Thread: Altima SE-R vs LGT vs Altima 4 cyl

Have you looked at LS400/430s? Your price range fits the LS400. It's roomy, RWD, V8 power, great long trip/family car, quick (0-60 6.2 sec 1/4 in 14.6 sec) and probably the best build quality of any Toyota. Large aftermarket and cream puff examples still for sale. Mpg is around 20 50/50 mix w/ high 20's on highway trips.

Downsides? Automatic only, age, isolated driving experience (aka "Luxury" lol), and appearance when stock.

Take a look at an '00 LS400, you might be surprised.

Vadim are you still holding Blair back? Just sell him that thing already.

I'd say it lags like a T28, a bit more actually. Had some fun on the way back from the airport tonight.

I know that Altimas are not an option anymore, but I have one and you can't beat the space and great torque combined with the 6 speed for the price.

I love my Altima SE-R and there's only 3 issues that should really concern you. Bad tensioner guides, which is a bit of a pain to change but if you are capable of doing it yourself it's not bad since the part is cheap and is really the only part that would have to be changed. My car has nearly 120k miles and the tensioner guides are still good. It depends on how it's been taken care of. I beat the Crap out of it BTW, but I use cool synthetic every 3-4k miles.

Another thing that goes wrong is the oil pressure gauge sender, mine went bad around 100k it was $90 and was a quick fix.

The last thing that has affected some people is clogged header CATs, I haven't had this issue but it's resolved by either putting OBX headers on(15ish WHP) for about $300 you do get a check engine light. Our you could get Racing Line Cats for $500ish and 10ish WHP.

The other thing that is normal with all VQs is that they consume oil, not a big deal I always have an extra quart in the car anyway.

You could get OBX headers, racing line test pipe, CAI, ECU for less than $1500 and squeeze 250ish whp out of it.

For what they are going for you can't beat the price, looks, size and reliability. Because even with the mentioned issues the VQ is one of the most proven engines out there and the 6 speed is indestructible.

That thought has crossed my mind, I do like the Foz more then LGT Wagon or OXT Wagon. 04 Foz does have more legroom then 09 Legacy even. I would have to mod the crap out of it suspension wise to enjoy driving it in the twisties (stock sti suspension swap?)

If I get a Foz for myself, there is no way I would sell the STI exhaust .

Edit: I just found out there is an STI bumper for the 04-05 Foresters!

Stock


JDM STI:





It's definitely in the rear, I'll have to check the wheel bearings again (might have to remove them first). I replaced a Volvo's (04 S60) rear bearing yesterday, even when I was diagnosing it, it passed the movement test (no left to right or up and down movement). But when you would spin the bearing you could hear it wine.

That front end is super rare and quite expensive. I'd already have it if it were readily available and affordable. I love it.

Just sell me that exhaust and let the parts master, Keo, find another one when you're ready :-P

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I've been driving my friends 09 Legacy 3.0 on our lunch breaks, and it's definitely not bad (slower then GT though). Interior space is actually not as bad as I remember it being, it actually has .5" more leg room then the G20 in the back. Today I finally check the trunk out, and it's much bigger then specs suggest it being! 2009 should still be the same body as 2005, if it is then I'm sold on the 05-07 sedan!



I'll take a look, I never have been a Lexus fan (except for the sexy IS300). I think it might be a little tooo big, maybe in 5 years when I'm 30..



Ha! I might actually end up using it on the legacy...



I've always liked the Altima SE-R's, though 05-06 only because of better looks. I'm a little concerned about their reliability especially at the mileage I would be getting (at least 100k due to price). Working on one is as painful as on the Subaru honestly though. When I saw the thread last week about how many of them die from low oil pressure, it just discouraged me. Plus no standard LSD is kind of crappy.

LS Lexus is a great car. I drove several with 260-300k when I was a valet 97-05. The only thing worn was the typical leather spots, all ran perfect.

There's a bunch of bumper setups for SG5 Foresters.



I've got an 04 STi suspension with ~65k and saggy butt spacers I'd sell if you're motivated. Huge drop I'm told.

I'll let you know for now I like the forester for it's ground clearance, but if I can get it to get decent MPG I might get an NA forester for the wife and offroading, then I can mod the FXT to be more fun in twisties.

I disconnected the wastegate arm on the FXT, and results where not all that great at all even wit it not building boost on highway (1psi at redline). Still got 22mpg mostly highway (14m city out of 123 miles total)

Dude eactly! I was all about the Forester and now my wife wants the Forester back so I'm wondering what to do next since the suspension needs to be replaced soon. She told me she wants it back the day after I got the STi suspension.