Everybody has been raving about the design of the new Altima. And it is even better looking in real life.

The car now looks like it cost much more than $30 000 when you get close to it. And Nissan offers one of the best color palette in the business.

It is offered with a choice of a 2.4L 4 cylinder engine good for 175hp. Or a 3.5L V6 with 240hp, a similar engine is used in the Maxima, Z, Murano and G35 Infinity.

The 4 cylinder is never quiet enough to pass for a 6. But it is a pleasant sound, never too loud or rough. And the more you drive it, the better it seems to be. It is also very quick, and right away, unlike the Passsat Turbo, there is no lag. It feels almost as fast as thehttp://www.nissandriven.com/vehicles/ModelHomePage/0,9438,20700,00.html Acura TL !

The car is also very comfortable. The suspension is not too firm, but never soft. A good family car suspension. And the steering is not as tough at low speed as in the Passat.

It is not as quiet on the road as a Camry, but it doesn't have to be. There is something hard to explain about driving this car. It is always a good experience. You are looking forward to it. Which does not happen in the Camry.

I guess it's the result of everything working well together.

The one thing that is very hard to swallow, is the total lack of quality in the interior. A shocking contrast to the exterior. Look through the window and it seems fine, but step inside and it's another story.

The cheap fake aluminum (painted plastic) of the door lock is what you will see and feel every time you use the car. It should be metal, like in almost every other car on the market. How much can they save?!

Take a look at this gap ! It's not the only one.

A shameless display of the cheapest plastics on the market. Gaps, hard textures, you name it, it's there.

It's really too bad, because the shapes are pretty originals and pleasing. But the quality is not comparable to the competition and much worse than any other Nissan. It wouldn't take that much to improve eather. They added "aluminum trim" for 2003, so brace yourself if it is just more painted plastic.

I would still recommend this car for people who look for something they would enjoy driving every day. If you can live with the interior, it is a great car. The exterior design, although very nice and upscale, is not as "modern" as people have said. Just look at an Intrepid or a Passat.

It is a car for people who "feel" it and will over look its small faults.

Carsdirect has them for well under $20 000 well equipped. A loaded V6 is too expensive and puts this car out of its league.

For more info, go to :http://www.nissandriven.com/vehicles/ModelHomePage/0,9438,20700,00.html

You could also choose:

- Toyota Camry : Very comfortable. Bland interior. Very good deals on the 4 Cyl.

- Honda Accord : A better design. Great interior. Wait a while for a good deal.

- VW Passat : Younger looking design. Great quality inside and out. Annoying turbo engine.