Somewhere along the line, Nissan went from “Major Motion” to Big Altima Energy, and I don’t know that there was any one event that caused it. But it is difficult to reconcile today’s purveyor of CVT-equipped rental specials with the powerhouse that built the turbocharged dream machines of decades past. But if you choose well, a cheap used Nissan can be a great deal.
Yesterday we looked at a couple of well-worn Hondas. They were mechanically more or less the same, but wrapped in very different packages. The Pilot SUV was generally in better shape, and the vote reflected that. I think the sun-damaged wrap job on the Ridgeline didn’t do it any favors, nor did its threadbare interior.
But to me, the Ridgeline felt more honest. And the rust on the Pilot scares me. I’d rather pull wheel bearings, and if you’ve ever done it, you know that’s saying something.
All right, let’s check out a couple of inexpensive used Nissans. Don’t worry; there isn’t a CVT in sight in this lot. They’re a little beat-up, but they’re both strong runners. Let’s see which one you think is the better deal.
2008 Nissan Titan SE – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: 5.6-liter DOHC V8, five-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Tacoma, WA
Odometer reading: 170,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Thirty years ago, you could get a small truck almost anywhere, but if you wanted something full-sized and V8-powered, you had to buy American. But after Toyota broke into the full-sized truck market with the T100 and later the Tundra, Nissan followed suit with its own big truck, the Titan. The American trucks still rule the sales charts, but the Japanese upstarts definitely have their fans – among them our own one-man auto rescue, Stephen Walter Gossin, who has a beat-up Titan not unlike this one, and swears by it.
You need a V8 to play in this league, and Nissan doesn’t disappoint. The Titan is powered by a 5.6-liter, 32-valve V8 that puts out over 300 horsepower. The only transmission available is a five-speed automatic, which in this case drives the rear axle only. The seller says it “starts right up and drives as it should,” and it’s ready to be put to work. I do see a low tire pressure warning light on the dash, but about all you can do is check the tires, air ’em up, and see if the light comes back.
Inside, it shows a little wear and tear. There’s a rip in the driver’s seat, and the center armrest doesn’t look too great. The seller also says the overhead console is broken. But none of that will keep it from doing whatever you need a truck to do.
I think it’s a rule somewhere that once a truck reaches a certain age, it is required to have some minor damage on one bumper or the other. This Titan passes that test with flying colors. The front bumper is mangled on one side, and there’s a plastic cover piece missing. You could replace it, but something would happen that would just bend it again.
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S – $3,800
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4, six-speed manual, FWD
Location: Hayward, CA
Odometer reading: 98,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The Nissan Altima has become the butt of a lot of jokes in recent years, and that’s too bad, because it’s actually a pretty nice car. It’s a little sportier than a Camry, and probably just as tough. It has to be, to survive the kind of treatment it often gets.
In these days, the Altima came with either a 2.5-liter four or a 3.5-liter V6, either one available with a six-speed manual or the dreaded CVT. This one has the 2.5 and the manual, which strikes me as the correct choice for an inexpensive beater. The 2.5 had some oil-burning issues earlier in its life, but it was all sorted out by this point. It’s still under 100,000 miles, and it just passed a smog test, which is a good sign.
As you’d expect from the low mileage, it’s in good condition inside. There’s nothing fancy about an Altima’s interior, but there’s nothing unpleasant about it either. And the seller says everything on this one works.
It’s virtually impossible to find an Altima of this age without some body damage on it somewhere. This one has a wrinkle in the right front fender and some scrapes along the right side. It’s not bad, but it was apparently enough for an insurance company to total it; this car has a salvage title.
There is a stigma attached to Nissan ownership these days, but it’s not the fault of the cars, nor is it fair. If you avoid the CVT issues, they’re durable and reliable cars that drive pretty well. Your choice today is between a big brawny truck and a good sturdy sedan with a stickshift. Which one appeals to you?
The post Pick Your Battle-Damaged Nissan: 2008 Titan vs 2009 Altima appeared first on The Autopian.
