xD2B

Nice looking car but I really don't like pseudo-luxury cars that pour a massive amount of power through the FRONT wheels.

FWD is perfectly acceptable on a smaller 4 cyl car, its actually pretty sensible and I like it. I will never understand why someone would choose a high powered V6 FWD car though. How much money are you really saving over the RWD/AWD Infiniti platform? It seems to me that if you could afford a V6 Altima you could stretch to just get the Infiniti or just get a low mileage used BMW or Audi or RWD Lexus or something. I would rather do that then feel the torque steer and shuddering steering column under hard acceleration that is a nagging reminder that its not QUITE a premium car.

fishbone

It is FWD so it can sell better. A RWD car will not be as popular with the women/non-car enthusiast crowd. They're not as predictable and easy to control.

Streeter

It's quite nice - but you may as well pay the $20 extra and get a 350z.

cisco240

Yeah, but not everyone wants a 2 seater.

couper2

For everything you get, include'n the 6 speed manual, the 4 banger looks pretty good at $21 grand. The V6 is on the expensive side at $26 grand though. For 3 grand more you could get an base Z which would spank the V6. Course the Z has no storage and no back seats.

Standard Equipment on the $21000 4 banger:
Mechanical
QR25DE - 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
Horsepower - 175 hp¹ @ 5,600 rpm
Torque - 180 lb-ft¹ @ 3,900 rpm
Emissions - Tier 2, Bin 5 (LEV2-SULEV in CA)
Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS)
Variable intake system
Nissan Direct Ignition System with iridium-tipped spark plugs
Electronic drive-by-wire throttle
Engine balancer system
Front engine/front-wheel drive
6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with dual-mass flywheel or Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual mode
11.7" Vented front disc/11.5" rear disc brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
Front: Independent strut suspension
Rear: Multi-link independent
Front and rear stabilizer bars
Vehicle speed-sensitive variable-assist power-rack-and-pinion steering
Exterior
16" x 7.0" Steel wheels with bolt-on wheel covers
P215/60R16 all-season tires
Aluminum hood
Dual body-color power outside mirrors
Dual exhaust outlets with chrome-tip finishers
Body-color splash guards
UV-reducing solar glass
Interior
Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition
Air conditioning
In-cabin microfilter
Power windows with one-touch driver-side auto-up/down with auto-reverse
Power door locks
Remote keyless entry with trunk release
Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls
Fine Vision meters
Multi-functional trip computer
Tilt and telescoping steering column
Vehicle speed-sensitive variable intermittent flat blade windshield wipers
12-volt DC power outlets (2)
Retained accessory power
Overhead sunglasses holder
Dual-level center console
Front seat lower cushion storage pockets
Front seatback pockets
Map lights
Carpeted trunk lid
Seating and Appointments
6-way manual adjustable driver's seat
Metallic trim (Charcoal Cloth interior only)
In-board passenger fold/release lever with memory/return feature
60/40 split fold-flat rear seats with lock
Audio
AM/FM/CD audio system with 6 speakers
Auxiliary audio input
Diversity antenna
Safety and Security
Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors
Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection
3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt system (ELR for driver)
Front-seat Active Head Restraints
Front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
Hood buckling creases, pipe-style steel side-door guard beams, and energy-absorbing steering column
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Vehicle Security System
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System

Standard Equipment on the V6:
Mechanical
VQ35DE - 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
Horsepower - 270 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque - 258 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Emissions - Tier 2, Bin 5
Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS)
Variable intake system
Nissan Direct Ignition System with iridium-tipped spark plugs
Electronic drive-by-wire throttle
Front engine/front-wheel drive
6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with dual-mass flywheel or Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual mode
11.7" Vented front disc/11.5" rear disc brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
Front: Independent strut suspension
Rear: Multi-link independent
Front and rear stabilizer bars
Sport-tuned suspension - retuned front struts and thicker front (24.2 mm) stabilizer bar
Vehicle speed-sensitive variable-assist power-rack-and-pinion steering
Exterior
17" x 7.5" 6-split spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
P215/55VR17 all-season tires
Aluminum hood
Automatic on/off headlights
Fog lights
Dual body-color power outside mirrors
Folding outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
Heated outside mirrors with timer
Power sliding glass moonroof with one-touch open/close and tilt feature
Dual exhaust outlets with chrome-tip finishers
Body-color splash guards
UV-reducing solar glass
Interior
Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition
Air conditioning
In-cabin microfilter
Power windows with one-touch driver-side auto-up/down with auto-reverse
Passenger-side front-window one-touch auto-up/down with auto-reverse
Remote windows down
Key-operated windows up/down
Power door locks
Remote keyless entry with trunk release
Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls
Fine Vision meters
Multi-functional trip computer
Tilt and telescoping steering column
Vehicle speed-sensitive variable intermittent flat blade windshield wipers
Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors with sunvisor extenders
12-volt DC power outlets (2)
Retained accessory power
Overhead sunglasses holder
Dual-level center console
Front seat lower cushion storage pockets
Front seatback pockets
Map lights
Carpeted trunk lid
Trunk side storage net
Seating and Appointments
8-way power adjustable driver's seat
Driver's adjustable lumbar support
Leather-appointed seats and door trim
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Wood-tone trim (Blond interior only)
Metallic trim (Charcoal Cloth interior only)
In-board passenger fold/release lever with memory/return feature
60/40 split fold-flat rear seats with lock
Audio
AM/FM/CD audio system with 6 speakers
Auxiliary audio input
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Diversity antenna
Safety and Security
Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors
Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection
3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt system (ELR for driver)
Front-seat Active Head Restraints
Front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
Hood buckling creases, pipe-style steel side-door guard beams, and energy-absorbing steering column
Traction Control System (TCS)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Vehicle Security System
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System

fishbone

Funny you say that. There are several 4th gen Altimas on Nissanclub.com that are giving Zs a run for their money, stock for stock. At highway speeds they can't manage to pull away :D
There are at least 3 Altima dynos that are showing as much as 245-250hp and about 240lb-ft at the wheels. There's also a coupe Altima that ran a 13.8 with a CAI and some exhaust work. They ain't no slouch in a straight line, but on the twisties, the Z shines.

tophers_tC

thanks you! - i agree.

Wutachampion

Man truthfully, get the Sedan. It looks so much nicer IMO, and its a really nice car. Or get the 09 maxima. haha. Sedan!

AAG

iTrader: (1)

The back seat is useless on the altima coupe. There is very little leg room.

fishbone

As is the case on most coupes.

AAG

iTrader: (1)

True which is why I roll 4-door now. Trying to haul people around in a coupe sucked....

fishbone

I also roll a 4-door, 4-seater and almost never seat more than myself and the wife :D

SouLTakeR

I like them, was looking at them before I bought the tC but they were out of my price range.