Altima 2nd generation -3rd (problems)

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I currently own a Nissan Altima gxe 2000 and there are a couple problems that I hope don't conintue onto the 3rd generation (2002). I had to change the brake pads after 20,000 miles because the car was making a horrible noise when I was braking like it was using metal to brake. This is an annonying problem for me - The A/C unit doesn't turn off when I put it on off. I have to play around with it to turn it off. You can still feel some air coming out of the A/C and it gets annonying. The leather seats which I don't have but have heard are pretty cheap need to have a softer feel. The cloth seats are very comfortable and I don't have any problems with them.

I read a lot and here are some of the problems with the current Altima although I never had any of these problems but some are 1)window glass is cheap and cracks 2) paint is cheap (mine still looks like new) 3) material inside is cheap (I disagree, I love the interior of the Altima it's very nice)but people say the wood trim is very cheap looking I think it looks nice. 4) Brakes everyone is complaining, the car makes squeeky noises. The ABS is strong .. major plus, saved me a lot of times.

One thing that I don't like on the 3rd generation is the CD deck. Why is it shaped like an oval? I was planning on changing it with my own. Major negative. The clear tailights were very nice at first, but i'm starting to dislike them but I can replace them easily myself so no biggy. But you guys sure got a camcord killer on your hands. Good job Nissan =)

I love my current Altima. I picked it over the Accord and Camry and used the extra money to add a better stereo system because all stock systems are pretty weak. I was planning on buying the 2002 Altima, but I'm thinking the Maxima 2002 gxe will be about the same price as the Altima v6 but we shall see. Maybe the spec v. Ahhhh soo many choices! I hope this helped what I wrote and not too late. Regardless I love my Altima and I added an aftermarket spoiler to the back to make the butt look a little nicer. Can't wait to see the 2002.

[Nizzan]

Hey there and welcome to FA! I too own an Altima (01 SE) I have the leather package and it does feel very cheap. I only hope that they use the better leather that they use in the Maxima. I have some squeaks and rattles, mainly coming from my sunroof at slower speeds going around turns and corners. I like the overall interior of the Altima, but it's obvious where corners were cut. It's not the quality I would expect from a Nissan. I love my car a lot and I'm not saying its bad either. But I can see how much of a financial crunch Nissan was in. I too look forward to the 02 Altima and can't wait to purchase one in a couple years.

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Welcome!

I own a 2000 Altima SE, and I have an appointment next thursday for my 30,000 mile check-up already! I drive the car all the time and I have no major complaints.

I have noticed the sunroof creaking diring slow turns as the frame twists, and the front left disk break keeps attracting little rocks from the road. . .I have already pulled two rocks out of there. . .

Beyond that, I have no mafor complaints about the car. . .and like Nizzan, I will probably be looking at the 2003 Altima (I'm gonna wait a year so that they can iron out some of those first-year bugs).

[thearabian]

hey there!

i drive a 2000 GXE and here are some problems
by the way, it has 15000 miles

braking from above 60 down to approx 40 is extremely loud but i think drums make that roaring sound, anyways, its a bit annoying cuz its soo loud the whole car vibrates a bit

on some left hand turns, going over a bump, a clunking sound can be heard from the rear suspension.

oil is changed regularely, filter already changed and 65% left on front pads and 90% left on rear drums

car is otherwise very smooth, handles like a charm and feels quite solid

i wouldnt expect much from the leather of a 20K$ car

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The Wife has a 2k Alti SE loaded, leather and wood. The wood is nicer than any Standard GM or Ford wood. The paint is nice, yet could have used a little more thickness.
The leather is not the same type as was in my Mark III. But then again, it was a hand made car.
We took it to Sears Point, Tahoe, Reno and back up north here to home. With 3 people and full of luggage, it was very nice handling and ride for what it is. The 4 was a little lacking(compared to my 240sx), though it loved the 4000' level best. And we were able to keep a 00" Accord behind us over the Pass and a driver in it only. So I must say with all this and average 30mpg @ 72.3mph, I can't complain...

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RZ
RZ

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My wife drives a '95 SE - and aside from some clutch slipping under load problems (from a new Nissan clutch installed by the dealer just under a month before we bought it, and repaired under warranty), it's been pretty good. OK, so the glovebox SUCKS - it's really some kind of cruel joke, and sure, it would be nice if the rear seats folded like they do on the later, but structurally identical, '97-up cars. If those are the two standout complaints that I can think of off the top of my head (both rectified on the later models, I might add), it can't be too bad of a car. Now if we could just get Nissan to make a sunroof that doesn't make so much noise on the highway! My 240, her Altima, and my mom's '96 Max all do it.

Lumpy

PS: Don't complain too much about the Altima's plasti-wood - we just got a $570 CDN price quote from GM for a piece of "alumi-wood" trim on the drivers door of a '97 Aurora that broke during a minor repair at my work - D'oh!

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I own a 2001 SE. I think the engine cooling fan that runs after the car is turned off is annoying. This is my 3rd nissan, and I have notice that the paint on the body colored side molding fades very quickly. Those are the only complaints I have. The noisy sunroof doesn't bother me though because most S.R,., are noisy...

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