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Just got back from a trip to AZ where I rented an Altima and drove up to the Grand Canyon, poked around for a day, and went back to Phoenix. The U-Wreck-Em choices at National were a G6, a Sentra, and Impala and the Altima. Have done the G6 before and a Camry, Impala or Sentra are too boring, so I went with the Altima. Wasn't too bad.
This one had the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder, which has 175 HP and 180 lbs-ft torque, so while it moved OK it sure wasn’t like my 9K. What I noticed right off was what I notice in most cars of recent design: the difference in NVH compared to the 25-year-old chassis of my 9K. Much quieter overall, generally softer, but that's not all bad. Almost no wind noise. Engine noise, and associated NVH, though, was not so good. This engine puts out max power at 6000 RPM and max torque at 4000. But it began to sound harsh at about 3000--right were you are at about 85 mph. Get on the power, or letting cruise do it for you climbing a long slope on the high plains, and there is a real rough growl from the engine. Intrusive and unpleasant. The engine sounds distinctly unhappy.
Steering was generally tight and pretty responsive, but as the speed went up it got more vagueI had to pay much closer attention to steering the car than in the 9K. Still, it was fine running 80-90 across the desert and OK on the long sweeping bends you get out there.
Ergonomics were decent enough, but the seats were a bit soft, and the angle of the gas pedal made my ankle ache if I didn't use cruise control. The real drawback was the engine noise. I know it's not a fair comparison, but I think of how smooth the B234 engine in my 9K is compared to this motor, and how I'm not really aware of revs until I'm up above 5000 rpm.
Still, I liked this Altima. I'd like to drive the 250 hp or 260 hp versions with the 3.5 liter six cylinder engines. Not a bad rental.
posted by 69.163.38...
, Thu, 10 Nov 2005 16:16:34
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