Accurate

I've had my mind set on an '06 Acura TSX w/navigation, which I will be trying to get for under 30k. I've also noticed a comparable vehicle would be the Nissan Altima 3.5 SE w/navigation. They both run about the same price, but the Altima has a lot more power.

I'm still leaning towards the TSX since everyone and their mothers have an Altima...any suggestions in this dilemma?

dom

Altima SE-R? Price difference?

Sebo

an altima costs that much these days? i thought the maxima cost closer to 30k.

i guess the real question is what is more important to you, more torque or appearance + quality ride? i doubt the altima rides anywhere like the TSX does.

if i had to get a nissan it would be SE-R or LE.

gdcwatt

Was that a MT you drove? I'm 5'11", and my wife is 5'3", but for both of us (and yes, we look pretty normal) the stick shift was at back by our elbows, in 1st, and it felt like I had to reach behind me to get 2nd.

Actuary

I never test drove altima but I would think it doesn't have refined stiff chassis and suspension. Engine should be good though. Also that eats more gas.

laee3

"'im still leaning towards the TSX since everyone and their mothers have an Altima...any suggestions in this dilemma?"

you said it yourself... i see altima everywhere, besides bigger replacement, will use more money on gas..... and tsx looks better than altima... and altimas costs that much? why not maxima? i'm pretty sure maxima is around tsx's price range

Othello

I have a 04 6MT TSX non nav and my father has a 05 Altima SE auto non nav. Altima definately has more get up and go (v6 250hp), handling is decent for a car that size and the trunk is freakin huge, the interior is very bland IMO.

The SE-R adds 10 extra hp (some will say it's in the tuning), does not come with nav (has 3 pod guages like 350 in it's place), comes with HID, larger brakes and rims, and the interior looks alot better than the SE, price was an extra $5k CDN from what I remember....I test drove the auto version.

Although I have seen only a handful of SE-R's on the road, the SE and lower models are a dime a dozen on the streets here, far fewer TSX's from what I've noticed.

I still prefer the look and handling of the TSX to either one of the Altimas. The fit and finish looks alot better, quality of the leather is superior to that of the Altima and it's more of a fun car to drive. I feel more intuned with the TSX, the Altima is just too big for my taste.

Accurate

I'm 6'1 190lbs, so leg room is a must. I am also more into the ride quality, and the snob appeal of the "Acura" outweights the Nissan (my current setup.) A fully loaded altima runs around 30k, while a fully loaded maxima runs near 34k (this is all online, haven't really looked around.)

The altima SE or SL can be equipped with the navigation package (comes w/HIDS, leather, sound system, moonroof) for about 30k. I'm still leaning towards the TSX mainly to the handling and quality of ride I've heard about it.

Anyone deal with the Altima navigation vs. TSX navigation? I doubt the nissan has a voice controlled navigation.

mg7726

navi's are not even close. my friend has an armanda w/navi. no voice, 3d bird view loses excitement after a day, no touch screen, and it's off (same with the TSX somtimes).

do a search, the acura alpine system owns...

GeekWheels

I agree that the Maxima would be more comparable with the TSX. I actually test drove the Maxima SE and thought that it drove better than the TSX. Definitely more powerful as well... but I hate the interior and its too big!

JediMindTricks

i would have to agree.

polytsx

From my perspective the TSX offers better mileage, better resale, and better relaibility. Not that the Altima is a bad car, I think they are great value, however Nissan's in general tend to be thirsty and for whatever reason get killed on resale by both Honda and Toyota.

gdcwatt

I've been renting a 4-cylinder Altima for the last few days. There is some torque steer, but the torque, even with the automatic, is quite nice. I had the thing doing 90kph down my street, although there was actually a lot of snow around, and the car wasn't really moving more than 30-40kph, and I was only "going that fast" for 1/2 a second - it just doesn't seem very sophisticated.

While the Altima was warming up this morning, I got out to close the garage door. I shut the Altima's door - in a normal sort of way - and it jarred the lock on the inside of the driver's door, so I was locked out, at that door only. My daughter was inside the car, laughing, presumably, at all the engineering that went into the quality of those door locks. I hope this isn't indicative of the rest of the car, because it is otherwise a nice, but sort of bland, higher-performance fwd car, with a lot of backseat room, and a big trunk. The long wheelbase must also help reduce weight transfer, for starting/braking.

MattT516

I honestly can't imagine the SE-R being that much more expensive than the 3.5SE, so I'd look into that. I think the SE-R in black or red is pretty damn awesome. That car looks really aggressive and it's pretty fast. The Maxima 3.5SL really can't be out of that price range either. There's something about the TSX that I don't find particularly great like a lot of the other members here have found in it.

JediMindTricks

from speaking with several nissan salesmen, i hear they're having trouble getting the se-r's off the lot too. so you may be able to get a nice deal on one of those.

ninjamyst

I see soooooo many Altimas on the road. It's hard to believe they are having trouble selling them unless it's because everyone already has one.

Accurate

there are a bunch of 2.5 S and SL's on the road, but I've only seen one SE-R.


To be honest, the extra 3k isn't worth the extra 10hp's and "tuned suspension."


Although I'm coming from a Nissan Background, the interior of the Altima is not that impressive, and the seats are left to be desired for.


The maxima was my next bet, but its looks "boaty" to me if you know what I mean. Also, the "luxury" appeal isn't there as well.

I think the navigation is the determining factor. After some research, I am in love with the TSX navigation system. Voice activated and touch screen is great. Isn't there a kit where it would allow me to play dvds on that screen as well?

iamhomin

Both cars are dime a dozen IMO, go with what works for you (handling/quality, or power/room)

afici0nad0

i don't think you can go wrong with either car.

but since you are familiar with nissan's, it may be beneficial to you to stay with nissan, assuming you are familiar with their engines/maintenance/etc...

DiamondJoeQuimby

iTrader: (2)

Test drove an 05 Altima 3.5 SE before we bought the 05 TSX. Build quality there is no compairison...the Acura is hands down a better built car. The ONLY thing the Altima had going for it was the power and that was no where near enough to make up for how big of a piece of crap the interior was.

JediMindTricks

i was talking about the se-r's. i dunno about where you live, but i see altimas everywhere here but i've only seen 1 se-r on the road.

afici0nad0

true...

altima's are a dime-a-dozen, but i've only seen a few se-r's on the road...

zzzed

I just put a keyless entry on an 06 altima se-r - the pos did not come w/ keyless?, anyway it was pretty fast, but as everyone says the interior is kinda cheese. but yes, definately fast, and the factory 18 forged wheels were nice......

bibby

If you want fast, why don't you just go for a Subraru Legacy GT....that thing is FAST...but hope you don't mind the interior.