What's the buzz on this car?
I've read that it doesn't go, and it breaks down, but what is the real scoop?
I've read that it doesn't go, and it breaks down, but what is the real scoop?
Scoop on the Nissan Versa
- Thread starter Pablo
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Interesting that Nissan "upgraded" the sentra with a redesign and new 2.0L engine. dumped the headgasket eater 1.8L that was in the sentra. At the same time, build the all new versa with a 1.8L engine. hmmm.. I haven't kept up, hope it's not the same engine.
I rode in a neighbors. Four full sized adults fit in it comfortably and it's comfortable to ride in. The CVT wasn't annoying.
Don't know anything about reliability and didn't drive it but it didn't seem to feel abused merging onto a freeway if you consider it's a 4 cylinder econo-car.
I rode in the wagon version.
Don't know anything about reliability and didn't drive it but it didn't seem to feel abused merging onto a freeway if you consider it's a 4 cylinder econo-car.
I rode in the wagon version.
I just recently talked to a woman who bought one; factory tires wore out @ 18K miles 8(. She said she is getting about 32 on the highway; this is almost unbelievable low, can a 1.5 even use that much gas?
She seems to like it; I didn't prod her for all the details. But in true BITOG fashion I inquired about oil. She used to do her own changes years ago but gets claustrophobia underneath the car.
She seems to like it; I didn't prod her for all the details. But in true BITOG fashion I inquired about oil. She used to do her own changes years ago but gets claustrophobia underneath the car.
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"She used to do her own changes years ago but gets claustrophobia underneath the car."
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Send her over for therapy.
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Send her over for therapy.
Quote:
Send her over for therapy.
She is 5'10"; can you handle that?
Send her over for therapy.
She is 5'10"; can you handle that?
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
I just recently talked to a woman who bought one; factory tires wore out @ 18K miles 8(. She said she is getting about 32 on the highway; this is almost unbelievable low, can a 1.5 even use that much gas?
She seems to like it; I didn't prod her for all the details. But in true BITOG fashion I inquired about oil. She used to do her own changes years ago but gets claustrophobia underneath the car.
It would help if she raised the car a bit before she got under it.
I just recently talked to a woman who bought one; factory tires wore out @ 18K miles 8(. She said she is getting about 32 on the highway; this is almost unbelievable low, can a 1.5 even use that much gas?
She seems to like it; I didn't prod her for all the details. But in true BITOG fashion I inquired about oil. She used to do her own changes years ago but gets claustrophobia underneath the car.
It would help if she raised the car a bit before she got under it.
Maybe she did her own oil changes when she owned a pickup truck, and there was plenty of ground clearance and space between the engine and firewall. Now that she has a compact car, that is no longer possible.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Maybe she did her own oil changes when she owned a pickup truck, and there was plenty of ground clearance and space between the engine and firewall. Now that she has a compact car, that is no longer possible.
She must be a pretty big girl... I just use the ramps so I can use a creeper and look at everything else underneath, otherwise a stubby wrench is all I need to clear my Yaris - drain pan included.
Maybe she did her own oil changes when she owned a pickup truck, and there was plenty of ground clearance and space between the engine and firewall. Now that she has a compact car, that is no longer possible.
She must be a pretty big girl... I just use the ramps so I can use a creeper and look at everything else underneath, otherwise a stubby wrench is all I need to clear my Yaris - drain pan included.
I drove a white Versa as a rental vehicle for a couple of days last August. The tranny of the C230 was acting up, and I needed to be able to get to work until the Buick was ready at the dealer.
It wasn't a bad little car. A lot of the usual dark grey cloth and plastic all around, and I seem to remember it had red-lit instruments like the Mazda 3 I rented the year before. It went well enough up the Greater NO Bridge. Nothing about it excited me, I wasn't saying, "Heck with the Buick, I need one of these!", but it would be a good commuter car.
It wasn't a bad little car. A lot of the usual dark grey cloth and plastic all around, and I seem to remember it had red-lit instruments like the Mazda 3 I rented the year before. It went well enough up the Greater NO Bridge. Nothing about it excited me, I wasn't saying, "Heck with the Buick, I need one of these!", but it would be a good commuter car.
For approx the same money, I think a Honda Fit is a better econobox.
32 highway?!?!? I can get that with my Buick LeSabre!! With ~2.5x the displacement and 2 extra cylinders! With mileage like that, it's no wonder more of them aren't seen around.
Edmunds had one in their long term test fleet. Blogs about the car have been mixed (as usual). It doesn't really measure long term reliability but is interesting to hear different viewpoints.
Edmunds Blog
Edmunds Blog
My girlfriend just got one with my help, and we compared it with the Honda Fit... IMO there was no comparison. The Versa we got was a red wagon version, SL top of the line trim with the convenience package. It was great to get things like corvette style keyless entry/exit, bluetooth integration, a good stereo, CVT automatic.
With 122hp its amazing to go to 60mph without ever breaking 2000rpm, and it sips gas around town for us at 29-30mpg. On the highway we achieved 34 but it's still on the OEM oil with under 1000 miles.
No warranty problems, easy to work on engine, and the interior is extremely quiet compared with the Fit. If you're looking at a Fit, drive a Versa first... Here's the reasons why we got one over a Fit.
- Cheaper when haggled, Dealers willing to trade better, Better availability
- Much quieter inside, the Fit was terrible with noise.
- Seats that can go up and down
- Better Stereo system
- CVT keeps it quieter still and smoother, no jerkyness, no winding up of a breathless engine
- A lot more torque, enough to feel safe on the open highway
- Bluetooth, Truly Keyless Entry
- More rear legroom and cabin space
- Less Toy Like
Overall it just felt like a much better put together car. I recommend anyone considering one drive an SL with the CVT. I'm sure the 6-speed version is nice too, but the CVT gets 10% more fuel economy and doesn't ever wind the engine up... giving it the feeling of whooshing off from a light rolls-royce style.
With 122hp its amazing to go to 60mph without ever breaking 2000rpm, and it sips gas around town for us at 29-30mpg. On the highway we achieved 34 but it's still on the OEM oil with under 1000 miles.
No warranty problems, easy to work on engine, and the interior is extremely quiet compared with the Fit. If you're looking at a Fit, drive a Versa first... Here's the reasons why we got one over a Fit.
- Cheaper when haggled, Dealers willing to trade better, Better availability
- Much quieter inside, the Fit was terrible with noise.
- Seats that can go up and down
- Better Stereo system
- CVT keeps it quieter still and smoother, no jerkyness, no winding up of a breathless engine
- A lot more torque, enough to feel safe on the open highway
- Bluetooth, Truly Keyless Entry
- More rear legroom and cabin space
- Less Toy Like
Overall it just felt like a much better put together car. I recommend anyone considering one drive an SL with the CVT. I'm sure the 6-speed version is nice too, but the CVT gets 10% more fuel economy and doesn't ever wind the engine up... giving it the feeling of whooshing off from a light rolls-royce style.
did you test drive the '09 VIBE or MATRIX for comparison ? Those will get in the mid 30's for overall mileage ( had '03 MATRIX w/ auto ) . ENJOY yor VERSA . Do like the looks of them . May have to test drive both the auto and 6 speed manual ( or is it 5 ? ) sometime .
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Dominic,
What did you pay for it?
What did you pay for it?
JHZR2
Staff member
Ive had a few versas as rental cars... Ive put a lot of miles.
I used to LOVE the sentra... Im not as keen on the versa.
The footwell area for the driver is a bit cramped for stretching out the legs on a long drive... its kind of like a van that has the engine stickout into the footwell a bit... only smaller.
I didnt find the stereo very good... it was kind of muffled, a bit too much bass, and to fix that, things got too bright too quick.
At the same time, it is comfortable to sit in, the seats arent bad, and you can have a good posture. I like that there is a blue temperature signal telling you that the engine is too cold to drive it too hard.
It is a bit noisy and uninspiring. The old last-gen sentra was far better in that regard - even in rental car 1.8L AT form, it did what it asked with no quesions... it would give its best, and did so with good economy.
he versa just isnt quite there... I think it has more power, but it doesnt feel liek it. Granted, its probably a heavier car.
Economy-wise, it will do mid-30s without thinking much about it. I often calculate MPG on my rental cars, and have gotten 34-35 multiple times.
All in all, Id not have it to be my first choice, but its not a bad choice either. You need to drive it to decide if its a good car for you or not. Fortunately lots of rental car companies have them, and renting for a day and unlimited miles can sure give you a lot of experience...
JMH
I used to LOVE the sentra... Im not as keen on the versa.
The footwell area for the driver is a bit cramped for stretching out the legs on a long drive... its kind of like a van that has the engine stickout into the footwell a bit... only smaller.
I didnt find the stereo very good... it was kind of muffled, a bit too much bass, and to fix that, things got too bright too quick.
At the same time, it is comfortable to sit in, the seats arent bad, and you can have a good posture. I like that there is a blue temperature signal telling you that the engine is too cold to drive it too hard.
It is a bit noisy and uninspiring. The old last-gen sentra was far better in that regard - even in rental car 1.8L AT form, it did what it asked with no quesions... it would give its best, and did so with good economy.
he versa just isnt quite there... I think it has more power, but it doesnt feel liek it. Granted, its probably a heavier car.
Economy-wise, it will do mid-30s without thinking much about it. I often calculate MPG on my rental cars, and have gotten 34-35 multiple times.
All in all, Id not have it to be my first choice, but its not a bad choice either. You need to drive it to decide if its a good car for you or not. Fortunately lots of rental car companies have them, and renting for a day and unlimited miles can sure give you a lot of experience...
JMH
Never sat in one, but the Versa's high-up seating looks nice. I'd take that over falling into and climbing out of my Cobalt any day.
Originally Posted By: Dominic
Overall it just felt like a much better put together car. I recommend anyone considering one drive an SL with the CVT. I'm sure the 6-speed version is nice too, but the CVT gets 10% more fuel economy and doesn't ever wind the engine up... giving it the feeling of whooshing off from a light rolls-royce style.
Glad you are happy with it. I used to be a Nissan Fan but other than one model (Maxima) and engine VQ 3.5 they are going down the [censored] IMHO.
Overall it just felt like a much better put together car. I recommend anyone considering one drive an SL with the CVT. I'm sure the 6-speed version is nice too, but the CVT gets 10% more fuel economy and doesn't ever wind the engine up... giving it the feeling of whooshing off from a light rolls-royce style.
Glad you are happy with it. I used to be a Nissan Fan but other than one model (Maxima) and engine VQ 3.5 they are going down the [censored] IMHO.
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