Looking to purchase a 2002-2009 Nissan Altima

[BrownBox88]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
If you want a V6, DO NOT buy an Accord automatic V6! (the manuals are OK, though)

Also avoid the Mazda 6/Fusion/Milan/Zephyr/MKZ/X-Type as that V6 is known to have problems as well.

Other alternatives to the Altima:
06-07 Accord V6 4-door manual
04+ Acura TL manual
04+ Camry V6 or ES330/ES350
04-05 Impala SS supercharged

I know you said you wanted a V6, but would you take a V8? The 06+ Impala has a V8 for more fun. And if you're lucky, you can even find a V8 Impala SS with a front bench seat

Nissan also has the larger Maxima and G35 (same engine as the Altima you're looking at, so if you can find one on your budget, why not get a bigger car with more room?)

The CTS may also be worth looking at as well.

There's also a flat-6 version of the Legacy.



I would buy a Maxima. 07-09 body style. I have a 2003 in the garage right now, but it isn't my daily and so far it hasn't really had any problems besides replacing the power steering and a new coilpack. I've been so comfortable with the Galant, I've lost touch on what I should stay away from.

Right now my choices are:
07-09 Maxima
05-09 Accord
04-06 CR-V
maybe a 2007-2009 camry but im well aware about the sludge.


I keep reading about how the popular cars from the 2000's are plagued with issues but theres so many of altimas, camry..etc...can it really be that much

 

[BrownBox88]

Anything I should know about maximas

 

[Anthony]

Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Quote:
Gotta love it when everyone in this thread bashes Nissan so hard because they read it on the Internet. How many here have actually owned an Altima?....

Hand goes up.

My reply regarding the 02, 03 2.5L Altima specifically not because of "what I read on the internet". My post about the Nissan precats failing is from documented personal experience as posted HERE. So in my case no bash, strictly fact based on personal experience and passing them along to the OP so he can avoid the same issue.

For the OP, Carcomplaints.com is a decent resource imo to look for issues on specific year, make and models.


I should have been more specific. I did say I would avoid 02 - 06 for the issues you did have although not everyone had those problems. Those gens are ok if you make the necessary corrections, and delete the Precat, and loctite the butterfly screws pending damage hasn't already been done. That being said the 07 - current are as good as anything in their class.

I was really talking to the people who said why an Altima or get something better.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I had an 04 new as a company car when they first came out. First year of that body style. Ran it up to 37k in 3 years before getting back into a Jeep.

Very nice riding and handling, though it had a lot of torque steer. Didn't have any issues with it, aside from a piece of weather stripping and a seat heater that wouldn't turn off. I'd look for something RWD, like a Charger or 300 if you want something that's really fun to drive.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: BrownBox88
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
If you want a V6, DO NOT buy an Accord automatic V6! (the manuals are OK, though)

Also avoid the Mazda 6/Fusion/Milan/Zephyr/MKZ/X-Type as that V6 is known to have problems as well.

Other alternatives to the Altima:
06-07 Accord V6 4-door manual
04+ Acura TL manual
04+ Camry V6 or ES330/ES350
04-05 Impala SS supercharged

I know you said you wanted a V6, but would you take a V8? The 06+ Impala has a V8 for more fun. And if you're lucky, you can even find a V8 Impala SS with a front bench seat

Nissan also has the larger Maxima and G35 (same engine as the Altima you're looking at, so if you can find one on your budget, why not get a bigger car with more room?)

The CTS may also be worth looking at as well.

There's also a flat-6 version of the Legacy.



I would buy a Maxima. 07-09 body style. I have a 2003 in the garage right now, but it isn't my daily and so far it hasn't really had any problems besides replacing the power steering and a new coilpack. I've been so comfortable with the Galant, I've lost touch on what I should stay away from.

Right now my choices are:
07-09 Maxima
05-09 Accord
04-06 CR-V
maybe a 2007-2009 camry but im well aware about the sludge.


I keep reading about how the popular cars from the 2000's are plagued with issues but theres so many of altimas, camry..etc...can it really be that much


If you have an 03 Maxima, why not just use that as your daily driver?

I have an 02 and for the most part it has been reliable. The engine and transmission are solid except for some leaks here and there. The only issues that come up are O2 sensors and electrical components that die due to age like ignition coils. It was probably one of the last real Nissans before they were bought by Renault.

2002+ Camrys don't have sludge issues. And the years before that seem to be related to a poor PCV combined with owners following the longer drain interval Toyota recommended instead of the severe service interval while using conventional oils.

If you really want to buy something though and you're after complete reliability I would go for a Camry or Accord.

I might have missed it, but what is your goal/reason for this purchase?

 

[supton]

2002 Camry might avoid the sludge but IIRC 2002+ (through 2007?) can have headbolt problems on the 2.4L (and it seems many of the 2.4's suffer from oil burning, Camry or Vibe usage).

 

[BrownBox88]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Originally Posted By: BrownBox88
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
If you want a V6, DO NOT buy an Accord automatic V6! (the manuals are OK, though)

Also avoid the Mazda 6/Fusion/Milan/Zephyr/MKZ/X-Type as that V6 is known to have problems as well.

Other alternatives to the Altima:
06-07 Accord V6 4-door manual
04+ Acura TL manual
04+ Camry V6 or ES330/ES350
04-05 Impala SS supercharged

I know you said you wanted a V6, but would you take a V8? The 06+ Impala has a V8 for more fun. And if you're lucky, you can even find a V8 Impala SS with a front bench seat

Nissan also has the larger Maxima and G35 (same engine as the Altima you're looking at, so if you can find one on your budget, why not get a bigger car with more room?)

The CTS may also be worth looking at as well.

There's also a flat-6 version of the Legacy.



I would buy a Maxima. 07-09 body style. I have a 2003 in the garage right now, but it isn't my daily and so far it hasn't really had any problems besides replacing the power steering and a new coilpack. I've been so comfortable with the Galant, I've lost touch on what I should stay away from.

Right now my choices are:
07-09 Maxima
05-09 Accord
04-06 CR-V
maybe a 2007-2009 camry but im well aware about the sludge.


I keep reading about how the popular cars from the 2000's are plagued with issues but theres so many of altimas, camry..etc...can it really be that much


If you have an 03 Maxima, why not just use that as your daily driver?

I have an 02 and for the most part it has been reliable. The engine and transmission are solid except for some leaks here and there. The only issues that come up are O2 sensors and electrical components that die due to age like ignition coils. It was probably one of the last real Nissans before they were bought by Renault.

2002+ Camrys don't have sludge issues. And the years before that seem to be related to a poor PCV combined with owners following the longer drain interval Toyota recommended instead of the severe service interval while using conventional oils.

If you really want to buy something though and you're after complete reliability I would go for a Camry or Accord.

I might have missed it, but what is your goal/reason for this purchase?


THe 2003 Maxima is for my mother. I do like that year and body style too. Has 186k on the clock. My goal is to replace the Galant with something that will be able to rack up miles like i did on the galant. I don't slack on maintenance, hence the galant is at 307k. Lots of 2002-2003 maximas in my area for cheap with low mileage. I may go with one of those.

 

[KitaCam]

As with any older car the maintenance history is most important...just got my neighbor into an exceptionally clean 03 Altima with 4 pages of maintenance (carfax) all done at the dealer every 4k miles...pretty nice deal @ $3,200...perfect car for the 3k miles he puts on it each year...it'll outlive him.

...and of course, always have the car independently inspected/evaluated...