2013 Nissan Altima Sneak Peek

[nissangirl74]

What do you guys think? yay or nay?





http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/ ... 37988.html

[Razi]

I think it looks pretty good.

[asoomal]

Bye bye Maxima.

[RicerX]

I was planning on buying an older b15 Sentra Spec V to replace my Altima Coupe for something cheaper and more practical for my daily needs (let the Z be a garage queen). Let's just say I'm very much a fan of this design. If they offer the sedan in a manual transmission, I will be buying one after I get enough of a down payment together. It is gorgeous and has a hint of aggressiveness to its design that the current generation doesn't have - a very welcome change. I'm loving the appearance of Google Apps on the console - wondering how it will interact with my Razr Maxx.

I'm also very curious as to the next gen coupe's design after seeing this.

[RicerX]

Bye bye Maxima.

Exactly this. IMHO - it is better looking than the current Maxima and from the pictures it has a better stance (but the whole stance thing will change once I see it in person - the fancy still shots of the current Altima Coupe don't convey the 4x4 stance it has in person) and it will likely be more fuel efficient while staying similar in size. Amenities are largely the same. Engine offerings will still likely include a VQ-variant. Finding it difficult to choose a Maxima over this for anything besides looks. At the same time, I found myself saying the exact same thing when the 2002 body debuted.

Either Nissan will further enhance the Maxima, which I'm not seeing to be terribly likely because Nissan is dangerously close to Infiniti G money with the Max. Then again, Ford has the current Fusion and still sells the Taurus as a premium sedan, Chevy has the Malibu/Impala, and Toyota has the Camry/Avalon combo. Honda doesn't offer anything other than the Accord at that segment. The Maxima still fits Nissan's lineup, but they need to give buyers a reason to look into it. The Altima is once again way too similar an offering for less money in a market that is now more largely dictated by fuel economy and value for the dollar moreso than niche premium models.

[Dattebayo]

I'm trying to understand why all head and taillights have to look like that in this day and age...

[Bubba1]

Bye bye Maxima.

This was my first thought^ . Looks ok, the CVT still doesn't excite me.

[mmkeller]

I like it, looks like more interior room. This may cut into the Maxima sales. Only thing I hate is the split gauges, put the speedometer in the center and the tach to one side. I'm glad my coupe is set up that way.

[Jesda]

The Altima's biggest weakness since 2002 has been quality. If they can get that right, they can keep up with the growth of the Sonata and Optima.

[2.5s mila]

i think they messed up big time in the looks department. especially that front grille... yikes.
but if the 4 cyl is getting 27/38 and the v6 is estimated 22/30 - basically what i get for my '08 2.5, i would probably upgrade

[Rev_D21]

Not a fan of the rear profile when viewed from the side. It looks like they ran out of ideas and so decided to hack it off with a saw. Otherwise it's a step in the right direction image-wise but still not exciting me with all this extra crap that distract people from driving.

[Dattebayo]

i think they messed up big time in the looks department. especially that front grille... yikes.
but if the 4 cyl is getting 27/38 and the v6 is estimated 22/30 - basically what i get for my '08 2.5, i would probably upgrade

Why? Because it would save you money? lol

[sbird1]

Did they change anything? Without looking at a 2012 model, I have a hard time noticing any major redesign. Still looks like a boring Altima.

[dasoupdude]

no more altezza lights?



neat

[MinisterofDOOM]

Bye bye Maxima.

The Maxima lost its soul in 2007, and then became utterly pointless in 2009. Now, you're absolutely right. Nissan needs to rediscover their ballsack and do something good with it, or just kill it off. I just wish they'd killed it off in 2006 rather than turning it into an melted Buick with no rear headroom and shoulderpads that would make the entire decade of the 1980s jealous.

I'm not a fan of Nissan's or Infiniti's swoopy grilles, but aside from that the new Altima looks very nice. My hopes were very, very, VERY low for it--especially after the first preview pic, which emphasised the bug-eye headlights--so this is a pleasant surprise.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Bye bye Maxima.

The Maxima lost its soul in 2007, and then became utterly pointless in 2009. Now, you're absolutely right. Nissan needs to rediscover their ballsack and do something good with it, or just kill it off. I just wish they'd killed it off in 2006 rather than turning it into an melted Buick with no rear headroom and shoulderpads that would make the entire decade of the 1980s jealous.

Agreed. The fact that they still advertise it as the 4DSC is pretty weak.

Guys- the new Altima actually DOES look a little better in person. I'm by far most impressed with its interior though. Much classier than the old, and if something is going to be an automatic, I'd like it to have a straight gate shifter like this does.

The C pillar gives you a bit of a blind spot, and that window behind the rear door is actually pretty freaking small. I haven't driven one yet, but now that it's been unveiled that should be a bit easier to accomplish.

As far as quality is concerned (as Jesda mentioned), Nissan is really starting to take the Altima more seriously. They gained pretty huge market share when Honda and Toyota stumbled after the earthquake last year. They taste the blood in the water and they aren't afraid to spend a little money to fix some long nagging issues/potential problem areas. That being said, I'm still weary of buying any engine that starts with QR.

[nissangirl74]

Latest pictures
http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/10 ... d+Blogs%29

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

[Jesda]

Also, the new Malibu isn't putting up much of a fight. The new one has a 5" shorter wheelbase and limited powertrain options (for now).

[hannibal]

I'm just impressed by the fuel economy claims. And it looks pretty damn good to me...

[Rev_D21]

Latest pictures
http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/10 ... d+Blogs%29

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

Then this thing can be written off as yet another Ghosn-era blunder. Nissan continues to flatline for me.

[mmkeller]

Latest pictures
http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/10 ... d+Blogs%29

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

Are you going to test drive/review for us??

[cdseeger1]

Bye bye Maxima.

No way. Too Lexus-y for me.

And the chrome around the grill looks like a cheap afterthought.

[RicerX]

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

I agree. I won't be buying one for solely that reason. Nissan won't be too broken up about that - every rental car company in this country will be lapping them up like hotcakes and so will people who want a sensible midsize car.

Think about it - the Versa has the same MPG numbers out of a 100hp 1.6L as the 2013 2.5L 182hp Altima. Which would you rather drive?

Now that I think about it, Nissan may have cut off limbs from both the Maxima and Versa models.

[MinisterofDOOM]

and they aren't afraid to spend a little money to fix some long nagging issues/potential problem areas. That being said, I'm still weary of buying any engine that starts with QR.

That is exactly the proceeding of thoughts I had as I read your post.

Spend money to fix the QR.

BY REPLACING IT.

MR20DDT. Do it.

[nissangirl74]

Latest pictures
http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/10 ... d+Blogs%29

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

Are you going to test drive/review for us??

Absolutely.

[gearhere]

I've been an Altima fan for a long time and I think this 2013 car is even cooler looking that earlier models. I'm excited to have gotten a sneak peak at what Nissan has planned.

[Bubba1]

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

Agree. Disappointed, but not surprised. I guess it's buh-bye SE-R. Carlos appears to be chugging the CVT kool-aid.

[frapjap]

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

Agree. Disappointed, but not surprised. I guess it's buh-bye SE-R. Carlos appears to be chugging the CVT kool-aid.

Either that, or loads of lobster dinners and $200 bottles of wine with the transmission supplier.

[AppleBonker]

also, it really, really, really disappoints me that it ONLY comes with a CVT. damn.

Agree. Disappointed, but not surprised. I guess it's buh-bye SE-R. Carlos appears to be chugging the CVT kool-aid.

Isn't this no different than the current model, though?

[audtatious]

Bulbous nose looks like it's got an alcohol problem. WTF with the front wheel arches and funked out lights/grille?