Faults:

My name is Andrew T Sorensen. I had to install a new radiator and it still leaks. Getting ready to install my 3rd alternator. Aftermarket parts are not recommended.

General Comments:

It's been a great car. Runs and drives great, and gets great gas mileage. I've had to replace some general maintenance parts and used aftermarket parts. I do not recommend aftermarket parts; I've had many problems.

Faults:

Considering the age of the car, very little.

Normal engine things like the alternator and water pump have been replaced, but nothing major at all.

General Comments:

I can't believe that I have gotten this many miles and years out of this car. It is like a trustworthy, old friend at this point. I am used to driving it and everything else seems strange. It is only now starting to rust a bit, and that is because I used to live in Michigan. If I had been down here in the south all the years I had it, I wonder if it would have any rust at all.

Faults:

When I first bought the car, I thought it was a lemon. I had to sink about $3000 into repairs to get it to pass PA inspection. In fact these repairs were overdue because of the previous owner not maintaining the car.

General Comments:

Looking at it doesn't get your heart racing with excitement. It is one of the dullest designs on four wheels. However, once you drive it and realize that after 7000 miles that you haven't had to top up the oil or coolant (something which I was used to on Volvos...), that you can still get 25 to 28 MPG driving at 75 mph on the highway, and that it hugs the road like a sports car, even with shocks that have over 150000 miles in them, then you start liking the poor thing a lot more.

It's decently comfortable, which is important for me because I have a 100 mile journey to get to work, the controls are easily accessible, and the interior is of fairly good quality.

Since I had the car inspected, I've done 7000 miles without a hiccup.

It has plenty of pick up when needed, and can cruise at 80 mph all day long.

Faults:

The issues with the Altima:

The major mechanical issue was with the timing chain guides breaking. The timing chain is a $1,500 repair, but for this engine (k24), it is well worth repairing rather than replacing. Make sure the parts are purchased from Nissan.

For manual transmissions, make sure the clutch kit is also purchased from Nissan.

The alternator died around 220k.

Timing chain was replaced at 215,000k due to a broken guide.

General Comments:

The Altima is, hands down, one of the best cars ever built. I put over 300k miles on this vehicle.

I said if I ever sold the Altima, I would blog on this site, because I reviewed this site before I purchased the Altima in 2004.

I am an African American young man from Memphis. I purchased the Altima in 2004 at the age of 19, one week before my 20th birthday, with 122k miles. I put many highway miles on the Altima. Everywhere I went, it took me. When the car reached around 300k, it was still being put on the highway, taking me on long trips.

This car was never abused by me. I kept the oil changed, using full synthetic at around 200k.

The Altima never lost any power, the engine ran and sounded great, just like it did when I first purchased it at 122k.

Treat the Altima well, but don't be afraid to drive it. Keep the inside of the engine clean and lubricated with good synthetic oil.

Just like any machine, this car has broken down quite a few times, but it is truly one of the BEST built vehicles ever.

I owned this car from age 19 to age 30. This car has seen me through many life changes and taken me on many trips with friends and family.

Goodbye Ole Gal... (Altima)

Any questions, you may reach out via email or Facebook.

Alphonsodewayne@yahoo.com

FB: Alphonso dewayne Beau Jefferson or Beau Jefferson.