2007 Nissan Altima Base w/ PIC System from North America - Comments

I didn't own this car, but rented it while on a business trip from Baton Rouge, LA to Dallas, TX.

Car used oil like crazy!!!

Car was profusely smoking from engine bay upon return home, oil control valve cracked.

But the car got me home, and in my book that's all I can expect from a car that's having problems.

I would buy one if I was in the market.

I am a technician for the local Hyundai dealer here in town, and about 3-4 times a year I go to Dallas TX for training. Each time I go the rent me a car from the rental company named after the aircraft carrier (Big E).

The first time I went I received a 2.5L 2007 Nissan Altima with P.I.C. system (keyless start) I was greatly impressed with the car's handling and performance. The ride quality was a little rough, but I think that was more road conditions than the car's suspension. Fuel economy was great also (29-31 mpg).

The only problem I had was every time I filled up, I had no oil!! I called my rental agency and they just told me to fill it with oil and keep my receipt. No problem, after all I am a mechanic!!

All the time in Dallas the car did fine, but on my way home it started smoking pretty badly out of the engine compartment, and I found it was from the oil control valve (crack). But surprisingly no check engine light came on, I probably had a code in the system, but the ECM just didn't pop the light on. Even still, the car took me home without any other problems. Believe it or not, but that really impressed me. Many cars might have crapped out, but the little Altima sucked it up limped on in. If I were looking for a vehicle, I would definitely consider this car.

Uh, sounds great - a car with an engine that's toast at 7000 miles - put that one on your list of "must buys".

Did you even read all my review? The engine was fine, a cracked sensor was leaking oil and then leaked it on the manifold which caused it to smoke. I never let the car get too low in oil.

"If I were looking for a vehicle, I would definitely consider this car."

Yeah, and now you can buy it cheap from the rental company, since the engine was destroyed.

"BUY IT WITH A BLOWN ENGINE"

Yeah, maybe not THAT car, ha ha. But overall I was impressed with the Altima in general. Keep in mind, I have no interest in purchasing a new car at this time, I just was telling a story about when I drove one. It seems like many people have nothing at all to do but to sit on this site all day bashing people's reviews.

Yes I read your review, it said - "The only problem I had was every time I filled up, I had no oil!!" now you say -

"I never let the car get too low in oil."

Well since you are a mechanic, you certainly must know that "no oil" is "too low" :)

Original reviewer here:

To the most recent comment; excuse me, I am so sorry that my generalization (the no oil comment) did not fit your expectations of what your definition of a perfect review should be. It's just a story about a car that I rented two years ago and haven't seen since.

Oh by the way, I only checked the oil the first time because it is a habit of mine to check all fluids when I fill up, a consequence of driving old cars LOL. I saw that the dipstick showed almost almost dry. The car had no other symptoms of being low in oil (knocking, ticking, running rough) and from that moment on I kept oil in it. I'm sure it went to a dealer who replaced the oil control valve and had a long life on the original engine. And if it did not, who cares? It's a rental. You missed the point of the review, I was impressed that the car did NOT have more problems than it did as a result of its condition, and I was happy it got me home. Hopefully that elaboration meets your requirements. If not then do as your mama said, "If you can't say nothing nice, say nothing at all."