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?
Ive got 290k on my 2wd Titan, so the truck gets my vote!!
Give me the Altima. Mostly because I want to find out if it is the car that attracts a certain kind of driver or the driver that just likes a certain type of car. If I drive like (more of) an asshole then I know it is the former.
Titan. The Altima makes my Spidey-Sense tingle. Would an insurance company really total a car over a bent fender?
I don’t really want either one, but if I’m forced to choose, I’ll take the truck. I have no use for a cheap daily/winter beater, so the Altima is useless to me. I could use a truck once in a while though. I live in the desert, and I already have an off-road rig, so an RWD truck doesn’t bother me. It’s still capable of all the truck stuff I’d need it to do.
This would be considered a mint condition Alitma in Florida. It’s all one color, has both bumpers and all 4 full size wheels still on it.
Altima Energy for me… especially with the manual.
I’m moving to the trailer park because while I voted sedan I’d take them both
How sure are we that the Altima didn’t simply arrive from the factory with the salvage title?
Titan for sure. People loved them it doesn’t seem like a terrible price but not a great one either especially considering spec. Altima seller has been smoking whatever they found under the seats.
If the titan was 4wd it would be a good option at even $1k more. No need for 2wd for me
But that Altima looks good and has the right spec for its price.
I was determined to go Titan because they’re honest, solid trucks, but 2WD and tired in and out gave me second thoughts.
Then I saw the Altima and the 6 spd won me over.
I’ve owned a Nissan Altima 2.5 before a honey truck backed into it totalling the poor car. I bought it after back surgery mainly because it had the most comfortable seats of all the cars I test drove while looking for a new (used) car. Having one with a manual would be nice even though I remember the handling feeling kind of “floaty”. On the other hand I do like the usefulness of a pickup truck, but the automatic transmission, short bed, and 4 doors turn it into more or sedan with an open trunk. I think Ill have to go with the Altima on this one.
Honey truck makes sense from shit it was created and to shit it will be returned. JK
Titan for sure. I don’t want an Altima (at least not the sedan) and a decent full-size truck would be super handy.
100% Titan. It’s 2WD, but it can still go over curbs and run over more zombies faster.
I have no use for a 2WD truck, so the manual in the altima is my choice today.
Now, I just need to figure out where to get a non-matching fender, a doughnut spare and a fake expired temporary tag so I’ll be invisible to the cops when driving 20+ over the limit at 2am with one headlight out.
Titan, all the way!
Thanks for the shout-out and excellent job as always on this and every Showdown, my friend.
BAE + salvage title = wfay.
(For those not familiar, ‘wfay’ is pronounced “way”.
What, there’s no F in way, you say?
Yes! Now you’re getting it!)