Bought a 2008 Altima 2.5SL to replace Maxima

[realmac]

My biased mini-review from the perspective of a former Maxima owner...
For the past 3 years I have driven a 255 horsepower v6-equipped Nissan Maxima. I bought it used, with about 32k miles on the odometer. I really enjoyed owning the Maxima, but it had a few shortcomings. The first was gas, requiring premium fuel and only averaging around 18mpg during winter months. Secondly, the preowned warranty I purchased would end in April. I had to replace the muffler with a part of inferior quality to OEM for $300 instead of $800+. Thirdly, the 4 speed sluggish automatic transmission was beginning to shift hard, even after a transmission fluid flush. Fourth, the paint was really bad. Black looks great when it’s mint, but dealing with the real world made keeping it clean a full-time job. Swirl marks, rock chips, paint peeling on the bumper and around headlights also bothered me. To fix the issues that bothered me and potentials ones that might arise would cost the equivalent of a few years worth of car payments. So I decided to trade it in for a new vehicle. I got $6k for the trade-in. It annoys me somewhat that I could’ve received more selling it privately, but I lost the battle with insuring two cars and leaving them in front of the house with my parents.

My fourth generation Altima is powered by Nissan’s QR25DE 2.5L powerplant, delivering a respectable 175hp. This 4 cylinder engine runs more smoothly than any I’ve experienced before. As to not permanently damage my engine during the important 1200 mile break-in period I am staying below 3000 rpm when possible. It still gets up and goes pretty quick without really gunning it.

I have a bit of firsthand experience with the performance of Nissan’s Inline-4 engines of the past. My mom had a 2.0 Liter 94 horsepower CA20E engine in her Stanza nearly two decades ago that I recall just barely able to get around town. Towards the end of its lifetime, the little bugger’s steering wheel would shake above 65. Even with that said and some sensor issues, the little engine kept going past 120k miles without major problems. Coincidentally, my stepdad also had a Stanza equipped with the KA24E engine. 138 horsepower made it a decent performer around town pretty peppy, but vibrations coming from the engine were pretty bad at times. Many technological advancements between then and now to make the 2.5 feel more like the VQ.

The QR25DE is a pretty good engine that has gotten a bad rap due to issues with the pre-catalyst sucking up material into the engine and oil consumption. Not to mention the car that it’s most associated with looks hideous, hope I don’t offend any current-gen Sentra owners.
Some cool facts about this engine:
▪ 132 kW/180 ps @ 6000rpm
▪ 181 lb. ft. /245 Nm @ 4000 rpm
▪ 9.5:1 compression
▪ direct ignition (coil-on-plug)
▪ sequential Multi-point EGI (EFI)
▪ variable cam timing (37 degree range for intake)
▪ twin balance shafts
▪ drive-by-wire throttle body
▪ dual intake runners
▪ non-rising rate fuel pressure
▪ Aluminum, Dual overhead camshaft
▪ Iridium-tipped spark plugs

I opted for the SL package. It adds the following features to the base model:
-Xtronic CVT with manual mode
-16″ Aluminum-alloy wheels
-Power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature
-Leather-appointed seats and door trim
-8-way power adjustable driver’s seat and power lumbar support
-Heated front seats
-Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) with in-cabin microfilter
-Automatic on/off headlights
-Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
-Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
-HomeLink® Universal Transceiver
-Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass
-Passenger-side front-window one-touch auto-up/down with auto-reverse
-Rear passenger vents
-Remote front windows down
-Key-operated front windows up/down
-Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors with sun visor extenders
-Illuminated center console
-Patterned metallic trim
-Trunk side cargo net

The new D platform virtually eliminates the torque steer that I encountered frequently with the 5th gen Maxima. The chassis is stiffer than even the Maxima with SE suspension, front and rear sway bars. For 80% of my driving needs I would not notice any major difference between the 4 and the 6. The other 20 I can’t be too sure about yet.
CVT technology has been used in automobiles for decades and Nissan’s application of it is pretty damn nice. It really changes the connection between driver and automobile. I don’t miss shift shock in any way shape or form and think more manufacturers should adopt it. Driving conservatively I was able to keep the engine at 1500rpm while doing 50mph. This translates into much improved economy over a typical 4 speed automatic between both drivetrain differences (cvt pump vs mechanical gears with friction) and keeps the engine at the lowest possible rpm depending on driving style. The system’s main computer has over 300 algorhythms to adjust to varying conditions. It also keeps track of what the proper interval is to replace the fluid. It sounds complex, but in reality the system works very well, providing power then you need it and efficiency when you don’t. I haven’t played around with the manual mode too much, but it seems to work the way it should. The software emulates 6 gears and rpms adjust accordingly.
The braking system is also an improvement over past cars I’ve driven. Like the Maxima, on 08 models it comes standard with 4 wheel ABS, EDB but also has a variable ratio pivot brake pedal. It “provides a rigid feel at freeway speeds and less sensitive, more controllable operation in city driving.” It makes me feel like I have a lot more control than the old car’s somewhat spongy brake setup. Time will tell how well it holds up.

The car’s handling is superb. One big thing I disliked about the Max was the rear multi-beam suspension. With the sway bar, it felt like the car was going to lose control when I ran over a bump. That feeling thankfully is gone. The car’s turning radius was vastly improved over the Maxima. I no longer have to to a 5 point turn when getting out of a tight spot.

The level of quality I feel with this car has improved substantially over the Maxima. Not just because it’s new, but more thought has gone into the systems that have a direct impact on the driver.

So what it boils down to is I love the car and hope that I don’t have any major problems with it.

[realmac]

Some high res shots of my car. Haven't taken too many pics since it's dirty..

[STuNtMAN]

looks nice

[realmac]

Farewell to the Max...

[realmac]

Thanks!

[din9lebrah]

The fact is, if it makes u happy its worth it!

[One Crazy Max]

nice choice my dude! although if it were me i wouldve got the 6spd instead of the CVT, and also i wouldve gotten the 3.5, but i understand your concern for gas and stuff. i like the color as well. btw did the have the option to get the tan color interior instead of black? regardless of that, you have one hell of a car.

btw i have a 07 Altima 3.5SE 6MT, and your another NYCMax member that has joined the 4th gen Altima Bandwagon...woooot!!

and another thing, 18 mpg sucks, everytime i fill up i usually get from 21-25mpg with a mix of city and hwy driving, maybe something was wrong with your max?

[One Crazy Max]

oh btw the CVT simulates 5 gears, not 6.

and another thing, how come you got a 2.5SL and you didnt get BOSE, isnt it standard, i believe it is?

[realmac]

Originally Posted by One Crazy Max

oh btw the CVT simulates 5 gears, not 6.

and another thing, how come you got a 2.5SL and you didnt get BOSE, isnt it standard, i believe it is?

The 2.5SL with the Connection package gets you the BOSE system. It's like an extra $900. I personally don't notice that much of a difference between the two unless the sound is turned up really high. My friend has an 06 Altima and I assume not much has changed between the two systems.

Oh and it does simulate a 6. See: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/pri...session_code=1. I've put it in manual mode and it goes up to 6.

[realmac]

Originally Posted by One Crazy Max

nice choice my dude! although if it were me i wouldve got the 6spd instead of the CVT, and also i wouldve gotten the 3.5, but i understand your concern for gas and stuff. i like the color as well. btw did the have the option to get the tan color interior instead of black? regardless of that, you have one hell of a car.

btw i have a 07 Altima 3.5SE 6MT, and your another NYCMax member that has joined the 4th gen Altima Bandwagon...woooot!!

and another thing, 18 mpg sucks, everytime i fill up i usually get from 21-25mpg with a mix of city and hwy driving, maybe something was wrong with your max?

I thought about a stick, but I have no idea how to drive one. After a while in so much stop and go traffic I also knew I'd grow tired of it. Yeah the color is nice, doesn't show as much dirt / dust as black. Congrats on your purchase too. I know that tweaked 270hp v6 must be a beast along with the beefier suspension. How are those Turanzas in the rain?

The Altima really is the new Maxima.

[One Crazy Max]

Originally Posted by realmac

I thought about a stick, but I have no idea how to drive one. After a while in so much stop and go traffic I also knew I'd grow tired of it. Yeah the color is nice, doesn't show as much dirt / dust as black. Congrats on your purchase too. I know that tweaked 270hp v6 must be a beast along with the beefier suspension. How are those Turanzas in the rain?

The Altima really is the new Maxima.

the turanzas are extremely shitty in the rain...touch the gas a little too much, and they spin like nobody's business, and also they cause alot of wheel hop.

btw my car is black, and maintenance is not that hard, you just have to take car of it and always keep it garaged.

and i also painted a few pieces. i painted my grille all black, but i have to re-do it, and i also painted the chrome strip on the trunk all black. those two things right there make the car look alot more cleaner, and gives it a better look than with all the chrome. also i have the Altima Coupe 17's on my car, just to be different!

[2themax05]

Congrats on your ride,I like the body style

[gian13]

nice car man!
the only thing that didn't work in your favor is the fact that they gave you $6,000 for your good looking max.

[SHIFTVQ35]

Nice car..

[Remedy51]

Any future mods?

[VQ35Maxine]

I have the same problems with my Max. The Black paint simply has too many imperfections, gas is making a huge dent in the wallet...not to mention my low MPG, and the 4 speed auto just makes it worse. But what can you do..Congrats on the Altima though. My cousin just got an 08 one as well. Some people don't like CVT, but I think it's pretty smooth and cool. Not to mention you'll be getting over 20 mpg now with regular.

[vsamoylov]

vq35 to qr25de

as long as you like it

[realmac]

Originally Posted by Remedy51

Any future mods?

Not planning on it. It's a pretty nice package stock.

[MyStock6spd]

as long as ur happy with it thats all that counts clean car man

[realmac]

For One Crazy Max, I took this tonight.

[NeWyoRksPLaYaZ]

over 20mpg!?!??!

crazzyy man

[realmac]

Originally Posted by NeWyoRksPLaYaZ

over 20mpg!?!??!

crazzyy man

Hahaha, that little spark plug is cute. I was just showing how the CVT does simulate 6 gears, not 5.

[BK1]

Nice car, it's always nice to get a newer car. But the performance will never match or even come close to a 6 cylinder car. Every other week some other dude wants to race me bacause he thinks his 175 HP is close to 190 lolz.

[realmac]

Are you serious? For a 4 cylinder, the QR25DE is rated fairly highly when it comes to torque and hp.



Not that I race people. I know I'd get whooped.

[BK1]

That's what I'm sayin' just use it to cruise...and don't mess with any maximas

[secondtonone317]

congrats on the new purchase

[RacerX1320]

Im glad to hear im not the only one having problems with a black painted car. Just found ANOTHER scratch the other day while pumping gas. I deffinitly wouldnt buy another black car.
I like the altima, i deff woulda got the 6 speed. That cvt at full throttle still bugs me out how it just keeps the rpm up the ENTIRE time... sounds crazy.
Nissan only makes 6 speed manual trans now... even the versa has one haha