I am looking at the 6-speed models with less than 120K miles, but under 150K is ok. I hear some are oil burners, I have no knowledge of these engines as well as what would be involved with a clutch replacement. Would 1 qt per 1500 miles be too much for these ( I believe so) and are they known to wear rings or just PCV issues? Just looking for a cheap daily commuter car and trying to stay under $3K. The Mazda 3 is another option but I do like the Versa with a manual. All input appreciated.
Looking at 1st gen Nissan Versa, few questions.
- Thread starter i6pwr
- Start date
For under $3000, it's all about condition. Cheaper used cars have to be taken individually, especially the lowest price bracket. There are cars with well over 200k with few problems, and cars under 100k that are completely shot.
Does a specific example you're looking at burn a quart every 1500 miles?
How long do you expect or need the car to last? Just get the best car you can afford regardless of how many miles it has.
Here are some other cars you might like:
2007 Yaris
2003 Echo
2008 Yaris
2006 Scion XA
Does a specific example you're looking at burn a quart every 1500 miles?
How long do you expect or need the car to last? Just get the best car you can afford regardless of how many miles it has.
Here are some other cars you might like:
2007 Yaris
2003 Echo
2008 Yaris
2006 Scion XA
Does a specific example you're looking at burn a quart every 1500 miles?
How long do you expect or need the car to last? Just get the best car you can afford regardless of how many miles it has.
I've only researched a few and they have been reported to use oil, but could be minor issues. I like the older Nissan 4cyl engines but not many manual transmissions around.
Would like it to last at least 3-4 years.
At under $3K you need to take what you can get. It wasn't really a Nissan Engine. It was a Renault Nissan alliance built by committee engine that is known to burn oil for a number of reasons - PCV, rings, valve stems. At that mileage will likely need a clutch.
As mentioned, at $3K condition and any maintenance history is everything.
As mentioned, at $3K condition and any maintenance history is everything.
You're looking at a small fortune---like $2K+ who knows for a high quality clutch kit, flywheel, fluids and labor. You should replace the rear main seal at the same time and don't skimp out on a new slave cylinder or anything to save a buck.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
What's your budget to get a $3k car into useable driving condition? Sure a $3k car can go 3-4 years if you keep putting money into it. You might try putting $3k as the only search parameter where ever you're looking and see what shows up.
The main problem that occurs to me is the distributor/ign module. They love to die and you simply canNOT get a quality unit anymore. Even Nissan will just sell you Nissan Value which is Wai et al at 3x the price. So I'd carry a spare at all times, have a receipt for LT warranty thru a corporate FLAPS, and hoard OEM if you can find any -- problem being 99% of these out there already have Chinese aftermarket in them.
Also, I just learned they run an oddball 6 on 4.5? I didn't know anyone ever crammed 6 lugs into a 4.5" circle. I always thought Jeep's 5 on 4.5 was the most anyone dared cram into a relatively tiny circle, but no....
Also, I just learned they run an oddball 6 on 4.5? I didn't know anyone ever crammed 6 lugs into a 4.5" circle. I always thought Jeep's 5 on 4.5 was the most anyone dared cram into a relatively tiny circle, but no....
The Versa is coil on plug
I looked up the coils available for the first-gen Versa, and the OE Hitachi coils are still available. They are still made in Japan
Does that Versa really have 6 lugs?
You are correct! I read Xterra. Somehow. Inexplicably. Ignore my entire response (like my wife!)The Versa is coil on plug
I looked up the coils available for the first-gen Versa, and the OE Hitachi coils are still available. They are still made in Japan
Does that Versa really have 6 lugs?
The Hitachi COP's for my VQ's were always made in Japan until very recently. Hitachi moved them to China.The Versa is coil on plug
I looked up the coils available for the first-gen Versa, and the OE Hitachi coils are still available. They are still made in Japan
Does that Versa really have 6 lugs?
If you can find NOS Hitachi made in Japan coils I suggest buying them now.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The Facet coils should be still made in Italy
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
That puts it in the 2007-2012 category I believe for the Versa. They had the 1.8L then. I don't see too many in the rust belt anymore of that vintage and I'd think the 6MT would be super hard to find. Non rust belt, who knows.
I own a 2015 Versa S model sedan with the 1.6L and 4spd automatic. I bought it used in 2019 w/ just under 50K miles on it and it's got just over 100K on it now. It's never had a problem other than 2 cat-back exhaust replacements. All the heat shields are long gone and the front brake dust shields are gone . The body shows no sign of rust yet. It's a complete poverty wagon to drive, reminiscent of of econoboxes of 30-40yrs ago.
We have a 2010 Cube (220k km / 140k miles) which shares much of the same / similar hardware. No oil burning issues yet and it's on it's first OCI of Valvoline Restore and Protect. Original spark plugs, injectors, etc but it has been getting better maintenance in the last few years. No real issues outside of the usual. I have a special relationship with the CVT and it's been behaving quite well since getting cleaned out, updated and fresh fluids.
Biggest issue at this age is rust and electrical gremlins. I've been going over the wiring and inspecting / cleaning / spraying with oil or other anti-corrosive products (Krown, Bar & Chain oil, etc).
I have several sets of wheels for the 2009-2013 Cube and a set off a Versa. They're 4x114.3mm (4x4.5") with a fairly large bore. Shares bolt pattern with some Nissan Altima / Sentra I think, Suzuki Swift / Geo-Chevy Metro, older Honda Accord (bore too small) and Volvo S40 (and others of course). It's a bit of a pain getting wheels as 4x100 is much more common.The Versa is coil on plug
I looked up the coils available for the first-gen Versa, and the OE Hitachi coils are still available. They are still made in Japan
Does that Versa really have 6 lugs?
My wife and I bought a 2008 Versa SL Hatchback new. It was a great little car! The CVT transmission had a mind of its own and they are known for going bad....so definitely grab a 6-speed. In fact we traded in the Versa way before we wanted to because the CVT was dying. Got rid of it at 145k around 2018. If the CVT didn't die we would have run it into the 200k's.
The only thing that it ever needed for work outside of scheduled maintenance was brakes and lower ball joints, typical age related stuff. The exhaust let go around 100k but that is a New England winter + salt problem. Ours did not burn oil at all.
Like any potential used car it is going to come down to its current condition. If it has rot or heavy rust I'd avoid it. Make sure it shifts good. Be prepared to find some maintenance items to go through.
The only thing that it ever needed for work outside of scheduled maintenance was brakes and lower ball joints, typical age related stuff. The exhaust let go around 100k but that is a New England winter + salt problem. Ours did not burn oil at all.
Like any potential used car it is going to come down to its current condition. If it has rot or heavy rust I'd avoid it. Make sure it shifts good. Be prepared to find some maintenance items to go through.
Did it start to have issues right after the second or third service?
I did the service myself using Nissan OEM CVT fluid roughly every 30k or so. Just a drain and fill.
It went downhill quick. Before it started to die the transmission would make a squeeling sound that would go away when it warmed up after 30 seconds. Then a few days later the throttle pedal would act dead and we got a "low transmission fluid pressure" code. It didn't leak and the fluid was at the correct level.
I forget the specifics but I replaced the pan filter....and there is a hidden cartridge filter for the CVT too that seems to be a secret. The cartridge filter was nearly plugged. Replaced the filters and put new CVT oil in there and it seemed to be fixed....for a week or so.
The same symptoms came back so I took the new cartridge filter out and it was almost plugged again. The writing was on the wall and this thing was dying. Put another cartridge filter in there, some new fluid and drove it to Carfax. Traded it in for $1,000.
Sucks to hear it failed even with great maintenance, It should have lasted much longer. The cartridge filter on the outlander sport came out clean. I was planning on doing it in another few drain and fills but i'll do it again on the next one to see how it looks.
These things are the new workhorses of Mexico. A manual Versa is cheap and reliable. 1qt in 1500miles is well with in spec for a Nissan of the time. Like others said it's all about condition. If the interior is nice, hopefully those are highway miles and you have plenty of clutch left. If the seats are shredded, most likely the clutch is almost done. You can easily get 200k+ out of these without issue if cared for. The suspension bits wear out on rough roads but are dirt cheap and easy to fix.
I knew something was up when we received notice that the Powertrain Warranty coverage included the CVT transmission up to 100k (or 120k, I forget) at no charge. It lived a fairly easy life too, no hard use or abuse.
