2006 Nissan Altima 2.5s from North America - Comments

None.

- keyless ignition - why? it's a pain. Don't ever leave the car unlocked - anyone will be able to jump in and drive off.

I rented a 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5S while my Grand Marquis was getting accident damage repaired. Critics seem to rave about the Altima, but sneer at the old school G.M.

It showed me that car choice is hugely subjective.

- the 2.5 has lots of pep (faster than my G.M) but you won't want to use the power. The engine gets raucous and intrusive under load. Great gas mileage with C.V.T trans.

- car ticks over at 2500rpm at 120kph (only time it seems happy).

- A European style car with firm ride, firmer seats and good handling.However, in Canada this is largely redundant. Roads here tend to be straight and pot holed -the ride becomes a bone shaker. I would hate to spend all day behind the wheel in one of these.

- Interior screams cheap - lots of hard plastic - no

padded linings to the storage bins. Small trunk.

- The old tech G. M offers a pampered, cushier and quieter ride. It has more room and is probably safer in an accident. You'll pay some more in gas, but it's well worth it. The Altima is an appliance - nothing more.

"- keyless ignition - why? it's a pain. Don't ever leave the car unlocked - anyone will be able to jump in and drive off."

Uhhh...I don't know about the '06, but on the '07 or th '08 you can't even start the car without the key fob in the compartment. So how's someone going to drive off in your car again?

There is no key-less ignition system available for 2006. The design of the "fob" system makes it impossible for anyone to just jump in and start it. This person obviously has a bias to North American cars. Perhaps he should look at the 2008 Caddys - of which they have the exact same keyless system.

2006 Altima 2.5S.

I bought this car for it's safety and affordability; it was the worst decision I ever made.

Under 2000 miles I received a notice to check the oil level; mine was almost bone dry at 500 miles. I could not get the oil cap off to top it off. Towed it to the dealer and then the fun began.

Long story short, as there was only a bulletin at this stage (the recall did not come until approx 8 months later) I took my claim to the Better Business Bureau where Nissan advised if I took them to court I would receive nothing. I asked for the return of my money as I only had the car less than 2 months. They refused and advised keep topping up the oil at their expense. Finally if I would sign an agreement not to sue, they would replace my engine free of charge. This was done, I was very disappointed and they extended my warranty, big deal.

I tried selling the car, I could not, the price of the car on the lots were advertised at a drop of $2000 the minute the recall went out, therefore depreciating my car even further. Jump forward to January 2008, I received a postcard from the dealer, recall, I asked several times, in relation to what, no answer, bring it in we'll let you know.

I bring it in a week later to do my oil change as well. Lots of dancing around the questions/demand of what is the recall about, I'll let you know, long story short, I receive a call at the end of the day 'we have replaced your motor at no expense to you'. Furious I respond with, you were not authorized to do anything to my car but change the oil and let me know what the recall was about before doing anything, so who knows why a car would need the first engine changed out at 5000 miles to be replaced by a brand new engine, out of the crate, only to turn around less than 2 years and 15,000 miles later to be changed out again?

Do I hear rip off here? To add insult to injury, they advise my rotors were burnt out and this at 20,000 miles; sorry I don't buy it. This car is downright dangerous, an absolute nightmare, and it is all just a mess.

I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AS LONG AS I LIVE.

This from someone who bought their first car as a Datsun 180B SSS for $3800-00 and sold it for $4500-00 ten years later - so you know I know how to look after cars - just in case you want to tell me that I am too hard on the brakes or whatever. Buyer beware.

Have 2006 Altima 2.5S, took it in to the dealer for a recall at 31000, they called me and tell me that the engine had fail their test and Nissan was going to put a new engine on it. Because low oil pressure. So I went to the dealer, yes they gave me a loaner car, after two days they call me to pick up my car, your car is ready!. So there I go pop the hood, first I saw bolt on the side, "This bolt has to go somewhere", guess what They replace the engine with a Re-manufactured one. that's what they call "New". wires hanging, air intake that goes on top of the radiator, loose 100%, engine dirty. So is that is a Certified Nissan Service what else may be missing or loose that I can't see. By the way my car still there told the service agent, I'm not taking this car until is really ready. And still he wanted the loaner car back. Yeah Right. Bottom line Is not over until Is Over. What is worse. I bought from them a quest in 04, altima in 06 and a Armada in 07. Pretty sad.

I have owned Cadillac's all my life, but when my 99 DeVille broke down I rented a very nice 2006 Altima to carry me through the rest of the week.

I found that the car was top notch in quality, comfort, handling, fuel economy, and power. Definitely not as nice as my Cadillac Deville but we're comparing a Cadillac to a Nissan here.

For a mid-size car it came with all the options which were easy to use and performed how they should have.

Unfortunately though, I was making a left-hand turn when a PT cruiser ran the red light and hit me directly in the drivers side door. The car was equipped with side curtain airbags and even a thorax airbag built into the seat (An option my Caddy or the old Ford/Mercury Grand Marquis DO NOT have). I found out first hand the amount of safety these cars bring into your everyday driving experience and was able to climb out of the passenger side door with nothing but a tingling sensation on the left side of my head from the airbag detonating.

One door on the Altima weighs half of what one does on my Cadillac and yet it is a much much safer car due to the newer technology put into it for safety.

The Nissan Altima is a tremendous little car for a very reasonable price.

Long story short, my wife is now a proud owner of one with 40,000kms and still looks, sounds, and drives like new.

Other than the fact that there is no keyless entry or ignition until 07' on the altima, on the 07' and 08' the key must be in the car to start it. you are completely mistaken. keyless entry and ignition are very convenient and a great feature for this or any car.

The original poster keeps referring to his Grand Marquis and the fact that its made by GM. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the Grand Marquis is a Mercury, which is a Ford product? no?

GM = Grand Marquis here.