2004 Nissan Altima Review
2004 Nissan Altima Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Sports car power in a midsize sedan body, excellent handling, roomy and comfortable interior, high level of features, distinct styling.
Cons
- Low-grade interior materials, considerable road noise, overboosted steering, no stability control.
What’s new
The Altima's winning formula continues with few changes. Smoke is a new exterior color choice, and four-cylinder models meet stricter federal emissions standards. Models with California emissions are now classified as Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV).
Edmunds says
Once a frumpy wallflower, the Altima is now a midsize sedan to be desired, especially when equipped with the 245-horsepower V6.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.35 per gallon for regular unleaded in Wisconsin.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Wisconsin
$177/mo for Altima 2.5
Altima 2.5
vs
$172/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Nissan Altima.
5 star(75%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
181 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Not Too Shabby
PJ, 06/29/2010
2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
Bought the car slightly used, and I've only had two minor problems with it, both outside of warranty. First, the radio, which Nissan replaced, rather gave me a gift certificate to Circuit City, which turned out to be a better deal. Second was the CPI, which Nissan fixed at a highly discounted rate. The car has been a true workhorse for me. Multiple trips almost the length of the East … Coast and one cross country trip. I've put a little aver 80,000 miles on the car in less than 4 years. Other than the radio and CPI, I have yet to do more than just regular upkeep on the car, and I am very hard on cars. I'd definitely recommend the Altima to a friend, and would definitely buy another.
4.5 out of 5 stars
185K and going strong
deanriley, 10/14/2012
2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
After 185,000 miles, this car still runs and rides like new. The 2.5 L, 4 sp automatic has plenty of pep and delivers an average of 27 mpg for this daily commuter. The ride is smooth and handling is above average. There is plenty of head and leg room front and back, the seats are comfortable, and the Bose sound system is fantastic. Maintenance has been minimal, replacing the front right … wheel bearing at 90K, crankshaft position sensor at 102K, upper motor mount and idler pulley at 135K and rear wheel bearings at 175K. The road noise is the only thing that I can say bad about this car. This car has given us great service.
5 out of 5 stars
Great first starter car!
Hailey Adamson, 11/11/2015
2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
I got this car when I turned 16 and I have had this car for 6 years now. I got it will 100,000 miles on it and I'm up to 168,000 miles on it and it has run so smooth! I only bring it into the dealership to get routine checkups and once I had to take it in because my engine was rattling which was due to a loose part, which I guess is a frequent problem with this car. It was a 200 dollar … repair and thats the only issue I've had on it!
4.63 out of 5 stars
2004 Altima 2.5L SL
Bugeye, 08/03/2010
2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
After 150,000 miles, this car still runs and rides like new. The 2.5 L, 4 sp automatic has plenty of pep and delivers an average of 27 mpg for this daily commuter. The ride is smooth and handling is above average. There is plenty of head and leg room front and back, the seats are comfortable, and the Bose sound system is fantastic. Maintenance has been minimal, replacing the front right … wheel bearing at 90,000 (extended warranty work) and the crankshaft position sensor at 102,000 ($120 parts and labor). I replaced the upper motor mount and idler pulley at 135K in 1 hour for less than $100. The road noise is the only thing that I can say bad about this car. This car has given us great service.
2004 Altima Highlights
2.5
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $16,850 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $177/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Altima include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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