Faults:

How to start this nightmare?

Seal crank at 55 000 KM (warranty).

Oxygen sensor at 55 000 KM (warranty).

Seal crank again at 99000 KM (warranty).

Mass air flow broke down, making the car run no higher than 90 Km/h; cost $535 + towing at 121 000Km.

Cable shifter broke in the transmission car had to be towed again at 126 000 KM, cost $450.

Oxygen sensor again at 127 000 KM, cost $150.

Car started to rust badly in the 1999 winter, even with a good anti-rust treatment.

Power transistor broke down, cost $200 at 132 000 KM.

Major electrical problems occurred at 135 000 KM, front light left and right stopped working in alternation on high or low beam.

New radiator at 135 000 Km.

Heating stopped partially to work (only the trap in the middle of the dash blowing hot and cold air at the same).

Oil leak into the distributor assembly repair by myself, cost $145 + towing again (during the holidays) at 144 000 KM.

New starter and head gasket, done by myself at 155 000 KM, $250.

New front suspension including coil spring, top plate bearing etc... cost $1000.

Rear lift kit. Installed by myself for $120.

Lining started to leak at 162 000 KM due to RUST, RUST and more RUST (always treated).

Gas tank ripped off on the road during vacation at 178 000 KM. Lost all my fuel on the road in the middle of nowhere, sent the car to the junkyard for $200, too angry!

General Comments:

This is the worst car I have owned in my life, I should have sold this car before. I cannot believe I kept this car during 14 years.

I am Aircraft Technician, and a normal family would have ruined themselves by driving a Nissan Altima. Every time I went on vacation with this car, it broke far away from my garage. The only good thing in that car is the KA24DE 2.4 L engine, which always sounded as a new and never took an drop of oil.

The rest is garbage.

I cannot believe this car rusted that much, even after I started to treat it after my warranty in 1997.

This car had several major electrical problems that I was not able to fix, even though I am certified Aircraft Technician.

A good car for a mechanic apprentice if you bring your tool box and spare parts in the trunk. NOT for normal people, except if you are rich enough to afford all the repairs.

Faults:

Car runs very rough when the engine is cold. 10 minutes to warm up, then runs fine. Occasionally bucks when driving, but generally OK. I've spent hundreds chasing gremlins like this.

Faults:

Nothing except brake work at 90,000 miles. This was the most reliable car I ever owned. Sold it to a friend at 110,000 miles and he ran it another 40,000 before he sold it only replacing starter, water pump, and struts.

General Comments:

Offered an excellent combination of fuel economy and peformance out of a 4 cylinder engine. 5 speed was far more responsive than the automatic and I got around 33mpg on the highway at a steady 70mph. This motor was around for years and used in the trucks so it was bullet proof.

Faults:

I replaced outter rock&pinion boot, front passenger window motor, regular tune ups, reset airbag light myselft ever since I bought from some guy, but after that I haven't fixed nothing else.

General Comments:

So far it's been good and reliable.

Faults:

Bought Car with 2 oil leaks

New Distributor Cap

New oil pans

New spark plugs/tune up

"jingle" sound near front passenger tire.

Total= $1,050.

Car purchase price= $1,800.

Total cost for car= $2,850 (pretty good deal, I think)

General Comments:

I bought this car as a solution to my commuting needs - I needed a car immediately as my school loans kicked in and I had to sell my other financed car. I couldn't be happier with my altima. After bringing it to a mechanic, I found that the 2 oil leaks would be costly to repair only because of the time (CA mechanics are extremely expensive!!). They quoted me 5 hours, and although I only paid for those 5, it took the mechanic 8 to fix. After a tune up and the needed repairs, I feel that spending under $3,000 for a used car with 116,000 miles isn't bad. The car itself is super comfortable, handles smoothly, and has some pickup even after 12 years. Its great on gas, and I'm thoroughly impressed. Its clear coat is gone, but I can't expect it to be very pretty after so many years and miles. I am sold on Nissans, and would love a newer one sometime in the future.