Nissan Club is the premier Nissan Forum on the internet. We discuss all Nissan models on the forum. Registered Users do not see the above ads. Please Register - It's Free!
OK, so I finally drove the Altima, and by then, it was virtually pointless to drive the Maxima. I did sit in the Maxima, which was fine, but I didn't feel the need to drive it...yet. I may decide to closer to purchase time (May).
As for my limited experience driving the 3.5SL Altima (all 8 miles of it), I liked it. I thought the seats were comfortable (more so than my '03 Accord). Rear seat room was comparable to my '03 Accord, even though the specs claim the '03 Accord has a full inch more leg room. The Bose is nice, but it's not like I brought my mp3 player, or cranked it up. Push button start was great, but I wish Nissan would have copied the Benz and put the button on the shifter (not that it matters). The controls felt conveniently placed, and the engineering genius who put 3 cupholders in the front should be given a cookie. The ride was more refined than my '03 Accord, and road noise seemed to be slightly less evident than my Accord as well. The CVT was definitely smooth, and it took a lot less getting used to than I thought it would. I can't comment too much on power, since I obviously didn't gun it, but for the 3 miles I was on the highway, it felt good considering I'd be going from a 4-cyl. I didn't feel any torque steer, but again, I didn't accelerate heavily. I didn't notice any considerable noise (rattle, etc) from interior materials, and he actually took me on a bumpy road on purpose (which I thought was interesting for a car salesman to do).
OK, so here are some things I didn't necessarily like. The Navigation map seems less detailed than my Accord's, but I didn't get to play around with it too much. The telescoping steering wheel was a pain, but I've read about that several times. The steering in general felt extremely light, but I guess I might get used to it. The tires seem like crappy continentals, but that's something I'll have to change eventually (better than them rolling the cost of MXV4s into the vehicle price). I thought the foot e-brake was extremely odd, since I haven't had that since my '93 Wrangler. I guess that made room for that extra cupholder!
Anyway, honestly, I liked the Altima a lot, enough that if we were in the middle of May, I probably would have signed on the dotted line. I still plan on driving the Maxima, and I'll probably take the Lincoln MKZ for a spin too.
I think the only things that would make me think twice are the 2009 Maxima and the Hyundai Genesis, but those both have too many question marks at this point. At this point though, Altima is leading the pack. I just don't see much point in buying the 2008 Maxima since memory seats and heated steering wheels aren't that important to me, and I don't like the idea of buying something that is going to be phased out in the next 6 months.
That Genesis looked to be menacingly nice. I think thats going to hurt alot of sales with all the big auto companies including the likes of BMW, Lexus and Benz.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckeegan
OK, so I finally drove the Altima, and by then, it was virtually pointless to drive the Maxima. I did sit in the Maxima, which was fine, but I didn't feel the need to drive it...yet. I may decide to closer to purchase time (May).
As for my limited experience driving the 3.5SL Altima (all 8 miles of it), I liked it. I thought the seats were comfortable (more so than my '03 Accord). Rear seat room was comparable to my '03 Accord, even though the specs claim the '03 Accord has a full inch more leg room. The Bose is nice, but it's not like I brought my mp3 player, or cranked it up. Push button start was great, but I wish Nissan would have copied the Benz and put the button on the shifter (not that it matters). The controls felt conveniently placed, and the engineering genius who put 3 cupholders in the front should be given a cookie. The ride was more refined than my '03 Accord, and road noise seemed to be slightly less evident than my Accord as well. The CVT was definitely smooth, and it took a lot less getting used to than I thought it would. I can't comment too much on power, since I obviously didn't gun it, but for the 3 miles I was on the highway, it felt good considering I'd be going from a 4-cyl. I didn't feel any torque steer, but again, I didn't accelerate heavily. I didn't notice any considerable noise (rattle, etc) from interior materials, and he actually took me on a bumpy road on purpose (which I thought was interesting for a car salesman to do).
OK, so here are some things I didn't necessarily like. The Navigation map seems less detailed than my Accord's, but I didn't get to play around with it too much. The telescoping steering wheel was a pain, but I've read about that several times. The steering in general felt extremely light, but I guess I might get used to it. The tires seem like crappy continentals, but that's something I'll have to change eventually (better than them rolling the cost of MXV4s into the vehicle price). I thought the foot e-brake was extremely odd, since I haven't had that since my '93 Wrangler. I guess that made room for that extra cupholder!
Anyway, honestly, I liked the Altima a lot, enough that if we were in the middle of May, I probably would have signed on the dotted line. I still plan on driving the Maxima, and I'll probably take the Lincoln MKZ for a spin too.
I think the only things that would make me think twice are the 2009 Maxima and the Hyundai Genesis, but those both have too many question marks at this point. At this point though, Altima is leading the pack. I just don't see much point in buying the 2008 Maxima since memory seats and heated steering wheels aren't that important to me, and I don't like the idea of buying something that is going to be phased out in the next 6 months.
That Genesis looked to be menacingly nice. I think thats going to hurt alot of sales with all the big auto companies including the likes of BMW, Lexus and Benz.
Biggest problem with the Genesis is the fact that it will likely get about 15 city / 20 hwy, and that'll be with the V6. I would put the Genesis as a serious possibility if the mpg is reasonable compared to other vehicles I'm looking at. The actual pricing of the Genesis is obviously something else I'll have to consider, since Hyundai is one of 3 manufacturers where I don't get discounts.
OK, so it's coming down to crunch time, with only 6 weeks left until purchase time. I am about 97% sold on the Altima, but something else has come to light. Yet another decision to be made.
I had previously only considered the 3.5SL, simply because I thought the tighter suspension on the SE and the 17s would have a dramatic impact on the ride comfort. Remember, I am a Realtor, and I have clients in my car all the time, so ride quality and comfort are important to me.
Well, I drove a 3.5SL and a 3.5SE yesterday, and I didn't think the difference was all that much. We hit a couple dips, and the SE bounced back quicker, and didn't seem to float, but overall, I thought they were comparable. I have to admit, I definitely like the 17s on the SE though.
So, here's the follow-up question. Unless I'm missing something (in my 6+ months of research), there aren't really any differences between the SE and SL right? Other than suspension and wheels? If you were in my position, would you go with the 3.5SE fully loaded, or the 3.5SL fully loaded? I'm not going to be going through slalom courses, or racing.
PS - The sales manager claimed that the blond interior only has the wood trim on the SL, and that the wood trim is not available with the blond leather interior on the SE. I don't think he's right, but if he is, I think the metallic trim with the blond interior would look stupid. Anyone know if he's right?
Is the Altima Hybrid available in your state/region? As a realtor and all that city driving (I assume), that should be a plus.
You're right about the city driving, just over 12,000 miles per year in the city, and another 6,000 or so on the highway. The hybrid isn't available in my state though, and being a Realtor with a kid means I probably couldn't handle the 10 cu ft trunk in the Hybrid Altima anyway.
If you're in real estate, you just might want to consider the new Murano. Great style, great power and very easy to get in and out of. Plus it has lots of room to haul "stuff".
__________________
2004 Nissan Titan SE King Cab w/ a few mods www.NIODetroit.com
If you're in real estate, you just might want to consider the new Murano. Great style, great power and very easy to get in and out of. Plus it has lots of room to haul "stuff".
I don't haul much stuff, other than clients, and obviously signs, which fit fine with the 60/40 split. I thought about the Murano, but I don't know if I feel like dropping an extra $4,000 up front, and then I'll also get hit with more money at the pump (about $600/year), and I'll get nailed again because the insurance premiums are higher.
I'm sticking with the Altima thought for now though, so what do you think, 3.5SE fully loaded or 3.5SL full loaded?
to fully load an SE it will cost you about 2k more if I remember correctly, and it should be easier to find an SL with nav/VDC/HID lights/ full size spare, and the full size spare is a whole extra alloy wheel, not a black steel wheel
__________________
2007 altima 3.5 SL - nismo exhaust : injen intake : 35% tint : 19" x 8.5" Enkei RP03 w/ 245/35-19 goodyear eagle F1 all-seasons : eibach pro-kit springs:PIAA plasma ion yellow fogs : Stealth turn signal bulbs
to fully load an SE it will cost you about 2k more if I remember correctly, and it should be easier to find an SL with nav/VDC/HID lights/ full size spare, and the full size spare is a whole extra alloy wheel, not a black steel wheel
MSRP on a fully-loaded 3.5SE is $32,405, and it's $32,275 on the fully-loaded 3.5SL. So, it's really not much difference at all. If it was an extra $2k for the SE, then it would be a no-brainer, but since it's only $130 difference...I'm torn.
The 3.5 SE also has larger sway bars to reduce body roll. If your going to haul people around, I would get the 3.5 SL because the 3.5 SE suspension can get a little harsh at times. I know, I own one lol. You hit a nice bump and you will know.
__________________
2007 Altima 3.5 SE 6MT Bone Stock! 14.180@100.16 MPH (70F)
The 3.5 SE also has larger sway bars to reduce body roll. If your going to haul people around, I would get the 3.5 SL because the 3.5 SE suspension can get a little harsh at times. I know, I own one lol. You hit a nice bump and you will know.
Yeah the ride in an SE may be a little stiffer but I bet you couldnt run a quarter mile in 14.1 secons stock in an SL.
Yeah the ride in an SE may be a little stiffer but I bet you couldnt run a quarter mile in 14.1 secons stock in an SL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkgultimate
You don't know that. Plus, he won't be doing any drag racing with the clients in the back.
It isn't a little stiffer, its a lot stiffer. Your clients won't like the ride as much as the SL.
That's what I was afraid of, but that's also what I've been thinking in my 7 months of research.
I sure hate to lose those 17s, but I think a comfortable ride trumps the need for bigger wheels.
I have to add a quick note. Out of pure curiousity, I drove an '08 Hyundai Azera Limited yesterday, and I have to say I was amazed by the quiet ride, and what seemed to be high interior quality from my 15 minute trip around town. The warranty kicks ass, and reliability is higher than Altima according to JD Power, but equal in Consumer Reports. Lower fuel economy in the Azera might be the killer though. I wasn't able to drive one with nav, but my understanding is that it replaces the 6-disc with a single, and it also doesn't have voice recognition, but I don't use the voice recognition that often in my current car. Anyone have any thoughts on Hyundai? I know this is stupid question in a Nissan forum...I can see the next response now: "No VQ"
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
