With my wife totaling her 04 Maxima, I found myself forced into the new car purchasing market. In a recent thread, I discussed my dilemma with the 3.5 color options. This being the forth Altima I purchase, going from a 3.5 to a 2.5 had me concerned.
In the end, I decided on the Sahara Tan 2.5. Monday, being the first full day of using the car and accumulating 182 miles, I have not once found myself saying I needed more power. It took a little getting used to the CVT but the 2.5 seems to have plenty power and pickup.
The car body seems to be noticeably stiffer than previous Altimas. Handling in curves is not quite as good as my former 3.5 but not enough to be a negative for me. As I get older, I think I appreciate a slightly softer ride anyway.
My only complaint so far is with the Bluetooth. If I am listening to the stereo at a higher volume and an incoming call comes in, the stereo is muted. When the call is ended, the stereo comes back on at the last set volume. If it was turned up kind of high, it can scare you if you did not remember it was turned up. I wish the stereo would come back on to a lower set volume.
I do like the variable power steering and the way it stiffens up as speed increases. I did find the location of the emergency brake to be odd. I am not sure the reasoning for putting it back my the brake pedal instead of a center console handle like previous Altimas. I have not seen a foot operated emergency brake pedal in a car in a long long time.
During my color choice versus engine choice crisis, I decided to test drive a 2012 Accord V6. First impression of the interior was that it was somewhat nicer than the Altima. Fit and finish were equal as was the quality of the materials. The Accord just seemed more refined however.
I had three issues with the Accord ergonomics. First issue was the door area where the the inside panel meet the glass. When I drive, I like to rest my elbow on the door. There is no "ledge" on the door panel where it meets the window to rest my elbow. My second alternative is to rest my elbow on the door's armrest. Problem there is that the arm rest is set too low. To rest my elbow there would require me to lean over to the left.
The third issue I noticed during my test drive is with the seat belt latch. It is positioned too low making it difficult to buckle the seat belt. It was like my butt was covering the latch. On the Altima, the latch is sticking up higher. This does not sound like a big deal on the surface but getting in and out of your car 15 times a day, this would get aggravating real quick.
Other than that, the Accord seemed a little boring to drive but felt very solid. Of course that is how it is designed.
WHAAAAAT??? I can't believe wild willy made a post without criticizing the CVT. Wait for it, I know it's coming.
I've always been a fan of the interior of Honda/Acura. I just don't like the family sedan exterior. The Altima looks mean in that regard. The 2012 Camry has a really nice interior now. The exterior looks alright, if you get the sporty model. My coworker just got one. Black with black interior and gun metal wheels. They've stepped it up a bit from the last gen.
Personally, I would have waited to find a 3.5 in the color I wanted, but you were in a bind considering the wife or you were without car. I can't stand the way a 2.5 sounds when it starts, when its driving, or when it is idling at a stop light. I had a coupe for a few days when I had my car in for maintenance and repair a while back. And my wife had one while her 07 Maxima was getting serviced. I figured if I was paying $20k+ for a car, I was gonna get what I wanted. It wasn't powerful enough for me. Even my wife agreed with the assessment. She actually like the Cube better than the Altima, but said they both sucked. Only VQs this this family.
The Accord interior is a lot busier than ours, but I think it's much better looking and refined. Personally I thought the seats in the Accord are way better as well. The V6 Accord's major downfall is the VCM. The 6-4-3 transition in the 08 model was very noticeable to me, which turned me away from it. I figured they would've corrected that by now, but my fiance's mom has a loaded 2011 v6, and I drove it a few weeks ago and you can still notice it, so I'm glad I didn't buy one back in 08. While the interior of the loaded Accord blows away my loaded Altima, I know that I couldn't live with Honda's VCM. Plus I love the side profile of the 3.5SE. Very sporty and aggressive.
WHAAAAAT??? I can't believe wild willy made a post without criticizing the CVT. Wait for it, I know it's coming.
I've always been a fan of the interior of Honda/Acura. I just don't like the family sedan exterior. The Altima looks mean in that regard. The 2012 Camry has a really nice interior now. The exterior looks alright, if you get the sporty model. My coworker just got one. Black with black interior and gun metal wheels. They've stepped it up a bit from the last gen.
Personally, I would have waited to find a 3.5 in the color I wanted, but you were in a bind considering the wife or you were without car. I can't stand the way a 2.5 sounds when it starts, when its driving, or when it is idling at a stop light. I had a coupe for a few days when I had my car in for maintenance and repair a while back. And my wife had one while her 07 Maxima was getting serviced. I figured if I was paying $20k+ for a car, I was gonna get what I wanted. It wasn't powerful enough for me. Even my wife agreed with the assessment. She actually like the Cube better than the Altima, but said they both sucked. Only VQs this this family.
it's a 4 door plain jane family car. 4 cylinder or 6. And im pretty sure you are only legally alloued to drive the speed limit. but anyway...... I completley understand that getting what you want is important, im with you there. ppl want different things, like the short guys with small D*&^% that drive lifted up 4wd's in the city. lol It makes no sence..... but it makes them feel better, and thats what is important.
BUt ya, the 2.5 altima's suck. better off with a 3.5 that has a worse reliability rating and burns more fuel.
God bless America
__________________
2007 Altima 2.5S
OEM spoiler
Rust proofed
Pioneer deck/satelliteradio
aluminum kick plates
245/45 R18 Kumho's on 3rd Gen Maximum 18"s
Two baby seats
Thank you. The first gen QR is quite possibly one of the worst 4cyl engines ever built. I know, I owned one. The second gen is better, but is about as unrefined as it gets, not to mention it's MPG isn't as great as all you 2.5 owners claim. I'll gladly take a 2-3mpg hit for a 3.5 instead of a shit 2.5
it's a 4 door plain jane family car. 4 cylinder or 6. And im pretty sure you are only legally alloued to drive the speed limit. but anyway...... I completley understand that getting what you want is important, im with you there. ppl want different things, like the short guys with small D*&^% that drive lifted up 4wd's in the city. lol It makes no sence..... but it makes them feel better, and thats what is important.
BUt ya, the 2.5 altima's suck. better off with a 3.5 that has a worse reliability rating and burns more fuel.
God bless America
I don't see Nissans 4 banger on any of these lists....But you will find the VQ.....and find it often
THe Wards best engine list is nice. Especially if you only wanted to own a vehicle for two months. Because those results were calculated in a two month testing period.
Im cheap, and the only thing I care about is that the enigine maintains it's compression and "RUNS" for about 10 years or so. SO the whole 2 month test thing doesn't really address my needs or concerns.
The 08 2.5S on this forum with 200miles is a better indicator for my judgement. ANd with 133kms on my 07 I don't have to add oil to the enigine in between oil changes, which is a better sign of a well built engine in my books then a 2 month test of a new car.
Ive always found inline engines more reliable, but thats just my opinion. Yes im sure the v6 is smoother sounding , funner to drive. But thats not what im looking for when im purchasing a daily driver.
sorry to the op, this thread is way off topic and likely my fault. Just find some ppl are so opinionated on here.
Thank you. The first gen QR is quite possibly one of the worst 4cyl engines ever built. I know, I owned one. The second gen is better, but is about as unrefined as it gets, not to mention it's MPG isn't as great as all you 2.5 owners claim. I'll gladly take a 2-3mpg hit for a 3.5 instead of a shit 2.5
which explains why about 80% of altima's sold are of the 2.5 variety.
well no shit Einstein. that's like saying ask 10 people with a 2 bedroom house if they could get a four bedroom for the same price and 9 of them would say yes.
Not really....you say they pick the 2.5 because of how great it is and how wonderful the mpg is............I say it's cause they are cheap, broke or both. The 2.5 Shakes like Michael J Fox upon start up......................I had a 2012 as a loaner....Not impressed with the 4 banger....not at all
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