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Nissan Altima revised with more room inside but prices pared
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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It's every driver's car dream: A masterpiece of metal in motion that can beat everything but your bank account.
It's also an improbable dream, although Nissan, the Japanese automaker, has whipped up a heaping helping of dream-come-true magic with revised issues of the mid-size Altima sedan.
Altima gets a sheetmetal face-lift for a new generation of editions now flowing from Nissan's American assembly plant, pitched in the hills of Tennessee near Nashville.
These new Altimas, badged with 1998 designations, glow from the slick new shape dressing an expanded body that provides more interior space for passengers.
Also, tweaking the Altima platform has produced a more responsive car that rides and handles better than before, while Altima's redesigned cabin gains new features for comfort and convenience.
With so many enhancements, prices should rise, right?
Well, that's not the way it works with Altima.
In an unusual move designed to lure more buyers to this series, Altima's base prices actually decrease -- by a dramatic margin of 8 percent. For four different trim levels, base retail prices range from $14,990 for the entry-level Altima XE to $19,890 for a cushy top model, GLE.
(By comparison, figures for 1997 Altimas stretched from $15,849 to $20,899.)
Most of Altima's sales have come from the GXE edition, the second step up Altima's ladder of trims, because it stocks many popular features but holds the line on pricing. With comparable equipment the GXE last year listed for $19,498, yet the new version dips to $17,990 -- a savings of $1,508.
Such a deal merits close inspection.
Keep in mind that sedans of medium size when equipped with a 4-cylinder engine, some pleasing interior amenities and an affordable sticker figure represent the largest segment of our domestic automotive market, so Altima has plenty of competition.
These cars tend to look alike, a smooth form with quietly stated features designed to appeal to all tastes.
The sensuous new shape of Altima looks different from this crowd, however, because it seems smoother and far more sophisticated in the bend of its curves and the fit and finish of body parts coming together so precisely.
That look could be mistaken as perhaps some fancy new toy to rival higher-priced marvels by Infiniti and Lexus.
Altima flashes a wide face with bold horizontal grille, which mimics the look of Nissan's flagship Maxima sedan, flanked by new jewel-like headlamp clusters.
A stubby and steep front hood merges with the rakish windshield in slick lines flowing over the roof to rear cascading C pillar, which culminates in a quick crimp of the broad tail. This shape improves Altima's aerodynamic rating over the previous format, meaning it now slices through still air with less resistance, which in turn helps to boost its fuel economy figures.
Although Altima rides on an enhanced version of the former chassis and retains a wheelbase length of 103.1 inches, the track width of wheels expands as the overall unibody structure grows by more than three inches in length and two in width.
This wheel-stretching maneuver sets up a more stable ride quality for Altima, elevating the firm sensation to approximate that of a much larger vehicle.
Also, Altima's independent 4-wheel suspension system contains full-float soft-mount front and rear subframes to isolate the passenger compartment and deliver a smoothness usually found only in mega-buck European touring cars.
Concepts for the car came from Nissan's California design studio, with assembly effected at a massive manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tenn., where Nissan's patented "Intelligent Body Assembly System" welds chassis, side panels, roof and other key parts simultaneously to create an extremely rigid body structure.
Even Altima's engine is built in Tennessee now.
Nissan recently switched from a Mexico engine plant to the new engine and transaxle production center in Decherd, Tenn., a move which pares production costs by improving manufacturing efficiency and trimming shipping expenses.
The Decherd-built 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine wears twin cams on top and gets lighter pistons and low-friction rings to generate more power at lower engine speeds.
Outfitted with 16 valves and sequential multi-port fuel injection, the plant produces 150 horsepower and excels at those lower speeds and mid-range torque levels which comprise the bulk of city driving experiences.
Independent tests indicate Altima can run from zero to 60 mph in less than ten seconds with an automatic shifter.
A manual 5-speed is standard, but a 4-speed automatic rates as an option on all but the top GLE edition, where it's the standard. The manual shifter feels a little loose and has a long-shaft stick, but the automatic is a delight due to its smooth electronic controls, quiet components and reasonable overdrive ratio.
Altima's cabin adds up to first-class accommodations.
It contains two front bucket seats with recline feature and headrests, plus a 3-person rear bench with backrest that folds down to access the trunk from inside.
Front seats fit even a tall driver, and contoured cushions feel soft and steadfast. Seats move four ways in adjustment, except on GLE which gets 8-way power controls.
An ergonomically-acute dashboard, packed with readable analog instruments, scores as another strong suit for Altima. Indicators include a speedometer and tachometer, gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature, plus a digital clock. Sporty Altima SE varies the instruments by adding trendy black-on-white numeration.
As for trim levels, Altima's four choices allow you to customize for comfort, convenience and cost.
Even base XE carries desirable features often available only optionally: Power windows, tilt steering column, electric rear window defroster with timer, center front console and child-safe rear door locks. Anti-lock brakes and air conditioning appear as options on the base version.
1998 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
103.1 inches |
| Overall Length: |
183.1 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/opt. ABS
SE: Power 4-disc |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
M/5: 21/34 mpg
A/4: 22/30 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 15,000 to $ 21,000 |
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