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These are the least problematic older Nissan Altima models.

Any used car purchase necessitates a certain amount of apprehension on the part of the buyer. In any market, there is no such thing as a sure buy, but if you do your homework and work with a trustworthy dealer, you can get a good price. The Nissan Altima is one of those lines that continues to be popular among people searching for a solid, cheap sedan that will last if properly cared for and maintained.

The Altima is a midsize automobile that has been in production since 1993. It has a long history of dependability and frequent innovative designs to help it last longer, but not all year models are created equal. So, if you're looking for a used Nissan Altima, you're definitely wondering which model year is the best-buy option.

Related: Here’s Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Used Nissan Altima

Normally, a model that has been around for a long while and has sold over 2.5 million units would demonstrate that it is, at the very least, a reasonably priced, generally reliable vehicle. They perform admirably and are often inexpensive. The Nissan Altima is available in six generations. From 1993 until 1997, Nissan produced the first generation of Altima vehicles, fitted with a 150 horsepower engine. The 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission were available to interested buyers of these automobiles. Several cosmetic and performance improvements were made to stay up with the times and government restrictions throughout this time period.

Nissan Altima vehicles from the second generation were solely available in North America from 1998 to 2001. This lineup concentrated more on addressing the wants of the American market, which are significantly different from the demands of the rest of the world, thanks to a freshly designed interior and a few performance modifications. From 2002 to 2006, Nissan produced the third-generation Altima. This range debuted a new chassis for 2002 models, making it a larger car than the previous two gens.

The Altima models were created as compact automobiles for the first two generations, but the third generation expanded to be closer to a mid-sized version. Although still compact, the size and design upgrades made this iteration appear to be a more mature version than its predecessors. By the time the fourth generation of Nissan Altima cars was released in 2007, a number of design tweaks and enhancements had continued to modify this particular lineup. The Nissan Altima was no longer just available as a four-door sedan in the fourth generation.

Beginning in 2008, drivers could select between two different Nissan Altima models: the two-door coupe or the four-door sedan. Nissan also introduced its first hybrid car in 2007, along with the debut of the fourth generation of Altimas. In 2012, the hybrid Altima along with the rest of the fourth-generation lineup, was phased out.

The model years 2013 to 2017 was the period of the fifth generation of which the Nissan Altima was reintroduced as a four-door sedan, as it was evident that car consumers were less interested in hybrids and two-door coupes than they were in sedans. The Nissan Altimas' fifth generation also saw a run of cars with only an automatic transmission. There were no manual transmission options available at the time. The sixth generation entered the market in 2018 and has since continued. The Nissan Altima, like all previous versions, has undergone a lot of design tweaks and enhancements in order to meet, if not exceed, the demands of the driving customer.

Related: 10 Of The Best Nissan Car Models On The Market

The term "best" is subjective, because what is significant to one customer may not be to another. Our favorite and the best year is the 2011 Nissan Altima. It was a hard call, but while the 2012 model is also a terrific option, we went with the 2011 model due to cost. The 2012 will be more expensive than the 2011, with no significant performance differences between the two. The 2011 model was the least problematic of all the years, with cosmetic tweaks from the previous year's model. Not only does it sport the new appearance from 2010, but it also comes in a couple of colors: Brilliant Silver, Metallic Slate, and Sahara Stone.

The fourth-generation model years 2011 and 2012 have shown to be superb, according to analysis from Olive. These fourth-gen cars have been the least challenging, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $8,500 depending on the vehicle's condition. Despite the fact that certain model years are older, repair expenses are on average lower than those of other cars in the same category. The engine was also updated in the fourth-generation vehicles, and for the first time, new technologies like the standard Smart Key, Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phone communication, and a parking camera were included. In 2010, the Nissan Altima received a facelift, and the 2011 and 2012 models benefit from it as well.

However, if you're in need of a higher budget car, we prefer newer model years such as 2018 or 2019. These newer versions are less than five years old and are almost certainly still covered by the manufacturer's guarantee. The latest models include features such as automatic braking, pedestrian detection, and intelligent lane intervention to help keep you safe on the road. The Nissan Intelligent Around View Monitor and Nissan's Intelligent Mobility, which incorporates Pro-Pilot Assist, are also included.

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