Rental impressions: '13 Altima Coupe

[Benzadmiral]

While the Regal is having its roof and hood psoriasis treated (i.e., repainted), I'm in a rental, a 2013 Altima Coupe. Silver, w/ black foamy-cloth interior. Usually I try to rent the cheapest, tinniest car available, so I'll appreciate my own vehicle when I get back to it and won't be seduced by something else. But this is what they gave me, and at the compact car rate, too.

I hate the orange instrument lighting, and the car wouldn't work for me as a daily driver, as I often carry stuff (though not usually people) in the back seat. It rides a bit harder and noisier on rough pavement than does the Regal, sort of to be expected, as it's on a smaller wheelbase, and probably lacks the kind of sound-deadening that the Buick features.

That said, it's rather fun to drive. I put it in gear -- the CVT transmission, right? -- and go, and it seems more than willing to rush right up to the speed limit and beyond. Push-button start is fun to have for a change from the usual. The seats are more sport-oriented, with side bolsters; I feel as though I'm being cupped comfortably in a giant foamy black hand.

Oddly, the 2.5 engine seems more powerful than the 3.5 in the Altima sedan the Buick dealer loaned me in January. Possibly because the coupe is lighter, or geared more for sport? Both?

A pleasant car. I'm not tempted to run out and get one, or the Infiniti version either. But it's nice to drive for a few days.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Your 3 year old car needs to be repainted?

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Your 3 year old car needs to be repainted?

I noted the blemishes at the start, and I knew there was no way anybody could detail that sort of thing out. (Since then I've had my opinion confirmed by a respected detailer here in town.) So I added that to my bargaining position, and got them to bring their price down enough that my outlay will be almost covered.

Essentially, I think, the previous owner didn't keep the car waxed, and didn't clean off tree sap or other contaminants as soon as they happened -- the way I do, or anybody who cares about his car does.

The trunk and sides are all fine. Just the hood and roof.

 

[SHOZ]

I had one for a week this winter. Could not quite get the seating right. And it really sucked in deep snow. I'm sure it was the tires but I could not go over 10 mph in 4" fresh snow without it wanting to slide off the road.

the trans did get some getting use to. Never seemed to go over 1500 rpm except when you took it out of OD or shifted down. Then it went up to about 2300 rpm IIRC.

I like the TPMS system. It tells you what tire is low. And when you refill the tire, it flashers the lights three times and then honks the horn so you know when to stop filling.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Yes, Shoz, it does seem to want to stay under 2000 rpm as much as possible. It gets the job (acceleration when needed) done, though.

 

[dparm]

I've had the Altima coupe as a rental from Hertz several times. I like it as far as rental cars go. It was never a strong seller and they ultimately killed it off, but I thought it was quite handsome (sorta like a baby-Z) and something different.

I agree that the 2.5 with CVT feels much quicker than it is.

 

[SLCraig]

That is a car I have sorta always wanted. I test drove a a V6 6MT back when they first came out in 2008 and have wanted one ever since.

It's not as much car as a Z, but it looks good, and has the oomph to make it fun.

It saddens me the direction Nissan is going (everything boring)

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I've had the Altima coupe as a rental from Hertz several times. I like it as far as rental cars go. It was never a strong seller and they ultimately killed it off, but I thought it was quite handsome (sorta like a baby-Z) and something different.

I agree that the 2.5 with CVT feels much quicker than it is.

On the interstate going home last night, I thought I was doing 65-70 till I looked at the speedometer. 55.

 

[Nayov]

The lowly 2.5 has the dual exhaust. I wonder if that is for performance or more likely sound deadening. They surely are fake duals a la Honda (one pipe feeding two mufflers).Could also be a cost saving measure since the 6 has duals also. They sure do go like blazes for a 4 cyl.

 

[CBR.worm]

I always enjoy them. I think they have dropped the red\orange backlight and display color in the new Altimas.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I returned the car to Enterprise on Friday afternoon and picked up my Regal at the body shop. After a week with the Altima, I thought at first something was wrong with the steering and throttle on the Buick; but once I'd driven it for a few minutes, I was used to the differences, and was glad to be back in the Regal again.

 

[CBR.worm]

I rent cars almost weekly, it is always nice to get back into your own vehicle. Kind of like a comfortable pair of shoes or jeans.