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Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima

299 messages,  Last post on Nov 06, 2012 at 10:22 AM

You are in the Nissan Altima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Sedan

Messages Page 27 of 30

#260 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [altimrs] by madpistol

Jul 08, 2008 (6:34 am)

Replying to: altimrs (Jul 07, 2008 9:13 pm)
Since it has 102 miles on it, make sure you put it through its paces before you accept it and start working on other things. Run it on some curvy roads, highway at at least 70 mph, etc. I'm sure you know the drill. I'm a little wary as well since these guys are giving you a much better deal compared to all the other dealerships in the area. Just make sure you're satisfied with the car before you purchase it.
 
Other than that, congrats on finding your perfect car!

#261 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [madpistol] by altimrs

Jul 08, 2008 (6:58 am)

Replying to: madpistol (Jul 08, 2008 6:34 am)
OK but since I am not much in the know as to what to look for I wonder if I should take a friend with me? It will cost me a plane ticket but may be worth it.
Also, what do you think of the fact that it has been sitting on the storage overflow lot?
This is a large dealership with several stores within the area. The guy seemed straight forward. And lastly, what is your opinion of the moon roof deflector? I don't need to get it if I don't want it. I don't think it looks that good but..If I decide not to get it will it save me some dough? Thank you so much!

#262 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [altimrs] by madpistol

Jul 08, 2008 (8:51 am)

Replying to: altimrs (Jul 08, 2008 6:58 am)
No need to take a friend with you. I'm sure your judgment will suffice. If you think you will have better "dealing" power if you have a friend there, it's your call. Your intuition is your best tool. Also, if you have some sort of email or fax of the price you and the dealer agreed on, take it with you so in case they decide to back down on the deal, you have proof that they made that deal with you.
 
I don't think it's been sitting in a storage overflow lot (whatever that is). If it has been, it's been run through its paces. I got my car with 11 miles on it, so if a car has 100+ miles on it, there's a reason. It's probably been test driven a lot. That's not a bad thing, but you need to make sure you do a thorough inspection of the car to make sure there aren't any dings, scratches, dents, loose body work, etc. Basically you're looking for imperfections with the car. They should have told you upfront if there was anything wrong with the car. Since they didn't, you need to assume that the car is in perfect shape. If it isn't, make them fix it before you take it home.
 
As for driving the car, the steering should be dead-on center when going straight, and make sure that the car feels easy and controlled when driving it. That's what I liked about mine. The suspension will feel sporty, so expect some feedback. If it's uncomfortable though, question the salesman about it. Mine has never been uncomfortable when driving. If there are any rattles or noises in the cabin while driving, let the salesman know so he can get it fixed before you take the car off the lot.
 
As for the moonroof deflector, I personally thought it was very sporty looking, but to each their own. If you don't like it, don't get it. If it's already installed and you don't want it, tell them to uninstall it and subtract something like $50 from the final price. If it's already installed and it's not a big deal though, just leave it on. It'll be less of a hassle.
 
Hope this helps you! Let me know if you need to know anything else.

#263 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [madpistol] by thegraduate

Jul 08, 2008 (11:06 am)

Replying to: madpistol (Jul 08, 2008 8:51 am)
As a fellow Accord owner told me once - avoid the deflector. If it rains or your car is wet from washing, the water doesn't just blow off and dry with the deflector there, leaving water under it and preventing YOU from getting to use it! Without the deflector, wind will do its work and you'll be open-top cruising in no-time!
 
Just something I had never thought of (I don't have one on my 06 Honda), and because of this fact, I know I wouldn't get one ever if I had the option.

#264 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [altimrs] by elroy5

Jul 08, 2008 (2:18 pm)

Replying to: altimrs (Jul 08, 2008 6:58 am)
Yes, I had a moonroof deflector on my old Accord, and it doesn't really help with wind noise. Then water takes forever to dry under it, and it's virtually impossible to clean under that thing. I would definitely avoid the moonroof deflector. Since this car has a deflector installed on it, I wonder if this car was purchased by someone else, and they returned it. Dealerships don't usually install roof deflector before the cars are sold.

#265 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [elroy5] by busiris

Jul 08, 2008 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Jul 08, 2008 2:18 pm)
Here in the upstate of SC, most cars with sunroofs come with the deflectors. My 08 Altima 2.5SL did as well, and I had the dealership remove it before taking delivery (2 screws...takes 30 seconds to remove). Most cars here are factory supplied with deflectors, so the dealership can make a few more bucks. They will offer to remove it from the car, but not the price.
 
I have had cars with and without, and I prefer without. They actually add a little wind noise, and the provide a a great place for leaves and other trash to collect, since it becomes a negative air pressure point when the car is in motion.

#266 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [busiris] by altimrs

Jul 08, 2008 (7:03 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jul 08, 2008 3:32 pm)
Wow! This gets really complex guys.

#267 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [busiris] by elroy5

Jul 08, 2008 (7:30 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jul 08, 2008 3:32 pm)
They will offer to remove it from the car, but not the price.
 
I don't think I would go for that. Options are optional (including paying for them). They can stick that thing on the next car in line.

#268 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [madpistol] by altimrs

Jul 09, 2008 (7:12 pm)

Replying to: madpistol (Jul 08, 2008 8:51 am)
Well it looks like the deal is almost done. I had my mechanic call the Internet sales guy and grill him (politely) about the 102 miles on the SL with Connection. This dealership has five or six locations and I guess they moved it to a few different ones before putting it out to temporary pasture in a larger lot (less rent) where they put the overflow. It is one of two left in the Metallic Jade and that was my first choice. The other one does not have a moonroof. Mine has the deflector in it so I will drive it home and if I still do not care for the look I will have my mechanic remove it. My deal included splash guards and aluminum kick plates and the deflector. OTD it is$25,606.19 after the thousand dollar rebate and 3.9% financing.
That was the very best quote I received so I put a deposit on it and will fly down to pick it up (after a careful scutinizing and test drive!) and drive it back to Northern Calif in about 10 days. Wow! I can't wait.
I heard through the grape vine that Nissan will discontinue the Metallic Jade for 2009 as it is not a popular color. They are going to add something called Brick..a red shade I think. I don't know why people don't like the Jade especially with the blonde interior. My second choice would have been white. I like the Sonoma Sunset a lot too, but that color would have been too high maintanance.~
Anyway, I will keep you all posted..especially you mp. I have never played a computer game,,,don't even have a cell but will definitely enjoy that Bose stereo.
You sure were right about that price. To think I could have paid $27,400.00 OTD! But I am a happy camper now!

#269 of 299 Re: Buy now or pay later? [altimrs] by busiris

Jul 09, 2008 (9:23 pm)

Replying to: altimrs (Jul 09, 2008 7:12 pm)
All you need to do to remove the moonroof air dam is a phillips head screwdriver. It is secured by a couple of small metal u-shaped inserts that you can easily loosen yourself to remove the device....should't take more than 1 or 2 minutes.
 
Enjoy your new ride!

Messages Page 27 of 30

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