I took a 2012 Altima 2.5S coupe from the ES at DAY last night. It featured two empty Tupperware-style containers on the driver's seat
(the car was otherwise spotless). It's an interesting purplish "Crimson Black" and has less than 1500 miles on it.
I chose it out of curiosity (I drive a 4 door Altima about twice a week). It's interesting, but I fail to see a reason, besides vanity and not being asked for rides, to buy one over a 4 door.
Good: It's an Altima: a good generic car. The CVT is the same as on the sedan, which is not a bad thing.
Downsides: The rear seats are decorative. The trunk is smaller. The rear visibility is worse (though the effect is not too bad). I think it sits a bit lower, which is not good at night. The probability of getting a ticket is probably (sorry) higher. I lacks sat. radio; the only Nissan with it (a higher spec. 2011 Maxima) from National was last month at YYZ.
Classed SSAR: standard sports car. Maybe I was tired when I drove it last night, but it's no sportier than the sedan.
Originally Posted by
arf04
One additional point: I really hate the keyless ignition with rental cars as having the two over-sized fobs to carry around really sucks. I always end up sticking the fob on the seat of in the cup holder, which raises the risk of forgetting it there. I've had these on a few rentals now and I don't really see the advantage, even if one only had to carry the one fob around--it is still massive.
All Nissans* have a slot in the dashboard for the key. See the last picture in SkiBum1229's post. That slot also works when the key's battery dies; the key is then powered by the car. There is a physical key inside the device that unlocks the door.
I believe that the rental companies tie the two together so that both stay with the car in the case of a one-way rental. Yes, it's a PITA. At least the Nissan keys are smaller than most, but that's offset by the large plastic tag National (et al.) attaches to the keys.
In the past, one of the two keys was left in the trunk (or so I've heard). This doesn't work too well when a key works by proximity.
* All the Nissans that I've driven in the last few years: inc. at least the Altima 4dr, Altima 2dr, Maxima, Murano, & Rogue.