Classic Cars Nissan

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe is the perfect vehicle for your family to take on a road trip. Whether you’re talking about a long drive to a theme park, a trip through the desert, or even just a leisurely jaunt to the beach, there are some things you can do ahead of time to make sure your 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe is ready to get you where you want to go.

Road trips can be straining on your vehicle if you’re not prepared. A long drive, combined with the often severe conditions of the environment at many popular summer road trip destinations can create a number of problems for your car.

Some of the most basic things you can do to prepare your 2008 Nissan Altima for your road trip are the basic sorts of maintenance tasks you normally do anyway. Making sure that your oil is changed, that your tires are inflated properly, and that your coolant system is working as it should are all part of preparing your Altima for that road trip.

In addition, your choice of destination and route also determine the kinds of preparations you should make. For example, if you’re going to go to the beach, you’ll want to wash your Altima and wax it with a protective wax. Clean your car’s inside with a UV protector to help keep your vinyl and your plastic surfaces safe from the rays of the sun. These measures help protect your car from the salty air of the sea, as well as the sun itself.

If you will be driving your Nissan Altima through the mountains, there are some different things you should do to prepare. You can check your brakes, and make sure you replace worn pads. Have your drive train checked, to make sure that it is functioning correctly. Inspect your wiper blades, and check your battery for corrosion.

Desert driving has its own unique preparations, as well. When getting ready to drive through the desert, check your coolant system. Make sure your serpentine belt isn’t cracked. Test your Air Conditioning, or even have it professionally tested. Check your tire treads, and replace them if necessary.

Wherever you take your 2008 Nissan Altima on a road trip, make sure you take the time to prepare your car in order to have a safe and worry-free trip.

If you’re looking for somewhere to take the family in your 2008 Nissan Altima, consider visiting The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is one of the lesser-known visitor attractions in the greater Philadelphia area. Located inside Hangar 1 of the Cape May County Airport, Lower Township, NJ, this museum honors the 42 naval airmen who died while training on that site during World War II.

Cape May County Airport is build on the site of a World War II Naval Air Base. Here, young pilots trained to fly the SB2C “Helldiver.” The Helldiver is an interesting and quirky piece of aircraft history. It’s been called “the worst airplane ever built” by pilots. Only the most brave pilots flew the Helldiver. The Helldiver sank more ships than any other plane during World War 2. On this site, they dive-bombed rivers and farm fields as they trained for the war.

The Aviation Museum isn’t only about the Helldiver, though. At Naval Air Station Wildwood, you can see a UH-1 Huey, a T-33 Thunderbird, an F14 Tomcat, and even a Coast Guard rescue helicopter. In addition to the actual aircraft, the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum features a large collection of aircraft engines, aviation artifacts, and military memorabilia.

Be sure to pack your camera in your Nissan Altima when you head toward the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. There are plenty of interesting opportunities for photographs, and you’ll wish you’d brought it if you don’t. In addition, this museum actually encourages you to touch the aircraft they display, so bring a sense of curiosity, as well.

The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is open year-round. You can visit their web site for more information, to see pictures of some of their collection, and to find out what their hours are. You can also learn about how you can personally help the museum with your donation.

Out of all the Nissan cars, the 2008 Nissan Altima sedan is, in many ways, an excellent choice for families. With the changes that Nissan has made with the 2008 Altima, as well as offering the Altima as a coupe, this car now appeals to buyers in other markets, as well. Here’s a quick look at this excellent car.

Price

The MSRP for the Nissan Alitma is right around $18,000 for the base model. Depending on the package and options you choose, the Altima can be as much $30,000.

Trim Levels

The 2008 Nissan Altima comes in four trim levels: 2.5, 2.5S, 3.5SE, and 3.5SL. The base 2.5 model is generally only available via special order, and it includes cruise control and keyless entry as standard features. The 2.5S adds air conditioning and an MP3 player input jack. The 3.5SE adds wood toned accents in the interior and a leather wrapped steering wheel. At the top of the heap is the 3.5SL. It has a Bose audio system, heated seats, leather seating, moonroof, and Bluetooth connectivity.  There are, of course, packages you can add to these trim levels.

Safety Features

All Nissan Altima models have six airbags, standard. The 2.5 models have antilock brakes as optional equipment, and the 3.5 models have them as standard. The 2008 Altima received a five star rating for front impact crash safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Interior

The bench back seat makes the Nissan Altima sedan ideal for a family with children. The interior design is stylish, and has some especially attractive accents.

Performance

The 2008 Nissan Altima comes in a four cylinder or a six cylinder option. Steering is excellent, and it handles well. Buyers can get an optional six-speed manual transmission, too.

Overall, the Nissan Altima is an excellent value for the money. If you’re looking for a sporty car for the family, or for a coupe that has plenty of room and trunk space, the 2008 Nissan Altima is the car for you. Visit your Nissan dealer today and give one a look.

As summer starts to wind down, you’re probably considering driving your 2008 Nissan Altima on a family road trip, trying to get as much recreation as you can before school starts again. Here are some ways to keep your Altima in top shape as you travel:

Check your fluids. Change your oil before you leave for your trip. Remember that oils get thinner the hotter it is outside, and this can keep your engine from being lubricated properly. Consider a thicker oil if you’re going to be putting a lot of miles on your Nissan Altima.

Put together an emergency kit. If you don’t already have an emergency kit in your 2008 Nissan Altima, you need one. It should include, at a minimum, jumper cables, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and basic tools. Other things you might add would include a mat to lay on the ground if you have to change a tire, paper towels, extra clothes, gloves, extra windshield wiper fluid, and nonperishable food.

Load your Altima carefully. Don’t pack your car so high that you can’t see out of your back windows. Also, don’t bury important items that you might need to get to when you stop, such as medications. And, while it’s not likely to happen on a family trip, don’t exceed your car’s payload limit.

Avoid fatigued driving. One of the leading causes of highway accidents is drowsy or fatigued driving. Make sure you get enough sleep at night. Be careful of using caffeine to keep yourself alert, because you can wind up with a long period of drowsiness once it wears off. If you feel drowsy, switch drivers. If you can’t, pull over somewhere safe and rest for a few minutes.

Enjoy your trip. Consider taking some time off the highway for a while to take in some of the countryside. If your Nissan Altima has a GPS or navigation system, be a little adventurous and see how far you can go without having to get back on the highway. Visit some local shops or restaurants along the way, and soak in some of the local culture.

Unfortunately, summer will come to an end. However, following these tips can help make sure your memories of the summer trip in your 2008 Nissan Altima are good ones. Don’t have a Nissan Altima? Schedule a test drive today.

Taking the family to see a movie can be a great activity during the summer. You can load up your 2008 Nissan Altima, drive to your local theater and enjoy a great show together. Here are some things to keep in mind to make your cinematic excursion as smooth and easy as it can be:

Save money with Matinees. The difference between a regular admission and matinee price is usually around $2 or more. For a family of 5, that can really add up. Watch out also for special feature pricing, as some theatres will have a free kids’ movie day or discount “twilight” pricing during the early evening.

Get the kids pack for the kids. Generally speaking, the concession stand should have a kids’ pack. The kids’ pack comes with everything they need: a beverage, popcorn and candy. Depending on how many kids you have, however, it might be less expensive to buy one huge bag or tub of popcorn and let them share it. By the time you add in the beverages, however, you may still be better off with the kids’ packs.

Be courteous to other viewers. The fact of the matter is that, sometimes, kids get fussy or loud. When your kids are being loud, correct them. If they can’t quiet down or if they’re making a fuss, take them out of the theater until they calm down. It’s better to miss part of a movie so that you can get the child to settle down than it is to miss the movie because the child is screaming.

Know what you’re watching. Finally, take a few minutes to check out some of the reviews at parent web sites or in parent magazines to make sure the movie is appropriate for your child. Even cartoons can, sometimes, contain scenes you might feel are offensive, so you’ll want to do your homework.

For 15 years now Nissan has been selling the Altima, a 5 passenger family sedan that still appeals to auto enthusiasts. In 2008, the Nissan Altima holds true to its reputation. With a host of standard features, 100 cubic feet of passenger space and 13 cubic feet of cargo space, there’s plenty of room to put 5 people and all of their belongings.

Two major models of the Nissan Altima are currently available, the Altima 2.5 S and the Altima 3.5 S with a hybrid version available only in a few chosen states. The Altima 2.5 S comes with a 4 cylinder 2.5 L engine producing 175 hp and 180 lb-feet of torque.

Fuel efficiency is rated at 32 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Altima 3.5 S comes with a powerful 3.5 L V-6 engine, pulling a huge 270 hp and 258 lb-feet of torque. The 6-speed automatic transmission and larger engine still boast impressive fuel efficiency, at 25/37 mpg, despite the V-6 engine.

However, when it comes to driving these cars, perhaps the most impressive feature is the push button ignition. No more inserting a key; to start either vehicle all one has to do is push a button on the dashboard to start the engine, as long as the keys are in range of the vehicle. This feature really provides a feeling that one is in the presence of the car of the future.

The interior of the Altima 2.5 S and 3.5 S is no less impressive. A 6 speaker AM/FM radio with CD player and MP3 input is standard on both models, however Nissan hasn’t forgotten the true music enthusiast. As an optional upgrade, drivers can purchase a Bose audio system with AM/FM/in-dash 6-CD changer with 9 speakers, Radio Data System (RDS), and MP3/WMA CD playback capability. Illuminated steering wheel mounted audio controls are available on the 2.5 S and standard on the 3.5S, and speed sensitive volume control is also an option.

Both the Altima 2.5 S and 3.5 S were designed with safety in mind. Each model comes with front and side airbags, complete with Nissan’s Adavance Airbag System technology and seat belt sensors. Neither has Nissan forgotten the rear passengers, with roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental airbags for front and rear-seat outboard occupants head protection. An energy absorbing steering column is able to take up some of the energy created in a collision, and rounds out the safety feature that come standard in both models.
When you’ve made your choice and you’re ready to go, make sure to stop in to your Philadelphia area Nissan dealers for a test drive or stop by the Classic Nissan website to look at new inventory and specials.