Dad's Distributor ..

[TheIntrepid]

My dad's company distributor gave us a BMW 323i last year while they wanted him to decide whether or not to buy a product. Now a similar distributor gave us a car for a few days.





2008 Nissan Altima 2.5SL

It's a lovely car, pretty peppy with the CVT. I like the Bose stereo but I prefer the Camry Hybrid's JBL. I love the styling of this car. I haven't driven it yet, unless reversing it from the street to the driveway counts.. (although I drove a 3.5SE on a test drive), but I'll post impressions when I drive it.

[Secret Chimp]

C&D rated that car as a close competitor to the previous-gen Accord (gasp!). Give it a good drive - no "the transmission is funny and my chutney does not fit in the cupholders"

[TheIntrepid]

I was a passenger in it when dad took it for a spirited drive. I like the CVT in this car a lot better than in our Camry. What I don't understand is the manumatic function. What's the point?

It has a nice engine note, too. Too bad I haven't been able to use the sunroof.

[Cookie Monster]

C&D rated that car as a close competitor to the previous-gen Accord (gasp!). Give it a good drive - no "the transmission is funny and my chutney does not fit in the cupholders"

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'M PRETTY SURE THE ALTIMA HAS DISTRIBUTORLESS IGNITION.

[TheIntrepid]

It has the push button start... but then again so does my Camry so it's not exciting anymore.

[Cookie Monster]

I'M PRETTY SURE THE ALTIMA HAS DISTRIBUTORLESS IGNITION.

Z0MG COIL PACKZ??

[Secret Chimp]

I was a passenger in it when dad took it for a spirited drive. I like the CVT in this car a lot better than in our Camry. What I don't understand is the manumatic function. What's the point?

One-legged people and fat people who can't use their knees need to make their brum-brum as well. Driving hard and just having it go "Imma CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR" is going to get annoying after awhile.

[Raza]

Push button starts are still stupid, really.  I don't understand why they are there unless totally keyless.

[TheIntrepid]

Push button starts are still stupid, really.  I don't understand why they are there unless totally keyless.

Mine's totally keyless. So is this one.

[Raza]

Mine's totally keyless. So is this one.

Didn't know the Altima's is.  I don't think my friend's Altima is totally keyless.  It might be though, I was only in it once.

[the Teuton]

BMW's isn't really a key, so I can understand why they still have the fob and the button.

[TheIntrepid]

BMW's isn't really a key, so I can understand why they still have the fob and the button.

wtf. It's annoying. On our 323 we had to put the thing in the hole AND push the button?

[2o6]

I was a passenger in it when dad took it for a spirited drive. I like the CVT in this car a lot better than in our Camry. What I don't understand is the manumatic function. What's the point?

It has a nice engine note, too. Too bad I haven't been able to use the sunroof.

I've heard the manumatic (while pointless) is actually fun compared to the Auto-Manumatics.

[TheIntrepid]

I've heard the manumatic (while pointless) is actually fun compared to the Auto-Manumatics.

It's not. Dad used it tonight, it felt, awkward.

[Cookie Monster]

It's not. Dad used it tonight, it felt, awkward.

So you can tell how something is by seeing your dad use it?

[TheIntrepid]

So you can tell how something is by seeing your dad use it?

You can make small judgments at least.. I'll make true opinions tomorrow when I take it to work.

[2o6]

It's not. Dad used it tonight, it felt, awkward.

The one on the Mitsu Lancer at least. I don't know though.

[TheIntrepid]

The one on the Mitsu Lancer at least. I don't know though.

The Lancer has "MAGNESIUM" paddle shifters

[S204STi]

Didn't know the Altima's is.  I don't think my friend's Altima is totally keyless.  It might be though, I was only in it once.

Optional.

[Raza]

Optional.

I know it has a starter button, but I don't know if it's totally keyless. 

[JYODER240]

Is the BMW setup really that bad? Honestly, it's no big deal if you insert a key and give it a twist, but if you have to insert a key and then move your index finger a 1/2in to the right and press a button, then it's a horrible system.

I agree it's easier just to have a push button where you don't need to insert a key, but the BMW system can't be that hard to live with.

[the Teuton]

Is the BMW setup really that bad? Honestly, it's no big deal if you insert a key and give it a twist, but if you have to insert a key and then move your index finger a 1/2in to the right and press a button, then it's a horrible system.

I agree it's easier just to have a push button where you don't need to insert a key, but the BMW system can't be that hard to live with.

When I drove the 5er, I couldn't get the key out immediately.  If you have no idea what you're doing, it can be not-fun.

[JYODER240]

When I drove the 5er, I couldn't get the key out immediately.  If you have no idea what you're doing, it can be not-fun.

You just press the key and it releases, you do it once and it's never a problem again

[Raza]

Is the BMW setup really that bad? Honestly, it's no big deal if you insert a key and give it a twist, but if you have to insert a key and then move your index finger a 1/2in to the right and press a button, then it's a horrible system.

I agree it's easier just to have a push button where you don't need to insert a key, but the BMW system can't be that hard to live with.

It's just stupid.  It's a more natural movement to not take your hand off the key.

[JYODER240]

I agree it isn't the most logical setup, but it's not bad as it's made out to be. "You mean I have to insert a key and  press a button!?"

That's almost as bad as complaining about not having one-touch windows.

[93JC]

I want a car with switches for the fuel pump and ignition and a push-button starter.

[CALL_911]

Is the BMW setup really that bad? Honestly, it's no big deal if you insert a key and give it a twist, but if you have to insert a key and then move your index finger a 1/2in to the right and press a button, then it's a horrible system.

I agree it's easier just to have a push button where you don't need to insert a key, but the BMW system can't be that hard to live with.

Here's the answer: No.

Whoever is complaining about it is being a moron. Plain and simple. There is nothing hard about pushing in a key and pushing a button. It takes me no longer to start the BMW than it takes me to start the Audi. Whoever is complaining is just being stupid.

[CALL_911]

When I drove the 5er, I couldn't get the key out immediately.  If you have no idea what you're doing, it can be not-fun.

With ours, you push the button to shut it off, and push the key in, take it out, and you're done.

[CALL_911]

It's just stupid.  It's a more natural movement to not take your hand off the key.

I agree that it isn't necessary, but "natural movement"? Please.