Smart, sleek body style, equal to or better than Toyota Camry, Honda Accord.

Great performance (better than Camry), considering just a four-cylinder power plant. Great on gas while providing surprisingly zippy performance (32 MPG highway).

High dependability and safety ratings, on par with the top-three midsize sedans in this price range.

Superior handling on highway, owing to a more rigid suspension. Pass with ease at 90 MPH, with no noticeable sway or “softness” when zipping back into your lane.

Unique CTV (continuously variable transmission) exhibits no lag between gears (because there are no conventional “gears”) for more efficient acceleration.

You will notice a somewhat firmer ride than what the softer suspension of the Camry provides. Hit a speed bump a little on the fast side, and you will feel a slight jolt. But you can’t have everything without giving up something. I prefer the security of superior cornering at highways speeds, for the added safety factor alone. Moreover, the Altima’s stiffer suspension provides a “sportier” feel. It’s just flat fun to drive!

I haven’t checked out the current model Nissan Altima, but the 2008 lacked in offering individual extras outside of a six or seven-hundred-dollar leap in the form of “packages.” For example, the buyer could not add just the high-end Dolby sound, or just power seats, or just a sun roof, without these items being incorporated into a more expensive package. In our case, however, we didn’t miss these extras, as the stock sound system was of high-enough quality (and I’m picky in this area), a sun roof opens up potential for future leakage during a rain storm, and do I really need power seats? The other power options, windows, steering, braking, door locks, cruise control, etc., were standard.

If you want “sexy” on a budget, you need not look further than our 2008 Nissan Altima 4-banger. Following a fairly comprehensive online research, we ended up with three finalists in this price range: Toyota Camry; Honda Accord; Nissan Altima.

My wife leaned toward the style and name recognition of the Camry but, after reading performance reports, along with visiting the showrooms, I found the dollar-for-dollar value of the Toyota equivalent to be somewhat lacking. I want it all. I want a car that not only zips down the road, with plenty of passing power in reserve, but is kind to me a the gas pump.

Comparing the Camry 2.5 liter, 165 HP 4 cyl to the Altima 2.5 liter, 175 HP 4 cyl was a no-brainer. While either base model provides an honest 32 MPG highway (the current model Altima boasts 33), the difference lies in the performance, thanks to the longer stroke in the Altima 4 cyl mill, combined with the simpler and more efficient Altima CVT (continuously variable transmission). You notice the muscle when you depress the accelerator, and feel the CVT catch up, quickly matching the engine RPM. There is no pause in shifting, as this unusual tranny contains no conventional “gears” to go through—which, to be fair, is a source of “complaint” to some drivers. Whether we grew up with a standard transmission, automatic, or both, we are somewhat addicted to the sensation of that however-so-slight pause in the “shifting” between gears.

This picayune little anomaly went unnoticed, however, the first time we took our fully-loaded Altima up the initial stretch of I-70, into the Front Range of the Rockies (just west of Denver). It is doubtful that you will find many steeper grades on any section of the Interstate highway system. From the on-ramp off I-470, to the first subsequent crest of I-70, just beyond the Lookout Mountain exit, you are driving a few-mile stretch that will relegate most 4-cylinders to the trucker’s lane.

But not so with our Altima. From the on-ramp, we effortlessly stepped up to 70 MPH. In fact, upon noting that our Lookout Mountain exit was coming up more quickly than I’d anticipated, I tromped on the gas pedal, to breeze by an SUV, which was cruising up the hill at about 75. We passed him at 90, then broke back to 70, to prevent over-flying the exit.

The urban soccer mom may not be so interested in the performance of her equivalent Toyota Camry, deferring to the undeniably softer suspension and the prestige of being a prudent owner of perhaps the most sensible and prestigious mid-size sedan in the world.

Yes, you will notice the difference, in the form of a more rigid ride with the Altima. But I willingly trade a softer ride for the ability to change lanes at 90 MHP on the Interstate, with virtual zero sway. To me, superior handling equates to greater safety.

Nearly three and a half years down the road from our initial purchase of this beautiful automobile, we are as happy with this ride as we were upon driving it out of the dealer’s lot. Despite the relentless rays of the Colorado sun, the jade-green finish still looks like new and the car still performs like a new. It has never seen the inside of a garage other than Greasemonkey, for routine oil changes.

Speaking of service (and potential repair issues), I would be less than honest to not share an initial concern with the future reliability of the unconventional “continuously variable transmission” (CVT). Unlike standard automatics, which have been available for many decades, this new breed is relatively new to the automotive market—out just a few years, to my knowledge.

But, you want to hear something that departs a little from the norm of the car-company mentality? Last year, Nissan Motors sent us an official letter from the factory, extending the initial power-train warranty on the CVT to ten years. And why did they do so? In so many words, Nissan reported that there were a number of skeptics who were somewhat wary of this radically different transmission. As a pledge of faith, this surprising ten-year warranty was offered to, essentially, “put their money where their mouth is.”

Wow. This is something that you do not see every day: an automobile manufacturer who actually provides an after-sales additional guarantee…and puts it in writing!?

In conclusion, my wife was grumbling under her breath a little, still somewhat steamed with my talking her off of the Camry, a few weeks after our purchase of the Nissan (her car). Kate could give a rat’s rear end as to such mundane factors as “performance,” a “CVT,” and highway-speeds “handling.” As far as she was concerned, she had set her sights on being a Camry owner, ever since her older sister in New England was a proud Toyota owner, back in the mid 80’s.

But, now, she snubs her now-snobbish nose at Camry owners, while goosing her Altima, just a little bit, to beat them off the line at the traffic light. [Is there a word for being proud and ashamed at the same time?

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Closest thing was a 2000 Prizm (which was a Toyota Corolla in disguise). The Prizm, as with the Corolla name, was a quality Japanese-built automobile, but "compact," as compared to "mid-size."

Very little comparison to the Nissan Altima, other than overall quality. The 4-cylinder Prism should had been just as peppy as the 4-cylinder Altima, considering the added weight handicap of the Altima.

But it did not. Not only did we feel a lack of acceleration in reserve with the Prizm/Corolla at highway speeds, the interior experience was noticeably cramped.

The Nissan Altima was actually more comparable to my erstwhile 1989 Ford Taurus (a full-size sedan). But, while the styling and comfort of that model year Taurus was par or above, it was virtually falling apart at under 100,000 miles--which is unacceptable by today's standards.

Good gas mileage, a lot of space, AUX, ABS, great airbag protection.

Week stabilizer, keyless ignition.

I had this car for 3 years until I got into accident. Generally I was very satisfied with the car. Only one time i had a major repair. I had to change the stabilizer which has broken without any cause.

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Toyota camry

Love the design and how the vehicle handles.

Rust

This vehicle has 53,000 km on it and we have discovered rust on the hood and trunk area. Contacted Nissan Canada and the dealership and they will not do anything to repair the vehicle. Have spoken to professional about the problem and was advised that the steel was not properly prepped.

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Have owned several vehicles and never have I had a problem with rust like this before.

Sticker price that is somewhat lower than most competitors. Extra bells and whistles for a decent price.

Many poor quality individual parts. It is very difficult to get parts outside of the dealer. Parts are extremely overpriced. The maintenance work required to keep your Nissan Altima on the road will be much greater than their competitors. To save yourself money in the long run go with a Toyota, Honda, or even a Ford or Chevy.

I have owned my Nissan Altima for just over a year. Bought new. Have had continuous mechanical breakdowns. No dealer warranty to pay for anything other than the transmission. In less than a year I have paid over $1000 to keep my Altima running. Not including oil and filters. They suckered me in to the car with a lower price on a car with additonal options (heated seats, leather, keyless entry), but I will end up paying far more for this car due to the seemingly endless process of repair and maintenance. I suggest going for more quality with a different company. Toyota and Honda are much more reliable. Personally, I've had more dependable cars in a Ford or Chevy.

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Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Chevy Lumina, Honda Accord

keyless entry, safety features, good gas/gallon, sporty look, smooth ride, stereo, bluetooth

wished it came with the folding/signal mirrors

I love this car, has all the bells/whistles you could asked for. Sporty car, smooth drive, good gas mileage

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tested/compared the toyota carmy and honda accord

It is a nice color, but it started to mrust under the left rear window

This car rattles alot and has needed over 3000.00 in repairs with less than 55,000 miles.

Very dissapointed, I have put over 3000.00 in repairs in three years. Catalytic converter, intake manifold gasket (common in this car), brakes, air conditioner compressor. All this betwen 44,000 and 55000 miles. I also think it gets terrible mileage and the seats are very uncomfortable. I will never buy another Nissan

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none

It's comfortable. That is it......

Mechanically this car is horrible.

This has been the worst car I have ever owned. You cannot even simply change a headlight. The other problems I have had include having to have the engine replaced at 36k miles. The sensor that goes out about 2 times a year that cost around $250 to rplc due to poor design. My mechanic told me this is like the 7th version of the part but it still fails due to poor design of the engine & placement of the sensor. I also find lights going out alot more than usual. I am so disappointed in this car I will never in my lifetime buy another nissan product. I have driven this car for about 6 years now & never take it far because everytime I have in the past something goes wrong with it. Nissan should of taken these cars back & I believe this year and model should all qualify for the lemon law. BTW nissan will only replace that sensor I am talking about once under recall then you are on your own.

RELIABLE! decent power, comfortable, low maintenance coast, good mpg. Highly recommend as a first car

A bit loud at acceleration, not the best looking car out there.

Extremely reliable. Going on 170.000 and other then routine maintenance, I only had to replace the starter. With the 5spd manual trans it has a pretty good get up and go while maintaining good mpg. This is the 4th altima in my house hold and none of them gave me any problems. From what I understand, the fourth and fifth generation, are not as reliable especially with the 2.5L 4cyl engines.

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95,98,2001 Altima

Well, I hate it!!! This is my first brand new car and also the first Japaneese car. What a piece of crap! Well, maybe its not so bad for most people, but there could be nothing worse to me than rattles and all kind of strange sounds this car makes. I like good sounding music in the car so I bought one with Bose. The system itself is average but Altima makes it sound like crap, seriously the worst I've ever had. Maybe its just this particular unit, but I would rather drive my 2002 Passat or my stick shift '96 2.8 Audi A4 or even the long gone 94 BMW 325. Conclusion: NEVER again I'll buy Nissan or any non-luxury Japaneese car for that matter.

3.5L V6 Engine and suspension, that is about it.

2.5L (noisy and buzzing), CVT (feels like the car is struggling), interior front and rear headroom don't quite match the Accord, Camry and Sonata. Annoying push start (too gimicky and it doesn't work well). Interior quality is below par. The coupe has the worse interior appointments and I have to say when I drove this car it felt so hallow and it was noisier than other sedans in its class.

I work for a Nissan dealership and the Altima isn't all that in terms of refinement, roominess and quality. This car is too hyped up and Nissan did a nasty job with the styling of the coupe and sedan. The overall interior appointments are abysmal and the 2002-2006 Altima's were roomier and better to look at.