Overview & Reviews

Altima is totally, and unnecessarily, redesigned for 1998. The Altima's new look is more wedge-shaped, with a trunk that looks like it has met the business end of a band saw. Standard equipment is up, including a CD player on every model except the XE.

• Big car in a small package. Lots of standard equipment.

• Dumpy hindquarters and lower build quality than we have come to expect from Nissan.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 70.00

• 

  OK, but could be better - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By EJS - September 25 - 8:53 am

  Bought with 28K miles from the dealer in nice condition. It now has just over 100k miles and I would say its been OK. I replaced both axles at around 80K miles. I do not tear around in this car, but it eats engine mounts; I have replaced the rear engine mount 3 times so far. This car is noisy on the freeway and fuel economy has never been over 30mpg. Drivers window switch failed at 85K and this requires a fair bit of digging into the drivers door to replace a $200 part. CD player has twice died; first time the dealer replaced it ans second time I found a cold solder joint on the display connector. Lifters have been noisy at startup since we bought the car. I think Honda is better

• 

  Building equity to get rid of it! - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Marc C. - October 2 - 10:00 am

  This car has done what it was designed to do which is to get from point A to point B. Never had a break down or anything other than routine maintenance. The interior road noise and 70mph "shimmy" are unbearable on long trips. New tires, 4-wheel alignments, and computer balancing havent helped one bit. And lets not forget the shaky hood. I get nervous driving at highway speeds because the hood shakes up and down like its about to fly off. This car has never been in a collision, but its parts fit together like it has. Im waiting to get the loan paid down enough to trade in on a Monte Carlo or Impala. Ill never buy an import again.

• 

  Engines that fall apart - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Cash - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 2001,when the car was just three years old. It ran great for the ppast two and a half years. There were no major problems with the vehicle. About a week ago I found out that my engine basically came apart. There was plenty of oil in the car and the car was well maintained because I have a mechanic in the family who has been working on cars for the past twenty years. He fixes government vehicles for a living. The car was bought a Nissan dealership and was supposed to be a certified used vehicle.This may have just been bad luck but I advise you to be very careful when purchasing this vehicle.