good handling??

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Freshalloy said something about the new Altima "continuing to have good handling like the current Altima" -- get REAL!!! handling is the worst part of the current model!! Anybody know if the handling will be TRULY good?

[Nizzan]

Do you even have an Altima? Handling is one of it's strongpoints. I have an 01 SE and that thing can carve turns faster that my dad can carve thanksgiving turkey.

[thearabian]

i have to agree, i drive a GXE with the luxury suspension on top of it all

and this thing WANTS to be pushed into corners

i don't know if the new one will be as good because of it's size, but the suspension setup seems right

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I had a GXE 1997 and often had the feeling that I was driving a cow... Nothing that invitate to drive hard in corners... C'mon, guys... The previous Altima was a cheap substitute for the camcord... Now, about the new Altima, this should be another story...

[This message has been edited by RatonLaveur (edited 04-24-2001).]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

since we're talking about the Altima's handling....

both 1st and current gen altimas have something called super toe control. this system's been referred to by Nissan as a passive four wheel drive system.

Now my question is what kind of advantages does this suspension set-up have, if any, over double wishbone or multilink suspensions?

[madmaxse]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RatonLaveur:
[B]I had a GXE 1997 and often had the feeling that I was driving a cow... Nothing that invitate to drive hard in corners... C'mon, guys... The previous Altima was a cheap substitute for the camcord... Now, about the new Altima, this should be another story...

B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I disagree, I drove 96 altima gxe and it's very capable performer around the corners. The handling is very predictable and car feels athletic around the corners. If you think Altima handles like a cow, test drive camry/solara. It will feel like you are driving a boat. I woundn't mind if new Altima handles same as 96 one. I haven't driven 1998~2001 altima but I read there is a improvement in handling department. So I wound't be surprised if New Altima handles great.
Altima's been lacking a punch off the line, and hopefully new 240 hp will deliver big time. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

[Nizzan]

B][/QUOTE]
I disagree, I drove 96 altima gxe and it's very capable performer around the corners. The handling is very predictable and car feels athletic around the corners. If you think Altima handles like a cow, test drive camry/solara. It will feel like you are driving a boat. I woundn't mind if new Altima handles same as 96 one. I haven't driven 1998~2001 altima but I read there is a improvement in handling department. So I wound't be surprised if New Altima handles great.
Altima's been lacking a punch off the line, and hopefully new 240 hp will deliver big time. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif [/B][/QUOTE]

Agreed, I also think that even the spec-v motor will do well in the lower models.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

all you have to do is drive an altima -- drive it hard. then get in a G20. or a BMW 3-series. then you understand what good handling is. the altima feels like you're in a world war II Tank

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Good Lord, did you by chance graduate from the Moron School of Logic. You are comparing a $30k - $40k BMW to a $20K Altima. Just a small difference! You also happened to choose one of the best handling sedans ever, w/ rear wheel drive and 50/50 weight distribution. The Altima happens to be a front driven family sedan. Go out and drive a Ferrari 550 M and then drive the BMW, then let me know your thoughts. SILLY I SAY. For what it is worth the Altima handles farily well for a family sedan. 98'SE

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hukkfinn:
all you have to do is drive an altima -- drive it hard. then get in a G20. or a BMW 3-series. then you understand what good handling is. the altima feels like you're in a world war II Tank<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The point is, anybody who says the Altima has "good" handling needs to understand what the word means and do a little research into what is out there. You can learn about handling by driving a car with excellent handling, such as a BMW. Don't forget, i also mentioned the G20, which is NOT that much more expensive than Altima, does NOT have perfect weight distribution, and is NOT rear wheel drive. it just happens to be a great handling car. the altima isn't.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I kinda agree with Hukfinn. Well, I guess I can't speak for the current generation Altima, but my parents do have a '94. The handling is OK, I would call it "sound" handling. But then, our other cars that I've driven which handled much better were a '96 200SX SE-R (my brother's old car, he now has an '00 Celica GT-S), '01 Maxima SE, my old '93 240sx that I sold, and my current '00 Miata. Maybe my points of reference are flawed, but I would never get excited about the Altima's handling ... well ... if I stuck my Yokohama A032Rs which are my street tires on the Miata, or better my Kumho Victoracer V700s which I use for autocrossing, I may get a little more excited http://66.96.198.147/forum/images/icons/wink.gif

With a little work to dial out the excessive body roll and dial out the too prevalent undesteer, it would be better. The car could use some chassis stiffening too (not like my Miata is all that stiff though).

The car's major strength has been it's reliability. Nothing but maintenance items (read: oil, oil filters, belts, tires, hoses and struts once) in 143k miles. Not too shabby I must say. The car is developing some rust though.

Dan