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2008 Nissan Altima Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

In preparing this comprehensive review covering the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, TheCarConnection.com’s auto experts separated out some of the most useful information to shoppers. And to be especially helpful, the editors at TheCarConnection.com have added their impressions in driving the Altima Coupe.

Likes:

  • Four-cylinder is peppy, manual gearbox is economical
  • Good front seats
  • Crisp handling without impacting ride

Dislikes:

  • Trunk opening is small
  • Some road noise on rough surfaces
  • Headroom can be tight for some

Buying Tips:


If you're looking for a more serious rear-wheel-drive sport coupe, the 350Z starts at a price that's about the same as a loaded 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe V-6.

An all-new coupe version of the mid-size Altima bows for 2008. The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe shares only its hood with the Altima sedan; otherwise, it has entirely different sheetmetal. The Altima Coupe is about seven inches shorter than the Altima sedan, with a lower roofline, and it weighs slightly less than the sedan.

Like the sedan, the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe can be equipped with economical four-cylinder or powerful V-6 engines. The base 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides adequate power for keeping up with traffic, and it's especially peppy with the six-speed manual, which returns 31 mpg on the EPA highway cycle. For those who crave more performance, there's a big jump to the 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, which delivers brisk performance and more refinement with the "shiftless" Xtronic CVT automatic transmission. The CVT is optional with the four-cylinder and includes a manual mode with simulated gears.

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has a ride that's quite firm but not harsh, with sharp handling response from the front strut and multilink rear suspension. The Coupe has a very quiet interior, although there can be some road noise on coarse surfaces. The backseats are split 60/40 and fold forward to expand the trunk area, which has an admittedly small opening due to the very sloped back window. Front seats are unique to the coupe, with sportier contouring and more support than those in the sedan.

Base 2.5S models come well equipped; they include keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and a six-speaker sound system. The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe SE model--which is available with the V-6--adds a moonroof, steering-wheel audio controls, and larger alloy wheels. Major options, most grouped into packages, include HID headlamps, heated seats, a Bluetooth hands-free system, an upgraded Bose sound system, and a navigation system.

Front side and side curtain bags, along with anti-lock brakes, are standard across the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe lineup, but electronic stability control isn't available on the four-cylinder and is only offered on the V-6 as an option. The Altima Coupe has been crash-tested by the federal government and earned four out of five stars in frontal impact and five stars in side impact; it earned only Marginal scores from the IIHS in rear impact.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has been introduced the same year that an all-new Honda Accord Coupe bows. Compared to the Altima Coupe, the Accord Coupe has a more elegant interior design that feels markedly more upscale. The Accord also rides a bit better than the Altima, though it doesn't feel as sporty. However, even in base-model form, the Accord Coupe comes with standard electronic stability control. Another rival is the Toyota Solara, but next to the Altima Coupe, the Solara really shows its age; the Solara's available V-6 can't match the Altima's V-6 in performance either.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe provides most of the practicality of the Altima sedan, with a lot more style.

In preparing this comprehensive review covering the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, TheCarConnection.com’s auto experts separated out some of the most useful information to shoppers. And to be especially helpful, the editors at TheCarConnection.com have added their impressions in driving the Altima Coupe. Likes:Four-cylinder is peppy, manual gearbox is economicalGood front seatsCrisp handling without impacting rideDislikes:Trunk opening is smallSome road noise on rough surfacesHeadroom can be tight for someBuying Tips: If you're looking for a more serious rear-wheel-drive sport coupe, the 350Z starts at a price that's about the same as a loaded 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe V-6. An all-new coupe version of the mid-size Altima bows for 2008. The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe shares only its hood with the Altima sedan; otherwise, it has entirely different sheetmetal. The Altima Coupe is about seven inches shorter than the Altima sedan, with a lower roofline, and it weighs slightly less than the sedan. Like the sedan, the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe can be equipped with economical four-cylinder or powerful V-6 engines. The base 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides adequate power for keeping up with traffic, and it's especially peppy with the six-speed manual, which returns 31 mpg on the EPA highway cycle. For those who crave more performance, there's a big jump to the 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, which delivers brisk performance and more refinement with the "shiftless" Xtronic CVT automatic transmission. The CVT is optional with the four-cylinder and includes a manual mode with simulated gears. The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has a ride that's quite firm but not harsh, with sharp handling response from the front strut and multilink rear suspension. The Coupe has a very quiet interior, although there can be some road noise on coarse surfaces. The backseats are split 60/40 and fold forward to expand the trunk area, which has an admittedly small opening due to the very sloped back window. Front seats are unique to the coupe, with sportier contouring and more support than those in the sedan. Base 2.5S models come well equipped; they include keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and a six-speaker sound system. The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe SE model--which is available with the V-6--adds a moonroof, steering-wheel audio controls, and larger alloy wheels. Major options, most grouped into packages, include HID headlamps, heated seats, a Bluetooth hands-free system, an upgraded Bose sound system, and a navigation system. Front side and side curtain bags, along with anti-lock brakes, are standard across the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe lineup, but electronic stability control isn't available on the four-cylinder and is only offered on the V-6 as an option. The Altima Coupe has been crash-tested by the federal government and earned four out of five stars in frontal impact and five stars in side impact; it earned only Marginal scores from the IIHS in rear impact. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, also consider:Honda Accord CoupeToyota Camry SolaraReason Why:The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has been introduced the same year that an all-new Honda Accord Coupe bows. Compared to the Altima Coupe, the Accord Coupe has a more elegant interior design that feels markedly more upscale. The Accord also rides a bit better than the Altima, though it doesn't feel as sporty. However, even in base-model form, the Accord Coupe comes with standard electronic stability control. Another rival is the Toyota Solara, but next to the Altima Coupe, the Solara really shows its age; the Solara's available V-6 can't match the Altima's V-6 in performance either. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe provides most of the practicality of the Altima sedan, with a lot more style. In preparing this comprehensive review covering the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, TheCarConnection.com’s auto experts separated out some of the most useful information to shoppers. And to be especially helpful, the editors at TheCarConnection.com have added their impressions in driving the Altima ...

Other Choices:

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has been introduced the same year that an all-new Honda Accord Coupe bows. Compared to the Altima Coupe, the Accord Coupe has a more elegant interior design that feels markedly more upscale. The Accord also rides a bit better than the Altima, though it doesn't feel as sporty. However, even in base-model form, the Accord Coupe comes with standard electronic stability control. Another rival is the Toyota Solara, but next to the Altima Coupe, the Solara really shows its age; the Solara's available V-6 can't match the Altima's V-6 in performance either.

Next Steps:

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for the 2008 Nissan Altima

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for a 2008 Nissan Altima near you

See the Nissan Altima in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By A Chinn #1, Posted: 7/21/2008

    A Coupe rider

    After two road trips to California and Utah, I very much enjoy how the Coupe performed.In the 3 months I have had the Coupe, I finally saw another on the road. And what I saw was one stylish looking car. The Coupe rides well and drives like a clipper on the high seas..Fast abd sleek. The style lines are totally different and reflects a sportier life. The Azurl blue is just one rich looking color. Gas mileage.. 26.9mpg in all conditions w/ travel range up to 460 mile per tank.. This is my fun car.

  2. By Rich Gray #2, Posted: 8/6/2009

    I have a 2007 Altima with about 39,300 miles on it. August, 2008 it started to lurching/hestitating on a regular basis. Bommariton Nissan in approximately 13 months has not been able to find the problem and fix it. I drove it about 160 miles today and it did 53 times. One time it did 29 times in about 10 miles. When it hesititaes the tachometer will go up about 500 from 2000 to 2500. Sometimes it will act like it is trying to die. I talked with a woman yesterday who has a 2008 Altima. She said that her car is doing also. She thought that was normal. She has about 23,000 miles on her car.
    The car generally has to be driven at highway speeds for at least 7 miles, although most of the time it takes 15 to 17 miles before it starts acting up. It occurs normally when I give it more gas. It also normally occurs when I slowed a little bit and then try to speed up. It normally occurs at 2000 RPMS. It occurred 15 times in about 5 miles. It reminds me of how older cars used to act when they had what I call a missing problem. Sometimes, it seems the engine is trying to die.
    Can anyone help me with this? Have you heard of this problem?
    Rich Gray
    Arnold, MO

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