Best coupe model to get.

[mcheddadi]

Ok after 2 years I can confidently say that the BEST coupe model to buy is the BASE 3.5SE 6MT (with only option being possibly the sunroof)

it's got the best motorZero to 60 mph: 5.7 secZero to 100 mph: 13.9 secStanding ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 101.2 mphand the best potential to mod.

you can add crazy dual tone REAL leather interior for 800$USD to customize it and make it your own. http://forums.altimas.org/zerothread?id=400197

then you can get the short shifter kit and some nice custom weighted knobs to feel like in a real sports car.

you can add NAV for as little as 80$ with the portable ones or for 300$ you can get a seriously nice integrated unit. with the base 3.5SE you get the big wheels and the integrated turn signal mirrors. you also skip the extra grand required to downgrade to CVT so thats a definitive hot deal there. you get the same brilliant platform and suspension, plus all that puh button tech stuff.

you can upgrade the suspention with D2 or Ksport coilovers for 800$ and have a super customized coupe or buy the upgrades like springs (eibachs or H&R) and front strut and rear sway bar plus front and rear endlinks.

Also For turbo you don't need a transmission cooler since you got the 6MT transmission.

Also the 6MT 3.5SE is the one with the highest limited speed since 130+mphbut now thats not a problem anymore with the Bully Dog Triple Dog GT and Nissan Power pup

If I had to restart and I was low on cash, I would have taken a base 3.5SE 6MT with no packages except sunroof.

but since i'm not low on cash I would have taken the same car I already have lol. but this time with the door sills lool

[DAAN.]

Mehdi, judging your thinking pattern, a better deal would be base 2.5 and then you throw a turbo in, and coilovers, and CAI, and ECU, and GPS ... and ... and

: )) or my favorite, a genesis

[dldjros69]

I think the 3.5 is still faster than the 2.5 with a turbo. the price difference is only 4,000. that doesnt even cover the cost of the turbo. then the next step would be to turbo the 3.5 and there ya go. A monster.

[michaelthepsycho]

I totally agree but I don't like manuals so I wish the A/c had a conventional automatic transmission that is more tolerant towards wear and tear... I bought the 2.5 and it's a great car but buyers remorse always sets in anyway.

[dldjros69]

6mt ftmfw... Whats wrong with you???

Why wouldnt you like a manual?

You get to pick the gear, the rpms.

Its the true feeling of the car

[chow]

The genesis easily beats out the coupe when it comes to aftermarket parts and modification possibilites. It also is sportier and cheaper.

However we have VQ, nuff said.

[mcheddadi]

The genesis easily beats out the coupe when it comes to aftermarket parts and modification possibilites. It also is sportier and cheaper.

However we have VQ, nuff said.

no. the genesis beats the coupe as a DRIFT CAR. For ride comfort, looks, interior quality, ease of use, safety, winterability autocross, autoslalom, straight line acceleration, drag racing, brand, quality the altima totally pwns the genesis coupe. infact the A/C coupe is one of the most practical coupes in the world since it can seat 5 people (I did one 155 mile road trip with 5 people that lasted two hours and everyone was ok. a little cramped but ok lol). and the VQ. the VQ's limitless torque is enough to warrant supremacy of the whole price segment.

I'd take an rx8 over a genesis coupe anyday of the week because of its perfect 50/50 weight ratio and superb handling and cheap price, plus it's practicality. If I was that much into drift I would just take a 300zx or 240s for DIRT cheap.

Genesis coupe will be something to consider when I devaluates and costs 10K or less for the FULLY specked out model. for now it's stupid

[Bmore-coupe]

you also skip the extra grand required to downgrade to CVT so thats a definitive hot deal there.

Is it just a canadian thing for there to be a price difference here? I got the CVT for sitting in rush hour traffic every day ( even though I still sort of regret it) and it was the same price for me to get either the CVT or 6MT.

If I was told that i had to spend an extra $1000 to downgrade, I would have said no way

[DAAN.]

Mehdi, RX8 is over your coupes price (with 3.5 +all packages included) and only 232 HP (needs confirmation) on standard.

Luxury wise, Genesis has a foot and an arm on top of ours. Although I started appreciating our A/Cs a bit more recently, luxury wise, we're sitting at T. Camry level.

Genesis is at Mercedes E class/Infiniti 37 level. All specs have not been released yet, but it might even have heating steering wheel + chilled seats + trip adjustable projector.

[RobPaulson]

no. the genesis beats the coupe as a DRIFT CAR. For ride comfort, looks, interior quality, ease of use, safety, winterability autocross, autoslalom, straight line acceleration, drag racing, brand, quality the altima totally pwns the genesis coupe. infact the A/C coupe is one of the most practical coupes in the world since it can seat 5 people (I did one 155 mile road trip with 5 people that lasted two hours and everyone was ok. a little cramped but ok lol). and the VQ. the VQ's limitless torque is enough to warrant supremacy of the whole price segment.

i didnt think this was a genesis thread. . . but thats the best breakdown i've seen so far comparing the 2 lol

Quote »All specs have not been released yet, but it might even have heating steering wheel + chilled seats + trip adjustable projector.[/quote]all of those options at the same price as the A/C?? Not saying your a liar (thats not sarcasm either) but i'll believe that when i see it.

[DAAN.]

John, our 3.5s are about 3800 more in our money.The option of CVT is another 1300 in our money / it's an option that really assist the resale value of any car.

Rob, no no. The price of the 2 vehicles are very different. In Canada, the Genesis both sedan and coupe are more of a car than ACs due to the lxury options that are quite expensive. Altimas are fortunately way cheaper for A/Cs lovers : )

[RobPaulson]

Rob, no no. The price of the 2 vehicles are very different. In Canada the price of the Genesis is around the one of the RX8. Altimas are fortunately way cheaper for A/Cs lovers : )

mmmmkay i feel better now

i was under the impression that they were putting that genesis out at the same price point at the altima, just throwing in crap-high end options in it. hhmmm maybe the genesis isnt the p.o.s i was assuming it'd be =p

[DAAN.]

Hehe

Do we have track numbers for CVT vs. 6MT ?

[spockrock]

I looked at the rx8 before I bought my coupe it has no balls, and the only power you get out of it is at 9000RPM.

[DAAN.]

It's a poor excuse for a car that expensive . It's got the same engine as back in 2004 when was released , looks have been upgraded in 2009, interior looks the same throughout the years

... but, at least , the RX8 has projectors

[Beak]

the car would run even better with no sunroof!!

[dangeris]

I think a smart car with a haybusa or ZX-14 motor will beat the AC and or genesis hands down!

Here's one drifting around and you gotta see the ending!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLtMh20qIp8

And if you think it can't beat a Ferrari, here's one for ya..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...lated

I'm sure the driver of the Ferrari is like

[mcheddadi]

I looked at the rx8 before I bought my coupe it has no balls, and the only power you get out of it is at 9000RPM.

rx8 is ALL about handling and ride, feel, and practicality. NOT straight line acceleration.That, everyone knows it. The fact you even mention that it has no balls and that you need to rev it to 9000rpm just proves you don't understand the rx8. On a track it holds its place with the 350z, audi s4, volvos60R , subaru wrx sti and evos. The handling is just that good. Reeving it to 9000RPM is the point of the engine. you have to shift less and you can keep a way higher speed during cornering. and when you are done you can go back home with 4 FULL size adults being comfortable.

Luxury wise, Genesis has a foot and an arm on top of ours. Although I started appreciating our A/Cs a bit more recently, luxury wise, we're sitting at T. Camry level.

Genesis is at Mercedes E class/Infiniti 37 level. All specs have not been released yet, but it might even have heating steering wheel + chilled seats + trip adjustable projector.

I don't know where you got that info, but I'm pretty sure its about the genesis SEDAN and not the coupe. Unless you got some info from hyundai.com I wouldn't trust cheapo internet sites that misquote everyone .

But if it's true then damn!

[rjdmmfl1]

Daan,

I have never seen anyone that hates the A/C as much as you, and still purchased it... it seems like I have never read a full sentence where you actually gave a compliment to the A/C without some time of backhand thrown in there.

It doesn't matter to me one way or the other, I love my car, but it seems as though you made a horrible decision getting the A/C... just an observation!

[mrodrig2]

Man you make some weird comparisons. Those cars you mentioned are barely comparable on cost, use, speed, handling, weight, etc. S4 and the Volvo are hardly track cars. And the others, the RX8 doesn't come close to holding its own against. Evo and STI come in with mid-5 sec 0-60 compared to RX8 with 7 sec 0-60. As far as practicality: 1) those rotaries have a horrible maintenance reputation and it continues to plague the modern RX8; 2) poor gas mileage.

IMO, this whole thread is kind of bunk. You are stating that the 3.5 is a good model not because of its own qualities but because of the aftermarket parts you can add to it. Makes no sense. Since the 2.5/3.5/CVT/MT share a lot of aftermarket parts you are invalidating your own assessment. Even disregarding that, you are using your own needs/desires as the baseline for what makes up "the best model." Not everyone bought their particular coupe model for the same reason as you.

[LongBeachCoupe]

IMO, this whole thread is kind of bunk. You are stating that the 3.5 is a good model not because of its own qualities but because of the aftermarket parts you can add to it. Makes no sense. Since the 2.5/3.5/CVT/MT share a lot of aftermarket parts you are invalidating your own assessment. Even disregarding that, you are using your own needs/desires as the baseline for what makes up "the best model." Not everyone bought their particular coupe model for the same reason as you.

I couldnt agree with you more!

IMO the 2.5 is a NO-Brainer over the 3.5 (if you wanted speed why wouldnt you get a car designed for speed, not an altima?)

Everyone has their own reasons why they picked their car... My reasoning for a 2.5 was Cost, Gas, and Insurance. Sure I would TAKE a faster car if everything was held even. And I am fairly competent in driving a MT, but I just WOULDNT want that as a daily driver, especially in my area.

But my pick, my coupe, and its ALL smiles over here baby!

[dldjros69]

the RX8 doesn't come close to holding its own against. Evo and STI come in with mid-5 sec 0-60 compared to RX8 with 7 sec 0-60.

I think mehdi was talking more about track racing vs. a drag race. The rx8 is underpowered but its handling helps it run with the more powerful cars.

[mrodrig2]

I think mehdi was talking more about track racing vs. a drag race. The rx8 is underpowered but its handling helps it run with the more powerful cars.

Low torque + need to rev high for power still make the RX8 a less than stellar contender on the track compared to those other cars. It already has the disadvantage on the straights but then it gets double disadvantage because it can't accelerate out of the turns as well.

All this talk of "limitless torque," "practicality," "best potential to mod," make this thread sound like a fluffed up car magazine article. Too much dreaming and not enough real tech talk.

[mcheddadi]

Man you make some weird comparisons. Those cars you mentioned are barely comparable on cost, use, speed, handling, weight, etc. S4 and the Volvo are hardly track cars. And the others, the RX8 doesn't come close to holding its own against. Evo and STI come in with mid-5 sec 0-60 compared to RX8 with 7 sec 0-60. As far as practicality: 1) those rotaries have a horrible maintenance reputation and it continues to plague the modern RX8; 2) poor gas mileage.

not comparing on cost. ever.

I was talking about those cars in terms of track performance. not drag race. So who cares about 0-60 times. lap times are from a roll anyways. On a balanced track those cars are so close you'd be surprised.

Nissan 350Z, Audi S4, Volvo S60 R, EVO IX, WRX STI and RX8. they all have their advantages and disadvantages that makes them better and worst in all parts of a balanced track.

The rx8 can maintain a higher speed than most during cornering so it doesn't matter if it can't accelerate as well on exits, but it does get left behind on the straights.

and for practicality, try to fit 4 full size adult in any rwd sport coupe car during a full trip and then well talk about it.

I couldnt agree with you more!

IMO the 2.5 is a NO-Brainer over the 3.5 (if you wanted speed why wouldnt you get a car designed for speed, not an altima?)

Everyone has their own reasons why they picked their car... My reasoning for a 2.5 was Cost, Gas, and Insurance. Sure I would TAKE a faster car if everything was held even. And I am fairly competent in driving a MT, but I just WOULDN'T want that as a daily driver, especially in my area.

But my pick, my coupe, and its ALL smiles over here baby!

like seriously, this whole designed for speed argument just fails. the altima coupe WAS designed for speed. the altima as a concept is about sporty practicality. always was, always is. there's a freaking VQ avaible in it and it can crack 5.7sec 0-60 miles. how fast do you want?

there is NO other car as fast for the money. Almost every single FWD car on the road gets destroyed by it.

you have to go way pricier to get more performance. like g37 bmw135i and top of the line subaru or mitsubishi.

people with a 2.5S tend to forget it, but the altima is anything but normal. it's fast, way fast.

I do respect the fact that you don't need MT on your car Brian. but the Majority of this forum peps are altima coupe enthusiast. so thats why I said that the best possible altima combo after all I have seen is the VQ equipped BASE 6MT model.

I'm talking about potential to mod and enjoyment. not about money, insurance, or mpg.

I get 31mpg average on the highway and 26mpg around town. that VQ is quite good for fuel economy. and for the money, a full equipped 2.5S with CVT costs more than a base 3.5 6MT with the extra 800$ on the leather. and since modding is fun well a base 3.5SE 6MT has more potential for fun and modding than any other combo of Altima coupe.

this thread isn't about bashing 2.5ers or CVT guys. its just an open discussion about what you guys think is the best model combo for the altima coupe now that almost two years have gone by since its release.

[GreyZone]

IMO the 2.5 is a NO-Brainer over the 3.5 (if you wanted speed why wouldnt you get a car designed for speed, not an altima?)

But my pick, my coupe, and its ALL smiles over here baby!

That's crazy! I'll take my 3.5SE 6MT over a 2.5 any day, morning, afternoon or night, in any city, county, state, or country, anywhere, anytime! I find it to be very fast, certainly fast enough. Love the power, throat and growl of the engine, and the speed and perfomance are exceptional (for me and my money)...and with some of the aftermarket stuff thats coming out its only getting better and better...16 months after buying it I love it now more than I did when it was new...that to me is the sign of a great purchase.

Of course, I totally agree with the second part....ITS ALL SMILES BABY!!

[marlin29311]

Fully loaded 3.5 CVT FTW

Sorry, but factory options, while more expensive in most regards, are just nicer than having to fit the crap you want on/in/over the OEM stuff.

[RobPaulson]

Fully loaded 3.5 CVT FTW

Sorry, but factory options, while more expensive in most regards, are just nicer than having to fit the crap you want on/in/over the OEM stuff.

I used to think that until i compared the price of say an f700bt with all options and updates, compared to the tech package . . . its like 1200 vs 3k, and the 1200 gets you a much better product and more functionality. For me thats a deal breaker, but then again, i just graduated college and money is pretty tight atm =/

I also regret getting the premium package . . . that was a BIG option that jacked up my monthly payments a noticeable amount, as much as i LOVE the leather, I could have easily gotten it done or lived with cloth. The HID's are a cheap mod now, i thought they were worth way more when i opted for premium =/

bah anyway, what i'm sayin is a agree with mchedd, base 3.5 6mt all the way

[marlin29311]

I used to think that until i compared the price of say an f700bt with all options and updates, compared to the tech package . . . its like 1200 vs 3k, and the 1200 gets you a much better product and more functionality. For me thats a deal breaker, but then again, i just graduated college and money is pretty tight atm =/

My tech package was $1500

I actually kinda wish the leather was a little higher quality, but I'm not really complaining that much.

[RobPaulson]

My tech package was $1500

I actually kinda wish the leather was a little higher quality, but I'm not really complaining that much.

dude my haggle-o-meter is reading over 9000 on you!!!!!! . . .

lol

[marlin29311]

dude my haggle-o-meter is reading over 9000 on you!!!!!! . . .

lol

Haha, I wish I did it...it was my grandpa that got the price down though...i guess 50 years of buying cars and living in NYC makes you pretty good at that stuff lol.