Although the '06 Altima is not quite "the cure for the common car" (I'm going with the Pagani Zonda), it's about as peppy a family four-door as money can buy — especially now that the '07 refresh is on its way and big discounts on '06's are on offer.

The '07 Altima will be at least 30% better in all major categories. And wouldn't you really rather have a proper rear-wheel drive car?

· Speed Merchants:

· Fashion Victims: No

· Treehuggers: No

· Mack Daddies: No

· Tuner Crowd: No

· Hairdressers:

· Penny Pinchers:

· Euro Snobs: No

· Working Stiffs:

· Technogeeks: No

· Poseurs: No

· Soccer Moms: No

· Nascar Dads: No

· Golfing Grandparents:

· Manufacturer: Nissan

· Model tested: Altima SE

· Model year: 2006

· Price as Tested: $29,805

· Engine type: 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6

· Horsepower: 250hp @ 5800 rpm

· Torque: 251 ft.-lbs. @ 3600 rpm

· Redline: 6600 rpm

· Wheels and Tires: P215/55R17 Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires

· Drive type: front-wheel drive

· 0 - 60: 6.9 secs.

· 1/4 mile: 14.6 sec @ 97.5 mph

· Top speed: 125 mph (electronically limited)

· Fuel economy city/highway: 21 / 27

· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 5/3/4

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