I have a few questions for you Altima coupe owners.

[Bronson976]

I have been looking for a new car to get for a while now and I finally came upon the coupe last month. I was just curious if anyone has the 2.5 and if so how the pickup is? I have never considered getting an engine that small before because i figred that it was super slow. The only reason that i am forced into getting the 2.5 is because the cost of living in New Orleans has went way up since Katrina. I have a 2000 Grand Prix Gt with a 3.8 engine and it has some pick up to it when i need to get up and go. I was wondering if i be struggling to merge on the interstate with such a small engine? Is the front end of the coupe the exact same as the sedan? For some reason i dont not like the grill (two chrome pieces with the plastic)that comes on the car and was wondering if after market girlls made for the sedan would fit right in. I'm getting exciting about getting the car and plan on having it by the end of the month. Any help with my questions would be helpful...thanks.

[08Coupe]

I have been looking for a new car to get for a while now and I finally came upon the coupe last month. I was just curious if anyone has the 2.5 and if so how the pickup is? I have never considered getting an engine that small before because i figred that it was super slow. The only reason that i am forced into getting the 2.5 is because the cost of living in New Orleans has went way up since Katrina. I have a 2000 Grand Prix Gt with a 3.8 engine and it has some pick up to it when i need to get up and go. I was wondering if i be struggling to merge on the interstate with such a small engine? Is the front end of the coupe the exact same as the sedan? For some reason i dont not like the grill (two chrome pieces with the plastic)that comes on the car and was wondering if after market girlls made for the sedan would fit right in. I'm getting exciting about getting the car and plan on having it by the end of the month. Any help with my questions would be helpful...thanks.

I would go with the VQ motor, less the 200 ponies isn't enough for me, then again I traded in a 04 GTO (modded) with 400hp

[altima coupe]

If the issue is gas mileage, the 3.5 is fairly fuel efficient as well for the ponies it gives you. I don't think the numbers are that far off of the 2.5.

[ctrlaltcoupe]

I test drove the coupe with both the 2.5 and 3.5 engines, and both had rather well pickup. I'm coming from a 1.7 liter Honda Civic w/ 127 HP, so the 2.5 will definately be an upgrade for me. Although the gas mileage may not be that far off between the models, don't forget that they recommend premium gas for the 3.5.

As for the front end being the same as the sedan... they say the only body panel that is the same is the hood. The grill looks the same size, but has a honeycomb pattern on the coupe.

[Carlosf22]

I have a 2.5S Coupe, it has 170hp and it is very quick, from what I've heard the difference between the 2.5 and the 3.5 is not much although the 3.5 has more hp. The front grill is not the same shape as on the sedan, so it won't fit, the only exterior part which is the same is the hood. The two chrome pieces look very nice with a dark color, take a look at my sig.

[altima coupe]

You are correct about the premium gas. I use 91 octane, so that should be a consideration.

[toxik]

If you can afford a 3.5, get one. Who can say no to side-view mirrors with turn signals ?

I have a 2.5 and I'm very happy with how it performs. For city driving its perfect for me. There is almost no point to have a v6 for me, but it would be nice because of the extra power. So as I said, if you can afford it get one, otherwise the 2.5s provides sufficient power imo.

[dorine]

I have a 2.5S, and it definitely has pickup. I'm coming from a turbo-charged Eagle Talon, too, so I'm used to some power, and I'm not feeling shorted. The 2.5S will still accelerate uphill at speed and should be fine for passing.

It isn't a race car, but it isn't a dog, either.

[Buzzman]

Although it's not a coupe, I recently bought an 06 Altima 2.5SL, leather interior, sun roof, etc. The drivetrain is the same. I was thinking the same as you, that the 2.5 wouldn't be enough, so I wasn't really thinking about the four banger. I wanted the 3.5. (I have an 02 Pathfinder with the 3.5). I was pleasantly surprised. As I soon discovered, the car has more than enough power, and I didn't hesitate to buy it. Considering the price of gas, I think I did the right thing. I just took a day trip to Syracuse and back (four people, with the air on), and averaged 29mpg. 'Nuf said.P.S. I was in for an oil change today, and got my first good look at the coupe. It's beautiful from the outside, but honestly, I like the interior on my '06 better.

[hattrix]

You don't have to use Premium gas in the 3.5. This isn't an Acura where it is timed to use premium. I have gone $3k and get 25 MPG. That is well within the EPA estimates. There is absolutely no need to use premium. I have seen talk about premium getting you better mileage an more horsepower. I used it a couple times. It doesn't give any better gas mileage and doesn't provide any noticeable horsepower boost.

As for the comment about their not being much difference between 3.5 and 2.5...there are post comparing the specs but there is a big difference. The 3.5 has better suspension and handling and 100 more horsepower. 100 horsepower is a HUGE difference. The 2.5 will give you in the neighborhood of 33 MPG so that 8 miles per gallon is 160 miles per tank. If costs are an issue for you, that could be a big deal. Not to mention the 3.5 is about 8 grand more. I have the 3.5 and would NEVER go down to the 2.5 but I have driven it and it has plenty of power for what you are talking about. You would be fine getting on the interstate with it.

[Carlosf22]

Hey, what's wrong with the 2.5s, just because the 3.5s has turn signals, a VQ and 17" rims doesn't mean the 2.5s is inferior. Since I got my 2.5s more than a week ago I still haven't filled up, I've been everywhere (or my dad has been everywhere) and I still have over half a tank. The handeling on the car is amazing and the suspension I think is sportier than on my mom's Altima sedan. The 170hp are great, it's not like I'm going to race the car or nothing. 100 horsepower can be a huge difference when you look at the numbers but not at the other factors. Anyway, either the 2.5 or the 3.5 are very good cars no matter wich one you go for. Test drive them both, that'll give you a good idea of how each is.

[miata007]

I just want to point out one thing on premium vs regular. Many years ago when regular was around 80cents per gallon and premium was $1/gallon. The difference was 25% more in cost. Now a day, regular is $3.00/gallon and super is $3.20. The difference is oly 6.666%. Each time I fuel up 15 gallons, I save $3.

The difference in MPG between I4 vs V6 is from low 20's mpg to hi 20's mpg. That's a significant amount if your family is average $600/mo in gas.

007

[hattrix]

Carlos,

Nothing is wrong with the 2.5. The original post asked if there was a difference. HP is not the only difference. The 3.5 has better handling as well. I have nothing against the 2.5. For some people it is perfect, just not for me. My post was related to the question of is there a difference, and he specifically mentioned HP. There is a big difference.

As for the response about the premium vs regular, the question wasn't about cost savings. Someone said you had to use premium in the 3.5. You absolutely do not. It isn't required, the car isn't timed for it and it has no material improvement if it has any at all.

I also did mention that the difference in fuel mileage was huge from the 3.5 to the 2.5. The difference is really low to mid 20mpg in the 3.5 (I am getting 25) to low to mid 30's in the 2.5. That alone could be enough factor to choose the 2.5 over the 3.5. I just wasn't willing to go from a 305 HP Titan to a 170 HP coupe. I also wanted the improved handling on the 3.5. I would say I was sorry to offend 2.5 owners if I said anything to slight their car. I didn't. The question was posed as to differences and I noted the major differences.

[flex317]

Hey, what's wrong with the 2.5s, just because the 3.5s has turn signals, a VQ and 17" rims doesn't mean the 2.5s is inferior. Since I got my 2.5s more than a week ago I still haven't filled up, I've been everywhere (or my dad has been everywhere) and I still have over half a tank. The handeling on the car is amazing and the suspension I think is sportier than on my mom's Altima sedan. The 170hp are great, it's not like I'm going to race the car or nothing. 100 horsepower can be a huge difference when you look at the numbers but not at the other factors. Anyway, either the 2.5 or the 3.5 are very good cars no matter wich one you go for. Test drive them both, that'll give you a good idea of how each is.

You are correct..i got my car last thursday...and i have only used 1/2 the tank....when i got the car it will filled up and i pushed the detail button on the dash and it showed that my next fill up will be in 440 miles!! Wow!!!this car holds 20 gallons of gas and 1 gallon on reserve..so once you fill up...you should be good to go for a while!!!

[Carlosf22]

You are correct..i got my car last thursday...and i have only used 1/2 the tank....when i got the car it will filled up and i pushed the detail button on the dash and it showed that my next fill up will be in 440 miles!! Wow!!!this car holds 20 gallons of gas and 1 gallon on reserve..so once you fill up...you should be good to go for a while!!!

Sorry, I have 3/4 of a tank, and have 108 miles on the odometer, I got it with 7 miles, so it's doing really good for an Altima. I know some people say Altima's get good gas mileage but my mom's 06' doesn't compared to the car she had before that one, but it's still an awsome car, gas mileage never passed my head with my Coupe since it's a great car anyway. My guess is that my first trip to the gas station will be in about a month.

[toxik]

Tomorrow will mark officially a month since I got the coupe, I have yet to go to a gas station. Now I'm not a daily driver, and I live in a city so the gas mileage here sucks. I have driven 250 miles so far and have prolly 40% on the gas gauge left. Prolly have to go another 200 before I'll get to fill up. Mileage is good, but I wasn't expecting it to be any other way.... especially on a v4.

[AZhitman]

Hey Carlos? Can you hit me up at [email protected]?

Got a quick question (off-board) for you.

Thanks!!!

[compyelc4]

You guys are running only 170 hp on your coupes? Come run me with my 175 hp. ;-)

[3.5SECoupe]

burn~