Any thoughts on Nissan Versa and Sentra

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vulture

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May 25, 2005
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Nashville/TN
Plan to take advantage of cash for clunker program and get a new compact car for wife. I am looking at Nissan Versa (1.8S 4A) and sentra(2.0S CVT) as they are most affordable at 14,000 and 15,000 before TTL respectively.
Any thoughts on this two cars? I have researched a while on sentra for a while, a few concerns is:
1. The engine is underpowered?
2. Durability of CVT is questionable?
Thank you for any inputs.
 
the Versa is the cheapest new car in America. It starts around 9k so with $4500 rebate you could get a new car for around 5 thousand dollars.
 
After owning 3 Nissan's since 2003, here is my summary: Engines and transmissions are generally very good. Evaporative emission systems suck. Too many CEL's that dealerships have a difficult time troubleshooting which translates into many trips to the dealerships.
 
I had a 2008 Sentra on a recent business trip to Connecticut. I put about 200 miles on the Sentra and was thoroughly impressed. It soaked up bumps better than my Maxima and was just as quiet. The only dislikes was a slight drone from the engine at 70 - 75 mph and the all orange lighting on the interior is a bit distracting at night. Other than that, it is a nice car.
 
I had a 2002 Sentra that I bought brand new. I went through 3 head gaskets in that car (now a well known issue). During that time, they made them with a solid rear axle and the car took bumps horribly. On cross country trips it made me go nuts. I don't know anything of the new ones.

Mine was made in Aquascalientes Mexico by the way.
 
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Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
I had a 2002 Sentra that I bought brand new. I went through 3 head gaskets in that car (now a well known issue). During that time, they made them with a solid rear axle and the car took bumps horribly. On cross country trips it made me go nuts. I don't know anything of the new ones.

Mine was made in Aquascalientes Mexico by the way.
.

What did you trade your sentra for? your saturn?
 
Originally Posted By: spursfan600
saaber1,

your a ttac reader? I love that site


I guess I am always looking for any car reviews where they don't dumb it down and try to make everyone happy. I used to watch that PBS "motorweek" but I don't think they have ever given a car a bad review and they have been on for what, 20 years? Everyone is afraid to make a car company mad at them so you don't get the real story. That is why I love Jeremy Clarkson's reviews in the London Times. Tell it like is man! ha ha
 
With the Kia Forte showing up, the '09 Spectra has a $3k rebate along with another $1k dealer discount easily.

Sentra has a $2k rebate and $1k dealer discount getting you most of the options you don't really need.

Lancer $1500 rebate and same for dealer discount too. So, that puts you into the price range.

Corolla over Yaris any day and close enough.

Test drive and decide on what you like. Then dig deep into incentives and get yourself a deal.

The benefit of living in the northeast, Boch Toyota/Honda, Tasca, and QuirkCars have weekly loss leaders and excellent newspaper adds for local dealers to match.
 
2010 YARIS will have Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control as a standard feature for only $150 more . It should arrive within a few months . We test drove a 2009 COROLLA and preferred the ride/ handling of the YARIS over it . The YARIS has been very reliable so far from all the online owner reviews at different sites that we've read . We own 2 YARIS , a '08 automatic sedan ( 13,940 mis. ) and a '09 automatic 5 door ( 4,900 mis ) and not a issue . The '08 sedan is averaging close to 40 m.p.g. overall , while the 5 door has overall average of 38 m.p.g.. Try to drive all 3 YARIS to get a perspective . You may be inspired .
wink.gif
 
you should be able to get a base model 2 door L.B. YARIS with 5 speed manual for well under $9,000 with the C.F.C. program . Try to get dealer to give their own discount as well . Anywhere from $500 > $1,000 . It comes with A/C standard and side / curtain airbags with anti-lock brakes for the '09 . GOOD LUCK
 
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Thanks for all the inputs, folks.
After test drive Versa and yaris, we think they are too small for us and not so good for highway cruising.

Sentra drives smoothly, but the reported drone noise in the CVT concerned me and I worry about its durability. (Even one dealership is willing to throw in a life time powertrain warranty on it without extra charge). Also it is a little bit underpowered although I am not expect a sporty compact here.

So far, mazda3 gives me the most enjoyable driving experience. But dealer has jacked up the price ever since CFC. I am not justified to pay $20K for a compact, even it is a premium compact. I would rather spend 3 grand more to get a V6 altima in that case. Any one expect Mazda3 price to drop sharply in near future?
 
Originally Posted By: vulture
I would rather spend 3 grand more to get a V6 altima in that case. Any one expect Mazda3 price to drop sharply in near future?



I don't think I've ever seen Mazda advertise big discounts on any of their cars except the Mazda6's a couple years ago.
Does a V6 Altima qualify for the CFC program? that has to make the price difference greater between them and a mazda3. I'd try a corolla as they get the same mileage as a Yaris but have softer tuned suspension, it should be a bit better for long trips.
 
Originally Posted By: vulture
So far, mazda3 gives me the most enjoyable driving experience. But dealer has jacked up the price ever since CFC. I am not justified to pay $20K for a compact, even it is a premium compact. I would rather spend 3 grand more to get a V6 altima in that case. Any one expect Mazda3 price to drop sharply in near future?




The Altima V6 is a real gas guzzler. Plus it requires premium and has that infamous Jatco CVT.

I helped a friend purchase a 2010 Mazda 3i Touring last month. Her's has the automatic, moonroof/bose package, Sirius satellite radio and wheel locks. She paid about $1300 under listed invoice. The car was $18,227, MSRP was $20,975. And they had the 3.9% financing at the time.
 
Price is on the sticker and controlled by options. Other then bogus dealer add-ons, dealer doesn't control price. Read the MSRP.

With the CARS welfare program, there is no need to rebate or to discount a vehicle.
 
I believe the Altima/Maxima are excluded, there was a post about most of the upper echelon cars being excluded and only the sup 17k cars being eligible.


Ah here we go, straight from Nissan USA website:

Quote:
Disclaimers
[1] Altima Sedan 3.5-L with 6-speed manual transmission and Altima Coupe 3.5-L with 6-speed manual transmission do not qualify. Xterra 4.0-L with 5-speed automatic transmission and 2WD, Xterra 4.0-L 6-speed transmission and 4WD and Xterra 4.0-L 5-speed automatic and 4WD do not qualify. Titan XE 4x2 and 4x4 King and Crew Cab; SE 4x2 and 4x4 King and Crew Cab; Pro-4X 4x2 and 4x4 King and Crew Cab and LE 4x2 and 4x4 King and Crew Cab do not qualify. Pathfinder S V-6 4x2 and 4x4, SE V-6 4x2 and 4x4 and LE V-6 and V-8 4x2 and 4x4 do not qualify.
 
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