People interested in buying a used Altima in New York might like to know that well-maintained 2007 models can look brand new.

Nissan first released the Altima in 1993 and since then it has been redesigned three times. The fourth generation of the sedan came out in 2007, according to Edmunds.com. This means purchasing an Altima made within the last two years will get the buyer a car that looks very similar to the 2010 model.

One of the Altima’s cooler features is its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT is different from other transmissions in that it makes use of an infinite number of gear ratios, which can provide better fuel economy.

The recession has made spending money on gas painful for some, so the CVT might be an attractive feature for buyers looking for used Altimas in New York. The CVT also allows Altimas equipped with a V6 to accelerate to 60 MPH in 6.6 seconds, which is a respectable time for a family sedan, says the website. Individuals who really want to save on gas can choose a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 177 horsepower.

As Nissan gets set to release a press blitz for its 2011 model year Altima, recent cars have experienced suspension problems that could lead buyers towards used Nissan Altimas in New Jersey instead.

The new model will get a variety of appearance upgrades that the company says will offer a more youthful appearance, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a design flaw in 2009 and 2010 model year Altimas could cause the front struts to become loosened.

If the vehicle was not immediately repaired, the structural integrity problems caused by the malfunction could lead to a crash, the agency notes.

On the other hand, buyers looking at a used Nissan Altima in New Jersey could enjoy the 2005 model, which has no outstanding recalls issued against it, and has received praise from some reviewers.

“It steers with a rather light touch, is stable on the road and exhibits minimal body lean,” notes a Cars.com review. “Ride comfort is satisfying, and the fully independent suspension deals adeptly with pavement bumps and holes.”

The 2010 Nissan Rogue was recently unveiled by the Japanese automaker, but although the car is a recent entrant in the American market, buyers who consider used Nissan Rogues in New York can still save thousands.

That’s because the new model starts out at more than $20,000 for the compact crossover SUV, and many options packages can add thousands to that base price if one is looking for larger wheels, tinted windows, or a chrome grille.

Previous models have similar lists of safety features, and government crash test ratings for the first model, the 2008, ensured the Rogue received high marks for crashworthiness from U.S. News & World Report.

The 2008 used Nissan Rogue in New York is also more inexpensive than its newer brethren, enough to offset the loss of the Cash for Clunkers program according to some industry pricing estimates.

“The 2008 Nissan Rogue is a very good choice for suburbanites who enjoy an elevated driving position and occasionally need the utility and available all-wheel drive of a compact crossover,” note Edmunds.com editors.

Taking a look at the 2010 model, one may be tempted by lower manufacturing prices, but a used Nissan Sentra in New York is still likely to be the more affordable choice.

The automaker recently announced its pricing scheme for the compact sedan, with price reductions of every trim line, including $1,000 savings on the SE-R Spec V package which include larger alloy wheels and suspension improvements.

Thanks to depreciation, however, a used Nissan Sentra in New York is apt to cost thousands less than the model found in dealer showrooms this fall, with a cost differential of at least 20 to 40 percent based on some estimates.

Prospective owners could take a look at the 2006 model which was “one of the fastest economy cars in the market” in some trims and included many features available standard in base models, according to an Edmunds.com review.

Easy to operate and “nimble handling” characteristics could prove attractive as well, according to the website’s editors. The sedan also offers similar horsepower and engines to buyers who may have been considering newer models instead.

The good news: the newest in a long line of Nissan Z cars has recently been introduced. The better news: those who fell in love with the styling cues of older versions can pick up a used Nissan 350Z in New Jersey at a fraction of the price.

The drop-top version of the new car will have 25 more horsepower, different interior accessories and a price tag that starts at $36,000, reports Nissan North America.

But a 2006 model would still put 300 horsepower to the ground, and the mid-production cycle updates widened the stance of the car to improve handling, according to a Cars.com review.

“Simply put, the 350Z is a sweet machine” because of the updates, writes Jim Flammang in the review. “Steering could hardly be more precise, confident and satisfying.”

And without any rebates or other incentives, buyers considering a used Nissan 350Z in New Jersey will be paying thousands less for a driving experience noted by Flammang and others, whether they choose a coupe or a convertible.

While Nissan is trying to help drivers in the UK become more environmentally friendly with a new service combining GPS-tracking and websites, similar benefits could be found when driving a used Nissan Sentra in New York by following certain habits.

The Nissan Intelligent Driver Project is monitoring cars’ fuel mileage and efficiency using data from the engine and other measures to analyze the driving habits of motorists in the UK after a similar effort in Japan helped motorists save the equivalent of $500 at the pump over the course of a year.

Drivers can access the information either through satellite navigation displays or a password-protected website, and the data from dozens of vehicles will be compiled by Nissan.

While a 2006 model year used Nissan Sentra in New York already gets 32 miles per gallon on the highway, drivers may still want to consider similar eco-driving techniques to save more money when filling up on gas.

Trying to maintain a steady speed, shifting as early as possible, and maintaining the proper tire pressure are all steps that drivers could take for more fuel efficient trips, according to Ecodrive.org.

Readers of Men’s Health and Women’s Health, or even Runners World, may have seen an increase in advertising for the Nissan Altima.

The publisher of those magazines, Rodale, has also begun a series of events where former Olympians and pro sports greats like running back Eddie George show how they “master the shift,” to use the Nissan tagline.

They will be doing so in order to prepare for cycling and running events including the August 23 Livestrong Challenge in Philadelphia, as part of a marketing campaign to highlight the Nissan Altima.

But for those who may find that $4 for a magazine may be more affordable than tens of thousands for a new car, used Altimas may be available in the New York – New Jersey metro area for a lot less.

Edmunds.com highlighted the fact that the formerly “frumpy wallflower” of a sedan in 2005 got a boost from a 250 horsepower V6, combined with the four-door Altima’s “roomy and comfortable interior.”

For the base model, a dealer might ask for under $10,000 according to the website, leaving fitness enthusiasts enough money to visit George or Lance Armstrong’s coach as they try to compete against average guys in running and cycling events.

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