Unfortuently it was only a 2.5S not a 3.5 SE. It was in the gold color, not my taste but for a gold color it wasn't too bad. IMO it looks great from the front and sides....its just got that huge droopy @ss with the nasty Altezza lights. Man, if the rear end of the Altima didn't look that bad it would be a killer car for the mid 20s.

 

i agree.. it looks great from all angles except the rear.

 

I went on the Nissian website and did a comparison on their site to our TL-S. This is what came up.

NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE (AUTO) advantages over the ACURA TL TYPE-S NAVIGATION SYSTEM

MSRP $10081 less
12 months longer powertrain warranty
0.3 liter larger engine
Valve gear type double overhead cam
14 more torque (ft lb)
0.5in wider wheels
Trunk/hatch spoiler
Halogen headlights
Power locks includes power windows
AM/FM Radio
Audio system includes single CD
1 more speakers
Computer
Telescoping steering wheel
2.8 gallon(s) larger fuel tank
0.1 inch(es) more overall width (in)
2.1 inch(es) longer wheelbase (in)
2.6 inch(es) less curb to curb turning circle (ft)
2.6 inch(es) more front headroom
1.1 inch(es) more rear headroom
1.5 inch(es) more front leg room
1.4 inch(es) more rear leg room
0.5 inch(es) more front shoulder room
0.4 inch(es) more rear shoulder room
285 lbs less curb weight (lbs)


OMG it listed Halogen lamps as an advantage over our HID systems. and notice they list, Power locks includes power windows, AM/FM Radio and Audio system includes single CD

 

I wonder if Nissan had to pay Toyota some sort of royalties. So they won't be sued for patent infringement. Is there a patent for those tail lights btw?? just wondering.

I saw in the magazine that the BMW 3 series hatchback only available in Europe also has the Altezza type tails. I guess it's the "IN" thing to do by the auto manufacturers right now, although it is all played out already.

 

Scared me for a minute, I thought this was your list of advantages
After I got up off the floor, I kept reading and you clarified it

 

Actually, this whole Altezza fad is retro.

That's right you heard me, it's retro. Nissan (or Datsun back then) actually has these type of tail lights in their roadster in the 70s. Altima just borrowed it and refined it. I can't find the picture of that car now but I've seen it b4 on a Nissan board.

Toyota should've pay Nissan for the patent.

 

Holy ****!

I just got the MSRP for Canadian model of Altima 3.5SE and it just blew my mind!

You get:

3.5 SE 3.5-litre DOHC V6 4-speed auto. (with TCS)
16-inch alloy wheels/tires, 8-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar adjust, leather wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel mounted audio controls, speed sensitive volume control, auto up/down passenger side window, key cylinder front windows up/down, key fob front windows down, trip computer & outside temperature gauge, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, sunvisor extensions, cargo net, anti-theft system
Anti-Lock Braking System Includes Brake Assist and electronic brake force distribution Leather Package Leather seating surfaces, simulated leather door trim, heated front seats, Bose audio system with 2 extra speakers (8 total), in dash 6-disc CD changer, radio Data System, Homelink system, auto dimming rear view mirror, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbag
Sunroof Package Power sliding glass sunroof with tilt

All for ..... get ready for this..... $32800CDN or ($21161US)

That's a lot of car for the money!!!!

 

I just wish they would have dropped that cheesy Altima name. To me the Altima name will forever remind me of the little 4 bangers of generations past.

 

I have to admit that back in June/July I rec'd a Altima brochure (we own a Maxima). Anyhow, I loved the new look of the Altima and was wanting to seriously consider it BUT when I called the dealership this is what they had to say:

did not know how much the price would be (guessed high 20s)
Maybe would hit dealerships in October/November (I had no car and needed one in July)
Did not know the engine size or hp rate.......nothing.

Wow! Why even send out a brochure????????

My first fear was that I would buy something else and then when the Altimas do come out....regret it. However, my other fears were the fact that it is a Nissan. Our last Maxima had very premature tranny problems....as did our friend's 2 Maximas (all early 90s).

I'm still hoping I won't kick myself when the Altimas come out! But, hey you snooze you lose...Acura had their TL-S out first!

 

I'm surprised at how much more roomier the Altima is compared to our TL's. Plus it has a telescoping steering wheel! I have always wanted one of those because that's the limiting factor in me being truly comfortable on a 500 mile trek.

I just saw one of these being transported with a bunch of other Nissans. Of course, the 3.5 SE was the last car on the last tractor trailer on the bottom so everyone could see.... Not to shabby for the $$$.

 

Okay, can't take it anymore. I've called my local Nissan dealership and am going during lunch to test drive one! And it's gonna be a 3.5 SE. This way I can be glad that I didn't wait around for an Altima....or start figuring how much it will cost to trade the TL-S .....ha ha.

 

I am impressed with the Altima. I can't wait to see what they do with the Maxima. If they put in a 5 speed auto I might have to trade in my '97 for it. I'd hate to get rid of my Maxima though it is damn good car.

Don't get me wrong, I love the wife's TL.

 

their Altimas I will not envy or even care. We own Acura's.
Who will envy who? Only Nissan I like is the Skyline that someone keeps posting to make me mad and want it even more.

 

I cant stand the ass of the altima....We have a superior car and we will leave it at that.....

 

And the verdict is, our TL is still better.

For a 3.5 SE (240/V6) with leather and spoiler, the price is $28,000 (at least here in Houston). The telescopic steering is nice but manual, not electric. There is NO memory seating and the interior may be roomier but it's very bland. The front end is boring and the back end is nice but BIIIIIIG. The best view is the profile (side) which is probably why that's the side they show when comparing up against our Type S. I actually paid less than the Altima sticker price for my TL-S...and I know a few of you paid $29 for yours.....so the TL-S is still superior. Also NO SPORT SHIFTING! Pickup on the highway was decent.

BTW, also saw the '02 Maxima while there...still fugly. Bigger front grill and new altizza style rear & front lights. Still only has 255 hp...ALL maximas cap out at 255 now whether it's GLE, GXE or SE.

I'm glad my situation turned out where I bought the TL-S and then the Altima came out.....and not the other way around....I would have felt jipped then!

 

You mean the one in my sig pic ?

 

Sorry to break the news to ya but the 255hp is detuned to protect the I35 and G35's hp ratings. Basically if you take the current Max's VQ specific output and multiply by 3.5 instead of 2.998 you get like 262hp or something like that. They also have more torque than us . I dunno about the Altimas 240hp rating also....seems to me with some easy aftermarket mods you can basically make it identical to the VQ in the Maxima.

 

The VQ series can be tune to be over 300HP. As the next Z will have one. And who needs a Sport**** when you can have a real 5-speed manual. Couple with 17" tires and an engine with more torque, it could be a contender with the Type-S.

Yes, MSRP is close to a DISCOUNTED TL-S but Nissan/Dealers has put it a huge margin on the Altima. As you can see, we can have the 3.5SE in Canada for around $22K USD loaded and yet in the US the same car goes for over $29K USD. That's $7K profit margin they are working with here. I'm sure they'll lower it later in the model year.

And don't forget while the Maxima is fugly, it has 255HP + a 6-speed manual transmission that Honda is still wondering if put one in TL/TL-s. And if compare the interior, Maxima's material use is better than TL.

I see a year of hardship for Honda/Acura coming ahead.

 

Yes dammit! :p

 

Guys----What's up with Nissan? I have owned an old Maxima and it was good but corny. The Altima seems the same way90% right 10% dumb. I like a Maxima till I get to those rear lights--then I scream and run away!Maybe someday they will be all sorted out like our cars. QuickRick