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2007 Acura TL vs. Nissan Altima
I am really torn between these 2. I drove both this morning and the Altima is more comfortable, but I'm an Acura loyalist. They are almost equal in performance with the Altima being about $7-$8k cheaper with the options I want (no navi), such as leather, satellite, etc. What am I missing. Car enthusiasts please tell me. I know all about the TL, but the Altima has features the TL doesn't, like CVT engine (fuel economy and efficiency), fold down seats, push button start, etc. Help!!!
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Yep, and so does the Camry, Hyundai and some GM cars less the CVT engine.
"What am I missing."
It's an Acura i.e. luxury or near luxury name plate vs. Nissan.
But please don't just make a blanket statement. I know about perceptions. I want facts. What makes Acura so luxurious other than the name. The seats sure aren't that comfortable (my only real gripe after driving Integras all this time). Consumer reports also mentions the comfort thing.
Its not just perception, the altima is not a luxury car, and nissan doesn't market it as such. Its a mid-size family sedan.
Here's an example.
Nissan: Every Nissan is backed by a 36-month/36,000-mile limited vehicle coverage and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage. Period.
Acura:
Bumper to Bumper (mths/miles)
48/50,000
Powertrain (mths/miles)
72/70,000
Corrosion Perforation (mths/miles)
60/unlimited
Roadside Assistance (mths/miles)
48/50,000
Total Luxury Care which includes: 24 hour emergency and travel services & Concierge service.
For kicks- Infiniti-
Roadside Assitance
Trip Interruption Benefits
Infiniti Limited Warranties:
4-year/60,000-mile Basic coverage
5-year/50,000-mile Emission Control coverage
6-year/70,000-mile Powertrain coverage
7-year/unlimited-mileage Corrosion coverage
10-year/unlimited-mileage Seat Belt Warranty
2-year/24,000-mile Federal Emission Performance Warranty
4-year/60,000-mile Federal Emission Defect Warranty
8-year/80,000-mile Federal Emission Long Term Defect Warranty
4-year/60,000-mile California Emission Performance and Defect Warranties
7-year/70,000-mile California Emission Long Term Defect Warranty
You can pick up a Journey for around the same amount of coin.
The bar is always being raised and I have no doubt Acura will re-up the bar.
Which Infiniti? The one for $12000 more? Or the G35 for $5000 more?
I didn't think the G35 was close to threatening the TL's grasp on high quality interiors at a great price when I looked at it last fall.
also, with the price difference between the acura TL and the altima, you could buy a Nissan Gold Preferred extended warranty which will cover everything up to 100k miles and STILL be way less than the TL...
just some thoughts....
-thene
First off, The original poster was saying how well the altima drove, that it was comparable to a luxury car. I was simply telling him that if he though the altima drove well (nissans plain jane mass market family sedan) he should give one of their luxury cars a test spin
second, there is no more G35. there is the G coupe, and the G sedan
third, the G starts at 33k, same price as an acura TL
http://www.infiniti.com/g_sedan/index.html
The G "sedan" starts at 31,450 but methinks that is without destination. Great value imho.
TL starts at 33,625 + dest.
Go to a couple of dealerships, find the one that will have the most 2008 TL's sitting on the lot, wait until the end of the month and I can guarantee you will get a TL cheaper than a loaded Altima, especially if the next TL is rear wheel drive, has a radical exterior makeover with 300+ HP. I remember the 2003 Maxima's being marked down as much as 25% off list because the complete makeover for the 2004 Maxima was coming and the the new Altima debuted with as much power as the old max.
Not to beat a dead horse here, but I have a 2007 "G Sedan" and it has a shiny G35 logo on the rear right corner.
Do you think they put that there by mistake?
Should it say "Sedan" instead?
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Excellent point. That may make me buy the Altima. I do not think the '07 Altima looks like a basic family car. It looks damn sporty IMO and drives like a dream. But the reviews aren't as good as they are on the TL. I do not want to wait a year, as I've wanted a new car for 2 years already. I drive a '99 Acura Integra GSR. While its a great car, I'm sick of Integras. They are not comfortable and I need more HP. Plus, I've owned Integras (2 of them) since '92. I don't really care for Infinity, but maybe I need to drive one. Definitely want a 4 door, not a coupe.
But Altimas and Accords are common as house sparrows.
Some people get off on outthinking status oriented society and feel good driving a great value car like a high end Accord or high end Altima. Consumer reports often points out there is just a shade of difference between full-on Camrys, Accords, and Altimas and their luxury brand brethern.
But make sure you know who you are. If you get psychic benefit from driving something upscale, you will wish you paid the extra thousands for the luxury marque. There are little differences but their is also a premium to be paid for the ego boost.
It really never ends because if you go for the Acura, some will say only a Lexus will do. And if you go for the Lexus well its not a 7 series BMW and so on. The hedonic treadmill.
The truth is nobody cares WHAT you drive as much as YOU do. So make sure you get the car that gives maximum joy for minimum money.
All that said, I say go for the TL - its a little more special. I've had 2 Accords, an Outback and a Prelude since 1994. I didn't think I would get here but I can admit I want something a little more special. I have bought for value for the last decade but now I can see indulging myself a little.
The problem with the mainstream cars like the Alitma and Accord in full dress is they look pretty much like the $19,000 versions and are common as house sparrows. That worked for me for a while and its fun to laugh at materialistic society all the way to the bank. But now with two kids, in my 40s, coming up on midcareer, I am ready to indulge a bit.
But you are not crazy to get a high end Altima or Accord and save some money. Just make sure you know who you are and what motivates you and what will truly provide maximum joy for minimum coin.
Lexus ES350?
I suppose it depends on just how bad these back issues are, but I don't see the TL being a wise decision if your back is bad enough to become a shopping decision maker.
Mercedes is highly regarded for seat comfort to the point that in some cars, the driver's seat costs more than the engine to replace!
I think the TL would be a big step up from an Integra in the seat department. But it all depends how it fits and feels to you.
I know a guy who had to get rid of his Lexus SC for that same reason.
Climbing out can be a real bear.
I have bad knee pain (insert joke here) caused by chondromalacia.
I absolutely love my G35, but getting in and out can sometimes just plain hurt!
I think, with a bad back, a sporty, higher riding SUV may be a better fit, no?
I looked at both the TL and the TSX (and everydamnthingelse with four doors under 40 grand). The Alti and TL offer similar power, performance, space and luxury features. The TL offers a good deal of something the Altima doesn't: torque steer. The Altima is a credible competitor and has a strong value card to play relative to the TL.
Of course, if you're a mindless badge-wh0re that only cares about labels, then the Nissan won't be on your radar screen and the Acura brand will come up short against Lexus and BMW for impressing people.
Its not that you can't compare them, its just that there isn't much point in it. the acura is a better car than the altima.......perid. to compare which car better fits your needs would be more appropriate To say which one is better, a small, compact, better built, better handling, luxury line car (that similarly equipped will run you at least 10k more) or a larger, mass market family sedan is, well, like comparing a porterhouse steak to a hamburger.
Beg to differ. I was looking at cars that covered approximately a 10k price span - some luxury brands (Acura TSX, TL, Infiniti G35) and some not (Nissan Maxima, Altima, VW Passat, Toyota Camry, Mazdaspeed 6). There very much was a "point in it" at lest for me and the guy who started this thread. Both cars were strong potential candidates to meet my needs and were compared in the most meaningful way possible - for actual purchase.
And by the way, the Acura dealer said he was hearing a LOT about the Altima from people test-driving the TL. He also said the biggest competitor for the RDX was not the "luxury" BMW X3, but the downmarket (in your mind, anyway) Mazda CX-7. And people cross-shop the Accord V6 and TSX all the time. Fact of the matter is, cars offering similar features and similar prices will be cross-shopped regardless of whether they bear a luxury nameplate or not. People inevitably have a price "range" rather than a specific price "point" and that range will often embrace both "near-luxury" and higher-end mainstream.
But more to the point, when someone starts a thread saying is he seriously considering car A and B, what on earth is the point of responding by telling him he "can't" because one is a luxury brand and the other not? Surely that is unhelpful at best and utterly condescending at worst? Who are you to say he can and can't compare?
Oh, and as for the conclusory statement that the "TL is a better car, period." Well, not in my books. It's better in some respects, not as good in others. Would be nice if the brilliant engineers behind that "luxury" brand could manage to solve the torque steer problem. The plebians at Nissan have figured it out.
But the point is, compare the two if you want. nothing wrong with that. But, the TL will win in just about every measurable way except size and price. The TL will handle better, will use more expensive/higher quality materials, be better constructed and so on. They engineer it that way. Thats not to say nissan doesn't build cars to higher specs also, they just call call them infiniti.
And I don't say that as a Honda/Acura homer, I buy almost exclusively nissan. But the point remains, your comparing a small compact car to a midsize family sedan. your comparing two cars that are not only in a different class, but also a different segment, and target entirely different buyers.
But to get down to brass tacks, If the original poster is single, not worried about price, and want top quality and performance........get the TL. He'll be much happier in it.
If He is married and has kids (or planning on it in the near future), doesn't want to break the bank on a new car, and not worried about (what some would consider minor) quality differences then get the altima.
But the point remains, your comparing a small compact car to a midsize family sedan. your comparing two cars that are not only in a different class, but also a different segment, and target entirely different buyers.
You're saying the Altima is a "small compact car"? Have I got that wrong? If I don't, have you actually seen one? They are EXACTLY the same length; the TL is slightly wider, rides on a shorter wheelbase (i.e. more overhang), offers lightly less front headroom and slightly more rear headroom.
Altima smaller??? Come again?
As for the rest, well, we just see things differently, which is more than okay with me.
Sat in an 07 at the dealer have not test driven yet, this was a 32000 car, but for some reason my cheapness meter went off. Since the dealer is connected to a Acura dealer went and sat in a TL-S, was nice but more than I want to pay. Sat in a TSX and wow, I need a test drive right now.
Drives real nice but was underwhelmed with the power in the auto. Will need another test drive without the dealer in the car. I was just blown away by the TSX interior quality,compared to the Altima. That being said I really have to wait and see the 08 Accord. Old Mike
As JD mentioned, I am thinking to the future regarding the kids factor, though none at the moment. However, I don't want to get a car that looks like a dull, boring family car. While the Altima may be marketed to a different market, the '07s are nothing like the old ones, which I always detested. There is a ton of room inside and the new body style is pretty sweet. Fold down seats, unlike the Acura (pisses me off Acura didn't do this), CVT engine, better comfort, etc. Acura TL has a better stereo, navi, more standard features, LESS HP (on base model), probably better built overall though. Again, I need to find something definitive to help me make the decision. It may come down to price, although once I get the options I want in the Altima, that may also be the same. But, you definitely can compare them, as I have. This coming from an Acura loyalist.
Sat in a TSX dealer did not have an autos left to drive so I could not take a second test drive at this time. TSX interior still seems to be of higher quality but the Altima is not all that far behind.
Old Mike
The TSX is a very compelling choice on many levels. I was very tempted by it (moreso than the TL, actually) when shopping. The factors ultimately weighing against it were:
1) Lack of power. IMHO, manual is the ONLY way to go with this car - and even then, it's merely (and barely) adequate. The superb shifter / clutch combo does compensate somewhat. But with the auto, if FEELS slow and IS slow. Add three passengers and...
2) Lack of space. My wife sat in the back seat and said it felt smaller than her '01 Civic. She was right. If hauling adults in back is something you do a lot, this may not be the best choice.
3) This thing is about to be replaced by something you may have wished you waited on. If they come out with a sharp AWD canyon carver with the turbo motor from the RDX, you may get a terminal case of buyers remorse.
As for the Accord, the barely-disguised spy pics circulating the 'net suggest that we are in for another dose of suger-free low-fat vanilla in the styling department. They will all be beige no matter what the colour, if you get my meaning.
I would agree that the quality of the Acura interiors across the board is a cut above the Nissans, but I do not find the Altima interior "cheap" to the eye or to the touch.
Just my thoughts.
No comment.
Jaeger
The new Accord will have a new safety cage,new V6 that should really get good mileage, while the Altima is not that good on mileage, I am coming off lease of a Jeep GC where I get 13 MPG on back roads going to work, at 3.20 a gallon this is not good. The Altima is probably a bigger car than I need at this point in my life, but I do love the power, and I can get a good price through the Nissan VPP program from my work.
Bottome line, Altima fast, adequate interior,larger car.
TSX seems slow,beautiful interior,good MPG, smaller.
TL larger, fast, nice interior, I like the TSX better.
My Opinion.
Old Mike
No doubt the TL is a great car and the fit and finish is a cut above the Altima coupe or sedan but the coupe is faster, the handling will seem better just because of the smaller dimensions(even though the TL will still have better slalom #'s) and with fold down seats is actually more practical than the TL. Also the fact that the TL is due for a major redesign next year seems like you'll be shelling a good amount of coin for a car that will look dated quite soon.
As for the TSX, I've driven the car and the it is fun to drive with a stick and the interior is quite stunning considering the price of the car but, let the flaming begin, but I can't get the over the fact the car seems too female to me, call it the Jetta syndrome. Maybe it's because all I see is women driving them but I can't get past the impression it's the feminine version of the TL. Call me shallow but it's like that with me for a Miata. Great car but give me a Solstice any day of the week only because it looks masculine. I can't drive a Miata without wanting to hide my face, Mazda would double thier sales if they just toughen it up but I digress.
Anyways the coupe just seems like a good deal for something that looks good, is reasonably priced, and judging by the reviews is more sportier than the sedan and still has the advantage of being manageable in the snow.
Not just that, but your getting all the advantages and features of the new 07 altima, just without the sedan. You'll get the same 270hp VQ without noticable torque steer, Ikey, CVT (if you want it), along with all the other improvements Nissan made to the atli.
There is a downside though. The altima coupe just became availabe for sale in may, and they are hard to find. Most that you see on lots will probably be pre-sold, and you may have to order one. Also, you'll most likely end up paying sticker price. Don't expect the dealers to budge much on price till sales drop off later in the year.
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