2.5 vs 3.5

[ALLEGROAE]

I just bought an 09 2.5S for my college daughter, now the wife is wanting a new car.

I drive high-horsepower cars. Always have, thats the story.

I am looking for comparisons of the I4 vs V6 from those that have had extensive experience with them both and on this platform. The price difference adding the options we want is significant, even enough so that the Maxima looks like a good choice as well.

Thanks ahead.

[QR25DE]

Stock 2.5L = Peppy, full of torque compared to the competitors, excellent gas mileage. A must is the manual transmission with this motor. Great for anyone and everyone, however, if you are a car guy and need more power, you will start looking at performance upgrades after a week or two.

Performance upgrades:

- CAI- BullyDog Power Pup- Exhaust System/Header

That covers the bolt ons.

That's from my personal experience. I love the motor, works really well.

[ALLEGROAE]

Stock 2.5L = Peppy, full of torque compared to the competitors, excellent gas mileage. A must is the manual transmission with this motor. Great for anyone and everyone, however, if you are a car guy and need more power, you will start looking at performance upgrades after a week or two.

Performance upgrades:

- CAI- BullyDog Power Pup- Exhaust System/Header

That covers the bolt ons.

That's from my personal experience. I love the motor, works really well.

I already own a 2.5, just looking for some real opinions on the differences between it and the 3.5. I think I am leaning toward the V6, but open to argument.

[atlanta3.5]

Its hard to give a completely unbiased opinion but I have a 3.5 and spent several days driving the 2.5.0-60 in 6 secs on the 3.5 is awesome but the added weight in the front hurts handling. I solved some of that with v rated tires.

My gas mileage is actually very good-I drive my car hard and still avg 21-27 MPG city/hwyI also liked the history of the 3.5 motor and the nice mid range punch.

I would offer that for a "city car" the 2.5 is the way to go for gas mileage -if you have more open road and hwy the 3.5 is great

[ALLEGROAE]

Its hard to give a completely unbiased opinion but I have a 3.5 and spent several days driving the 2.5.0-60 in 6 secs on the 3.5 is awesome but the added weight in the front hurts handling. I solved some of that with v rated tires.

My gas mileage is actually very good-I drive my car hard and still avg 21-27 MPG city/hwyI also liked the history of the 3.5 motor and the nice mid range punch.

I would offer that for a "city car" the 2.5 is the way to go for gas mileage -if you have more open road and hwy the 3.5 is great

That is the kind of info I am looking for. Thanks very much. I especially appreciate your comment regarding the handling......important as well.

[Throckmorton]

There is not much difference in overall weight between the 2.5 and 3.5.

Nissan’s website lists the curb weight as follows: All with CVT.

2.5 31802.2S 31933.5SR 3357

http://www.nissanusa.com/altim....html

The 2010 3.5 SR has V speed rated tires standard.

[dldjros69]

3357-3193=164 lbs

that seems like a big difference

and it changes around the weight distribution.

[Throckmorton]

3357-3193=164 lbs

that seems like a big difference

and it changes around the weight distribution.

2009 Altima 2.5 CVT

Weight Distribution AT (Front) 59 Weight Distribution AT (Rear) 41

2009 Altima 3.5SE

Weight Distribution AT (Front) 62 Weight Distribution AT (Rear) 38

Source: Yahoo Autos http://autos.yahoo.com/2009_ni...specs/

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

If you're after performance, then don't even waste time wondering whether to get the 2.5 or 3.5 because the answer is pretty clear - 3.5. It's got 258 tq at the crank and pushes out 270 hp. That's about 90 more hp and another 78 lb/ft of tq over the 2.5 I4.

As for handling you can always improve that with aftermarket suspension parts...I'm assuming you have some play money since you can afford to drive a Vette.

I have driven a 2.5 Sedan for over a year, and now drive a 3.5 Coupe. The 2.5 was decent for the money, and definitely gutsy compared to most other 4 cylinder cars (in fact I think for the '05 model year it was probably the best power/wt ratio compared to similarly sized and priced 4-banger Accord, Camry, Gallant, and almost all domestics).

If money is not an object or much of an issue, get the 3.5 6MT. I have the CVT with simulated manual mode (I can't drive stick nor do I want the hassle) and it pulls really nice. PLUS you get that unique VQ35 engine sound with most any aftermarket exhaust/intake, which the 2.5 can't even come close to sounding.

The 2.5 is not bad at all for a 4 banger, and works well in the Sentra SE-R models, just that in a 3100+ lbs car it's not anywhere close to performance that would satisfy me.

I drive 75-90% on highway 60-70mph. My average mpg with the 2.5 A/T sedan was about 26mpg, and with the 3.5 coupe I drive now it's about 24mpg, I get about 450 miles or a handful more on 19 gallons of 93 octane fuel. That's about 75 miles of daily highway driving, 5-6 at stop lights/main roads.

My vote - 3.5 V6

[AltimaJA10]

I went with 2.5CVT S(SL) w/all options except nav. Did not care for the manual (shifts not solid & crisp), and CVT has been fine. And has decent manual mode for when I want to play. Daily commute is basically 15mi (each way) city driving so more power gains me little. I've been AMAZED by mileage for solid quiet midsized car. No jackrabbit starts/stops but not hypermilling either I get - ~25+mpg just rolling along with city traffic, 33+mpg highway @ 70-75mph (yes these beat EPA est's.). As has been said this 2.5 is decent engine, and faster than some mid-size 6's. Plenty of power to leave normal traffic behind at stoplights when needed. Going to 3.5 would have gained better acceleration, (about 1-1 1/4 sec. in 0-60 & qtr mile according to Car & Driver http://www.caranddriver.com/ne...eview), sport suspension (stiffer ride), 17" wheels, and HID headlights. For ~$3+k higher price (my dealer had lots of 2.5's he wanted to move) & higher fuel costs (gas will be back to $4/gal before we know it ....)

2.5 vs 3.5- Different personalities but can't go wrong either way.

FWIW- Looked at Maxima, but honestly could not see it being worth the extra $$$.

[mcheddadi]

i got 36mpg yesterday on my 200km trip on the v6. its a great engine

[ALLEGROAE]

UPDATE:

Still undecided. Bought Daughter the 2.5S, and I am amazed at how much car a little bit of money got us.

Now the Wife wants a new ride. I will drive this one a bit, and like my signature, I am used to lots of power. Currently, my daily-driver is a 2007 4Runner V8, and the Corvette on the weekends....or at least nice days.

Gas is going up....I promise you it is (insider info) and 93 octane for the 3.5 is not great news. I guess I need more data on "real world" mileage and even some data on how quiet one is over the other. I assume there is no additional sound-proofing for the 3.5 ??? I don't want to make a mistake here.

So, keep the opinions coming, I appreciate it.

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[atlanta3.5]

thought I read the new 3.5 does not need 93 octane? It does not even recommend it...

Gas is going up-the refiners are closing down left and right-they cant make money on gas at $3 gal when oil is $80 a barrel....I would expect a .50 rise or so

[wade001]

I've had my 2.5s for a while now. while it's not the fastest it definately does the job and gets good milage; mid 20's city and 35+ highway(got 39mpg once doing 70mph). If you want more power there's a turbo out for our cars. I like the idea with making my car into a sleeper and beating people when they think they got it made. I'f I take it to a good tuner im sure i could get another 20-30hp without anything else! add headers/custom exhaust/cai/ light weight pully/ lighter wheels and i'm sure it will be a 225hp+ sleeper with still good milage.

[Throckmorton]

I've had my 2.5s for a while now. while it's not the fastest it definately does the job and gets good milage; mid 20's city and 35+ highway(got 39mpg once doing 70mph). If you want more power there's a turbo out for our cars. I like the idea with making my car into a sleeper and beating people when they think they got it made. I'f I take it to a good tuner im sure i could get another 20-30hp without anything else! add headers/custom exhaust/cai/ light weight pully/ lighter wheels and i'm sure it will be a 225hp+ sleeper with still good milage.

What or who do you consider to be a “good tuner”???

Headers and exhaust? Yes, more HP.Light weight pulley? Sorry, faster revs only, no extra peak HP.Lighter wheels? No HP gain. To believe what you have written, one must also believe in the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Al Gore.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

[wade001]

What or who do you consider to be a “good tuner”???

Headers and exhaust? Yes, more HP.Light weight pulley? Sorry, faster revs only, no extra peak HP.Lighter wheels? No HP gain. To believe what you have written, one must also believe in the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Al Gore.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

No problem, your not bursting my bubble.

Theres a performance tuner in Albany NY that used to work on F1 race cars(Synapse Turbo). found out about him through one of my teachers at my college (said he should get a good aprox 25hpish out of my motor)As for the Light weight pully and lighter wheels i didn't say they would give more HP. but they free up HP by making the drivetrain more effecient. Thus you get good gains while having more fun. also suspension modifications will improve accelleration.

OMG the tooth fairy and Easter bunny aren't real????? MY BRAIN, IT HURTS lol!!!
Modified by wade001 at 9:00 AM 3/1/2010

[01qwhite]

ALLEGROAE i know everyone has told you v6 more power 4 cyl better gas this is true

now u were talking about sound well the engine itself in the 4 cyl is louder inside the cabin but exhaust on v6 is louder but very nice sounding so its all personal pref.

[belo2012]

based on your stats you are better off with the altima 3.5 V6..... i am inside and out of these cars all day because I sell nissan's as a profession. because you are used to powerful and heavy cars, the 3.5 would be light on your end with the kick you are looking for. as for gas mileage for a 3.5 it is very well up there and 93 octane is a recommendation.....sure it will give you better gas mileage and as for performance i have tried all 3 gases 89, 91 and 93 and the major difference is the gas mileage and a better torque with 93 octane when you need the kick for pickup. but other than that i would use 89 octane for daily driving.... so bottom line is get the altima 3.5 so you would not feel totally in a different world.....

[Keyan]

UPDATE:
Gas is going up....I promise you it is (insider info) and 93 octane for the 3.5 is not great news.

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Dunno if you bought anything yet, but the 2010 V6 does not require nor recommend anything other than standard fuel. Nissan did a re-tune that increased mileage and removed the need for higher octane fuel, while still maintaining the 270 HP of the engine.

Having driven both, I can't tell a difference between the two, other than when in Ds mode the V6 is very very eager to haul on the 2010.