Nissan Altima

[Beattie]

In the spirit of my Toyota Matrix thread, I want to know what people think of the Altima.

I was thinking the 2.5S. That's in my price range and has most of the features that I want standard like the power stuff and Cruise Control and CD and crap like that.

 

[CraigRT]

They're not bad.. I'd rather have a fully loaded Sentra SE-R than a new Altima... I don't really like the 2.5S myself.. the 3.5SE perhaps though.

the SE-R has the same engine as the 2.5S that's why I suggest it instead.

 

[pennylane]

I have an Altima (well, it's my mom's car). I like it. I don't know what to say about it since I don't know much about cars. But it's a pleasure to drive compared to other cars.

 

[GeneValgene]

i like the styling...looks smooth.
but the interior is kinda shoddy...seems very plastic-y and cheap

 

[profet]

they are ok overall cars, my friend got a 98 loaded for 7k, and its not bad

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
They're not bad.. I'd rather have a fully loaded Sentra SE-R than a new Altima... I don't really like the 2.5S myself.. the 3.5SE perhaps though.

the SE-R has the same engine as the 2.5S that's why I suggest it instead.

They are a lot smaller than the Altima though. Just FYI.

 

[Corporate Thug]

the redesigned altima looks sick

 

[eflat]

Are you crazy? For not much more you can get a v6 and have one of the fasest sedans you can get!

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: CraigRT
They're not bad.. I'd rather have a fully loaded Sentra SE-R than a new Altima... I don't really like the 2.5S myself.. the 3.5SE perhaps though.

the SE-R has the same engine as the 2.5S that's why I suggest it instead.

They are a lot smaller than the Altima though. Just FYI.

yeah, i have an SE-R, and although i love it, and wouldnt give it up for anything at the moment... it really doesnt have the interior room like the altima odes. HOwever, They're both kickass cars, and if you dont need the space-- then i say try the SE-R out.

anyhow-- the altima is an excellent car... you cant go wrong with it at all.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Do you care about interior quality? While the interior is nice to look at, it doesn't have the best quality of materials. However it is put together very ewll, so no squeaks or rattles. Also the cabin is quite roomy (could be a good or bad thing)..over all its a really nice car to own and drive and use for the general family hauling/transprotation needs. You can have a bit of fun in it too. I'd also suggest u go for the 3.5L engine. Its a totally different car.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

nice car.

 

[prontospyder]

My sister has an '03 Altima 2.5S (I cosigned on the loan and perform maintenence on it so she let's me drive it once a week ) - it's a pretty nice car. The minor interior improvements they made on the '03 is pretty nice. Exterior is very sharp. Ride is pretty smooth. After driving the Dodge Intrepid for the other days, the Alty feels like a sports car when I get to drive it. It has 17.5K miles on it and it had problems starting once- I think there's a TSB out on it. You can check out altimas.net for more info - that was the site I researched the Altima on before I convinced my sister to get it.

 

[Beattie]

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
Are you crazy? For not much more you can get a v6 and have one of the fasest sedans you can get!

Yea, but I am kind of stretching my budget here already...

 

[OS]

IMO, you'd be better off with an accord. Better build quality, better resale. The altima is a little roomier though.

 

[ScottP]

I have a 2002 Altima 2.5S, drives great, hasn't had any problems whatsoever thus far. Its not a speed demon, but its not slow. Only reason i ever whine about it is because its deceptively big (i.e. hassle to park).

 

[SuperTool]

Go test drive it. If you like it, get it, it's great car. As far as people complaining about interior, go look for yourself. It's something you'll know if you like or don't before you buy the car.

 

[Mani]

Very nice car...only 2 downsides I have heard are interior materials and (arguably) "ricey" looking rear lights. Neither really bother me but you should check one out yourself.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
Go test drive it. If you like it, get it, it's great car. As far as people complaining about interior, go look for yourself. It's something you'll know if you like or don't before you buy the car.

yeah, and if you're used to cars like GM, the cheap Nissan interior will look like a Bentley to you..

 

[iamme]

i drive a '02 Altima 2.5 S. Great car. 175HP is peppy enough to zoom in and out of traffic. The car doesn't feel underpowered at all, IMO. Very smooth ride. Two thumbs up :beer:

 

[Spikesoldier]

SE-R Spec V > SE-R

FYI

 

[toekramp]

my gf just traded in her '02 SE-R Spec V for an 03' 2.5s (her father owns a Nissan dealership). She loves it; she wanted something roomier and after 8 years of manuals wanted an automatic.

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: SuperTool
Go test drive it. If you like it, get it, it's great car. As far as people complaining about interior, go look for yourself. It's something you'll know if you like or don't before you buy the car.

yeah, and if you're used to cars like GM, the cheap Nissan interior will look like a Bentley to you..

I don't know what people's beef with altima's interior is to begin with. It might be subpar in a 3.5SE approaching 30K and competing with Acura TL, but in a 20K or so 2.5S, it's good. Besides, you get interior features that really count, like telescoping steering wheel, and lots of space. The rest is subjective, and you can judge for yourself. I thought it was fine when I test drove it.

 

[zixxer]

spec-v is not much better than an se=r at all. only difference is a 6th gear. 0-60 and 1/4 aren't that much different.

avoid 2002 spec-v's. there tranny's are known to have problems.

I have a 1998 se-r, which has a better built engine, and is almost as fast. (stock) (sr20de)

 

[PricklyPete]

A friend of mine has a new 2002 Altima. It is nice...but I'm not really thrilled about the interior...just feels cheap and plasticy. I would go with a Mazda 6 instead...especially if you are not going for the V6 Altima.

 

[TekChik]

Definitely go test drive!

My story:

2 months ago, I was in the market for a new car. I'd pretty much decided I wanted the '03 Maxima, so I drove one. They had a 3.5 '03 Altima there too, so just for kicks and to compare, I drove that one, too. OH MY LORD! Before I was even back to the lot, I knew I wanted that car, even though I could afford the Maxima. Depends what you're looking for - the Maximas are "luxury" and handle loosely and very smooth. But the 3.5 Altimas handle and respond like a sports car - tight suspension and AWESOME handling, while still with the room and class of a sedan (which I need b/c I have a child). I got the Altima 6 weeks ago and I LOVE it!

Hope that helps...

-TekChik