CD Article: 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5S

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

The redesigned Nissan Altima has the sportier feel and responses of the Honda Accord and the kind of quiet interior most would associate with a Camry, but comes with a more attractive price-tag than either of those cars, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.   Its 175-hp four-cylinder engine is "refined" and "powerful enough for everyday driving," and "interior space is very good too, despite a wheelbase that's an inch shorter than the outgoing Altima's."
   
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[Leviathan]

old-style hinges that threaten to squish your cargo every time you close the trunk.

Yech.

[leebenj]

With freight, an Accord SE automatic comes in at $29,060 and a Camry LE with the Package B option group is worth a surprising $32,621, according to Toyota Canada's website.

The MSRP for a Camry LE w/ Package B is $27,200.  $32,621 includes freight & PDI ($1,240), AC Tax ($100), fuel tax ($75), GST ($1,716.90) and PST ($2,289.20 @ 8%).  I don't think we would see so many Camries on the road if it is priced at $3000+ more than similarly equipped competitors.

[grumbo]

I like the look of this vehicle and were seriously looking at it, until we tried the back seat. The leg room sucks. Don't care what the specs say, if you get in the back, and have the seat back nowhere near as good as an Accord, Camry or Sonata. Your feet will not slide under the front seat, when in the rear making it extremely uncomfortable. That was the end of that vehicle for us.
If the rear leg room is not a big deal to you though this sure is a slick car.
Ended up buying a Hyundai Sonata GLS I4 this past week. $27,700 all taxes PDI out the door. So far we're very happy with the car.

Cheers,
Grumbo

[chrischasescars]

With freight, an Accord SE automatic comes in at $29,060 and a Camry LE with the Package B option group is worth a surprising $32,621, according to Toyota Canada's website.

The MSRP for a Camry LE w/ Package B is $27,200.  $32,621 includes freight & PDI ($1,240), AC Tax ($100), fuel tax ($75), GST ($1,716.90) and PST ($2,289.20 @ 8%).  I don't think we would see so many Camries on the road if it is priced at $3000+ more than similarly equipped competitors.

You're right! I inadvertently included the tax in the Camry's price. Camry's price should be $28,615. It's been changed. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Juke1]

How tall are you? 6'9?  I found the room plenty.  This is one of the best looking sedan on the road right now, I've driven the Camry and Accord and the interior of the new Altima is superior, I've noticed poor fitting and bad gaps in both these cars.  The glove box door looks terrible in the Accord and the centre compartment flip door of both the Camry and Accord was terribly fitted.  There are still both very nice cars, as for the Sonata instrument panel that's nothing to write home about, but that may change soon.

[airbalancer]

How tall are you? 6'9?  I found the room plenty.  This is one of the best looking sedan on the road right now, I've driven the Camry and Accord and the interior of the new Altima is superior, I've noticed poor fitting and bad gaps in both these cars.  The glove box door looks terrible in the Accord and the centre compartment flip door of both the Camry and Accord was terribly fitted.  There are still both very nice cars, as for the Sonata instrument panel that's nothing to write home about, but that may change soon.

Hey, everyone is built different
If he did not like it end of story
 

[jww]

Looks to be an improvement in many ways, but not in others. The rear seatbelts in my 02 Altima had the same unexplicable lock-up problems, and I crushed many a grocery bag or small box due to the large, protruding trunk hinges - manufacturers need to get away from hinges on trunks. I am surprised to hear from some posters that the rear seat area is compromised - that was one of the big selling points for us when we bought ours, you could just about have a party in the back of the previous model.

Hearing that Nissan have done something about sound insulation is a good thing - the cabin in ours was very noisy - even in the city.

I am starting to see more and more new Altimas on the road - one wonders how many people are going to buy a Maxima so long as Nissan keeps improving the Altima?

[JSCC]

Make the Maxima larger, softer with more luxury features.
And compete with the Toyota Avalon.

[grumbo]

How tall are you? 6'9?  I found the room plenty.  This is one of the best looking sedan on the road right now, I've driven the Camry and Accord and the interior of the new Altima is superior, I've noticed poor fitting and bad gaps in both these cars.  The glove box door looks terrible in the Accord and the centre compartment flip door of both the Camry and Accord was terribly fitted.  There are still both very nice cars, as for the Sonata instrument panel that's nothing to write home about, but that may change soon.

Nope not 6'9"...
The Altima is nice, but couldn't get past the leg room. It was the fact your feet couldn't slide under the back of the front seat. Never noticed that in any other car. Very uncomfortable for me.
As for the Sonata instrument panel, looks fine to me, but I guess that is pretty subjective
If I wanted the "perfect" car, I am sure I wouldn't be looking at any of the cars mentioned. Leg room was a deal breaker for me.
YMMV

Cheers,
Grumbo

[Mitlov]

Make the Maxima larger, softer with more luxury features.
And compete with the Toyota Avalon.

I'm not sure it needs to be that much softer--I think the Maxima should remain sportier than cars like the Avalon and Azera--but I agree that Nissan needs to turn it into a large sedan to differentiate it from the new Altima.

[Mitlov]

The Altima is nice, but couldn't get past the leg room. It was the fact your feet couldn't slide under the back of the front seat. Never noticed that in any other car. Very uncomfortable for me.

Can't do that in my Legacy either.

[2latecrew]

Make the Maxima larger, softer with more luxury features.
And compete with the Toyota Avalon.

I'm not sure it needs to be that much softer--I think the Maxima should remain sportier than cars like the Avalon and Azera--but I agree that Nissan needs to turn it into a large sedan to differentiate it from the new Altima.

Maxima lost its way big time after the 5th generation. (2000 redesign)

It started as a sports sedan and kept getting bigger and softer until now they have elininated the manual and its really more a Japanse Grand Prirx GTP. Big heavy powerful but no feel or sport.

I don't know where they can fit it anymore. The price is bumping so close to a G35 now. Who wants to pay that kinda $ for a FWD car in that class. Honda has the ACURA TL, Toyota has a the Lexus  300 FWD,

I think the Maxima is now the answer to a question no one is asking.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The car looks pretty good, certainly more dramatic than most other cars in the class, and I actually really like that black interior. The vast majority of beiges and greys are so very plasticy and boring.

[hartotis]

test drove an '07 with CVT and 2.5 engine a couple of weeks ago. Came away very impressed, the CVT is quite a different experience compared to other automatics. Currently driving an '03 Altima with 5 speed manual and the '07 is quite an improvement. Interior materials are much improved and the car is much quieter on the road. Probably going to step up and get a new one.

[jww]

test drove an '07 with CVT and 2.5 engine a couple of weeks ago. Came away very impressed, the CVT is quite a different experience compared to other automatics. Currently driving an '03 Altima with 5 speed manual and the '07 is quite an improvement. Interior materials are much improved and the car is much quieter on the road. Probably going to step up and get a new one.

You must be having a positive experience all-round with your 03 Altima to be prepared to go with another one. My experience wasn't horrific, but small annoying things going wrong enough that I have been put off even the new Altima until it has proven itself in the mid to long term.

I kind of like the snoopy-looking nose treatment. It's quirky and unique looking, while not being totally out there.

[MKII]

test drove an '07 with CVT and 2.5 engine a couple of weeks ago. Came away very impressed, the CVT is quite a different experience compared to other automatics. Currently driving an '03 Altima with 5 speed manual and the '07 is quite an improvement. Interior materials are much improved and the car is much quieter on the road. Probably going to step up and get a new one.

Did the rear suspension feel upgraded in the 2007.  This is IMO a weak area for Nissan/Infiniti.

[jww]

...
Did the rear suspension feel upgraded in the 2007.  This is IMO a weak area for Nissan/Infiniti.

Particularly so when the previous model Altima had quite a significant recall on the entire rear superstructure.

[hartotis]

The '07 I test drove did feel a lot more solid than my '03. It just felt more planted than mine. With the improvement in the handling and the smoothness of the CVT I came away very impressed.

[Benhaze]

I'm a little surprised the CVT option cost $1200. Considering the low part content/complexity of a CVT transmission, I would expect it to cost significantly less than a conventional auto trans. Nissan is obviously pricing it the same as competitors’ auto trans options but I believe it missed an opportunity to stand out.

I personally don't like CVT transmissions and knowing I'm being charged as much as a 5-speed auto would only make things worse.

It seems the vehicle was otherwise significantly improved although I prefer the exterior design of the previous model. This car looks better in picture than it really is IMO. I find the statement from the author that the new Altima is an evolution of the 2002 model misleading considering it is built on a brand new chassis.

the buckles back there also tended to fall between the seat cushions when not in use.

Trunk space, though, is only average, with big intrusions for the rear wheels and old-style hinges that threaten to squish your cargo every time you close the trunk.

I do appreciate the Mazda6 trunk struts and its rear seats have an area cut in them where the rear seat belt buckles neatly rest, flush with the seating area when the seat backs are folded. Very well done.