Very happy with our 2nd Nissan Product

Author's Rating:

Pros: Styling handling interior room lots of storage areas, 6 speaker radio is decent great gauges.

Cons: grayish plastic scratches easily. Radio display hard to see in all conditions. Big Turning radius

The Bottom Line: 
We are very happy with our purchase, great replacement for our 1998 Camry !

Author's Review
After we purchased our 2003 Sentra (wife's car), and my car on it's last legs (1998 Camry LE), and a baby on the way, We decided to replace the old Camry as repairs were starting to creep in. We wanted a mid-sized sedan for family use and my commuter buggy so we looked at the Altima and fell in love with it. Very spacious and great styling, decided the 2005 was the way to go with the redesigned interior. We purchased a 2.5S and have been simply happy with it. My Mother purchased a 2003 Camry and it is a nice solid car but I honestly liked the previous generation better. The Altima is much more a driver's car than the Camry, and although I am still a Toyota fan, We couldn't be happier with our Nissans. My wife and I both drive about 90 to 100 miles each day for commuting and are happy with the comfort and gas mileage with each car. She is 5 foot tall and I am 5 foot 8 so we are not large people but She has mentioned that the Sentra was the first car she has ever owned that she could get the seat and steering wheel perfect for her. Guess what, the Altima is the second. Even though it is significantly bigger than the Sentra, She is able to adjust the seat and steering just right for her, as do I. It has a roomy but not too large interior that seems to be the perfect size. We have enjoyed it as a good family car.
Pros are Styling, handling, interior room, lots of storage bins and pockets, removeable drink holders for easy washing, 6 speaker sound system is pretty good for stock radio, comfortable on highway for traveling. 4 cylinder engine very adequate and has oomph compared to Camry 4 cyl. I love the gauges and lighting, especially the bright orange for daytime use. Insurance is less for a 2005 Altima than for a 2003 Sentra ! I couldn't believe it but when we called to put it on it's true !
Cons are that the grayish silver plastic scratches really easy on the door in front of the shifter, and on the shifter it self. Already have two scratches that show up really well. Gas mileage could be a tad bit better but it's ok. Radio display is hard to see in bright sunlight and hard to see at night, hard to get the brightness just right without having the gauges too bright for night. Reception is just O.K. for radio. Turning radius is bigger than other Mid-Size cars I have driven, but it has been said the wheels are placed far to the front and back for better stability on the highway.