Overview & Reviews

The 1997 models are virtually identical to 1996 models, except for the addition of new emissions equipment.

• Luxurious, sporty, and well-constructed, the Nissan Altima is the perfect car for those who want an Infiniti, but are stuck with a Nissan budget.

• It will never happen, but we would still like to see a V-6 engine offered in the Altima.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 61.00

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  Love it! - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By tomwgilljr - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Have had nothing to compalin about since I purchased my Altima, used, in April. Get 24mpg city/33mpg highway. Nothing but normal mantainance to dat

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  Super reliable..so far - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Ricky153 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Altima in 01/98 with 20,000 miles for 12,500. I have 68400 today and the only thing that I have had to replace(outside of battery,tires,oil changes & brakes)was the oil sending unit, total bill was $22.00. Its been extremly reliable and feels sporty to drive.I like the quick pick up. Average 23 mpg. Still runs like a champ.

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  Best First Car Ever! - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By College Kid - September 29 - 10:26 am

  I bought this car at 16 years of age and it has proven its value in the near 5 years Ive owned it. I bought the car at 119,452 miles and it now has 302,679 miles and still runs like brand new. I drive all over the place as you may be able to tell by the number of miles Ive put on it. I occasionally race newer sports cars at the lights and Ive beaten many smaller turbo charged and V6 cars, with the occasion of some bigger V8 powered cars. The only repairs Ive ever had to make on this car was a section of the rear subframe rotted out and needed a new section put in ($240), and new rear drums ($100). If this isnt good enough yet, then let me tell you I get 37 miles per gallon combined.

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  Best sedan I ever owned - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By sfbayarea - July 19 - 2:00 am

  A lot better than Ive expected in a mid class sedan. The 150bhp performs better than my 1990 Honda Prelude of 140bhp. Very reliable considering this was a previous rental. I only had the intention of keeping it a couple years but ended up still driving it. It now has 76K miles. Recently spent $620 on a gasket repair but I still think its a good car. I will buy another Nissan.

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  best car in the world (cause I have one) - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By assyrianlove17 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have a 97 Altima GXE and I would never sell it. I absolutly love it. I am about to put a Nissan SR20DET in it to make it even faster.

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  Life Saver - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By ReporterOKC - February 12 - 2:00 am

  After having relatively good luck with my Nissan, a 17 year old in a Saturn put a hault to its life. She pulled directly into my path and I broadsided her going 40mph...her Saturn was obliterated but my Altima held up quite well. The airbag deployed, and there was a signifigant amount of damage, but nothing that injured me...I truely believe that this car saved my life.

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  Passes Crash Test with flying colors - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By AnarKaotik - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I had heard bad things about Altimas in crash tests. Yesterday I hit an SUV, a telephone poll, and landed on my roof. I climbed out myself and aside from being a little banged up, Im fine. Thats what I call passing a crash test. I always enjoyed the car, it was very quick for its class, smooth ride, good handling, very roomy and comfortable. Great buy. I will say I did have to get a few repairs, axels and what not, but probablems didnt start until about 70000 miles.

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  Decent car with maintenance issues - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By nncincinnati - October 22 - 8:03 pm

  The Altima was very reliable early on, but as it aged, needed many more costly repairs and fixes. At ten years and less than 100,000, it has cost $600-1500 per year for the last five years to keep it running (not including tires!). My mechanic says there a few fundamental design flaws that show as this car ages that are costly (because they are labor intensive) to fix.

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  Abby....Altima - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Sugar02 - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my 1997 Nissan as my first car, and she is so beautiful. My Altima runs great, and you can bearly even tell when she is running, shes so quiet. The brakes work great, and I love the hub caps, even if they are only plastic. I would totally recommend buying a nissan, they are totally reliable cars and great for a college student like myself.

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  Very good perfomance and reliability - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Alexban - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Superb reliability. I did not have any mechanical/electrical problem yet. Some disadvantages: small cabin for the sedan class and slow acceleration. Plus: very good riding (somehow better than high altitude contemprorary cars) and quality of interior materials.