2005 Nissan Altima S 2.5 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Reliable, roomy, adequate, B-

Faults:

Not much has gone wrong, the brakes wore out at about 20,000 miles but that mostly depends on how you drive.

Sometimes when you turn the A/C off a funky smell comes out of the vents, not very pleasant at all (stinky).

The paint is easily chipped and scratched, very cheap paint.

The engine noise is pretty noticeable, not deafening, but could definitely be a lot quieter.

<<< Update >>> I am currently at around 78,000 miles. since my review the crankshaft position sensor went out, the recall covered reprogramming but not the actual part, which cost around $120.00 to replace. Also the auto transmission seems to be shifting a little rough, but other than those two things it's been running strong.

General Comments:

This is a great car, very roomy, gets OK gas mileage; I average around 29 mpg, which is only a little better than the 6 cylinder, which is listed at around 26 mpg.

The car has good get up and go for a 4 cylinder, I usually have no trouble passing on the interstate.

Overall I have had a good experience with the car, and would buy another no questions asked, Might spring for the 3.5 next time though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 2008

2005 Nissan Altima SE-R 3.5 from North America

Summary:

Two minor problems make this the worst of my five Nissans

Faults:

Front rotors were warped when I got the car because the dealer got it from another dealership. I don't know how they could possibly be warped after only 200ks, because they're 12 inch vented rotors, but they were. The dealer said they replaced them, but I think they just turned them because they were warped again after only 6 months, and both back calipers were seized on from road debris sticking to the back of the pads and forcing the calipers to stay shut. Dealer told me, "too bad, not a defect" and offered to turn the rotors and replace the pads for $500. I told them, well, something rude.

Engine light came on and car wouldn't pull. Turning the car off and on again (reboot!) fixed the problem and it hasn't reoccurred.

General Comments:

This car is my fifth, and possibly last, Nissan... at least for a while. All my other Nissans were completely amazing. I have had the brake rotors warp, and the engine light go on in this car, and that is more trouble than any of my other Nissans ever gave me. In fact, my wife's 1998 Pathfinder just got retired with over 200000 Kms on it with less trouble... seriously.

I hear a lot of people talk about Honda and Toyota reliability, and rightly so, but my Nissans have all had less trouble than the three Toyotas I have owned. Further, I have had less trouble with my Nissans than my friends have had with their Hondas. I don't know anyone who currently drives a Toyota.

I got this car after going from a Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V to a brand new Dodge SRT-4. The Dodge was too fun, but it also sucked royally in the quality dept. Without turning this into a Dodge review, I want to say that I kept the Dodge for exactly 11 months before trading it in for about half what I paid for it. Never again will I stray from Japanese (for the winter and German for the summer, that is).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2008

2005 Nissan Altima SE V6 from North America

Summary:

I want my SUV back!!!

Faults:

Doesn't want to start.

Bad brakes.

Tires wore-out quickly.

General Comments:

I purchased my 05 Altima just one year ago and already I need all new tires and brakes! And I'm also having problems with it not wanting to start! Then the "check engine light" is always coming on, even immediately after having service done on it -- it makes no sense.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th November, 2007

13th Feb 2011, 10:38

You want an Escape back?

LOL.

16th Jul 2013, 15:31

Are you kidding me, you're surprised that after 60,000 miles you need new brakes and tires... All cars need that at the mileage you have.