When the Nissan Altima coupe made its debut, it came as a surprise to all but the closest industry followers. The company’s rationale was to get as much niche goodness out of its existing hardware as possible. Now, the automaker is reportedly considering adding a convertible to the Altima lineup.
Any decision to drop the top on the Altima will come after an extensive internal study, Sean Blankenship, senior manager of Nissan marketing told Edmunds.
Blankenship enthused a convertible would be “great,” acknowledging the automaker is “studying a number of possible variants.” As for a rival to the Toyota Solara, Chrysler Sebring and Pontiac G6, in the form of an Altima drop top, Blankenship admits, “I’d love that.”
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05/29, 9:16 AM
posted by:
maximus
Just a rumor at this point, but it would be a neat option
05/29, 9:33 AM
posted by:
LovemyAP2
Not interested.
05/29, 9:36 AM
posted by:
snork
4-banger, hard-top for ~$27k would be nice and pique my interest. More so than the G6 which has the most useless trunk in convertible history.
05/29, 10:37 AM
posted by:
SRT-4Ken
—————>lol snork, the G6 AND the Solstice with their useless trunks…..But with the story, i think this “Altima Coupe Drop-top” will be hott….and will sell like hotcakes…
05/29, 11:10 AM
posted by:
2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat
a 4 cylinder for 27 grand?! HELL NO!!!
05/29, 11:13 AM
posted by:
2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat
would rather get a mustang gt convertable for under 26…but nissan is probably going after a different market, still too much though…sell it for around 22 and ill consider with a v6 and then ill pay 27 grand
05/29, 11:21 AM
posted by:
Jazz
Why assume that it will be the 2.5 I4 and not the 3.5 v6?
05/29, 11:43 AM
posted by:
snork
Don’t get me wrong…I’d assume it to be available with the VQ35. It’s just I’d rather not spend more than $30k on my next car, so I hope the 2.5 I4 will be more affordable.
05/29, 11:48 AM
posted by:
snork
Also, with the price of gas…after my current 03 Accord V6 (I can actually get 30+ mpg which is better than most 4-bangers), I don’t think I’ll be looking at any more V6 or V8 cars with a 40 mi commute to work each way:(
05/29, 2:00 PM
posted by:
LP640
YAWN………………..
05/29, 2:52 PM
posted by:
HoosierHero
50 year old women everywhere rejoice!
05/29, 3:28 PM
posted by:
PrimeGTP
Solara and Sebring are D.O.A. designs, Nissan wouldn’t have to worry much about them. The Mustang vert has its own following, and sales has more to do with the Mustang name than whether or not it’s a good vehicle. Nissan should offer a hardtop V6 Altima to compete with the Pontiac G6 and VW Eos. Eos is a pile of crap, but the G6 and Altima could push each other to new levels by way of competition.
05/29, 3:53 PM
posted by:
GARY
PrimeGTP – I couldn’t agree more, especially with your Eos comment. My neighbor just bought an Eos and every time I see that thing I just shake my head and wonder what in hell has happened to VW.
05/29, 4:12 PM
posted by:
miket
Maybe I’m wrong, but didn’t Toyota plan on stopping the Solara and convertible due to bad sales?
How will Nissan overcome this?
05/29, 4:19 PM
posted by:
PrimeGTP
By making a convertible that doesn’t look like a Solara.
05/29, 4:26 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
The Mustang isn’t really in the same class. It and FR with an optional V8. It is a good car, great really.. though as with anything it could be better. That said it is the ONLY car in it’s class right now… and that only leads to mediocrity.
The Altima’s competition are always going to be FF unless Nissan decided to, and this is rather unlikely, make the car RWD at some point.
05/29, 6:17 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
…or ATTESSA AWD, but that’s more likely to be standard on the Maxima. I’d love to see AWD on both model lineups.
Nissan needs to get past the backwards thinking that multiple models can’t have similar performance characteristics. I don’t see the point in a drop-top front wheel drive car unless it weighs 2,000lbs and only has two seats.
05/29, 6:46 PM
posted by:
deantj
Nice car, good idea.
05/29, 8:47 PM
posted by:
BAMF
ALTIMA CONVERTIBLE PRICING:
THe 2.5 S will start around $22,000.
The 3.5 SE will start around $26,000.
The 3.5 SL will start around $29,500.
The real question: Is this the prequel to the G37 Convertible?
05/29, 8:50 PM
posted by:
BAMF
And may I add, this car will be hot. Its going to sell out when it arrives at dealers. And you can expect to pay about $3,000 on top of those ^^^^ prices when it comes out.
05/29, 11:02 PM
posted by:
MC
A altima as a convertible? LOL The first fruitcake I see driving an altima convertible Im going to point and laugh.
05/29, 11:44 PM
posted by:
brcart3r
Nissan considers Altima convertible…
For the cash to make the new body, they will get back easily on the sales. Females will love it. Nuff said.
05/30, 12:41 AM
posted by:
autonutt
To compete in this price range now they would require a folding hardtop.. considering the size of the C-pillars on this thing, how would they ever design one that could fold down into that short trunk?
05/30, 7:37 AM
posted by:
deantj
They can do it. Same way they thinned out the C-pillar on the new 3-series coupes with metal folding roof. It might look a little G6-ish when all is said and done, but I think it will be OK.
05/30, 7:46 AM
posted by:
Fletch
I can’t understand how a car like this would create any excitement with buyers.
05/30, 4:50 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Fletch — Well said.
Only good-looking women (younger than 50!) should be legally allowed to own or drive convertibles
05/31, 1:50 AM
posted by:
fan
#
Fletch — Well said.
Only good-looking women (younger than 50!) should be legally allowed to own or drive convertibles
Comment by jackjimturkey, posted on May30 at 4:50 pm
Dont be unfair… theres some good looking women in the 50+ crowd, too… and theres guys in the 50+ crowd who like to gaze at them, too…
but i agree… fems in convertibles should be legally obliged to pass some high standards, beautywise…