Hey everybody, I plan on buying a new car by the end of February and the A/C is at the top of my list...really its the only one on my list right now and I plan on going to a few local deals this week/end and testing driving a couple. I plan on purchasing a 3.5SE MT. My question is...
What types of problems should I be looking for during the test drive that people have run into after they have purchased the car?
A few things I've heard are different rattling songs: passenger seatbelt.I've seen some people discussing window seals not sealing right.
Any tips for things to look out for would be great, thanks a lot.
Test Drive
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quick_shift
- Posts: 366
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:49 am
- Car: '08 A/C 3.5SE 6MT - Dark Slate
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mikemart
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 6:35 pm
- Car: 08 Nissan Altima Coupe S 2.5 CVT
Author of the greatest post ever.
Re: Test Drive (quick_shift)
Good luck with the test drive. Hope you end up with your coupe!Yeah seems a lot of people have been plagued with the rattle.
Quick re-hash: My first test drive was an 08 Sedan CVT. The manual mode didn't work!! It was quite amusing to watch the salesman sweat while I had to stop, turn off and turn the car back on to get the manual mode to work.
Anyhoo, Good luck! Know what you want that way the stealerships can't talk you into anything! Have color preferences! Don't get stuck with a color you'll regret! I ordered my coupe that way I knew I would get exactly what I wanted.
Quick re-hash: My first test drive was an 08 Sedan CVT. The manual mode didn't work!! It was quite amusing to watch the salesman sweat while I had to stop, turn off and turn the car back on to get the manual mode to work.
Anyhoo, Good luck! Know what you want that way the stealerships can't talk you into anything! Have color preferences! Don't get stuck with a color you'll regret! I ordered my coupe that way I knew I would get exactly what I wanted.
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quick_shift
- Posts: 366
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:49 am
- Car: '08 A/C 3.5SE 6MT - Dark Slate
Re: Test Drive (mikemart)
Thanks. I pretty much know what I want. Just a 3.5SE MT base, no packages. There are a couple in the area. I was originally going to go with the 2.5S with Convi. Package & moon roof but then I figured I'd spend a little extra and get extra 100hp
As far as a color, my top 3 choices are the Azure Blue, Super Black or Radiant Silver..or even the Dark Slate, I think they all look great but I'll have to wait to see what I like in the most in person.
As far as a color, my top 3 choices are the Azure Blue, Super Black or Radiant Silver..or even the Dark Slate, I think they all look great but I'll have to wait to see what I like in the most in person.
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Rmuth25
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:27 am
- Car: 08 Altima Coupe 2.5s CVT [Premium & Tech Packages]
Re: Test Drive (quick_shift)
Since your testdriving you probably wont notice the ratting seatbelt, its only when nobody is in the passenger seat, and actually its a really simple fix. The problem is the button thing that stops the actual clasp from going down is too far down on the seatbelt, so that clasp gets stuck between the door and seat and rattles alot. All you woul dhave to do is either tell the dealer to put a button up above the seat or buy one on the internet(which is what I did, i figured I would fork over the 10 bucks instead of mess with the dealership). Doing that fixed about all the rattles.
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Rmuth25
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:27 am
- Car: 08 Altima Coupe 2.5s CVT [Premium & Tech Packages]
Re: Test Drive (Rmuth25)
Also, one other nitpicky thing. I cant understand for the life of me the design of the Moon roof. They have it so the glass goes down and then into the roof, instead of up and over the roof. So basically that means that the sunroof only opens like 10 inches at best. Regardless, its still a great car.
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Rmuth25
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:27 am
- Car: 08 Altima Coupe 2.5s CVT [Premium & Tech Packages]
Re: Test Drive (quick_shift)
Also, I am pretty sure this is only a problem for the 2.5CVT, but there is a slight rattle right around 1200-1600 RPM coming from front end when your accelerating, once you get above 1600 rpm it goes away though. There was a forum on here a while back that someone got a letter from nissan saying they are going to fix the problem. I also heard some things that its the heatshield and its an easy fix.
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CraigDaModeler
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:46 am
- Car: 08 Coupe
- Contact:
Re: Test Drive (quick_shift)
I would suggest that you test drive all other potential vehicles first......once you test drive the coupe, you'll be ready to sign the papers!I have the 2.5 you described and have had absolutly no problems what so ever. Yeah the extra 100hp's would be great but I went the slightly better gas milage route since it is a daily driver. For me it has a good balance of power and decent gas milage for normal driving. However, when I need a "power drive" I take my 84 Camino out for a cruise, I can burn lots of gas opening up dat 4 barrel carb!
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ShadowAltima
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:13 pm
- Car: Hopefully an Altima Coup 3.5 SE Manual
Re: Test Drive (CraigDaModeler)
GOOD LUCK FINDING A 3.5MT....I special ordered mine and got lucky because the guy who was supposed to get one financing fell through so i got it... other than that i was looking at APRIL.... I got the news today that one was available for me and did the financing today... The dealer said i would be the only one on the east coast with a 3.5 Manual transmission but i have a feeling he was bull****tin me
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CraigDaModeler
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:46 am
- Car: 08 Coupe
- Contact:
Re: Test Drive (ShadowAltima)
Now you and I and everyone else hear knows that a car salesmen would NEVER, ever do that!!ShadowAltima wrote:....The dealer said.... but i have a feeling he was bull****tin me
Congrats on your good luck and too bad so sad for the poor schmuck with bad credit!!