What about the Nissan Sentra?

[Mide]

I know ATOT is all about the Mazda 3 and others root for the ol' standby of a Civic or Corolla, but I've been researching through prices vs. features and the Sentra has a pretty good assortment of features:CVT, good MPG, bluetooth, and a 140sum HP engine.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Mide
I know ATOT is all about the Mazda 3 and others root for the ol' standby of a Civic or Corolla, but I've been researching through prices vs. features and the Sentra has a pretty good assortment of features:CVT, good MPG, bluetooth, and a 140sum HP engine.

not a bad car, but it does fall short when you compare them to a civic or corolla. It's not as refined as either of those and it does not have the sportiness of a 3. I have to admit, that car looks nice in white, though.

 

[evident]

i dont like the latest revision. it looks like a compressed altima, in a really bad way. i was a fan of the early 2000 models in terms of appearance

 

[Arkaign]

CVT = Fail, so far. Much better with a manual.

 

[thomsbrain]

I would read some magazine reviews of the car. From what I understand, it was considered to be inferior to the competition.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
CVT = Fail, so far. Much better with a manual.

If you want fun to drive, CVT is not for you, which is pretty obvious. CVT is for smooth and efficient drive without shift to begin with.

 

[caspur]

Originally posted by: everydae

Originally posted by: Arkaign
CVT = Fail, so far. Much better with a manual.

If you want fun to drive, CVT is not for you, which is pretty obvious. CVT is for smooth and efficient drive without shift to begin with.

Manual CVT? Where you can set the RPM via throttle control like an airplane engine. Similar setup in a train.

 

[dud]

I test drove the Sentra, civic, corolla, Mazda 3 and the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra. I ended up buying the Civic (wife's choice). The Mazda was the least expensive while the Civic was the most (in this class). ThSentra was in the middle and mediocre at best. It was priced lower then the Civic but the price difference was not enough to go with it over the Civic.

My wife gets about 34 MPG (80% City, 20 HW).

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Magazines hate on the Sentra for its old suspension design of having a fixed beam rear axle.

For handling and sportiness, most of the other compacts beat it out. I think the Sentra has the largest trunk and largest interior passenger room of any of the compacts. Coworker had one as a rental and I thought it was pretty nice.

If your gonna buy a CVT - Nissans are the best.

 

[nismotigerwvu]

Yeah, I would consider it more an alternative than a class leader. Some interesting features that make it worthwhile, but none that really set it apart from the pack.

 

[GCS]

I am considering a used Sentra as well. Currently I am in a 2000 Ford Windstar with 130K miles. The van is great, in good shape, drives well and I like it just fine. The $90 fill ups 2-3 times a month right now really SUCK!! I also no longer need the room (kids are older and we don't need all the strollers, etc etc in the car) so I would love to move back to a sedan with great MPG. I don't 40+, hell I would be thrilled with 30s.

My problem is 2 fold -- money (just cannot stomach a big a$$ car payment right now) and I am not sure I can live with driving something small (aka prius, civic, sentra etc).

I would love something with the size and features of an Altima, Camry, Malibu but the $$$ just aren't there.

A client of mine has a very nice (no frills) 2007 Sentra with 29K on it. It's in really nice shape, still under warranty and he is asking about 10K for it. I think I have some room to negotiate as he is closing up the business so who knows.

How small are sentras (it's been a while since I have been in one). Can I comfortably take the wife and 2 kids out in it and not feel hemmed into a small cardboard box??

Greg

 

[nismotigerwvu]

GCS,

Go test drive both the Versa and the Sentra. The Versa might stun you with how big it feels inside and how much car you get for the money, which seems to be a high priority for you.

 

[GCS]

Originally posted by: nismotigerwvu
GCS,

Go test drive both the Versa and the Sentra. The Versa might stun you with how big it feels inside and how much car you get for the money, which seems to be a high priority for you.

Yep sadly size does matter here, LOL!

Thanks for the suggestion.

The sentra is still very tempting though as I am betting he will drop to 8k on it. My dad drove it already when the client came to our office with it and he liked it even though he thought it was small.

I think I will see if I can get there tonight and drive it myself and then go find a Versa as well.

Thanks!

Greg

 

[nismotigerwvu]

Also, don't forget the Fit as well. I didn't mention it at first becuase it feels smaller inside, but thats just my opinion.

 

[Arkaign]

Go try a Focus, I ended up with mine close to $11k after incentives/rebates, base 5spd S model. Great chassis/suspension design, aces in handling, 140hp, plays MP3s on the stock audio setup, 35mpg, curtain air bags, etc.

 

[GCS]

Well I stopped and looked at the Versa. Nice car and for most it would be fine but this car (and the Sentra which I looked at) are just way too small. Not only was I not comfortable in the car myself but there is no way I could put my kids in the backseat and have any room for their legs much less any normal sized adult. I will say that the Versa looked good and drove good and at it's price point it should do very well. I guess I will have to stick with the pricey Altima/Camry/Malibu/Sonata sized cars.

Greg

 

[Mide]

Yeah I guess I'll just have to test drive everything to see if the quality really is a factor. Thanks for the $.02 everyone

 

[potato28]

GCS quick question, what engine do you have in the Windstar? The 3.0 or the 3.8?

 

[GCS]

Originally posted by: potato28
GCS quick question, what engine do you have in the Windstar? The 3.0 or the 3.8?

I would have to look as I honestly just don't remember.

Greg

 

[Vetterin]

Originally posted by: GCS
Well I stopped and looked at the Versa. Nice car and for most it would be fine but this car (and the Sentra which I looked at) are just way too small. Not only was I not comfortable in the car myself but there is no way I could put my kids in the backseat and have any room for their legs much less any normal sized adult. I will say that the Versa looked good and drove good and at it's price point it should do very well. I guess I will have to stick with the pricey Altima/Camry/Malibu/Sonata sized cars.

Greg

If you're considering the Sonata you just might want to give the Elantra a look.

 

[busmaster11]

Originally posted by: Mide
I know ATOT is all about the Mazda 3 and others root for the ol' standby of a Civic or Corolla, but I've been researching through prices vs. features and the Sentra has a pretty good assortment of features:CVT, good MPG, bluetooth, and a 140sum HP engine.

I just saw the new one this morning the the first time and was shocked at how sleek it looked...

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: GCS
Well I stopped and looked at the Versa. Nice car and for most it would be fine but this car (and the Sentra which I looked at) are just way too small. Not only was I not comfortable in the car myself but there is no way I could put my kids in the backseat and have any room for their legs much less any normal sized adult. I will say that the Versa looked good and drove good and at it's price point it should do very well. I guess I will have to stick with the pricey Altima/Camry/Malibu/Sonata sized cars.

Greg

something i noticed about Nissan....

they cannot seem to make a comfy car. I owned an Altima and i could not sit in that thing for more than 20 minutes. I was gonna buy a Altima, but I thought it was just to uncomfy.

 

[owlface]

The Sentra is quiet, has great fuel economy, is reliable, and has lots of space inside for taller people like myself, as compared to other cars in the segment. It is not much fun to drive or very good looking. It is at the top of my list though for the initial reasons I suggested.

 

[Dunbar]

I had one as a rental for a weekend and hated it. I'd go for something else in this class or step up to an Altima.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: nismotigerwvu
Also, don't forget the Fit as well. I didn't mention it at first becuase it feels smaller inside, but thats just my opinion.

Ugh, the Fit has the worst seats of any car I've ever been in. I test drove one when looking for a sedan a year or so ago, and the seats where hard and after about 2 miles very, very uncomfortable.