Not a lot of '13 owners!

[chevyorange]

I'm going to have to tweet this site out!

[tomd667]

Yeah the malibu forums here are kind of slow compared to the Altima and Accord forums. Fortunately, I don't see the Malibu owners here having a lot of problems like are currently being experienced by 2013 Nissan Altima owners. It's like that car didn't even get tested before they released it!

[DarkMali08]

What kinds of problems are the new altimas having? Was thinking of getting one for my wife as our second car.

[tomd667]

Originally Posted by DarkMali08

What kinds of problems are the new altimas having? Was thinking of getting one for my wife as our second car.

The car has had several CVT (transmission) issues since it was released. One issue involved a massive jolt that would occur when decelerating under certain conditions.. it would destroy the transmission when it occurred. Nissan issued a recall and there is a software update that they do to fix the issue. The 3.5s have another CVT issue where the whole car shudders at times under moderate acceleration. This is still not fixed. Now the big issue is on the 2.5s, the serpentine belt is slipping and causing a lot of vibration under when lightly accelerating. Nissan has said they need to fabricate a new belt tensioner to fix the problem. Oh and the power steering pump whistles and you can hear it inside the car. If ever there was a car that you wanted to wait until the 2014 or 2015 model to buy.. the new Altima is it. Make sure you check the Altima forums before buying one! I have a rule where I will not buy any car in the first year of production. The new Altima is a good example of why. I do think the Malibu is much better. I don't see many issues on this forum, even though it is much less active than the foreign car forums.

[gmitch2LT]

Glad to know, I was wanting the new Altima.

[DarkMali08]

Great thanks for all the info! We are also going to look into the new accord which I looked at during my local auto show and was pretty impressed.

[EnvoyBu]

I recommend the Accord. It's the best car in the mid-size segment by FAR to me.

[tomd667]

Originally Posted by EnvoyBu

I recommend the Accord. It's the best car in the mid-size segment by FAR to me.

I agree the new Accord is tough to beat. It has great back seat room, and although it uses a CVT, most reviews say that it feels much better than the Nissan CVT. I was browsing the Accord forums and the new model seems pretty free of issues unlike the disaster that is the 2013 Altima. I have been debating between getting a Malibu or an Accord.. still not decided but tending toward the Malibu for the regular 6 speed auto vs. CVT and quieter interior.

[mzodarg]

Originally Posted by EnvoyBu

I recommend the Accord. It's the best car in the mid-size segment by FAR to me.

I'll disagree with there. I test drove a 13 ex-l v6 and the road noise was terrible. I have an 11 ex-l v6, other than the technology updates and the car being smaller, I couldn't tell much difference.

All the above is my opinion, I've been a die hard Honda fan for 30 years.

Tre'

[tradosaurus]

Originally Posted by mzodarg

I'll disagree with there. I test drove a 13 ex-l v6 and the road noise was terrible. I have an 11 ex-l v6, other than the technology updates and the car being smaller, I couldn't tell much difference.

All the above is my opinion, I've been a die hard Honda fan for 30 years.

Tre'

I agree.

I test drove a 2013 Honda Accord V4 and I was not impressed with the road noise. In fact I was trading in a 2008 Honda Accord V4 that day because I was tired of the road noise.

After test driving the 2013 Chevrolet Eco the same day as the Accord my wife and I really like the amenities and quiet cabin during highway driving.

The advantage of the Accord of Eco is the mpg. The Accord will get 36 mpg highway without the need for an extra battery.

However the Accord was priced a few thousand more than the Eco for the same amenities.

All in all I'm happy with the Eco.