With in-house tuner cars such as Chrysler/Dodge's SRT series, Cadillac's V-Series and, of course, Mercede-Benz's AMG products being all the rage, it's no wonder Nissan asked, "Why shouldn't family sedan buyers have some fun, too?" Its answer is the 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R.
The Class Jock
Looking to get a leg up on the perpetual Honda Accord/Toyota Camry battle, the Nissan Altima SE-R has a decidedly athletic personality that made us wonder why anyone would spend an additional $4 grand to get into a comparably equipped Nissan Maxima SE.
At a tick under $30,000, a Nissan Altima SE-R stickers for around $2,200 more than the previous top-'o-the-heap Altima 3.5 SL. The extra cabbage gets you a number of performance goodies, including a six-speed manual transmission, 10 more horses out of the V6, bigger front brakes (12.6 inches versus 11.7) and a sport-tuned suspension package.
Finishing off the hardware is a quartet of forged 18-inch wheels fitted with Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (225/45/18) rubber. Gingerbread includes smoked headlight and taillight lenses, a more aggressive front fascia and a tasteful rear spoiler. The SE-R comes loaded with luxury, too, as leather seating, a Bose audio system with six-disc CD changer and a power moonroof are all standard features.
In addition to the higher-quality materials and additional soft trim on the doors and console that Nissan made to all Altimas for 2005, the SE-R has some unique features that set it apart. Dark chrome door releases, aluminum pedals, auxiliary gauges above the center stack and two-tone leather seating remind you that you're in the most sporting of family sedans.
Heresy!
One staffer actually called the Altima SE-R "the poor man's Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG." Why would a semijaded car journalist bust out such high praise? And risk a string of angry letters from high-brow enthusiasts? For the same reason we all did: The SE-R is fast, handles great and provides a fair measure of room and comfort for four adults. Of course it will seat five, but let's be serious, not many sedans outside of a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac DeVille do that comfortably.
Allow us to elaborate. There's a reason that Nissan (and Infiniti) use the superb VQ-series V6 in so many models, including the 350Z, Pathfinder and Infiniti G35. There's power everywhere and the SE-R takes off like a startled cat whether you're jetting away from a light or blasting past a couple of semis on the highway. Large-diameter dual-exhaust tips allow the 3.5 to voice some of its potent character to the masses, though we wish it would talk a little louder.
A full set of disc brakes (antilock-equipped) haul the SE-R down in short order. A stopping distance of 118 feet from 60 mph puts it in some pretty good company (you know who we're talking about — those of German descent).
Hands Off My Shifter
Although enthusiasts will prefer the six-speed manual, our tester had the (no additional cost) five-speed automatic. It works fine when left alone, furnishing seamless, lag-free upshifts and smartly stepping down a gear or two when the gas is goosed. But like some other so-called automanuals, it still takes control out of the driver's hands by upshifting on its own, 200 rpm short of redline, even though the engine is still pulling hard.
Honey, What's "SE-R" Stand For?
With its tightened-up suspension, 18-inch wheels and 45-series tires, we expected the SE-R to handle really well and ride kinda rough. We were half right — it's got the moves when the road makes like a snake, yet the ride doesn't beat you up.
Quick, nicely weighted steering and the buttoned-down chassis are fantastic for carving up your favorite roads. Push it hard and the Altima won't bite you in the butt, as it's progressive and predictable as you approach the limit. Driven in family shuttle mode, the SE-R provides a supple enough ride so that passengers needn't know that Dad or Mom treated themselves to the sport version.
Will It Hurt Maxima Sales?
This same question loomed large when Nissan completely revamped the Altima for 2002 — it became virtually the same size as its "bigger brother," could be had with the same strong V6 (albeit with a bit less peak power) and cost less money. But it also had an interior that was quite inferior to the plusher Maxima's. There was no need to worry, both cars sold, and continue to sell, well.
Now that Nissan has upped the luxury quotient in the Altima and come out with this fine sport sedan version, the question comes up again. Honestly, we don't know if it will cannibalize Maxima sales, nor do we care. Nissan has had record sales numbers as of late, so no need to cry for the carmaker. Good for Nissan.
More importantly the company has done a fine job of providing a relative bargain in sport sedan segment. Good for us.
The Class Jock
Looking to get a leg up on the perpetual Honda Accord/Toyota Camry battle, the Nissan Altima SE-R has a decidedly athletic personality that made us wonder why anyone would spend an additional $4 grand to get into a comparably equipped Nissan Maxima SE.
At a tick under $30,000, a Nissan Altima SE-R stickers for around $2,200 more than the previous top-'o-the-heap Altima 3.5 SL. The extra cabbage gets you a number of performance goodies, including a six-speed manual transmission, 10 more horses out of the V6, bigger front brakes (12.6 inches versus 11.7) and a sport-tuned suspension package.
Finishing off the hardware is a quartet of forged 18-inch wheels fitted with Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (225/45/18) rubber. Gingerbread includes smoked headlight and taillight lenses, a more aggressive front fascia and a tasteful rear spoiler. The SE-R comes loaded with luxury, too, as leather seating, a Bose audio system with six-disc CD changer and a power moonroof are all standard features.
In addition to the higher-quality materials and additional soft trim on the doors and console that Nissan made to all Altimas for 2005, the SE-R has some unique features that set it apart. Dark chrome door releases, aluminum pedals, auxiliary gauges above the center stack and two-tone leather seating remind you that you're in the most sporting of family sedans.
Heresy!
One staffer actually called the Altima SE-R "the poor man's Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG." Why would a semijaded car journalist bust out such high praise? And risk a string of angry letters from high-brow enthusiasts? For the same reason we all did: The SE-R is fast, handles great and provides a fair measure of room and comfort for four adults. Of course it will seat five, but let's be serious, not many sedans outside of a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac DeVille do that comfortably.
Allow us to elaborate. There's a reason that Nissan (and Infiniti) use the superb VQ-series V6 in so many models, including the 350Z, Pathfinder and Infiniti G35. There's power everywhere and the SE-R takes off like a startled cat whether you're jetting away from a light or blasting past a couple of semis on the highway. Large-diameter dual-exhaust tips allow the 3.5 to voice some of its potent character to the masses, though we wish it would talk a little louder.
A full set of disc brakes (antilock-equipped) haul the SE-R down in short order. A stopping distance of 118 feet from 60 mph puts it in some pretty good company (you know who we're talking about — those of German descent).
Hands Off My Shifter
Although enthusiasts will prefer the six-speed manual, our tester had the (no additional cost) five-speed automatic. It works fine when left alone, furnishing seamless, lag-free upshifts and smartly stepping down a gear or two when the gas is goosed. But like some other so-called automanuals, it still takes control out of the driver's hands by upshifting on its own, 200 rpm short of redline, even though the engine is still pulling hard.
Honey, What's "SE-R" Stand For?
With its tightened-up suspension, 18-inch wheels and 45-series tires, we expected the SE-R to handle really well and ride kinda rough. We were half right — it's got the moves when the road makes like a snake, yet the ride doesn't beat you up.
Quick, nicely weighted steering and the buttoned-down chassis are fantastic for carving up your favorite roads. Push it hard and the Altima won't bite you in the butt, as it's progressive and predictable as you approach the limit. Driven in family shuttle mode, the SE-R provides a supple enough ride so that passengers needn't know that Dad or Mom treated themselves to the sport version.
Will It Hurt Maxima Sales?
This same question loomed large when Nissan completely revamped the Altima for 2002 — it became virtually the same size as its "bigger brother," could be had with the same strong V6 (albeit with a bit less peak power) and cost less money. But it also had an interior that was quite inferior to the plusher Maxima's. There was no need to worry, both cars sold, and continue to sell, well.
Now that Nissan has upped the luxury quotient in the Altima and come out with this fine sport sedan version, the question comes up again. Honestly, we don't know if it will cannibalize Maxima sales, nor do we care. Nissan has had record sales numbers as of late, so no need to cry for the carmaker. Good for Nissan.
More importantly the company has done a fine job of providing a relative bargain in sport sedan segment. Good for us.
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