Altima comparison with Camry .?

Question

I am in the market to buy a new car . I have my eyes on an Altima & a Camry . I can't decide . I will like to keep this car for 8 yrs . I drove the Altima 4cyl and it has a lot of power and I think it has a better fuel economy than the Camry (pretty close) . But how about RELIABILITY ?
Is the Altima to give less maintenance problems than the Camry ?
Will the Altima hold it's value more than a Camry ?
I like the Altima because I think it is a little smaller and easier to handle like in parking lots parallel parking , rear parking etc. I think the Camry's visibility because of the size you are more likely to hit a car in a parking lot sooner or later in 8 yrs . But is the Camry more reliable in maintenance ? and hold it's price better ?
Your opinion is appreciated .

Answer 1

I think both vehicles are outstanding. The Camry is the best selling car in America right now, which makes me wonder about its residual value, after all they are two a penny. But I don't think this is going to be a major concern because after 8 years both cars are going to be fairly worthless anyway (in terms of resale value).

My wife owned a Toyota Corolla for a while, and I was fairly unimpressed with it. Sure, it wasn't a Camry, but it still was nothing amazing to me. It wasn't a bad car, but I was just indifferent to it. She also had a few minor problems with it.

In 2003 I purchased a brand new Altima 2.5S. I drove it for 68,000 miles. It was a wonderful car. I never had any problems with it at all. Right before I traded it (didn't know I was going to sell it at that time) I asked the dealer to check it over for any problems, and let me know what work needed doing to it. Despite that open invitation the only recommendation they could make was that I have the battery cleaned for $19.

My Nissan experience was great from beginning to end. The new Altima is way better with an incredible chassis, engine and transmission. I took a 3.5SE out for a spin the other day, and it handled better than my Acura TL! It was very impressive.

Frankly, I doubt you will go wrong with either vehicle. For me I like the looks and features of the Altima better. But you might think differently.

I've put in some links to reviews. The second two links are to the True Cost to Own figures which shows the Altima as a slight favorite.

The final link shows a comparison, and also includes the Honda Accord, which you should also consider. It shows an even lower true cost to own, and is also and worth considering too.

Answer 2

Both of these cars are pretty close as you stated in your question. The nissan will be little bit smaller and faster. With its CVT transmission you'll be getting somewhat beter mpg. In price holding I would say that the Altima probably has a slight edge as well. But if you want the car for eight years this probably shouldn't be a major concern
Your question seemed to focus on the reliability of the two cars. Again I think the nissan has an advantage here because its CVT has fewer moving parts than a conventional transmission and it is easier on the engine. Plus the Altima's cylinders vs the camry's 6 means you only have to pay for 4 spark plugs, less oil, and other maintanance parts.
But if you are really looking for a car for the long haul I would consider a honda accord. It probably gets better milage than both and have a proven track record of reliability.

PS Don't forget about safety features too!

Answer 3

CVT transmissions are becoming common place in cars these days but this is still relatively new, I would not buy a new altima. The transmission does have fewer parts, that doesn't make it better, I would consider a lease. The Camry is a new design and their are still probably some kinks that will be worked out of it over the next few years. I would check out a Honda accord. If your stuck just between those two cars I would go with the Camry, Nissan is about to introduce the 2-door altima and that is going to kill the four doors, as far as what it will be worth 8 years from now.

Answer 4

I love Nissans so I would go with the Altima. The Camry is made to be a family car, and the resale value is more for a Altima. My family has a 1995 Nissan Quest, we bought it new in 1995, with about 153,000 mile on it. It hasn't given us major problems. The altima has better performance, and about the same reliability as a camry. Also, it has better handling and accident avoidence.

Answer 5

I think that the Altima's reliability has been improving while Toyota has rested (but their standards are so high they can afford to relax.) Check out the reliability ratings in the Consumer Report Auto Issue (just out) These are just averages.Your experience might fit in or not. Not many people keep cars for 8 years, so buy one that you will be happy with and will meet your needs when it is 8 years old .
Make sure everything feel good , because it something bugs you, it could be a long 8 years

Answer 6

The Camry will last you forever with regular maintanence. You will have some problems with the Altima but it is ok. Please remember that Nissan is part owned by a french company so for that fact alone makes it an unwise purchase. Please note that Toyotas are the best cars made and for the value you can not go wrong.

Answer 7

Its really up to you. Buy what YOU LIKE most. 8 years is a long time and you have to like what you get, so dont worry about that stuff... in that period of time, they are both going to experience maintenance problems... and mpg will always vary from time to time... so it wont always be what it says on the sticker... and its value, once you drive off the lot it devaluates, but if your going to have it for that long of a time, it shouldnt be an issue. So i suggest you get what you will enjoy more! happy driving!