I have a buddy offering to sell me a 1996 Nissan Altima. It has 140k miles, a 5spd, not sure if its the 4cyl or 6. What are known issues with both motors and the cars in general? How expensive are parts? Thanks car gurus!
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Sept. 13, 2011 4:48 p.m. jrflying New Reader
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Sept. 13, 2011 6:19 p.m. scardeal HalfDork
I don't think an Altima offered a V6 until the 2003 redesign. Otherwise, I don't know much.
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Sept. 13, 2011 6:33 p.m. jrflying New Reader
You are right. Researching a bit more and they only offered the 2.4L. Does anyone know if these motors are interference engines? How often does the timing belt need to be changed?
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Sept. 13, 2011 9:02 p.m. clutchsmoke Reader
As it's a FWD KA24DE(same engine used in the 240SX) I'm almost 100% certain it uses a chain. Solid cars. Cheap parts. I would rock one.
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Sept. 13, 2011 9:04 p.m. fastmiata HalfDork
My wife put 190k or more on her SE. 4cyl 5spd you couldnt break the thing.
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Sept. 13, 2011 9:53 p.m. Run_Away Reader
Solid cars. Lots of torque. I haven't seen many at the dealership due to their age but have noticed intake manifold gaskets seem fairly common. They suck to change.
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Sept. 13, 2011 9:54 p.m. lnlds New Reader
if you're looking for a v6 look at a maxima of the same vintage 95-99. Prices are very similar between the models.
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Sept. 13, 2011 10:50 p.m. pres589 Dork
Tough, nice all around cars, even with an automatic they're not bad to drive.
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Sept. 14, 2011 7:21 a.m. spitfirebill SuperDork
They were not really respected back when new, but I liked them, especially the SE model. I never could find one with a 5 speed. One knock on them was quite a few didn't get very good gas mileage.
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Sept. 14, 2011 7:40 a.m. pres589 Dork
In reply to spitfirebill:
My sister had one with a automatic and it pulled low-30's on the highway. Which seems average for the market segment it is in. I figured a manual trans and stock sized tires, etc, would pull maybe 35 on a highway run.
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Sept. 14, 2011 9:11 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork
i had an automatic '01. Never topped 26mpg. Ever. On the other hand, nothing ever broke on it.
I autocrossed it locally. Went a whole season without placing worse than 2nd in H-stock.
Replaced it with a maxima that has a hundred more horsepower. It gets slightly better mileage. it's never been broken either.
The only trouble i see with altimas that age is rust. besides that, sometimes oil leakage from around the timing cover, and the occasional bad fuel injector. overall a good choice, particularly if the money is right.
