2009 Nissan Altima Coupe User Reviews

Pros

Great for value, Excellent gas mileage, it stands out, love standard aux for ipod, clean interior

Cons

I dislike the fact it didn't have hood struts, poor selection of rear spoiler, tan roof liner

Purchased As New

I purchased the 09 Altima coupe in January. I needed a car to go to school and drive to work. I didn't want to spend my life saving away in a car. As you may know base model is 21k which was in my price range but would drain my account. I've looked into the scion tc, toyota camry, and lancer. The Scion tc was priced around 17k which was good so i test drove the car and found it had lack of power going up hill and acceleration was pretty slow compaired to my 10 year old maxima. I liked the lancer but the rear was unpleasent to look at. I checked out the the Altima at the NY Auto show and I was impressed so I went to open road nissan to test drive the car. I was impressed of the 2.5 acceleration. It rivals my maxima which was a v6. I like the way it was designed it shared a lot of characteristics of a infinity g35 and a 350z. I got a great price for the base model that I couldn't pass up($18,500). I always had a thing for red cars so i picked red. Keep in mind it's not that fake red known as magenta or a dark red it was bright red.
I like gas mileage I get per fill up. My v6 had bad gasmialge every 220 miles i need to fill up. With the Altima I get 352 miles per gas up. Note I don't travel on highway mostly local and small freeways. The appearance of this car is breath taking. It has it's own look that makes your head turn. Like I said before it shares a lot of characteristics of the luxury cars but affordable sports car. The interior of the car has a standard radio that flows nicely with the design. The radio comes standard with a Aux in (ipod/mp3 plugin) which most cars you must put it as an option. There are 2 12volt plug in for your gps or cell phone charger. Handling is good on turns but upgrading/purchasing front and rear sway bar recommended (For those who want to hug the road in those tight turns). CVT is kinda strange you barely fell or notice when it shifts which for those who want a nice quiet ride is good. I'm still have to break in the engine i have not gone beyond 4k rpm. The steering wheel is easily adjustable for short to tall drivers. For the people who had problems probably never broke in the engine before jamming on the gas pedal. and for the review of the 12 volt light problem it's common sense not to leave it plugged in.
Things not so great... I was disappointed that a 09 car did not have hood struts. The seating in the front doesn't have that comfort level that the powered seats of the conv package. The 16" steel rim did not go with the style of the Altima coupe. Access of the rear seats is not that great if you are in a parking lot with cars next to you. Another thing is that for passengers in the rear they feel cramped at times (leg space). Not really made for having more then 4 grown adults.
Overall Altima coupe 2.5s is great sporty car. It's not for everybody but it is a fun car to dive around and eye catchy. Keep in mind when adding packages it gets very expensive. I think it is good for either 2 passenger car the rear passengers would be cramped for the entire ride. The coupe could use better handling on wavy turns. CVT is very quiet transmission and not to noise. I am very happy I pick the 09 Altima coupe.
For those who want to do mods I would recommend getting front and rear sway bar from stillen and the stillen hood dampers. For a nice exhaust sound that doesn't sound like a annoying screaming baby I recommend either the nismo cat back exhaust from nissan or stillen cat back exhaust. Also a injen shortram or cold air intake. You might want to consider a g35 spoiler and also might want to wait till your warrenty is about to end so you don't void it.