Hi,Interested in getting new 2008 nissan altima. How does this car behave in the snow? I'm only going to have one car for the next ~3-5 years so I want a car that handles well in different climates (Altanta heat, Colorado snow). I gave up on getting the mustang because of the rear wheel drive problems in the snow but wasn't sure about how well the CVT handles in slippery roads.

Thanks for the help.

it'll handle better then mustang but worse then say subaru. if you get 3.5se it'll do better in the snow then other models due to more responsive steering. coming from driving mazda 6, 2.5 altima feels like an oil tanker on a freeway

Better then most front wheel drive cars? Is that with the stock tires?

By the way, how hard is it to keep your black car clean? Thinking about dark slate partly due to extra time and effort to keep black car somewhat clean.

One more thing:I'm planning to get the 2.5 because of the better gas mileage. I've seen some oil tankers skidding a bit on the road:) Do you feel good about driving the 2.5 altima slightly up hill and down hill in snow? Turns okay? Thanks.

I live in central Oregon and with good studless traction tires I was able to go through snow and ice just fine. I drive just under 100 miles each day to work and back with an altitude change from 3300 to 1500 feet(not a big change but significant for this area) never had a problem. Made it over Mt. Hood in the snow also. 2.5 handles fine in winter weather so I wouldn't worry about it, especially if you have any winter driving experience.

yea im kinda worried about the snow too... my old car was a VW jetta and that was awesome in the snow plus it had traction control... something my 2.5 does not have which is what worries me.i guess im goin to find out the hard way this winter

Easiest thing to do about snow driving is get snow tires!

The altima does a good job in the snow - both the 2.5 and the 3.5. Tires are the major downfall of both though.

It handles bad with stock tire in the snow. The best thing to do is to change the tires and you notice a big difference.

What kind of tires do you have? Are these ones you only put on when it snows or can you drive them during the rest of the year?