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Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread - READ ONLY

12297 messages,  Last post on Apr 13, 2007 at 12:55 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy, Saturn Aura, Sedan

Messages Page 77 of 1230

#761 of 12297 2007 Altima information... by maxamillion1

Aug 09, 2005 (5:00 pm)

So far, little is known about the next Altima. A few folks over at Altimas.net have gotten to see a prototype of the next model and they tell us that its styling will be VERY evolutionary. It won't be NEARLY as revolutionary as the 3rd generation model. Over at Altimas.net the thread is intitled "Auto study of the 2007 Altima"
 
These folks, who were apart of a session committee, stated that the headlights were a bit taller and less wide, the taillights were still clear, but had more of an Infiniti M35 look to them (not sure I'll like that) and that the interior with or without navigation system would have an screen standard similar to the Accord model. One guy also stated that chrome dual tailpipes will be standard on I4 and V6 models this time around.
 
Bascially there point was that the next Altima would be sportier, not any bigger, and more refined. One guy claimed that the interior was pretty much a similar design but with better interior materials and added refinement. One V6 model was reported to have "push start." That feature didn't prove to be popular in the study session, nor did the cleared new taillights (which one guy stated would be amber again) So the guy over the session stated that "auto hold" and the clear lights may be changed.
 
The car is supposedly going on sale sometime in the Spring of next year, right behind the release of the new Camry. DO NOT be surprised if you don't see spy shots of the next Altima anytime soon. Folks say Honda is good at hiding spy shots, but Nissan is better.
 
Do you guys remember ANY spy shots of the 2002 Altima? I don't. We didn't see that car until it hit the NY Autoshow in April of 2001.
 
The new Sentra is supposed to get here right before the Altima does as well, and not one spy shot has been found of it yet. We probably won't see any thing on these cars until the North American, Chicago and New York Autoshows.
 
I expect the Sentra at NAIAS, and the Altima at NYIAS. Also keep in mind that the Maxima, Quest and Murano will be getting facelifts (and new interiors) for 06 and 07 model years.
 
Alpha,
 
I don't know about your area, but in South Carolina, incentives have been available on the Nissan Altima since 2003. It was $1500 on the 2003s in my area. In 2004, before I got my 05 Altima, 04 Nissan Altimas had incentives of $2000 or 0.9 percent financing. When I bought my 05 Altima there were no incentives at the time, but by mid year a $1000-$1500 cash back incentive or 0.9 percent were available.
 
So discounts have been available (and at times were better) on older Altimas then on newer ones.
 
Although the Altima isn't sold as a coupe *YET* because its coming next year, its sold in much higher numbers to fleet buyers than Accord models. I'm not sure if they sell more Altimas or Camrys to fleets though. (Care to elaborate my friend, Alpha?)
 
Sales really aren't bad for the car at all, considering its not as refined, is usually more expensive than a comparably equipped Accord or Camry, less features, love it or hate it back end styling and is nearing its last year in production.
 
I'll be happy when I get mine back tomorrow too.

#762 of 12297 The base price of the V6 Passat looks good by maxamillion1

Aug 09, 2005 (5:34 pm)

But once you add the options, it gets into Acura TL territory.
 
The Passat is a bargin compared to cars like the Audi A4 and Audi A6, but compared to the TL, its no better or worse IMO.
 
Its got some nice features, but with VW's "It's Electric, Boogie, Woogie, Woogie" issues, I'd have to wait and see if reliablity is strong.
 
Its a BEAUTIFUL car though.

#763 of 12297 Re: 2007 Altima information... [maxamillion1] by rgyip

Aug 09, 2005 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: maxamillion1 (Aug 09, 2005 5:00 pm)
"Sales really aren't bad for the car at all, considering its not as refined, is usually more expensive than a comparably equipped Accord or Camry, less features, love it or hate it back end styling and is nearing its last year in production."
 
In my opinion, you hit it right on the head. Nissan isn't as refined (yet), but it has the advantages of better styling (opinion), better handling, and of course, the world famous award winning VQ35 engine. I was seriously considering getting an 3.5SE but when I ran the numbers at the time, but with what I want, it was more expensive than the Accord EX that I was pricing at the time.

#764 of 12297 That's one of Nissan's biggest problems, rgyip by maxamillion1

Aug 09, 2005 (7:09 pm)

They make just about everything optional on their cars and it seriously drives up the pricing. On top of that, the new interior, while MUCH better than before, still isn't as good as the Accord or Camry. Back in April of 2001, Ghosn promised that the Altima's interior would be on VW Passat levels. It hasn't reached them yet.
 
In my area, there are some Nissan Altima 2.5S models that run over $24K, and that's WITHOUT the SL pkg. Nissan is notorious for adding accessories to their cars during the last couple of model years. Things like accessory chrome wheels, sunroof visor and splash guards drive pricing up.
 
And it's almost impossible to find an Altima four cylinder with ABS. Nissan makes some 2.5SL models with Navigation but NO ABS.
 
So I'm hoping that with this redesign, Nissan pulls a Hyundai on us. Make ABS, Trac, SAB, SAC and other items standard, while giving the car progessive styling. Keep the base prices the same, but add equipment.
 
If Nissan can do the above, bring up quality of materials and workmanship, while at the same time releasing the Coupe verison that is rumored. I could see the Altima selling as well as the current Accord and Camry.
 
Right now, sales aren't really that far behind the current Accord at all. I expect them to get even better with the redesign.

#765 of 12297 Re: The base price of the V6 Passat looks good [maxamillion1] by ctalk

Aug 09, 2005 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: maxamillion1 (Aug 09, 2005 5:34 pm)
Volkswagon lost my trust years ago, when i purchased a Jetta. I will never EVER buy a VW again.
 
And from what i've seen (JD power) Volkswagon is near the bottom in their vehicle dependability study and is suprisingly near the bottom in the initial quality study.

#766 of 12297 Can't say I blame ya ctalk... by maxamillion1

Aug 09, 2005 (7:19 pm)

But there is just something about the way VWs look and they way they drive that gives them a much more upscale feeling.
 
As I stated earlier, I seriously considered the Passat before getting the Altima. But college is an hour and a half away from home and I'd need that car to be dependable for at least 8 years (I'm getting my doctorate), so it was dropped.
 
Hopefully VW has gotten its act together this time around. The cars are beautiful though. Even the new Jetta has grown on me lately.
The 2.0t would be much better value if it didn't lack many of the creature comforts folks have come to expect for this class of cars. Pricing is in line with V6 Accord, Camrys and Altimas, but the lack of power front seats, and automatic climate control dropped it from my list.

#769 of 12297 Re: gmc truck [gmctruck] by alpha01

Aug 09, 2005 (8:27 pm)

Right, my point being that its NOT REAL SAFE (your own words). Also, that you have one friend who did it once.... doesnt really represent a significant slice of the market.....
 
Max- I may be wrong, but I can only recall that the Altima saw heavy incentives (meaning the $1500 rebate currently available in the NE region) as the 2004s were being cleared off the lots. The 2005s originally didnt carry the rebate (logically), but after about 3 months, they picked up with the rebates of the 2004s that were being cleared (and presumably were).
 
Also, I must say that I highly doubt the next gen Altima is going to debut around the same time as the new Camry (ETA: Mar 06). I recall reading that the Sentra was going to debut around that time, with the Altima redesign subsequent to that. Again, I may be incorrect, but Nissans been cranking out vehicles over the last few years and Id be shocked if they had the resources to launch a new Altima in just 8 months from now. (Or maybe they will and it will have all the quality control of the Quest and Armada when they were first introduced......)
 
Nothing is impossible, I suppose.
 
Also, it is interesting to note that only GM, Honda, and Toyota are beginning to publish "SAE certified" horsepower and torque ratings. I'd be interested to see what the 2.5L (as well as the many variants of the VQ) produces under the new calculation..................
 
~alpha

#770 of 12297 Just got back from my trip to MA. by truethat

Aug 09, 2005 (8:30 pm)

No purchase to report.
I looked at 4 different dealers in RI and MA. They all are slow to catch up with
the price-cutting trend. Some of them still had considerable numbers of 04
Sonatas to get rid of. Not too eager to make a sell. Especially the LX for some
reason. A lot of GLs are near or at invoice price though. Kinda strange I thought.
I'm going to give it another month or so.

Messages Page 77 of 1230

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