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Long-Term Test: 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE

Road Test

Long-Term Test: 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE

Introduction

Published Jan 24, 2002

    0 Ratings
    There are some pretty amazing comeback stories in the automotive world. In just the last 10 years, we've seen Volkswagen/Audi, Hyundai and Nissan all perform feats of rebound that would have even Shaquille O'Neal raising an eyebrow. At some point in the not-too-distant past, it was easy to imagine each of these automakers fading from U.S. showrooms, and possibly going out of business completely (hopefully, this observation will give Ford some solace during its current efforts to be the next great American comeback story).

    Nissan in particular has been on a roll these past few years. Starting with the all-new Sentra, Maxima and Xterra in 2000, and followed up by a refurbished (and more powerful) Pathfinder and Frontier in 2001, the company has learned some basic truths about American buyers. Specifically, we Yanks like our cars roomy and powerful, and we further appreciate functional ergonomics while spending as little time as possible at our local Nissan service center.

    With four all-new or significantly upgraded models added to the company's lineup in the last two years, it was time for Nissan to turn its attention to the brand's bread-and-butter sedan. No, not the Maxima (though that car did see some additional improvements for 2002), but the nameplate that most U.S. buyers had forgotten: Altima.

    For years, this not really compact, not really midsize sedan had lived in a netherworld between two hot market segments. It was supposed to offer more features than competitors like the Dodge Stratus or Chevy Malibu, but the car's sales numbers since its 1998 redesign showed that most prospective customers were unimpressed.

    With the completely redesigned 2002 Altima, Nissan has served notice that it will no longer play second fiddle to Toyota or Honda when it comes to the midsize sedan market. The company created a stylish, roomy and powerful people-mover with a price tag that meets or beats the competition. With such a bold statement coming from this rising automaker, we felt an Altima long-term car was a no-brainer. When one considers that the Camry is also all new for 2002 (not to mention that car's continued status among the best-selling sedans in America), we could have easily justified a 2002 version for the program, as well. But while the Camry was certainly improved for the new model year, the Altima has been completely transformed. Additionally, we've already had a Camry in the fleet (actually, a 1997 Toyota Camry was the first Edmunds.com long-term car).

    We purchased our Nouveau Ruby Altima 3.5 SE from Lew Webb's Irvine Nissan just before Christmas 2001. We wanted one with certain options, such as the ABS and Airbag package, leather, a power glass sunroof, the Bose audio system with in-dash CD changer, splash guards and traction control. The model we finally located had some additional features that weren't on our "must-have" list. Items like the sunroof deflector and rear spoiler seemed more gimmicky than necessary, and the Cold Weather package has little functionality in Southern California. Still, the selling dealership was extremely easy to work with and gave us a great price ($27,417) right from the beginning. The fleet manager even drove the car to our Santa Monica offices for delivery, meaning the whole deal was handled without setting foot on a lot. You can read all about the buying experience in Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed's column Online Car Buying Revisited.

    With the keys to a shiny new Altima in Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer's hot little hands, he was truly feeling the holiday spirit. "The car's overall shape is attractive, if a little chunky for my tastes. However, the dark ruby color softens the body lines slightly, giving our Altima a clean, uncluttered appearance."

    Less than four hours after we took possession, an uncharacteristic December rainstorm pelted the City of Angels, giving Mr. Brauer ample wet-weather test conditions. "The traction control proved its worth only a few hours after getting the car. The roads in West L.A. can get very slippery when it first rains, and with the Altima's traction control kicking in almost every time I accelerated from a stop, I was glad to have it. The windshield wipers also proved capable at keeping the Altima's large windshield clear, and I appreciated the weighty feel of the various interior controls that compared favorably to the 'clackety' instrumentation feel you get from some vehicles in this market segment."

    Mr. Brauer also commented positively on the Nissan's gauges that are legible and light up in a soothing amber glow. An on-board trip computer, with easy-to-use steering wheel controls, keeps track of outside temperature, average speed, fuel economy, distance to empty and mileage on two trip meters. There are also steering wheel controls for the audio system; unfortunately, none of these is illuminated at night. A dual-height armrest provides some support for taller drivers, but Karl felt it should lock into the raised position more securely. More than once he found the armrest slipping out of its raised position when he placed weight on it.

    Other interior features worth mentioning are the one-touch down and up front windows, a Bose audio system that lives up to its reputation for sonic excellence (especially if you're into powerful bass) and plenty of room in the backseat. Mrs. Brauer, who previously used an Odyssey to cart the family's two toddlers around, quickly warmed up to the Altima. "It was really easy to get the baby seats installed in the back," she said. "How much does this car cost?" Upon hearing its price, she added, "Why don't we get one of these for ourselves?"

    "Why not, indeed?" Mr. Brauer found himself answering. Actually, although Karl applauds Nissan's latest comeback product, he does have some gripes. "The center stack buttons are all the same size and shape, so you can't operate these controls without taking your eyes off the road. And some of the interior materials betray Nissan's methodology for keeping the price so competitive. However, for interior surfaces that really matter, like seating material and the upper door panels — areas where your skin is likely to come in contact with the car — the Altima feels fully adequate, if not particularly luxurious."

    Karl's time in the Altima was almost completely limited to city street driving. This resulted in terrible fuel mileage (though the figure is based on only one fill-up, and the brand-new engine and Mr. Brauer's driving style likely contributed to the low number) and not much opportunity to experience the car's performance potential. Still, Karl felt confident in declaring the Altima "fast" (with a 240-horsepower V6, he's not exactly going out on a limb here), and he went on to add that the steering has "extremely solid weighting, contributing to a sense of security when negotiating turns."

    As Karl handed off the keys, he remarked, "Nissan has set a new benchmark in the midsize sedan market, leaving everyone else to play catch up." Stay tuned for the next 12 months to see if the rest of the staff agrees.

    Current Odometer: 497
    Best Fuel Economy: 13.9 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 13.9 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 13.9 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    February 2002

    There's nothing like a long road trip to properly break in a new car, so Senior Editor Christian Wardlaw packed his bags this month and took a tour of the Four Corners region of the country in our Nissan Altima.

    Well, "tour" isn't necessarily accurate. Rather, he forced the Altima to gobble mile after mile of Interstate during a quick round trip to Colorado from our offices in Southern California. After 3,000 miles and long 15-hour stints behind the wheel, he had a good sense of the Altima's pros and cons, reporting that the car is mostly successful but falls down in a few key areas.

    The first of those key areas relates to cabin noise. "This is not a quiet car," Wardlaw penned in our logbook. Evidently, the Altima is poorly isolated from road rumble and suspension thrum, and as he drove over freshly sanded roadways in Colorado, it became apparent, as grit peppered the wheelwells, that this family sedan could use some added insulation from the road surface. Wind noise is also noticeable, but Wardlaw suspects that our car's sunroof wind deflector is to blame for the added volume. Among the wind noise, road rumble and hum of the 3.5-liter V6's dual-outlet exhaust, it could be difficult to carry on conversations in the Altima when traveling at highway speeds.

    Fortunately, Wardlaw traveled alone, so he loaded up the in-dash six-disc CD changer and cranked up the Bose audio system to wile away the miles. Alas, it seems our Altima has been assembled using a defective amplifier, because after the system is "hot," such as following several hours of continuous use, the speakers are no longer able to produce tolerable sound quality. Vocals become striated, bass sounds flatulent, and the entire system sounds fried. Wardlaw reported: "The sound system is a pile of garbage. After listening to it for prolonged periods of time (more than 3 hours when the system started off "cold"), severe distortion makes it impossible to enjoy. At this point, I just toss in Staind, Linkin Park or Smashing Pumpkins, whose music often works well with speakers that sound like they're already blown. This really ticked me off, as someone who likes long road trips accompanied by my favorite CDs." This ought to be a treat for the dealer to troubleshoot when we bring it in for a fix.

    Our Altima suffers a few other quality glitches. Wardlaw detected an apparent manufacturing defect in our windshield, noting that the glass on the passenger side of the car is rippled, creating slight "waves" in anything that is viewed through it from the driver seat. Also problematic is the door that covers the storage cubby in the lower center section of the dashboard. On our test car, it is sticking, so Wardlaw just left it open all the time. Other gripes included an "irritating buzz" that developed in the headliner. Wardlaw mentioned it only because "after a few hours on the road, I had to shut the lousy sound system off, which is when the irritating buzz accompanied mile after mile of Interstate." Finally, Wardlaw took note of a vibration in the steering, felt only at speeds between 40 and 50 mph. To keep from dealing with it, he often traveled well above that speed.

    It is between 80 and 100 mph that the Altima 3.5 SE shines, and shines brightly. Not only does the 3.5-liter V6 produce amazing fuel economy numbers and significant range for highway driving at higher velocities, but the car feels solidly planted, a lightness to the steering the only detriment to the enjoyment of speed. At one point, as he approached the Utah/Colorado state line heading west on I-70, Wardlaw crested a rise to see a Ford Crown Victoria dressed in Colorado State Patrol garb sitting in the median. Immediately, he grabbed the brakes and hauled the Nissan down to the 75 mph speed limit. An instant later, his Valentine One radar detector lit up like a proverbial Christmas tree. "Good brakes," Wardlaw wrote in the logbook.

    Less impressed was he with the performance of the tires in the snow. Our Altima came equipped with P215/55R17 Bridgestone Turanza performance tires, and after a light snowfall in Fort Collins, Colo., the Altima was skittish in turns, seemingly unable to grab purchase in the new fallen snow. Fortunately, our Altima's traction control assisted with grip during straight-line acceleration, and Wardlaw claims that the system works effectively and unobtrusively. But, he warns, "just don't try to pull off a snowy side street onto a cleared main thoroughfare without leaving lots of room for the system to work, recognize dry pavement and get the Altima underway, or approaching traffic may find reason to honk."

    On dry pavement, the Altima was a hoot to drive hard. One of the first things Wardlaw did with our long-termer when the keys landed on his desk was to take it for a rip-roaring ride on one of his favorite stretches of road, the fabled Mulholland Highway in the Santa Monica Mountains. During this initiation, Wardlaw found that it is easy to adjust the attitude of the Altima with the throttle and brakes to generate four-wheel drifts through tight turns. "It doesn't behave like a typical front-driver, exhibiting little understeer and responding nicely to trail-braking on turn-in," Wardlaw wrote. "I had a great time tossing the Altima through the mountains."

    But daily driving life is not all road trips and twisty two-lane highways. As a commuter, the Altima worked brilliantly, making Wardlaw's 80-mile round-trip office run a joy. The hour each way wasn't long enough for the sound system to perform its aural breakdown, and the driver seat remains comfortable for shorter periods of time. Additionally, when the time came to shuttle colleagues to lunch, the Altima provided more than enough space in the rear seat to handle full-sized adults for cross-town hops.

    One doesn't need to pop for the top-of-the-line 3.5 SE to gain the benefits of Altima ownership. Just before his stint behind the wheel of our long-termer, Wardlaw spent some time driving an Altima 2.5 S, and judged it the model that most people would want most of the time. It rides a little softer, but is quite powerful in its own right, equally attractive and less expensive. But, like our 3.5 SE, its unprotected flanks are susceptible to door dings, as evidenced by the dandy dent our Altima received in the parking lot of the La Quinta Inn in Santa Fe, N.M.

    As good as the new Altima is, and as enjoyable as it is to live with on a daily basis, Wardlaw thinks Nissan has a few rough edges to smooth over. First off, better-quality interior materials are necessary if a loaded Altima is going to sell for close to $30,000. The existing plastics and textiles work fine at the 2.5 S model's price point, but a decked-out 3.5 SE needs more upscale trimmings, like those found in a Volkswagen Passat. While the company is busy upgrading, the steering wheel controls for the stereo and cruise could use illumination at night, though Wardlaw concedes that after a few thousand miles of use, you stop fumbling around in the dark trying to use them. And dual front map lights would be preferable to the single overhead lamp that illuminates the cabin as subtly as a police helicopter does a dead-end alley.

    "It's too bad our Altima suffers from so many quality flaws, because the design and overall execution are fundamentally sound," Wardlaw opined. "But honestly, this particular example of the breed is an awful road tripper, and if a car is to win my praise and approval, it's got to satisfy for thousands of miles and hours at a time. Our long-term 3.5 SE doesn't."

    Current Odometer: 4,819
    Best Fuel Economy: 26.2 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 17.5 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.5 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: Fried Bose audio amplifier; rippled windshield glass; sticking cubby door; buzzing headliner

    Road Test

    March 2002

    Due to testing duties and extensive travel, Road Test Editor John DiPietro got limited seat time in the Altima this month. Still, it was enough for some vivid impressions to be formed. "This thing really skedaddles," John noted. "When I first pulled out of the office complex garage, the car jetted outta there, with the traction control working overtime to quell the spinning tires."

    "And no, I hadn't mashed the pedal; I only gave it part throttle," John quickly added.

    Passing power is astounding, as well, as John discovered when he stabbed the gas to quickly get by some dawdling cars; "the Altima practically leapt out of its skin" as it catapulted past the slowpokes. The downside of the V6's muscle-bound nature is that torque steer (the tendency of a powerful front-drive car to pull to one side under hard acceleration) is noticeable when you get on it from a stop or at low speeds. John was quick to point out, however, that "it's no big deal, you just feel the wheel wiggle a bit in your hands if you step on it."

    John thought the automatic transmission did a great job managing the power. "I never caught the tranny napping; it was always quick to downshift for passing and merging. And it's smooth, even under full-throttle upshifts." Although it's not an "automanual" shifter, it can still be used as such. John clarified: "The shift quadrant is set up like an old Mercedes' automatic, with a notched gate that makes manual shifts possible without accidentally going into the wrong gear. But it's not really necessary to work the lever manually, as the transmission shifts just fine on its own."

    Apart from the great thrust of the Altima, John had a few other things scribbled on his notepad: "The stereo and trip computer controls on the left side of the steering wheel are great, an intuitive design that is easy to get used to." He agrees, however, with other staffers who have noted that these controls (as well as the similar cruise control setup on the right) could use illumination for nighttime use, though he was able to operate them by touch. He also liked the fact that the radio allowed three different sets of station presets, so that he could lock in his own stations without affecting other drivers' preferences.

    All was not peaches and cream, though, as John had a few nits to pick that admittedly had been picked before. "There is evidence that Nissan didn't want to disturb the Maxima's status as its flagship, if some of the interior trim of the Altima is any indication. The console is a prime example; it's a great design with its double covered bins and pop-up armrest, but the execution could be better, as the latches exhibit the quality of a cereal box toy."

    And the stereo problem and a few other glitches have already been noted. John further stated, however, that "great performance has a way of diminishing minor annoyances (save the stereo going on the fritz on very long drives). Overall, I was very impressed with the Altima. In terms of performance, Nissan has brought this car into the forefront of this class."

    Current Odometer: 5,754
    Best Fuel Economy: 25.5 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 14.3 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 20.9mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: Fried Bose audio amplifier; rippled windshield glass; sticking cubby door; buzzing headliner.

    Road Test

    April 2002

    The Altima proved again this month that it's a lot of car for the money. Forgive us if we sound like a looped recording, but the car still hasn't lost its stellar shine.

    "This thing can really move," commented Edmunds.com CFO Charlie Farrell. "I wasn't prepared for the surge of power — and it almost gave me whiplash." The top-notch 3.5-liter V6 is what gets our editors salivating like a fox staring at a chicken. Its wonderfully smooth power delivery gets this Altima from 0 to 60 in 7.3 seconds. Now that's moving, especially for a car that starts at less than $23,000.

    Photography Editor Scott Jacobs also lauded the Altima's V6. "I've got to admit, I can be that driver on the freeway that you curse at. The massive amount of power available allows me to dart in and out of traffic, avoiding those imaginary missiles fired off by other irate drivers," commented Scott. "When you're stuck in deadlocked freeway traffic, being able to change lanes quickly to go with the flow can be a great source of stress relief."

    Though the Altima's engine may be a source of excitement or therapeutic relief, the design left Scott shaking his head. "I know Nissan is going for a little more edgy design to distinguish itself, but I'm not totally sold on it." Included in the Altima's edgy redesign are the clear-lens taillights, an increasingly popular design element. "The Altima is definitely aimed at a younger buyer. The semi-angular styling just doesn't do it for me. Have I become so boring that I prefer cars with smoother edges?"

    At least the spaciousness of the new Altima was greatly appreciated. Charlie's linebacker-sized son Mark found the generous seating comfortable in both the front and rear. Managing Editor Bryn MacKinnon also appreciated the large dimensions. "The plus side of the car's largeness is the fact that I can shuttle three passengers in comfort, feel safe in this world of scary SUV-dominance and carry a lot of cargo," commented Bryn. "The down side is that when I'm backing out of my driveway, even if I stretch all the way up from my tiptoes when I'm turned around, I can't see much of where I'm going. The rear end just seems too large to me."

    Scott had additional comments about the interior. "I didn't like the abundance of cheap plastic," he said. "I agree with February's assessment that this level of car should have the interior trimmings of a Passat. I can live with the edgy design, but I abhor cheap plastic interiors." Though Scott's views may be a tad stringent, looking at the overall package, it's clear that this car offers a lot of bang for the buck.

    It's no wonder the Altima has garnered so many awards. It puts together an attractive package for a cheap price.

    Current Odometer: 6,349
    Best Fuel Economy: 21.1 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 15.3 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 20.4mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: Fried Bose audio amplifier; rippled windshield glass; sticking cubby door; buzzing headliner.

    Road Test

    May 2002

    In a fashion perhaps similar to exercising to the complete four-cassette pack of Tae-Bo without a potty or Dorito break, our Altima got a thorough workout this month. We packed the trunk full of stuff. We stuffed people into the back seat. We hammered the gas just for the thrill of it. We accidentally spilled Sobe tea on the passenger seat and got pretzel crumbs in the cupholder. We pumped System of a Down's Toxicity through the sound system. After this 30-day flogging, we had etched some 2,300 miles onto the odometer. Altima: Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

    Our number one vehicle handler this month was Senior Road Test Editor Brent Romans. Though he had driven an Altima 3.5 SE that we had acquired for road-test purposes, this was his first opportunity to spend quality time with our long-term car.

    Within a couple days of getting the keys, Brent was off for a six-day road trip from Los Angeles to Northern California. Along with his girlfriend, Claudine, Brent visited Hearst Castle in San Simeon, friends in Oakland, relatives in San Ramon, saw the sights in Napa Valley and witnessed the impressively unspectacular Petrified Forest near Calistoga. Though they didn't travel lightly (Brent says he made the mistake of telling Claudine to "pack as much as you want"), the Altima's 15.6 cubic foot trunk held their entire collection of personal effects. Items regularly accessed, such as snack food and jackets, were placed on the rear seat.

    "Overall, I was thrilled to have this car," Brent wrote in the vehicle's logbook. "Of the vehicles currently in our long-term fleet, only the Audi A4 would have been a preferred choice." Much of his commentary concerning long-distance travel mirrors that of Chris Wardlaw's, to be found in the February update. In general, Brent appreciated the car's power, handling and comfort. He said he found the front seats to be very comfortable, as well as supportive. (In contrast, another driver this month, Bryn MacKinnon, said she found the seats very uncomfortable. Go figure.) He also liked the variety of useful storage areas. According to our car's trip computer, Brent put on 1,161 miles during 25 hours of running time. The car's average speed was 46 mph and average fuel economy was 26.3 mpg. Our own calculations indicate the Altima averaged only 24 mpg.

    After spending this much time with the car, Brent had only two main dislikes. First was the automatic climate control. He relates: "If I know I'm going to be accelerating full throttle, I like to turn the air conditioning off to ensure maximum power. There's no 'air conditioning' button, however. One has to know that 'econ' means no air conditioning. Also, I felt I had to do way too much button pushing to get various permutations of preferred fan speeds and vents. A simple three-dial climate control system is so much easier to use."

    Brent also backed up Chris about the Altima being too loud on the freeway. During his trip, he noted that the Altima is overly loud when driven on the freeway, caused by a lack of sound-deadening material in the wheelwells and the wind deflector.

    Midway through the month, we cleared the 7,500-mile mark and set up an appointment with Santa Monica Nissan for service. The owner's manual calls for an oil and filter change and a tire rotation. As we've learned from numerous previous long-term vehicle service experiences, dealers are fond of tacking on considerably more inspections or part replacements than what is included in the automaker's recommended service.

    Sure enough, after Brent had mentioned the car needed a "7,500-mile service," the service advisor wrote up an order for a "7,500-mile service." The price was much more than what an oil change and tire rotation should cost. The bill didn't list what was included for the service. When Brent asked the advisor what was included, the advisor responded with a canned list of checks and inspections. To Brent, they seemed unnecessary for such a low-mileage car and he requested that only the oil change and tire rotation be done. He also requested to have two warranty issues examined: the flaky audio system and the sticky console cubby door. The advisor grumbled a bit about having to print out another work order, but he was friendly after that.

    We were able to pick up the vehicle the same day. The oil change and tire rotation cost us $44.89. As for the warranty issues, the dealer couldn't fix them, but special-ordered parts for the cubby door and radio. We were surprised about the audio system; as it's marred by an intermittent problem, we half-expected the dealer to respond simply that the technician "couldn't duplicate the problem" and leave us hanging. Indeed, the dealer could not duplicate it, but it was nice to see the advisor respecting our claims about the faulty audio output.

    We have yet to receive a call from the dealership indicating that both parts are in, so we'll be reporting on this next month. Until then, the Altima continues to roll.

    Current Odometer: 8,640
    Best Fuel Economy: 24.8 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 18.5 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.5 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: $44.89 (oil and filter change and tire rotation)
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    June 2002

    The sweet month of June saw our maroon Altima in the hands of Road Test Editor Liz Kim, who had been looking forward to driving the nimble sedan. See, she had her tour of duty in our long-term Dodge Grand Caravan last month, and as fun as it was to drive our refrigerator-white minivan, she happily anticipated piloting a more svelte, more powerful vehicle around the crowded byways of Los Angeles.

    She wasn't disappointed. With copious power on tap to the tune of 240 horsepower, she was able to zoom onto highways with confidence, certain that the Altima wouldn't fizzle out and cause freeway traffic to slow down. She also took a small detour toward the cactus-strewn environs of eastern California, testing out the Altima's passing abilities and its high-speed stability. "This car is way too easy to drive fast," she said. "The smooth, uninterrupted power and the taut suspension encourage quick transitions."

    However, she was less than satisfied with the cabin accommodations after her return. She found the seat prone to inducing back pains, as it lacks proper lumbar adjustment. She wasn't a big fan of the ripples in the windshield that gave everything a wavy look as if it were reverting to a flashback, nor the C-grade plastics that decorate the cabin of this near-$30,000 sedan. "And you can get a spankin'-new Lexus ES 300 for about $2,000 more. Hmm." But she very much appreciated the generously proportioned seats that allowed for a high degree of lounging comfort for her passengers on a run through the dry climes of the desert Southwest. At one point, one of the rear seaters stretched out fully along the length of the seat, snoozing complacently as his driver chattered on.

    Also valued by Liz were the six-disc in-dash changer and the easy-to-use steering wheel-mounted controls. This month, she noticed that the RDS (radio data system) display, when set to a certain local station, exhibited not only the call letters of the station but also scrolled through its jingle as well as the artist who was playing. Her 8-year old nephew was fascinated, stating that "Hey, they spelled 'mud' wrong in 'Puddle of Mudd,'" but Liz found it somewhat annoying and distracting. "Do we really need to add one more gadget to take your eyes and attention off the road? It was somewhat interesting while I was stuck in traffic, but I can see where if you're whizzing along, and you have to know what artist is playing, that it would require discipline not to watch the letters go across the screen." She thinks that the next step should be that the lyrics of the songs should be displayed, allowing the driver to sing along, karaoke-style. Anything would be an improvement over the sound quality of the audio system, which still putters out a couple of hours into operation, as our editors have noted in previous updates.

    Also worthy of note are the quick-acting auto-on headlamps (and the electroluminescent gauges) that activate as soon as the vehicle hits a dark spot in the road, even turning on while passing under a bridge at low speeds on a sunny day. In contrast, the auto-on feature in our long-term Dodge Grand Caravan takes almost a full minute to produce light.

    While we had no problems this month, we were annoyed with Santa Monica Nissan. It's been more than a month since we ordered a new console lid and stereo system for our long-termer. We've received no notification that the parts are in. We've also tried calling our service advisor. We've left three messages to no effect.

    Otherwise, our road test editor enjoyed her time in the Altima but was left with ambivalence as to whether she would buy this close-to-excellent family sedan. She wasn't originally fond of its exterior design, but as she sees more of them around in traffic, the look of the Altima has grown in her affections. "I thought that the clear tail lamp lenses were a bit overwrought, but now I find them refreshing compared to the same boring designs that plague family sedans."

    "I've driven various test Altimas, such as the 3.5 SE with the manual transmission, a 3.5 automatic, a 2.5 automatic and now, finally, our long-term 3.5. All of them were a pleasure to drive, but given the strengths and weaknesses of the car, as well as its precipitous climb in price once you decide to go with the V6, I'd go with the four-cylinder model and pocket the difference."

    Current Odometer: 10,262
    Best Fuel Economy: 25.9 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 16.2 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.4 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    July 2002

    Senior Editor Christian Wardlaw was able to do something that few other people in the country, if any, were able to do with a Nissan Altima this past month. He compared it back-to-back with the redesigned 2003 Honda Accord EX V6.

    Honda held the press introduction of the all-new Accord in Hollywood, Calif., in late June, and Wardlaw drove our long-term Altima 3.5 SE across town to attend the press conference and media drive. During the introduction of the Accord, Honda spokespeople claimed that the assembled media would "forget all about the Nissan Altima" after learning about and driving their new segment-leading sedan.

    Wardlaw, as always, was skeptical. Sure, the new Accord has 240 horsepower, but displacement is limited to 3.0 liters, whereas our Nissan has a 3.5-liter V6. Torque is the key benefit of greater displacement, and the Altima's sweet V6 hands the Accord its lunch in terms of thrust and thrills. Of course, the Accord is rated to achieve better fuel economy and to meet ULEV emissions standards, so the appeal of either powerplant depends on your priorities.

    Honda employed the same roads in the Santa Monica Mountains northwest of Los Angeles that the Edmunds.com editors use on a daily basis to test the wide variety of vehicles that enter our garage. Knowing the roads well, Wardlaw put Honda's claims of newfound performance and handling to the test on twists and turns that the Altima has covered on numerous occasions. The verdict? Our Nissan is far more fun to drive than the new Accord.

    Putting performance aside, our Altima bests the Accord in terms of interior comfort, ergonomic design, and trunk space, too. Wardlaw noted that the trunk of the Altima is significantly larger, that the Nissan has better-designed and more intuitive controls than the Honda, and that the Accord feels slightly smaller and less comfortable. And though styling is always a subjective judgment, Wardlaw likes the rakish form of our Nissan far more than the Accord's somewhat odd and disjointed new sheetmetal.

    One area in which the Honda is superior to the Nissan is refinement and quality. The new Accord is much quieter inside at speed, and the interior materials are, for the most part, better to see and feel than the cheap bits inside our Altima. There is no doubt that if fuel economy, environmental responsibility and refinement are your top goals in a family sedan, the Accord is the better car.

    But for our man, the performance-oriented Altima gets the nod in this decidedly impromptu comparison test.

    Last time Wardlaw was assigned the Altima, he drove it thousands of miles across the desert Southwest, and returned from his trip frazzled, far from refreshed. Two culprits made him declare the Altima unfit as a long-distance touring sedan: the first was the cabin's apparently cheap construction, parts of which buzzed incessantly, and the second was the stereo, whose amplifier evidently fizzles out after several hours of operation. In addition, the driver seat, while comfortable for shorter drives, became difficult to sit in for marathon stints behind the wheel.

    This time around, Wardlaw used the Altima only for short commutes around Los Angeles and enjoyed every minute. "Power from the V6 is perfect for threading through traffic," he noted in the logbook. He also found the stereo to be an agreeable companion for shorter drives, since it didn't get "hot" enough to produce the awful distortion that made his winter road trip so unbearable. And though cabin materials are far from rich, he does concede that the controls and displays are well located and easy to use, and that Nissan employs lots of soft-touch materials in the cabin: "Especially appreciated is the soft padding on the upper part of the door panel, where I like to rest an elbow."

    Though nothing has gone wrong with our Altima lately, we've still got parts on order to replace the stereo's amplifier and the sticking center console cubby-bin door. Our dealer, Santa Monica Nissan, has not been particularly responsive on this front, and we're forced to chase the issue to get answers.

    Though Wardlaw thoroughly enjoys flogging our 3.5 SE, he still thinks the 2.5 S is the better bet for most family types who also want an appealing car that is fun to drive. Not only is it less expensive than the 3.5 SE, but it gets better gas mileage and has a nicer ride quality, making it all the more competitive with the new Honda Accord.

    Current Odometer: 11,030
    Best Fuel Economy: 22.1 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 17.0 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.2 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    August 2002

    Although our Altima was assigned to Edmunds.com President/Chief Executive Officer Peter Steinlauf this month, his busy travel schedule limited his saddle time so the car was sampled by a few other staffers, with its duties ranging from ferrying bachelors to the golf course to transporting a young mum, her big hubby and their tiny two-year-old daughter.

    Peter was essentially indifferent toward the Altima, but one thing he noticed was the poor location of the controls for the heated seats. Positioned at the rear of the center console, it can be maddening for one unfamiliar with the car to scan the center stack and forward section of the console and not see the buttons, due to their out-of-sight location. Of course, once found (or looked up in the manual), it's not a big deal — well, except for the awkward motion required to flick them on.

    Preparing for an assault on the local links, Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig noted that his golfing buddies were impressed with the Altima's roominess. The 15.6-cubic-foot trunk had no problem swallowing three large golf bags with room to spare. One of the duffers, an Audi A4 owner, remarked on how much more room it had than his Audi: "This thing is huge compared to the tiny rear seats in my car." They did, however, notice some of the cheap plastics up front and on the doors. But overall, the general consensus was the Altima was a pretty sweet car that they would probably prefer over something more mundane, like an Accord or Camry.

    And the mom with her cute tyke? Road Test Coordinator Kelly Stennick reported that the Nissan had no trouble handling not just her pint-size toddler, but also her bear-of-a-man spouse. She wrote in the vehicle's logbook: "My husband rode in the Altima as a front-seat passenger, and he asked me more than once, 'What kind of car is this?' See, he's six feet five inches tall, 290 pounds, and he was just amazed at how much legroom and headroom he had, not to mention his wide girth wasn't punished by the center console." Kelly also appreciated the Altima's verve and supportive seats. "The Altima is my first choice for a fun commuter car. It has plenty of passing power when traffic allows, and also a comfortable ride while sitting in traffic. Usually, it takes me an hour and 15-plus to get home in the evenings, and quite often my highly sensitive sciatic nerve is kickin' in by then, but not in the firm, yet comfortable, seats of this Altima."

    When it came time to transport her two-year-old, Emma, Kelly discovered the Altima was a back-saver. "There is plenty of room in the rear for dragging a toddler seat in and out with ease, even if her big ol' daddy was already planted in the front passenger seat."

    Current Odometer: 13,396
    Best Fuel Economy: 23.2 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 17.4 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.3 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    September 2002

    The Altima was constantly on the go in September, as three editors used it for late-summer road trips. Between trips, one of the editors used it for her daily 66-mile round-trip commute. Our total mileage yield for the month was nearly 4,500 miles. As you would expect, we learned a great deal about the overall desirability of our well-optioned 3.5 SE model. And we also managed to squeeze in the 15,000-mile service.

    The first driver for the month was Road Test Editor Erin Riches, the aforementioned commuter and an occasional traveler. Erin took the Altima and her boyfriend, Michael, to the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California for a short, yet restful vacation. During her stay, she took a side trip into San Francisco, which is about 60 miles farther north.

    Initially, Erin was unsure whether she would enjoy her trip in the Altima — having spent the previous month in our long-term 1999 Passat, she couldn't believe the difference in materials quality and cabin noise levels during her first night in the Nissan. Whereas the Passat is furnished with high-quality plastics that look and feel substantial and has felt- and rubber-lined storage areas, the Altima is filled with plastics that feel hollow and scuff easily (at least, they're low-gloss) and most storage areas are unlined. On the highway, the Passat's cabin seemed relatively quiet, while the Altima's definitely let in some road noise, prompting Erin to turn up the Bose sound system to get some peace — of course, with 215/55HR17 tires mounted at each corner, she shouldn't have expected it to be as serene.

    Once on the road, these issues fell to the back of Erin's mind. What she thought of most during the desolate drive up Interstate 5 through California's Central Valley was the Altima's incredible drivetrain. The 240-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 was tireless in its delivery of power, and the car felt incredibly solid above the posted speed limit — so much so that Erin found herself setting the cruise control in this range (while fervently scanning the horizon for black-and-white Crown Victorias). Of course this practice detracted from fuel economy, as the Altima never did better than 24 mpg during the trip (it's rated for 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway).

    Passing maneuvers were ridiculously easy at highway speeds, and later in the journey, when Erin needed to make a quick right turn into the busy, fast-moving flow of Highway 17 (which runs between Santa Cruz and San Jose) from a private road, the Altima never came up short. Similarly, during her regular commute in Greater Los Angeles freeway traffic, Erin was able to merge and move between lanes without inconveniencing the motorists around her — simply because the car was able to get up to speed so quickly.

    The four-speed automatic certainly helped out in passing and merging situations, as it held onto lower gears, making it easier for our editor to match the speed of highway traffic. When a downshift was called for, the transmission responded in short order — and often quite firmly, yielding a performance feel that might at first seem disarming to those who cross-shop the Altima 3.5 SE with the Camry. The only shortcoming Erin noted was the absence of downhill shift logic, requiring her to select third gear manually to take advantage of engine braking on descending grades.

    Even with our 3.5 V6 model's firmer suspension (compared with the 2.5 models), Erin found the ride comfortable on the highway and on city streets, though she did acknowledge that the ride can get a little harsh when the tires encounter crumbling pavement. But she dismissed this small trade-off when negotiating twisty downhill portions of the 17, as the Altima felt stable and balanced — giving Erin a sense of confidence that some other drivers seemed not to have as they rode their brakes all the way down. The steering was quick to respond to her input, but she found it too boosted at speeds above 50 mph, which in some situations made it a bit more difficult to keep the Altima centered in its lane (compared with her experiences in the Passat, that is).

    Despite her complaints about the cabin's low-grade trimmings, our road test editor was mostly content while strapped inside. As others have said, it's very roomy in here, and Erin found the seats comfortable and supportive — only after about 250 miles of uninterrupted driving did her back begin to get stiff. The height-adjustable center armrest was the only source of annoyance in this area. Erin disliked its unpadded, rubberized cover, which felt sticky against her arm. "Though certainly preferable to the hard plastic console top in my 240SX, it doesn't compare to the soft, padded center armrest in the Passat," she wrote in her notes. Additionally, when Erin was sharing the Altima's armrest with Michael, he found it easy to inadvertently knock the pop-up-style armrest back down to its lowest position — after this happened a half-dozen times, he became rather irritated.

    Although the storage areas lacked the liners Erin wanted, she couldn't help but appreciate their generous size and number after hundreds of miles. The huge cubby under the center stack (the one that needs a new lid) compensated for the small door bins, swallowing various CDs, tins of mints and our editor's compact purse. The front cupholders were able to hold drinks of all sizes, including 1.5-liter bottles of water. The heavy-duty sun visors proved to be too thick to hold Erin's gate opener securely (via its metal clip) — instead of letting it take up space in one of the cupholders, she made use of our car's Homelink.

    Erin and Michael also enjoyed the Altima's user-friendly control layout. Both made repeated adjustments to the stereo and climate controls, and the large buttons and dials and straightforward arrangement made this a simple process. During daylight hours, Erin found the cruise control and stereo buttons on the steering wheel blissfully easy to use, but in darkness, a total lack of illumination made any adjustments a trial-and-error process — only toward the end of the month did she feel confident in her ability to distinguish volume from audio mode and thus avoid an accidental switch to AM radio. The electroluminescent gauges were not terribly welcoming at night, either: The relatively small font size was a bit hard on Erin's eyes (equipped as they are with soft contacts); the brightness adjustment forced her to choose between a somewhat-dim setting and a way-too-bright setting; and finally, she wasn't fond of the yellow-orange color. Here again, she thought of the Passat, which offers a larger font and an inviting contrast of blue and red.

    Later in the month, Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed snagged the keys to the Altima for a quick trip to Denver with his family. Here are his reactions:
    "Before this trip, I had driven the Altima around town several times. I had even driven the four-cylinder version of this car and was impressed by how responsive the smaller engine was. But with five days behind the wheel, and over 2,000 miles of road to cover, I really got to know this car a lot better.

    "Let me start by saying that I had been driving our long-term VW Passat with the 1.8 liter turbocharged engine — which is comparable in class and price to the Altima. What struck me first was that the Altima's interior felt roomier, and the trunk was a bit deeper than the Passat's. The Nissan's backseat was noticeably bigger, letting my wife and son stretch their legs with little restriction.

    "My other dominant impression was that the Altima has power to spare. It accelerates so powerfully it brings torque steer into play, which detracts from the otherwise heart-pounding experience. The Nissan effortlessly cruises at 85 mph and still gets respectable gas mileage (I got between 24 and 29 miles per gallon on the trip). It scrambled over an 11,000-foot mountain pass with no trouble, keeping pace with a pack of V8-powered SUVs. The 3.5-liter V6 delivers its power with hushed intensity; on a smooth road, there is little noise in the cabin.

    "Now for the bad news. With such an awesome powertrain, I wanted the car to be more complete. Once you get past the performance you begin to realize you're sitting in a rather cheaply appointed interior. The center of the steering wheel is a slab of low grade molded plastic. I hate to harp on this, but it's right in front of your nose the whole time you are driving. The black door panels are made of the same cheap plastic which quickly becomes scuffed by the shoes of people getting in and out. The headliner looks like the recycled cardboard they use in fast-food containers and the adjustable armrest is never in the right position. The redeeming feature about the interior is the seats. The textured leather feels good and looks sharp, and the seats were comfortable in both the front and rear.

    "If it wasn't for the cheap interior I would be raving about this car. As long as you keep your eyes on the road, you'll love it. Let your vision wander to your immediate surroundings and you will return to earth with a thud."
    During the trip, Phil engaged in the all-too-rare task of checking the oil and found it well below the bottom of the permitted range on the dipstick — adding a quart of oil was enough to restore it to an acceptable level. While we never like to hear that our long-term vehicles are consuming oil, it's not entirely unexpected when 7,500 miles elapse between oil changes (as prescribed by the standard maintenance schedule). When Phil returned to Santa Monica, we just had enough time to fit in the Altima's 15,000-mile service before it left town again. Erin called Santa Monica Nissan on a Wednesday and was able to schedule our long-termer for 7:30 the following morning. Phil graciously offered to take it into the dealership himself. Afterwards, he jotted down a few words about the experience:
    "I arrived at Santa Monica Nissan at 7:30 a.m. and was immediately greeted by Assistant Service Manager Tim Putnam. As soon as he saw there was 15,000 miles on the car, he recommended a special deal they have for $159 which included many things that were not on the scheduled maintenance. I said I would go for it if it totaled out to be less than what I was requesting — oil and filter change, tire rotation and replacement of the in-cabin microfilter. After a little discussion Putnam admitted that what I was requesting would be about $115, about $49 less than their special deal.

    "Putnam was pleasant enough about my downsized service request, though he just couldn't see why I wanted the in-cabin microfilter changed. This prompted him to relate an amusing anecdote about how car owners of different brands have very different views about the air filters in their cars. Pontiac owners never change them; Buick owners always do. His fascination with the microfilter continued. After I returned to the office he phoned to say the replacement of the microfilter was $3 more than he had estimated [which I OK'd]."
    By midafternoon, we hadn't heard anything more from Putnam, so Erin gave him a call and he told her that the Altima was ready. The final bill was $123.81, and Erin was on her way in less than 10 minutes. Back at the office, she scrutinized the bill and noted that we had been charged $48.93 for the new cabin microfilter and $40 in labor for a technician to install it. A quick check of the owner's manual revealed that it would be possible for an owner to do this herself, after a visit to the dealer parts department or an auto parts store.

    Near the end of the month, the Altima set out for San Francisco again, this time with Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig behind the wheel. After putting another 1,000 miles on the Altima over the course of three days, Ed had this to say:
    "I know I sound like a broken record, but after a few hundred miles on various interstates, I couldn't help but feel that it rides too stiff for the average driver. Basically, unless you really intend to thrash your Altima on the weekends, the softer suspension on the four-cylinder would be more comfortable day to day.

    "On a more positive note, the seats remained comfortable even after four or five hours in the saddle. I don't remember having to shift around even once to get comfortable again. I would guess that the seat heaters played a small part in this as well.

    "The trunk easily swallowed all of our luggage with room to spare — not exactly a tall feat with just two people, but it was easy to load and unload without much hassle."
    So what have we learned this month? The Altima is a roomy, comfortable midsize car, and in 3.5 SE form, it's amazingly quick, too. But Nissan apparently didn't have the budget to sweat all the details — even on a car as loaded as ours (stickered at almost $29K) — requiring owners to put up with cheap materials inside the cabin. Some of us are willing to live with this compromise, some aren't.

    Current Odometer: 16,873
    Best Fuel Economy: 29.9 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 19.4 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 22.0 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: $123.81
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    October 2002

    Phil, our consumer advice editor, who took the wheel of our 2002 Nissan Altima this month, decided to deviate from his normal route and strayed into a construction area on the Long Beach Freeway. This dangerous stretch of road is frequently jammed with 18-wheelers heading for the port.

    Phil found himself in a merging lane flanked by a thundering truck on one side and a concrete barrier on the other. There was no breakdown lane, no bail-out area to go into if he didn't successfully thread his way into traffic. He had two choices: slam on the brakes (and hope he didn't get rear-ended) or press the go pedal. He hit go. If a cartoon artist had depicted the scene he would have drawn rocket flames coming out of the Altima's twin exhaust pipes. He surged ahead of the truck and safely merged with traffic.

    Reflecting on the experience, he realized that he had reacted this way because he knew he had a real beast of a V6 under the hood. In fact, he feels that the Altima is all about power. "The acceleration, both off the line and in the midrange, is constantly surprising and always entertaining. And, yes, in extreme cases, it gives the driver another tool to work with in an emergency situation."

    Last month Phil took the Altima for a quick trip to Colorado and found that, on lonely stretches of highway going through Utah, his eyes strayed to the cheap features of the interior. But this month, with mainly city driving, his eyes were always on the road. He wonders if he missed the boat by dissing the Altima for the interior. Maybe drivers of this car won't care about the interior as they'll be too excited by its performance.

    However, after trying to adjust the console's armrest, and having the molded plastic snap and flex uncooperatively, Phil still feels he has a point. He wrote in his logbook: "It's not so much that it's poorly built, but it seems that Nissan, after creating a great powertrain, got tired and slapped together the cabin. Would it have cost much more to provide a better font on the gauge cluster? To add a rubber lining to some of the bins? To raise the quality of plastic on the door panels?"

    He continued: "If you are busy driving and looking out the windshield at the road, you're going to love this car. If you are stuck in traffic, or on a long trip, and you have time to stare at the gauges, you might be disappointed."

    During this month Phil found a design problem in the center stack. The volume knob and the temperature knob are about the same size and located close to each other. He discovered it was easy to mistakenly turn the temperature knob, expecting the volume on the radio to decrease, and instead suddenly find himself about to freeze to death. This happened enough times to make him feel that a different control setup should have been used for the temperature control.

    Another feature that frequently annoyed Phil was the six unlighted buttons on the steering wheel which could be used to control the radio and toggle through information from the onboard computer. Phil says that the buttons are impossible to use at night. A car owner will eventually learn to memorize the placement of the controls, sort of like touch typing, but lighted arrows and indicators would be much appreciated.

    Phil found the onboard computer feature that shows the "dte" or distance to empty, very useful. "I found this to be a much more accurate measure of how much gas is left than by looking at the big fuel gauge. At one point, I was considering filling up, but didn't really have the time. When I dialed in the 'dte' function and saw I had 130 miles left until empty, I postponed the refill without the usual sense of insecurity that accompanies a low fuel level."

    Associate Editor Warren Clarke had the Altima for a weekend and said his short time in the car actually boosted his positive feelings about it. He filed these remarks:

    "Honestly, the more time I spend with this car, the nearer and dearer it grows to my heart. And I'm not the only one who's impressed. I used the Altima to hustle me and a friend to the movies over the weekend. My friend is a die-hard SUV fan who owns a Ford Explorer Sport; he's currently in the market for another vehicle, and has test driven the Land Rover Discovery. But the Altima had him opening up to the possibility of purchasing a car as opposed to a sport-ute. Most of all, he was dazzled by its pickup and the smoothness of its ride. 'Wow — I'd forgotten the kind of handling that you get when you're riding in a car,' he remarked."

    One weekend, Phil took a trip to the San Bernardino Mountains to do some climbing with his son Andrew, who brought along his jazz collection. Once on the road, Andrew put the CD player through its paces. He felt the sound system was great and brought Charlie Parker's playing vividly to life, but he was critical of the speed at which the changer loaded the CDs. Besides that, he said, "it made more noise than R2D2" while handling the discs.

    Later that day, the Altima earned their admiration in a vastly different way. Phil found that the keyless remote, already possessing good range, could have its range extended even further by employing a trick he learned from a porter on a car lot. If you hold the remote up to your body, say up against your jaw, you turn yourself into a broadcast antenna.

    After climbing to the top of Mount San Gorgonio, elevation 11,500 feet, they drastically underestimated the time it would take to descend and return to the trailhead in the daylight. The final half mile down was hiked in near complete darkness since they had neglected to bring a flashlight. As they approached the parking area, they were unable to see at all. Phil held the remote against his chin while he pressed the unlock button. The parking lights blazed to life. They gratefully used the lights as a beacon to navigate by and, moments later, were gliding along the road, the heater blasting, listing to "The Bird." This experience put a most positive spin on Phil's month in the Altima.

    Current Odometer: 18,525
    Best Fuel Economy: 25.1 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 20.5 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 22.1 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    November 2002

    This month, our Altima spent time with Edmunds.com President Peter Steinlauf. Overall, Peter's impressions of the sedan were quite favorable; like most others who've taken stewardship of the Altima since its addition to our fleet, he had positive things to say about its handling and performance. During a trip in which he was a backseat passenger, however, he was irked by what he felt was an undue amount of road and tire noise in the Altima's cabin. "It made it very difficult to carry on a conversation," he noted.

    Associate Editor Warren Clarke also spent time behind the wheel of our much-admired import. He's long been a fan of the Altima, and his affection for the vehicle has only grown. "The Altima's exterior says 'family sedan,'" Warren said. "As a result, the car didn't immediately appeal to me; I don't imagine that I exactly fall within the vehicle's target demographic. But after driving the Altima, it became clear just how shortsighted I was being by judging this book by its (to my eyes, anyway) somewhat unremarkable cover. The sedan hugs the road like spandex on a gymnast, never losing its bearings even on the sharpest of curves. And then, of course, there's its whiplash-inducing 240-horsepower V6. The Altima brings with it a generous helping of tarmac-based thrills, served at an affordable price. This is not some high-end sports car to be appreciated only by automotive journalists and the financially well-endowed; this is fun yet practical transportation that, happily, is well within the reach of the masses."

    On a recent late-night trip to Santa Clarita (a somewhat far-flung outpost of Los Angeles), Warren got a chance to experience the Altima in its element. The freeways were deserted, providing our thrill-seeking editor with the perfect environment in which to get a feel for how the Altima handles at higher speeds. He wasn't disappointed. Regardless of how far the speedo's needle swung to the right, the Altima never lost its cool; its handling remained assured and stable, such that it was often easy to lose track of the fact that extra-legal speeds were being approached. In one situation, Warren was faced with having to accelerate rather suddenly past a BMW M Coupe in order to make his exit. "In a lesser vehicle, I wouldn't have even attempted this maneuver," Warren reflected. "But the potency and vigor surging beneath the Altima's hood inspires confidence; I knew that I had enough horses on tap to navigate the situation without posing a threat to myself or anyone else."

    Warren also utilized the Altima on shorter road trips. One of his favorite destinations was a video store located just over the mountains from his Hollywood apartment in Studio City. "The previous-generation Altima wasn't necessarily the best choice for canyon carving," says Warren. "But the all-new-for-2002 Altima is another story. There's enough power beneath its hood to effortlessly tackle the steepest of inclines. And it remains firmly glued to the road, such that twisty canyon passes are rendered exhilarating as opposed to scary. Trips to the video store were a bracing adventure thanks to the Altima."

    So, for November the Altima has proved its mettle both at high speeds on the freeway and on tortuous mountain roads. Happily, this well-rounded performer seems to shine brighter and brighter the more closely it's examined.

    Current Odometer: 19,089
    Best Fuel Economy: 36.1 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 15.1 mpg
    Running Average (over life of vehicle): 22.0 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    December 2002

    The warm, gentle Santa Anas have been particularly kind to Los Angeles this December, providing ideal conditions for the Nissan Altima to come into its own as a winter sunshine cruiser.

    Its sleek, aerodynamic design allowed this month's driver to roll down the windows and open the sunroof at reasonable speeds without battling the usual accompanying strong gusts of rushing air. He enjoyed being able to savor the fresh air on his way to work while simultaneously having a conversation on his cell phone.

    The flip side to this came during those couple of days when it got really hot — and the car became an airless oven. Our driver found himself struggling with the complicated air conditioning system interface — the digital display washes out in sunlight. And as it continued to get hotter, the attractively dimpled black leather seats became uncomfortable moisture traps for his perspiring back! Yuck!

    Previous stewards of the Altima have opined that the vehicle's instrumentation is its Achilles' heel. This month's driver agrees, writing in the logbook:
    "It seems to me that the small details that finish off any car were somewhat overlooked in the Altima. I feel that functionality and ease of use have been sacrificed here for the sake of aesthetics. Yes, the dashboard looks great, but it's just not user-friendly.
    • The chrome, brushed steel and black trim accents do look fabulous. But I'd much rather it were clearer to me what setting my headlights are on.

    • I also have to look too hard to double-check which gear I am in — something I found myself doing a lot as I was not comfortable with the design and feel of the automatic gear selector.

    • The spring-up cupholder cover (which doesn't close properly) feels flimsy and cheap, and its curved top means there is no place for the driver to rest his cell phone without having it roll around.

    • The cupholders themselves are much too big, making them hard to keep clean and an undesirable trap to lose coins in. There is nowhere to store coins for convenient access.

    • I would like to see the addition of a digital compass.

    • Even the stereo (which has a sleekly styled head unit and provides excellent digital technology and sound) is marred by controls that are just a bit too complicated to fiddle with on the road."
    Our driver also shared his thoughts on the Altima's rear spoiler and remote entry system. "The spoiler may look cool," he writes. "But its glamour is reduced when trying to reverse into a tight parking space. And who made the decision that the car should beep so loudly every time the remote is used to lock up? This type of highly audible notification can be a useful feature for those drivers who might like to double-check themselves by hitting the lock a second time — but there are many occasions when I would much prefer to quietly lock my car without waking the neighbors or making the old lady walking by jump over her shopping basket!"

    Beyond these relatively minor grievances, however, our driver did have some rather nice things to say about our long-termer. "The basic engineering of the Nissan Altima is surprisingly strong," he writes. "Pickup and power are excellent; maneuverability and handling are smooth, tight and responsive; and the driver seat is comfortable and provides very good forward visibility."

    Current Odometer: 19,795
    Best Fuel Economy: 24.3 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 17.0 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over life of vehicle): 22.0 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    January 2003

    Given the just past holiday season, and editors' travels to the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Altima switched hands a few times more than usual this month. Even after being in the fleet for nearly a year, it's amazing how much praise continues to be heaped on this recently redesigned sedan.

    Managing Editor Gina Callari got behind the wheel for a few days and was surprised to find how much roomier the Altima felt than her 1997 Lexus ES 300 daily driver. "There's lots of room inside, and it makes the car more comfortable," she said. But the love-in didn't stop there. "It's got more power than my Lexus, I noticed that right away. It also seems a little smoother — I'd be perfectly happy to own this car," she added.

    Road Test Editor Brian Moody confirms the roomy interior adding, "The last time I rode in a car with a backseat this large, and rear door openings this wide, I was headed 'downtown' in a Chevy Caprice police cruiser." No further details were available concerning the time, cause or nature of his journey.

    Long on looks and power, the Altima is a car that does have its shortcomings, but they're not painfully obvious. Past drivers have noted the hard-to-read instrument cluster, but Brian has a slightly different take. "I like to drive with the steering wheel kind of low, but find that that position generally blocks my view of the gauges — more so with the Altima. If only the Altima had that cool feature where the instrument cluster moved up and down with the steering wheel like on the 350Z and Infiniti G35 Coupe, the problem would be nonexistent," he noted. Copy Editor Caroline Pardilla felt that the car was a little too large for her tastes: "The car feels too big and heavy, plus the ride and handling seem somewhat soft." Since the Altima moved upmarket and grew in overall size in its 2002 redesign, it's bound to alienate some shoppers who prefer cars with more compact dimensions.

    Overall, though, the Altima appears to be a very popular car judging by how many one sees on the road. Brian stated, "Once you're in a certain car, you notice how many others there are just like the one you're driving. It looks like a full 80 percent of Altima buyers opted for the 2.5 S, as precious few V6 Altimas seem to be tooling around Southern California." Brian went on to say, "Granted, 240 hp is quite a bit for a car in this class, but it's not frighteningly fast. The main advantage the 3.5 SE has over the 2.5 is smoothness and responsiveness. Plus, I think the real clincher in all this is how much more aggressive and serious the V6 Altima looks with its bigger wheels and tires, four-wheel discs and ultracool dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets — it's a great-looking car."

    Brian also had good things to say about the interior, "The fact that the Altima 3.5 SE has one-touch up and down power windows is much appreciated. It seems like other brands are cutting back, while Nissan is offering more equipment without raising prices significantly."

    Current Odometer: 20,490
    Best Fuel Economy: 23.9 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 13.2 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.8 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    February 2003

    As our long-term Altima heads into its final days, various editors have made off with the keys in order to secure one last drive in the speedy SE. Even after over a year and 20,000 miles, our overall impression remains much the same — the Altima (in 3.5 SE trim at least) is a swift, nimble family sedan that can turn otherwise mundane daily errands into memorable experiences behind the wheel.

    Although drought has been the order of the day for most of our Southern California "winter," a few recent rainstorms gave us a good idea of just how useful the Altima's optional traction control can be. The neck-snapping power of the strong V6 is great for quick passes, but with slick conditions the substantial torque tends to spin the tires under even the most gentle throttle applications. The electronic traction control system uses a combination of throttle reduction and transmission programming to keep the tires well under control. Any buyer who experiences less than perfect driving conditions on a regular basis would be well advised to mark this feature on the options list.

    Speaking of spinning tires, we fully expected that the Altima's rubber would be showing serious signs of wear by this point, but so far all four tires look to be in good shape. Two prior rotations have kept the front tires from becoming unevenly worn, a result that underscores the benefits of regularly scheduled maintenance. We're nearing another maintenance marker at 22,500 miles that involves a more thorough service procedure than previous visits, so we'll see how the rest of the Altima's systems are faring.

    We have yet to experience any major mechanical problems, but a few lingering issues persist. The cupholder door still refuses to close snugly and the lid for the storage cubby in the dash won't stay properly aligned (we failed to follow up on a previously ordered replacement lid). The usual complaints of excessive torque steer (a pulling at the steering wheel caused by the power application through the front wheels) and mediocre mileage still populate the logbook quite often, but by now we've become accustomed to these minor shortcomings.

    The Altima's imminent departure is sure to sadden the numerous power-hungry members of our staff, but even those who don't require a daily horsepower fix will be sad to see it go. The roomy cabin, spacious trunk and comfortable seats combine to make the Altima an excellent road trip car or family sedan no matter how fast you like to drive. While our top-line 3.5 SE model could use a slicker interior, its numerous other strengths always seem to outweigh this minor deficiency when it comes to our staff members' overall attitude toward the car. In many a staffer's eyes, the Altima may not be the perfect family sedan, but it's darn close.

    Now we're ready to hear from real consumers. Are you the owner of a 2002 or 2003 Nissan Altima (any trim level)? Has it been an enjoyable and practical vehicle to own thus far, or do you already wish you'd gotten something else? Send us a few lines about your early experiences with the car and we'll include them in our Wrap-Up. E-mail your comments to editor@edmunds.com and please include your name and city and state of residence.

    Current Odometer: 21,056
    Best Fuel Economy: 16.1 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 14.6 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.6 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    Wrap-Up: March 2003

    Why We Bought It
    How It Drove
    What It Was Like Inside
    Summing Up
    Changes to the Altima Since 2002
    Ups, Downs and The Bottom Line
    Best Logbook Quotes
    Recalls and Problem History
    Dealer Service Reviews
    Consumer Commentary

    Why We Bought It
    Even though a midsize sedan may not be what you aspire to drive, Nissan's Altima is proof that life behind the wheel of a car with four doors and a couple kiddos in the back doesn't have to be boring. Bigger and more powerful than ever before, the current-generation Altima is fun to drive any way you order it.

    But fun isn't enough for a family or commuter car expected to weather years of hard use amid the everyday grind. Such a car must also have a smooth ride, comfortable seats, lots of storage, easy-to-use controls, ample safety features and a reasonable blend of power and gas mileage. These are the criteria by which we judged the Altima 3.5 SE that spent a year in our long-term test fleet. Could it do the things that a family sedan must do as well as the Accord, Camry or Passat while providing some amusement on the side? We had to know.

    So we went out and bought ourselves a 3.5 SE with a four-speed automatic transmission. If you read our introduction to this test, you know that we wanted ABS, side airbags, traction control, leather upholstery and the premium Bose sound system and came home with a few more options that we didn't necessarily want. We went ahead with the deal because the fleet manager at Irvine Nissan was easy to work with and the price easy to stomach by December 2001 standards.

    After living with this car for a year, we have no qualms about calling the Altima one of our favorites in the family sedan segment. Is it the best? Perhaps not, especially alongside the Passat and redesigned '03 Accord. Is it worth a test-drive? You bet. Here's a quick summary of the last 12 months:

    How It Drove
    The big story about the Altima, particularly the V6 model, is power — lots of it. In support of its reborn midsize sedan's performance image, Nissan stuffs a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood of each 3.5 SE model. On paper, our Altima made an impressive 240 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque. On the street, our long-termer sprinted away from stoplights, easily reaching extra-legal speeds. Highway passing maneuvers were completed in short order, and even the 11,000-foot Vail Pass presented no problem — the Altima scrambled right up while carrying a family of four and their luggage.

    This kind of power prompted effusive descriptions in various editors' logbooks, ranging from comments like "this car is way too easy to drive fast" to "the Altima practically leapt out of its skin" to "I can be that driver on the freeway who you curse at." Instrumented testing supported such observations, as our Nissan recorded a 6.5-second 0-to-60-mph run and a 14.9-second quarter-mile. These are numbers we'd expect of an entry-level luxury sedan like the BMW 330i, not a family sedan. Subsequent testing of the 240-hp '03 Accord proved that the Altima is still the car to beat in this segment, as the 3.0-liter V6-equipped Honda needed 7 seconds to reach 60 mph.

    Of course, such potency begs the question, "What happens when it's time to stop?" Although we'd prefer that Nissan have antilock brakes as a standard item, we can attest that our long-term car's standard four-wheel discs (assisted by the optional ABS) worked efficiently. At the track, our Altima came to a halt from 60 mph (a simulated emergency stop) in 121 feet, a distance we consider exemplary in this price class. More importantly, the brakes consistently got the job done on an everyday basis, even when the car was paired with editors who drove it hard.

    Nissan also makes you pay extra for traction control (only available for V6 automatics), but rest assured that it's money well spent. With so much power flowing to the front wheels, tire spin on wet roads is inevitable — with the traction control system's intervention, it was much easier to keep our long-termer under control. And while the car's 17-inch performance tires weren't suited for driving in snow of any kind, traction control enabled one editor to see the Altima through a light snowfall.

    Among family sedans, the Altima is part of an emergent sect — started by the Passat and perfected by the Mazda 6 — that speaks to people who really like to drive. Editors found our long-term car to be a rewarding companion on curvy stretches of highway and winding back roads. Grip was plentiful, body roll was minimal. The steering took a little heat for feeling a bit too light at highway speeds, but otherwise, this is about as good as it gets among front-wheel-drive sedans.

    However, if ride comfort is a priority for your next midsize sedan, you may not want the 3.5 SE model. Fitted with 17-inch rubber and stiffer suspension tuning, our Altima didn't offer an especially plush highway ride. "Basically, unless you really intend to thrash your Altima on the weekends," wrote Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig, "the softer suspension on the 2.5 models would be more comfortable day to day." One thing you won't get with either model is a quiet ride, as Altima cabins are invaded by considerably more road noise than those of their peers. It's best, we suppose, to get the optional Bose stereo and blast it.

    What It Was Like Inside
    If you read our four-car 2002 Premium Family Sedan Comparison Test, then you know that first place eluded the Altima that participated in the test largely because of its low-grade interior materials. Not surprisingly, most of the complaints that arose during our year-long test had to do with this topic. Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed provided a succinct account of our discontent with the car's cabin:
    • "It's not so much that the Altima is poorly built, but it seems that Nissan, after creating a great powertrain, got tired and slapped together the cabin. Would it have cost much more to provide a better font on the gauge cluster? To add a rubber lining to some of the bins? To raise the quality of plastic on the door panels?
    • "If you are busy driving and looking out the windshield at the road, you're going to love this car. If you are stuck in traffic, or on a long trip, and you have time to stare at the gauges, you might be disappointed."
    A week with a nicely equipped 2.5 S model suggested that this level of materials quality is much easier to take in a $21,000 car than it is in one closing in on 29 large. Also noteworthy are a couple of subtle upgrades Nissan made for 2003 — a soft padded center armrest in place of the hard rubberized lump in our '02 model; and a few faux titanium accents to spruce up the hard plastic expanses in the cockpit.

    The rest of the cabin was easy to like. The Altima is one of the roomiest family sedans you can buy (the Camry and larger-size offerings like the Dodge Intrepid offer more space), and even passengers well over six feet in height were able to get comfortable in the front and rear seats. Further, the front seats offered just the right amount of cushioning and support to please almost all of our editors. Of the few who did find comfort lacking, two said they were quite content in the driver seat during hour-long weekday commutes and that only after several hundred miles of uninterrupted driving did their backs begin to ache. Parents on staff remarked upon the ease with which they were able to install child safety seats — the big backseat made it easy to slide in bulky restraints.

    For the most part, we found the Altima's controls simple to use, though we wouldn't have minded a few more knobs and dials in place of all the buttons for the stereo and climate controls. Additionally, a few drivers found it hard to distinguish between the similarly sized volume and temperature knobs while driving. Also a source of irritation was the nonilluminated buttons for cruise and stereo functions on the steering wheel. Indeed the buttons were nicely organized for daytime use, but there proved to be a steep learning curve for confident nighttime use.

    Our Altima didn't offer as many places to stow our odds and ends as cars like the Accord and Camry, but the editors who took road trips in it found ample quarters for the basics — beverages, phones, CDs and snacks, that is. And though its trunk (15.6 cubic feet) isn't the largest you can find (the Camry and Intrepid have bigger holds) and is held up by low-cost medal hinges instead of external struts, we found it suitably large for long weekends with our families.

    Summing Up
    Adding to our mostly agreeable ownership experience was the Altima's low-maintenance personality — apart from scheduled oil changes, we didn't have to make any unnecessary trips to the service department in the first 21,000 miles. Although our test car's clean bill of health doesn't vouch for its long-term dependability, it certainly bodes well for the future.

    Good crash test scores can also make you feel like you made the right choice in buying a particular vehicle, and so it was with the Altima. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the car a "Good" rating (the best possible) for the 40-mph offset crash test, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded four of five stars in frontal impact tests. Side impact tests netted three stars for the front and four for the rear, but remember that this is without the optional side airbags (for front occupants) and full-length head curtain airbags.

    After we had completed our long-term test, the Altima proved to be incredibly easy to resell, as Phil explains:
    • "I listed the Altima on AutoTrader at 9 a.m. on a Friday morning. By 11 a.m., I had two calls. The first person I spoke to bought it, sight unseen, for the asking price, $18,700, our TMV 'clean' price. Subsequently, I got several calls — and follow-up calls — from other potential buyers. Since the sale, I've talked with the new owner, and she loves the car.
    • "Needless to say, if I had known that the level of enthusiasm for this car would be so high, I would have asked more for it. I think the fact that this is only the second year of this body style really helped. The woman who bought it said she had priced a new one and decided it would be too expensive. By buying a one-year-old Altima, she got a fully loaded model for about $10,000 less."
    If you're shopping for a midsize sedan, there are many good choices, and for most buyers, the Altima is only one of several cars that should be on your test-drive list. But if you love to drive and require something roomier than the Mazda 6, cheaper than the Passat and more powerful than both, the 3.5 SE may be just the right fit.

    True Market Value® at Lease-end: $18,700*
    Depreciation: $9,114 or 33 percent of original price paid
    Final Odometer Reading: 21,059
    Best Fuel Economy: 29.0 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 13.2 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy: 21.6 mpg
    Total Body Repair Costs: None
    Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over one year): $168.70
    Additional Maintenance Costs: None
    Warranty Repairs: None
    Non-Warranty Repairs: None
    Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
    Unscheduled Dealer Visits: None
    Days Out of Service: None
    Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None

    *This is the private-party sale TMV for a dark red 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE with 21,059 miles in clean condition in the 90404 zip code as of February 2003.

    Changes to the Altima Since 2002

    2003 — After last year's debut to critical acclaim, Nissan's midsize sedan received minor changes for 2003. Two new exterior colors, Sonoma Sunset and Crystal Blue, replaced 2002's Nouveau Ruby and Opal Blue. There was a new charcoal seat fabric, padded cloth front center armrest cover (genuine leather on leather-equipped vehicles) and bright titanium interior accents for all models to spruce up the interior. The 2.5 SL received a standard automatic transmission, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors and simulated wood trim. For the 3.5 SE, there was the addition of a Sport Package, which included a sunroof and spoiler, and a Sport Package Plus, which included sunroof, spoiler, Bose audio system and xenon headlights. The 3.5 SE Leather Package was expanded to include the Bose audio system, sunroof and heated seats, while the Leather Sport Package adds a spoiler and xenon headlights. A new 3.5 SE Premium Leather Package added all of the above plus fake wood to boot. Finally, traction control was bundled with ABS and side airbags (though you could still get the latter safety items without purchasing the former — a $300 difference).

    Ups, Downs and The Bottom Line

    Ups: Sports car power in a midsize sedan body, above average handling for a front-wheel-drive car, strong brakes, roomy interior.

    Downs: Subpar interior materials, 3.5 SE's suspension may be too harsh for some, lots of road noise.

    The Bottom Line: While slightly rough around the edges, the Altima was one of the most sought-after long-term test cars we've ever had. A must-drive for anyone shopping for a midsize sedan.

    Best Logbook Quotes

    "The Altima practically leapt out of its skin as it catapulted past the slowpokes." — John DiPietro

    "The headliner looks like the recycled cardboard they use in fast-food containers." — Phil Reed

    "I've got to admit, I can be that driver on the freeway who you curse at. The massive amount of power available allows me to dart in and out of traffic, avoiding those imaginary missiles fired off by other irate drivers." —Scott Jacobs

    "The sedan hugs the road like spandex on a gymnast, never losing its bearings even on the sharpest of curves." — Warren Clarke

    Recalls and Problem History

    Recalls: None

    Problem History:
    1. We noticed that the amplifier in our Altima's optional Bose audio system produced severely distorted signals after several hours of continuous stereo use. Our dealer, Santa Monica Nissan, ordered a new amp for us in May 2002, but never notified us when the part arrived. Editors left three messages for our service advisor, but these were never returned. And as the Altima changed hands over the months, we failed to continue following up on the matter. So the car never received this warranty repair.

    2. The door on the storage cubby under the center stack began sticking shut in February 2002, and soon it wouldn't close properly. Santa Monica Nissan ordered a part to correct this problem in May 2002, but a lack of communication from the service department prevented us from seeing through this repair as well.

    3. Editors noticed a rippling in the windshield on the passenger side of the car, which sometimes caused distortion in the forward view. Apparently a manufacturing defect, the rippled glass wasn't deemed serious enough to bring to the attention of our service advisor.

    4. One editor reported a buzz from the headliner near the 4,800-mile mark. Successive editors weren't bothered by it enough to bring it to our dealer's attention.

    5. Later in our long-term test, we found that the lid over the front cupholders would no longer close snugly. As the car wasn't due for regular maintenance, we put off having this minor problem corrected.

    Dealer Service Reviews

    Santa Monica Nissan in Santa Monica, Calif.

    7,500-mile service, May 2002
    We cleared the 7,500-mile mark and set up an appointment with Santa Monica Nissan for service. The owner's manual calls for an oil and filter change and a tire rotation. As we've learned from numerous previous long-term vehicle service experiences, dealers are fond of tacking on considerably more inspections or part replacements than what is included in the automaker's recommended service.

    Sure enough, after Senior Editor Brent Romans had mentioned the car needed a "7,500-mile service," the service advisor wrote up an order for a "7,500-mile service." The price was much more than what an oil change and tire rotation should cost. The bill didn't list what was included for the service. When Brent asked the advisor what was included, the advisor responded with a canned list of checks and inspections. To Brent, they seemed unnecessary for such a low-mileage car, and he requested that only the oil change and tire rotation be done. He also requested to have two warranty issues examined: the flaky audio system and the sticky console cubby door. The advisor grumbled a bit about having to print out another work order, but he was friendly after that.

    We were able to pick up the vehicle the same day. The oil change and tire rotation cost us $44.89. As for the warranty issues, the dealer couldn't fix them, but special-ordered parts for the cubby door and radio. We were surprised about the audio system; as it's marred by an intermittent problem, we half-expected the dealer to respond simply that the technician "couldn't duplicate the problem" and leave us hanging. Indeed, the dealer could not duplicate it, but it was nice to see the advisor respecting our claims about the faulty audio output.

    Follow-up for ordered parts, June 2002
    It has been more than a month since we ordered a new console lid and stereo system for our long-termer. We've received no notification that the parts are in. We've also tried calling our service advisor. We've left three messages to no effect.

    15,000-mile service, September 2002
    When Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed returned to Santa Monica from his vacation, we just had enough time to fit in the Altima's 15,000-mile service before it left town again. Road Test Editor Erin Riches called Santa Monica Nissan on a Wednesday and was able to schedule our long-termer for 7:30 the following morning. Phil graciously offered to take it into the dealership himself. Afterward, he jotted down a few words about the experience:
    • "I arrived at Santa Monica Nissan at 7:30 a.m. and was immediately greeted by Assistant Service Manager Tim Putnam. As soon as he saw there was 15,000 miles on the car, he recommended a special deal they have for $159 which included many things that were not on the scheduled maintenance. I said I would go for it if it totaled out to be less than what I was requesting — oil and filter change, tire rotation and replacement of the in-cabin microfilter. After a little discussion Putnam admitted that what I was requesting would be about $115, about $49 less than their special deal.
    • "Putnam was pleasant enough about my downsized service request, though he just couldn't see why I wanted the in-cabin microfilter changed. This prompted him to relate an amusing anecdote about how car owners of different brands have very different views about the air filters in their cars. Pontiac owners never change them; Buick owners always do. His fascination with the microfilter continued. After I returned to the office he phoned to say the replacement of the microfilter was $3 more than he had estimated [which I OK'd]."
    By midafternoon, we hadn't heard anything more from Putnam, so Erin gave him a call and he told her that the Altima was ready. The final bill was $123.81, and Erin was on her way in less than 10 minutes. Back at the office, she scrutinized the bill and noted that we had been charged $48.93 for the new cabin microfilter and another $40 in labor for a technician to install it. A quick check of the owner's manual revealed that we could have avoided this hefty labor charge by changing the filter ourselves.

    Consumer Commentary

    E-mail from Readers
    "Every time I press on the gas and feel the power of the 3.5, I am very happy that I chose the Altima over the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord. I have thoroughly enjoyed the 4,500 trouble-free miles that I have owned the car. For anyone looking for a sporty family sedan, everything you have read about the car's power and handling is true." — Todd G., Staten Island, N.Y.

    "I own a 2002 Altima 3.5 SE with a five-speed manual transmission, standard radio/CD player, moonroof, cloth interior. Overall I am satisfied; here are my likes and dislikes:
    Likes
    Strong engine
    Styling
    Roomy interior and trunk
    Overall quality is high, I have not had to return to repair anything.
    Dislikes
    Shifter is not very smooth
    Significant reflection on the windshield due to the slope
    Driver seat is not very comfortable
    Ride is very stiff
    Interior is cheap, although this doesn't bother me as much as other people
    Tire size is an off size and there is very little availability in the aftermarket." — D. Baker

    "I have a 2002 Altima 2.5S with automatic transmission. Coming up on my one-year anniversary of purchase, with 12,000 miles on the odometer. Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase. I had a 1999 Altima, and the new version offers significantly better value for the money in terms of standard features and overall performance. Never really considered Accord or Camry — Nissan does seem to offer a better balance of the performance/value mix in the Altima, and my experiences with reliability (having owned models from all three at one point or another) have been equal — that is, very good. Although I agree with the common complaints regarding the need to improve the interior, I think the perceived lack of overall quality seems to have been somewhat overblown. As one of your staffers put it in their 'First Drive' evaluation, 'perfectly acceptable for this price class.' No mechanical issues to report, and am averaging 25 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. Plenty of power, comfortable ride and lots of room for passengers, groceries, etc. Would (and have) enthusiastically recommend this vehicle to others." — K. James, Jacksonville, Fla.

    "My experience with my 2003 Nissan Altima has been mostly good. I haven't experienced any mechanical problems. My gas mileage has been around 25 mpg with mixed driving. My only complaint with this car has been the constant vibration I get through the steering wheel. I've had the wheels balanced and alignment done and I still get the constant shimmy in the wheel and the annoying vibration in the steering wheel. Overall, I really like the car but I really don't know if I would buy the car again." — Luke, Albany, N.Y.

    Consumer Reviews from Our Site
    "28K in just over a year and absolutely no problems at all. The VQ engine is renowned for reliability and the 240-hp is a tremendous workhorse. In day-to-day driving, the engine is smooth and pulls well. Passing acceleration at highway speeds is a breeze. The interior could be a bit better (make it like the Maxima), but fine for the first model year. Favorite features: 240 hp/246 lb-ft torque, xenon headlights, exterior styling, VQ engine (reliable!). Suggested improvements: Better interior components." — brayton, Nov. 14, 2002

    "My ride is awesome! I got the 3.5 V6 back in February of 2002 and I still dig it. I was waiting around to see what the '04 Maxima looks like and finally saw some pics. Nicer of course but you could see that family resemblance so I'm cool with keeping the Altima. I take the freeway on a daily basis for my work commute, I luv working those lanes through traffic! Not too fun going home from Orange County to Corona, though…(traffic's a parking lot). But then again it's a perfect time too show off my ride! Favorite features: The engine, of course! Floored it on the freeway the other day and hit 130 mph before letting up. Still manageable handling. The exterior body is gorgeous…. Suggested improvements: Do something with the steering/alignment. Always has this feeling like it's off even after fixing it! Gas mileage could use improving but the car is too good to resist." — nocboy, Jan. 25, 2003

    "We purchased a 2002 model five months ago. Since the date of purchase, the car has been serviced six times. We took the vehicle home, and the car had a strong pull. The dealership has aligned the front end two times, replaced struts, tires and the wheel. That being said, the car has been very good on gas and quick with the four-cylinder engine. My wife enjoys driving the car, and the space that is available. The car is a little noisy traveling on the interstate, but around town driving is good. Car averages 21 mpg in town and 27 highway. If you are in the market for a nice car that will not break the bank, take a look at the Altima. Just take a long test-drive. Favorite features: Has to be the 175 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This is far greater than that of the other cars in its class. Motor is responsive, and surprisingly quick. Trunk and backseat room are nice as well. Suggested improvements: I do not have any to date. (The only problems that occurred were discussed in the review.)" — Clifton, Jan. 23, 2003

    "I bought this car in November and have put about 8,000 miles on it so far, including a 2,000-mile trip. I fell in love with the styling at first sight and ended up getting an SL with most options. I have no complaints and I get unsolicited compliments about the car from complete strangers almost every week. This model is not a sports car, and does not perform like one, but even the 2.5 is more than adequate for me. I love it! Favorite features: Bells and whistles, styling in and out. Suggested improvements: I wish the stereo had a cassette with the in-dash CD. No ABS on my model with most options. I think ABS should be standard." — timevy, May 13, 2002

    "Very enjoyable automobile. It may not be a BMW! Although it's a great value for your dollar. I travel up to 1,250 miles per week. After more than 10K miles, it's comfortable, responsive, quiet and gets great gas mileage. Best mpg was 35.5, average is 31.5, worst was 23. Most of my miles are highway (very little city driving). Not one problem or trip to the dealership since the first oil change. Favorite features: Reliable, great looks, excellent comments by others, travel feature on standard radio, steering wheel radio controls. Suggested improvements: Make ABS, traction control and electric heated mirrors standard equipment (or at least available) on the 2.5 cars. Upgrade a few of the interior plastic pieces." — gasman1, March 3, 2002

    "A lot of people have been complaining about the quality of the interior materials, but I don't find much wrong with it — it's not as high quality as the Accord, but it's much more attractive. The power of the 4-cylinder is great, if not a little noisy, but the transmission's shift points take some getting used to. It doesn't hold the gear as long as it could for maximum power. Everyone who drives in it is impressed with how much power it has, how smooth the ride is, and how much room it has. Three people are very comfortable in the backseat. I am 6'5" and it's the only car I've ever driven that makes me feel 'small' when I sit in it, very comfortable. The gas mileage could be a little better, I get about 26 mpg with mixed driving, and I have a somewhat heavy foot. When I was getting gas the other day, someone asked if it was a new Lexus. If this one is as reliable as past generations of the Altima, I'm going to love the car. In terms of equipment and power, it is far superior to Honda or Toyota. Honda's new Accord is certainly more refined than the Altima, though. Nissan is a few years behind — this car has the refinement of the 98-02 Accord. I drove the Accord, and was uncomfortable in it, and bored by it, so I got the Altima, which I was excited about test driving for a second time. No problem so far, except that it does consume a little bit of oil between changes although the manual says that is to be expected, but it worries me a little. All in all, I am happy with my purchase, it's a stylish and comfortable car, that I hope will bring me years of enjoyment and trouble-free motoring." — M. Thomas, Guilford, Conn.

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