Topic: 2001 Nissan Sentra GXE - are these ALL trouble-prone?

[superbaldguy]

I happily bought a new, 2001 Nissan Sentra GXE in April of 2001, as the latest Civic (at the time) was super-bland and the Corolla had miserable brakes and a poor radio. After driving Civics for 20 years, this was a bit of a leap of faith but I knew Nissan was clawing back to life.

The car is very snappy (5-speed), handles good, looks great, and is actually fun to drive for "road furniture."

Never really had any issues until a few months ago, as I did go through a set of brakes and rotors after 120,000 kms, which is about twice as long as many other Sentra owners were getting. So lucky.

Then the roof has sort of caved in around March of this year.

Two new control arms (cracked bushings found on safety inspection), plus 4W alignment - $600

Horn died - needed to rewire harness

Needed a new catalytic converter (145,000 kms) - we went thirds on this, as I paid 1/3, Nissan paid 1/3, and the dealership paid 1/3, since it was so close to waranty.

Two new O2 sensors a week ago.

Now, I think I have a bummed thermostat as the heat gauge is running a little high since summer started.

What's next? The thing is debt-free, which is a blessing, as I'd hate to be making $400/month payments on top of this crap.

I guess I learned something here - NEVER buy into the first year of a new model. From what I can gather on the Web, the newer Sentras seem to be more reliable.

Anyone else experience similar issues with their 2001 GXE's?

[Craig]

Good job getting some help on the cat.  Ford wouldn't talk to me, and two cats went on mine at 132K.  $1,700.

Truthfully, I don't think you're doing that bad.  It does have 145K, after all.  This is why many people start to question keeping or selling cars at about that age.

If you want to feel better about yourself, talk to a similar-vintage Focus owner.

[superbaldguy]

I suppose. Just that I used to regularly wind up over 200,000 kms on my Civics with fewer problems, although I went through a LOT of tires with my Hondas and they, too, have their issues.........Can't win with newer vehicles, really.

[Smainville]

I was one of those 00 Focus owners, Superbaldguy you don't have any problems!

[84im]

Your car is getting near 100,000 miles mark.  I think you're doing pretty good.

[superbaldguy]

Really?

I guess this is a new world I'm living in with a rash of issues on a car with only 150,000 kms (now); I don't condsider this to be a lot of use, but it's all relative to me as I drive 40,000 kms + per year.

Thanks for your input.

[articsteve]

Two new control arms (cracked bushings found on safety inspection), plus 4W alignment - $600  

Lesson learned; don't buy cars with intergrated ball joints.  Been there myself. Oh, it hurts so bad.

[articsteve]

I guess this is a new world I'm living in with a rash of issues on a car with only 150,000 kms (now); I don't condsider this to be a lot of use, but it's all relative to me as I drive 40,000 kms + per year

Nissan not in same league as Toyota and Honda in reliability of parts.  Mazda and Nissan in the same league mechanically, but have better styling for the most part than the other two.

[nissparts]

You should have checked around for the control arms; they are avail aftermarket and often the bushings are too.
Artic: you wanna price out some control arm parts for a Honda? They fail just like everyone else's and big expensive too.

[superbaldguy]

I wish I could have checked - the car was on a hoist at the Nissan dealer for a safety inspection and I sort of had no options....The 4W alignment added a good $90 to the total....Sigh.

[Smainville]

Agree Nissparts, Artic back that up with facts and figures please.

[johngenx]

Now, I think I have a bummed thermostat as the heat gauge is running a little high since summer started.

Does your car have AC?  Are you using it?  If so, your car will run a little bit hotter.  Don't compare your temp gauge movements to other brands, as 99% of Japanese cars have non-linear coolant temp gauges designed to move very little as to not cause distress to the owner.

Also, when was the last time your cooling system was serviced?  Fresh coolant, flush the system, new rad cap?

Your converter was probably ruined by the bad O2 sensors.  They allow the system to run rich (most failures) and the additional fuel load in the exhaust wrecks the catalytic converter.  Was the check engine light on for a while?

O2 sensors wear out.  On OBD-II cars, they are more sensitive and don't last as long as the OBD-I or previous versions.

The horn wiring is kinda freaky.  Even Nissan cars have good reps for electrical components.

The control arm bushings will wear faster if the car is driven on rough roads, but replacement at 145K is pretty early.  If you slow for rough railway crossings and the such, they should have lasted longer.

Keep the car.  Over the next 12 months you will "save" $4800 on car payments.  I am willing to bet that the cost of repairs on the car is a small fraction of that, even if it continues to need things.

[AVToller]

I don't know if this helps or not, as you are talking about reliability of PARTS, but CR Lists Toyota (& Lexus & Scion), Subaru, and Honda (& Acura) as being 40+ % better than average in reliability. Nissan and Mazda rate between Chevrolet and Chrysler at almost dead average. This of course is for the whole car, not parts.

Ah yes, and the Sentra is rated as "below average".

(Message edited by avtoller on June 07, 2005)

[superbaldguy]

I'd hope that Nissan would have the bugs worked out by this current model year, as the Sentra is, still, an appealing little car. I was told there will be a major face lift for the 2007 ones. Interesting.