Nissan Altima 3.5 SE

[Bidou78]

I have questions about the Nissan Altima that I hope my fellow forum members can help with. If you've seen my previous post you would know that a Lexus IS 250 is my next target car, I have a deposit, a car cost canada report and I am ready to put in the order so that my 09 arrives in October with the first shipment.

My better half may have an eggo that's preggo, which is very cool, but now she wants to be sure that the next car we get is very kid friendly. Big trunk, comfy ride and very safe are her main concerns. She has her heart set on the Altima but always adds in the "It's your choice" at the end of the sentence. Wholesale price for the Altima is $30,082 and you can get an additional factory rebate of $2,000. So all in for $28,082. Add the 3% for the dealer and that's not a bad starting point for a car that used to be in the high 30's.

If I were to consider it, what am I in for? I took it for a test drive and it drives very nice and the 270hp is wicked but should I seriously question the reliability? Is the extended warranty a must?

In the + side, we can be driving the Nissan next week......the same cannot be said about the Lexus.

I was driving a ford focus so any new car feels awesome but I must restrain myself.:lol:

Any advice is appreciated!

[ES_Revenge]

I have questions about the Nissan Altima that I hope my fellow forum members can help with. If you've seen my previous post you would know that a Lexus IS 250 is my next target car, I have a deposit, a car cost canada report and I am ready to put in the order so that my 09 arrives in October with the first shipment.

My better half may have an eggo that's preggo, which is very cool, but now she wants to be sure that the next car we get is very kid friendly. Big trunk, comfy ride and very safe are her main concerns.
Out of curiosity, wouldn't the IS250 be safer than the Altima? Of course I didn't look at the crash ratings, but I know the IS has options like pre-crash, which is safety equipment the Altima would not have.

Is the trunk in the IS250 all that small? And it's a four door so why would it be kid unfriendly compared to the Altima?


She has her heart set on the Altima but always adds in the "It's your choice" at the end of the sentence. Wholesale price for the Altima is $30,082 and you can get an additional factory rebate of $2,000. So all in for $28,082. Add the 3% for the dealer and that's not a bad starting point for a car that used to be in the high 30's.
It's probably always a good idea to spend less on things when you have a kid on the way, sure. So there's one thing.


If I were to consider it, what am I in for? I took it for a test drive and it drives very nice and the 270hp is wicked but should I seriously question the reliability? Is the extended warranty a must?
On the question the reliability and extended warranty part, no I probably wouldn't worry about those. On the "270hp is nice" part, again I would not really consider nearing 300hp in FWD configuration to be all that "safe". IMO it's better putting that power to the rear wheels or to all four (as the IS250 AWD would do, but of course it's not that much power either).


In the + side, we can be driving the Nissan next week......the same cannot be said about the Lexus.
Do you need the car now? Sounds like you were fine waiting before.

[totech]

She has her heart set on the Altima but always adds in the "It's your choice" at the end of the sentence.


As a married man, this statement means that if you choose something else, your life will be hell until we trade it for my choice.

Either car will be fine.

[Kieraw]

Really tick her off by getting the Altima 3.5SE Coupe in 6spd!!

[Mattones]

the Altima has a huge trunk. I wa about it buy an 04 last month. Now I'm considering a Charger insted. Not nearly as large of a trunk but the room in it is great.

[mr_sandman]

I don't know about the 3.5 V6, but stay the hell away from the 2.5 I4, that engine has serious issues!

[fugazi11]

Can't speak for the Altima but you will have serious problems with a car seat in the lexus. Unless both you and your wife are tiny people your knees will be at your chest.

[Engi-Nir]

I sat in the back seat of the Is250 with 2 other guys, we are 5'11" each, and had no problem sitting somewhat comfortably. the 08+ models have thinner front seat back rest to create more space in the back. It is not as comfortable as sitting in an accord

[Nyte]

I don't know about the 3.5 V6, but stay the hell away from the 2.5 I4, that engine has serious issues!

Wasn't that fixed in the 2007 model?

[vaderschariot]

Earlier models (around 2002-04) have problems 2.5 and 3.5.....newer models are fine

[cruzer24]

Both cars are very good IMO. I was heavily looking into an IS250 AWD, before I decided to go with an Acura TSX.

I think the IS250 will drive a lot better, and will be alot nimbler on the road. But the backseat was pretty tight, not sure if they changed it in the 09 model. That's where the Altima will be a lot better. My friends have an Altima Coupe with a baby, and they have no problems with a baby seat.

I'm going to guess the IS250 will be better on fuel consumption, but it will obviously require premium fuel, not sure on the Altima.

There's a pretty big price difference between the 2 depending on which trim of IS250 you get. But if you can get away with it, I'd go with the Lexus. It will retain it's re-sale value a lot longer than the Altima. Plus it's such a smoother ride, but try out the Altima and find out if it feels good as well.

[bembol]

Wasn't that fixed in the 2007 model?

According to NICO it was. I would've told my sister to avoid it then, she had the Coupe 2.5S.

[mrlooneytoon]

I don't know about the 3.5 V6, but stay the hell away from the 2.5 I4, that engine has serious issues!

The 3rd gen 2.5L (2007+) I4 is fine.

[Bidou78]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've decided to wait for the IS250. We did try a carseat in the back the last time we test drove the car and found it was not an issue. It was one of those oversized Eddie Bauer carseats and it seemed to fit pretty good not great but good.

The price difference is not too big, I am just gonna get the base IS/Auto. The cloth seems to be really nice and I was never big into leather plus having a kid in the back seems to make more sense with cloth.

Again, thanx.

[IMHIP2]

The cloth seems to be really nice and I was never big into leather plus having a kid in the back seems to make more sense with cloth.

Until the kid barfs, spills milk or orange juice or leaves a sucker or chocolate on the seat. Then you relize how much easier leather cleans up.

[ichpen]

Until the kid barfs, spills milk or orange juice or leaves a sucker or chocolate on the seat. Then you relize how much easier leather cleans up.

Ditto... You need leather for the kids.. Think melted kitkats, footprints, juice and soccer practice....

[Bidou78]

That's why I have a bissel!:)

[mr_raider]

The cloth seems to be really nice and I was never big into leather plus having a kid in the back seems to make more sense with cloth.

Just strap them down tight. They won't slide around as much.

[Drew_W]

Plus it's such a smoother ride, but try out the Altima and find out if it feels good as well.

The ride of the Lexus can't be matched by anything in this price range. It's quiet and comfortable, and while it's not the pinnacle of smooth, it's really really nice.

[cruzer24]

The ride of the Lexus can't be matched by anything in this price range. It's quiet and comfortable, and while it's not the pinnacle of smooth, it's really really nice.

I totally agree. When I test drove the IS it was a dream to drive. I'm just stating that he might not mind the way the Altima drives.

[ES_Revenge]

The ride of the Lexus can't be matched by anything in this price range. It's quiet and comfortable, and while it's not the pinnacle of smooth, it's really really nice.

Yeah it's pretty good, but who really wants an extra comfortable ride who isn't 60 or older?

[mr_raider]

Yeah it's pretty good, but who really wants an extra comfortable ride who isn't 60 or older?

The IS is pretty firm, compared to the ES at least.

[hotstartup]

Earlier models (around 2002-04) have problems 2.5 and 3.5.....newer models are fine

the 3.5 was rated as one of the 10 best engines made for an everyday car.