New from Michigan. Looking for an Altima Coupe

[Bpatts]

Hello Nico Club. Name is Bill and I am located in Michigan. I am in the process of selling my 2005 Subaru Wrx to get a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe.

I'll be moving back to NY in the summer and I don't need AWD and I don't want to drive a stick in the city.

With that said, is there anything specific I should be looking for when shopping for an Altima? Do the Coupes have major problems or anything that typically plagues them? I have my eye on a 2008 Altima Coupe 3.5 with 65k miles in Pennsylvania.

Any help or input will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Heavy]

Welcome to nico! I must ask... Why trade a awd sedan for a fwd coupe in a part of the country that gets a great deal of snow during the winter?

[Bpatts]

I live on Long Island when I'm not going to school in Michigan. I've been able to survive on LI with a FWD car (even without winter tires). I also don't want to drive a stick in the city (I'll grow a hulk leg)

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Hi Bill, welcome to NICO!
2008 Altima coupe 3.5 was really quite good. If it were closer to the coast, I'd definitely say watch out for flood damage.
One other thing to really watch out for is non-standard CVT servicing. If it was serviced by someone not knowing what they were doing and filled with non-cvt fluid, there could be problems :/

[Bpatts]

Hi Bill, welcome to NICO!
2008 Altima coupe 3.5 was really quite good. If it were closer to the coast, I'd definitely say watch out for flood damage.
One other thing to really watch out for is non-standard CVT servicing. If it was serviced by someone not knowing what they were doing and filled with non-cvt fluid, there could be problems :/

Thanks for the welcoming!

I've been pretty leery about the cars for sale since Sandy hit the area. The car is located in Pennsylvania up in the mountains, so lets hope the flooding didn't hit. The owner said it was garage owned, at this point I'll take his word.

As for the CVT, I know Nissan Muranos had issues with the CVT transmission. Did Nissan address these issues? I hear they extended the warranty to 120,000 miles on the transmission thought at least.

As for CVT service, I will make sure to check it was properly serviced.

My intentions are to keep it mechanically stock, but I would like to put a nice sound system in it. My WRX has a nice sound setup that I really enjoy. Hoping I won't drop another $2 on another sound system.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah at 65k, it might not have had any servicing done to the trans yet.
I believe the warranty for 2008 was indeed extended to 120k.
To be honest, you'll get better answers in the Altima coupe forum. Would you like me to move the thread over there for you?

[Bpatts]

Yes sir. I'd appreciate that. Thanks!

[DJ_B_Easy]

Nissan did extend the Altima Coupe CVT warranty, they also changed the service schedule. As was explained to me by me techs when I had the '08 AC, the CVT fluid is not to be changed at a set mileage interval, but instead when deemed necessary upon visual inspection. Plain and simple they said if its not discolored, it shouldnt be replaced.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Moved!

[T00Ezy]

another coupe joining in NY? thats good to hear, I've actually never even seen anyone from nico in NY yet...

[Bpatts]

Update: I just picked up my 2008 Altima Coupe in Grey from Pennsylvania this week. I ended up getting a 2008 3.5 in grey with leather, bose, non nav, 65k miles and in excellent condition.

The ride back home to michigan was awesome. This car is fast, and thats coming from someone who drove a WRX.

Very excited to get the audio system overhauled and have a nice daily driver.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Post pics!
Did you get the CVT?
Or the manual?

[Bpatts]

No sir, I ended up getting the cvt transmission. I wanted an automatic for driving in the city, I drove a stick since I started driving and kind of wanted a change. I tried out the manual cvt shift on the way home and was surprised on how quick it actually is.



Going to keep it all stock, with the exception of the sound system. I like the Bose, but I think I want a little more power.

[mikethemike]

Nice! Congrats! Now slap an MSU sticker on there and we'll be good friends

[PapaSmurf2k3]

MSU?

[mikethemike]

Michigan State University

Seriously though, no stickers

[Bpatts]

Sorry, not a MSU student, I am a NMU (Northern Michigan University) student.

Don't worry, I'm still pretty smart. Maybe.