Topic: Test Drive: 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SR

[Autos_Editor]

'It's an easy car to like,' says Jil McIntosh, 'but just too expensive for its market.'

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[theonlydt]

8.8 is pretty impressive given the performance available. Always liked the look of the Altima.

[tpl]

Looking at it and reading the review I'd spend the extra $10K and buy a G37.    In the unlikely event of buying a Nissan at all.

[Winterpeg]

I guess this would be another "sporty" type car. Nice riding with decent handling but just don't take it to LeMans Speedway anytime soon.  

[nlm]

I always found the Altima coupe styling to be pudding meh. I'd take the Accord coupe instead even without the price advantage. But if I were to buy something with only two doors I'd get something sportier overall.

[richink]

$41,328? Wholly sticker shock Batman! There's half a dozen sporty coupes that my money would be on long before this. While Altima's are as about as inoffensive as you can get for an every day pedestrian car, this is grossly overpriced.

[quadzilla]

My tester’s navigation screen was a $2,900 option and the CVT was an additional $1,300.

Please tell me you get more than just a nav screen for $2900.

How many other coupes are available with this much power and 6 speed manual?

[richink]

How many other coupes are available with this much power and 6 speed manual?

Plenty of them. Mustang, Camaro, Challenger and later this year both itterations of Genesis coupe will have more bang under the hood and they can all be bought that way for cheaper.

[CanuckS2K]

My tester’s navigation screen was a $2,900 option and the CVT was an additional $1,300.

Please tell me you get more than just a nav screen for $2900.

Unfortunately not.......unless you count the aux A/V ports as an extra.  Ridiculously overpriced for a nav package.  The Nav package in my Edge was $500. 

I'd take a base G long before this.  Most of the Alty coupes that I've seen on the road are the 2.5.

[richink]

Ridiculously overpriced for a nav package.  The Nav package in my Edge was $500. 

Ford has their NAV packages priced right. Most manufacturers are like highway robbers with those.

[blur911]

How many other coupes are available with this much power and 6 speed manual?

Plenty of them. Mustang, Camaro, Challenger and later this year both itterations of Genesis coupe will have more bang under the hood and they can all be bought that way for cheaper.

Plus they drive the right wheels.

[Frontier1]

I see lots of them out there, way more than the Accord coupe.  Great car for the "mano-pausal" crowd.   Everytime I see one it seems to be a guy in his mid to late 50's.

[Jaeger]

The heading sums it up for me.  Nice ride, but much too pricey. I do like the styling, though - which won't shock anyone that knows I used to own the sedan version.

I can't say this would even be on the radar were I looking for a coupe right now.  Mustang and Genesis make a much more compelling case for my $$.  And the upcoming Toyobaru siblings would merit a close look as well.

Jaeger

[richink]

How many other coupes are available with this much power and 6 speed manual?

Plenty of them. Mustang, Camaro, Challenger and later this year both itterations of Genesis coupe will have more bang under the hood and they can all be bought that way for cheaper.

Plus they drive the right wheels.

[tortoise]

Looking at it and reading the review I'd spend the same$ for a lightly used CPO G37.   

[5 Wheel Drive]

Arguably better looking than the Accord Coupe?  I think that's the other way around.  I think the Accord Coupe is much better looking of the 2.  It has a much nicer interior as well.  IMHO anyway...

But, if it was my $$$ being spent on a coupe in the price range, I'd probably be looking at a Mustang.  I really liked the one I looked saw at the Montreal Auto Show.

[ArticSteve]

Arguably a better-looking car than the Accord,

Really 

[tpl]

Looking at it and reading the review I'd spend the same$ for a lightly used CPO G37.   

not my exact quote  but I see your point. A cpo G37 would be a more efficient use of the money.     Me myself and I would buy a NEW G37

[Jaeger]

Arguably better looking than the Accord Coupe?  I think that's the other way around.  I think the Accord Coupe is much better looking of the 2.  It has a much nicer interior as well.  IMHO anyway...

No point arguing aesthetics, but what I really don't like about the Accord Coupe is that it is freaking huge.  It's not only bigger than the Altima Coupe, it's bigger than the Altima Sedan.  It's real advantage over the Altima is a much better manual shifter.  Not that it matters much - I wouldn't be a buyer for either one.

I find comparisons with used cars to be less than informative.  For any dollar amount you spend on just about any car new, you will be able to buy a more upscale car used.  I'm not sure than many people shopping new are really considering used anyway - but the guys in the business would know better than me.

Jaeger

[ArticSteve]

No point arguing aesthetics,

I agree with that.  I'm just surprised that an automotive journalist would phrase it that way.  Main issue I find with the Altima coupe is; it's cramped.  Accord has a bit more breathing room.  Keeping in mind that both of these units are FWD appliance type vehicles.