We're both about to graduate college. Right now she drives a 1998 Escort ZX2. She would like to get the 2002-03 Altima, 2.5 or 3.5 SE. Your thoughts???

 

3.5 SE is nice, I just hate the ricey taillights on the Altima. A used '02 Maxima would be nice too.

This should be in Car Talk, it will most likely be moved soon.

 

good car and nice step up from the escort. I'd personally suggest the 3.5 but coming from the escort the 2.5's power should be plenty for your wife...now if you plan to drive it here and there and are into a little bit of speed then convince her that she needs a 3.5!

 

max all the way, the altimas are nice but the max just feels smoother

 

max is too big and ugly and "pontiac" looking. christ, even the altima is bigger than the older body style max!!! whats up with that???? why not look at a TSX? or a used TL-S?? a used TL-S is way less money than a new altima, and it looks better and is faster.

 

avoiding transimission headaches, i really like the old body style max's... even two body styles old

 

MAx

 

I said 2002 Maxima

 

If style is your main point of buying a car, than the Altima is more stylish than the Camry/Accord. If reliability, quality and solid service are important, I'd go with the Accord, than Camry.

The Altima hasn't come close to winning any comparison in any magazine. Too much torque steer with the V-6, doesn't drive sporty, the worst interior materials known to man (though improved for 04).

The 3.5 does make the Altima fast, a 6-7 second car. The 2.5 is no slouch either though.

As stated, for your wife, the TSX would be perfect.

 

2001 Nissan Maxima SE 20th Anniversary

3.0L(182.3cu.in.) V-6 DOHC SMPI 24 valve engine


What nice Car



http://www.greghome.com/Greg's%20Gar...20th%20Ann.htm

 

Sounds good, the 05 altima se is a nice looking car inside n out. I also like the new mazda6 sedan hatchback.

 

Accord over the altima (unless you want a manual). Nicer inside/similar power and accelleration/better quality.

 

Get new 2005 Altima 3.5 = better interior then 02/03.
Or
02/03 Maxima.

Major facts - both Nissans have same KICK A$$ engine (you would love low-end torque ~265 tq) and transmission is SOLID.

Forget about Accord V6 and TLS transmissions plus insufficient low-end torque in stock form.

 

max.....or the 3.5 altima

 

Awesome car, inside and out. FUcking perfect. I love the monotone gray ones.

 

Thanks for the input guys, but I've discovered that these are out of my price range. Im freshly married and about to graduate college. Which means no money......yet. I did however run across a rebate on a '04 Sentra. $13,000. She currently has a ZX2 and it has been a reliable car, Im not even sure if I want to trade it off. It does however have 96,000 miles on it. Any more oponions?

 

I wouldn't buy new if you're low on $$.

 

Faster eh? I'd beg to differ

Anyway, I'd seriously give the new Accord a going over. It's not the prettiest car around, but my wife loves hers.

 

WRONG on the better quality. I agree about the interior looking better though.

 

I find it hard to say this, but I'd take a good look at the Hyundai Tiburon.

 

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...hreadid=139117

:w-hat:

 

Yeah? I own both, unlike you. AND, unlike you, I'm unbiased. There are some things the Accord does better, and some things the Altima does better.

 

You know me???

Aquineas Quality Study > *

 

Nope, but I do prefer dealing in facts. And I don't put much faith in studies that are conducted two days after a customer takes delivery of a new car, when they are likely to be biased (which is when the Honda survey people called us).

Don't get me wrong, I love the Accord, so much so that we bought that instead of another Altima (for reasons mostly related to pricing for a system with Nav). But there are some things the Altima does a lot better, and there are some things the Accord does a lot better (interior, at least compared to the 2K3 Altima). I challenge people who make unknowing blanket statements about either without being in a position to know.

Having said all that, I do think Nissan is not investing enough in intangibles right now (overall quality, interiors), and they could use some improvement. Some of that is because they've introduced more new models in the last 24 months than any other car maker, and frankly, it takes time to get the line correct on each of those. Nevertheless, that doesn't excuse them throwing horsepower and styling at every single problem and expecting that to keep customers loyal. The "high" that they're on, sales-wise, won't last if they don't take corrective action.

 

get the wifey the 03 I4 accord like i did...solid car, peppy little 160 hp engine, which is underrated, shifts like a champ....and cheaper than the altima 3.5....

 

Well, Im the owner of a new 2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8S. Pulled some strings and got it for right under $12,000/ 220 per month, which is def. within my price range. Warranty is 6 yrs or 100,000 miles. Which makes me feel even better about my purchase. I think it will be a good car for my wife, but the CL is staying with me.

 

Good choice! Personally, I think my next Japanese car will actually be built in Japan as well..