2001 Nissan Altima

I bought this car used, with 70,000 miles on it. Even after skipping a few thousand miles between oil changes and other maintenance, the car was always easy to work with and inexpensive to service. The interior was surprisingly very roomy and the automatic transmission and power steering was simple and straightforward. the trunk space was also very good, and the ground clearance was nice even in the rural/park areas with weird dips and bumps. I never felt anything jerky so I guess that means it had a firm but responsive suspension. Like all Nissans, despite having a little more power and better acceleration than the basic Sentra, the Altima was very fuel efficient. And that was probably the most satisfying part of all. I have to admit I drove over 100mph when the highways were empty, but the gas never ran out before my spending cash. All around- a smart purchase. Unfortunately, I made a personal error and chose to drive my car home far too late one night, with very little sleep the night before, and I fell asleep at the wheel. I was all alone when I crashed into a telephone pole on the side of an empty road at a very high speed (about 50). Now, all of the airbags in the front of the car deployed, and all I remember was the startling 'pop' and the standard chemical odor of the powder involved in the airbag-deployment reaction. I immediately opened my door and walked out to the front passenger side, around when the headlight was but closer to the center, and there were just a few tubes and a plastic canister (maybe the brake fluid) hanging down to the road surface. No smoke, no fire, no damage on the interior, because I remember opening the glove box to retrieve my insurance and registration. Although the damage to the car caused my insurance company to deem it a 'total loss', the car still did its job well for several months and was well worth the price. I did not have a scratch on me and the accident was through no fault of the car. I am glad I escaped unharmed and put the Altima through its final test, and I will be sure to buy another one someday if the moment is right. I recommend this car to anyone who puts their safety first but also enjoys a comfortable drive. This car is professional enough for any adult but also sensible and affordable enough for the average teenager or college student. It doesn't seem to be too 'masculine' or 'feminine' in appearance or in handling. And as I said before, it's 'modular' in the sense that any local mechanic or garage will probably have the parts on hand to service it in an emergency or routine checkup. No waiting for special orders and deliveries. The ride is nice and quiet, too, and it succeeds in an often-overlooked category, nighttime and rainy driving. I remember visibility was high and the view around the car's space was good. It made maneuvering very easy. p.s. Don't forget to check the security of the bumpers if buying from a non-Nissan dealership. The Nissan service center will have to check it out for you.