My car decisions...

[coupenthusiast25]

Hey there guys, my first time posting on this forum!

So i recently got interested in the Altima Coupe when I saw someone up my street driving one around... I had been trying to convince my parents to get me a new car, seeing as the one I currently have - a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe that is making all sorts of weird noises and is always a hassle to get out of the school parking lot.

In the end, my mom relented, saying that they'd get me a car in the $20K range (after the $4000 or so I'd get for the Hyundai trade-in).

At first, I was looking at the Mustang (come on, who doesn't love that sound as the engine (even the V6 one! - budget, duh) roars behind you? Unfortunately, my dad was pretty set against American cars (whatever...it's cool, I guess), and I started to look around again.

As of now, I've pretty much decided the "competition" in my mind - the Altima Coupe 2.5 S (obviously, again - budget; I need it as close to $20Kish as I possibly can) and the Accord Coupe that'll be coming out...soon. Also, I haven't entirely crossed the Mustang off my list.

This'll be my first "new" car and I'd just like some advice regarding this issue...I understand that there is already an Accord vs. Altima thread floating around, but I'm kinda adding to that that this will be a first car for a Senior, and whether that changes anything. Also I realize that the Mustang is a RWD and you can't really compare it with the FWD Accord and Altima, but could you guys give it your best shot?

Thanks, and sorry for the long post lol

[mikemart]

Welcome!Here are some numbers that I've been working with. I recently ordered a Silver 2.5S w/ Convenience package, moon roof and CVT.

Base MSRP: $20,990CVN PKG: 1,300FL Mats 175MnRoof 850Freight 625

Total: ~$23,940 Invoice: ~$22,304

These numbers are from a vehicle detail sheet str8 from my Nissan dealership.

Because of the purchase program I'm buying the car w/, I'll be paying about 2% below invoice: roughly $22,304 (or close to). If your father happens to work for UPRR, or some other company that has a deal with Nissan, you can get a better deal too!! :-)

You said you want the price to be as close to 20 g's as possible, well it can be done! Good luck!

I'm from WY, so FWD is a huge plus. Being from CA, you could probably live with a RWD as a daily driver. Personally, I hate V6 Mustangs, but that's neither here nor there....

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Welcome! Good luck in your quest for a ride. Hope you pick the Coupe. We have good people here to help you with your decision

[coupenthusiast25]

haha, thanks, i hope I pick the coupe too

I've been doing some of my own calculations, and I'm really looking for the 2.5 S with the Premium Package (because the 30K for the 3.5 SE w/ Premium is waaaaay too expensive).

So taking your calculations:

$20,990 Base$5000 AAH!!! for Premium

jacks it up to about $25K without taxes...if I can trade in the Hyundai for approximately 4-5K, it will average out to about $22~23K with taxes, and other misc. fees.

Any other thoughts regarding either the Mustang or the Accord Coupe for a Senior in HS, first "new" car?

[mikemart]

I've been a lifetime Honda guy; the A/C will be my first Non-Honda. I don't think you can go wrong with either the A/C or the Accord. The Honda interior and the back end were the reasons why I didn't choose it. Nissan has really stepped up its game the last few years, so they will be on par with Honda and Toyota reliability and customer satisfaction. That and its just soooo sweet to look at!!!

I'd much rather drive a 4 Cyl import than a V6 Mustang. With Mustangs, Camaros, and the like, its V8 or nothing!! (IMHO)

The 5 grand for premium? That's steep for some people. Remember that you'll need an extra ~$2k for taxes and fees.

Shop around, try to find a dealer that will give you the absolute most for your trade-in. Whenever possible, make the dealerships compete against each other.

[coupenthusiast25]

haha another question; I've basically fallen in love with the Skyline - I'm just curious if there are any places where I can find the lettering on the back of a car (i.e. the metal letters that spell Altima, or 2.5, or w/e) and if I can get my hands on a set that read "Skyline" - that's be immensely awesome;

It'd basically seal the deal for me

back on topic; I'm looking for 3 things in whatever car i end up getting: It has to be pretty comfortable, it should drive pretty well and be able to handle a little stress (let's face it, the first year after you get your license is quite possibly the ost exciting time to drive), and should be, well, cool

[AltiCoupeDriver]

Im a HS Junior and the Altima Coupe is my first car. IMO The Accord Coupe is kinda big and doesnt have as nice of a exterior/interior as the Altima. Also im sure the Altima performs better with a little more power and better handling in the 2.5 and 3.5 models. Also the Altima comes with some really cool standard technology such as, the smart key, and a push button start. I dont think the Accord has anything like that. As for the FWD/RWD any of the FWD cars are the best choice if you live somewhere where it snows, if not you could always go for a used Mustang which I also looked at, but in the end the Altima won me over.

Hope that helped.

[SHIFT_CR]

and everybody has a mustang...

[coupenthusiast25]

LOL! true, that was another thing...

I wanted to look at nice used cars around 10-11K, like the Toyota MR-2 Spyder (awesome car, btw!), but my mom's insisting I get a new one -- otherwise, I would instantly get a used car for a cheaper price.

Then again, I couldn't get the A_Coupe then, could I?

so what I'm currently looking at is $23,000 +2K for Convenience Package, and about $27000 + 2K for the Premium Package =( Subtract the 4-5K i would get for trade-in, and it might be okay.

The problem is, I really want the leather, bluetooth, and the awesome Bose sound system - all things in the Premium Package...

[SHIFT_CR]

i think your pricing is kinda off, its alittle under 27k for a 2.5 premium. but if i were you, i would go for a 3.5 base which is alittle over 26k.

some people negotiate the price close to invoice before so you might can get a ready good deal within your budget.

[coupenthusiast25]

hmm, the lower the price the better haha

see, SHIFT_CR, the only problem is that I would optimally want the 3.5 with Premium, but if I had to choose, I would take the 2.5 with Premium Package because you get a cr@pload of stuff that rocks:

Xenon (the explanations, ie removing the bumper and stuff, seem intensely complicated)

BluetoothBose (those 9 speakers are really nice haha)Leather (just for comfort, you know, coming or going to the beach, friend's houses, school etc.)Climate control (meh, pretty cool I guess)

yeah...I can't get these with the base model - even though I would love a 3.5! the 100+ HP and the improved suspension/other stuff is really enticing.Of course, I'm probably gonna be paying for gas, and the Inline-4 is probably much better on MPG...

Unfortunately, those are the issues that I'm having to resolve~~

[doi]

lol jk get the coupe its hella fun to drive ive had it for a week now and im in love with it but anyways the mustangs are just stupid i hate when ppl drive around in their stock mustangs thinking their badass when 1/5 people has one.

[coupenthusiast25]

haha thanks for all your advice...I totally realized that I need a smaller car today -- our parking lot had a MAJOR jam, and I barely got the big, hulking Santa Fe out (earning lots of death glares and honks =) through the process)

pretty much the Mustang is out, so I'm pretty sure I'll get the Altima Coupe...now I just need to look around and stuff.

Does anyone know if there is a website that will allow me to choose some features and list the dealerships that have those options available, because it is a lot easier to do that than scroll through all the dealerships on the Nissan website...

Any word on the Skyline lettering?

[AltiCoupeDriver]

At nissanusa.com once you build a car it shows a list inventories from dealers near you. IMO I'd rather have the bigger engine than the little gadgets that can be added on down the road, no matter how cool they might seem now.

[coupenthusiast25]

of course, i agree with you entirely about the advantage of the bigger engine; however:

if I get the premium package, it becomes a lot more integrated than if i were to add individual portions later on (for instance bluetooth). Like I said, in an ideal world I could get a 3.5 w/ the Premium, but in this budget-determined world, IMO the gadgets and stuff are more enticing than the bigger engine (also, as more and more modifications come into the picture, ie intake systems, exhuasts, etc., i should be able to boost the power of the 2.5 engine somewhat...

haha, any way I can have my cake and eat it too?

[AltiCoupeDriver]

Go for what is the most appealing to you of course, its not a small investment. Just don't rush and regret any choices later.

[generic808]

haha thanks for all your advice...I totally realized that I need a smaller car today -- our parking lot had a MAJOR jam, and I barely got the big, hulking Santa Fe out (earning lots of death glares and honks =) through the process)

pretty much the Mustang is out, so I'm pretty sure I'll get the Altima Coupe...now I just need to look around and stuff.

Does anyone know if there is a website that will allow me to choose some features and list the dealerships that have those options available, because it is a lot easier to do that than scroll through all the dealerships on the Nissan website...

Any word on the Skyline lettering?

SKYLINE EMBLEM HERE: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

I know a lot of guys were putting these on the middle trunk of their G35's.

[AltiCoupeDriver]

Well it makes sense considering everywhere else the G35 is called a Nissan Skyline 350GT which IMO is pretty sweet.

[coupenthusiast25]

haha yeah, i know what you mean: G35 vs SKYLINE? its a no brainer...

anyway, I've pretty much decided to get the Altima Coupe, but i'd like some more input regarding my dilemma right now: the 3.5 base or the 2.5 with Premium...

[coupenthusiast25]

okay, now I'm pretty much convinced about the Altima Coupe

The final question I have is about a website that will allow me to see all the available Altima Coupes in like a 50 mile radius so that I can go visit some dealers...and I don't mean the Nissanusa website - which requires a large amount of time in order to search through all the dealerships.

any websites like this you guys know about?

[AltiCoupeDriver]

No sorry. However I'm pretty sure all you have to do at nissanusa.com is fill go to search dealer inventory and fill in you zip after you build one.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Just go onto the Nissan website and search for nearby dealers and call them up or go right on down there. That would be your best bet.

[coupenthusiast25]

so I've been looking around, and the 2.5 Coupe w/ Premium comes out to $27,055 (the lowest I could find) - I'll probably wait for a little while since my parents dont want to get the car yet---*sigh*

[mikemart]

What about autotrader.com? You can search by mile radius, price range, color, trim, etc. I found the perfect car doing it this way, but they wouldn't honor the VPP I was using, so had to order my A/C from my local dealer. Had that dealer worked with me, I would already own my coupe!!

[Cali 2 Balti G]

okay, now I'm pretty much convinced about the Altima Coupe

The final question I have is about a website that will allow me to see all the available Altima Coupes in like a 50 mile radius so that I can go visit some dealers...and I don't mean the Nissanusa website - which requires a large amount of time in order to search through all the dealerships.

any websites like this you guys know about?

Try http://www.carmax.com -

[coupenthusiast25]

unfortunately, there is no Carmax near where I live (according to the Carmax website anyway)

i guess i'll just have to go through the nissan dealers.

[generic808]

haha yeah, i know what you mean: G35 vs SKYLINE? its a no brainer...

anyway, I've pretty much decided to get the Altima Coupe, but i'd like some more input regarding my dilemma right now: the 3.5 base or the 2.5 with Premium...

Go with the 3.5!! You don't want to regret it later when you get the itch for more power. All the techy stuff you can add aftermarket if you feel the need, but you can only extract so many horses from the 2.5. The 3.5 has all the power on tap, and then some. Except for dudes like me who's never satisfied

[coupenthusiast25]

Go with the 3.5!! You don't want to regret it later when you get the itch for more power. All the techy stuff you can add aftermarket if you feel the need, but you can only extract so many horses from the 2.5. The 3.5 has all the power on tap, and then some. Except for dudes like me who's never satisfied

Honestly, I just think it'd be a pain to add all the tech-y things in the aftermarket: with the premium package, all the buttons are on the steering wheel, etc. Besides, I think I can live with a the less power. Also, as time goes by, there will be aftermarket mods that I can use to spruce up the engine.

See, ultimately it's a tradeoff - I've decided on the ease-of-use rather than raw power.

[generic808]

Just remember if you go with the 2.5, no matter what mods you do to your motor, you'll always come up short of the 3.5. Adding an intake, headers, exhaust, etc., will still have you below the 200HP mark. Even if you were to supercharge it boosting 9-11psi, if one becomes available, you'll still be hovering the below 250HP mark.

But like you said, you can live without the power. Then by all means, go with what your heart tells you. Just hope you don't get the power itch in the future I want/plan to get my car over the 300 mark, if possible