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Nissan Altima Hybrid Test Drive - Give us Your Report!
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Comments
is a few creature comforts that the 2004 to current Maximas do have though that you can't get on the Altima, such as memory seats and power folding mirrors. I do like my memory seats!!
Does anybody have any advice regarding out-of-state car purchases, DMV, taxes, etc.?
http://www.nissannews.com/nissan/news/pricing/20070130085311.shtml
don't worry, i'm sure clay will cut you a check, just make sure to follow up on it
The only thing that's better than Mass (if Mass is still like it was when I lived there about 20 years ago) is that there are no vehicle inspections. We get a smog test on all but hybrid and diesel cars once every two years, but there are no headlight/horn/tire/windshield inspections (although the CHP CAN bust you for bad equipment if they see you)...
your woman are hotter, i think that counts for something too, haha
Interesting statement about our women. I think you're thinking of LA. Up here in the Bay Area, the beaches are cold and rocky, it can be foggy for the better part of the day, and the women dress accordingly, plus there's no chance of being "discovered". Women in this area are probably more closely aligned with East Coasters. It's two different countries, my friend. . It WOULD be interesting to see how easily an LA Woman could pass a Massachusetts vehicle inspection, though...
I saw an options list for the 08 NAH. The base model car is more expensive, but not by much. Base cost is more, but when you add on the tech package, the total is less, very slightly, than a loaded 07. A dealer friend of mine showed me the preliminary pricing estimates. Methinks Nissan wants you to buy the tech package (which is really cool, by the way..we have it).
I had heard that the 08s would have LED tail lights and HID headlights, but it appears that will not be the case. The ooptions list the dealer showed me did not show them as being part of the package.
Oddly enough, if you go to Nissan's site, it shows the trunk capacity at the same as the standard Altima, with 60/40 seats. Could they have moved the battery?!?!! That would be pretty sweet. The trunk on our NAH is pretty small... It would be worth the slight price increase to have a larger trunk!
i have the tech package too, i think it's cool and the energy history and flow meter are good tools too!
i think an LA woman could pass a vehicle inspection even if her car was on fire. i have a theory that woman are sort of like flowers...they need more sun to grow and blossom
if you're not hot, then it's not as easy and you can't pay people off anymore. the problem is with the emissions test, but if you can pass that, you'll probably get your sticker
If they registered it in Mass so you could drive back to VA. then you might have to pay both.
You all also have a good point, that the drones who work at the DMV probably don't have all the answers. Looks like I need to have some face-time with a "DMV manager".
Wish me luck!
Also, the car is titled to the dealership, not to me. That can't be right...! Today is the day after Labor Day weekend so people will be in the office, I can make phone calls, meet with people, etc. Will send y'all the play-by-play as soon as I get it.
My fully appointed Altima is very comfortable, handles well on the road, accelerates strongly for a hybrid, and produces very low (AT-PZEV) emissions with good fuel economy, averaging 34 MPG so far. The car is fun to drive and has an overall sporty feel. Steering is accurate and it corners well, with very strong brakes and an overall solid feel on the road. Noise levels in the cabin remain fairly low in nearly all paved driving conditions, except when gunning the engine all-out. The electric motor is eerily quiet as the car begins to roll, and there is a distinct growl whenever the gas engine eventually starts.
Inside the cabin, the first thing I notice is how comfortable the leather seats are, and the car’s excellent front, side and rear visibility. There are 6 air bags and most impacts zones have a 5-star safety rating. The navigation system works well, especially XM traffic monitoring and the rear-view video camera. The Bose sound system uses 9 speakers to produce strong and clear sound throughout the cabin. I trained two Bluetooth phones and downloaded both contact lists in less than 10 minutes. Communicating with others hands-free is now safe and simple: When a call arrives, the XM radio programming fades away automatically; after the call finishes, the radio quickly returns. Small misses include the lack of fog lights in the hybrid model, the lack of a full iPod docking bay, and available trunk space is limited because the main battery is stored there.
I also test drove the Toyota Camry hybrid and Prius, Honda Civic and the new Ford Fusion all on the same day. In general, the prices, warranties and incentives are approximately the same for these vehicles when similarly equipped, so my final judgment mostly depended on the test drive. For me, the Nissan Altima hybrid was the clear choice.
I must say I do miss my vehicle, it was so much more quiet, much "peppier" and smooth riding than the Forster. MPG was pretty consistent at around 34 - 35 mpg, except in the winter it dropped to around 30. Now that the weather is warmer I can see that my wife's NAH, the mpg has improved to 35 - 36 again.
Have had absolutely no problems with either vehicle. Only complaint was on the bluetooth; although it worked fine as you decsribed, people on the other end could never understand what I was saying and I would invariably turn it off (have to be careful in NY and CT they will nail you with a steep fine if caught talking to a handheld) I even had the control unit replaced but that did not make things any better.
I did like the Nav system in the Nissan better than the one I have in the Subaru, more options & less prone to errors. Also, loved the long range with 20 gallon tank could go almost 700 miles. Even though my Forster, which now has 9000 miles in 3 months is getting better mileage (now up to 28mpg on a trip) with the 16.9 gallon tank hard to squeeze more than 450 miles.
Sounds like you got a great deal! Watch out, the Fed Refund for Hybrid can be affected by your income. Even though I did not qualify for AMT, for the two Hybrids I purchased last year should have gotten $2350 x two but got only $4050. I guess it can start to phase out as your income gets higher.