Altima or Camry?

[Falcon_LS]

Friend of mine's looking to lease a new car (2010 MY). She doesn't want to buy a new car on hire purchase, and a 2 year lease works out cheaper for her than paying monthly installments - $356 vs. $525 a month. It also comes with open mileage, free roadside assistance and free maintenance, so it's decent from that perspective. Seeing there's also no maintenance or anything to worry about, that is a plus to her. Not my cup of tea, being so overly concerned about how maintenance is done, but to each their own.

Anyhow, the Altima is a 2.5S and the Camry is a base I beleive, if not an LE equalivant (that's a GL for Australian members, seeing our Camry's are Australian sourced). I've suggested she goes with the Altima - that QR25DE makes for a very enjoyable driving experience, despite being an inline 4, and it's better equipped. I was wondering what fellow BITOGers would suggest though.

Thanks!

 

[The Critic]

My mom has a 2010 Altima but with the 3.5SR V6.

I would go with the 3.5SR V6 over the 2.5L. The 3.5SR has a better programmed CVT and the CVT simply works better with the V6.

If you're looking for a four-cylinder, the Camry's new 2.5L I4 and six-speed auto is a better drivetrain than the Altima's 4 IMO.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I personally would go for an Accord, but between the two I pick the Camry even with the throttle conundrum. The Nissan 2.5 has been known for issues. If it were the 3.5 then it would be a different story.

 

[mechanicx]

My brother bought a new '08 Altima 2.5S. At first he liked the car, the pushbutton start and everything. But after a few months he couldn't stand the inconsistency of the CVT and traded it of for a new '09 Accord EX 4-cyl. He's had the Accord for over a year now and really likes it.

I drove the Nissan some and it was a little jerky and the brakes were really touchy, but other than that I really liked it. It seemed to ride a lot nicer and quieter than the Accord does. I don't know what if anything was done to revise the Altima's tuning since '08. The '08 was a new platform. But if Nissan got rid of the CVT and retuned the brakes, it'd be my favorite.

I know you asked about the Altima vs. Camry. I don't have too much personal experience with the Camry, but I'd bet it is quieter and more comfortable than the Accord. Don't they sell Chevrolet Malibus there? I bet your friend could get a deal on one of them.

 

[dishdude]

I don't know what is offered in Kuwait, but here in the states for this segment I like Malibu/Fusion/Optima/Jetta/Sonata/Milan

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks a lot for all the input! Neither the Accord, or the Malibu was actually even thought about - thanks for the tips! Will also take a look at what their rates are like.

 

[crinkles]

i would actually go for an accord.

The camry's sold there, built in melbourne, will only come in 5 spd autos for a while.

leasing does not make sense. yes she pays less in the first two years, but then she has to keep paying that forever. why not buy a car, make the payments, then keep it 10 years without having to make ANY payment?

 

[Falcon_LS]

Yes, the Camry sold here still has the 2.4L with 5 speed.

Originally Posted By: crinkles
leasing does not make sense. yes she pays less in the first two years, but then she has to keep paying that forever. why not buy a car, make the payments, then keep it 10 years without having to make ANY payment?


I share the same belief, but some people just don't get it. The idea of getting a brand new car every year or two, making a fixed monthly payment, and not having to worry about anything other than petrol sounds rather appealing to some people.

 

[addyguy]

New Malibu or Fusion.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
New Malibu or Fusion.


+1 on this.

But if your friend has her heart set on one of those two, I would steer her away from the Toyota simply because of the massive recall that is as yet to be resolved. I would say go with the Altima. But personally the 2010 Fusion/Malibu would be at the top of my shopping list. At least take her to take a look at them.

 

[ryansride2017]

Open-ended mileage lease? Have to admit, never heard of that. I'd make them pay for that with the number of miles I put on them.

 

[Jonny Z]

They might be able to do the unlimited mile thing in Kuwait because the size of the country. How far can you drive really?

I suppose the same can be said for Korea, and Israel.

It takes a 5-hour drive for me just to get out of Texas any direction I point my car...

 

[Rickey]

"Altima or Camry?"

May I suggest going off the page.

If it's available, procure a Malibu.

Best automobile in it's class right now IMHO.

 

[wapacz]

Well there not much that can go wrong in 2 years. So the real things we need to know is what is she looking for in a car.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: Jonny Z
They might be able to do the unlimited mile thing in Kuwait because the size of the country. How far can you drive really?

I suppose the same can be said for Korea, and Israel.

It takes a 5-hour drive for me just to get out of Texas any direction I point my car...


hyundai has unlimited km warranty in australia. we ar enot a small country.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: Jonny Z
They might be able to do the unlimited mile thing in Kuwait because the size of the country. How far can you drive really?

I suppose the same can be said for Korea, and Israel.

It takes a 5-hour drive for me just to get out of Texas any direction I point my car...


Actually the lease covers taking the vehicle out of the country, should you wish, for a limited period of time. You just have to pay a small deposit for insurance, and that's pretty much it. Having said that, I drive 3,000 miles a month and 36,000 miles a year.

Originally Posted By: Rickey
"Altima or Camry?"

May I suggest going off the page.

If it's available, procure a Malibu.

Best automobile in it's class right now IMHO.


The Malibu seems to be one of the top recommendations here. The Fusion is also available, as is the Optima, Accord, Sonata, Passat, etc.

Does anyone here own a new Malibu with the 2.4L LE5 by any chance?

 

[nthach]

Camry. If the current Toyota issues are scary, Fusion.

 

[CharBaby]

Falcon,
The vehicles in this particular class offer the largest selection than any other. The choices are many and great. With the exception of a few vehicles in particular, you almost can't go wrong. Since your friend is leasing, if she doesn't like what she has, it won't be long til she can try something else. I think that your friend might want to widen her choices and try a few other vehciles to see that there may be some surprises out there.