Nissan Altima

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Altima

Summary:
I work for a Nissan dealership and the Altima isn't all that in terms of refinement, roominess and quality. This car is too hyped up and Nissan did a nasty job with the styling of the coupe and sedan. The overall interior appointments are abysmal and the 2002-2006 Altima's were roomier and better to look at.

Strengths:
3.5L V6 Engine and suspension, that is about it.

Weaknesses:
2.5L (noisy and buzzing), CVT (feels like the car is struggling), interior front and rear headroom don't quite match the Accord, Camry and Sonata. Annoying push start (too gimicky and it doesn't work well). Interior quality is below par. The coupe has the worse interior appointments and I have to say when I drove this car it felt so hallow and it was noisier than other sedans in its class.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $21000.00 from Private

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 Altima SER 6 MT

Summary:
This is no ordinary Alti. I switched from a G35 Coupe to this and have not been disappointed. Granted it's front wheel drive vs the rear wheel drive of a G but the fun factor is still there. The power is awesome and so are the extras. Beautiful interior and great exterior look. This is the same engine as the older G35 so there is no problem keeping up with anything out there. I have had no problems or issue with the Altima and would recommend it to anyone.

Strengths:
Power, acceleration, handling, looks

Weaknesses:
None that I can think of, other than some torque steer due to massive power going to front wheel drive. Nothing that can't be handled but something to note.

Similar Products Used:
G35 Coupe, Acura Integra, Acura EL, Toyota Celica

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Brady auto sales

Year / Model Reviewed:
2006 nissan altima 2.5

Summary:
I have owned several nissans in my life and this is the biggest piece of crap i have ever had. It has been in the shop what seems like more than on the road. It is still under warrenty thank God! Everything from A/C to transmission problems. I will not buy another. I am upset because all the other nissans were built to last and never had single problem with them. This Altima is cheap and like a nightmare. I read reviews before i bought and I just never dreamed a nissan would be this bad.

Strengths:
Rides good.

Weaknesses:
Made cheap. Too much plastic.

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $15000.00 from Ontario

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 3.5 SE

Summary:
This is my third Nissan and will be my last. Ever since they started building these cars in the U.S. the reliability and quality has gone down the crapper. My first Nissan was a 1998 Maxima SE. Best car I've ever owned. Luxurious. Fast. RELIABLE. After 2000 the cars feel so cheaply made. On my 2002 Altima the interior trim looks like it was made by Fisher Price. Actually Fisher Price would have made it more durable. The radio buttons stick or don't work. The climate control buttons are falling out of the dash. The leather boot around the gear shift keeps coming out. The hard plastic dash makes all kinds of moans and groans. Cold weather is worse for noise. The glowing orange dash is an eye sore in a "sporty luxury" car. The headlights get moisture in them and fog up on humid days or after car washes. The clutch doesn't grab until its almost 2/3 up. The tach needle seems slow to respond to the gas pedal off the line. Or maybe the gas pedal is slow to make the engine respond? Doesn't feel sporty in everyday driving. Gear shift feels rubbery and notchy at the same time. The heat sheilds on the exhaust have rusted loose and rattle under the car. I have a "check engine" light for emissions saying the catalytic converter is not efficient anymore. This apparently is an issue on all new Nissans. They pollute more and screw up the emissions sensors. The car drives fine but the SES light is always on. Same with my wife's 2001 Pathfinder. SES light is always on for emissions. Ok enough bashing. The reason I bought the car was for the power and fuel economy. 245 hp is lots of get up and go if you mash the gas and drive like a 15 yr old. The engine itself is quiet and has lots of power if you keep the rpm above 3000. My Scan Guage II told me I was getting 26 mpg at 85 mph and 36 mpg at 55 mph. Thats pretty awesome. It runs on regular 90 octane Mohawk gas very happily. Huge trunk and plenty of space in the passenger compartment as well. It looks like a very prestigious car. Handling is ok but doesn't inspire confidence. At night the headlights and fog lights light up the entire road. They don't need to be upgraded at all and will easily turn a dark country road into daylight. Like I said above, I won't be buying anymore Nissans/Infinitis, etc. Back to Toyota for me.

Strengths:
Power
Gas mileage
Space in trunk and interior
Looks

Weaknesses:
Overall reliability
Cheap interior
SES light for emissions

Similar Products Used:
1998 Maxima.

Price Paid:  $28400.00 from West Valley Nissan

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Nissan Altima

Summary:
Where do I began? I have had my car for 4 months and several things have malfunctioned. Within the first week the driver seat broke, warning light for maintenance keeps coming on but dealer doesn't know why. Now here it is September and my chair still hasn't been replaced and now my horn has malfunctioned because of a defective wire. Also Nissan has sent out a notice saying that the air filter in the car can ignite and cause a fire so that has been recalled. Horn goes off for no reason and the key will not stop it I have to kick the tire for it to stop.

They did everything to get my business but when it comes to the service department fixing my car nothing has been done. I have been to the dealer several times and even called the manager and owner of the dealer but to my dismay nothing has been done. My salesman however was great and when I called him and told him of the problems I took my car in the same day and they fixed one thing only to break another. Now my car will not go to full when I put gas in it. I just had the defective horn fixed now my gas tank won't take in the entire 18 gallons like it did before I had the work done. This is a nice car but it is very tempermental and things on it malfunction easily. The tires are cheap as hell two weeks after I bought the car I had to completely replace a tire because the tires are not covered by the warranty. I don't understand how Nissan is owned by Infinity but the car breaks down like it does. I guess you get what you pay for. BUY WITH CAUTION!!!

Strengths:
Very stylish ride and roomy

Weaknesses:
Tires,parts, malfunctions to easily, replacement of one defect may lead to another.

Similar Products Used:
Mazda 6, Nissan Sentra