2010 altima opinions?

[dja4260]

I'm on vacation but my dad emailed me about quality and long term reliability of a used 2010 altima, 4 cylinder, auto, w/ 30k miles. This is all I know but whatever we purchase, it will be well cared for.


Anything about the motor & trans or known issues?

Thanks for your time.

 

[sciphi]

Our neighbors have a 2010 and love it. No issues that they've griped about.

 

[dparm]

It's a proven powertrain and proven car. Should be great. I had the hybrid as a rental and it was a very easy car to drive.

I'm not crazy about the interior, but I think Audi and Acura spoiled me a bit in that department.

 

[Johnny248]

I the service manager at a Nissan dealer, and even though I don't really care for them, they seemt to be a pretty ok car. We do have quite a few problems with CVT's though. They are just like any other car, they all have their normal common issues but I haven't seen anything major other than the amount of valve bodies and complete cvt replacements.

They are just too borning for me. Just like my camry, nothing special but a good car

 

[chad8]

I test drove one. The 4 banger is the nosiest piece of [censored] on the road in its class.It felt cheaply built. Even the sales person hated it. It roars on the highway. The subarus /hondas ,corolla/camry , focus/edge, cruze/ /mailbu, all blew it away.
The only car that was worse that we drove in 2010 was the kia and we tested a bunch.

I am sure the reliability will be good and the v-6 version should be quieter , but I sure was put off by our drive.

 

[renegade_987]

We had a 1999 that we sold with 100K, no problems with it and the new owner still has it after 3 years, if I recall right

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted By: chad8
I test drove one. The 4 banger is the nosiest piece of [censored] on the road in its class.It felt cheaply built. Even the sales person hated it. It roars on the highway. The subarus /hondas ,corolla/camry , focus/edge, cruze/ /mailbu, all blew it away.
The only car that was worse that we drove in 2010 was the kia and we tested a bunch.

I am sure the reliability will be good and the v-6 version should be quieter , but I sure was put off by our drive.


Someone at work has an Altima with the CVT and after riding in it, I noticed the same thing, the engine seemed very coarse. Not impressed. Thought it was louder than my Kia, though

I would want the manual transmission instead of the CVT.

 

[brandini]

I 2nd the noisy and droney. CVT issues have been mostly ironed out, except they are touting [censored] that there's a 'lifetime fluid' in there. HA

My dad's 2004 murano got a free, new, cvt (redesigned etc) and it's MUCH better. The engine is just not happy sitting at 5k rpm at constant load while merging. So it's grumbly and slow to react comparatively (which can be offset by selectively popping over into S mode as it hold revs higher and engine brakes fantastically).

Do compare it against a fusion to get some perspective.

 

[SLCraig]

If you go Altima, get one with the V6.. It is miles ahead of the 2.5.

 

[MrCritical]

1. No to the CVT.

2. No if it was a daily rental.

 

[chubbs1]

I think it is a great car, the CVT is going to sound differently than a regular AT so don't bash when you rented one for two days (it takes some getting used to a car that doesn't cycle through gears). It is a solid car that will go the distance. The CVT problems were ironed out a while back. a 2010 is a nice Alt. I laugh at the ones who grumble about boring and drive a Camry. I think the Camry is solid, but it is far from fun to drive.

The V6's are better. But if you want a car that will last, Altima has more than proven its toughness.

 

[javacontour]

We've lived with one since December 09. oilBabe loves the Intelikey. No need for your key to leave your purse or pocket.

I concur with the comments about the coarseness of the 2.5L engine. I too am not a fan of the CVT, but just flip the shifter to the manual side of the gate if I'm really annoyed or just want some control over what "gear" I'm in, such as downhill runs, etc.

Buying used, you get what you get. I'd suggest stepping up above the S trim level. There are some creature comforts missing that I think oilBabe would now like to have. But give her credit, she is sticking with the 2.5S until it's run into the ground.

After driving my Protege5, it just seems so big and cumbersome. But we did manage to get the trunks for the two kids going to camp, plus our overnight bags as we made it a weekend away for us as well. So there is room for luggage for two for over a week. Could probably fit luggage for four if they traveled light.

 

[addyguy]

My wife and her friend rented one for a long raod trip last year. My wife really didn't like it, for many reasons.

Not that that seems to matter, lots of them on the road up here.

 

[dja4260]

He checked out the Fusion and didn't like the engine layout. Said the accessories were a nightmare to work on. Hes old fashioned I guess.

 

[UNC017]

Ill be contrarian here and say that I *like* CVTs. I've had them in rental Sentras, Altimas, and Dodge Calibers and found that they worked very well in all 3. You do have to adjust your thinking and what you expect the car to sound like, but I find that after I adapt to it, I really do like it. And yes, I *know* I'm in the minority on this...

On the other hand, I totally agree about the Nissan 2.5. Don't get it... go v6. The 2.5 is far from Nissan's finest piece of engineering. :-(

 

[shrooms]

Proven, reliable, boring cars.

 

[MrCritical]

Originally Posted By: shrooms
Proven, reliable, boring cars.


So reliable, the CVT warranty was extended to 100k for a couple of years.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
If you go Altima, get one with the V6.. It is miles ahead of the 2.5.


Our 2010 Altima V6 has been a fantastic car, especially compared to my Prius. Fast, refined, quiet, well-built and reliable. Handles extremely well for a family car. Only paid 21.5k for it as well. I would buy a second one in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
Originally Posted By: shrooms
Proven, reliable, boring cars.


So reliable, the CVT warranty was extended to 100k for a couple of years.


Yes, the warranty was extended to 10/120k for all CVTs up until 2010. The V6 CVTs in the Altima has been reliable so far. The CVT issues seemed to be limited to the early Muranos and some 4-cyl Altimas.