American car fans have faced several setbacks lately. No fresh STI model awaits buyers, the GT-R has ended production, manuals keep fading away, convertibles are scarce, and clean NA Miatas no longer sell for pocket change. We supported the manual GTI enough that Volkswagen should have seen strong demand, yet that version vanished too. Conditions remain challenging, yet positive shifts appear. We recently believed our long-standing foe the Nissan Altima had met its end, only to learn it will continue through the 2027 model year. Even so, its days on sale look numbered, and with its drivers' crash patterns the highways may clear of Altimas soon enough.

Younger drivers who still exit an NA Miata smoothly may not recall earlier times. In the late 1900s Nissan offered engaging sedans alongside its sports cars, and the 2002 Altima stood out. Though front-wheel drive, it delivered real driving enjoyment and paired a manual gearbox with the V6. That engine produced 240 horsepower while the Ford Mustang GT V8 managed just 260. The bond soured only with the arrival of the 2007 Altima.

One Down, Many Others Remain

New affordable sedans are limited right now, and other victories might rank higher on our list, yet the path is clear. The 2007 Altima somehow transformed its owners into poor drivers, and despite our preference for sedans over crossovers that pattern must end.

Where should attention turn next? With one old adversary nearly gone we must channel our drive elsewhere. Momentum is on our side and we should use it. Which automotive opponent deserves our next push? Many may expect a focus on Tesla, yet bigger targets exist. I propose ending the V6. Inline-six engines perform better, and if packaging worries arise because I6 units sit too high the flat-six offers a ready solution. By placing most drivers in efficient four-cylinder hybrids enthusiasts might gain access to additional V8 options.

Though unlikely, five or ten years ago few would have predicted outlasting the Altima. Uniting around another target could improve our odds. Perhaps one you propose below.