[/size][/font][size=medium] I currently drive a 2002 Silver Nissan Altima. I bought used and have had far too many problems with the car and the transmission. I am going to purchase a new Kia Forte Koup, the six-speed manuel, Fully loaded. But i am interested to know if anyone has had problems with their transmissions or if there are anyother major negatives with the car. Also what positives are there to the car besides the general ones listed on line(i.e. Lexus IS style rear, sleek design, great fuel economy, etc.)
Need Advice on Purchase
- Thread starter Aarondz
- Start date
I haven't noticed any problems with the M/T in my SX. It occasionally resists going into 2nd during spirited acceleration, but I don't consider it a problem as much as a 'characterisitic'. I switched the transmission fluid at 3000 miles to Redline MT90 and it's a lot better when cold.
I don't really have any major negatives to report at all. It's the first car I've owned in a long time that has been trouble-free (with the exception of the sunroof rattle which was quickly fixed last friday under a TSB) for the first 6 months of ownership. Just 2 oil changes so far. I love the Bluetooth, & Ipod connection. Don't use the satellite radio, and could live without the red speaker lights. Thank God they can be turned off.
I guess my biggest gripe would be the wheels. I've been searching since I bought it for better looking wheels, and have narrowed it down to either a set of SX Sedan wheels, or a couple of other aftermarket styles. Just waiting for money to improve and I'll make that change.
It's a very enjoyable car, I think you'll be happy. I too had a 2002 Altima (3.5 SE M/T) and it was a VERY troubled car, including the transmission.
I don't really have any major negatives to report at all. It's the first car I've owned in a long time that has been trouble-free (with the exception of the sunroof rattle which was quickly fixed last friday under a TSB) for the first 6 months of ownership. Just 2 oil changes so far. I love the Bluetooth, & Ipod connection. Don't use the satellite radio, and could live without the red speaker lights. Thank God they can be turned off.
I guess my biggest gripe would be the wheels. I've been searching since I bought it for better looking wheels, and have narrowed it down to either a set of SX Sedan wheels, or a couple of other aftermarket styles. Just waiting for money to improve and I'll make that change.
It's a very enjoyable car, I think you'll be happy. I too had a 2002 Altima (3.5 SE M/T) and it was a VERY troubled car, including the transmission.
Matemorh
Member
Aarondz said:
There's some issue with 5 and 6 speed manual: the clush is hard to mastered and you gone stall several times but I get use to it!
Paint is somehow flimsy!! Interior plastic are cheap and the door will get mark from your seatbelt buckle. Koup are not rev happy as a civic!
Engine has plenty of torque. The Koup look fantastic. It's covered with a greath waranty. It got a lot of cool feature/equipments and the best is the auto climate control with a remote start (yes I live up north and HATE cold winter). Bluetooth, heated leather seat, air bagssss, traction control (witch is a bit enoying in winter), sunroof, etc... for real cheap!!
But the pleasure you'll have driving it......WOW!!!
mschiavoni
Purveyor of fine Kias
CorsaKoup said:
if you dont like your wheels, i'll gladly take them off your hands
mschiavoni
Purveyor of fine Kias
lol touche
What problems did you have with your altima? Every time i bring it in they say there is nothing wrong because it is a spontaneous problem but i think in general the transmission is just shit. I thought for a while it was how i was driving, but when the car red lines going 40 mph i dont think its my fault. it has a problem similar to being in neutral but it shifts into neutral or limbo on its own and its an automatic
mschiavoni
Purveyor of fine Kias
its the tranny.. i had an explorer (4spd Auto) and it would redline @ about 55mph because 3rd gear was shot
Aarondz said:
I went through 3 sets of front struts in 19,000 miles before they figured out what was wrong. Factory set was shot before 3000 miles. My ECU developed some issue that caused it to cut power (by half) and keep it cut until I shut it off and re-started. That turned out to be a TSB. Then my transmission started grinding every time I shifted to 3rd. They took it in, had it for a week, returned it and it would barely go into ANY gear. I nearly got stranded at a gas station a few miles from the dealer because I couldn't get it into reverse. They took it back in and had it for another 18 days. At that point, I began car shopping, and had a deal done on a 2004 Mazda 3 before the Altima was even completed. When they called to let me know it was done, I asked that someone kindly drive the piece of shit across the street to the Mazda dealership, as it was now a trade-in.
The actual problems with the car was only half the story. I got into a yelling match with a service advisor at Trophy Nissan because I had used up all my vacation getting the car worked on, and tried to take it in on a saturday morning (7am, first car in line) for the ECU issues, and they refused to take it in, citing that they only do oil changes and other maintenance items on weekends. I went inside and grabbed the general manager and we hashed it out in the service drive. Needless to say, he got my car looked at on a saturday.
No more Nissan headaches for me.
Rez
Member
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My only compaint in the suspension/wheels. I live where rough roads are; potholes, and road heaves. The car is rough. Sx 17"wheels 2.4l. I enjoy the stiff suspension on cornering and maneuvering handles really well and impressive for a 20k car but it is a rough ride, you really feel every bump. I just wish there was a happy medium. Would like to see some options on changing the rough ride around. And the interior is hard not to scratch. More to say positive then negative, but I though i'd just share some negative real world opinions as it would take me too long to type out the positives; heated windshield ftw in canada.