Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo

[BLINGMW]

So here's a car I kind of forgot about, but just spent the last 48 hours and 1000 miles in a:

2015 Nissan Altima

I didn't realize this car is the same size as a Camry, because it sure doesn't feel like it. The CVT worked as it should, in sport mode was responsive, and you can turn off overdrive and keep it boiling. It handles better, and seemed well put together. Stereo and accessories and non-climate control AC were intuitive. Averaged 42 MPG for the trip, best I've ever seen. And with an 18 gallon fuel tank, that's potentially 700 miles between fill-ups.
Vs other rentals I've had, Camry, Corolla, Elantra, Optima, Chrysler 200, Impala, Focus, if I had to spend money on a "boring", automatic, family car, I'd take the Altima.

Only things I can come up with as negatives for this class of car:
I prefer Toyota cruise control setup, but it was ok
Engine noise is pretty extra unsatisfying
Foot activated parking brake limits what little fun there is to be had in a FWD car
Steering feel is too light and twitchy on highway
I hit overdrive-off switch with my knee 3-4 times on the trip
Base stereo needs a sub

[ViPER1313]

I had an Altima rental in FL, the CVT was enough to drive me to distraction.

[Mike]

I had an Altima rental in FL, the CVT was enough to drive me to distraction.

i've had one too. it's quite bad. only thing that stuck out to me.

[ViPER1313]

The center armrest thing that slid forwards and backwards was really annoying, but other than that it seemed like an ok appliance.

[BLINGMW]

hmm. What didn't you guys like about this particular CVT vs other automatics (also often CVT)? I have no idea if they changed something on the 2015, but it was one of the best autos I've driven. Ones with "shifting" override +/- or paddle shifters do not impress me, and I assume no-one actually uses them regularly, so this one's lack of that was actually refreshing.

[Mike]

Mine was not a 2015. It just felt like everything the car did was muted and there was a massive delay if I ever wanted to do anything peppy. I've not spent time in many CVTs so maybe that's an attribute of all of them. If it is, that is some shit technology for anyone who cares an inkling about cars.

[BLINGMW]

They really can be all over the place. I've driven some I hate more than a typical auto, some better; though to be clear I've never met an auto I "like". The ones that don't try to "shift" though when you floor it, (like the Prius) and just provide constant 6k RPM thrust are kinda neat though. And this one was pretty quick to hop from ~1.5k RPM cruising to 3-4k when you needed to pass (at least in sport mode). Then OD off is like track/autocross mode- it hovers at 3-3.5k or goes up from there when you ask for it, provides engine braking, and never goes to sleep. That's something a regular auto really cannot do.

The center armrest thing that slid forwards and backwards was really annoying, but other than that it seemed like an ok appliance.

FWIW, this particular one did not slide. And I'm with you on cars where it does, I've never understood why that would be desired.

[SlimKlim]

Then OD off is like track/autocross mode- it hovers at 3-3.5k or goes up from there when you ask for it, provides engine braking, and never goes to sleep. That's something a regular auto really cannot do.

You should take my VW around the block in sport mode just for fun sometime. I cannot imagine a real world, non-track situation where you'd want to use it in sport mode for more than a minute, it simply puts it in the lowest gear it can possibly be in for any given road speed and keeps it that way. I typically use it as "engine braking mode" or "corner preparation mode" when I'm running around town and not using the flappy paddles.

[HAULN-SS]

what exactly is annoying about an armrest you can slide forward for more comfort should you so desire? y'all need to take some motrin

[Mike]

what exactly is annoying about an armrest you can slide forward for more comfort should you so desire? y'all need to take some motrin

yeah, i love sliding armrests.

[ViPER1313]

It was just the positioning of it - it kept wanting to retract every time I put my arm on it

[Mike]

A3 TDI loaner. Okay car, but not for me because not wagon.

Pretty good looking, but could use about a 1" drop. Serious gap. I'm sure there's an A-Line, B-Line, S-Line, or whatever package that gives you some "sport" springs.

Drives nicely, about as buzzy feeling as a '90s gas 4-banger, and looks pretty good.

Very fun to watch the fuel efficiency at 40+. Just about twice as good as the A4.

Interior has been cheaper down quite a bit from what I expect from Audi. Looks like VW-level, which isn't particularly terrible, but maybe a little dated.

Controls are nice. Climate is very simple and intuitive. Stereo pops out of the dash and after it found my phone, I popped it away for a very clean look. It seemed pretty low res, but I'd likely have it hidden away most of the time.

Car has 100 miles on it and two rattles. Not cool. Maybe cool in 1991 from a Hyundai, but a 2015 Audi? Nope.

It wants to be driven slowly. At 65mph on the highway, it felt like it wanted to be going 50. That's diesel?

Transmission was okay. Felt a little more rough than the Sportwagen TDI, which at first I thought was silly since I assumed they shared a trans, but no, Jetta is a DSG.

Overall, decent loaner, but I'm not sure it makes much sense as a purchase considering where fuel prices are right now.

[SlimKlim]

Is it not a dual clutch? I thought it was.

I sort of like the idea of the gasser 2.0T, but you have to go to the middle trim level to get full keyless entry and some other stuff you'd expect to be standard on a new Audi, then tack on a bit more for sport seats and springs, which plunks you right around the $37k mark, so you might as well get the base model Golf R and have the functionality of the hatch.

[.RJ]

For $37k you can get an S3 which is nicer in every way. But thats too much damn money for that car.

[ScottyB]

wtf that wheel gap? are they all like that or is that a loaner special that's been raised because people treat loaners like shopping carts? yikes.

[Mike]

Is it not a dual clutch? I thought it was.

maybe it is? doesn't feel as smooth as the only other one i've experienced.

yeah, for the price, i really don't get this car. mid to high 20s? sure. it doesn't feel particularly luxurious/justifying low to mid 30s.

[Mike]

ok, yeah, it is a dsg.

[*insertusernamehere*]

I know dealers have to advertise and all but they could at least remove that big ass "Courtesy Loaner" on the side and allow you to pretend to be a rich badass for a couple days haha :lol:

Also that center console is ugly.

[Mike]

Another few days with the car. I really don't get what it's good for. It's a really expensive and slightly prettier 4-door Civic. FWD, Audi reliability, incredibly harsh ride, small, dated interior. I have a lot of fun paying attention to the fuel economy as opposed to the road... I the I may need to get something more efficient next because it tickles me in a funny way. I did stomp it yesterday and it is surprisingly quick when you can avoid wheelspin.

[Mike]

Something is up with this thing. Despite the 8" wheel gap, there is 0 travel in the front suspension. Even the slightest bumps feel like your bottoming out. Speed bumps at more than .1mph? You're going to need a neck brace. I popped the hood and put all my weight in the shock tower and nothing compressed. Did check for those spacer things that some cars ship with and nothing. It's like the shocks are welded.

Someone else get a ride or drive in one of these and tell me there's something wrong with this one because I don't understand how any designer could think this would be okay... Or what the reasoning behind it was?