Why you should buy this car: Although the '06 Altima is not quite "the cure for the common car" (I'm going with the Pagani Zonda), it's about as peppy a family four-door as money can buy — especially now that the '07 refresh is on its way and big discounts on '06's are on offer.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: The '07 Altima will be at least 30% better in all major categories. And wouldn't you really rather have a proper rear-wheel drive car?

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Nissan
· Model tested: Altima SE
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $29,805
· Engine type: 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
· Horsepower: 250hp @ 5800 rpm
· Torque: 251 ft.-lbs. @ 3600 rpm
· Redline: 6600 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: P215/55R17 Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires
· Drive type: front-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 6.9 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 14.6 sec @ 97.5 mph
· Top speed: 125 mph (electronically limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 21 / 27
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 5/3/4

[by Robert Farago]

Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Nissan Altima SE, Part 1; Part 2 [internal]

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