| GOT BOOST |
Hi Everyone,
I had wanted to testdrive the 2006 Nissan Sentra SE-R, but there were none in the lot at Mills Nissan.
The specs as tested:
2006 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Apperance Package
Automatic transmission
Silver Frost Exterior with Charcoal Cloth interior
QG18DE 1.8L DOHC 16 Valve 4-cyl Continious Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVVTCS)
126 HP @ 6000 RPM
Fuel Consumption stated 34 mpg City 45 mpg Highway.
Tires and rims P195/55/R16 with Aluminum wheels.
Package considering: SE-R not avaliable 1.8S Apperance package Priced at $25,000.00 including PSP (Personal Saftey Protection) Ie) additional seat airbags, but not airbags that deploy from the roof in the event of roll over. The PSP was extra.
When the new 2007 Nissan Versa is released in May or June 2006 all the pricing on every Nissan model will increase. According to the sales rep.
Test Drive length 20 min.
From the exterior this car is very sharp and easy on the eyes. Once seated inside this car, one is then surrounded by the typical Sentra Styling that seems to have not changed since 2000. The inside was fairly bland and the seats were somewhat comfortable. The steering wheel was comfortable and felt nice on the hands and had lots of padding. Handeling on this car was average. It manuvered turns alright a certain speeds but it was nothing to write home about.
The acceleration was some what lacking. When you jumped on the accelerator the car sounded like it wanted to go, but took along time to get to the speed. Then engine was extremely noisy. The phrase "She's gonna rattle appart, abandon ship" kept on running through my head. I think if I got out and pushed it may have helped. The car felt very restrictive from the sounds of the engine and how it should have performed. Suspension and steering were very responsive. Braking was quick and slowed the car down quickly. Out of the lights the acceleration was alright. When I jumped on it to bring it from 80km/hr 110 km/hr the car felt like it wanted to go, but just did not. I would relate it to having something like a blown turbo. It makes the noise but you are not going anywhere fast.
At highway speeds the engine was still quite noisy. It was definately not the Sentra's I remember them to be.
The legroom in the front was alright, but somewhat lacking in the rear. The rear seats were very comfortable, but I do not plan to spend alot of time there!
There were many cons I felt to the car, and for the price I feel that it is not a good purchase. I felt that Nissan dropped the ball with this particular model. This is not to say the SE-R and SE-R Spec V are the same. As a former Nissan Sentra owner I truely felt this car was subpar and was way over priced for a tincan on wheels.
Would I purchase this car? Not the 2006 model. The 2007's offer something promising but I will not know untill Sept.
Thanks for reading,
Mike Nikolai |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by GOT BOOST
There were many cons I felt to the car, and for the price I feel that it is not a good purchase. I felt that Nissan dropped the ball with this particular model.
Interesting review Mike. But you know its coming 6 years late, right? ;)
I agree, the 1.8L w/ auto is very plain jane, nothing special. I've driven one as a courtesy car from the dealership once or twice and it is definitely a night and day difference from my '01 SE (2.0L, 5spd). You cannot compare them on any level: equipment, acceleration, handling, braking, etc. I've never driven the Spec-V/SE-R models unfortunately but for the '01 model year the SE w/ perf. pkg was the only way to go.
The B15 Sentra is really dated now and needs a replacement badly. Unfortunately the exterior styling of the upcoming 2007 Sentra is a scary sight indeed.
*edit*
quote:
Originally posted by GOT BOOST
1.8S Apperance package Priced at $25,000.00 including PSP (Personal Saftey Protection) Ie) additional seat airbags, but not airbags that deploy from the roof in the event of roll over. The PSP was extra.
Wait a minute... did I read that right? :blink: Are you saying the 1.8S is $25k now? WTF? I thought you could buy the loaded Spec-V for $24k-25k. ???
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| Inzane |
Okay, I just took a peek at Nissan Canada's website.
A 2006 Sentra 1.8S base is $18, 598.
Automatic transmission (Boooo!!) is $1,000.
"Appearance" (ahem... Poser) Package is $1,000.
Personal Security Package is $1,200.
Sub-total (MSRP) = $21,798.
Freight & PDI = $1114.
Total before taxes = $22,912.
Where are you getting your "$25,000" from? Tax included? Common... gotta compare apples to apples. Why state a "priced at" point that includes taxes when most people are comparing MSRP to MSRP? |
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| GOT BOOST |
Hi Jay,
Yes, that is correct. But that price includes GST, all the other taxes and package options. According to Nissan Canada website a fully loades Spec V is $28,298 before GST, Delivery and eveything else. Looks like you beat me to it in your post. :lol:
There was also $480.00 in AC, Tire Tax, Dealer app fee, etc added into the price too.
I could not believe it also.
As for the review I do believe that it was 6 years too late. :lol: I have had an opprotunity to test drive a 2003 Spec V and really enjoyed the car.
I agree with you on the 2007 Sentra. It looks like it was beaten with the ugly stick many times over. I only hope that it drives better than it looks.
1.8 S
Base MSRP* $18,598
1.8 S Appearance Package $1,000
Black mesh grille
16” alloy wheels (6-spoke)
P195/55 HR16 Tires
Rear spoiler
1.8 S Personal Security Package $1,200
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Driver and front-passenger side-impact airbags
4 Speed Automatic Transmission $1,000
4-speed automatic with overdrive
As for the price, I like to quote the total price as if I were to pick it up to day. MSRP means nothing to me. :lol: I want to know the bottom line. :D The price was actually $25,037.00
Mike Nikolai |
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| Rich_A |
| lol... why do you keep reviewing crappy cars? In that price range the Civic is the best new car you can get.. I promise. |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Rich_A
lol... why do you keep reviewing crappy cars? In that price range the Civic is the best new car you can get.. I promise.
Because everyone looks for something different in a car, so what you feel the best car is for you may not be the best car for him? |
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| Rich_A |
quote:
Originally posted by TrevorK
Because everyone looks for something different in a car, so what you feel the best car is for you may not be the best car for him?
Well I would hate to meet the chap that gets more out this car than the new civic. |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by Rich_A
Well I would hate to meet the chap that gets more out this car than the new civic.
This is the problem when you are comparing manufacturers models that undergo major leapfrogging in terms of release and updates. You are trying to compare a brand new car (Civic) to one thats in its 7th model year (Sentra). Of course it can no longer compete and is now lagging in every department.
Back in the fall of 2000 the Sentra SE (w/ PP) was arguably the best compact sedan you could buy under $22k at that time (the spec-v/se-r wasn't out yet, nor was the Mazda 3, etc.). The Civic of that period had nothing on it back then other than perhaps better reliability and better exterior styling (subjective though). |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by GOT BOOST
As for the price, I like to quote the total price as if I were to pick it up to day. MSRP means nothing to me. :lol: I want to know the bottom line. :D
MSRP means everything to me. Typically the tire & air tax, freight & PDI, and all that is going to be more or less the same regardless of what car you buy, and GST is just a function of the vehicle price so who cares. MSRP vs. MSRP is comparing the "price point" that the manufacturers are setting when comparing model A to model B. All the rest of the factors that go into your bottom line price are just... details.
Besides, the $25k some odd that you calculated is a theoretical maximum price that I (and hopefully you) would never pay anyway. ;) |
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| SilverZ24 |
quote:
Originally posted by Rich_A
lol... why do you keep reviewing crappy cars? In that price range the Civic is the best new car you can get.. I promise.
The new civic isn't really better than all new cars. The Mazda 3 has more power and features for the same price and in my opinion anyway, looks better inside and out.
Your promise is worthless IMO. :dunno: |
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| GOT BOOST |
quote:
Originally posted by Inzane
MSRP means everything to me. Typically the tire & air tax, freight & PDI, and all that is going to be more or less the same regardless of what car you buy, and GST is just a function of the vehicle price so who cares. MSRP vs. MSRP is comparing the "price point" that the manufacturers are setting when comparing model A to model B. All the rest of the factors that go into your bottom line price are just... details.
Besides, the $25k some odd that you calculated is a theoretical maximum price that I (and hopefully you) would never pay anyway. ;)
Hi Jay,
I wish that I had calculated these numbers on my own so I could agree with you. However this price was drafted up by the sales rep at Mills Nissan on his computer. No word of a lie! I wrote down the price. There is no way I would pay $25,000.00 for that car.
I hear what you are saying about the MSRP. I think that we may be thinking along the same lines, just different ideas. What I am trying to express is that If I am going to spend $25,000.00 to $30,000.00 for a new car. I want the best bang for my buck. I want to know what the total cost will be. Ie) Is a Yaris with $3,000.00 in package options comperable and or better than anything I have looked at?
Rich_A,
I am only giving the reviews on the cars as I test drive them. The Sentra looked like it would be a good car. I am doing preliminary shopping now. As the car is not for me, I will be driving maybe 5% of the time. I want a good car for her. It will be narrowed down further after a few more test drives. It is coming to the point where we may wait and purchase a 2007 as we are now in April. I am mainly posting these reviews for anyone whom is considering purchasing these vehicles to let them know what to expect.
Just my way of helping out.
Silver_Z24, I may take out the Mazda 3 for a test drive on Thursday. You seem to be pushing the car. :D
Mike Nikolai |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by GOT BOOST
The Sentra looked like it would be a good car.
Well, from the powertrain perspective, 7 years ago the B15's 1.8L engine was Nissan's answer to Honda's 1.6L 127hp sohc engine the civics had that that time. And I do think its a *good* engine. But its obviously not as competitive today.
But any of these small displacement 4-cylinder engines are going to feel anemic when paired to an automatic transmission. (ewww... shudder.). :blink:
And, well, you know my thoughts on the 2.0L... Long live the SR20DE!! RIP :(
Anyway back to reality today, I second the thought to go check out the Mazda 3. Its a great car in that class. |
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| SilverZ24 |
quote:
Originally posted by GOT BOOST
Silver_Z24, I may take out the Mazda 3 for a test drive on Thursday. You seem to be pushing the car. :D
Mike Nikolai
lol Yeah, I really like the 3. Last year I drove a ton of cars in the same category as you are looking at and I thought the 3 was the best by far. That was in comparison to the old civic though (which the cobalt is a way better car than IMO). The new one I haven't driven yet, but I did sit in one at the car show and from sitting in it and looking at the price features, I would still choose the 3 unless the civic turned out to be way ahead of the 3 in handling and performance which I would doubt. Very close I'm sure, but it wouldn't be enough to sway me.
Plus, if you are getting the auto, the 3 has a 5 speed auto with the tiptronic or whatever mazda calls that feature. It would make it a bit more fun for when you have to drive it. :thumbup: |
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| rage_rman |
Well I drive a 2005 Spec V and my Car before that was a 2004 Spec V.. The car is great fun to drive since it has such low end torque. The thing with the Spec V is it really has no style. The low red line 6200rpm doesn't help either. As far as it handles it is a great stock car. The QR25DE (engine) is also prone to a lot of problems. I has a habit of sucking it's own butterfly screws into the engine. The Precat on the car also has the potential to break up and be sucked back into the engine. I can go on all day about the pros and cons about the Spec V but it would be best to check out the Spec V forums before you buy one. I'm I happy with my purchase? Yes (I’ve owned 2 :thumbup: )
http://www.thevboard.com
http://www.b15sentra.net
http://www.serboard.com
http://www.qr25de.net/
or talk to the Spec V guys in Edmonton
http://www.n-e-c-c.com |
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