I need a new car soon, I am not looking for speed just a daily driver. I am unsure to get the 4 or 6 cyl, I have the following questions:
Whats the diff in the SE and SL?
How are the automatics transmissions in these cars there not cvt till 07 correct?
What are the changes over 02-06, from my readings i believe its just front grill and taillights and dash color?
Is there any common issues with these cars and are they pretty reliable?
Got some altima questions...!!
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CoupeVQ35CVT
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:50 am
- Car: '98 Lexus GS400, '91 'Yota Land Cruiser
'09 Altima Coupe 3.5SE CVT, '06 Sentra 1.8 SE
Re: Got some altima questions...!!
05-06 models got the new headlights/taillight changes, and instrument cluster, as well as a little bit of a better interior. Also the I4 and V6 I believe both got 5 more horsepower and some extra torque in these model years. A total of 175 hp, 180 ft/lb torque for the '05+ Altima 2.5, and I believe 255 Hp/ 250 tq for the '05+ Altima 3.5 V6.
I would think those two model years would be the best ones to get as opposed to the pre-05, with most any recalls handled, and another reason being they are 4-5 years old instead of 6-8+ years old.
The 2.5 4 cylinder '05 model I drove for 30k miles got about 25-26 mpg, driving around 80-90% on highway @ 60-70 mph (EPA rating 24/30 mpg, if I recall).
With careful driving my own '09 Altima Coupe V6 with the CVT, gets about 22-24 mpg in the same driving conditions, the sticker as I recall stated an EPA estimate of 20/27 mpg, if that helps.
The '05-06 Altima 3.5 V6 I imagine with age would probably have worse mpg, but the EPA sticker on a new one back then read 23/28 I think, for reference.
To answer your question, if you're not concerned about performance, a 2.5 would be all you need for a peppy daily driver, the '07 CVT having a 120,000 mile warranty or so, being the best choice for MPG, otherwise '05-'06 auto would be fine, as I don't remember any recalls for the transmission or hear of other issues. I'm sure others will chime in with their opinion, or you can sift through some threads on the Sedan forum for the pertinent year model.
I would think those two model years would be the best ones to get as opposed to the pre-05, with most any recalls handled, and another reason being they are 4-5 years old instead of 6-8+ years old.
The 2.5 4 cylinder '05 model I drove for 30k miles got about 25-26 mpg, driving around 80-90% on highway @ 60-70 mph (EPA rating 24/30 mpg, if I recall).
With careful driving my own '09 Altima Coupe V6 with the CVT, gets about 22-24 mpg in the same driving conditions, the sticker as I recall stated an EPA estimate of 20/27 mpg, if that helps.
The '05-06 Altima 3.5 V6 I imagine with age would probably have worse mpg, but the EPA sticker on a new one back then read 23/28 I think, for reference.
To answer your question, if you're not concerned about performance, a 2.5 would be all you need for a peppy daily driver, the '07 CVT having a 120,000 mile warranty or so, being the best choice for MPG, otherwise '05-'06 auto would be fine, as I don't remember any recalls for the transmission or hear of other issues. I'm sure others will chime in with their opinion, or you can sift through some threads on the Sedan forum for the pertinent year model.
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wantboost1
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:23 pm
Re: Got some altima questions...!!
amy common problems on the 05 06?
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CoupeVQ35CVT
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:50 am
- Car: '98 Lexus GS400, '91 'Yota Land Cruiser
'09 Altima Coupe 3.5SE CVT, '06 Sentra 1.8 SE
Re: Got some altima questions...!!
Aside from the fact that the 2.5 engine (QR25DE) on some models, back then had faulty engines (overbored cylinder leading to oil consumption and bad mpg, pre-cat material burning up and backing into the engine messing up the cylinder walls etc, butterfly screws loosening and falling into the engine cylinders due to lack of loc-tite) and I believe a few 3.5s had some issues. Either the problem happened, or it didn't, and most owners by NOW I would hope would have gotten their recalls fixed. I guess I totally forgot to mention this earlier but good thing you asked.
If you end up buying an Altima I'd just check with the dealership if the recalls were issued on your particular car/checked out.
Also typical Nissan issues you want to check for perhaps are bad power-window regulators/motors, and maybe O2 sensors going bad. I've had 5 Nissans, from 1 year to 9 years old. 2 of the older '01 models, and my '06 Sentra have had 1 or more power window mechanism fail and had to be replaced, either under warranty within 1-3 years, or I have just been living with it if out of warranty. Very very annoying and disappointing for me to be honest, because this seems to be a common issue with Nissans from back when and hasn't ever been squashed. Having owned other brands in my family not one had this issue as I recall. Also the O2 sensor issue seems to happen on a few older Nissans. My '01 Quest van has one that has gone bad and I've put off replacing it. The CEL light comes on and off because of it and other issues.
If you end up buying an Altima I'd just check with the dealership if the recalls were issued on your particular car/checked out.
Also typical Nissan issues you want to check for perhaps are bad power-window regulators/motors, and maybe O2 sensors going bad. I've had 5 Nissans, from 1 year to 9 years old. 2 of the older '01 models, and my '06 Sentra have had 1 or more power window mechanism fail and had to be replaced, either under warranty within 1-3 years, or I have just been living with it if out of warranty. Very very annoying and disappointing for me to be honest, because this seems to be a common issue with Nissans from back when and hasn't ever been squashed. Having owned other brands in my family not one had this issue as I recall. Also the O2 sensor issue seems to happen on a few older Nissans. My '01 Quest van has one that has gone bad and I've put off replacing it. The CEL light comes on and off because of it and other issues.