The Altima gets a bad rap around these parts. It’s the kind of car that passes you in the right lane, save-a-spare on the left-front, temp tag blowing in the wind.
[You can’t convince me that I-4 isn’t the worst road ever]
I just spent some time with the latest iteration, a 202…
I expected...
You describe the car as being fundamentally not incompetent. It's just A Car. It's not interesting in any way. Why would I buy this instead of, say, an Accord that has the same starting price and the same efficiency ratings? Or a Camry for the $28k that gets 51 mpg? I don't know if the Mazda3 is in the same size class, but I'll bet it's a lot more interesting for even less money.
How is this a "guilty pleasure"?
Any signs that Nissan has fixed the CVT reliability issues that plagued earlier Altimas, or failing that, do they offer a manual?
(Looks like I caught the autocorrect fail too late)
I like Altimas. They are a favorite of the National Rental Fleet and I'm in one a few days every month. They do everything competently and the nanny controls are not overwhelming. If you need something to get you comfortably and reliably from point to point they do the job just fine. If you're looking for something to haul lumber or race Porsches then you probably need something else. The older I get the less interest I have in making a statement on the interstate. I just want to get there with no drama.
Had the pleasure of spending a week with one of these while vacationing in Hawaii last Thanksgiving week. Perfectly fine vehicle, the only annoyance was the blind spot warning lamps at the base of the a-pillar instead of out on the mirrors. The CVT didn't make any weird noises or strange jerks, if you didn't know the "shift" points were artificial you would swear it had a traditional automatic. It's just that for my money, a Malibu seems to do everything just a bit better. And the latest Camry is seriously impressive. I haven't driven an Accord yet, but to me it beats the Altima on looks and, well it's a Accord. Nothing about the Altima screams or even whispers "take my money!" But it's a perfectly competent appliance for sure, at least brand new.
EDIT: I really liked the color though. 
Apropos of nothing, where is that fighter jet on a stick located? I've seen it before but I can't remember where.
I had a Maxima as a rental car for a week. I didn't even know Nissan still made Maximas until I got it. It was really nice, maybe not as nice as my Accord hybrid but in the same neighborhood. I would daily one without hesitation.
There was a time when Nissan built a sweet 3.5 liter, V6, three peddle Altima......people actually said....that's a cool Altima....
MadScientistMatt said:Any signs that Nissan has fixed the CVT reliability issues that plagued earlier Latinas, or failing that, do they offer a manual?
This is in my top ten favorite autocorrect fails.
wae said:MadScientistMatt said:Any signs that Nissan has fixed the CVT reliability issues that plagued earlier Latinas, or failing that, do they offer a manual?
This is in my top ten favorite autocorrect fails.
💀
I work with a girl who is the poster child for bad decision making. When her beat up Hyundai finally died last year guess what she came to work in the next week. I'll give you one guess.
In reply to Peabody :
A diesel Mercedes?
Every time I get in a Nissan its.... inoffensive? But just an also ran. If I'm shopping for an appliance car its a very logical choice and Nissan isn't it. These days if I'm taking a chance on a 2nd string car it'll probably be one of the Koreans.
Do they still enjoy inhaling their own catalytic converters?
As soon as you ruin your credit you can buy one...
And roll your negative equity onto the high interest loan...
Don't forget the extended warranty...
While you're making poor financial decisions...
That way all of us judging you for driving an Altima are justified...
Is there any reason to buy one of these instead of an Accord, a Camry, a Civic, or an Elantra? Those are my go to recommendations for people who need "just a car." Like, does it outperform those in even a single area? From your write-up it's not clear that it does.
I just picked one up yesterday as a rental. It's comfortable, quiet, and it's not ugly like a Lexus. I wouldn't buy one, because I trust Nissan's quality about as much as most domestic products today, but I can see why they sell a bunch of them (bad credit buyers aside).
06HHR (Forum Supporter) said:Had the pleasure of spending a week with one of these while vacationing in Hawaii last Thanksgiving week. Perfectly fine vehicle, the only annoyance was the blind spot warning lamps at the base of the a-pillar instead of out on the mirrors. The CVT didn't make any weird noises or strange jerks, if you didn't know the "shift" points were artificial you would swear it had a traditional automatic. It's just that for my money, a Malibu seems to do everything just a bit better. And the latest Camry is seriously impressive. I haven't driven an Accord yet, but to me it beats the Altima on looks and, well it's a Accord. Nothing about the Altima screams or even whispers "take my money!" But it's a perfectly competent appliance for sure, at least brand new.
EDIT: I really liked the color though.
I don't know, the new Accord is pretty offensive. It's bland looks, cheap styling, CVT only, and no hi-po engine option, it's a pretty disappointing model now.
I was also found it unoffensive as a rental tooling around Florida. The seats fit me fairly well, my only concern was for how well they would last long term.
Now the Pacifica I had in California was a pleasure to haul six people around in, other than the scary noises from the hybrid drive-train.
The Altima itself isn't the true issue, though I do find the car subpar at best. As has been said, it's the people driving them...spare tire, tape in place of a rear window, expired temp tag, smashed fender, bumper half hanging off, weaving through traffic at 90mph while marijuana smoke pours out the driver window that's the problem.
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