Greetings from NE Mississippi - looking at Altima

[GuyGene]

I am a member of several forums, mostly computer, and two truck forums. As usual, I found Nissan forum for research on Altima.

I have been looking at the 2013 Altima, 2.5, and LOVE the car! It is the best feeling car I have ever driven! But, doing research, I have learned about several CVT problems - I don't mean subjective drivability issues or feelings, but the transmission actually not working. To me, I really like the CVT idea, no prejudices from me with drivability. BUT - whew, I am a nut for reliability. If it doesn't work, I don't want it, be it car, computer, software, etc., I just have no toleration for breakdowns, etc. I am not very brand loyal. Presently have an '06 Camry that has been incredibly reliable with 187k of hard miles with nary a problem.

So, I am shopping now for a new car, looking at Altima, and had made up my mind until I read about these CVT problems in the 2013 models. It was on another Nissan forum where I found most of the issues posted, but that forum makes one register with facebook, which I do not use. I like the layout of this forum! Great job!

Ok, thank for listening to my ramblings - probably going back to dealer now to re-check the Altima. Salesman is aware of my concerns and told me to come back and talk to the service man... I want to get this Altima, but man, don't want problems... (I know, all things mechanical break down, etc., but my benchmark is the Camry, and a '93 Dodge Dakota that has been even BETTER than the Camry - right, a Dodge!).

[downedzephyr]

To my knowledge, Nissan extended their warranty on the CVT to 10 years or 100k miles, whichever comes first.

[Keyan]

I just picked up a 2013 3.5 SL...only have about 275 miles on it so far, what issues are you hearing about? So far mine is driving fine, and you can tell the CVT is improved over the 2010 model as far as fuel econ and power to the wheels.

[Honva]

I have the 13 Altima SL and just love it. Owned 2 other Nissan with CVT with no problem before. Nissan has been using CVT in their line of cars for over 20 years. It is nothing new. In fact, CVT has been in application since the 50s. At one point in 2008, the failure rate increased by a percentage point and Nissan doubled their warranty for everybody with those models. Showed Nissan is a company committed to customers satisfaction. No worries.

[GuyGene]

My concerns about Nissan's CVT have been solved. I was not worried about CVT, via research, I learned that actually, the concept has been around since ------ 1540!! Leonardi DaVinci sketched the idea way back then. How's that for "new" ideas?? My concern was reading forums like this where I do research before buying, and many people reported some kind of problem with the '13 Altima CVTs. But, it seems Nissan has corrected the issues - software and firmware updates, I read. This was on the earlier builds, and did not seem to be very serious.

Some people here (or was it the other Altima forum I read...?) have been talking about fit and finish concerns, but I don't know. The '13 Altima surely seemed better built than the '12 Camry I have been test driving too.

[pk386]

FYI the 2013 altima is made in Canton, MS and in Smyrna, TN.

BUY local ;-)

[LongBeachCoupe]

Mines from Smyrna, so was my ac