2003 Nissan Altima 2.5SL

[AznGA]

Although my mom got this car a few monthes ago, but I finally had a chance to take it out for a long spin. It is the top-of-the line 2.5L 4 cylinder model loaded with leather except ABS, traction control, and sunroof. I think she paid around 24K.

It's a lot roomier than Grand Am. It's got a lot of interior features like 6-CD in dash changer with steering wheel controls, heated seats, garage door opener on viser, automatic dimming reaview mirror.

The 2.5L 4 cylinder has same HP as my Grand Am GT (175). It's pretty quick off the line, able to smoke tires, but it obviously laggs at higher speed. And the doors are thinner than my car.

Just found out today that my younger brother gets to keep this car starting this August. Am I jealous? Heck no. I am sure V6 Altima can perform a lot better, but for same price, I will take my car. It lacks that "sporty" feeling that mine has.

[Static]

Cool car, guy at school had one last year, he ran a stop sign and and a school bus hit him, so it was totaled and he rode the bus for the rest of the year...

I just checked the caranddriver review of the altima, said the top 3.5 is around 23000, so I hope your mom didn't pay 24 for the 2.5

The review was done September 01, so it would be for the 02 model, and I don't think anything has happened between 02 and 03 to cause a price jump of that scale...

[AznGA]

Yes, she paid that much.
I think you are right about the price of V6, but if you were to add all the same options, price goes up pretty high because her car has more options than what V6 offers standard.

[Static]

Yea I just checked out nissanusa.com - the base 2.5sl is 23k So 24 isn't too bad at all... The base for the 3.5 is like 22...

Like I said earlier, the info I gave was from a 2001 C%D article...

[GregFarz78]

Ah dont be jealous man the 2.5L in the altima is too weak for that car. I have the same engine my spec but my spec also weighs about 500lb less lol. 2.5 Altima=dog...3.5 Altima=badass

[Slim]

Yeah... The 3.5 SE is a badass car. A friend of mine told me he bought the 2.5 because it was "just as fast" as the 3.5L. I just laughed at him. I think he just doesn't know how to drive stick very well.

[GregFarz78]

2.5 isnt even in the same league as the 3.5 lol

[AznGA]

Originally posted by Slim25
Yeah... The 3.5 SE is a badass car. A friend of mine told me he bought the 2.5 because it was "just as fast" as the 3.5L. I just laughed at him. I think he just doesn't know how to drive stick very well.
You can still get 3.5 with auto.

[AznGA]

Well now I am liking this car more and more. He found a message board that has more than 20,000 members!!! I didn't know Altima had a huge aftermarket....

http://www.nissantalk.com/forum/

[Static]

It's sad, I compared a new GAGT sedan to a 3.5
the altima owned in like every category, and it was cheaper...
:rolleyes:

[dearim]

Originally posted by Static
It's sad, I compared a new GAGT sedan to a 3.5
the altima owned in like every category, and it was cheaper...
:rolleyes:

Hmm? Cheaper? What were you comparing?

I just priced a GAGT1 without any options against an Altima 3.5SE, and comparably equipped, the Altima runs about $3000 more!

Also, please keep in mind that the Altima competes more with the Grand Prix than it does with the GA... it's a much larger car meant for a more affluent audience. Not to mention the fact that the Altima was redone for the 2002 model year, whereas the current-gen GA has been around since '99. I'd say the GA isn't doing too bad, especially compared to the Altima that was around back in '99 when the GA and Alero came out.

[AznGA]

Ya the last generation Altima was smaller with only 4 cylinder engine available.
Does GAGT1 have leather standard?
V6 Altima does not and if you want it, you have to get an option package that costs like $3000.

[dearim]

GT1s have a cloth interior standard. Leather can be had as a standalone option for $595.

Nissan has always had leather stuck in some ridiculously overpriced luxury package as long as I can remember, regardless of the vehicle.

[AznGA]

Only 600 for leather?
Damn.......

[Licit]

Originally posted by AznGA
Well now I am liking this car more and more. He found a message board that has more than 20,000 members!!! I didn't know Altima had a huge aftermarket....

http://www.nissantalk.com/forum/

There's a lot of members but when I was checking it out for potential mods there was only CAI, cat-back and UD pulleys. My buddy is huge on getting a Nissan, either Altima or Maxima that's why I was on there. They are nice cars, no denying that. I guess I am just partial to the American car finance rates and buyer incentives right now.

[atc3434]

A 2001 2.5 Altima got me in big trouble with the law. I was racing the guy on Erie Bulevard, and got busted doing 85 in a 40, unsafe start, reckless drving, reckless endagerment, and participating in a speed contest. He asked me why I thought he pulled me over, and I told him straight up because I was racing. He looked shocked. He said it was the only honest answer he got all night. Let me go with a taillight ticket and STRONG warning never to get caught there again. As he was leaving, he turned back and told me, "Nice kill, a beater taking a new car!" It was a crazy crazy night!

[AznGA]

Originally posted by atc3434
A 2001 2.5 Altima got me in big trouble with the law. I was racing the guy on Erie Bulevard, and got busted doing 85 in a 40, unsafe start, reckless drving, reckless endagerment, and participating in a speed contest. He asked me why I thought he pulled me over, and I told him straight up because I was racing. He looked shocked. He said it was the only honest answer he got all night. Let me go with a taillight ticket and STRONG warning never to get caught there again. As he was leaving, he turned back and told me, "Nice kill, a beater taking a new car!" It was a crazy crazy night!
Good to hear that you admitted your fault. That's very important when a cop pulls you over. Just be polite and admit your fault, and some of them can be flexible.