Ready to Buy

[chrispatt]

Hi All,

New guy here - and seriously looking at the 3.5SE coupe.

Dealer near me says he has one with a "Sport Package" = Moonroof and rear spoiler.

I replied that the moonroof was standard on the 3.5SE, which I hope was the correct response (please correct me here if I'm wrong.) No email reply from him yet.

Second, What does that spoiler look like? Does it do more than "spoil" the looks of this very handsome car?

Also: has anyone objectively compared the 6M to the CVT? Particularly with the 6cyl and it's torque, I'm really skeptical of the auto/CVT.

Thanks for all your input. And I hope this is the start of a charmed relationship with a new car.

-Chris

[GreyZone]

Hey Chris, welcome!

Dont know about the sunroof, but I think your right. I havent seen a 3.5 without one, maybe its part of the premium package, but I dont know. You can go to http://www.nissanusa.com/ to check it out.

Far as the CVT vs Manual, its just personal preference. The CVT does fine with the power, and is one of the best rated auto trannys on the market, its really an awesome transmission.

I got the MT cause thats just what I like. But dont get the MT just cause of a concern the CVT "can't handle it" cause it more than can.

Get whatever YOU like.

I ordered mine EXACTLY the way I wanted it and waited 8 weeks to get it. DOnt let anybody rush you, especially a dealer who just wants your money and doesnt really give a damn about your needs. likes or dislikes (sad, but true).

[rjdmmfl1]

Hey Chris, welcome!

Dont know about the sunroof, but I think your right. I havent seen a 3.5 without one, maybe its part of the premium package, but I dont know. You can go to http://www.nissanusa.com/ to check it out.

Far as the CVT vs Manual, its just personal preference. The CVT does fine with the power, and is one of the best rated auto trannys on the market, its really an awesome transmission.

I got the MT cause thats just what I like. But dont get the MT just cause of a concern the CVT "can't handle it" cause it more than can.

Get whatever YOU like.

I ordered mine EXACTLY the way I wanted it and waited 8 weeks to get it. DOnt let anybody rush you, especially a dealer who just wants your money and doesnt really give a damn about your needs. likes or dislikes (sad, but true).

to everything David said!

[chrispatt]

Thanks Grey,

Partly, it's whether or not I want my wife driving it - ever.

I've always been intrigued by the CVT concept, ever since a neighbor showed me the idea with belts and variable pulleys as a kid, and that was quite some time ago (his Dad was a mechanical engineer.)

If anyone has seen the car with the spoiler I'd like their opinion. I don't have the luxury of just bopping down to my neighborhood dealer to just look around.

Yes, Nissan's website is what I quoted when I replied that the moonroof was standard with the 3.5SE model. Nothing worse than a dumb salesman.

[SHIFT_CR]

sunroof comes standard on a v6 and CVT works fine, no problem what so ever

[GreyZone]

Altima Coupe 3.5SE Standard Features

MechanicalVQ35DE - 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 Horsepower - 270 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque - 258 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm Emissions - Tier 2, Bin 5 Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) Variable intake system Nissan Direct Ignition System with iridium-tipped spark plugs Electronic drive-by-wire throttle Front engine/front-wheel drive 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with dual-mass flywheel or Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual mode 11.7" Vented front disc/11.5" rear disc brakes 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) Front: Independent strut suspension Rear: Multi-link independent Front and rear stabilizer bars Sport-tuned suspension - retuned front struts and thicker front (24.2 mm) stabilizer bar Vehicle speed-sensitive variable-assist power-rack-and-pinion steering Exterior17" x 7.5" 6-split spoke aluminum-alloy wheels P215/55VR17 all-season tires Aluminum hood Automatic on/off headlights Fog lights Dual body-color power outside mirrors Folding outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators Heated outside mirrors with timer Power sliding glass moonroof with one-touch open/close and tilt feature Dual exhaust outlets with chrome-tip finishers Body-color splash guards UV-reducing solar glass

[GreyZone]

Partly, it's whether or not I want my wife driving it - ever.

Hahaha, that's an easy one. NO!

Only Robert's wife gets to drive our cars, cause she buys us stuff

[Deke40]

I picked up a coupe in Houston and delivered it to Austin and it had a spoiler on it and it looked great. Real low profile not one of those ricer looking ones. I am not a big spoiler fan(have one on my Versa) but the one on this coupe did go with the car nicely.

To tell the truth I don't know if it was an add-on or factory installed. Since the coupe is so new I figured it was a factory one.

[generic808]

Hahaha, that's an easy one. NO!

Only Robert's wife gets to drive our cars, cause she buys us stuff

Yeah, Robert's wife is the resident female test driver. Did I also mention that she's buying me a Nismo exhaust for my car?

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Welcome to the gang man. Good luck on your purchase.

I have the 6 speed and love it. The transmission is a bit clunky (like most Nissan's) but that can be fixed. CVT is the way to go if you have a lot of stop and go etc.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Welcome to NICO! There are many different spoilers available for the coupe, and it's all a matter of preference. Do you know which they have on the coupe that you're looking at?

[chrispatt]

Thanks everyone for the welcome.

Not known what spoiler is being offered, I have yet to travel the 2.5 hours to view the car and come back. I didn't know that the dealer would offer more than one. And he claimed it was part of a 'sport package'; of course this package is unknown to anyone outside the dealership.

Has anyone been successful offering under MSRP for a car they've special ordered? What is the typical wait if you order this car?

I've heard that the M6 is less than ideal - is it heavy or just notchy? I seem to remember a 280Z manual, a long time ago - heavy and notchy.

[ctrlaltcoupe]

I have a 2.5S 6MT and I haven't had any problems with the manual transmission. I special ordered it and got it for about $1000 under MSRP. I got it about 3 months ago, it took approx. 10 weeks to arrive.

As for the spoilers, I don't like the looks of any of them. Check this thread zerothread/301035 posted by mcheddadi to see pictures of all the spoilers available.

Also, the 'Sport Package' is B/S. No such thing. Moonroof is standard on the 3.5 SE, and I believe the spoiler is dealer-installed.
Modified by ctrlaltcoupe at 7:41 PM 12/30/2007

[chrispatt]

Yup, kind of what I thought. Most of them really spoil the looks. And that bubble-look moon/sun-roof wind deflector - how ugly is that? It's probably better to keep the roof shut when you're on the highway.

[mcheddadi]

I have a 2.5S 6MT and I haven't had any problems with the manual transmission. I special ordered it and got it for about $1000 under MSRP. I got it about 3 months ago, it took approx. 10 weeks to arrive.

As for the spoilers, I don't like the looks of any of them. Check this thread zerothread/301035 posted by mcheddadi to see pictures of all the spoilers available.

Also, the 'Sport Package' is B/S. No such thing. Moonroof is standard on the 3.5 SE, and I believe the spoiler is dealer-installed.

Thanks everyone for the welcome.

Not known what spoiler is being offered, I have yet to travel the 2.5 hours to view the car and come back. I didn't know that the dealer would offer more than one. And he claimed it was part of a 'sport package'; of course this package is unknown to anyone outside the dealership.

Has anyone been successful offering under MSRP for a car they've special ordered? What is the typical wait if you order this car?

I've heard that the M6 is less than ideal - is it heavy or just notchy? I seem to remember a 280Z manual, a long time ago - heavy and notchy.

the 6mt is more racing than daily driving it seems. It grabs and never lets go and you have to be really precise when engaging gears to have a smooth shift. But It gives a great feeling of satisfaction when you do it you need a really light movement of your hand to shift smoothly, because if you just do it aggressively, it won't engage correctly and you'll end up with abrupt shifts.

anyway, all the 6mt guys will tell you the same thing: Shifting the gears is AWESOME. And all the CVT guys will tell you that it's annoying for daily driving. so it's up to you to choose your camp

[Shift_Perfection]

anyway, all the 6mt guys will tell you the same thing: Shifting the gears is AWESOME. And all the CVT guys will tell you that it's annoying for daily driving. so it's up to you to choose your camp

[SHIFT_2.5S]

I love manual transmissions...shifting the gears is quite fun and makes you feel as though you're in control. I do prefer the CVT in times of heavy traffic and at night when I'm quite tired.

My ultimate car would have 2 transmissions - automatic + manual. It would let you switch between the two.

[GreyZone]

ordered and $1,000.00 under MSRP.

And I LOVE my 6 MT in traffic or out, Im just a shifting fiend kinda guy.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

As others have said - there is no Nissan Factory spoiler - at this point - so it is impossible to knw what is on the car without seeing pictures. Ask the dealer to send you pictures because you are concerned with the spoiler and would like to see the car before yo drive 2.5 hours.

Also find out what they are charging you for the dealer installed items if any - alot of time there is a crazy mark up on these items - early this year I saw one a $32K 2.5 liter at the local Nissan dealer with a $5000 rim/tire package that I know didn't cost more than $2000 at best. In this case I think part of the markup - was the mark up on the car itself - many dealers were getting sticker plus mark-up on the AC as it was and still seems to be in low supply and high demand . Up to you wether you want to haggle the price or not.

Many have paid sticker or sticker plus, some have gotten discounts. It may help to shop prices locally for price comparison - don't let any dealer run your credit unnecesarily as this lowers your credit rating.

Good Luck

[chrispatt]

Good advice on the credit check.

The dealer nearest me said that his list price is $34,150 on a loaded SE, that's $1995 above the MSRP. I could barely hold back my laughter, lucky it was on my answering machine.

He now knows I don't want the car with the spoiler and concedes that he would sell for MSRP, but no way he'd go as low as I had asked, which is many $$ below invoice.

I've got time and options so I've put the word out in No. Cali to see what the dealers down there will do - I travel there a lot. I really like the Nissan website to find what a dealer has in stock. You can target the guy with the product instead of having your car shuffled from one to another and end up paying for the experience.

[chrispatt]

OK folks, I've cut a deal. Now I'm ready to go and get the car. I travel often to No. California for work so I've arranged my normal flight down this Monday. I expect to drive the car home next Saturday and Sunday. I'll probably take Hwy 101/1 up to mid-Oregon then over to I-5 (eventually). Should be fun breaking the car in.

So, for the deal: I fished around all the dealers near me (No. WA) and all in the Bay Area (extended) and found that Jeff Jones at Nissan of Fairfield (707-402-3208) to be the most forthcoming, honest and ready-to-deal salesman. They had the exact car I wanted on the lot so that probably helps. They also sell a lot of Nissan product so I'd guess they get a reasonable 'holdback'. The car is a 3.5 SE, max'd out and with CVT - precision grey. When I sign the papers and get home I'll report more. (We've agreed on a price, I have a signed offer from the management and have authorized a hold of funds on my credit card; but who knows something could go wrong.)

But I can say honestly that if you live in the area, this is the place to make a deal. (BTW I am in no way associated with this establishment nor a personal friend of anyone there.)

<Jan. 22> Got the deal and am back at home. Only a minor glitch - the backup camera circuit was missing a component that they only discovered during prep, which they left for the day I arrived to pick up the car. They didn't have the part in stock and spent a number of hours on this and not really prepping the car thoroughly. And, I will be sent the part to have a local dealer install. Doesn't say much about QC at the factory.

On the other hand this car/engine/CVT is a match made in heaven. And no complaints on the tires even in the wet I encountered. Really enjoyed the coast drive and could only equate the two-lane truck & camper passing experience to my motorcycle riding on the same roads - sure, fast and smiling. Left so many vehicles in the mist I couldn't count.
Modified by chrispatt at 7:05 AM 1/22/2008