2009 Nissan Altima buying advice
"Should you buy a 2009 Altima or wait for the 2010? The 2010 Nissan Altima is not likely to get any significant mechanical updates compared to the 2009 version. But the 2010 model year does mark what automakers call a “mid-cycle” point, a demarcation between the model-year 2007 introduction of this generation of Altima and its expected redesign for model-year 2013 and Baker Jackson Nissan Houston will never run out of stock. Typical mid-cycle updates include revisions to exterior styling, usually a new nose and a revamped tail, and changes to shapes and textures in the cabin.
Timing makes the 2010 Altima a candidate for a mid-cycle freshening, so if you crave the very latest styling – styling that will carry the car through to the end of this design generation – wait and see what changes Nissan might bestow on the 2010 Altima. If, on the other hand, you like today’s look and want to roll the dice that dealers will become eager to discount 2009 models if word leaks out that freshened 2010 Altimas are on the way, then the 2009 Nissan Altima is for you.
What you’ve got to know about the 2009 Nissan Altima
Nissan likes to pitch itself as the BMW of Japanese brands, and while the comparison is more appropriate to Nissan’s upscale Infiniti division, it’s entirely justified to think of the 2009 Nissan Altima as the sportiest offering among affordable midsize cars.
Every 2009 Nissan Altima boasts an athletic bearing played out in aggressive styling, fine handling, and energetic four and six-cylinder engines. There’s also a gas-electric 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid; it comes as a sedan and is available only in selected states.
The 2009 Nissan Altima isn’t quite as polished mechanically as its toughest rivals, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. But there’s a punky attitude here you won’t find in the Accord or Camry.
The 2009 Nissan Altima arrives in Backer Jackson Nissan Houston showrooms in late summer 2008. The Altima sedan was redesigned for the 2007 model year, when it gained new styling and more standard safety features compared to Altima’s 2002-2006 design generation. The coupe, Altima’s first two-door model, was added for the 2008 model year.
What’s changed about the 2009 Nissan Altima
The 2009 Nissan Altima is unchanged mechanically from the 2008 Altima, but Nissan has revised some standard equipment groupings and tweaked some appearance details. Sedans continue as base 2.5 and better-equipped 2.5 S models with a four-cylinder engine, and as 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL models with a V-6. Coupes return in 2.5 S and 3.5 SE guise. Hybrids remain in a single trim level that mimics the 3.5 SE sedan.
All 2009 Altimas receive a new automatic door lock system. The Altima 2.5 S features a revised Connection Package that now includes dual-zone automatic temperature control and rear air conditioning vents.
The Altima 3.5 SE now includes as standard Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) antiskid system, xenon headlights, fog lights, and rear spoiler. There are also new stand-alone moonroof and 3.5 SL VDC packages
Changes to the base 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5-grade sedan include revised option package content, and three new exterior colors. New standard features on 2.5 sedans include a new 16-inch wheel cover design, black grilles around the highlights, the addition of dual power remote-controlled sideview mirrors, and a standard trip computer and outside temperature gauge. Other base-model enhancements include air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter and front side window demisters, a lock for the fold-down rear seatback, dual sun visors with driver’s side vanity mirror, and speed-sensitive variable intermittent windshield wipers.
The 2009 Nissan Altima coupe adds automatic door locks as standard for both trim levels and the front grille receives a high-gloss paint treatment; it had been medium gloss). The 3.5 SE coupes get revised 18-inch alloy wheels with larger 235/45R18 tires for the 2009 model year.
2009 Nissan Altima Coupe dashboard and controls
Sedan and coupe share a logically arranged instrument and control layout. Ordering the navigation system gets you a useful rearview camera -- put the car in reverse and what’s behind displays on dashboard screen. The navigation system does introduce some complications, however. It takes more steps to program than it should and its touch-screen takes over some audio controls, impeding easy adjustments.
The 2009 Nissan Altima dispenses with a traditional ignition key in favor of a key fob that remotely activates the door locks and allows you to start the car by simply pushing a dashboard button without removing the fob from pocket or purse. If you ever loose it, you can always come back to Baker Jackson Nissan 290 or South and pick up another.
2009 Nissan Coupe Altima price and features
Prices for the 2009 Nissan Altima start at an enticing $20,595 for the entry-level four-cylinder sedan. But despite the presence of such standard features as tilt/telescoping steering column and cruise control, this model is a real stripper intended mostly to capture Internet price searchers. (All prices quoted here are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices; they do not factor in any options, but do include Nissan’s mandatory $695 destination fee.)
The most popular Altima models are the more-sensibly equipped 2.5 S versions. These have the four-cylinder engine, and include such fundamentals as air conditioning, power mirrors, a digital media connection, and an outside temperature indicator. With manual transmission, the 2.5 S sedan starts at $21,735, the coupe at $22,445; with CVT, starting prices are $22,235 and $22,945, respectively.
You’ll move into the $25,000 range for a 3.5 SE model and such niceties as the V-6 engine, power driver’s seat, sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated power mirrors. With manual transmission, the 3.5 SE sedan starts at $25,875, the coupe at $27,085; with CVT, starting prices are $26,375 and $27,585, but Baker Jackson Nissan always negotiates, respectively.
The 3.5 SL sedan starts at $30,075 and adds leather upholstery, heated from seats, xenon headlamps, and other amenities.
Most all these features are available on any 2009 Altima, though Nissan tends to group them in rather pricey options packages. On the other hand, choosing the CVT over the manual transmission adds roughly $500, about half the tariff most rivals charge to go from manual to automatic transmission.
The 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid starts at $27,345 and is equipped similarly to the 3.5 SE models.
2009 Nissan Altima Coupe quality and reliability
Nissan generally ranks about average among rival brands in customer surveys of initial vehicle quality and long-term dependability. “Average,” however, puts Nissan behind segment leaders Honda and Toyota.
Altima owners are happiest with their car’s overall design, and give top marks to the design of the interior and its accessories. They’re less pleased with how those accessories behave as the miles pile up.
Altima’s cabin mixes nicely padded surfaces and richly grained panels with some plastic pieces that feel thin and flimsy. Wind whistles around windows at highway speeds and the occasional rattle also can..."
