So my girlfriend and I are looking to get her a new car. We like Nissan's because the price is right. She doesn't want a Maxima becuase the car is too big for her, she prefers a smaller car.

We're looking at 96-99 Sentra's and Altima's. Both are in the price range that we want to be in.

Anyone have pro's or con's to either? Either car would be bought from an individual, so warrenty wouldn't be an issue.

 

Altimas is nice for her..

if you are going to mod.. then get a 200 SX SE-R .. nothing beats that SR20DE Motor.. all motor it can be made faster than a 4th Gen maxima all motor

 

Forgot to mention...no mods...and most likely an automagic, although I'm trying to convince her otherwise.

 

 

Yeah, Altima

The car's almost as big as a maxima on the inside, but compact dimensions on the outside. I'm sure she'd apreciate it

DW

 

One of my friends has a '97ish sentra automatic, and it is pitifully slow.... seriously. And this is coming from me who drives an 82HP Mazda 323, the sentra is literally slower than my 5spd 323. The tranny is so mushy and unresponsive. I would DEFINATELY go for the altima, my aunt had one '96ish, i think, and I liked it a lot. I think they're nice looking cars. Hope this helps.

 

Altima

Way faster than a Sentra, a little bigger and you can still get 30mpg from it and they cost similar right now.

 

Get the Altima, I spent 6 yrs in a 95 Sentra as my sometimes daily driver/all the time winter beater and the performance flat out sucks, you will be sad if you buy an automagic Sentra.

 

Altima!

 

Looks like a landslide victory!

Maxima:cars like it 0
Sentra: People like it 0

 

For the year you quoted, the Sentra was the older style with the dinky powertrain. If I had to pick between a B14 Sentra or Altima, I'd probably pick the Altima because they had the 2.4 in it.

However, the KA24 type engine (2.4L) in the Altima isn't the smoothest of engines but it's definitely better thank the dinky B14 engine.

My recommendation, get a B15 Sentra (2000+) with the SR20 type engine (2.0L displacement) mated to a 5spd. That car is a joy to drive, especially if it has the Sports Package ... FSTB, bigger wheels, etc.

I've driven a B15 Sentra w/ a 2.0 5spd, sheer bliss. Small car, but enough pep you wouldn't regret it. Fuel consumption isn't that great, I think you'd average about 24/31 but that's because they emphasized power over consumption.

It doesn't compare to an A32 though.

My recommendations.

 

Get her a 95 or 96 max.

But between the original options I'd pick Altima.

 

Altima. I had one. They are very reliable. My sister has 150k on hers w/ oil changes every 15,000 miles and no maintenance until recently when my dad started making her do it. It runs perfect though!

 

hold up
depends on what you want the car for!

hehe

I would say altima if you want comfy, no mods.

If you wanna auto-x and stuff, def. the sentra

 

Thanks for the info guys.

We're going this weekend to let her drive both and see which she likes better. I like the Altima, but I'm not real big on the KA24 engine. I had one in my Stanza and it started with lifter ticking at 75k and never went away.

 

It can run 13s N/A?

 

Well, since you will probably drive it too, get something fun and sporty. I suggest maybe a 98 (?) Sentra SE. Its the one with 140hp and sports suspension, ect...

 

Thanks guys. Went and drove both this weekend, and we both agree that the Altima is the way to go.

 

just don't forget that the smaller the car, the less safe you will be in it.