fdl

What do you guys think of the new v6 Altima? I have a family member looking at it, and I'm just wondering what everyones opinion on the car is.

I like the updated look, and I've always been a fan of the engine. I'm just not sure about the CVT, and there is no other option for an automatic.

fdl

Other options considered are the Camry and accord, but the Nissan is the front runner right now , mostly based on looks I think. I suggested waiting for the 08 Accord, but thats too far out.

Beltfed

From another forum.........I just cut and pasted.

C&D Comparo

Entry level as in the standard engines for all, which means four bangers for Altima, Accord, Camry, Optima and Sebring while V6 for Aura. The results are as follows.

6. Chrysler Sebring Touring 2.4 163 points
5. Toyota Camry LE 2.4 176
4. Saturn Aura XE 3.5 190
3. Kia Optima EX 2.4 193
2. Nissan Altima 2.5S 198
1. Honda Accord 2.4 202

The Nissan was the quickest, lightest, and best handling of the group, but had thrashy engine, and cheap interior.

The Chrysler was slow and slushy, but good styling and easy folding seats.

The Camry had a silky smooth engine and excellent interior usage, though defined blandness.

The Saturn had good styling, a nicely priced V6, but a poor interior at close inspection and the worst gas mileage.

The Kia topped Toyota in fit, finish, and quietness, and was a great value with alot of features, though was plagued by spongy suspension and a boring exterior.

The Honda, despite a dated interior, had heavenly steering, a great engine, no wasted space, and an overall great value.

Dan Martin

Street Spirit and I have been test driving all kinds of cars and we've taken out several new Altimas. The CVT is a little weird at first, but it's very good. I'd prefer it over a conventional automatic anyday.

The 3.5 V6 is a monster and there's no torque steer whatsoever, even with 270 hp and 258 lb ft on tap. It's a decivingly fast car. The CVT doesn't give you much of a clue how fast you're going because you don't have the gear changes to give you a reference point. We were ripping down a 50km/h zone at 140km/h before we realized it.

fdl

Thanks for the info.

Shoofin

I haven't driven the '07 V6 Altima yet, but I have driven the 2.5SL, the 4 banger in it is pretty good (it always has been), and I must say that the interior is 1000% better than it's predecessor. I might actually say I'd prefer it over an Accord/Camry....

Street Spirit

Read my two threads for some initial thoughts after some test drives (2007 Altima 4 cylinder and V6 included - test driven more than once):

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/test-driven-own-any-these-cars-thoughts-352506/

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/2007-2-5-altima-2007-2-3-mazda-3-a-356189/

phile

I've only seen the Altima from the exterior at the auto shows, but it looks really good. The internet pics make it look like the Maxima, but in person, it looks more like a 4-door Z. Honestly the top 3 cars in that C&D ranking are all very good, it's hard to pick one over the other. Personally I lean more toward the new Camry.

Street Spirit

Yeah, it's a different, newer technology, and I'm somewhat cautious about it too. I must admit, the weirdest part to me is not *hearing* the car shift (you just hear the RPMs rise and rise, waiting for a change in audible tone). But after driving it a second time, I was pretty much used to it. My suggestion would be to always test drive a car twice, at least a few days apart, so you can get a second look and see if your initial thoughts match how you feel about the car the second time.

Street Spirit

The current model Camry's interior plastics are awful -- surprisingly, nowhere near the quality of previous Camrys, or even what Toyota is known for producing! Check it out in person. The knobs, buttons, plastics are super cheap, thin, light, and hollow feeling. They have no weight to them.

jupitersolo

I read this while waiting for my stress test at the Dr. I was surprised that Camry was a the bottom, I don't count the Chrysler as a car. Glad to see not every magazine is in Toyota pocket.

waTSX

It's been getting solid write-ups. Personally, I think it's the best looking Altima yet.

dom

Have you read MT's COTY article abput the new Camry? No doubt MT is bought and paid for. Its a nice car don'tget me wrong, but MT made it sound like the automotive equivalent of the coming of Christ.

F23A4

Yes, it does take some getting used to. (Actually my wife got used to it quicker than I did with our 05 Murano.)

RandyMax

^^ Agreed.

It took me a while to get used to the "rubber band" feel, and the low speed groan/lug of the CVT in my 03 Murano. Reviews says they've since improved on it and you don't feel those weirdness anymore.

Isn't the V6 Altima priced a bit high though? I would suggest wait till the rebates show up before getting one --- if you can wait, that is.

Street Spirit

I don't know exactly what you mean by "rubberband like" so I can't comment. But the CVT is very smooth and quick to respond and accelerate.

Street Spirit

Oh, and at approx. 80km/hr consistent cruising speed, I think the V6 had the needle resting at only 12 or 1500 RPM.

Street Spirit

^ Oops. It might have been a cruising speed of 100km/hr, not 80. Dan might remember.

Dan Martin

It was barely above idle at 80km/h, so probably 1200-1500rpm. It's really nice and quiet around town.

RandyMax

By "Rubber band" feel, I mean when I stab the throttle I see (and hear) RPM goes up immediately, but don't feel the "surge" of acceleration till maybe half a second later. When I ease the throttle then, I see RPM drops, but don't feel the car stop accelerating maybe till another half second afterwards.

Something like this:

Cruising...Stab the throttle...engine revs...no go(for 0.5 second)....Whoa!!....ease the throttle...oh shit(for 0.5 second)...phew!



Again, the 03 Murano is the first Nissan equipped with the Xtronic CVT (in the US at least). Mine is probably the first batch of them produce (built in 2002). I have heard they've since improved on it.

jupitersolo

Funny I just this question on your post in another thread.

I use to love MT, I won't buy it anymore.

F23A4

It sounds like my 05 feels the same as your 03. Physically, the Mo's power delivery has a turbo feel to it where there is some initial lag and then some rapid acceleration.

pimpin-tl

Yep, plus a lot of tranny problems.

kmac_1906

i think nissan has become lazy all of their cars look alike now from the sentra to the z

S14 n Tsx

I love the new altima..

Final

I have a 6MT TL and I pulled up to a light with one that was tinted out like me. We didnt exactly go right off the bat so I barely even gased it off the light. He took off and I just had to. The thing is really quick off the line but I was pulling on him hardcore and was about to pass before but there was traffic up ahead. On another note - the taillights are riced out.

kappa821

its a pretty nice car but i dont really like the taillights that much......my bro was looking at a altima a couple of years ago and he said he looks real cheap inside

Street Spirit

I wasn't a big fan of the '02-'06 tail lights either. However, I think the 2007 tails look really sleek - I like them (although I know a lot of people hate them!). As for the interior, it's been redesigned for 2007, and I can say, from having looked at MANY different cars the past three months, the materials used are pretty good.

Let us know if you end up getting one!

Actually, I'd be curious to know your thoughts after a test drive.

JediMindTricks

but pretty much every carmaker is doing that now.

kappa821

wow the altima is pretty expensive i guess the maxima hasnt been redone but when they redo that its going to be almost if not more than the TL.