Nissan Altima Build Quality?

RTexasF said:
From what I have read the Altima build quality has taken an enormous positive leap as compared to the pre 2007 models.
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You are talking about the quality of materials and finish, right? Is the OP talking about material quality or reliability? I assumed "build quality" to mean reliability. I.e. the quality of the build, not of the finish.



They are not really the same. My POS (I call it that out of love) Nissan 200SX had incredibly cheap materials, but was quite reliable for the 175k miles we owned it up to. It was still humming along when we sold it. Our Regal GS certainly had nicer materials, but has been a bit less reliable to 175k miles. Though not horribly so, and it has been a much more useful and comfortable vehicle as it's much bigger.



To chains vs belts, I don't know anything about the VW issue. But I wouldn't say that makes the distinction irrelevant. Most all vehicles with a timing chain have no service interval for them. That doesn't mean it could never fail, of course. Pistons have no service interval, head gaskets have no service interval, etc. But I am not aware of any car with timing belts that has no defined service interval for them. It seems for some people belts are a deal-breaker, and for some it's no big deal.
 
Aurora40 said:
To chains vs belts, I don't know anything about the VW issue. But I wouldn't say that makes the distinction irrelevant. Most all vehicles with a timing chain have no service interval for them. That doesn't mean it could never fail, of course. Pistons have no service interval, head gaskets have no service interval, etc. But I am not aware of any car with timing belts that has no defined service interval for them. It seems for some people belts are a deal-breaker, and for some it's no big deal.
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The lack of a service interval is actually a problem as most (if not all) of these engines are interference engines. Meaning that when the chain/belt does break that the result is often thousands of dollars in damage. As I said before, both belts and chains are cheap. Check and replace as respectable intervals.



Well actually I didnt get that from Odyssey forums, a relative works as a service advisor for a honda dealer and told me that.
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Well, that would be a much larger sample.:) I'd still be interested in knowing what a "lot" is.
 
Aurora40 said:
You are talking about the quality of materials and finish, right? Is the OP talking about material quality or reliability? I assumed "build quality" to mean reliability. I.e. the quality of the build, not of the finish.



They are not really the same. My POS (I call it that out of love) Nissan 200SX had incredibly cheap materials, but was quite reliable for the 175k miles we owned it up to. It was still humming along when we sold it. Our Regal GS certainly had nicer materials, but has been a bit less reliable to 175k miles. Though not horribly so, and it has been a much more useful and comfortable vehicle as it's much bigger.



To chains vs belts, I don't know anything about the VW issue. But I wouldn't say that makes the distinction irrelevant. Most all vehicles with a timing chain have no service interval for them. That doesn't mean it could never fail, of course. Pistons have no service interval, head gaskets have no service interval, etc. But I am not aware of any car with timing belts that has no defined service interval for them. It seems for some people belts are a deal-breaker, and for some it's no big deal.
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I am not talking about reliability I was talking about the fit and finish.
 
SpoiledMan said:
If fit and finish are what you're looking for the Accord wins hands down.
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Ya I really do agree. When I sat in the accord the interior was very nice, almost Acura quality. The Camry was good but wasnt as good as the Accord. Now the Altima was a shocker, I mean the thing that slides over the sunroof to block the sun felt like it was a cardboard box covered in cheap cloth. The doors didn't close well and the paint looked terribly cheap. The overall feel was just cheap cheap cheap compared to the accord. Right now it is between the Camry and Accord and the only thing holding me back from the accord is that ECO cylinder thing.
 
SpoiledMan said:
The lack of a service interval is actually a problem as most (if not all) of these engines are interference engines. Meaning that when the chain/belt does break that the result is often thousands of dollars in damage. As I said before, both belts and chains are cheap. Check and replace as respectable intervals.
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I guess. You could say the same thing about a valve spring or a hundred other parts. When they break, it will cause lots of damage. However, in normal cases they do not break. I wouldn't replace the timing chains on my cars just out of fear they might break. That'd be like overhauling your whole engine to make sure nothing breaks requiring an overhaul. You are spending the money up front for sure, vs down the road maybe but probably not.



Anyway, different strokes, everyone has an opinion on what is worth the money and what is worth the risk. :)
 
Valve springs that break are rare. You might want to do more reading about timing chains though. It's not that uncommon anymore. At any rate, they're still CHEAP to do.
 
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