2003 Nissan Altima User Reviews

Pros

Stylish, fuel efficient, fast takeoff

Cons

Too many mechanical problems, poor city gas mileage

Purchased As Used

I bought this car in March 2009. Im 19 and this is my first car. I test drove a 3.5 Altima but wasn't able to afford it so at $7800 the 2.5 S seemed like a good buy.
I knew about the mechanical problems Altimas are known for but I decided to buy the car anyway. When I first got it home, I found the oil was a filthy jet black and the "Check Engine" light was on and the car was burning oil. The car still ran great though
Two months after buying the car I had to have the motor and catalytic converter replaced (most known problem on Altimas made between 2002 and 2006) I still had a warranty so Nissan replaced it for free which I was very happy about.
Car had 57,000 miles when I bought it. 6 months later at 66,000 miles and four months with a brand new motor I could not be happier. The 2.5 engine is faster and more powerful then it sounds, and I like how loud it sounds when I slam on the gas.
I also like the stereo, the sound quality and bass are excellent for a factory system. The radio controls mounted on the steering wheel are great to and make it less of a task if you try to change the station while on the highway.
I also like how roomy the car is. Its great when my friends and I get together and there's room for all 5 of us and we all fit comfortably and the cloth seats are so soft and plush its like the contour to all the curves of your body.
Gas milage is different from what Nissan claims. They claim 22 mpg city, its more like 20. Highway is claimed to be 29, but its more between 30 - 34 depending on your speed. But just highway driving will allow nearly 600 miles on one tank. I recently from from my hometown of Orlando, FL to visit relatives in Jacksonville, a 150 mile trip, we didn't even use a quarter tank of gas! Very impressive for a car thats not a hybrid.
I also like the exterior styling of the car, though the front end looks to friendly, like the car is smiling and saying hello to you. The chrome tail lights are really cool and the car looks brand new after a weekly wash and wax
The interior is so so, the plush seats are great, though a lot of the plastics seem very hard, brittle, and cheap.
So overall this truly is a great car, despite its numerous mechanical problems its redeeming qualities far outweigh its flaws, and even though this car is six years old it still turns heads when I drive around town. and even though its a 2003 it looks like a 2009.
Definitely recommend this car to anybody in the market for one. But get the V6, its faster...read morehide