I can't say anything about the Altima in particular, but I love my 2001 Nissan Maxima. It is at 103,000 miles and drives just like it did when new. I've only had to do expected maintenance - brakes, struts, an O2 sensor. The V-6 engine made Ward's 10 Best Engines list that year. In fact, Nissan's VQ-series V-6 made the list every year from the list's inception in 1995 through 2008. Last year, it got bumped out by newer competition, I guess.

Anyway, I love Nissan like my wife loves Honda. She's had a 1995 Civic and a 2002 CR-V.

I think you would do well with any of the mentioned Japanese products - the Altima, Mazda 3, Honda Fit or Civic, or Subaru Impreza. Have fun test driving!

Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.