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2008 Nissan Altima Coupe is the poor man's G35

autoblog.com — Holy hot-looking Nissan coupe, Batman. If you want the looks of the Infiniti G35 along with Nissan's sweet V6 in a package that starts in the way low $20K range, the just announced 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe is your ticket.

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  • bryguy000, on 10/12/2007, -9/+12If only I wasn't looking out my office window at 6 inches of snow, I would totally go and buy one of those bad boys.
  • amandaw33, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Nice 'bout time they totally refreshed the altima line. Never liked those head/tail lights.
  • itseffinkasey, on 10/12/2007, -19/+4EHH! Looks horrible, its actually to smooth... the back looks really bad and the whole thing looks cheap.
    • saggygrandma, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5yeah I don't like the back
    • slamm6, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9Yeah, the trunk sucks. Why do they keep designing these stupid angles into everything ? Cars should flow.
    • WolfwoodX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yeah, the rear looks Toyotasih (Camery, Solara). Would have been much better as a hatchback.
  • socbret, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Pretty nice, but I'd like to know what the "I don't have a thousand bucks to my name" college students G35 is.
    • Arbus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+44that'd be your 1985 honda civic.
    • generalleoff, on 10/12/2007, -13/+5And that would be a better car. The Civic was at it's best around 1985 and thats why there are still tons of them on the road. When all these Altimas are dead after 100,000 miles there will STILL be 1985 Civics on the road.
    • mlkmnz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18"When all these Altimas are dead after 100,000 miles there will STILL be 1985 Civics on the road."

      NONO, the Altima is a Japanese car, not an American one....
    • mhockey14221, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Nope, its still the G35. Their parents buy them the G35 and they spend the rest on coke.

      Honestly, I see a different G35 on my campus (Fordham) every other day
    • generalleoff, on 10/12/2007, -8/+0"NONO, the Altima is a Japanese car, not an American one...."

      You mean like the 1985 Civic? 1985 Civics can out last 2005 Civics.

      Also Japanese cars are pretty much on par with US cars with some brands being better and some being worst. In my opinion Nissan is worst then Ford but better then Chrysler. GM is better then Ford but Toyota and Honda are better then GM. I however prefer VW over all.
    • dopyoman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9@generalleoff

      What the hell was that whole paragraph? Some sort of IQ test. If "X" is equal to "Y" but sometimes "C" then what is "B."

      Damn man just give up. All you need to say was "VW rocks" and we would have understood you.

      By the way VW's suck.
    • CedEx, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0Didn't Altima's have this huge recall over their engine failure due to the engine burning all its oil?
    • michaelg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3generalleoff: I don't think that US cars are on par with Japanese cars, that's why they are getting pwnt so bad with sales and asking Bush to give them an upperhand with discounts and all when the CEOs met at the White House. Not all US cars are bad, though. I will definately tell you Ford isn't better than Chrysler. My dad had a Dodge van that had over 700,000 miles on it when he got rid of it (was still running well). I will agree though that Germans make some nice cars.
  • tghd, on 10/12/2007, -15/+3Ok nice, now does it come in a six speed?
  • djfoci, on 10/12/2007, -1/+24The imports highlight the fact that great design can and should be truly affordable.

    Detroit please for the sake of yourself catch up!
    Stop restricting your better car models for the foreign market!
    • xtr3m, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1No car company is going to sell a nice looking car cheap. This is called 'market selection.'
    • etx313, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Agreed! Ford, GM, and Chrysler all have some very cool cars they don't sell in the states. I don't get it.

      I'm not one to speak, I have a 350z. Basically identical to the G35 without the fancy interior. It's an amazing car and I really feel like I got a great car for what I paid. Now Nissan's service is something to be concerned about. I took my Z into the dealer this morning and they wouldn't replace my window motor because I have tint on the car. I even have the extended warranty... Both dealers i took it too told me it's a nissan rule, warranty is void because of my window tint. Check any Z/G forum, thousands of people are having this problem. Definately the last Nissan I buy.
  • dognose, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1mirror? it's not coming in.

    and.. this is way to long to wait for a car!!
  • gxcdesign, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3More like a 350Zed

    and I can't wait for them to finally unroll the Skyline R35
    • n1vek, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1350ZspecialED
    • saleem, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2haha 350zed sounds much worse than 350z... one of the times i'm proud to be an american on digg...
    • hypeiv, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3FYI - G35 is the R35 skyline... I guess you are talking about the GT-R which the new one will no longer have Skyline in the name... Check out the wiki entry on the skyline... not all skylines are GT-R's and the new G35c is most likely the fastest non-GT-R skyline ever made.
    • sinurgy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0FYI - the R35 is a GTR. So the Infiniti G35 is obviously not a Skyline R35. It's a Skyline 350GT.
  • SeanFranchise, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Its about time Nissan made a car I like again. Thats not to say the G35 was bad, but I've been sick of everything with the Nissan badge looking like a half baked concept car. I like it, now if they could just lower the price of the GTR...
    • ronintetsuro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The late 90's Maximas are stalwart cars. Not much for looks but mine still blows the doors off the 'hornets nest' Civics that are all over the place. And it's got 115k miles on it.

      Nissan makes some quality vehicles. Nice to see I might be able to afford a new one while I can still enjoy it.
  • ironpirate, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1looks the same as a 350???
  • orp2000, on 10/12/2007, -15/+14Not at all like the G35. To anybody who really drives, one of the most defining factors of a car is if it's rwd or fwd/wwd (wrong wheel drive). The G35 is rwd, as any "driver's car" should be. The Altima is wwd. End of story.

    Respectfully,
    Dave
    • spectre_25gt, on 10/12/2007, -8/+9Why is this being modded down? Comparing a RWD car and a FWD car is completely ridiculous. They're in totally separate classes. Most people that drive RWD cars would never consider a FWD. Myself included.
    • dkm201, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16Thanks Dave, we really cared what your name was. Thanks so much for signing your comment.

      Best,
      Digg
    • wvannus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Interesting note: The G35/350Z's rear platform is based of the Murano/FX-35. While it most likely lowers the cost of the car by over $2000, it is the biggest hindrance of those cars. The only G/Z I've driven that felt like a true driver's car was a 2005 350Z Track Edition. Bilstien struts and Brembo brakes. 320bhp. If only it was 800 lbs lighter...
    • jshirley, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I have an 06 Track. I also sampled the roadster and it felt like a toy car. The G35 is great, but the longer wheel base doesn't have the tight feeling that it needs, but if they made the G35c AWD, that wouldn't be a problem.

      Then you have the Altima WWD coupe... it has the longer wheel-base, and pulls its long ass around. I'm guessing two things:
      1. No drivers (in the VW sense of the word) will buy this car.
      2. Next summer is going to piss me off with all the ricers buying this car and attempting to race me.

    • ronintetsuro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1These cars aren't designed for 'real drivers' whatever the hell that means. I have an idea what you mean, and you're mixed up in the head if you think people who are going to the track would even consider these cars in the first place. They aren't built for those people and they sure won't be marketed to those people.

      Same thing with the G35. If it was supposed to be for OMG REAL DRIVORZ, the Skyline connection would have been more hyped up by Nissan for public consumption. It wasn't. That's why every up and coming executive has one and drives it like a grandma.

      And REAL DRIVERS, Dave, don't judge by vehicle. Opinions don't make lap times.
    • orp2000, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0@ dkm201

      Your comment:

      "Thanks Dave, we really cared what your name was. Thanks so much for signing your comment.

      Best,
      Digg"

      My apologies to you sir if my absent-minded habit offended your delicate sensibilities. Send me a bill for any damage done.

      And 11 people dugg your comment. WTF?!
  • flamingmb, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5It looks like one of those hybrid cars, kinda fat looking.
  • chunkylimey, on 10/12/2007, -13/+1http://www.astonmartin.com/thecars/vanquishs

    It's depressing how low people sink in their aspirations. If you can't afford a decent performance car go practical instead. This half effort Japanese toy sports car nonsense (or the junk that GM and Ford put out) just doesn't cut it.

    Dream big and don't waste money on junk that just imitates greatness.
    • Dhalgren, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4
      Or, don't waste your money on a stupid car that you are going to have to replace in 10 years and depreciates 30% the moment you drive it off the lot...
    • rideroyals, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1This car looks really nice for 20k. But im not shocked that they came out with a G35 look alike since nissan own infiniti.

      @chunkylimey

      Your dreams need to be bigger then, cause your geo metro LX dosent cut it anymore.
    • ronintetsuro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yeeeeah, go ahead and sling one of those badboys around a turn, while you're thinking about your insurance policy and repairs.

      If you don't crack up or spin out, you deserve every inch of your land yacht. I mean that.
  • felchdonkey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I wish that I could hear about this car from Richard Hammond and the Top Gear crew...
    • ronintetsuro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I would deninitely appreciate a G35/350Z/08 Altima showdown from them.
  • SlipStream89, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1ooh thats very sexelent. i want one now. as people have mentioned before it does sort of like like a 350 if the rear was shorter and lower by a tad bit.
  • Aliarse, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Fugly.
  • antechinus, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1An ugly, uncouth looking car. I suppose it is styled for the tastes of the US market where such design values seem to rule.
  • ozid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I thought the 350z was the poor mans G35. *confused*

    It is cheaper. And it is the same chassis.

    So wouldn't this make it the poorer man's 350z?
    • Urusai, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I thought this WAS a 350Z.
    • Tenlow, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I thought the poor man's g35 was the g35 sedan.
    • jshirley, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This car is FWD. It is not a 350 or G35 just because of that.

      The G35 and 350Z have different focal markets. The 350Z base packages are for people who like sports cars. The 350Z Track/Touring+ packages are for people who drive sports cars.

      The G35 is for people who like sports cars, but has too many deficiencies to make it truly perform well on a track. That's my assessment, still a great car but the 350Z Track simply out performs it.

      This car... well, this car will do neither. It won't do well on the track. It won't even feel sporty. It'll feel like a Honda Civic. It just looks nicer, that's all.
  • ahuxley, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Whats the fuel economy like?
    Looks great.
  • gojcaj, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Good thing the new Altima doesn't look like the G35 or 350z...because that would be kind of wierd wouldn't it? I think its alright though but why make it look almost the same as the other 2?
  • concept, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1this is going to compete with the accord coupe.... the price will be 25k-28k for a loaded altima coupe... 20k will get you a slow 4 cyl.

    this new v6 270hp is fast.
    • Harbinger67, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2270 HP in a FWD seems...unneccessary. But hey, whatever floats your budget boat.
  • smartmlp, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1I drive an 06 Chevy cobalt, and I think it looks nice, why do you think everything GM makes is boring? I guess you hate america.
    • Sampan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3It's not boring it's just that all american cars just don't compare with imports. I was like you and used to buy Pontiacs, Cadillacs, and Chevys but I've pretty much stopped because I figure until an american company can build something worth my money, they don't deserve my money. I'm tired of supporting GM just because it's "american", I want to drive something safe, dependable and powerful. But then again I guess you get what you pay for... GM does have good deals. The only GM products I buy now are GMC trucks for my business.
    • wvannus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I work in the car industry, drive all the cars, and every GM car for the US market is boring, with the exception of the Z06, which is just plain scary. I wish they'd import the SSV from Aussiland...
    • smartmlp, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I don’t understand. Some people are stuck in the past; GM is not the same as they were the 80's/90's. Their cars are respectable as far as performance, safety, and reliability. As far as "value", you can pick up a GM car with a lot more features at a lower price after discounts compared to over hyped imports.
    • PhantomZmoove, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I'm right there in line with you. I just got my first import to replace a lifetime of domestic vehicles. I think they look great, drive great, and I'd rather buy American. I just can't justify it anymore, it isn't worth it.


    • Dhalgren, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"GM is not the same as they were the 80's/90's."

      So they've put a fresh coat of paint on their piece of ***** cars... It doesn't change what's under the paint. I've had loads of problems with every American-made car I've owned. Maybe it's bad luck, but to me it's a poor statistic. Unless I have the same experience with Japanese cars (and so far I haven't) I'm never buying an American car again.
    • BigPapi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I'm American and I love my country, but I've test driven most of the GM lineup (thanks to the GM car show) and my impression is that they suck. The sad thing is that they don't even realize it. They told us to take the "Chevy Challenge", which was to drive the Scion first and then the Aveo. The Aveo wasn't even close.
    • Kniggit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think you people touting US car brands discount the fact that these same brands pissed their customers off immensely with their practices.

      Case in point: my early 90s Pontiac. Constant problems after the dealer did a recall on the engine and FORGOT TO PUT BACK THE HEAD GASKET! Never drove the same again, never refused to acknowledge either that problem or the inherent rust that came from water pooling in the trunk lid seams.

      Once you piss your customer off, you need to give a really really good reason to have them switch back to you.

      That's also the reason that Toyota is about to become #1 in the world. They execute well and the cost/benefit ratio is higher than any other car. Even Hyundai has surpassed domestic brands with its quality and is essentially on-par with Hyundai (also confirmed by my friend's wife who processes warranty claims for Hyundai - lower than every brand except Toyota).
  • Kronos6948, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1Man, I'll never get why people are so hot for "sports sedans". There's no sport in them for me. I'd rather have the same engine in a sleeker looking vehicle if I could afford it. If not, I'll take a SmartCar anyday.
    • CoachZed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5What in that article has anything to do with a sports sedan? The altima is a coupe.
  • BaiCai, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1God that looks so bad, Now Nissan is copying design from a 91-94 Hyundai Scope. Nissan's downfall was when they stopped being Datsun and became Nissan. Kinda like waking up the next morning with a woman you met at a bar. Fugly but god last nite I swear she was beeruteeful.....

    And someone earlier mentioned that Nissan is a Japanese car company as is Honda but that is where the similarities stop. Honda and Toyota are the two best car companies in the world. Nissan, Mazda and Subaru are like the bastard children of GI soldiers in Japan.
  • DoTheFandango, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I have no idea what any of this ***** means, but I don't care. It's pretty.
  • AvatarReb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3How many times is this removed from a luxury car? The G35 being the poor man's BMW.
  • vtel001, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3A less flabby Mini Cooper would offer better performance
  • elbxmatatan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1not sexy enough, just save up and buy a used G35 for 20-23K and look like a pimp while driving down Manhattan.
  • BaiCai, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0That's another thing, the Germans and their BMW's and Mercedez Benz
    they both are now looking like GM cars from the 80's with the dropped tail look.
    I thought the Germans made car design and didn't need to copy it?
  • BaiCai, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2G35 sounds like a sexual disease. What ever happened to cars having names?
  • hypeiv, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2G35 is pretty much a poor mans 330i...

    also altima is front wheel drive while g35 is rear wheel (or awd on the g35x)... which is a pretty expensive set up. So you aren't just paying for the infiniti name when you buy the G35.
    • hypeiv, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1330Ci Styles (MSRP: $37,600)

      G35 coupe Base Styles (MSRP: $33,200 - $33,800)

      ... prices from edmunds.com btw

  • DannySpace, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Call me a poor man, but I think it's sexy.
  • chrisabraham, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1That is one hell of a gorgeous car. I might sell my 530i for that car.
  • OpCzar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It looked nice until I saw the profile shot:
    http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/11/5-altima-coupe.jpg

    Maybe it's because I'm only 5'6 but I don't like these protruding bumpers.
    • concept, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2yeah they have a lot of overhang
    • weiran, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Probably for pedestrian crash safety regulations.
    • ronintetsuro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1God, it looks exactly the same as the G. If I was one of those flashy junior exec types I'd be pissed that poor people are about to be driving a knock off of my superior vehicle.

      Good thing I'm a poor kid that's going to own one.
  • BaiCai, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Nissan has brought back the YUPPIE
  • disturbed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Why would they make it FWD??
    Anyone interested in a fun sports car from Nissan would buy a used 350Z for that price, myself included.
  • Vectortrance, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Hmm...
    I don't necessarily agree that its the "Poor man's G35", since technically that's what the 350Z is...

    This Altima however is quite nice. It competes quite well with Pontiac's G6 GT Coupe in both pricing and performance.
    To the folks who downtalk this car based on the fact that it's a FWD car:
    Wake up. Altimas have always been on an FWD platform, which is much more practical than RWD for real world driving. Snow sure as hell isn't fun to drive through with a RWD car, and not everyone lives in California or Arizona... Want RWD? Shut up and get a G35.
    This Altima has got plenty of power, reasonable fuel economy, and Nissan has a decent track record for reliablility. I'd drive one for sure.
    • disturbed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1RWD is just as practical as FWD if you live somewhere where it snows a few times a year or less. I have FWD and I like being able to drive the same 80mph in the rain on my highway commute as on a dry day. But, I would be happy to slow down to 50-60 when it rains for the power of RWD. And snow? Yes, it's better to drive FWD, but how often do you drive on roads that have not been plowed? Not often, I bet.
    • joesmeat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0FWD? I love chewing out front tires, poor takeoff traction, uncontrollable understeer, heavier front-end, higher maintenance and repair costs.

      Remember what they say,
      Oversteer scares the passengers, understeer scares the driver.
    • wolrah, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't get where the RWD = bad in snow thing came from. Having driven basically nothing but RWD or 4x4 vehicles since I got my license, I can't say I've ever wanted my car to be spinning the other set of wheels. Maybe all four at the same time, but that's different.

      As for Mr. 80 MPH in the rain above me, which wheels the engine is turning doesn't matter when you hydroplane, so I can do the same 80 MPH in my RWD that you can in your FWD. I also have the benefit in the snow that when I get on the gas a bit too hard and spin the tires, I can still steer. You can't and will end up understeering right off the road.
  • Niro, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Very slick ...
  • monticello, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Too bad Nissans are piece of *****.
  • HRF1, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Not bad for what an Altima used to be. I'm very impressed.
  • stox, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1I'll stick with my AMG C36, thank you. 10 years old, and it still Rocks!
    • concept, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2and i'll stick with my m3
    • jippers, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2And I'll stick with my ... 2007 VW Rabbit..

      boing.
  • 3E71, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Just to point out an error in an earlier post, the Altima is an American car. It is made in Tennessee by a Japanese company. If you do your research, you will see that quite a few of the Nissan vehicles are made in the USA.
    • ndurkes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Profits go to Japan....
    • ronintetsuro, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1And jobs stay in America. Nice try, hater.
    • ndurkes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ronintetsuro

      "Hater" ? I am not sure if you are referring to me? If so, where do you get that? Are you saying that I hate Japanese? Far from it....
  • jamesgott, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1lol front wheel drive? yikes, thats horrible. more like the g35's gay retarded cousin
  • ogden, on 10/12/2007, -5/+0My 350z is unimpressed.
  • doubleblack, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2So, I guess I'm the only person that noticed that this is in fact the 2007 Nissan Altima, and not the 2008...
    • 3E71, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I'm pretty sure Nissan doesn't offer an 07 Coupe.
  • Vectortrance, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Is anyone else sick of hearing

    "My M3 is t3h sweetness"
    "My AMG pwnz this"
    "My 350z has a bigger dick"
    ???



    Die.
  • badtz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1G35 ugly
    • rob40wilson03, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0i am thankful for people that share your opinion.... because you help keep the G35 population down, meaning mine keeps turning head, after head, after head
  • habarn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Everybody knows an Infinity is a rebranded Nissan, an Audi is a rebranded VW, a Lexus is a rebranded Toyota, an Acura is a rebranded Honda. There are tons of cars out there that can get to 75mph quickly, handle corners, are comfortable, and reliable. If you're dumb enough to pay more, hopefully your neighbors or dates are dumb enough to admire you for it. (Certainly if you do autocross you are the exception, but that isn't many of you.)

    If you look down on people who drive a Toyota/Honda/Hyundai, or wear a Seiko/Pulsar, and a wool suit from Men's Wearhouse, guess what, those people aren't the jerks, you are.
  • cmcm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1how much does it cost to advertise your CRAP on digg? i honestly want to know...
    SELLOUT
  • DrivinWest, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2What's with knocking American cars on reliability? You guys are living in some period of time between the late 70's and the late 90's.

    JD Powers 2005 Vehicle Dependability Scores (Best to worst):

    Lexus (JAP)
    Lincoln (USA)
    Buick (USA)
    Cadillac (USA)
    Infinity (JAP)
    Toyota (JAP)
    Mercury (USA)
    Honda (JAP)
    Acura (JAP)
    Ford (USA)
    Chevrolet (USA)
    AVERAGE
    Saturn (USA)
    Oldsmobile (USA)
    GMC (USA)
    Pontiac (USA)
    Mazda (JAP)
    Subaru (JAP)
    Nissan (JAP)
    Mitsubishi (JAP)
    Suzuki (JAP)
    Isuzu (JAP)

    http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/23/Autos/american_cars/index.htm

    Obviously quite a few American makes fared well. Appearance is another thing entirely. IMHO most of the cars out of the US these days, and for some time, are aesthetically uninspiring.
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