Anyone have one or have experience with one?
Looking at 2005 or 2006
Looking to buy a new car in the next month and really like the looks of these. Wanted a AWD but just can't find one that I like in my price range. I've not driven one and the closest one I can find is 200 miles away. Thought I might get some imput before I make a trip to see one.
Other options would be
Infiniti G35x
a Subaru- don't really want a WRX
any other 05-06 in the 14K range with AWD
altimas are very nice - always loved the nissan product.
The g35x is a great car as well imo
Quote from: That Nice Guy Beck! on July 02, 2009, 09:20:19 AM
altimas are very nice - always loved the nissan product.
The g35x is a great car as well imo
They're basically the same car. Except no AWD on the Altima. I actually like the looks of the Altima better and I can get an 05 or 06 with fewer miles for the same price of an 04 G35. Plus the Altima comes in bright red and a smoke grey both of which I just love. The wheels on the Altima Se-r are awesome too. I'm just wondering if it might be too much power for a front wheel drive and I'll get into some problems during the winter.
Quote from: metallimonster on July 02, 2009, 09:28:27 AM
They're basically the same car. Except no AWD on the Altima. I actually like the looks of the Altima better and I can get an 05 or 06 with fewer miles for the same price of an 04 G35. Plus the Altima comes in bright red and a smoke grey both of which I just love. The wheels on the Altima Se-r are awesome too. I'm just wondering if it might be too much power for a front wheel drive and I'll get into some problems during the winter.
The G35 is RWD based, the Altima is FWD with a transverse mounted engine...
Quote from: NAKID on July 02, 2009, 10:50:51 AM
The G35 is RWD based, the Altima is FWD with a transverse mounted engine...
I understand that, same frame, same engine, basically the same suspension. Same size cabin and pretty close wheel base.
Quote from: metallimonster on July 02, 2009, 09:28:27 AM
They're basically the same car. Except no AWD on the Altima. I actually like the looks of the Altima better and I can get an 05 or 06 with fewer miles for the same price of an 04 G35. Plus the Altima comes in bright red and a smoke grey both of which I just love. The wheels on the Altima Se-r are awesome too. I'm just wondering if it might be too much power for a front wheel drive and I'll get into some problems during the winter.
I get what you're saying regarding the same platform, but the G35s are much nicer cars. The build quality all around is nicer. I've driven quite a few Altimas, and we own an '08 G35xS. The G is noticeably nicer.
Not saying I wouldn't get an Altima though...the wife wanted an Infiniti! ;D
go with the altima man you seem to really like it!
like I said I love the nissan product they make great cars
had a maxima that was just awesome
I have a friend that has an 04 G35x which while I think it is a really nice car, the interior is really not that much different on the Altima. I would have to sacrifice a year or maybe two in age and about 35K to get the same price for an Infiniti. With the same motor (very slightly tuned down for the SE-R) it just doesn't make sense to get the Infiniti. Besides the exterior/interior color combinations on the G35x leaves something to be desired. Not a big fan of black on black but the only other option is black on basically stone/white leather which doesn't look good IMO. Black or Dark grey are the only two colors i like on the G35 and basically my best friend already has a grey one. I really think the color combos for the Altima are way better. The only thing that is getting me is the AWD on the g35x. My buddy's hauls ass and the way Infiniti does AWD is awesome. I also need to factor in the extra money for parts and service for the more luxury of the the two.
I almost bought an SE-R - I found a good cheap one, but there was a front-end shimmy the dealer refused to look at before I bought it, so I said no thanks (it was used - about 35k miles). I think it was a warped rotor, but I was spooked by their refusal to budge on price or repairs.
I drove it for a couple days, and my impressions were good -nicely appointed if a bit boy-racer, plenty of power, but once you get on it, it is obvious that it is FWD. Lots of wrestling to keep it in line. If you have any autocross plans, I am not sure if this is the car for you.
If you can find a manual G35 (I think those have 20 or more horsepower over the autos) in the same price range I would go with that. Another AWD car I like is the Subaru 9-2x - these are rebadged, euro-styled WRXes, with apparently lower resale value.
^^^^This more what I am looking for. Definitely not looking for something to thrash on or do any kind of super hard driving. Just something fun, with room, and will handle corners decently.
Cool, then I think it may be a good fit. The SE-R was fast in a straight line, and pretty fun to drive overall. I think it is a bit of a sleeper too. A drift/Auto-x/canyon carver it is not.
I take it you don't like Audis? How about an older bimmer 330ix (probably also hard to find)?
Its not that I don't like Audi's in fact I absolutely love them! I was a factory trained Audi tech and worked on them for two years. I miss driving them since I got out of the car business and into accounting.
That being said, I can't afford a good Audi. On top of looking to buy a newer car the government is making it damn hard for me not to buy my first house this year. I WILL not own any pre 2005 Audi. They have way to many problems that would be too expensive to fix even for me who knows how to do it. I would love on 05 or 06 S4 or even a 3.2 A4 and the new RS5 that had its own thread is the most freaking beautiful car! I drive an 98 Sebring coupe now. Using the Altima as a newer car to drive for a few years and plan on getting an Audi when I move up in my new(er) career.
I really appreciate the info on the SE-R that is what I was looking for with this thread. Looks like the SE-R might be the way to go.
I don't know about the Altima but I recently sold a 2001 Sentra with 120K on the clock. The only thing to break on it ever, was the wishield washing fluid pump. The guy wanted me to fix it, so after I investigated the problem I found that a mouse had gotten into the fluid resivoir and disolved thus plugging up the lines. So actually the only thing that ever broke on that car was the resivoir cap. Very reliable car! You should do fine with the Altima.
I only sold it because I wanted to buy a less reliable Mercedes.