Why not get a loaded Altima over a 06 or 07 TL? Styling aside since it's subjective, the Altima has more power, MP3 CD, aux jack, nav traffic, intelligent key adn push button start.

Can anyone dissuade me?

 

Service could be a deterent. I have known people who have had 350Zs, Maximas, Altimas that had horrible customer service when bringing in their cars. One person who brought in his brand new Z to have something looked at had the person's grease stains all over the interior, etc...

 

This thread a joke?

 

Most cars have all that these days. Hell i think mazda 3 offers all that. Minus the power.

 

Apples and Oranges.

 

Do they both drive the same? Hows the steering on both, how about the handling? Is the cabin of the altima as quiet? etc.

Yea on paper i can see how the argument can be vaild...but theres a lot more to a car than just specs.

 

True but teh Mazda 3 is much smaller, and only more power if you get the mazdaspeed 3, but I digress. The question is whether the Altima is a better value, by virtue of its higher feature content.

 

Another thing to think about is resale value. The Altima has a lower resale value.

 

So you calling the TL overpriced? Im just trying to get TL owners worked up

 

How exactly? Both are FWD, with LEahter, Navi and all the creature comforts. There's no way they're apples and oranges. The Altima gets HIDs, pretty much equivalent warranty, and in some cases MORE features than the TL (mp3 CD, aux in, available CVT, intelligent key)

How could you possible say apples and oranges unless you've not researched the 07 Altima?


Here's the Navi interior, and the NAvi offers more features than Acura as well (2D/3D, adding waypoints to the route.) Help me out!

 

I think the 07' is quite the improvement over the previous models. Apparently Nissan has made numerous changes to the front end geometry to combat torque steer. 17's, six speed, and a nice V6 certainly makes it appealing. If the car had been available the time I purchased my 05' Accord six speed coupe it definitely would have been a consideration. That being said, my Accord is also my first Honda product, and I find the servicing exemplary. My previous experience with Nissan products has not been as satisfactory. I'm sure much of this had to do with individual dealers however.

Terry

 

how much is a fully loaded altima?

i know the interior design is subjective too, but the tl's looks better. as virtualbong said, nissan service may not be that great. although acura customer service isn't known to be all that either...

and maybe some people would rather wait another year or two for a newly designed tl.

EDIT: just went to nissan's website and looked at the new interior, and it is indeed a step up from the previous model.

 

Base MSRP† 3.5 SE model $24,500
Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Packages and Options
Technology Package $6,400
Vehicle Dynamic Control and Full-size Spare $900
Subtotal $31,800
Destination and Handling $615
Total Configured MSRP† $32,415

And that's BEFORE any deals. Who still thinks this is apples and oranges? It's a serious question as to whether the TL's sticker is justifiable $4K+ more.

 

I dunno, i would compare it more with the accord. The seats look bad ass though.

 

BOOOOO @ Nissan and there HORRIBLE customer service. The only thing that makes there cars decent is the VQ.

 

I don't recall, does the Accord have HID, 17s? The Accord is also down nearly 30 horsepower!

 

ps. That interior is ugly

 

$32k for an Altima? No thanks. Even before negotiation I think that is insane for that car.

Have you driven both of them? Just looking at specs on paper isn't going to help - you need a test drive, then if they're still close, study the specs and stuff.

 

Before comparing it to Accord, compare it feature to feature with the TL and you'll see it's a closer match to the TL (not that there's MUCH that seperates TL adn Accord, save for styling)

I plan to at least drive the Altima. One thing is I'm looking at a used 06 G35 for 26-28K, so why not look at a newer Altima with more luxo features. A used TL is also on my list, which is why the Altime is si surprising.

 

Coming from a family that has had a couple of recent Nissans (my lil'bro still has his Murano and my mother gave the Infinity FX45 a swift kick out the door), I have one word for you...

Refinement!

The FX was in the shop all the time and the Murano isn't far behind. My brother hates it but since my folks pay for it he's stuck with it till he graduates.

I've been in a new TL and I will tell you it's a nicer car period. I don't care what options Nissan puts in the Altima. Oh, and I think the Altima's interior is ugly too. Those goofy round vents on top of the dash kills any classy feeling Nissan was going.

 

It's a different car than the modle that began with the 02' from the reviews in the Mags I've read. There's a dealer 2 secs from my house. I'll have to stop in.

This is a build & price for a similar Accord V6. Why would you say $32K is out of the question for the Altima which competes directly with teh Accord?


My 2007 Accord Sedan
EX-L V-6 with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ Automatic Transmission



Base MSRP*: $29,400

Destination & Handling: $595

MSRP including selected accessories: $32,097

Selected Accessories (installation costs not included):

EXTERIOR [Edit]

Fog Lights $335

Alloy Wheel Ep-r5 17" $1,000

"h" Mark, Chrome $24

ELECTRONICS [Edit]

Honda Music Link $189

Honda Music Link Attachment $10

Mp3 Audio Player $450

Audio Sub-harness $15

Audio Attach. $79

 

fast-tl, i see where you're coming from.

feature for feature, the two cars can be compared. i'd probably want to drive both and see how they feel. i've always been a nissan fan. my mom drove a 96 maxima, which ultimately became my first car. so i think favorably of nissans.

and i think the new altima is impressive. the interior looks better, but i'd be curious to see how it looks in real life where you can touch and feel the interior. if you can get a loaded altima in the high 20's ($27k-ish) then i'd consider it.

also, maybe some people would rather pay the extra $5k for the "brand name." sounds ridiculous, but i'm sure it happens.

is nissan still going to make the se-r with the new design?

 

Thanks for the input guys. A test drive will tell the tale, but this Altima seems a world away from the 155-hp 2000 Altima SE econobox I once owned and swore I never would again.

 

So you care more about gadgets than how the car drives and looks?

I mean the altima isnt anywhere near as good looking as the TL is. To me, thats worth the extra cash right there. Plus from driving my brothers 04 maxima, the TL is much more of a sportier drive.

But hey, if you pick the altima over the G35.. then more power to ya.

 

i'm sorry, power alone can't make me take that nissan over the acura.

i mean.....i have to look at that interior every time!!! *faints*

 

I'm with teh

That Altima is ugly and boring in comparison with the looks of the TL.

 

but that's the thing. looks are all subjective. some might actually like the altima's interior. i agree that the tl's interior is gorgeous. but i'm sure there are those that like or don't mind the altima's look - both outside and inside.

 

I'm note sure about the DE-R. I've owned a Pulsar before as well as the 2000 Altima, both of which were reliable cars, so I don't have Nissan phobia. I recognize there are bad apples with every brand so those stories don't scare me, plus the previous altima (2002-2006) has sold like hotcakes, so we know they're not junk.
I really want to go RWD this time with the G35, but my fallback was the 06 TL to replace my 2000 TL. With this new Altima being cheaper, more features, more POWER adn better interior (than before, that is) it's a serious contender.

 

True, there are some guys who like fat ugly chicks too.

 

and thats just weird.

 

really? i just figured it was because they couldn't score a thin, pretty girl!

 

You gotta pay more for those.

 

One think I hate about Nissan is the car/truck has too much plastics. I have a Nissan Armada and the deshboard (spelling) is all plastics. It looks very cheap.

 

yup. that's one thing that deterred me from an '05 maxima before buying my tsx. having plastic is one thing, but overloading with plastic is another. that's why i'm curious to see how the plastic looks and feels in person for the new altima.

 

Damn, cars have become WAY too expensive. I'd have a difficult time paying that much for an Accord, as well.

 

I say check one out and take it for a spin before you comment. I've driven one and have gone to Nissan to check out the 2007 Altima almost a handful of times now. It is a HUGE improvement over the '06 model, so those comparing the look and *feel* to the previous Gen really isn't an accurate view of this specific model (2007). Personally, I found the seat bottoms way too hard, but the plastics and interior materials felt very good (IMO, better than the current Camry's plastics). I didn't like the cloth or materials used in the non-leather interior, so I'd prob have to upgrade to the leather package if I got this car. The cloth was kinda.... I also MUCH preferred the black interior to the Blond, which included some really nasty, fake-looking wood trim.

One sentiment I've noticed from current Nissan owners on a few forums, is Nissan's lack of customer service. Many owners mentioned poor dealer relations and unknowledgeable mechanics. I have no personal experience with owning a Nissan, so I can't comment on how Nissan treats customers vs. Acura.

I will say though that the Altima is not in direct competition with the TL in any way. Other cars in its class include the Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata. Comparing it to the TL in terms of price and quality just doesn't make sense to me....You'd have to compare it to Infinity to be fair.

 

I owned a 2002 Altima SE. That's the car I got rid of for my '04 TL. I'm sure the '02 model drives differently than the '07, but I'm also sure some things may not have changed.

In my opinion, the difference between my '02 SE and my '04 TL was pronounced. The TL has considerably better driving dynamics, better throttle response, is quicker, and is much better made. Then there is the looks factor. No comparision. I have never like the rear end of the new-gen Altimas. The clear lense taillights look boy-racer and then there's this. The steel in the outter body panels is thinner than that of the TL. Also the steering has more turns lock-to-lock than the TL. The shifter is longer with longer throws and the clutch pedal has a longer travel and take-up.

The only two positives for the Altima are the larger trunk and the chain-drive cams in the VQ35 engine. Oh... the Altima has a MAF and the TL doesn't. And they had problems with the MAFs on several new-gens. Mine went out after less than 2 1/1 years to the tune of over $500. Nice not to have a MAF.

 

Could you explain the bolded part? I mean, the cars are only a few grand apart, adn as we see the features are very similar, with Nissan ahead in some areas. In your view, what puts them in different classes? I see some blur here.

Are you referring to how it might be unfair to compare TL and Accord? That's essentially what I'm asking.,,when the Altima offers so much, how does the TL set itself apart as beign worth a $3000 premium? Do you think it's unfair to compare Accord and TL?

 

Having a certain HP rating and a start button doesnt make a car better than the other.

You blind, go drive both of those cars back to back and then tell us which is more enjoyable to drive. Hell do the same with the accord and TL. Sound deadening for one is a big difference in the TL. You want a quieter ride if you spending more, yes? Thereis just too much FEEL in these cars to be able to pick just by what features it offers. Thats just silly thing to do.

Drive, then post. Thanks.

 

I plan to. As for the sound deadening point, see below:
New for 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The all-new 2007 Nissan Altima receives a makeover highlighted by a new Nissan “T-shaped” grille, powerful front fenders, Altima-style taillights and dual exhaust finishers. The interior has been refined with expanded use of soft materials (such as padded armrests) and chrome accents, increased sound insulation and new power-assisted vehicle-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system. Other features include a new Fine Vision gauge display, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, convenient covered storage compartments, nine cup or bottle holders, Bose-developed audio system with 9 speakers, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, RearView Monitor and dual-zone automatic temperature control. The four-cylinder engine has been refined but unchanged while the V6 is a redesigned next-generation 270-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve engine. A new 6-speed manual transmission is available along with Nissan’s Xtronic CVTs for both engines. The 3.5 SE receives a sport-tuned suspension with larger diameter stabilizer bars, unique spring rates and strut damping.