2016 Altima or 2013 Maxima

[M35SFIREMEDIC]

Hey guys, my name is Vince and I'm new to this forum. I have a question, which would be the better buy, the 2016 Altima or the 2013 Maxima? Due to a recent job change I'm driving more now to the tune of about 70 miles per day. I currently drive an infiniti M35s 2008. I"m packing on the miles pretty fast and the gas mileage is not the best. I love my M35S, but with the high mileage I think it's time for a change. I have 142k miles as of yesterday. the 2013 Maxima would practically be the same car. The Altima however would allow me to save on gas, still stylish, and I would save money on the purchase over the Maxima. So Maxima guys and gals please respond to sing the praises, or let me know the pitfalls of the Maxima.

Thanks Vince from Memphis.

[Rogue One]

I've moved your topic to the General Chat area so you should get some responses here. Creating multiple threads on the same topic is frowned upon, so the other one has been removed.

[Jesda]

If I was going to get a larger cruiser, it would be a new Avalon or Impala.

Go with the Altima, though the Sentra is surprisingly competent on the highway as well (it's a dog in the city though).

[MinisterofDOOM]

I would avoid either. Both have the same everything-ruining CVT. Yes, it's REALLY that bad. Worse, even. Everytime I end up in a CVT Nissan rental, I tell myself "It's not REALLY that bad." Then I drive for about 32 seconds and remember that it's even WORSE than that bad. I STRONGLY recommend test-driving one for a reasonable distance in mixed conditions to understand for yourself before considering either model.

The Maxima is really nothing at all like the M. It's an Altima-derived attempt at a styling exercise but sacrifices headroom and practicality for a not-really-fast roofline. The Maxima and Altima are basically the same car after 2008.

Nissan's post-2007 stuff really just doesn't cut the mustard in my book. I agree with Jesda: Impala or Avalon. Definitely don't spend the ridiculous cash for an Acura TL or RL when you can get way more car elsewhere without the bad styling. Even the new Avalon is sort of okay looking, with it's Toyota-copying-Kia-copying-Toyota styling that's pretty bland but at least not horrible.

[Buzzman]

Wouldn't buy either one. No Nissan post 2007 would be on my list.
Mazda6 would be my choice.

[Bubba1]

Wouldn't buy either one. No Nissan post 2007 would be on my list.
Mazda6 would be my choice.

I agree about avoiding both a new Alti or newish Max. The combination of Nissan's wholesale conversion to CVT and downward reliability trend stops me from recommending them. I agree a Mazda 6 is a good choice if you want a little more sporty feel to your sedan. If you don't mind blending in. it's hard to argue against a Honda Accord. I know there's a zillion of them around, but I was pleasantly surprised how nice they are in a recent test drive with my nephew. He ended up buying it. The new Avalon is a pleasant car If you want a big highway cruiser, not a bad choice either. And it's not quite as much the AARP car requirement mover as it used to be. The Impala is not bad, but I believe it's a step down in reliability (especially the SS version which has some ballz) compared to the others.

[Jesda]

The Impala is not bad, but I believe it's a step down in reliability (especially the SS version which has some ballz) compared to the others.

I wouldn't buy that generation. The 5.3L V8 chewed the transmission like gum and the interior was cheap regardless of trim level. The back seat was also small compared to how large it was on the outside. Trunk was huge though.


The new Impala is a pretty spectacular car, easily the best large sedan on the market that doesn't wear a luxury badge. There's no SS version of this car but it doesn't really need one.

[Bubba1]

The new redesigned Impala is attractive, but I'd be wary of any American first year model. Traditionally notorious for reliability.

[rgregoryb]

After the GM bailout and the way they screwed the stock holders and retirees I will never buy a GM or Chrysler product.

[Buzzman]

I've been looking at the Mazda6 and Avalon as a possible replacement for my 2006 Altima.
The Mazda only has the one engine choice, the four banger, while the Avalon has a very good V6. The Mazda will win the MPG war there.
The Mazda is a little more sportier and has a higher fun to drive quotient.
The Avalon is a better highway cruiser. The Mazda should be cheaper though.

The biggest concern with the Mazda, being in Canada, is the reputation they have for rust issues.
That reputation is not unwarranted. They have serious problems that may or may not have been addressed.
Earlier Mazda3's especially are rotting away up here. Huge holes where the rear wheel fender used to be.
The earlier Protege's were really bad too. Bad sheet metal and paper thin paint.
As it stands today, I would personally spend the little extra cash and buy an Avalon. That suits our purposes perfectly.

As an aside, I visited a GM dealership recently, just to have a quick look at the Chevy. I stayed for about ten minutes.
The attitude and ambiance there was beyond horrible.
They didn't give a crap that I was there or that I might actually be interested in buying a car.
I had a cursory look at the Impala and didn't come away very impressed.
Oh well, there's a reason I haven't driven a GM in over 20 years.

Cheers.

[Jesda]

The new redesigned Impala is attractive, but I'd be wary of any American first year model. Traditionally notorious for reliability.

It's a variant of Epsilon II with the 3.6 so the newest items are the styling and sound system. Basically, it's a Chevy version of the Cadillac XTS which arrived a couple years earlier.

But yes, I generally agree.

[Jesda]

The Avalon is a better highway cruiser. The Mazda should be cheaper though.

Personally, if I was going that route, I'd pick a well-used Avalon that's gone through most of its depreciation. The powertrains are conservative, faultless, and silky smooth. An old one is darn near as good as a new one.

[Buzzman]

Personally, if I was going that route, I'd pick a well-used Avalon that's gone through most of its depreciation. The powertrains are conservative, faultless, and silky smooth. An old one is darn near as good as a new one.

Normally that would be a good strategy, but here in the salty winters, even a 2 or 3 year old daily driver would already be starting down the path of rust and corrosion.
It would be nice to pick one up that had been put away for the winter, but that probably wouldn't happen with an Avalon.
I'm retired now and spend a majority of my winters in Florida, so I don't want to buy a car that's seen a lot of salt. It's brutal here.
As an example, my Altima had a huge gash (rust out) in the passenger side floor that I had to get repaired last year.
I'm hoping my next car will be salt free until I'm dead.
I'd like to buy an almost new car in Florida, but it would be a pain to import it.
If it's over 15 years old, then I can bring it in no problem.
I'll actually be looking for a clean low mileage Pathfinder or QX4 next winter (2002 or older) to bring home. Maybe I'll be lucky.

[nissangirl74]

Just out of curiosity, since there is such an issue with salt, are there any type of add on warranties or corrosion prevention that the dealers in Canada offer? That's a bummer that Mazdas rot easily up there. We have a bunch of them that we all love but here in the desert, rust is a non-issue.

I HIGHLY recommend picking up a Pathfinder. We have a 2005 Frontier (same thing, basically) that we plan to keep for a million miles. Very reliable, capable, and a ton of fun to drive.

To answer your original question, stay away from anything CVT, period. I don't like the way they drive and their reputation is horrible.

[Buzzman]

Just out of curiosity, since there is such an issue with salt, are there any type of add on warranties or corrosion prevention that the dealers in Canada offer? That's a bummer that Mazdas rot easily up there. We have a bunch of them that we all love but here in the desert, rust is a non-issue.

I HIGHLY recommend picking up a Pathfinder. We have a 2005 Frontier (same thing, basically) that we plan to keep for a million miles. Very reliable, capable, and a ton of fun to drive.

To answer your original question, stay away from anything CVT, period. I don't like the way they drive and their reputation is horrible.

Dealerships like to sell you additional rustproofing protection, but when you read the fine print, it's a scam.
If your vehicle rusts, it has to actually have a visible hole in the sheet metal (surface rust doesn't count).
If this happens within the warranty period, then the most you'll get is a refund of the original cost of the rustproofing.
They don't actually pay to fix it. If you push the issue, they'll come up with every excuse under the sun to get out of compensating you or fixing the problem.
You're better off to get an independent rustproofing firm to treat your vehicle. Even then, it only delays the inevitable.
I oil spray my vehicles, and it certainly helps, but it doesn't stop it from rusting long term.
BTW, I have a 2002 Pathfinder that I bought in 2003. Still going strong, but it's starting to show it's age.

I also agree about the CVT thing. I will never buy a vehicle that has one.
Unfortunately, more and more auto makers are using them, so it narrows down the choices.

[nissangirl74]

It should be an industry standard to submerge all new vehicles in a tank of POR15 before paint.

[asoomal]

I've been looking at the Mazda6 and Avalon as a possible replacement for my 2006 Altima.
The Mazda only has the one engine choice, the four banger, while the Avalon has a very good V6. The Mazda will win the MPG war there.
The Mazda is a little more sportier and has a higher fun to drive quotient.
The Avalon is a better highway cruiser. The Mazda should be cheaper though.

The biggest concern with the Mazda, being in Canada, is the reputation they have for rust issues.
That reputation is not unwarranted. They have serious problems that may or may not have been addressed.
Earlier Mazda3's especially are rotting away up here. Huge holes where the rear wheel fender used to be.
The earlier Protege's were really bad too. Bad sheet metal and paper thin paint.
As it stands today, I would personally spend the little extra cash and buy an Avalon. That suits our purposes perfectly.

Cheers.

Agreed.

Mazdas are one of the worst cars you can buy. They're built very cheaply and try to hide it with their "sportiness". There's a reason why you are able to get so much bang for buck with Mazdas compared to other cars, they skimp out on the important stuff that the customer won't notice.

I'd definitely pick a Toyota over a Mazda, you still see A LOT of Camrys and Avalons from the early 90's that are still almost rust free up here. They use much better steel, paint and rust protection, they're actually worth your money as the car will actually last more than 10 years body wise in such environment.

I'd also stay away from Nissan as they are probably the second worst Japanese car for corrosion issues, and they really don't give a damn about it if there's a recall, such as the Pathfinder/QX4 strut housing recall. A part of the recall repair procedures step is to FIBERGLASS the hole in the structural body! I know several people who have had issues with state/province vehicle inspections and I believe there's also one guy on this forum who had the same issue due to the fiberglass repairs as they are very unsafe.

On the other hand, when those Toyota trucks had rust issues a few years back, Toyota BOUGHT back the trucks from the owners, no matter if you were the second, third, fourth, or fifth owner of that truck. They offered quite a bit, some people were even buying these trucks from used dealers and then bringing them to Toyota and making a profit.

It should be an industry standard to submerge all new vehicles in a tank of POR15 before paint.

That really won't do anything. POR15 is overhyped, it's just a moisture curing urethane. There are many types of this stuff and it isn't anything special really. Most of them end up having adhesion issues a couple years down the road.
What they really should be doing is what the German automakers do, apply some sort of cavity wax protection, it's how Mercedes-Benz offer that 30 year rust protection in Europe.





I'd go for the Avalon or maybe a Camry.

[Jesda]

or maybe a Camry.

I'd get a bus pass and use the time to read instead.


Why would anyone buy a Camry when the Accord is equally dependable and far better to drive with superior steering, handling, a stiffer structure, and more capable powertrain? Even with the lame CVT, the Accord is still the superior car to the Camroid. Don't forget the Ford Fusion.

Skipping the sporty, interesting choice doesn't mean you have to settle for store brand vanilla ice cream. There's a middle ground.

[Buzzman]

Why would anyone buy a Camry when the Accord is equally dependable and far better to drive with superior steering, handling, a stiffer structure, and more capable powertrain? Even with the lame CVT, the Accord is still the superior car to the Camroid. Don't forget the Ford Fusion.

Skipping the sporty, interesting choice doesn't mean you have to settle for store brand vanilla ice cream. There's a middle ground.

Agree about the Camry. The Accord would probably be a better choice, but I would opt for the V6 there.
If I read correctly, it's the 4 banger that has a CVT. The V6 still has a traditional automatic.
Nissan? No way.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Just don't get a 200 or an Altima. Buy ANYTHING but a 200 or an Altima. Even a rusted out AMC Pacer with different wheels on each corner and a passenger door that won't open.

It's worth noting that damn near everyone uses a CVT these days, but Nissan's is the most tolerance-sapping. Honda's and Subaru's have much better manners, though they're still far from exemplary. I guess pairing it with the turgid pile that is the QR25 doesn't help matters much; at least Subaru's CVTs are paired with smooth, torquey boxers. Granted, with Subie, the rest of the car is even more intolerable than the CVT itself, so you still lose...

[RicerX]

Used Infiniti M37. All day long.

You're driving a RWD M35 right now and none of these cars is going to compare unless you have had a serious change of taste and priorities.

I agree on the CVT ruining everything. I have owned a couple CVTs, and while I hate them, they aren't nearly as bad on the V6s as they are on the 4 cylinders. Coming from an M35 to a 2.5L Altima would be SOUL-SUCKING to say the least.

If I had to vote for any of the other cars listed in the thread, it's a new Accord V6. I almost confused it with my own Q50 from a distance in the parking lot at work the other day. Super sharp cars, and I have heard no one complain about anything with them. They're all over the place here in North AL. For a non-luxury marque, that is the full-size (mid-size? I can't tell anymore) sedan to buy. The Mazda 6 is a close second if you'd rather have true cogs in your transmission.