MICHGoBlue

I hope I can contribute something rational to this thread.

My mother owns both an Altima 2.5 and Impreza 2.5.

The first thing I notice having driven both of these vehicles is that the Altima's suspension is a little... jiggly.

There is no question that the Altima's steering feels a bit sharper compared to the Subaru, and feels a bit more agile and quicker, however, even on a highway, there's never really a cruise comfort most people look for in a family sedan, as the car feels like it's constantly... jiggling. Can't describe it, can't exactly call it a rough ride, but it definitely isn't as smooth as most of the cars in that class.

Don't get me wrong, it's not uncomfortable for a normal commute, but it will get tiresome on a long roadtrip.

On the other hand, I'd really recommend an Impreza or a Legacy with the 2.5 engine. Nothing exciting as far as driving experience go, but the ride is far more comfortable, feels roomier, and despite AWD, under my mom's slow driving, both returned the same mpg.

But since an AWD sedan wasn't on the list of the cars they were looking at, I'd probably go with the Camry. I know it's hard for some members here to fathom, but some people just want a comfortable daily driver instead of a fun car to drive

ArXate

I love the sarcastic tone. You mind expending some energy to do your own research?

The reality is I don't need to share a source. Because there are too many out there to count. I'm talking about virtually every magazine article from the reputable big name magazines out there since 2002. There is absolutely incredible consistency in comments across the entire Nissan lineup from the compact to the midsize to the SUV's to the trucks, including all the Infinitis.

Threads in this very forum talked about these points since 2003. Of course, there was huge debate in those threads back since the early 2000's on this forum. The people making these points were trying to say back then that there was no point in even debating. But unsurprisingly, human beings tend to take things personally, even comments about cars that are not in the least bit personal.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

good info!

my problem with camry isn't that i, personally, can't fathom someone wanting a comfy ride........it's that the camry's ride is SO comfy, it's dangerous like, the brakes are SO squishy and the suspension is SO floaty, i felt like a ticking time bomb on the highway...one wrong move, one person cutting me off requiring an evasive maneuver would most certainly result in a crash. the others in this class don't seem to be that soft to me.

NotAPreppie

Tayler

iTrader: (1)

Sheesh, I was being serious. In an effort to keep the thread on topic if you had a specific article in mind that highlighted the shortcomings of their R&D I'd be interested in the link if you could PM me.

I'd agree that Ford has been putting out an impressive lineup lately. Finally figured out that their Euro line was superior to the crap they were rolling out here.

ArXate

Research is considerably easier now with the internet than in the old days. Do a search online ON ANY NISSAN MODEL since the early 2000's. Look for consistency of comments. It won't be difficult because there is incredible consistency.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

the burden of proof is always on the one who is making the claim. You don't see any district attorneys accusing people of murder and then asking the defense attorney to prove that their client is the murderer. (that clearly would be idiotic)

You're probably right but back your claim up or you'll continue to appear to be the douchy troll you are.

dillsrotary

Its the same lines as the renesis fails after 40,000 miles, people only report the bad stuff.

BTW welcome to the internet

REsuperD

geeeeez, relax...


another one to consider might be the subie legacy. awd is not necessary in san jose, but it's a decent car and a better alternative to the altima

CarAndDriver

I am going to go car looking/shopping again with them this weekend. They are going to look at the Sonata. I may drag them to look at the Fusion.

I agree with the comments about the basic Camry - about it being way too soft, floaty, and indecisive. I had them look at the Camry SE, which comes up with a firmer suspension.

I may have them look at the Subaru Legacy as well. At least I haven't said Malibu or any Chrysler junk or Galant.

IMO, the Altima is not perfect - the interior is purely functional. It is not a very pretty interior, but then at least it's not a button explosion like the Accord or awash in ugly silver/green like in the Camry. Would prefer a 6A over the CVT, but they didn't seem to mind. The Altima does seem to have "very good" reliability (if you believe Consumer Reports charts) and its toward the end of the product cycle so things are hopefully all worked out.

Also a lot of the other cars are not having end of year rebates at the moment and are having financing specials. My brother does need the financing so cash is king. A lot of the cars with no rebates are ending up $1500-2000+ more which is a lot nowadays for two elementary school teachers with two kids.

ArXate

Not if the "claim" is not a new claim but rather is old news. Would you agree?

But let's get back on topic. The OP wants our opinions on a certain car. I've given my opinion. You don't have to agree with it but you still shouldn't attack me. I thought I was trying to help the OP help his brother avoid what IMO would be a big mistake. It wasn't my intention to come in here to match wits and compare dick sizes with loose-triggered and unstable internet cowboys on ego trips looking for an argument. But if that's what crosses my path, I'm going to respond in turn.

Tayler

iTrader: (1)

2010 Nissan Altima Sedan - Car & Driver First Drive Review

2010 Nissan Altima Sedan - Road & Track Driving Impressions

Quick Spin: 2010 Nissan Altima a well-mannered sedan without surprises - AutoBlog

First three reviews seemed pretty positive to me, but what do these hack job operations know? A good value buy, which sounds like the kind of thing the OP was looking for in the first place. I doubt there's going to be any canyon runs on the way to pick up the kids from soccer practice.

CarAndDriver

Thanks for the links. Hadn't read the RT and Autoblog one.

The Autoblog pics are pretty close to what they are going to get except delete the leather and premium stereo. Same color - Ocean Gray.

Really wish the car came with 17" rims as part of the packages instead of the 16"s.

Yeah, no canyon running around the town and highway car. Work and errands.

RufusVonStorm

1. They break

2. Poor interior materials quality

3. You could get a Honda/Toyota for not too much more money

Unless it's a GT-R or 370Z I don't get the value proposition

Tayler

iTrader: (1)

I'd point you to the three reviews previously listed. I don't disagree with your other opinions.

ArXate

I have already cited the first two articles, which are just brief glimpses of the Altima sedan and are not detailed at all about anything technical, although both articles mention the ride positively.

The 3rd article is the only one of the three that is completely superficial and entirely positive. Brief glimpse introduction-to-a-new-year-car are oftentimes like this, which is they focus on objective description and positive comments and refrain from negative comments.

mushkid

iTrader: (6)

how about an acura? my type-s after taxes was 25k

Tayler

iTrader: (1)

Where exactly did you cite the articles in question? You've posted information regarding the COUPE. This is a conversation about the SEDAN. A coupe comparison is going to be slanted toward the enthusiast which is obviously not what the OP is dealing with.

ArXate

You are incorrect. Please correct yourself.

dillsrotary

He's right though

Tayler

iTrader: (1)

You made mention of the sedan reviews but omitted them because they're positive. Instead you post the coupe reviews that have no business in this thread, something you share in common. You're allowed to have an opinion but without providing another option for the OP you end up sounding like a moron. We get it, you don't like Nissan.

ArXate

Your post is way off base. You seem so focused on countering me that your thinking is not clear. And I believe this bias or premise may have prevented you from reading the posts in this thread THOROUGHLY or you're just not a thorough person anyway.

At that time, early in the first page, I did not know he was interested in the sedan when I posted the individual writer comments from Automobile Magazine.

When the OP reported he is interested in the sedan and that there were mostly positive reviews, I did a search and found the two articles (and others) and stated they are not detailed in any technical way and should not be taken seriously because they are very superficial. Furthermore, as stated in my post in the second page, those kinds of "first takes" or "brief glimpses" oftentimes are almost like mini advertisements for virtually any car from any manufacturer they are written about.

Your assertion that I did not cite those two articles is incorrect. Now you're changing your tune that I didn't post the two articles in this thread, which is completely different from not citing the articles. You're trying to muddle two different issues into one to defend yourself, which is quite ridiculous.

Two issues here you should not mix up. First, did I cite those two articles before you ever gave the links? Yes I did. Second, did I give equal billing? No I did not, but not because I'm biased against Nissan. The OP already stated that the reviews on the sedan are mostly positive, so I did a search and found several and concluded they can not be taken too seriously despite being positive because they are so superficial (Yahoo Autos, Edmunds, etc.). In that post, I also cite the Road & Track and Car and Driver short glimpses and assert they also can not be taken too seriously despite being positive. The entire post is in response to generally positive reviews on the sedan. In contrast, the Automobile Magazine commentators were very detailed in their criticisms. Those latter two sedan articles are typical industry tidbit first glimpses that might as well be manufacturer advertisements, which is different from the Automobile Mag reviewers.

You've got to go about this with more clarity because it's really not that complex or controversial. The OP and you feel those positive sedan reviews can be taken at face value. I don't feel those reviews can be taken at face value. I feel the Automobile Mag criticisms (although they are of the COUPE) are very detailed and directed, and I feel a level of confidence in what those guys are saying, especially David Zenlea.

On a more general level, I do not feel I can trust the engineering in Nissan cars for reasons spanning almost a decade. An analogy might be whether or not Americans feel they can trust big banks or BP.

ArXate

BTW, other carmakers appear to be following the Nissan cost-cutting model, specifically cutting R & D on the platform and suspension. What I have been able to track so far, believe it or not, include Honda and BMW (at least in my analysis). I'm not talking about saving money on the interiors, which everyone has been doing for a while, including Mazda.

Has anyone read reviews of the Honda Insight and BMW Z4? The review comments/criticisms on the ride and suspension are consistent and frighteningly similar to the review comments of Nissans since 2002. The writers even suggest it is as if they were halfway done with R & D and ran out of time and had to put the car on the market. I've always preferred Honda engineering over Toyota's but now I would choose a Prius over the Insight. I love the exterior of the BMW Z4 but there is no way I would buy it now.

Has anyone in here been tracking these kinds of things?

Tayler

iTrader: (1)

If you followed your own advice you'd see that the OP stated that his brother was looking for a sedan BEFORE YOU POSTED. As far as the reviews let me share a couple quotes from the AutoBlog article that may help you understand where I'm coming from.

"As expected, it drives identical to the 2009 model -- meaning the sedan is comfortable and confident around town, and relaxed on the highway."
"With more than 60 percent of the curb weight over the front wheels, and a suspension tuned for comfort, the front-wheel drive Altima four-door will never be confused with a performance sedan _ but that was never its mission."

If the car has a smooth ride and performs well in crash testing what else are you looking for?

2tone

iTrader: (3)

omfg arxate, seriously, stop posting here. you consistently haven't shared any relevant sources with us, and your opinion has been stated, and restated, and restated...like others said, we get it, you've made your point. this isn't a thread about converting people to your beliefs...a fellow forum member just asked for a little insight into a couple cars. now stfu, you're ruining the entire point of this thread. jesus christ.