CD Article: 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

[CD_Editor]

Today's First Drive:

All-new for 2008, the Nissan Altima Coupe joins its sedan sibling. It's "a gorgeous car with a reasonable price-tag, and with the performance to back up its face," says Assistant Editor, Jil McIntosh.
   
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Read the article | View the photos |
All the First Drives

[Trainman]

Looks absolutely stunning in that blue.  Not so exited by that grey or the red.

And seems to be a good price too.

I will be surprised if they "only" sell the 200-300 they are predicting, seems like a winner for Nissan.

[Snowman]

I’m not convinced fwd coupes have a big market in North America and how effective the power delivery is at these hp levels. Why is the Pontiac G5 not mentioned as a competitor in this segment?

[Jaeger]

I’m not convinced fwd coupes have a big market in North America and how effective the power delivery is at these hp levels. Why is the Pontiac G5 not mentioned as a competitor in this segment?

I'm not that convinced that there is a huge market for these types of vehicles either, but Nissan and Honda have both recently commited significant resources in the hope that the pie is big enough for their slices to be profitable.  Coupes (at least coupe versions of sedans) have always traded primarily on aesthetic appeal.  They will never outsell their sedan counterparts, but if they deliver enough additional style points they will get their share and boost overall sales of the model.  I think the Altima coupe looks great and that Nissan will easily meet its fairly modest sales goals.

As for power delivery - while I haven't driven the Coupe yet (looking forward to the opportunity) I can report that in the sedan Nissan has all but completely eliminated the torque-steer bogey.  My 3.5 puts its power down most impressively.  There is drama, but it is of the straight ahead variety - not the twist, tug, squirm and wriggle kind.  You can tell which wheels are driving the car all right - and FWD will never be the dynamic equal of RWD or AWD - but you're not fighting it.

Jaeger

[jww]

I am with Snowy and Jaeger on this one - FWD coupes? 

RWD coupes? 

Having said this, I am pleasantly impressed to hear that the torque steer gremlins on previous Altima models has finally been dealt with. It was brutal on my 2002 2.5s - had to fight the steering wheel every time I applied any power - and that was with the 175hp 4 cyl engine. I can't imagine what the 6-banger was like.

While I am ok with the styling, I am certainly not totally there. It looks to me that it's trying a little too hard to look like a 350Z or the Infiniti G coupe. I think a hatch on the rear would have given it a more distinctive design.

I do like the way they have incorporated hydraulic struts for the trunk - makes total sense to me. Trunk hinges are the worst things to deal with, and once you have a car with the struts, you never want hinges again.

The way Nissan equips the Altima, it will be a successful car, I am sure.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Even without skirts, it's the best looking of the sedan-based 2-door coupes - better than the G6 or Accord.

Think it will sell very well.

[Bullet Blue]

Even without skirts, it's the best looking of the sedan-based 2-door coupes - better than the G6 or Accord.

Think it will sell very well.

You mean the current Accord Coupe? Or the new one (2008)?

Not bad looking. Looks to be the same tail light cluster as the sedan only no Altezza style and no orange turn signlas. IMO they have it backwards as the tail lights on the Altima sedan seem much "sportier".

[G0dspd]

I really don't understand what people see in this car ... it's just see a quirky looking Nissan coupe.  The front looks ok but the 2 chromed accents and the hoodline are just odd but it's the rear of the car that all wrong.  The whole back is too big/long for the car (especially the jacked up trunk), the rear lights are way too "red" (the sedan's were more tastefully done) and the design is just unappealing.  I'm sure I'll be the only one but IMO this coupe is a   

Note: FWD coupe = ppprrrrrrrtttt!

[Mitlov]

I’m not convinced fwd coupes have a big market in North America and how effective the power delivery is at these hp levels. Why is the Pontiac G5 not mentioned as a competitor in this segment?

The G5 is a compact car (shares a platform with the Cobalt, right?), not a midsizer like the Altima.  G6 coupe is a competitor, though.

For all the talk about there not being a market for FWD four-seat coupes, I see a TON of Eclipses on the road (which shares a platform with the Galant, if I recall correctly).  Solaras and Accords are admittedly more rare, but I still see them pretty frequently.  Given the Altima coupe's fantastic styling, I think it will be closer the the Eclipse than the Solara in sales.

[Big_Thumb]

Even without skirts, it's the best looking of the sedan-based 2-door coupes - better than the G6 or Accord.

Think it will sell very well.

For some reason I thought you were talking about fender skirts! I was thinking WTF is sirAqua smoking! And where can I get some!

[Altima1]

I really don't understand what people see in this car ... it's just see a quirky looking Nissan coupe.  The front looks ok but the 2 chromed accents and the hoodline are just odd but it's the rear of the car that all wrong.  The whole back is too big/long for the car (especially the jacked up trunk), the rear lights are way too "red" (the sedan's were more tastefully done) and the design is just unappealing.  I'm sure I'll be the only one but IMO this coupe is a   

Note: FWD coupe = ppprrrrrrrtttt!

Yes, you will be part of a minority that dislike this car.

[UmroAyyar]

I don't know how it drives, reviews/comments have been positive. Looks way better than any other FWD coupé.

The competition, Solara, Accord, Sebring.

[safristi]

Fer TWINKS..(Two incomes No kids) an attractive choice...can't believe they won't sell more than forecasted...Poisonally Like the Titanium KOLOR.I remember wanting an Altima when they first came out but the 2.5 4 Cylinders(3 i test drove) were rattly and spartan and roomy...the 3.5 Was a Torque steer monster and could replace a BOWFLEX but i loved it ...wifey NOT so much......ONE day an Infiniti G35,M35,M45 MAY COME...on 649..$40Million Wednesday.....

[wing]

twinks?  oinks (one income no kids bhahahaa)  Oink oink

[UmroAyyar]

twinks?  oinks (one income no kids bhahahaa)  Oink oink

Are you rolling in the money making these sounds. 

[safristi]

 FOCKS....Five Offspring Can't Keep Saleen...............

[Trainman]

Fer TWINKS..(Two incomes No kids)

Ha, our friends called us DINKS (double income, no kids) before we had kids.  Now they just shake their heads      

[Arthur Dent]

Its rather good looking and priced well. I'll bet it will sell. For non-demanding folks this is a good car - they don't care for handling, fwd vs rwd, etc - they just want some power under the hood and something that looks sportish. A convertible version would look real nice.

[safristi]

Saf ...SHAKING COWL..............

[Snowman]

  I have DIPO’s…..dual income poor outlaws…