New guy with choices....

[rad1701]

Hi. New guy here on the forum. I'm getting close to taking the plunge and getting my first Nissan. I really like the Altima coupe and I just need to decide on options:

Color - First choice is Crimson black. I actually have worked in the paint industry for many years and was looking for a slightly different color. Anyone have this color? I haven't seen it in person, but on a clean car and in bright light it looks like it would be pretty nice.

Engine - The big choice. I tend to like to drive fast and have driven both the 4 cyl. and the V6. The smaller engine was pretty peppy I thought, but of course the V6 is really nice. Was a bit worried how well the V6 would do on gas. I probably do about 50/50 highway and city right now.

Other options - At first I wanted the Nav. package but it seems there might be better and less expensive options on the aftermarket side. I do like the options you get with the 3.5, like the moonroof and bigger rims, etc. Leather I can kind of go either way on. But it does seem like it would be nice in this ride to have.

A bit more background on me. My current ride is a Pontiac G6 convertible. I leased it and have really loved the car. The hard, drop-top has gotten a lot of use and I'm going to miss that. Plus the car handles pretty well and I've had zero issues with it for three years. Anyway, if I do this Nissan it would be my first "foreign" car. So, hope I'm making a good choice of where to jump into that pond. Anyway, all advice is welcome and thanks!

- R.

[AppleBonker]

Welcome.

I've got a 3.5. I generally get about 22-24 mpg when the driving is mixed. On nothing but the highway, I have gotten up to about 27-28 mpg. I don't know that the mileage is that terribly different, but the up-front cost might be the bigger concern.

The crimson black is a solid color. But I've always liked black with a small amount of afflair. Speaking of paint, I used to work in the auto coatings industry. Who do/did you work for?

Aftermarket nav offers way more features than factory. Basically, anything OEM can do I can do better with my aftermarket unit. Gutting the stereo was the first thing I did to my car, so I specifically searched for a manual trans altima without the nav package. Especially for a $2k package, much better can be had (though buying the stereo aftermarket will not be lumped in with the loan).

[DJ_B_Easy]

Color: Totally your choice and what YOU like. I havent seen the crimson black either, but ive heard good things...good things.
Engine: Ive never driven anything less than V6 so Im partial, go 3.5 IMO.
Other options: Listen to Bonker. Actually look at Bonker's sub and then TRY and listen to Bonker. Aftermarket is not TOO expensive and you are going to get better features. Im not 100% familiar with the 2010 packages so I dont know what comes with what, but if you are not set on leather (I wasnt) and you plan to gut your stereo anywho (Im in the process) I would go 3.5 (which used to give you the bigger wheels) and basic package. Then you build it to suit EXACTLY what you want. If the upgraded package was $2,000, then thats your budget to make it your own and not a production piece.

[rad1701]

Thanks for the reply's guys. I am pretty sold on the color - my other secondary color choices were the brighter red metallic or that ocean/silver color. But I've had cars in colors very close to those (actually my current G6 is very close to that ocean gray color). I worked for BASF for a number of years on OEM paint and a couple of other paint places too (and currently). So the paint and color are very important to me. As far as the engine, I'm leaning more and more to the 3.5. A few less MPG I can live with. I like the power when I need it. Actually much of the time I drive pretty moderately - but enjoy the speed when I can. On the OEM NAV system, even though yes it's expensive for what you get, I do like the integration of it vs. after market. I'm pretty handy with a screwdriver and even build computers as a hobby, but I'd want a pro to do it if I went after market on the NAV. Still kind of deciding on that. I'm very tempted to just go on and say, "give me the works!"

[AppleBonker]

What kind of integration do you think the aftermarket gear lacks? It's fairly straightforward to have navigation/iPod or USB/Bluetooth phone/backup camera/satellite radio and maintain the vast majority of the steering wheel controls. I'm not sure what more you would want integrated, but I think that covers everything from the OEM nav unit. Also, doing it yourself is fairly easy. The hardest part is honestly taking the car apart to wire it. I'm pretty anal, so I always take my time and try to do it right. It probably takes me longer than any decent shop out there, but I feel I do a better job. Also, depending on where you're at (as long as it's not 400 miles from me) I would be more than willing to lend a hand on the install.

Back to being off topic, since you worked for BASF and mentioned OEM paint, I'm going to assume you're referring to body paint (though I am aware that BASF has a devision for paint on plastics). Were you involved with the manufacture or application for BASF? And currently, are you on the application-side or spray side? I don't know where all the BASF plants are located, but being from the same general area as you, I'm quite familiar with most of the manufacturing facilities in Michigan (when in the industry that was actually the area the I serviced as a technical support representative). You mind saying where you're currently at? Painting body/plastic or repair? Not trying to be nosy, just wondering if I'm familiar with the facility.

[rad1701]

Well, if you take cost out of the equation on the NAV what do you think of the OEM unit? One thing that is very important to me is fit and finish inside and out. Is there something aftermarket that once put in would look like it was always meant to be there? Anyway, still thinking on the NAV thing.

As far as my background and work, I worked for BASF at their Southfield, MI facility for over 12 years. I worked on automotive water basecoats, solvent clearcoats, and powder paint too. Pretty much in the R&D area and some customer technical service jobs at auto assembly plants. This involved both paint development and testing as well as a great deal of application work. Currently I am working for a more consumer oriented paint company but one that is also involved in auto touch up. So, I have a pretty solid knowledge of the paint industry. I remember one time when my wife was buying a car and I made them bring out 4 of the same color on the lot to look at and picked the best paint job for her. Sometimes it's amazing what makes it out of the factory - at least to a trained eye.

[AppleBonker]

The OEM unit is decent, but as far as audio quality goes it could be a lot better. I'm not sure how iPod integration works on the 2010 models, I just know there wasn't any on previous years. Audio quality aside, the other benefits of aftermarket would be you don't have to pay for things you wont use (I don't have sirius/xm because I don't want them, etc). Plus, you are not locked out of stuff while you're driving. I can adjust my destination/etc while driving (I don't know for sure if the 2010 models allow this, but I'm pretty sure previous years didn't). Also, I can watch videos from iPod/USB/DVD while driving (I don't watch movies, but I do play audio dvds occasionally). Also, with most current aftermarket nav units, the bluetooth integration allows you to browse through your phonebook or dial a number on the touch screen. They basically just open up a whole lot more in terms of options. I also think the navigation, iPod/USB and satellite radio (I don't have it, but I've installed it for friends) integration are FAR more user friendly. Once again, all of that doesn't even get into audio quality (the Bose is supremely sub par IMO).

I worked for NB Coatings (formerly known as Rohm and Haas Auto Coatings/Morton Auto Coatings/Bee Chemical). I wasn't so much on the R&D side, but more of the go-between from R&D to field application. I visited a number of plants in the Michigan area (Ventra Evart, Key Plastics Howell, Donnelly Newaygo, A&K, American Autocoat, and so on). We only did work on the paint on plastics side for the major US OEMs. I didn't do any work with Toyota/Honda, but I believe we had some body business with them.

I couldn't agree more on how terrible color matching is rolling off the line. I see cars on the road all the time that look terrible and just laugh. But, like you said, to the untrained eye it doesn't make a difference. Stick around for a while. It would be nice to have someone else who could chime in on paint questions (and I can just about guarantee that you have a better idea of the chemistry behind body paint - where my knowledge is severely lacking).

[rad1701]

Yeah, I'm sure the aftermarket stuff certainly would be better and have more options. As far as audio quality, does this mean you replace all the speakers too or are you just talking about the main unit quality? The 2010 OEM unit does seem to have good iPod integration. And I do use XM/Sirius radio - although with a hard drive of songs all the time in the future I might use it less. I also listen to quite a few podcasts too. I know the forum probably has some good suggestions for a NAV unit - what do you like as far as models right now? Again, having it fit in there like a glove is important for me.

I do plan on sticking around. Seems like a cool forum. I've not previously gotten into "modding" the cars I drive much, but this place makes me want to do it more! And I can certainly help on paint questions. Actually paints are really, really good these days. And application is not bad either - at least to the average person. I just get frustrated picking a new car color because frankly most model lines have gone down to the basics too much. I like different when it comes to paint. Again, thanks for your help.

[AppleBonker]

For aftermarket units, I would highly recommend the Alpine INA-W900. If I had the cash right now, I'd upgrade to it (I have a feeling this upgrade will happen within the next few months). I can't discuss specific prices, but there is a member here (Broadfield) who is an installer in central Illinois. I recently purchased gear for my friend through him and would recommend going that route if you are interested (he's an authorized seller, so you can get prices below MSRP and still obtain a full factory warranty). I hooked her up with the W900, a backup camera, full iPod integration, bluetooth phone and the Sirius tuner. Pretty much everything you're looking at. With the money left over you could easily get an amp and replace all the interior speakers for the same cost as the OEM nav upgrade. It's definitely a more involved install since you have to wire the entire car (could end up being a weekend job). For reference, I've done similar installs, and on her car (a Jeep that I've never installed in before) I managed to get all that gear installed in about 8 hours. Running wires for an amp and the speaker wire would probably take maybe another 8 hours if you've never taken apart an Altima before. It's time consuming, but relatively simple (if that makes sense).

For that same cost I can absolutely promise you will destroy the sound quality of the OEM Bose system. For a bit more, a sub can be had to give a bit more low end, but I don't know if you'd be interested in that. Even just replacing the speakers will drastically improve on the OEM setup, the sub would just help it hit a bit deeper. If you're honestly considering doing the aftermarket route, I would suggest you talk to Broadfield first to get a feel for what you would be able to buy with the same cost of the OEM navigation.

[DJ_B_Easy]

So just thought I would chime back in here....

1) Hardest part of doing your own install is BY FAR taking the car apart. The rest is easy.
2) Aftermarket will ALWAYS sound better than OEM, even if its just replacing the head unit.
3) ITS THE BEST FORUM ON THE INTERWEBZ!

[rad1701]

One of my issues right now is I'm working away from my home (in MI) quite a bit (working about 45 min. outside of Chicago). So, I don't have access to my tools and garage, etc. So, if I went aftermarket it would probably have to be installed by someone else - which kind of complicates things somewhat. Anyway, always happy for the advice and thoughts.

On another note - what about rear spoilers? Is the Nissan one ok? Obviously it needs to be with the factory color paint.

[AppleBonker]

Personally, I would be hesitant to let a shop touch my car. Unless you already have experience with a shop, it can be scary. Plus, if there are ever any issues, it's much harder to diagnose since you don't really know where the issue may be stemming from.

Where abouts are you working? I'm actually pretty close to your drive home from the Chi-town area to Michigan. I'd be more than willing to meet up at any point to walk you through what I did on my car and let you see in person what the install would require.

Edit: on the spoiler side, I personally don't like any of them. I don't think any of them really follow the lines of the car that well. But, it's all personal preference. If you find one you like, go for it.

[rad1701]

Thanks for the offer of help. If I go aftermarket I would definitely consider it. I'm not sure I'd be up for replacing all the speakers, etc. Putting in the main, head unit seems reasonable. Does that Alpine unit fit in the Altima coupe nicely without the need for some type of spacer frame?

On the spoiler thing, I've always kind of liked them. Have to check out the options out there for that too. Dealer installed one might be easiest.

Oh, here is my current ride. Really have loved this car and actually going to be hard to let her go.

[rad1701]

Well, may go into the Nissan dealer tomorrow after work and get the ball rolling on this. Any last minute advice on things like price negotiation??

[Jonnyess09]

Saw the Crimson Black last week. Just a gorgeous gorgeous color. I just couldnt stop looking at it. I can't stop thinking about it. Only p0rn makes me forget it...and even then, just for a few minutes...

[rad1701]

Saw the Crimson Black last week. Just a gorgeous gorgeous color. I just couldnt stop looking at it. I can't stop thinking about it. Only p0rn makes me forget it...and even then, just for a few minutes...

Hehe! Thanks for that. I'm really sold on the color. Very unique look.

[AppleBonker]

Does that Alpine unit fit in the Altima coupe nicely without the need for some type of spacer frame?

The aftermarket center trim piece could be better, but for the improved functionality it is a fair trade-off IMO. Not sure if a better one has been developed yet, but this is what it looks like in my car:

[rad1701]

The trigger has been pulled. Went to the dealer after work and settled on the price for my Crimson Black 3.5 Coupe loaded with basically everything, except the Nav Pack. Guess I'll go aftermarket for that at some point. Pretty happy with how the dealer handled things and I didn't have to haggle a lot. They have to get it from a nearby dealer since they didn't have the color I wanted (heck - they only had one 3.5 coupe on the lot anyway). My wife thinks it's a lot of money for a car - but I told her it is such a SWEET RIDE! I know it will grow on her. Anyway, I think wives are required to say those kinds of things (think it's a law somewhere). Should have it this Friday for the weekend. Getting excited now!

[AppleBonker]

Congrats. Glad you got what you wanted.

[sentrastace]

congrats on the purchase and welcome to NICO post some pics soon!!

[IBCoupe]

Grats, mate. And I have to give you some props on the old ride - the G6 hard-top (with the hard-top up, for comparison purposes) was the only decent looking G6 that came out. Everything else had funny lines.