Used Nissan Altima for Sale by Owner on Craigslist
Looking for a used Nissan Altima? CraigsCars searches every Craigslist city at once, so you can compare Nissan Altima listings from private sellers nationwide instead of browsing city by city. Below you will find live listings, the known weak points of the Altima, and a checklist for your test drive.
Used Nissan Altima listings on Craigslist
Live results from Craigslist listings nationwide. Click a listing to open the original ad.
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What to check before buying a used Nissan Altima
- Check the transmission for smooth, prompt shifts both cold and warm.
- Look for uneven panel gaps or paint mismatch that point to accident repairs.
- Check tire wear and alignment — pulling to one side can mean suspension damage.
- Ask for oil change and timing belt/chain service records.
- Run a VIN history report and compare the mileage with the odometer and the condition of the pedals, steering wheel and seats.
- Make sure the title is in the seller's name, is not salvage/rebuilt (unless priced accordingly), and has no lien.
Nissan reliability: what owners should know
The biggest concern is the CVT automatic used in most Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Versa and Murano models since roughly 2007. Ask for CVT fluid service records, and on the test drive watch for shudder, whining or delayed acceleration. Older Pathfinders and Frontiers (2005–2010) can suffer radiator failure that mixes coolant into the transmission.
How to get a good price on a used Altima
Compare several Nissan Altima listings with similar year and mileage before contacting sellers — searching all Craigslist cities at once gives you a realistic picture of the market. Private sellers usually leave 5–10% room to negotiate. Point to concrete issues (tires, brakes, upcoming services) found during inspection to justify your offer. See our full negotiation guide.
Other used Nissan models
- Nissan Sentra
- Nissan Rogue
- Nissan Frontier
- Nissan Titan
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Maxima
- Nissan Murano
- Nissan Versa
- Nissan Leaf
- Nissan 350Z
- Nissan Xterra
Find a used Altima in your city
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York City, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
- Miami, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Sacramento, CA
- Portland, OR
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a used Nissan Altima for sale by owner?
This page searches Craigslist listings from every US city for the Nissan Altima. Results include private sellers and dealers; look for "by owner" listings to avoid dealer fees.
What should I look out for on a used Nissan Altima?
Comfortable and cheap. The 2.5L is efficient; the 3.5L V6 is quick. CVT health is the key thing to inspect.
Is it safe to buy a Nissan Altima on Craigslist?
Yes, if you meet in a public place, verify the title and the seller's ID, never wire money or use gift cards, and get a pre-purchase inspection. Read our guide on avoiding Craigslist car scams for details.