- coupe 181,975
- 2,114 below average
- 3,995 great
- New Haven, CT
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- autoshopper.com
- 2,114 below average coupe 181,975 diesel red automatic
2007 nissan altima review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The nissan altima has been totally redesigned for 2007. It looks more like the maxima now. It's a couple of inches shorter on the outside, but has more room on the inside, including a spacious trunk. Fold-down rear seats allow the trunk to expand into the cabin for carrying big long things. the object of the redesign was to bring the feel and power of a luxury car to this everyman's midsize sedan, and nissan has succeeded, at least with the altima model that has the v6 engine and all the options, including plush leather. It makes 270 horsepower, more than what's available in other midsize cars (excluding turbocharged or expensive sports sedans), along with 258 pound-feet of torque. The price for that power: the v6 requires premium fuel and gets 22/28 mpg. another thing that makes the altima stand out is its new optional cvt, or continuously variable transmission. It's the only automatic transmission available in this car, and it's a winner with its manual mode, which allows six speeds or ranges. A cvt improves gas mileage because there's less internal friction. the handling is true, and the suspension is quite firm without ever being harsh. It inspires confidence. It's a match for rough pavement and is steady and predictable in extreme situations. The altima also comes loaded with safety features. an intelligent key comes standard in the altima. This might be convenient for some, but it leads to new problems, having to do with the memory of the human brain and confusion of the car's electronic brain. lineupthe 2007 nissan altima is initially available as five models: the 2. 5, 2. 5s, 2. 5sl, 3. 5se and 3. 5sl. Air conditioning does not come standard. the 2. 5s adds air conditioning, a six-speaker sound system, remote keyless entry, power sideview mirrors, and speed-sensitive intermittent wipers, among other smaller things. the 2. 5sl uses the continuously variable transmission, and adds leather interior with heated front seats and power driver's seat, moonroof, alloy wheels, dual-zone temp controls and rear air conditioning vents, among other smaller things. the 3. 5 se uses the powerful v6 engine with the six-speed manual gearbox and cloth interior. It adds abs, traction control, and 17-inch alloy wheels, plus heated sideview mirrors and other features. the 3. 5sl has most of the things listed above, but goes back down to 16-inch alloy wheels. It adds high-intensity xenon headlights, foglamps, bluetooth hands-free phone system, and nine-speaker bose cd/mp3 sound system. a technology package includes the navigation system, a rearview monitor and satellite radio. On the higher priced models, anti-lock brakes are standard and electronic stability control is optional. Abs includes electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. Electronic stability control, which nissan calls vdc (vehicle dynamic control) is optional on 3. 5 models. walkaroundthe new 2007 nissan altima looks quite stylish, especially for a mid-size car. The body has gotten a makeover, and features a number of pleasing changes. Like some other new cars, in particular lexus, the fender flares are edgy and extend farther than before, allowing the body itself to be narrower and offer less frontal area. The gap between the tires and flares has been tightened. Overall aerodynamics are improved from 0. 33 to 0. 31, thanks to many things as always, not least the more steeply sloped windshield. the wheelbase has been shortened by nearly an inch, and the overall length cut by 2. 5 inches, with shorter overhangs. The cowl was moved forward and rear glass rearward, which allowed for no overall decrease in cabin space. The beltline is low so there's more side glass, which adds to the roomy feeling. the headlamps and taillamps appear almost exotic, certainly elaborate. As for the taillamps, nissan says they cost nearly as much as the headlamps (so don't back into anything!), and they definitely do look expensive. They're covered with clear plastic like the headlamps, and contain a silver ray-gun looking cylinder with the red lamp, plus a round white beam for the backup light and a big orange piece for the parking lamp and turn signal. interiorin redesigning the altima, nissan engineers were assigned to create more cabin space, and given one inch less to work with, on account of the reduction in wheelbase. They met their goal by stretching the distance between a-pillar and c-pillar, thus shortening the cowl and deck. There are 1. 7 inches less legroom in front, but 3. 1 inches more in the rear, and that's a lot; however, 0. 8 inches of rear headroom has been lost. Trunk space has grown from 15. 6 cubic feet to 17. 9. the seats are relatively large. They feel firm and longer and higher than in last year's models. We've been in many luxury cars that didn't feel this classy inside. More soft materials are used, for touches like padded armrests, and the overall level of refinement is higher than with the former altima. It's the common and practical tripod design, with speedo in center, tachometer on left and gas and temp on right. The lettering is sharp, white on black, with red needles. the center stack is neatly designed, with three dual-zone hvac vents at top over the sound system and good knobs, leading down to usable storage slots and the transmission lever, in this case for the cvt. The space for the big glovebox was created by downsizing the air conditioning unit, but nissan says there's no compromise in ac effectiveness; in fact, nissan says the ac is best in class, thanks to improved airflow and a quieter fan. the intelligent key is standard on all altima models, but we don't think it's so smart. It may be true that women don't like to bother with putting a key in an ignition, as the manufacturers say, and like to keep their keys in their purse at all times; but it's also true that since intelligent keys have been invented, there has been a rash of dead batteries. It's left on the accessories mode, and drains the juice. Not even with a passenger totally devoted to the challenge, while we were stuck in traffic.
3,995 New Haven, CTNew Haven, CT at autoshopper.com