15th Jul 2008, 08:29
I have an 08 Altima that has been a great car so far. It's the 2.5SL model - a 4 cyl. That car is rated above average by Consumer Reports.
It's too bad this person has had so much trouble with theirs. Japanese cars did get a reputation for being reliable - a well deserved reputation. But today they aren't the whole story.
When I bought my Altima, I also test drove a Malibu. I really liked that car and wished more were in stock so I could drive the one I would ultimately buy. But all the dealers in the area had only 1 in stock each. Plus few of them would deal on them.
The Altima was just as good, we could drive the one we wanted, and they gave us a good deal.
The Ford is indeed an excellent product and rated more reliable than others in this class, minus the Hyundai Sonata, which is rated just as good - if memory serves. But the point is that the real movement in the industry is with American models, which are rapidly improving and presenting a very viable alternative to Japanese and German mid-size cars. The truth of that is starting to show on the road and in sales reports, as Fusions are everywhere and Malibus are a hot seller.
So, if the previous commenter thinks that all import buyers are prejudiced against American models, I'll just say that I'm not and am excited by some of the upcoming stuff from GM and Ford. Check out the 2010 Saturn Aura. That may be my next car. So it's not all us vs. them. For many it's just about buying the car that works for them.
19th Jul 2008, 11:25
I don't believe this review. Too many issues that would have been corrected by dealer. Vehicles have warranties as do tires. No reason issues wouldn't have been corrected.
Come on, bad tires, cracked leather, starting issues, won't shut off?
24th Jul 2008, 11:28
I must agree on the quality of Japanese vehicles. I think they are over rated and it is more of an image thing. They change their styling so often and so dramatically, after three years the car you think is like new is outdated.
I Prefer Euro, but had to settle for a less expensive family car. I got a sweet deal on an 08 Ford Fusion with the 2.3, runs great. Has the sports appearance package, the 18" wheels really make the car look good. It is no Passat, but it beats the Jetta Hands down. I have never driven a Nissan, but came here researching for a family member who is looking to buy one. They are into the whole image thing, his wife wants him to buy an Infinity, I just laughed. I thought the Nissan would suffice, but this site definitely made me think twice.
24th Jul 2008, 23:24
As a mechanic, car enthusiast and member of 2 car clubs, I can assure you that GM, Ford and Chrysler have surpassed most (probably all) Japanese imports in reliability, fit and finish and build quality. Although the Altima is one of Nissan's better offerings, the disastrous Titan and Armada really hurt Nissan's reputation.
I've personally owned cars from all three U.S. auto makers that went over 200,000 miles with virtually no problems at all (and over 300,000 miles in the case of one Ford). Three of Car and Driver's "World's 10 Best Cars" are from GM. The Cadillac CTS is Motor Trend's Car of the Year, and the Chevy Malibu is the American Car of the Year. The Corvette has seen a 300% increase in sales in Europe since 2000, and is recognized as a world-class sports car on a par with Europe's best. The most reliable and highest rated car that Consumer Reports has ever tested is a Ford (the Fusion) and J.D. Powers pick for best sport coupe is the Ford Mustang.
It is becoming very obvious to those who are really into cars, that the current crop of cars being built by Ford, GM and Chrysler are some of the best in the world. GM's last quarter sales were UP in several other countries in spite of dropping in the U.S. (and even at that they didn't drop AS MUCH in the U.S. as Toyota sales did in the same period). Look for more and better cars to come from all three U.S. companies. Ford is coming out with a new truck to replace the Ranger (one of the most reliable small trucks ever built, see Oct. 2007 Consumer Reports) and GM is bringing over its hot Euro compact soon.
17th Aug 2008, 09:00
Have this guy ever heard of manufacturer faults? A friend of mine had a Toyota Camry that starts by itself and would not shut off, and she had to tow it to the dealer. She got it back, but the car would not start the next day either. Same problem like the Altima.
But the point is the Camry is relative good car, also the Altima, but sometimes things go bad in the wiring circuits. Come on, it is electronics, even a new stereo goes bad after purchase.
I am not make any excuses for Nissan, but to say these things can happen to Ford, Nissan, Toyota and another manufacturers. So you are not the only one with a problem. That does not make Nissan a bad manufacturer, so do not encourage people not to buy, but tell them of your tale, and let them decide. I have had a Nissan car for three years with no problem.
23rd Aug 2008, 11:33
I had a (2001) GM Car for 5 years and had loads of problems by the 5th year (it was solid for the first 3 and I take care of my cars.) What the owner is experiencing with their Altima is definitely a fluke or they're making stuff up.
And Chrysler is nowhere close to any other manufacturer, though GM and Ford are catching up.
11th Sep 2008, 21:18
I currently own an 08 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE. I have one small issue with it, and that is the computer transmission went out on after about 200 miles. The dealership picked up the car and did not ask any questions, and fixed and dropped it back off at my work the same day.
Other than that, I now have 18k miles on the vehicle with no issues at all. I average about 23 miles to the gallon, it rides smooth, the tires have held up, I have cloth interior but I am a police officer so I get in and out of vehicle with a full duty belt on, and have had no rips, tears or gouges.
I have owned several Saturn before this, and they had the same luck as my Nissan. I think this person had one bad experience, and is trying to make a invalid point.
7th Jul 2008, 11:30
Nissan has pretty much lost any credibility as a reliable vehicle. Like Toyota, Nissan has suffered a terrible drop in build quality, especially in the Titan and Armada lines, which have really given Nissan a bad reputation and earned them "much worse than average" ratings for these vehicles.
I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way, but there seems to be such a strong myth that Japanese cars are somehow "better" that few people bother to really research them. Try a Malibu (American Car of the Year) or the Ford Fusion (highest rated car Consumer Reports has ever rated).