I realize these cars are from completely different classes/segments and head to head comparisons are impossible BUT, I'm looking for the best "bang for the buck".
I've always been impressed by the RL and am considering a '10/'11 CPO vs top-of-the-line 2014 Altima.
The SH-AWD is a big plus over most cars in amy class but, I do pause to consider the 2-3 year age difference.
There are a couple 2011 RLs I have my eye on at the right price point but, not my ideal color combos so far.
I realize given this forum there is likely a RL bias

 

It almost sounds to me like you're considering leasing the Altima, or keeping it for a short amount of time. Lease for the wife, or something? Is this car for you?

With that kind of choice, and having owned a SH-AWD vehicle based on your sig, I'd guess there is an outside factor here that's pushing you to go for an Altima

 

Definitely not lease. For me replacing the V70, loved the SH-AWD on the TL.
Wanna stay under $30K

 

obvious answer is to buy used in the color combo you want!

 

RL all the way!

 

did you got to the Altima forum and ask the same question?

 

I Say Go For The Altima

 

Ah, I see. To me, it boils down to what you qualify as "bang for your buck" when choosing a car. I would do as suggested and ask the same question on the Altima boards. Issues with the RL seem to have been pretty well documented so it should be easy to have an idea of what can go wrong

 

Why? That's a terrible suggestion.


Issues in a 2009+ are unheard of. A 2010-11 will be bulletproof. OP, have you driven the Altima in question? IMO, it's a piece of . The Accord is the same class and is the hands down winner.

Short of some untold reason (finances) that would make you reconsider, MPGs or repairs, the answer is obvious.

 

For A Little Controversy It Was Getting A Little One Sided

 

I'm scratching my head over this whole thread.

A used Acura RL vs. a new Nissan Altima? Really?

If a new Altima is one of the options, it would see logical to compare it to comparables. Like, as 007 suggested, a new Accord. Or for that matter, a new Camry. Or, if you're craving a smidgen of the sportiness or individuality of the RL but want a new car at the price point, a Mazda6 or Fusion. Or if you want AWD, a top-line Legacy.

About the only thing the RL and the new Altima have in common is the size and the number of wheels (not "wheels driven," at that).

Why not an Altima or a Toyota Tacoma? They're both Japanese.

 

the new altimas are pretty sweet!

however, given the choice of saving money while getting the better of the two in terms of value, my money is on the RL.


unless you just want the heated/cooled steering wheel.

 

Is this really an Altima vs. RL thread? No contest...especially on an Acura forum.

 

Even on any forum. Find a mid-size sedan comparison that ranks the Altima in the top 1/2. Tony was dead on. Accord, Mazda6, or Fusion if you aren't going luxury.

 

I was considering some crazy stuff when I bought my RL

 

Its good you came here. We clearly are not biased. What's an RL?

 

Yes, I'm aware of the "class" difference and already have a new Accord. Having owned a TL, Acura quality is impressive. I'm also interested in long term reliability. I've researched the ILX & TSX, higher than $30K and no SH-AWD.
AcuraCare out to 7 or 8yrs & 120K miles would seem prudent. I've never owned a Nissan but, family had a 1987 Maxima for 18 years...indestructable till an 18 yo grandson took it for a short spin.
Acura SH-AWD is arguably the best system of all brands, wishy they offered it on the Accord!

 

Maybe you can enlighten us to the reasons why you are considering an Altima and why you would want that and an Accord. Without knowing more specific details, we can't really help out very much.

 

Researching midsize sedans with power, V6 or turbo-4, most have fallen off my list for various reasons, especially build quality and long term reliability while keeping the budget under $30K.
AWD is a plus. My V70 despite being 8 years old is in perfect shape BUT, the stick has become tedious, if it were A/T, I wouldn't be looking to replace it!
"New" isn't always better.

 

Don't mean to talk down to you. As 007 said, more details would help here.

I haven't owned the TL, but I've inspected and driven them. The RL's quality of build and materials is noticeably higher than the TL's. Michael Karesh's review of the '05 RL on Epinions is illuminating as a head-to-head TL-RL comparo from that generation of the cars.

SH-AWD really is all that. For that matter, biased as I am, so is the RL as a total package, if its combination of attributes is what you're looking for: smoothness and quietness, thoroughly first-class build quality and materials, gorgeous paint quality, tight tolerances, remarkable all-weather roadability for such an accommodating car, and if you don't place a high priority on rear seat and trunk room. If you buy an '07 or newer, you also have an excellent chance of enjoying a very, very reliable luxury car (although my '06 has been very reliable -- just going by stats).

Honda's own AcuraCare is pretty much the only extended warranty worth getting -- the others reportedly are riddled with exceptions once you actually try to claim them. I know AcuraCare won't go beyond 100,000 miles, and I think it won't go beyond 7 years from the car's birth; others here know that part better than I do.

 

 

on that note, I say ditch the nissan and look at TDi.

A good way to judge a cars reliability and to search resale and see how many are listed, at which mileage points.

Most ditch the RL because of mileage and those who aint skeeered like me have a healthy 130+k

 

Can you tell us what models have already been nixed? I will admit that my previous suggestions of Fusion and Mazda6 were not due to long term quality or reliability reasoning. If the cars are new and owned under warranty, they are great suggestions. However, Ford has only recently broke out of their old mold and hasn't had the opportunity to prove their status over the long haul; only time can tell. Similarly, Mazda resale is piss poor due to issues down the road. In that case and sticking with the mid-size sedan class, the Altima starts to move up the ladder behind the Accord and Camry. However, when you throw an RL in the mix, the conversation becomes heavily unbalanced. Driving and Altima and an RL back to back exposes the vast advantages that the RL has over the Altima. We really aren't that biased because we can truly appreciate a car for what it is, and the RL is the definition of "bang for your buck" especially when bought used.

 

:correct: I have an 05 with 139k on the clock and all is well.

 

Off the list, Camry, any Lexus, VW CC, Optima, any American brand and Hyundai.
Maxima just got thrown into the mix by a dealer offering a better deal than on an Altima.
I should mention APR is a factor since new captive APRs are much better than used or CPO for Tier 2.
"Crunching the numbers" reveals $2-3K more if the used/CPO APR is double or higher.

 

Well with that list, Accord, Altima, Maxima, TL, and RL are your only options.

I would choose the Maxima over the Altima all day if it's priced right (it's priced too high @ MRSP ). I have read a little about various issues with the new Maximas, but not enough to enlighten anyone or give good advice. I still vote RL.

 

there is only one way to make a maxima cool and NO way to make an altima cool...

 

No luck. Try again.

 

 

The Renault (Nissan) gets my vote in your case. Better gas mileage with a CVT. The Maxima is very quick and will have a better resale.

RLs were very unpopular and did not sell well. I have rented several Maximas and was sold on the RL after one test drive. It is in a different class.

Have you taken either for test drives?

 

Uhhhh...what?

 

They do. Well, will.

It's (probably) called the TLX and it's out in the summer.

 

Uh oh!

Drove a 2010 RL today...solid...solid...solid. Went ZOOM when I gave it gas. Nimble and well planted.
Followed by a quickie in an Altima 3.5, seemed to keep searching for a gear.
Despite the RLs tech weaknesses, overall impression is top shelf
Now, I need to find a black or silver RL to my liking at the right price point.

 

And that's exactly why I left the RL last when I was test driving cars. I knew I would sway towards it, especially given my bias having owned the 1G RL and beeing of a Japanese car owning family. On paper and in reality I loved the car.


Mind you, I drove some crazy a** cars when I was test driving. Anything in the 22-23K range and below I had ever wanted fell into my test drive list.


The Maxima and Altima SE-R were on my list but quickly feel off the short list... I had a lot of coupes on the list too... What sold me on the RL was test driving one with 120K miles on it and having it drive the way it did.

 

Before I make a final decision I'm going to check some '10 & '11 E350 4Matics. We leased a 2007 that was superlative. I have some hesitation about long term reliability and maintenance/repair costs though.
As a side note, Acura rep said they're having trouble with the new RLX due to price compared to the competition AND Acura refuses to "kick in" more trunk $$ to compete.

 

What?

 

All the important things are there...to me anyway, SH-AWD, European handling, velcro road grip, pedal to the metal
The start system is dated, no lane departure warning, etc...NBD

 

When compared to an Altima?

In my opinion, I prefer the turn knob to the push button. I know people disagree, but the keyless access system is really a moot point, especially when you start comparing Nissan door handles to the RL door handles.

 

I drove my friend's 2010 E350 4Matic in what I think Benz calls Capri Blue Metallic and black interior. Similarly equipped to my RL and same color combo. I was less than enthused by that car. Aside from the superior turn radius and smoother ride, it was a bland driver. Some people might disagree, but Benz in my mind is like the Lexus of Japan. Ungodly smooth, but ultimately, boring. But hey, ultimately, it's your car and your call

 

Our '07 E350 wasn't particularly smoothe. Had 6, yes 6 blowouts with the OEM low profile tires on LI roads!!!