2005 Altima SE-R

[WW]

That's what I've been trying to say! The EL is not a sports sedan and Acura claims it is! So, don't always believe what an automaker says! That took a long time...

[x_ouch]

For some people like me who doesn't know what exactly is a an european inspired sports sedan will have to believe what they say, go for a test drive and save it in our memory, right?

They invent the term "sports sedan" (even though i think that sports and sedan don't go together) and it's a marketing thing, yes you are right.  

It's like the whole fashion industry, one company makes some pants called "cargo". you can't say "what the fack is this I ma not gonna believe this marketing crap." but what do you know, some other clothing brands also make these cargo pants. If you don't keep up, it would be you who falls out.

So what you should do is to go for a test drive, remember the feeling and say to yourself "oh, this is what 2004 sports car is all about!"

[Black Hatch]

"It's like the whole fashion industry, one company makes some pants called "cargo". you can't say "what the fack is this I ma not gonna believe this marketing crap." but what do you know, some other clothing brands also make these cargo pants. If you don't keep up, it would be you who falls out."

Huh... cargo pants have more pockets and thus named because they carry more cargo.

Now back to the topic of "sports sedans".
My opinion is that handling and balance is a much more important component for a sports sedan.

In regards to midsize sedans,  the new Altima, Camry and Accord would be lacking in this area compared to the Legacy, Mazda6, G35 and TSX.  
Power is not everything; balance is more important.  

And manual stick would be nice too eh, von Khan?

[x_ouch]

You guys didn't have cargo pants and SPROTS sedans back then in the 70s, right?

I think the civic/EL is a very well balanced car. Handling is great for its power and accelerating in a corner doesn't make the car shoot out(under steer). Is that enough for a sports car? Oh wait, mine is a coupe, so in any case it is sporty enough for me

We'll get sports SUV soon, don't worry

[Black Hatch]

"We'll get sports SUV soon, don't worry "

Huh?
An SUV is a Sport already
SPORTS Utility Vehicle

Now thinking about it more...
I do wonder why my Mazda6 sport (as well as the Mazda3 sport) so called?  
What does the extra hatch have to do with sport?


(Message edited by bhatch6 on October 17, 2004)

[WW]

BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes ML 55 AMG... Aren't they "sports" suv's? Man I think Im starting to be a post-whore.

[x_ouch]

SUV = SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE

ya, it's a car for sports, don't misunderstand it. So if you are a kayaker, you'd want a SUV to carry your kayaks. Or if you are a mountain biker, you can have that SUV to carry your bikes.

but a SPORTS SUV as in an incrememnt in performance and handling by putting tons of goodies like camshafts suspensions turbo reinforced frame spoilers skirts, you know those kind of things. ex: CR-V TYPE-R

You won't be a post whore unless you are posting for the counter to go up, or are you !?

[Oz]

Heh.. I agree Bhatch.  

However labelling it as sport is a great way of avoiding the old and somewhat uninspiring automotive word, hatchback.

[Giant Dwarf]

SE-R is a marketing version intended to designate "sportier" Nissan models from less-sporting or more luxurious variants.  I believe you'd be very hard-pressed to find anywhere in the Nissan literature that the Altima SER or even the Sentra SER were designed with track time sessions in mind.  Having said that, I've seen a previous generation Maxima SE 3.5 with nothing more than wheels, tires and suspension upgrades hold off Mustang GTs and WRX's on the track (ROAD course track -- not drag racing).  Simply because it's a big FWD car doesn't mean it can't 'pants' more dedicated sports machines in a race environment.

I applaud Nissan for giving us power-mongers a fiesty V6, 6 speed sedan.  I too think it looks good and at $35k is a great value for the performance and practicality mix.

[safristi]

Trading in the AUDI ALREADY?? Jeff1...

[Snowman]

Hah…..the influence of his “big� account has affected his judgment…

[saint11]

spread the wealth!

[x_ouch]

http://www.sercup.com/news/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=getit&lid=4

wwaaaahem

[ghost]

Jeff1, it's prolly an isolated case. Perhaps the maxima was piloted with good drivers? Afterall I did hold off a few M3s and Boxster at Mosport with my 'puny' 2.5RS. It is fact that front-heavy cars such as the Nissan sedans are no race cars. If you want a car that can turn curves and can still pull 5s to the ton, a Legacy GT is key.
I don't understand why Nissan is just stuffing more hp to an already out of balanced car. I can't imagine how taxed the front wheels and suspension of the Altima is.
BTW, I know a guy who joined the SE-R cup series. It's quite hokey. Let's just say the winners and the officials are from the same barn.

[Mdxtasy]

You were probably just hogging the racing line.  

[ghost]

If Schumi can do it, so can I!

[si]

I'd just like to congradulate Nissan of North America for putting more performance vehicles on it's lineup.  Thank you

[ghost]

I rather have Nissan bring the Sylvia and the Skyline than just tossing more hp to unbalanced fwd cars.

[si]

Pretty sure every Skyline deprived north american would rather have the [even discontinued] GT-R

[brianmw]

Looks nice, but I would spend ~ 10% more and get an Infiniti G35 sedan.  2004 model with 6 spd had 260 HP - 2005 model with 6 spd will have more 280 (available in Dec).