Altima comparison questions...

[DJ MF]

Just got a new job that will be allowing me the luxury of keeping my J30 as a weekend car, while letting me flog a company car during the week.

My options are-

Nissan AltimaFord TaurusPontiac Grand Prix GTChevy ImpalaChrysler SebringPontiac MontanaDodge CaravanFord Freestar

The job in question will have A LOT of driving to it. It's sales, so basically whatever I choose will need to be my daily office in addition to transportation. Insurance, repairs, and gas costs are not an issue, as they are paid for by the company. There is need for some storage, but nothing too excessive, as it will only be a limited number of samples I'll be carting around.

Any comments or suggestions? Or even a breakdown for those of you in the know? My first instinct is Altima...mostly because it's a Nissan ... but it'd be nice to hear some non-biased views...if that's possible in here ...

I'll be test driving each of them this weekend and during next week too...just to reinforce my selection...

Thanks in advance...

MF

[Rev_D21]

Of all the company cars I see come in my shop for repairs I have never seen an altima come in for nothing more than oil changes. Those Taurus's and anything Chysler are pure garbage. I've seen 03 Taurus's come in for wheel bearings already with almost no miles on em. The Chyslers are the worst by far. Caravans and Intrepids, WORST CARS EVER!!! They overheat and blow their heads so easy and they have the worst suspension components right out of the box. They shake like no other, wheel balances don't help, new tires don't help...nothing helps. Caravans like to break their sway bars very easily.

Sebrings shake right out of the box and their brakes don't last long at all, the rotors are cheap and warp the first time you use the brakes.

G.Prix's are ok if you do the up keep on them, if you miss one service you have opened pandoras box.

Don't see too manu Montanas come into the shop other than tire replacement. and the Freestar is too new for my shop to be working on them.

That's my $.02.

[jEzTeR]

I got to go for the Altima also!I really love mine.Its an 02 3.5se and is loaded which make a big differance.

My company car is a 2003 Vibe.So far it has been great.My only complaint is the lack of power.

Good Luckj and be sure and let us know what you get.

[Altiman94]

I would go with the altima. Get he 3.5 and a 5spd. I haven't heard any problems with them

[DJ MF]

Finished testing...

The vans? No way...unless they're forced on me. Which may happen. But nonetheless, after driving my J for the past 3 years, I can't do something that handles like a slug on dope. I will say this though- the Freestar surprised me. Very roomy. Decent interior. TONS of space.

Impala- blah. No character. Surprised me with the power. But again, only if they tell me I have to.

Grand Prix- I really liked this car. And I went in expecting to hate it...I have a sordid past with Pontiacs... but anyways, the interior is pretty plasticky, but there's lots of toys, and the engine has got some tremendous torque. Not a bad looker either. It's currently my choice #2.

Sebring- lots of squeaks and rattles. Kinda scary considering it's a NEW car I was driving. Decent all around though. Second best looking interior of the bunch.

Taurus- No way. Only if they make me.

Altima- absolutely ENORMOUS. I was shocked. Very roomy inside, and the most 'avant garde' interior. I liked the theme. The 2.5 is kind noisy if you mash it, but the 3.5 is killer. I liked the stereo too.

My ranking-

AltimaGrand PrixSebringImpalaVansTaurus

MF

[nlzmo400r]

if u can get the 3.5 Defintely get it, amazing powre and handlind and looks and niceness, i could just go on and on, and id take the 2.5S over the grand prix GT, now if u cold get the supercharged GTP, then we're talkin, but i agree with your ranking, work on getting an altima

[Asleep Altima]

im an altima man thru and thru... ill let you rent mine.

[nlzmo400r]

haha, may i take u up on that offer?

[DJ MF]

An update...

So I did get an Altima...light green/khaki colour with tan interior...2.5 S with the Extra package, so I got all the power goodies....no sunroof or 6 disc player though

The stereo is killer.The engine is nice and strong.The interior is a looker.

The last point bugs me though. Every review you read describes the Altima interior as beyond cheap. I just don't see it though. The plastic on the door panels IS cheap, but the rest of the interior, especially the material used to cover the dashboard is great.

My 2 cents.

Oh, and I love this car.

[nlzmo400r]

An update...

So I did get an Altima...light green/khaki colour with tan interior...2.5 S with the Extra package, so I got all the power goodies....no sunroof or 6 disc player though

The stereo is killer.The engine is nice and strong.The interior is a looker.

The last point bugs me though. Every review you read describes the Altima interior as beyond cheap. I just don't see it though. The plastic on the door panels IS cheap, but the rest of the interior, especially the material used to cover the dashboard is great.

My 2 cents.

Oh, and I love this car.

i feel the same way, i never really noticed the 'cheap' interior materials myself. Especially when compared to Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, hell then it realy seems to shine IMO

[wild willy]

Get the Caravan....Great for dragging fat girls out of conferences....Usually they have fat friends that need rides as well

[jimnolimit]

^^ ^^

you can only fit 3 fat girls in an altima !

i recommend the altima and get the 3.5 !