The Nissan Altima is well-liked because to its excellent fuel efficiency, plush cabin, and powerful engine options.
If you’ve been considering purchasing a Nissan Altima, either new or secondhand, you may be wondering why they are so inexpensive in comparison to other vehicles.
Nissan Altimas are so inexpensive because they are employed as fleet vehicles, which allows for increased production at reduced material costs. Furthermore, Nissan Altimas lose approximately 50% of their value after only five years of ownership, making used cars affordable.
Continue reading to find out if, in comparison to other models, the Nissan Altima is a good investment.
In This Article...
Is Purchasing a New or Used Nissan Altima Better?
Nissan Altimas are notorious for having low resale value and for depreciating quickly. The 2020 Nissan Altima is a fantastic used car option. The 2019 model upgrade and outstanding reliability ratings are present.
A used Nissan Altima is an excellent option for a cheap commuter or student vehicle if you know which years to avoid and can get one with a spotless service record.
Comparing New and Used Products
There are advantages to both options when you decide whether to buy a brand-new car, truck, or SUV or a pre-owned one. Although purchasing a brand-new car can be alluring, you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of doing so and decide which option is best for you and your wallet.
A new automobile typically costs around $37,000. The average price of a used car right now is around $22,000, which is the most expensive we’ve ever seen. Due to consumer demand for larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks, the price of secondhand cars is growing. A new car can cost more money, even though spending over $20,000 on a used car may seem excessive. However, we recognize that $22,000 is still a sizable sum of money, so you’ll want to do your homework before signing anything.
Fortunately, you may easily stay under the $20,000 threshold if you’re looking to buy a used car and are considering a smaller compact car or even a midsize sedan, like the Nissan Altima. Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of buying new versus secondhand.
New Car Purchases – Buying a brand-new car can seem alluring. Knowing that you will be the first owner of the car is something wonderful. Additionally, you can only obtain that brand-new automobile smell when you buy a car brand-new. A new car can be quite easily purchased. You can conduct research and, if you’d like, make purchases online. If you’re not paying in cash, there are more financing choices accessible to you when you buy new. The most recent technological advancements and features are also seen in new autos. And the guarantee is one of the most significant advantages of purchasing a new car. The majority of new car warranties cover the vehicle for at least three years or 36,000 miles, with bumper-to-bumper covering repairs to almost everything on the car, with the exception of typical wear-and-tear items. But there are some drawbacks to buying new: in addition to costing more, a new car loses up to 20% of its value the moment you drive it off the lot.
Purchasing Used – When looking for a used car, you have a lot of alternatives, especially if you have your heart set on a well-liked model like the Nissan Altima. Purchasing secondhand offers several beneficial aspects. First off, buying a secondhand automobile will cost you less. Just one year later, you might anticipate paying 20% to 30% less for the same vehicle! Although we are aware that cars will lose value over time, secondhand cars lose less value. And because of the way technology is transforming the way cars are built, they are more reliable than ever. For instance, the Nissan Altima maintains its strong reliability ratings year after year. Because it is less expensive to insure, you will also benefit from lower insurance rates. As the cost of registrations declines each year, your renewals will likewise be less expensive. The main drawback is that most secondhand cars have expired warranties. However, not having a warranty shouldn’t prevent you from buying a used car because businesses like olive offer outstanding extended warranty alternatives at incredibly low prices and give used-car buyers peace of mind by protecting their “new” investment in the event of a problem.
Why are Nissan Altimas being sold by so many people?
Even while the popularity of SUVs and trucks is steadily rising, many drivers still like sedans. These drivers frequently end up at a Nissan Altima dealer because that four-door car is still in demand even while rival automakers like Ford and Chevy are getting rid of their sedan lineups. The Altima has been dubbed a luxury sedan for drivers on a budget since it offers a pleasant inside, a wealth of safety systems, a smooth driving experience, and several custom options to tailor the car directly from the dealership.
Nissan made the wise decision to keep the Altima in its array of vehicles, building on earlier model years. Customers have responded, and despite a decline in the sedan industry, Altima sales are holding steady. Due to their high resale value and continued appeal, drivers continue to buy used Altima vehicles in addition to the robust new Altima sales.
How trustworthy are pre-owned Nissan Altimas?
Since its introduction in 1993, the Nissan Altima has shown to be a dependable and trustworthy vehicle. Owners of Nissan Altima vehicles rely on them for their dependability and safety. They are sturdy automobiles. In terms of dependability, the Nissan Altima performs admirably. It ranks 11th out of 24 midsize automobiles with a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, according to RepairPal.
The Nissan Altima has lower ownership costs than the industry standard due to its low average repair cost of less than $500. Furthermore, Altima substantial repairs are not common. A Nissan Altima’s average annual cost for repairs and maintenance is $483, which is lower than the $526 average for other vehicles in the same category.
What is the Nissan Altima’s biggest issue?
The Altima’s continuously variable gearbox is where the majority of its issues lie (CVT). Owners complain about a shuddering or jerking sensation when accelerating as well as a delayed throttle response. even experienced transmission failure on some models.
Are Nissan Altimas simple to repair?
Navara Altima Nissan Altimas are simple to operate on today’s roadways thanks to their dependable engines. It is simple to work on due to the ease of access for repairs and maintenance.
Nissan Altimas’ lifespan
Response given by. Whether you drive a sedan or a coupe, the Nissan Altima is a fantastic car to own. You can anticipate your Nissan Altima to last 200,000 to 300,000 miles, or 13 to 20 years, thanks to Nissan’s commitment to quality and performance.
What does a Nissan Altima have high mileage?
The Nissan Altima has a lifespan of between 250,00 and 300,000 miles, which, when multiplied by the yearly mileage of the average driver, translates to 15 to 20 years. Nissan Altimas frequently have a lifespan of over 300,000 miles, depending on factors like maintenance and driving technique.
What is the Nissan Altima’s typical mileage?
The Nissan Altima’s fuel economy is expected to be 28 city mpg and 39 highway mpg, which may pleasantly surprise you.
How much does a Nissan Altima transmission repair cost?
Depending on the car, a new Nissan Altima transmission could cost over $3,500, while less fancy transmission treatments like fluid changes and transmission fluid flushes can sometimes cost less than $150.
What Altima should you not buy?
Less recalls have been issued for the 2009 model, however the NHTSA reports that over 1,500 complaints have been filed. The majority of concerns center on the computerized steering column’s unforeseen lockup. Transmission overheating and suspension problems are also frequent. Nissan has solved issues, although a number of owners are dissatisfied with the additional inconvenience and potential safety risk.
Are altimas still worth anything?
The official estimate provided by Kelley Blue Book states that the Nissan Altima will bring in anywhere between $10,000 and $12,500. You can see that these cars maintain their worth fairly well.
How long does the transmission of a Nissan Altima last?
The Altima transmission system should last between 130,000 and 180,000 miles with regular maintenance before needing replacement.
Which Nissan model is the most trustworthy?
When making a purchase, reliability is crucial because an unreliable vehicle will significantly increase the cost of ownership. Nissans are renowned for being incredibly dependable automobiles that are simple and affordable to repair. However, some Nissan models will be more dependable than others. A few models don’t live up to the expectations you likely have for your next vehicle.
Here are the Nissan vehicles that Consumer Reports considers to be the most dependable for the year 2021:
- The Nissan Murano is a well-liked crossover SUV that is the ideal size for expanding families.
- Nissan Altima – The enduring Altima sedan is a trustworthy, straightforward family vehicle.
- Nissan Maxima – The Maxima sedan is more performance-oriented than the Altima.
The CoPilot app isn’t just for purchasing a car; it can also be used to keep track of recalls and receive recommendations on which regular maintenance activities are most crucial.
Below is a detailed analysis of Consumer Reports’ most recent dependability rankings for each Nissan model:
- Nissan Altima – 4 of 5 stars
- Nissan Murano in 2021: 4 out of 5
- Nissan Maxima 2021: Rated 4.5 out of 5
- Nissan GT-R 2021: Three out of five
- 2021 Nissan Kicks: Three stars
- Nissan Leaf 2021: 3.0 out of 5
- Nissan Sentra 2021: 3.0 out of 5
- 3 stars for the 2021 Nissan Versa
- Nissan Z in 2021: 3.0 out of 5
- Nissan Frontier 2022: 3 of 5
- Nissan NV 2021: 3 out of 5
- Nissan NV200 in 2021: 3 out of 5
- Nissan Rogue in 2021: 3 out of 5
- Nissan Armada 2021: 2.5 out of 5
- Nissan Rogue Sport in 2021: 2.5 out of 5
- 2/5 for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Titan 2021: 2.5 out of 5
- Nissan Titan XD 2021: 2.5 out of 5
Most Nissan vehicles receive at least an average rating, with a few top models receiving ratings that are above average, despite a few stragglers. The best part is that if a Nissan vehicle breaks down, it is usually rather simple to fix. Nissan parts are relatively cheap, and skilled mechanics are readily available and reasonably priced, unlike other automakers like BMW that demand specialist parts and mechanics with specialized training.
Check out our list of the top 10 most dependable used sedans available if you’re ready to start looking for a used automobile and reliability is important to you.
Does the Nissan Altima transmission need to be recalled?
Reviewing the 343 complaints made to the NHTSA regarding the 2016 Nissan Altima reveals that almost half of them are related to transmission failure, with owners reporting hesitancy when accelerating or jerking and shuddering when driving. In severe circumstances, Altima drivers reported that the transmission problems caused the car’s engine to stall. Unfortunately, not all motorists claim to have noticed an indicator light illuminate to alert them to a potential issue.
The 2016 Altima experiences transmission problems as early as 20,000–30,000 miles after purchase. One owner claimed to have had two failures; the transmission was fixed at about 40,000 miles, and then problems started up again at about 120,0000 miles.
The transmission of the Nissan Altima has never been the subject of a recall, but the publication of technical service bulletins and the filing of a class action lawsuit against Nissan indicate that this is a widespread issue with this generation of Altimas.
The cost estimates for a new transmission range, which vary from $2,000 to $5,000, are not ideal. The 2016 Altima was furthermore covered by Nissan’s standard warranty for three years or up to 30,000 miles when it was brand-new, with a powertrain warranty of up to five years or 60,000 miles. As part of the settlement of the class-action lawsuit, Nissan has increased the powertrain warranty for the Altima to 84 months or up to 84,000 miles (whichever comes first), in an effort to provide some relief for owners who are experiencing these gearbox problems.