Used 2005 Nissan Altima Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Bad Altima Experience!!!!!
Buyers Beware!!! I purchased a 2003 & was a lemon. (Radiator replaced 4 times in first year but kept leaking anti freeze) Nissan gave me a 2005 (at no extra cost)because they felt bad. My 2005 has less than 5000 miles and my radiator is again leaking antifreeze. (they claim it's the radiator cap). Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Fun but could be so much better...
A truly fun car to drive, however, there is considerable oversteer and the roadhandling is not all that great but the acceleration does put a smile on one's face. Interior cabin noise is fairly intrusive. The overall interior fit and finish is done well with some minor exceptions. The faux wood trim is -quite frankly - a little cheesy - choose the faux chrome, it looks better. All that being said - it is probably more fun to drive than its older sibling, the Maxima and several of its more conservatively styled competitors.
- 3.5 SL SedanMSRP: $4,750229 mi away
- 2.5 S SedanMSRP: $2,200231 mi away
- 2.5 S SedanMSRP: $3,900361 mi away
Fantastic car
I bought this car a year and a half ago. It served me well. The only issue was that the clutch would drop a bit once and a while, but never hindered my driving. I added an iPod player to the bose sound system and it worked amazing, never heard anything that sounded so good. And this car loved to be driven hard. 0-100 km/h in just over 6 seconds, and everything was stock. Take turns hard and it would continue to grip. Suspension is harder than a normal 3.5, so ride was a bit rougher with semi-bald tires, but smooth with good tires. The car was also rolled into the ditch off the highway, side airbags went off, not front (which was good). My wife walked out of the car. This was a great car!
zooming
I love the body style over the other cars in its class. I would definitely recommend the Bose radio instead of the standard radio. I checked out the leather and its really not all that, so I got the fabric seats instead...so far so good with the car. I do wish that i bought the V6 instead, although the mileage is much better on the 4cyl.
Newbie
I bought this car last week and still have the new(used)car love affair. I will keep you posted on its performance. It's kind of scary the number of complaints with the fuel pump. After years of having used cars in there teens, I really hope my newer car purchase is a positive one. By the way, first overseas product ever purchased...don't let me down.
Good Car for the Money
Really Good Car, for the money! Interior in the 05 is a big improvement. Nissan with a few more tweaks this car would lead the pack. Hopefully the redesign will improve, and I will try it again.
Pleased
Overall, it has been a pleasant experience. The shift from 1st to 2nd gear is not always cohesive. Sunroof should have auto close as well. Nice room for a family of three. Adequate trunk space. I love the sporty feel and look of the vehicle. Chrome license plate shield should be standard. Average 26 mpg combined. Unfortunately, my 2.5 would not run without premium fuel. The car would consistently knock with regular fuel. This is the biggest hang up I have with the car. I would have purchased the 3.5 if I would have known this would happen.
Happy Customer
I have owned this car for 2 years. It is absolutely a good buy. It has 14k miles as of this writing. There has not been any problem whatsoever. The paint job is very good. It is just as glossy as when it was new. I averaged 25-26 miles in mixed driving. The reasons I chose Altima over Accord or Camry are simple. 1: More power, 2: Styling. Nissan makes relible cars too. I have no complaints at all for a 20K car that meets all my expectations .
Great Car
I've had my Altima since 2005 and have put over 82,000 miles on it since then, and I'm proud to say it runs just as good now as the day I bought it. The 4-cyl engine has plenty of power, and the ride provides the perfect balance between comfort and sporty handling. I love how roomy the car is front and back, and all of the trunk space comes in handy. Some people complain about the growly engine but I kind of like it. The Altima is also excellent on gas, partly thanks to the 20 gallon fuel tank. The interior is comfortable and all of the materials are good quality. Mine has the convenience package which includes some nice features, especially the sporty 16'' alloy rims.
Simply Wicked!
I bought this car brand spanking new in 05. Drove the 4 cylinder Then drove the v6. The 4 is pathetic, this car is a rocket. Had to get the 5spd manual because an automatic is just wrong when paired to a vq35de engine. Stock tires were absolute garbage, all seasons on a 250 horse car? The 6 pack changer had to be replaced under warranty. Floor mats wore right through under gas and clutch pedal. Great car, highly recommend the v6 model to everyone. Drive a manual before you buy the automatic to see how amazing this car can be. I've got about 60,000 miles on mine and its been bulletproof.
Finally got the grown up car
As soon as I got in the car it felt right for me. First of all it is roomy and it looks real nice with the black leather and sunroof. I traded in my Honda Civic. I was surprized at the price of this car. My payments are about the same as the Honda was, only a much better car. When I need power I have it. Just love the way it drives. It is also quiet. And looks great in the driveway. Ps: if you want better milage, try to keep the tack @ 2500 rpm's or less. I was able to get 30.5 mpg in this manner.
Good Car!!
I have the 2.5 SL. I bought it brand new with 4 miles on it. I get about 24.5 mpg in the city. It has a good size trunk and lots of leg room in the back seat. Knock on wood, I have had no problems with this car. I have about 65,000 miles on it. I just had my third set of tires put on. For a four banger engine it is pretty peppy. Leather interior has held up great!!
A good car,but....
I like my new Altima. Have about 5k on it. Things I don't like are...Can't read instruments-poor design, lighting. can't read radio dial. Back up lights ineffective. Roof poorly insulated-noisy wheb raining. Sun roof..wind noise at higher speeds
NICE NISSAN
Has spoiler and pinstripes. Nice tinted windows, New tires, Runs great.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
An excellent buy
Just purchased the vehicle last week, and this one is much better than my 2002 Altima by all means! The interior is as good as the the new Honda Accord and it handles like a German vehicle. Anyone shopping in this segment should take a look at this vehicle, compare this with Accord and Camry side by side, you will find the Camry is light year behind in design and chassis dynamic. The only real competitor is only the Accord, but the exterior design of the current Accord is just as exciting as a speech from President Bush!
Nice Car, Interior needs upgrade
I have 16k on my vehicle. Zero problems mechanically or other. This is definitely an excellent car especially on the 24 month lease special Nissan was running. I tend to get tired of cars quickly and that was a nice change of pace. My only real complaint after 16k is that the interior is just plain boring and a few pieces of the interior pop out (fairly easy to pop them back in). The exterior has excitement, the interior is a bit drab. All in all, an excellent competitor overall. I would say this is a good bet for buying used as well. Compare pricing on both new and used though, because the used models seem to be hovering close to what you can buy new for. Hope this helps!
love IT!
I have owned my 2005 Nissan for 2 years now. I absolutely love it. The gas mileage is great. I have not had any problems with the vehicle. I have not need anything done to the car maintenance wise. The car is comfortable and roomy. I get about 20 mpg in the city with frequent stop and go and about 27 mpg on the highway. My husband is able to sit in the back seat comfortable with room to spare he is 6'4". Overall it is a very roomy car, a great value, very reliable, very comfortable, and great deal for the money.
No ABS Brakes
I purchased my Altima last September & was very excited since I had a '88 Maxima I traded. My new car lacks power (quick acceleration) (4 cyl engine) definitely underpowered & affects mileage. The driver bucket seat is not comfortable & the original seat was installed at a angle-had it replaced. My biggest concern is not having ABS system. I had ABS before & didn't realize the added safety in having ABS brakes. I'm seriously considering trading my car in for a 3.5 Altima with ABS or purchasing a Honda or Toyota. Cars are so experience & purchasing a new that lacks quality to say the least is extremely frustrating. I normally keep a car 10 to 12 years but feel this car will be the exception
NOT AS GOOD AS A CAMRY...
Made a mistake buying this vehicle. I like the the exterior design. After 2 months, that's about it! The comfort level is beginning to fade and other things cannot compare to the Toyota Camry, which my wife has. The leather seats/padding are cheap hard leather. Compared to the plusher leather of the Toyota Camry. The more I drive the Altima, the more discomfort I am experiencing. As a previous review noted, the BOSE is dissapointing in sound quality. The dail controls are outdated as well. I am already selling this mistake. Sadly, the resale value, and response is a BIG FAT zero! I may trade it for a Toyota Camry soon! I will NEVER BUY a Nissan product again
Love My Altima
I purchased my altima with 1 mile on it, and that was my test drive. I have not had any problems out of it. In fact cannot ever remember it being in the shop for other than an oil change and new tires. I drive about 75-100 miles per day and get great gas mileage. I have taken this car on numerous road trips without even thinking twice. It has 160K miles on it now and still runs like the day I pulled it off the lot. Car is super cute and makes you feel like a million bucks driving it, love the looks it gets going down the road. And who says family sedans aren't sporty and a blast to drive?
I love my nissan!
I love my Nissan. I'll just get that one out of the way. For a 2.5/175 hp it's got some giddy up and go. It handles pretty well. I wish it didn't have as much roll when I'm taking tight turns. I wish it had more hp. And I wish it had a nice system, but I installed that. But I'm used to BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
the best car I've owned!
The throttle response is great, low end torque is amazing, beats all competetion. Best of all it looks great, definitely a cure for a common car!
excellent car
Excellent car for me. Very sporty exterior. Lots of room on the inside for the kids. Has very good pickup also!
Sporty
This car is just what I was looking for. After trading in an Eclipse I was looking for something with good pickup and sporty handling and found it. The gas millage hasn't been quite what I expected at 20 mpg but that was only the 2nd fill up. The interior is very roomy and also accommodates for the shorter driver.
My Nissan
I have owned my car since February, 2005. I decided to purchase a Nissan after having it as a rental after a car accident. I tried other vehicles, and despite some - what I consider minor - issues, like noise, the quality of the car including size and overall performance and presentation was the best I found.
Good
This vehicle is awesome! It has plenty of power and great agility. I am so happy that I purchased this vehicle.
The New SER
Great car...stylish, sleek with great performance. When owning a SER, you stand out alone as few others are on the road...which makes you special. Driving is easy, seating is comfortable, and the powerful engine can get you out of a crunch much quicker than one realizes. It's an eye catcher....as much so as any sports car.
What a fun car/A willing dance partner
I came from an 03 Maxima GLE which I loved, but the Altima beats it hands down in so many ways. The 4 cyl is amazing. Who needs 80 more ponies? Smooth, responsive, and wonderful growl when you hit the loud pedal. The interior is every bit as good,if not better than the Max. Roomy without being cumbersome. Far more tossable and the IRS makes the difference. Smooth ride with no evident loss of feel of control. Communicative steering is a joy. Light but solid. MPG so far has been around 23, but no highway yet; I expect at least 30. For you sporty types out there, drop it in 3rd on a twisty hilly country road. It stays in the sweet spot. Don't miss the old Max one bit.
Wonderful
This is my second Altima. We had 2004 2.5s. Thought the dash was cheap with the wheel covers. The dealer cut out a sun roof and added cheap leather. Never was repaired for anything. Bought a 3.5 se with leather and all the toys. Fast as a 300z but with size. Dash was super with 17in alloys. Great car for speeding tickets. Super exterior
very nice car
I owned SUV's , this is my first car. I thought down sizing would be difficult but with this car I am very impressed. It has a nice ride. The 4cyl is very powerful, cannot tell the difference from the 6 cyl.
Too Sweet!!!!!!!!!
Nice sporty car for the money!! It looks great and drives great. Great acceleration, sporty, and decent fuel mileage. Very nice stereo from factory. If you're in the market for a awesome car that is affordable,sporty and that will turn heads then you have found it.
A great reliable vehicle.
I purchased my 05 Altima in Febraury and must say, I am simply satisftied. When driving the sedan the suspension is great (compared to the Sentra I previously owned) For the price you pay for the Altima, I believe you are getting you money's worth. Before reaching empty I can travel approx.310 miles. In this day in age with gas prices raising, I think the mileage, and fuel economy is key to purchasing you vehicle. If I had the choice to purchase another car the Altima will be my choice!! (with the navigation system of course)
Happy New Owner
As a former sports car owner who now has a wife and a family, I love driving this car ('05 SE V-6 5 sp) Unbeatable engine performance for the money, combined with lots of interior space. I've looked at Altimas ever since the 2002 redesign, and have test driven 2002 and 2003 models before. The 2005 model is an improvement in refinement and interior materials quality. 5 Speed manual shifter much smoother than in previous models. Having driven competitor vehicles, I prefer the Altima over: a) the Mazda 6 due to interior space and road noise b) Toyota Camry and Honda Accord due to the Altima having "more soul." Excellent choice if you want a good mix of performance, value, and family space.
Love That Altima
This is my very first Altima, didn't really like any of the older models. However this is my fourth Nissan. Sure am happy I gave this new model a try. Besides being very pretty to look at, it's very comfortable for my six foot plus body. And the 4 cylinder engine still out performs a whole bunch of sixes that I've put it against. Love it love it love it.
1,200 mile update
After 1,200 miles this car continues to impress behind the wheel. It's the first car I've owned in ages that I drive so I can. Look for an excuse to drive it. Came from a 2003 Maxma GLE, and don't miss the Max one bit. Altima doesn't feel as porky and ungainly as the more powerful Max. Fit and finish rival my friends C230, and car is solid. Quiet at 80, even with the roof open. All bells and whistles, and the 175HP 4 is great; both powerwise and economywise. Lots of pep; and 25 mpg city. Quiet, comfortable interior, heated leather seats, Bose Stereo complete package. Climate control excellent. Majestic Blue with Blond/wood interior v/elegant. Get the SL Package; you won't regret it.
First Class Generation Vehicle
After owning a 1994 and 1998 Nissan Altima I put the new design 2002 head and shoulders above all competitors. My Altima SL 2.5 is now 3 yrs old and still awesome. Lthr, full power, 6 CD Bose sound, auto, 16" rims, etc. For looks, ride and performance it can't be beat in its class. Oh by the way it uses regular and has plenty of gettee up.
Great car Very pleased
Hood and trunk should be metal.Side airbags should not be an option. I put 23,000 on this car with no problem. Nissan World has the best service dept. Rotors warped at 20,000 they did brake job as warranty. The right service dept. is the key. I really enjoy this car lots of compliments. People have asked if it is a BMW 5. Rather haave the Altima I don't like maintenance bills.
perfection!
where do i begin on how great this car is to drive? the comfort? finish? handling? the ample power even on the inline-four? i love this car so much. so far in the 11 months i've owned this car, i've only had 4 oil changes. nothing more and nothing less. nissan are great cars, as long as you do your part in getting service done on time, this car will last you.
One Great Car!
This is one fun car. It will turn on a dime and has the pick up needed to do all types of stunts if you wanted to. If traffic is in its dangerous mood for Miami ( which it most often is ) you have the ability to maneauver out of the way of an accident. I love it's immediate response, size and how easy it is to get in and out of the vehicle. One of the Best Choices I've ever made in a vehicle.
An altima beyond its name
To start off i love this car. I also happen to be a nissan technician so i see these cars everyday, i know them in and out far more than anyone else just looking to buy a car can know. That is why i bought this car. It's a family sedan that's fun to drive, u don't feel like u have to be old to buy it. I'm in my mid 20's with a family, i did not want to be stuck in some boring family car, i wanted one that i could take out, enjoy myself, and return home with a smile on my face everytime. I get looks from people all the time wondering is that an altima, especially ones who own the base 2.5S, or 3.5Se models. To put it simply, if you want to feel young in a family car, this is it!!!
My V6 Altima
This is, in its class, the best of the best. It has extraordinary detailing and is beautiful to look at. The dash is user friendly and not cluttered. The pick-up and go is exciting and a feeling of security to know that if I need that power,its there. I would not trade it for anything shy of a Mercedes.
Red Rocket
I'm a long time BMW owner and this is the 1st front drive I've had in 10 years, and I'm not disapointed in the least. Reminds me of the fun I used to have with my 71 240Z but now I can carry 4 people. In my estimation Nissan is back. My in town mileage is as good as my 97 BMW 328IS but the highway is not as good. It does 0 to 60 a second quicker so I guess I shouldn't complain.
Reliable car
I purchased the car used with 13K. It replaced a 97 Maxima that had 165000 miles (still running beautifully until destroyed in accident). Altima now has 45K miles and given no problems. Average 27MPG driving to work and recently 32MPG on trip. Engine is a little noisy but not an issue. Has good pickup. Corners well, has nice tight suspension. Interior nicely styled.
Nice Car!
This is a very classy car. I test drove at least six other 4cyl cars and none even came close to having the pep of the Altima. This car flies for a 4 cylinder. The Bose audio system is outstanding, but the radio reception is weak. The blond interior is sleek and beautiful with a rich feel. This car turns heads as you drive. The things I don't like are the door locks which are easy to accidently lock. I also had a torn CV boot at 4000 miles. The trunk lid has a problem staying open especially with a spoiler. Since the good points overweigh the bad, overall I am happy with this car.
Fantastic, beautiful car
This car is a beautiful piece of machinery, has great pep and the price can't be beat
This is the first car I have ever loved!
This is the first car I have ever loved and I've had quite a few - VW's, Oldsmobiles, family Cadillacs, a Fire Bird and a BMW. The were all just modes of transportation before I got my Altima 3.5. This car is so powerful, instantly responsive, comfortable and fun to drive. Even after having it for over a year now I still look forward to driving it, ever time I get in it. I used to hate driving long distances (two or more hours) but now I look forward to it.
Great Value, Nice Style
I was really torn between the Altima, Camry, and Accord. I chose the Altima basically because of the sale price which was considerably lower mainly due to the 1500 dollar rebate. The Altima style is nicer in the 2005 model over previous years,in my opinion. Great fit and finish. More horsepower than the Camry and Accord.Good standard features included. More room than the Camry and Accord.Handling is good and things are kept simple, but have an elegant glow.Plenty of trunk space.The only "cons", if you can call them that, are ABS brakes are not standard, somewhat noisy ride, and auto tranny shifts a bit harsh. But these are very minor and are not bothersome. Besides, I like that engine growl.
Black 2005 Nissan 2.5S4drSedanAutomatic
Quality was number 1 to us, so the first place we shopped was Toyota but I was very unimpressed with the looks of the 2005's, that was really important to us subsequently we tryed Honda but was equally unimpressed with appearance of their 2005 model. We ended up at a Nissan dealership and saw the 2005 Altima WoW! was my first thought. It has everything we were looking for with a fabulous $ to boot. We bought one but it is not the quiet smooth ride that I expect. We therefore have been discussing other options and see ourselves in the near future test driving the Chrysler 300 or the new mustang for smoothness and quiet.
Spacious and Comfortable Car with Power
I've owned my 2005 Altima less than a week, though I had a 2005 rental before this, and that is what inspired me to buy one. I call it a poor man's luxury car - it is very roomy and comfortable to ride in. Everything is laid out clearly and well; all the controls are intuitive. The leg room is ample for a driver of any height. The trunk is cavernous and the rear seats fold forward for extra hauling room. The brakes, acceleration, everything is smooth, responsive and quick. My only complaint - it is not available in very exciting colors, except the expensive sport model red. I have the pearlescent coral sand - which looks different in varying light. I am having a spoiler added.
Will buy another one!
I had a 1994 Altima & it was great. Sold it in 1996. I bought the 4cyl. for gas mileage & have gotten as high as 38 mpg on the road . City 25-30 mpg in decent weather. A little more road noise than my 1994 Altima, it's liveable. My driving is split between city & highway & I average about 30-32 mpg at weekly fill ups. Nice car & we get alot of compliments on the car & factory chrome wheels. We will buy another Altima in the future.