty comfortable. It is a little on the firm side but my guess is that over time it will break in and be very comfortable. With the headrest up to max it is perfect for me. I would rather start of with a firm seat then a very cushy one that got to soft over time since I keep cars a long time, 10+ years usually and pushing 200K when I sell them to a kid.
I have the standard conti's and the car has been fine in the snow. I am sure it would do better with snow tires. We had about 6" of snow last week and the car did fine, better then my '96 civic used to.
Altima 3.5 SL with traction control and skid package vehicle dynamic control) seems to have loaded safety features. But the crash test scores from IIHS don't seem to have all come out yet.
How do I compare safety of this car (eg 3.5 SL) with other cars such as Camry 2007. Also Camry has knee airbag for driver that Altima 2007 does not - how much of that is an issue? Anyone know when Nissan will put that ?
How important is knee airbag ?
Thankyou.
I am in market for new sedan that is comfortable but still sporty to drive, and should have soft gas pedals (for my hurt knee). Does anyone has recommendation for these requirements ?
After several months / weekends, we found Altima has softest pedals (for my injured knee) compared to even the soft pedal Camry. Anyone agree ? Without this pedal requirement, I would have got the BMW 330 or 335.
Thanks.