If you really want to discuss what models compare and compete in the market, the Altima competes with the Camry and Accord...The G35 competes with the IS300, the BMW 3-Series, and the Caddy...This is straight from the Nissan sales manuals...Just thought I'd throw that out there, being as how for a while I sold Nissans...The Altima was never meant to compete with the G35...In fact, more customers I had were cross-shopping the 2004 Maxima v 2003 G35 Sedan than shopping Altima 3.5SE v G35 Sedan

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

 

Why does it compete with the BMW 3-Series, price range? Because the G35 is closer to the 5-Series in size, as are those other cars you mentioned! Of course the Altima doesn't compete with the G35 I don't know where these guys got that idea, I would agree, the Maxima is closer!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan/5AT

 

Just the comparisons that we studied...Of course the 5-Series came up, but we didn't get too many 5-Series shoppers...We did have a guy trade in his M5 for a 350Z Touring...I'm still trying to figure that one out...Anyway, the 3-Series was most likely chosen as a G35 competitor due to price- that drives the majority of shoppers, not technical features and dimensions, unfortunately...I was mainly involved in the 350Z sales, so I had enthusiasts and technical shoppers, but the rest of the sales team had the customers that were shopping price...I was seriously considering the '04 Max, but the FWD ruined that idea...I simply love how the VQ35DE is SO versatile and used in so many vehicles in the Nissan product line...Truly an impressive powerplant, and I think we should all stop this Sedan v Coupe, G35 v other Nissans debate...But that's just me

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

 

Hooby your right the interior is a little on the cheap side but realize that this car sells for $23,189 which is considerably less than the base G35. You have to cut corners somewhere to get it into that price point. I give the altima kudos as it has better performance than anything in it's price range. If I was on a budget I could overlook the cheap interior as I blow the doors off of more expensive slower cars.

Jim
'03 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Aerodynamic Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio

 

I thought it was price, I was parked next to 5-Series and it's very close to the G in size, and if you compare the G35 sedan to the 5-Series, at Infiniti's website, it is damn close! And BTW, I have never tried to understand what drives people to cars, I have seen some really strange behavior in my lifetime!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan/5AT

 

LOL- I'll second that...Pathfinder customers moving into Frontiers, Maxima customers moving into Spec Vs...And not always for the payment and price reasons, either...

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

 

I never understood why people judge a car by it's quarter mile time. It's like judging a wine by it's alcohol content. I can put a blower and nitrous on a Sentra...look!...now it's better car than a Mercedes E320!

'04 6MT Sedan | '95 E36 M3 | '91 Miata

 

Agreed. I've always lived by the old adage, "You can put a rocket on a turd, but it's still a turd." Instead, I'd prefer to start with a nice platform, and make a nicer machine.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Agreed. I've always lived by the old adage, "You can put a rocket on a turd, but it's still a turd." Instead, I'd prefer to start with a nice platform, and make a nicer machin

<hr></blockquote>

Living proof of this are some of the Honda'a and Neon's running around these days, I saw a small Honda today, older model, the car looked like crap. bad job on the body kit, really just basically a POS, but this guy had a bad "machine" just ask him!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan/5AT

 

shodog, some people have different priorities.........

I don't drive a car to "blow the doors off" cars on the road. If i was on a budget I wouldnt spend for an altima just so I can beat G35's by .2 seconds in the qrtr mile, give me a break.

The Altima is just a terrible design, cheap interior with a good engine. Whoever buys the car for racing purposes is blind. And whoever buys a G Sedan for racing purposes is blind as well. When did the mentallity set in that we are all Speed Racer and race everything that looks at us on the road?

 

I didn't buy my G to be a speed racer either but I do enjoy a nice fast car. I am sure you bought your for the same reasons. But to bag on the Altima is just plain snobbery. What are the reasons behind your claim that the Altima is a terrible design? i think compared to it's competition it shines in many areas.

Jim
'03 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Aerodynamic Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio

 

I've recommended the Altima to friends. Decent size and performance for the price. Even the 2.5 has good performance for a family car. The only thing I really don't like about the Altima is the significant torque steer felt on hard acceleration. This is where Honda really has Nissan beat (for now).

<font color=green>GG</font color=green>

 

Whoever buys a sedan to smoke other rides is blind? I guess all those M5 owners must be "blind" then...All I have to say is once my ride is done and ready to roll I'll have no problem ripping cars with it...I refuse to go into detail as to all the work being done on the car, but I'm not blind...I love when the Coupe owners want to bash the Sedan owners...How well thought out and mature

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

 

WTF. I dont know what you people smoking??
There is no freaking way stock stick Altima can break 13s stock. Hell, someone gottabe lucky and doing crazy stuff to a clutch to run 14.1-14.2.
I've seen a guy running 14.1 with K&N filter 03 Altima with 2.177 60'time. But does it mean he can run 14.1 constistent? NO WAY. He can run 14.3 consistant with very good launch not 14.1

Auto Altimas running 15.00 (stock) trapping around 94mph
Manual Altimas running 14.3-14.5(stock)

all those figures are similar to 03+ Honda Accord V6
running 15 flat auto and 14.5 stick

G35 auto running 14.5-14.6 stock some did 14.3-14.4
G35 6spd running 14.1-14.2 stock

2004 G35s (bone stock)
-----------------------------------
2002 s/c Accord V6
1/4 13.9@101.8

 

In addition, the only car who can brake 13s stock with a great driver is 350Z. So, whoever saying stock 03 + Altima broke 13s research before you post it, otherwise you're saying freaking chepo Altima runs the same as 350Z hahaha. The only thing I respect at Altima is motor which is the same as Maxima.

Some numnuts posted the worthless thread in Altima forum stating he beat G35 stock in his modded Altima. WTF

He got nice response back ....
" Dude its all driver. A stock rwd g35 sedan will rape a fully modded suspension altima on a real track driver for driver. Don't judge by some accountant dude driving home from work etc.. Street racing is the dumbest and most unreliable way to compare two cars.

Bottomline is a G35 is better car overall. ie. braking, cornering, top end, build quality, rwd, warranty etc.. Stock for stock, mod for mod. Even stock g35 vs basic modded altima. Stay realistic " [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2004 G35s (bone stock)
-----------------------------------
2002 s/c Accord V6
1/4 13.9@101.8