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3.9

1998 Nissan Altima

Starts at:
$14,990
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4dr Sdn XE Manual 4dr Sdn XE Auto 4dr Sdn GXE Manual 4dr Sdn GXE Auto 4dr Sdn SE Manual 4dr Sdn SE Auto 4dr Sdn GLE Auto Shop options
New 1998 Nissan Altima
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4dr Sdn XE Manual 4dr Sdn XE Auto 4dr Sdn GXE Manual 4dr Sdn GXE Auto 4dr Sdn SE Manual 4dr Sdn SE Auto 4dr Sdn GLE Auto Shop options
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Key specifications

Highlights
Gas I4
Engine Type
24 City / 31 Hwy
MPG
150 hp
Horsepower
5
Seating Capacity
Engine
Gas I4
Engine Type
2.4L/146
Displacement
150 @ 5600
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
154 @ 4400
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
Suspension
Independent Strut
Suspension Type - Front
Independent Strut
Suspension Type - Rear
w/Coil Springs
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Weight & Capacity
2,858 lbs
Base Curb Weight
100 lbs
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
N/A
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
N/A
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
Electrical
550
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
100
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
Brakes
Power
Brake Type
Not Available
Brake ABS System
N/A
Brake ABS System (Second Line)
Yes
Disc - Front (Yes or )

Engine

Gas I4 Engine Type
2.4L/146 Displacement
150 @ 5600 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
154 @ 4400 SAE Net Torque @ RPM

Suspension

Independent Strut Suspension Type - Front
Independent Strut Suspension Type - Rear
w/Coil Springs Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Weight & Capacity

2,858 lbs Base Curb Weight
100 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
N/A Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
N/A Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
16 gal Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
N/A Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
1,000 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.

Electrical

550 Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
100 Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

Brakes

Power Brake Type
Not Available Brake ABS System
N/A Brake ABS System (Second Line)
Yes Disc - Front (Yes or )
Not Available Disc - Rear (Yes or )
10.9 x 0.87 in Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Not Available in Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Yes Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Nissan and non-Nissan vehicles less than 10 years old and less than 100,000 miles. (Nissan vehicles less than 6 years from original new car in-service date must have more than 60,000 to qualify for Certified Select.)
Dealer certification
84-point inspection

Consumer reviews

3.9 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 3.7
Performance 3.7
Value 4.1
Exterior 3.4
Reliability 4.1

Most recent

Comfortable

My husband got me this car which he passed on to go to heaven, I like this 1998 Nissan Altima is reliable and good driving
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 4.0
Performance 5.0
Value 5.0
Exterior 4.0
Reliability 5.0
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Good running car, no body damage, old but dependab

Great running car , no body damage, great first time car or commuter. Replaced all belts, tensioner pillys, alternator, power steering pump, please text i will return call ASAP.
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 3.0
Interior 3.0
Performance 3.0
Value 4.0
Exterior 3.0
Reliability 3.0
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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1998 Nissan Altima review: Our expert's take

By

Nissan’s 1998 pitch of “Enjoy The Ride” comes to the forefront with its redesigned 1998 Altima.

As a second generation sedan, Nissan has applied all the knowledge and science learned in the last five years to produce an automobile that achieves goals of quality, performance, comfort and convenience.

The first generation Altima entered the highly competitive mid-sized sedan category in 1993, and Nissan has been building on the car’s acceptance ever since.

The ’98 four-door has been an evolutionary development of the original concept rather than a revolutionary one. Built in Smyrna, Tenn., on a refined version of the original platform, the same wheelbase has been maintained but its size has been increased in length, width, and height.

The platform refinement for ’98 has taken on a life of its own in that it is 20 percent more rigid than the original. The stronger platform permits a wider track, increased passenger and cargo volume, and reduced noise and vibration.

In sort of an evolutionary-plus design effort, the new Altima has a acquired a more aerodynamic shape with a co-efficient of drag of 0.32 versus 0.34 for its predecessor. This translates into reduced wind noise at speed and greater overall fuel efficiency.

While there is nothing revolutionary in the styling theme, the thick bases of the A and C pillars visually impart a sense of solidity to the sedan. The large greenhouse creates a feeling of a larger car.

The Altima’s 103.1 inch wheelbase tends just a touch towards the short side. However, an increase of three inches to 183.1 inches of overall length falls right into the parameters for a mid-sized automobile.

The Altima is a front-drive five-seater in the conventional 2/3 seating arrangement. The standard design of a center console separating the two individual front seats prevails. The console blends into a vertical L-shaped pod that holds the shift quadrant at its base and is home to the stereo and temperature controls in its upright segment.

The layout is fundamentally world car design. The same applies to the instrumentation, which is the basic four gauge spedometer-tachometer- temperature-fuel layout. There is nothing new that you have to learn here. Nor is there any problems with the power accessory controls on the upscale models.

Four models are offered in XE, GXE, SE, and GLE form. The GLE is the top-of-the-line car. And of interest is that most of the bells and whistles are standard across the line.

Air conditioning is offered in a package with the XE, while missing are items like power door locks, illuminated entry system, and some lighted rear view vanity mirror combinations.

Nissan’s 2.4- liter (146-cubic inch), dual overhead cam, four-cylinder engine is the standard powerplant for everything. The same can’t be said for the powertrains. There is a choice between a manual five-speed and a four-speed automatic. With a GLE, it’s only an automatic.

As might be expected from Nissan, the motor is high tech with four valves per cylinder and sequential multi-point electronic fuel injection. The power developed by this dual cam 2.4 would indicate it was designed more for a sedan than a sports car.

Output is 150-horsepower, still at a respectable performance benchmark of 1- horsepower per cubic inch, but power doesn’t jump off the charts at the top end. Torque is 154 foot-pounds.

The horsepower and torque provide fairly sprightly family sedan acceleration, with the five-speed XE being the lightest (2,859 pounds) and the quickest of the lot. Zero to 60 miles per hour comes in at 8.50 seconds. Going to an optional automatic in the GXE takes about a second and a half longer. Zero to 60 runs 9.9 seconds.

Nissan apparently believes there are not too many aspiring racing drivers among owners of its Altima, as the top speed has a lid on it. Speed is limited to 112 mph by a governor.

On the upbeat side of that is the fuel mileage is great. It’s better with a five speed than with t he automa tic, but the differential isn’t much.

Mileage with the manual gearbox is 24 miles per gallon city/31 mpg highway. With the automatic onboard, it’s 22/30.

The 1998 Altima is a class act, especially when you consider the XE’s entry level price of $14,990. On the other end of the scale is the GLE with its leather interior, eight-way power driver’s seat and the like at $19,890. In between those two are Altima’s that offer just about something for everybody.

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Safety review

Based on the 1998 Nissan Altima base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
3/5
Frontal passenger
3/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
3/5

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