Why people think Altima is a reliable car?

[shab_xp]

The car is notorious for the following bad designs:

1) Timing chain noise
2) Intake manifold gasket
3) oil in distributor
4) It causes $300 to replace a PCV valve.

My wife has a 99 Mazda Protege. It is so much more reliable than my Altima. Things I like most about the protege is that the engine compartment has much larger room for me to work on. Much much larger than Altima. DIYs that made me so frustrated in the Altima is like a freeze in the Protege.

[Mrbizness1]

I guess most people are going by their experiences with the Altima.
I also think that magazines such as Consumer reports play a part in people's perceptions and they are echoed throughout the auto community even if they are over blown.
I have had better experiences with domestic vehicles vs imports. My 98 Dodge van purchased new has 127k with only a few minor problems. I ran an Oldsmobile 250k only replacing the water pump twice and one alternator.
I own a 98 Altima bought 3 years old with 115k. Ive replaced the alternator, a fairly simple job and the thermostat. I know earlier Altima's had rear main seal leaks. I had a few check engine light problems related to the evap system. I spent nearly $1000.00 on similar emissions problems on a Maxima and replacing the alternator is also a hassle.

Mazda's are nice cars but their replacement parts are more expensive which makes their insurance more costly.

[Handyman2005]

I have a '95 Altima that has 201,000 miles on it. This car was given to me because the person who owned it was told the distributor was bad and needed replacement. I cleaned the distributor, installed a new O-Ring and cap seal and the car runs tops. I have put all new brake components on it , a new exhaust and new drive axles ...total about $500 in parts( I do all of the work myself). This has been the best car I have ever owned and I have owned quite a few. It all depends on the vehicle I guess. I once owned a 1982 Cadillac Cimmaron(Cavalier) that I purchased for $40. I drove the car for SIX YEARS doing only regualr oil changes and relacing the starter. I sold it with 279,000 miles for $400!!!!!!! So it just depends on the car.

[CoreyNguyen]

Well I have a 98 Altima, and I have yet to encounter a problem. I think for the most part, If you take care of any car you encounter less problems period. Also sometimes you might get a sour car from the dealers. Depends on alot.

[franticfritz]

Well the chain may be noisy but it lasts. what do you expect from a little/big 4cyl (most ver), your gonna get noise.
Tough little engine. My wife put six gallons of the GREEN pump handle into it. . After not getting through the anti siphon unit, (not a mech)flushed it with mass qtys of hi octaine gas. Runs just as good as before.

Never had any other probs with it.

[bobss396]

It's like anything, you take care of it, it takes care of you. I'm more experienced on fixing older cars and it really does not pay to even change your own oil these days.

I take my Altima to my local mechanic, who happens to be very fair and very fussy. He knows what to look for and recommends what the car needs, so I have a good idea of what repair or maintenance is needed and when it should be done.

Overall it pays to have an experienced pair of eyes on and under my car.

Bob

[Flashfox]

Originally Posted by shab_xp

The car is notorious for the following bad designs:

1. I have had my 2007 Altima 2.5S since March 2007
2. I have had no problems whatsoever with it (normal maintenance)
3. The car performs well and offers good mileage.
4. The car has 12000 miles on it.

Now, I do live in SoCAL where the temp rarely goes below +40F, so I will not see any problems tied to very low temps.

So... subjectively speaking, I am a very happy Nissan Altima owner.

[Speedy_1234]

Well, Use to own a 94 infinity j30 work great just about the timing chain, the headlight relay, and some twiks. Also had a 98 malibu 3.1 Change motor once due to a piston rod bended, intake heads due to over heat, tranmisson, rear lights, theft alarm, a/c switches, 2nd motor agian bended piston rod plus it broke the oil pan . AH but now I have a 2008 nissan Altima 2.5s with 4,000 miles nothing but gas and go right now. Got to love the tranmisson no gear shift, also love the way i can shift from auto to manual. I say that base on friends that have own a altima it does last as long as you change what ever it needs to be change.