1998 Nissan Altima Consumer Reviews

Wonderful car

Written by: Ol Hokie on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought the car used seven years ago with 45,000 miles on it; it now has nearly 209,000 and I have spent no money on it except for routine maintenance and service, gasoline, tires, and new CV joints at about 190,000 miles. It still has the original clutch (it's a 5 speed manual). It is the eighth Nissan that I have owned. All have been great!

Favorite Features

Reliability, performance, handling and gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Too late to improve it now since this model has gone through two new designs.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: Brendan on 06/29/2008

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr GXE Sedan

Review

This is the best car I have ever owned. I have had it 10 years and other than gas, wiper blades, tires etc. I have only replaced the front brake pads once. So non routine maintenance for this car in 10 years has been under $200. I have other vehicles now and don't drive it as much as before but it is just too good of a vehicle to get rid of. I will definitely buy another Altima when I am in the market for a car.

Favorite Features

Reliability, fun to drive moon roof.

Suggested Improvements

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Long-life reliable car

Written by: Joe on 05/12/2008

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

My Altima SE is a 5 spd manual which makes a 4 cyl a little more fun! Bought the car at 124k in fall '04 and will be retiring it soon with 190k. No real problems until last few months - engine is still great. Still using original clutch (needs replacement). Odometer broke a few months ago, and windshield wiper motor just died. Those are the only mechanical things to go wrong in the 4 years I've owned it... not bad! I am now looking to buy an '05 Altima because they are very reliable.

Favorite Features

Moonroof, spoiler (so ugly without one), fog lights, cruise control (on a standard!)

Suggested Improvements

Does it really matter at this point?? Car has lasted over 10 years and would love to keep it, but replacing clutch not worth it at this point.

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Reliable until now!

Written by: russ on 03/17/2008

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

Up to last Saturday, my 10 year old Altima has been nothing but ultra reliable. It is a noisier car on the highway, especially compared to my wife's Accord, but otherwise a nice car to drive. It handles well, accelerates very well, with power to spare from its 4 cyl engine. Cruise control is a "must" to avoid speeding tickets! Until 3/14/2008, biggest maintenance expense has been for tires (Arizona roads eat them!), and minor maintenance. Saturday (3/15/8) morning, at 65 mph on the freeway the transmission failed. Car has 144,000 km (89,300 miles) on it. Failure occured within coasting distance of a dealership. Cost to repair almost $5,000. Grrrr!!

Favorite Features

Excellent acceleration, lots of power, crusies at 75 mph at less than 3,000rpm in 5th. Handles the hills on I-17 north of Phoenix with no problems!

Suggested Improvements

Road noise, especially on the highway above 50 mph is annoying.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best Car So Far!

Written by: ck1986 on 02/19/2008

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr GLE Sedan

Review

Considering the only other vehicle I've owned was an 88 Buick Regal this was quite the improvement! I received this car as a gift from my grandfather in the summer of 07. It's been a great car since. He did have some work done previous to my ownership (replaced the front axle as well as the head gasket two years ago) I haven't experienced any major problems, although as of this week I've been experiencing some over heating issues. Hopefully a problem soon to be easily solved. Everyone who's driven the car has been amazed, apparently it's not what they've expected out of a ten year old nissan. So far so good!

Favorite Features

I absolutely love the sunroof! The drive has been a pleasant one. I like the setup of the center console very convenient I loved the remote entry until my remote went berzerk and began locking and unlocking my car and setting off the alarm while my car was in drive! Didn't expect that one!

Suggested Improvements

Unfortunately when I received the car the speakers were shot so I'm in the process of replacing those. I've had problems with my power windows (especially driver's side) going back up, and issues with my gauges fluctuating. More comfortable seats a plus, an 07 altima is my next car of choice!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Luxury

Written by: jbesad01 on 02/15/2008

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr GXE Sedan

Review

I got mine for 3,200 from a private seller who had taken good care of it since the day it was bought. The inside of this car is beautiful. I felt like I was driving something I paid $20,000 for. Great combination of power and mileage. I got 33mpg once on a long trip. I love this car.

Favorite Features

interior, looks nice and polished

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My best car ever!

Written by: Daddyniowa on 02/13/2008

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr GXE Sedan

Review

I purchased this car with 58,000 miles on it and it is a five speed manual transmission. I only opened up the exhaust and installed a Tornado fuelsaver (for whatever thats worth). I burn Mobile one full synthetic oil in it changed at every 8,000 miles. For some time now I use the car 100 miles five days a week to commute my non-driving wife to work. I have done "nothing" to the car basically except put gas in it. Gets anywhere from 31 to 34 mpg on highway, and shifts out of third gear at 103 mph! Uses one half a quart of synthetic oil every 8,000 miles. If you see a white 1998 Nissan Altima in northern Mo. to Southern Iowa screaming down I-35 highway, that would be me!

Favorite Features

I'm almost fifty two years old, and have owned a lot of fast mostly import cars, and this would be one of them. Sure it has some road noises and squeaks, but they are hardly noticeable to me over the sound of the tires turning over. I have driven all of my cars hard and this one more than delivers.

Suggested Improvements

Better seals around windows,also to dampen road noise and interior squeeks. But the engine absolutely "rocks" and is bulletproof! I have 143,000 miles on it to date and it drives like a new car and still screams!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Loved and Lost

Written by: Lucky7 on 10/29/2007

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr GLE Sedan

Review

My '98 Altima GLE was killed in a crash, and I miss it so much. It's been 3 months, and I've tried to replace it wit the same style (98-2001) and trim, but they're hard to find. So no luck so far. I've gone 3 months without a car just because I can't bear to own something else. This really was a tremendous car. Not only did it keep me safe during the rear-end that totaled it (airbags didn't deploy, though), I never had a major problem with this car. The driver's power window went out after a couple years but it wasn't too expensive to fix. It had 130,000 miles on it and I would have gotten another 130,000, I think. Can't go wrong with this car.

Favorite Features

Roomy leather interior. Reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Mine didn't have keyless entry, and the wheel base is so wide, U-turns aren't an option in most cases. But nothing major.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Bullet Proof!

Written by: Daddyniowa on 08/27/2007

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr GXE Sedan

Review

When I bought this car it had about 59,000 miles on it. It is a five speed. The only modifications I have made is opened up the exhaust and installed a "Tornado fuel saver". I do use Mobile One full synthetic motor oil changed every 8,000 miles, and synthetic gear lube as well. I have owned a lot of Japanese cars in my past, and I have to say this one is one of the very best! I consistently get 32 to 34 mpg on the highway which is most all that I drive. It corners very well, and if you redline 3rd gear you are doing exactly 103 mph! Whenever I give a friend a ride or let them drive it they cannot believe the power and torque that it has. As as far as repairs there have not been any yet!

Favorite Features

Reliability, speed, torque, cornering ability.

Suggested Improvements

Has some road noise and also some creaks and ticking noises in the interior. Not as solidly built inside as say a Toyota.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Good Dependable Automobile

Written by: RodR7679 on 08/17/2007

Vehicle

1998 Nissan Altima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

Excellent car. This car was dependable even at 15 degrees below 0 F and handled good even in snowy winter driving.

Favorite Features

The automatic transmission with the 2.4L I4 DOHC 16V FI Engine provided good power and acceleration. Excellent visibility all around from the drivers seat. No blind spots!

Suggested Improvements

ABS would have been nice. Also would have liked disc brakes for the rear wheels.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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