A Sign of the Times
Midsize sedans were still going strong in the early 2010s, with a wide variety of choices available back then. These days, the options have slimmed down significantly, with many being axed this decade, and the once-dominant segment has been overrun by crossovers and SUVs. Even one of the longtime offerings in the class is going away soon. That would be the Nissan Altima, and while it doesn’t get a lot of love, there will come a time when seeing a pristine and surviving example will make people crane their necks.
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The Backstory
Per Classic.com, a late-model fourth-generation Altima is still valued at about $12,500, presuming it’s not a clapped-out example with years of deferred maintenance and featuring more dents and dimples than a golf ball. And that’s exactly what we found on Bring a Trailer – a low-mileage, well-cared-for model from 2012 that looks showroom fresh.
2012 was the final model year for the fourth-gen Altima, and it was the first generation to come with the much-maligned Xtronic CVT. What we have here is a top-spec 3.5 SR model with a black exterior, a tan interior, and just 13,367 miles on the clock. The car stayed with its Texas-based original owner right up until this year, so that’s 14 years in what appears to be very careful hands. We’d love to know what kind of presumably gentle life it had to have mileage that low and bodywork that straight.
There are some scratches present, but that’s inevitable on a car as normal as an Altima. It’s still in better shape than a lot of other Altimas on the road, some of which are just months old. The car was given an oil change for the sale, although there’s no mention of whether the CVT fluid has been changed or if other fluids have been changed recently. Do note that the tires are still from 2011, so those need to be changed ASAP.
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The Offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Nissan |
| Model | Altima 3.5 SR (L32) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Mileage | 13,367 miles shown |
| Engine | 3.5-liter VQ35DE V6 |
| Power | 270 horsepower |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Super Black |
| Interior color | Tan leather |
| Wheels | 17-inch split five-spoke |
| Suspension | MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear |
| Brakes | Vented disc, solid disc rear |
| Steering | Hydraulic rack and pinion power steering |
| Current bid | $4,000 |
Interested in this car? View the listing here.
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Why it’s Special
Let’s be real, when was the last time you saw a well-cared-for fourth-gen Altima with low miles on the clock? Granted, it’s not the easiest car to keep on the road, and many have fallen into abuse, neglect, disrepair, or any of the three combinations. As one BaT commenter said, it’s a true survivor, and despite not being 20 years old yet, it tells you something about the survival rate of this car. A pristine example like this deserves a new doting owner and more gentle miles on the road.
VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
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VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
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VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
VantageAuto/Bring a Trailer
About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor