Nissan Altima (3rd Gen)
02-06 · Nissan Altima
The L31 Altima is cheap to run but the QR25DE's early-production oil consumption issue is a real vetting risk. 02-04 engines need a compression check before purchase.
Score breakdown
Our take
What it really is
A spacious sedan that was competitively priced and offered a standard 5-speed manual. The QR25DE is timing-chain and generally durable, but 02-04 models had piston ring issues causing oil consumption on some examples. 05-06 is the cleaner buy. No ESC on any trim. IIHS Marginal in front offset.
Why it's on this list
Under $5k for a clean 05-06 with acceptable maintenance history. The QR25DE is widely serviced, parts are inexpensive, and if you get a solid example it can go 200k without drama.
The honest trade-offs
02-04 QR25DE oil consumption is real, always check dipstick color and do a cold-start smoke test. No ESC available. IIHS front offset is Marginal, this is a pre-modern-safety car. Automatic transmission fluid service is commonly skipped. Budget for it.
What to buy and what to avoid
05-06 2.5S or 2.5SL automatic or manual. Avoid 02-04 unless you have documentation the engine was running cleanly. The 3.5 V6 is smooth but costs more to run. Check ATF service history.
Annual cost of ownership
Key specs
Also available in coupe. The score reflects the primary body style listed above.
Safety
Rust vulnerability
Reliability data
Repairability
References
Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.
- [1]datasetRepairPal
Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.
- [2]governmentNHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.
- [3]governmentNHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.
- [4]datasetIIHS Safety Ratings
Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.
- [5]governmentEPA Fuel Economy Guide
Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.
- [6]forum threadCarComplaints
Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.
- [7]datasetiSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.
- [8]publicationBankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.
Looking to buy a Nissan Altima?
Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.
Modernize this car
CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.
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