The 2004 Nissan Altima’s sporty 3.5 SE trim typically lists at a thousand dollars below the 2004 Civic Si, and the 2.5 trims list for two thousand dollars cheaper than a comparable Accord. Whether you’re going sporty or practical, the 2004 Altima is simply one of the best deals on the market today.
Is the 2004 Nissan Altima a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The car is excellent for the price, but it’s pretty good at any cost.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The ride is comfortable, even if some of the interior materials feel cheap and cargo space is decent at best.
- Reliability 8/10 – You’ll probably hit around 250,000 miles on the original powertrain. Your main concern is whether the previous owner drove the 3.5 a bit rough.
- Safety 7/10 – Adequate, if unimpressive. Solid crash test scores, dated technology. The same story you’ll get with a lot of twenty year old cars.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The 3.5 SE gets about 21/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway, while the 2.5 models average 23/29. Not bad, but average for a 2004 mid-size.
- Value 9/10 – This is a six thousand dollar car selling at around four thousand dollars. See how well the V6 performs and you’ll wonder if the seller made a mistake when they were typing up the asking price.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Nissan Altima?
Consumer Reports praised the 2004 Altima as a long-overdue rebuild of the “bland also-ran” nameplate, citing major improvements in the interior dimensions, powertrain, and handling. They do note that the cheap interior plastics make the car feel like a budget vehicle.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2004 Altima a decent 85% recommendation, praising the car’s long-running transmission and fuel-efficient engine but noting a few minor-but-worrying issues like oil leaks.
Edmunds were impressed with the sedan’s sports-car-like performance and tight handling. They found the interior comfortable and admired the distinct styling of the car. They also confirmed CR’s complaints regarding low-grade interior materials, and note the lack of stability control.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Nissan Altima Have?
The 2004 Altima has 109 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for engine and engine cooling issues, making up more than a third of the 274 total complaints. Drivers are reporting that the car will simply lose all automotive power while in motion due to overheating. This led to a recall in 2006, but, according to owner complaints, not every affected unit was included.
A number of drivers have reported premature rust in the frame of the vehicle. One complaint even states that they had a hole rust all the way through the floor on the passenger side. This typically occurs at low mileage and generally has to do with exposure to road salt.
Powertrain issues have been scarce, with just 17 complaints on file, many of them pertaining to the above-mentioned recall. So, when it comes to the transmission and engine, wear and tear will probably be your biggest concern.
The 2004 Altima has just 5 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is a remarkably low number for a car of this age. But, based on available complaints, it sounds like one more recall might be needed to address vehicles that were passed over in the previous engine recall.
How Long Will the 2004 Nissan Altima Last?
Nissans are notoriously reliable, and the 2004 Altima has been reported to pass 300,000 miles with no major repairs. But, you can’t always be sure if the previous owner did a good job of caring for the vehicle, so you should expect something in the 250,000 mile range, and consider everything after that a bonus.
RepairPal suggest that you keep about $483 on hand for annual maintenance costs, with the most expensive common repair being a sensor replacement for the backup warning system starting at $1,120.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is decent for 2004. The entry level S model comes with a CD player and six speakers, while the high-end SL adds a couple extra speakers. Just don’t hold your breath for Bluetooth connectivity or anything, this car came out twenty years ago.
Safety technology is pretty good for 2004, despite the lack of stability control. Basic safety equipment includes full airbags and child-proof door locks, and some models will have then-cutting-edge features like backup assist.
Is the 2004 Nissan Altima a Good Value?
The 2004 Altima is practically a steal, with a 2.5 SL typically listing at around $3,769 and a 3.5 SE at $3,803. These prices are for models with around 150,000 miles on the odometer. If you can get just 100,000 more miles out of the original transmission, you’ve got one of the best deals on the market.
Low cost of ownership makes the Altima even more of a bargain, with major repairs before 200,000 miles being a rare occurrence, and fuel economy being excellent at 23/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, in a 2.5L model.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Nissan Altima?
The 2004 Nissan Altima is offered in three 2.5L trims, from the Base to the high-end SL, and one 3.5, being the mid-range SE.
The Base 2.5 features:
- Carpet flooring
- Power windows and door locks
- Two 12v DC power outlets
- Velour seating
The entry-level S 2.5 adds:
- Manual air conditioning
- AM/FM radio with CD player and six speakers
- Remote keyless entry
- Power exterior mirrors
With the mid-range SE 3.5 you’re getting:
- Fog lights
- Driver lumbar support
- 8-way power adjust driver seat
- Cruise control
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Heated exterior mirrors
At the top of the line, the SL 2.5 adds:
- Leather seating
- Two extra speakers
- Heated seats in the front
What Engines Come In the 2004 Nissan Altima?
- The 2.5 trims are named for their 2.5L inline-four engine delivering 180 lb.-ft. of torque and 175 horsepower. This engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive, averaging 23/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- SE 3.5 models come equipped with their namesake 3.5L V6, a surprisingly muscly engine delivering 245 horsepower and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at around 21/26 miles to the gallon. Front wheel drive, 4-speed automatic.
What Colors Does the 2004 Nissan Altima Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Nissan Altima?
The 2004 Altima is a mid-size car that feels like a full-size with plenty of head room and back rows measuring 53 inches across. Some cheap-feeling interior materials may offset the experience, with plastics and fabrics no doubt cracking and peeling by now. But you won’t have to fight for elbow room.
There are very few suspension complaints on file for the 2004 Altima, so you can bet that the shocks and struts have held up well over the years. But, check underneath the car for excessive rust, and see how it hits those speed bumps on the test drive.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Nissan Altima Have?
You’ve got 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the 2004 Altima’s trunk, which is enough for three large suitcases and a couple carry-on bags. In the cabin you’ll find plenty of pockets, slots, and cargo nets for storing whatever it is you need to store.
It packs about as much as you can reasonably expect of a mid-size car. Grocery trips, rides to the airport, overnight stays, you’ve got the space to bring everything you need. It just won’t be of much help moving apartments.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2004 was the third model year of the 3rd Generation for the Altima nameplate, running from 2002 to 2007.
2002: The Altima got a new V6 engine and an overhauled suspension for 2002, debuting the new sporty-feeling 240 horsepower 3.5 SE.
2003: Some under-the-hood tweaks managed to bump the 3.5 SE up to 245 horsepower. Two-tone dash color schemes were added as well.
2004: The Smoke body color was new for 2004, and the engine was updated to keep up with emission standards, but there were no major changes this year.
2005: A major facelift year for the Altima with a brand new grille and a fresh interior design, plus optional DVD-based navigation.
2006: New sport seats with improved headrests, but no major changes were included for 2006.
2007: Nissan shaved an inch off the car’s height in 2007 and added two and a half to the wheelbase.
How Does the 2004 Nissan Altima Compare to the Competition?
If you’re looking for something sporty, but lightweight, the first thing you’re thinking is probably “How does it compare to a Civic Si,” right? Well, the Si runs about 85 horses short of the 3.5 SE Altima, but that basically evens out due to the Civic being a much lighter compact car and the Altima bordering on muscle car territory. The Civic is more fuel efficient, but sells for around a thousand dollars more.
If you’re looking for a daily driver, the car compares more closely to the Honda Accord, which is comparable on performance specs and longevity, but with a slightly more luxurious interior, and it runs about two grand more in the Blue Book.
The Altima isn’t the only good, reliable mid-size for 2004, but it’s possibly the best overall value you’re going to get in this size class.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Nissan Altima?
A great car it runs very well and is low maintenance. The car is very safe and has great gas mileage.
