Sledgehammer

O.K, it's like this. I had all but made up my mind to buy a '03 P5 this fall after taking one out for a nice test drive. Then today, a friend of mine at work, asks me if I'd like to drive his new Nissan Altima (3.5 V6 5spd - loaded). Being a car guy, and never turning down a chance to drive a nice car, I say "hell yeah!". Now the problem. That friggin' Altima was a ROCKET!!! I mean, this car hauls some serious butt!! So now I'm wondering, what should I buy? I don't really need a car that big, and it definitely does not handle like a P5 (I don't think it even rides that much better for such a long wheelbase). But that engine - that was SWEET!
Anyways, I did some rough calculations when I got home, and I figure the Altima would cost me almost $200/month more than the P5, when I consider payments, insurance, and gas (uses premium). I don't know about you guys, but that is some significant coin. I could buy a lot of stuff for $200/month. Over 4 years, that's close to 10G's! I realize that the P5 isn't as fast or luxurious, but are the Altima's HP & extra toys worth that much? I'm confused people, help me out with some pros and cons. Seriously. Thanks!

nightowl

with that money you could either do the following

order the mazda speed turbo protege with 170HP
wait for the new mazda 6 (3.0 litter V6 model) 220HP
get a turbo kit for your P5 for 3G's

proman

i can see your dilema. even i wouldn't know what to do if it was up to me. i'd definitely go for the altima if i could afford it. but like you said that's alot of money you could spend on something else. with that said i say get the pro and use that extra money to take your girl out some place nice and even buy toys for the pro. good luck on your decision and i know it's a tough onne

rowan

Altima is fugly unless tricked out like the Stillen one. I swear all the "automotive journalists" that like it were paid off. :P

ZoomZoomH

or for a few grand more get a VW GTI 1.8T, chip it and it's up to 200+ hp & 240+ ft/lb. weeeeeee

Makaveli

Isn't it quite a few grand more then Pros? My Pro was 21,000 CDN with taxes, n everything, and I haven't heard of GTI's selling for under 30,000 CDN after taxes, etc.


I'd look at the Altima if you have the money..... very nice car.

Think about the extra money though.... After a year and a half of 200$ extra per month you'll easily be able to have a faster Protege then the stock Altima. You won't have the bigger interior though, but our interior is big enough as it is. All personal preference.

Why not look into a Mazdaspeed Protege if you got extra money or maybe the Mazda 6? I'd still get the regular Protege and save the rest for other things

onehawaiian

if you are thinking about another car with more power/muscle, then get one of these:
-dodge viper
-ford mustang (cobra)
-frickin' vette
nothing like good 'ol american *****...

OR you can stay in class(as the altima), save some bucks, and look cool with the new mazda6. if you don't want the p5, at least stay with a line of cars that look good, like the mazda6. mazda6. say it with me...

f'real tho. you can get more power for the p5. the handling is great, better than the altima. (my friend has one) but yes, the nissan is pretty big. i would stay with mazda. they are coming out with some good looking cars:

-p5
-mp3
-pro sedans
-mazda6
-rx8 (more power for ya!)

Radioflyer

You need to look closely at your driving style. What puts a grim on the old mug? If blasting from light to light is your cup of tea - get the big motor car. If blasting around corners blows your skirt up then get the 5. The Spec-V does both pretty good - if it just looked better.

Also, if you have a long commute a bigger car would be a better choice.

Being a long Datsun/Nissan fan I should say/and have bought a Nissan, but damn this 5 is a HOOT! Real big on the grin factor!

funkdaddysmack

I could go either way on this one... The P5 is a great looking and handling car... It's good on the wallet, as well as at the tanks...

The altima is seriously a rocket. Mid 14second 1/4 times are the norm bone stock, not even an intake. I heard a few months ago someone ran one with an intake and got a 13.98 or something like that... Even if it were a freak of nature (perfect track and weather conditions) that is still FREAKING fast.

As much as I love Nissan's and the new altmia, I'd get the p5 and turbo it. Or, you could wait for the MS Protege if you aren't keen about voiding your factory warranty with an aftermarket turbo kit on a P5.

Keep in mind, though, Stillen is developing a supercharger kit for the 3.5l VQ for the maxima, and I'm pretty sure it will work for the altima as well. 4th gen maxima's with a stillen SC run in the 13s all day, and they start out with 50 less HP than the new Altimas.

Decisions, decisions, but either way you can't go wrong

noodles

First of all, welcome to our humble little home.

Now, the choice is really up to you. Are you into zooming from light to light, not letting anyone cut you off and taking it to the dragstrip OR are you into zipping it around corners and turns and taking it to the track where the real fun begins? Are you heavy footed? ie: Like accelerating FAST? If you're not desparate for a new car and can wait a little, i'd wait for the Mazda 6. Big grin factor, excellent handling, and great 200+ hp. However, if you're into something smaller, the P5 is an excellent choice, but also, don't overlook some other cars in this ball park for instance: WRX? Impreza? Impreza RS wagon?

In my opinion, the Altima is more of a luxury car than a big Vroom Vroom. If i wanted all muscle, i'd get a used RX7 or wait for the RX8 or even the Nissan 350Z. But it's your wallet, only you'll know what's best.

And remember, always go with the GUT feeling. You can't go wrong.

Sledgehammer

Thanks for all the great advice guys, I really appreciate it! I'm still undecided, but I'm thinking along the lines of getting the P5 and adding a turbo later on. By the time I'm ready to buy (around Oct) the '6' will be out too, so I'll see how much that will cost me. One thing about the Altima, I've visited their site (altimas.net) and their are quite a few common complaints. A few members are already talking about trading up to the G35 or 350Z. I guess that 'power rush' is wearing off and the inherent flaws in the car are starting to show. Most feel the ride and quality of the interior are sub par - something Protege owners don't have to worry about.

As for my driving 'rush', I commute about 50 miles/day, so I prefer 'a little speed' on an open highway as opposed to blasting away from traffic lights in the city (too risky!)

distance

Get the new neon. Price will be OK and HP is great!!! Hnadling who knows.

OurP5

if you are in need of a new car get the P5 and save that $200 a month.

I agree to put the extra coin into a turbo kit or something along those lines for the power requirements.

Now, if you can wait a little while, go with the Mazda 6. There will be a sedan and wagon model (like the P5) with a V-6 option. You should still be able to pick one of those up for less than an Altima and still have quite a bit of power with additional monies to add mods to that!

Bumble_G

Just my opinion.

Get the P5 and use the extra cash to buy you're self other goodies.

Or use the cash to help pay for other stuff like a house mortgage.

reking

Here is what I think, get the P5! because my Dad has the new Altima, he said that the quality in your car looks and feels better then mine. The interior in the Altima looks nasty and plan and the exterior of the car got those chrome taillights, gross. Nightowl is right, wait and even if you buy a P5 and throw a turbo in it the car will be still cheaper then Atlima and just as fast, the Altima weighs a ton more.