Best Generation of Altimas --- ???

[Smagegy]

Hi Friends,

I've heard good things about Altimas and seriously considering a USED ALTIMA purchase. I can go up to 8k or maybe 10k

• WHAT'S YOUR OPINION...Which year would you buy and which would you avoid?

• What are some of the Biggest Quirks about owning a Altima---

• What should i look out for in my quest to buy one?

Just doing some Car Shopping and thought it best to ask the group what their opinion is...

Thoughts / Comments ?

Thanks for your input !

[VStar650CL]

It all depends on the transmission and how well the owner treated it. The QR25 engine is as bulletproof as any 4-banger ever built, but the CVT trannies can be big trouble if they've been neglected. If you can find a pristine '04~'06 gen3, that's not an issue, they have a 4-speed A/T which is pretty ironclad. I'd stay away from the '07~'09 gen4's, those were the first years for the CVT. They didn't have proper cooling and were very problematic. The '10~'12's still had the '10A transmission but had a heat exchanger and were a lot better than the earlier ones. From '13 up they all have various implementations of the '10D and for the most part get better with time. The exceptions are the '16's and early '17's, those had some serious Valve Body issues.

I'd suggest downloading a copy of the CVTz50 app and getting yourself a compatible ELM327 dongle (the VeePeak VP11 is the best-cheapest one). That will let you pick the brain of the transmission controller (TCM). If it has any P07xx, P08xx, or particularly P17Fx codes in it, pass and go to the next car. Also go to "CVT Information" and look at the parameters CVT-A and CVT-B. If either one is non-zero, pass on it. Even if the TCM is clean, be prepared to do an immediate fluid change when you buy it and change the fluid every 30K miles thereafter. CVT's are not like regular automatics, fluid is life.

[fontana dan]

I like the L30 Altima (1998-2001). You still see these things puttering around all over the place, many of them looking sad like they are in serious neglect.

[Smagegy]

I'd suggest downloading a copy of the CVTz50 app and getting yourself a compatible ELM327 dongle (the VeePeak VP11 is the best-cheapest one).

Hi Vstar... i happened to have an old ELM327 dongle on my shelf. I haven't used it in a while BUT 'its a generic version' (china) an I paid $10 for it a Few years ago.

I see that CVTz50 app --- will that work with any other Cars (do you know --- i know crazy question) ?

FIRST thing i'll do today is test my Dongle with a Free app. Other than the CVT app, Any recommendations on Code reading Apps ?

thanks very much!

[VStar650CL]

I have both Torque Pro and NDS-III on my phone, they're both pretty good general purpose tools. Don't count on your China ELM working with CVTz50, most of them will connect but won't work properly for all the functions. The VeePeak VP11's are $20 on eBay and we know those work. I've seen some stuff on the net implying that you can use the CVTz50 engine functions on non-CVT vehicles, but I can't confirm it personally. That would be handy if it's true, CVTz50's IAVL and CTPL work support is excellent. If you try it and it works, post back and let us all know.

[Smagegy]

I have both Torque Pro and NDS-III on my phone, they're both pretty good general purpose tools. Don't count on your China ELM working with CVTz50, most of them will connect but won't work properly for all the functions. The VeePeak VP11's are $20 on eBay and we know those work. I've seen some stuff on the net implying that you can use the CVTz50 engine functions on non-CVT vehicles, but I can't confirm it personally. That would be handy if it's true, CVTz50's IAVL and CTPL work support is excellent. If you try it and it works, post back and let us all know.

I'm glad i asked --- i'll order that VeePeak Today !

Right now, --- I'm driving a VW Passat 2.0T, (what a pain-n-a**). This car is worse than having a 'Crack Whore' GF ----- Constant attention and trouble --- I need to get back to my roots (Japanese cars).

[VStar650CL]

Vhat, you are unimpressed mit Cherman engineering?? Zis ist not possible!!

[Smagegy]

Vhat, you are unimpressed mit Cherman engineering?? Zis ist not possible!!

Over the Top Germans --- crazy!


ALSO looking at Rogue and Murano --- I never test drove Murano,--- gonna arrange this ~

[VStar650CL]

For the record, I really like the current gen Muranos ('15 up). The engines aren't the easiest to work on (it's a VQ after all, none of them are), but I want to pin a medal on the guys who designed the interior. I can literally have a headliner out of one in 41 minutes and replace a carpet in under 3 hours. IMHO, the epitome of "beautiful but functional".

Still a CVT though, so the same due diligence applies. The '10E/'10H trannies are a lot sturdier than the 4-banger '10D's, but that just means they'll go about 50K further before they blow if the fluid isn't changed.

[Smagegy]

I just got the VEEpeak in the mail (courtesy of Amazon and my $14 payment). It's a SMALL obd2 plugin --- however, it looks like it's ALSO made in China.

I'm OK with China Made AS long as it was quality controlled. The last ELM plug was throwing 'compatibility issues' with the CAR SCANNER program.

Does your VEEpeak plugin also state 'China Made?'
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B011NSX2 ... b016c953e9

[VStar650CL]

Yep, but it's the only China-cheap one that works right. I've used mine for several years now (even at the shop), if there are any quality issues they haven't showed up in my unit.

[Smagegy]

Yep, but it's the only China-cheap one that works right. I've used mine for several years now (even at the shop), if there are any quality issues they haven't showed up in my unit.

Right now, i'm looking at a few Rogues. BUT they all have higher miles (120k+).

Where should i draw the line ---- is 120k too much?
What happens to these CVT cars with higher miles?

[VStar650CL]

What happens to these CVT cars with higher miles?

Nothing if they've been serviced properly. Look, a CVT has almost no clutches or bands to wear out like a regular A/T, just a metal belt running on metal pulleys. That means if the fluid dies then the transmission dies with it, but there's a flip side to the story. With no sacrificial materials to wear out, a properly maintained CVT can be a perpetual motion machine. We have one old Murano here in the shop that's gone past 500K on the original CVT, and now it will probably outlive the car because things are starting to break on it that we can't fix because of unavailable parts. The only secret is fluid changes at 30K like a religion since the day it left the showroom.

[Smagegy]

The only secret is fluid changes at 30K like a religion since the day it left the showroom.

Ok Thanks V,


Now,...I must go through --- 'the Car Buying Hunt' ---

Like to buy from a Private Owner/Seller but the majority on FB are Dealers

[Smagegy]

Hey Buds,

I took Vstars advice and purchased the CVTz50 program and the VEEPAK dongle, both used to check for codes thrown from Engine and Trans.

NOW TODAY i test drove a 2013 and pulled the following codes;





I pulled the P17FO code and did not like that. That one indicates big problems with the transmission.

ALSO, pulled that list of codes for the Engine.

NO WONDER the car was selling Cheap !

[VStar650CL]

Yep, and those CVT judder codes are "stealth" codes, they don't even light the MIL. That's exactly why it's important to check. Good work.

[Smagegy]

Yep, and those CVT judder codes are "stealth" codes, they don't even light the MIL. That's exactly why it's important to check. Good work.

YES SIR... thank you Friend !

The car did run a little rough --- misfiring, and AC was not that cold.

TRANS seemed ok, but that code is not good (its all over Google)

Thanks again !