Yesterday I arrived at my local Nissan dealer to see a truck load of Altimas...and a few Xterras. There was 1 V6 Altima on the truck, going to a different dealer. It was on the second row up, so I couldn't see the price. My dealer received 2 4cyl Altimas from this shipment. The base price, according to window, was 22.9k, and the sticker prices were $25,200 and $24,800. Both were autos with leather.

My impressions:
Exterior: Very Very attractive car from outside.. even the 4cyl styly 16in wheels look very good, like you would expect from a 30-45k car.
Interiror: Although bigger than the Max (by stats) it seems smaller than the 2000 Max SE I had (have a 2000 Corvette know & 99 Civic EX), still plenty roomy enough. The dash design was good...don't see were people are complaining about the "cheap, hard plastic"...looked fine to me. The leather is weird to say the least...not like the leather I am used to..smooth. It was bumpy, hard to explain...and different textures on different parts of the seat, looked like vinyl. It my have been the same as on Max...but looks different b/c it was a dark charcoal, while my Max was a neutual leater...but I think its different.

Overall, a very nice car, although pricing was alot higher than I expected. I know the owner of the dealer...and we where going to take one out, but he was in the middle of a deal, and I didn't car to much, since it was just a 4 cyl.

Another note: The redesigned Xterra is awesome. The wheels are "carbon" color, and brushed aluminum look on the dash, a big improvement.

 

wow 23k for a 4 cylinder altima :laugh;
What is nissan thinking? That the people who buy Camrys and Accords will just flock over to Nissan becuase the Altima is a new car with a price tag that is higher then the 4 cylinder accord and Camry? Screw that I would pick the camry and the 02 Camrys are nice. This is one resason I hate Nissan is because of the prices. The base price is low but when you go to the dealer good luck finding something for that price. Altimas are 22 grand??? A altima geez. Rather put in a little more money and get a maxima.

 

true...instead of making the altimas nicer and SO expensive....they should have made it nicer and a slght increase in price...that way thye could compete with the other cars you mentioned....now everybody will be saying what you are, "rather put in a little more money and get a maxima." nissan is pretty stupid...

 

I guess you never looked at the MSRP of the prior Altima. 23K for a loaded 2001 Altima SE with automatic and leather was pretty typical. Now the Altima has grown to the size of the Maxima, has over 15hp more in the base engine and 100hp!!! more in the upgraded engine, and sports a better look and interior. Seeing that the price has hardly changed, I think it's a good deal. Go buy you Accord or Camry and be like the masses, but you'll have a cookie cutter car with okay performance. The Altima is a sweet little ride and I'd take one over a 2002 Maxima SE 6 speed any day.


Dave

 

are you serious?????? i'd understand if you liked it and all..but over the new max??????

 

I'm with Dave here. I could see myself in a 5 dp V6 Altima before a new 6spd Max...

 

c5hardtop: i luv ur car, where ufrom?

 

I'm with both of you guys, I'd prefer to have the beefy six in the Altima aswell. But, my next car won't be japanese anyways so who cares. lol

G

 

Eastern part of North Carolina...Greenville

I had a 2000 Maxima SE... will probably buy anther 02 Max or Altima, thus why I'm here.

 

yes but most people who buy a car in that market dont really care about the hp, they care how long it will go for. The camery is like a tank and no one can say other wise. The previous altima was a lot and i dont know why. YOu cant compare it to the camery because its not the same perios. And the altima is not a little car anymore. Its bigger then the maxima.

 

I think you guys need to take another look at the Altima. The tail lights are my favorite piece. I'd take that car anyday of the week over a Maxima, considering it runs 14.73 in the 1/4. Weird thing is, it is in a class with Camry's and Accords. Does that mean the Maxima is in a class with the TLs? Because that's the I30 and Q45 class.

 

BTW, the new Sentra SE-R in 2003 is another car to look forward to, I'm already saving for it.

 

One can now get a base 2001 Altima for around $15,500. Based on what is being said here, will a base 2002 cost like $19,000??? That would suck, yet it is a much nicer and a totally different car I guess...

 

Oops I meant 2002

 

I also would take the Altima over the max. it's gonna be 5 grand cheaper, and just as fast, with better handling, and a longer platform life. I dont like the tailights on the 02' Maxima either, the Altima has nice ones though.

 

Why does Nissan seem to frequently change its car line compared to other makes? Is it constant re-engineering or are they trying to make all the previous gen owners flock to the dealership again?

 

Greensboro, NC this morning on my way to work, dealer plates, but the funny thing is the car had dark tints all around. It was silver and I pulled up right beside it man that car looked sweeeeet! It had 16's but the pics i've seen don't do it justice. I have to agree, I would definitely take that car over a 2K2 Max, its just a better looking car all around. I think I might hit up my local dealer for a test drive after work today.

 

Traitors! thats what you all are J/k
I just might have to go look at this car but man do I wish it was rwd