2005 2.5SL versus 3.5SE

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Michael Pyfferoen - 02 Jun 2004 22:52 GMT

I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5 and
3.5 . I am not looking to HOTROD but normal city/highway driving. With the
price of gas going thru the roof I am looking at the 2.5 versus the 3.5. The
175hp would seem to give a decent amount of pickup. I would appreciate
comments by anyone with the 2.5 regarding upside or downsides.

thanks

Mike

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Ralph Griffith - 02 Jun 2004 23:36 GMT

We bought a 2.5 in 2002 and it has been an outstanding vehicle.... great
comfort, plus pep and many miles per gallon.

> I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5 and
> 3.5 . I am not looking to HOTROD but normal city/highway driving. With the
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Mike

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The Lindbergh Baby - 03 Jun 2004 20:05 GMT

> I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5 and
> 3.5 . I am not looking to HOTROD but normal city/highway driving. With the
> price of gas going thru the roof I am looking at the 2.5 versus the 3.5. The
> 175hp would seem to give a decent amount of pickup. I would appreciate
> comments by anyone with the 2.5 regarding upside or downsides.

With the price of gas where it's going (doubtful it will ever be low
again--they're just not finding that much in the way of new deposits) I
would go with the 2.5. Plenty of power for regular driving...unless
you're drag-racing, anything the 3.5 can do the 2.5 can do just the
same. And in city/highway situations, 60-0 impresses me a lot more than
0-60 in a car anyway, since you'll use it more often, especially if you
wind up behind Judy. ;-)

BTW, the 2005 isn't 175HP--they've added a few more ponies, maybe ten.
It should be more than fine for all your driving needs. I have a 2004
and never yet have I found myself saying "Dang, I wish this engine had
more power."

John

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Altima Esse - 08 Jun 2004 14:51 GMT

I have a 2003 3.5 and I've never thought, "Dang, I wish I had less
horsepower". (G)

All kidding aside, I think the 2.5 is PLENTY for around town, family trips
and general everyday driving. Especially with the HP increase for 2005. If
you're looking for something 'special' that'll torque you back into your
seat when you press the pedal down, pass the buttheads (even 8 cyl.
buttheads) on the interstate that speed up when you try to pass or move over
a lane, then the SE is for you. The only reason I went for the 6 cyl. IS for
the extra power and ability to easily increase it, should I decide to, with
few and cheap mods. After going through a few 'family' cars over the past 16
years and with the kids nearing college age I wanted to get back into
something that felt really good to drive. And for the $ the SE was a very
pleasant surprise. I've had NO second thoughts or ANY problems in the 15
months and roughly 12,000 miles I've had it. If $ was tight gas mileage
would've played a part in my decision. And if the kids we're still young I
WOULD be in a 2.5 now. But looking around and comparing gas pricing in other
countries and considering inflation on nearly every other item we buy, we're
still getting a deal. JM2CW

> > I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5 and
> > 3.5 . I am not looking to HOTROD but normal city/highway driving. With the
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> John

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Paul O. - 31 Jul 2004 14:12 GMT

> > I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5 and
> > 3.5 . I am not looking to HOTROD but normal city/highway driving. With the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> I was looking at the 05 2.5 yesterday. I am in Calif. and the HP on the

sticker is listed as 170 HP. Have yet to drive one, guess I'm just not ready
to pull the trigger yet, but sure like em.

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Paul O.
oplholik@hotmail.com

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Ryan - 03 Aug 2004 16:51 GMT

I've had a '05 2.5 SL for about a month. Love it! It is 175hp (at
least in Canada it is). If I could have the 3.5SE for what I pay for
the 2.5 SL I would take it for sure, but I'm not disappointed that I
got the 2.5. For regular driving I don't think the cost difference
(price, gas, insurance) is worth getting the extra performance of the
3.5 over the 2.5 SL.

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The Lindbergh Baby - 24 Aug 2004 04:39 GMT

> I've had a '05 2.5 SL for about a month. Love it! It is 175hp (at
> least in Canada it is). If I could have the 3.5SE for what I pay for
> the 2.5 SL I would take it for sure, but I'm not disappointed that I
> got the 2.5. For regular driving I don't think the cost difference
> (price, gas, insurance) is worth getting the extra performance of the
> 3.5 over the 2.5 SL.

As I like to say, for "real world" urban driving (i.e., not Montana), a
fast 60-0 impresses me a lot more than 0-60.

I've already had to use my car's 60-0 ability far more than the 0-60.

John

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Talon - 24 Aug 2004 13:52 GMT

> > I've had a '05 2.5 SL for about a month. Love it! It is 175hp (at
> > least in Canada it is). If I could have the 3.5SE for what I pay for
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>
> I've already had to use my car's 60-0 ability far more than the 0-60.

For this reason alone I love the Nissan Sentra Spec V, ahhh Brembo ;p

> John

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Will - 23 Aug 2004 18:36 GMT

> > > I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5
> and
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> sticker is listed as 170 HP. Have yet to drive one, guess I'm just not ready
> to pull the trigger yet, but sure like em.

The five fewer horses may be because of the California Emission stuff.

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Talon - 24 Aug 2004 02:31 GMT

> > > > I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5
> > and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> > > > 175hp would seem to give a decent amount of pickup. I would appreciate
> > > > comments by anyone with the 2.5 regarding upside or downsides.

I don't have a 2k5 but do own a 1995 Altima with the 2.4 and it is only
putting 130 or so down to the ground due to the automatic sucking up a few
horses and I've always been happy with it though. Never had any problems
passing people or getting up to speed in a hurry should the need arise.

> > >> BTW, the 2005 isn't 175HP--they've added a few more ponies, maybe ten.
> > > It should be more than fine for all your driving needs. I have a 2004
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> The five fewer horses may be because of the California Emission stuff.

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John Smith - 13 Jun 2004 15:04 GMT

The main thing to consider here is not engine displacement or power but more
engine power vs. weight ratio. If the 3.5 weighs significantly more than
the extra power it puts out then it is a bad deal. For instance: say the
3.5 weighs 1.5x the 2.5 but puts out only 1.3x the power, you're getting a
raw deal because you need more power (aka fuel) to push that engine along.
However, if it puts out 2x power then your fuel efficiency might be better
because the engine is actually working effortlessly to push itself and the
rest of the car around.

Oh, and as far as gas prices go--the U.K. pays FOUR TIMES our gas price.
We're getting a good deal, better than infation.

> I am looking at the 2005 Altima. I am trying to decide between the 2.5 and
> 3.5 . I am not looking to HOTROD but normal city/highway driving. With the
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Mike

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nissannewbie - 12 Oct 2004 01:36 GMT

I've had the 2005 2.5S for 6 months and it has plenty of power...period.
Yes its 175 HP.

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