2006 Nissan Altima SE review from North America

Original tires will need replacing soon, not too uncommon for sport sedans.

Vents will sometimes not blend air correctly in extreme cold weather (below 10 degrees F). Usually happens on vent/floor mix or defroster/floor mix. Problem is if it has snowed or ice has sat on car for long periods of time, air will not come out on floor unless you switch the blower to 100% floor. Nissan claims that if moisture gets into the fresh air intake, the vents won't always switch properly in cold weather. Nothing they can do about it they claim.

No other major issues.

This car is a pleasure to drive, and whips around corners as good or better than imports priced thousands more.

The engine screams (quietly) and there is more than enough power at any RPM range.

The ride is almost a perfect balance of smoothness and firmness.

On long highway trips, I've gotten over 30 MPG at times.

If I have to use the cruise a lot, it's hard to keep myself from speeding. I don't know the top speed of this car, but I can say for a fact it's well over 130MPH with still more to spare.

I definitely recommend the 5 speed or 6 speed manual if you can find one. Automatics are boring and there are still some of us out there that actually know how to drive.

Driving on slick winter roads can be challenging without traction control. But it has simply made a better driver out of me.

The interior is a bit plain but well laid out. I have the dark charcoal cloth interior with a sunroof. Seating is very comfortable, and plenty of room in the back seat.

I have the Bose stereo with 6 CD changer. Sound is good, but being only three years old it doesn't offer any new technology like an MP3 input. Also the display on the radio is not that bright, and it's hard to read if the sun glares off it.

My only real complaint about this car is a poor turning radius. I own a 1999 GMC Sierra extended cab short box that can turn tighter than this car. It wouldn't have been hard for Nissan to put a little more time into the design.