CTC Review: 2008 Nissan Versa 1.8S

[CD_Editor]

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Sorry to disappoint those that thought I might be driving a GT-R this week due to my hint of driving a Nissan sans the often used VQ 3.5litre V6 engine.  But this week I'll be running my errands in the Nissan Versa, the compact car that competes with sub-compacts on price but compacts on size and ... versatility.  More...

[D. Wong]

Not the best car available for the price that Nissan charges for a Versa. A 2009 Toyota Corolla CE with the "enhanced convenience" package makes a typical buyer feel awkward for choosing anything else since it is priced similarly to the Versa. Plus, the Corolla gets excellent fuel mileage and has an outstanding reliability record, yet the Versa is bound to have a terrible resale value couple years from now when Nissan decides to discontinue the Versa to make something that is "cooler" and more attractive to economy car buyers. However, the Corolla is timeless, and people are willing to buy something that has dependability written all over it. I wouldn't consider a Versa.

[PJungnitsch]

A hatch Versa is probably compared to a Matrix.

Versa S auto w/ABS/Conv = 17498 before fees and taxes

Matrix base auto w/B package = $19190

So quite a jump to get to the Toyota.

And if you are financing then the Nissan's advantage grows with 0.9% for 60 vs Toyota's 5.9%.

[Juke1]

Not the best car available for the price that Nissan charges for a Versa. A 2009 Toyota Corolla CE with the "enhanced convenience" package makes a typical buyer feel awkward for choosing anything else since it is priced similarly to the Versa. Plus, the Corolla gets excellent fuel mileage and has an outstanding reliability record, yet the Versa is bound to have a terrible resale value couple years from now when Nissan decides to discontinue the Versa to make something that is "cooler" and more attractive to economy car buyers. However, the Corolla is timeless, and people are willing to buy something that has dependability written all over it. I wouldn't consider a Versa.

As we are selling our old Echo to our son I test drove 4 cars yesterday, Sentra, Civic, Elantra, Corolla.  The Corolla in my book finished dead last, my wife who knows nothing about cars was quick to point out things like noisy engine under accelaration, wind noise, a rattle in the dash, rough over bumps.  I used exactly the same route for the test drives, yesterday was very windy and the Corolla required the most steering correction to keep it straight, pretty tiring after a while.  To sum it up the Corolla is nothing special except the fact that they now offer an XRS with a 2.4.  Anyhow I'll come up with a report on all 4 test drive later as we are busy shopping right now.

[stodge]

Not the best car available for the price that Nissan charges for a Versa. A 2009 Toyota Corolla CE with the "enhanced convenience" package makes a typical buyer feel awkward for choosing anything else since it is priced similarly to the Versa. Plus, the Corolla gets excellent fuel mileage and has an outstanding reliability record, yet the Versa is bound to have a terrible resale value couple years from now when Nissan decides to discontinue the Versa to make something that is "cooler" and more attractive to economy car buyers. However, the Corolla is timeless, and people are willing to buy something that has dependability written all over it. I wouldn't consider a Versa.

As we are selling our old Echo to our son I test drove 4 cars yesterday, Sentra, Civic, Elantra, Corolla.  The Corolla in my book finished dead last, my wife who knows nothing about cars was quick to point out things like noisy engine under accelaration, wind noise, a rattle in the dash, rough over bumps.  I used exactly the same route for the test drives, yesterday was very windy and the Corolla required the most steering correction to keep it straight, pretty tiring after a while.  To sum it up the Corolla is nothing special except the fact that they now offer an XRS with a 2.4.  Anyhow I'll come up with a report on all 4 test drive later as we are busy shopping right now.

Out of interest, what did you think of the Sentra?

[conwelpic]

As we are selling our old Echo to our son I test drove 4 cars yesterday, Sentra, Civic, Elantra, Corolla.  The Corolla in my book finished dead last, my wife who knows nothing about cars was quick to point out things like noisy engine under accelaration, wind noise, a rattle in the dash, rough over bumps.  I used exactly the same route for the test drives, yesterday was very windy and the Corolla required the most steering correction to keep it straight, pretty tiring after a while.  To sum it up the Corolla is nothing special except the fact that they now offer an XRS with a 2.4.  Anyhow I'll come up with a report on all 4 test drive later as we are busy shopping right now.

I would have thought the Toyota Yaris would have been the one to test as its more direct competition to the Sentra.  What was your evaluation on the other vehicles you tested as compared to the Sentra?

[Spheric]

Nissan should release a hot hatch version of the Versa. Right now it looks like any other Renault on the streets of Paris.

[Cortina]

It is a good little car the Versa. If you price the Versa right. The Trouble is when you start hitting near the 20. There are a lots other cars in that price range. But still you get a lot of kit for the money. That is the big plus. I should imagine the versa would drive soft and reno-e.

Last Reno. I drove was a 18.

[Blueprint]

conwelpic : Sentra relates to Corolla, Versa relates to Yaris.

[dasiuyan]

conwelpic : Sentra relates to Corolla, Versa relates to Yaris.

although this is what the manufactures set their model against each other, if u compare engine spec and interior space, Versa is very closely compare with Corolla; at least imo.

[Norm]

Hi,

Just bought a new Versa SL hatch for a bit less than 20K (before taxes, with CVT auto transmission and not much else). Too difficult finding a Yaris with ABS and side air bags. Loved the magic seat of the Fit, can't stand Honda dealers. Looked for a Focus hatch or wagon 2007 (I'm a Ford guy, one Fairmont, four Escorts, two Mustangs, even one Windstar over the years) in excellent condition at no more than 10% above the Black Book value but found no sellers. The Versa had what I wanted/needed: hatch, ABS, side air bags, cruise (unavailable in the S), fair reliability (real or predicted) and a price I could live with.

I believe the Versa "fits" between a Yaris and a Corolla, but "hatchback-wise" it must be between a Yaris and a Matrix, and the Matrix is more expensive (and uglier, but that's just me).

[Juke1]

Not the best car available for the price that Nissan charges for a Versa. A 2009 Toyota Corolla CE with the "enhanced convenience" package makes a typical buyer feel awkward for choosing anything else since it is priced similarly to the Versa. Plus, the Corolla gets excellent fuel mileage and has an outstanding reliability record, yet the Versa is bound to have a terrible resale value couple years from now when Nissan decides to discontinue the Versa to make something that is "cooler" and more attractive to economy car buyers. However, the Corolla is timeless, and people are willing to buy something that has dependability written all over it. I wouldn't consider a Versa.

As we are selling our old Echo to our son I test drove 4 cars yesterday, Sentra, Civic, Elantra, Corolla.  The Corolla in my book finished dead last, my wife who knows nothing about cars was quick to point out things like noisy engine under accelaration, wind noise, a rattle in the dash, rough over bumps.  I used exactly the same route for the test drives, yesterday was very windy and the Corolla required the most steering correction to keep it straight, pretty tiring after a while.  To sum it up the Corolla is nothing special except the fact that they now offer an XRS with a 2.4.  Anyhow I'll come up with a report on all 4 test drive later as we are busy shopping right now.

Out of interest, what did you think of the Sentra?

Smooth, deceptively fast, quiet, top notch fit and finish.  For those who like to pick on Nissan for hard plastics, fyi Corolla and Civic = hard plastics.  The Elantra impressed me big time, yes LAS you read correctly!!  The only problem is that there are no advantages in pricing with the Elantra, but can't beat the interest rates at 0%  In the end it looks like my wife will pick the Sentra, it's her car, we like the feel of the cvt it's different and cool, the technology and luxury package gives us everything we want.  If they sharpen the pencil and give us a couple of free add ons, we sign tomorrow.

[Schmengie]

I believe the Versa "fits" between a Yaris and a Corolla, but "hatchback-wise" it must be between a Yaris and a Matrix, and the Matrix is more expensive (and uglier, but that's just me).

If you look at them side-by-side and ignore the price, the Versa is much closer to the Matrix than the Yaris, in fact the differences in dimensions and capacities are so minimal they're meaningless. The Matrix is heavier and has more horsepower, but the Versa's lower weight actually gives it a better power-to-weight ratio. The Matrix has more cargo capacity while the Versa has more passenger room. Price-wise the Versa has a huge advantage. If Toyota offered the Matrix at the same price as the Yaris, which one would you buy? That's essentially what Nissan's doing with the Versa.
 
Compared to the Yaris, well, there is no comparison. The Versa is bigger, more comfortable and just seems to be in a different class. It looks, drives and feels bigger than it is: in the Yaris, you KNOW you're in a small car. The Versa also has a better safety rating.

[footlong58]

The Versa is a great car... I shopped Yaris, Fit, Accent, SX4, etc...  The Yaris was a great car, but after giving the Versa closer look, It was much more car for the price, and I could get it for a much better price too, so thats what I went with...

[johngenx]

The only problem at Nissan is that the Versa is better than the Sentra.

[Schmengie]

The only problem at Nissan is that the Versa is better than the Sentra.

  And more popular too. The local Nissan dealer (Vernon Nissan, used to be Barnes Nissan) has dozens of Versas but only a handful of Sentras on the lot. I see more and more Versas on the road all the time but the Sentra is still a relative rarity.

[Thinking Out Loud]

When I popped into see check out the Sentra and Versa, the salesman notes that the Versa has the similar interior space....just checked - Versa 94 cu' and 97 cu' for the Sentra.  That was giving them some problems moving the Sentras. 

Given the Versa hatch, Versa sedan, and Sentra are all effectively the same size, it comes down to appearance and desired utility.  Bigger fan of the Sentra as a sedan appearance wise than the Versa.  Can't beat the utility of a hatch - only problem is trunk size on them with the rear seats up relative to a trunk.

[conwelpic]

The Versa is a great car... I shopped Yaris, Fit, Accent, SX4, etc...  The Yaris was a great car, but after giving the Versa closer look, It was much more car for the price, and I could get it for a much better price too, so thats what I went with...

I think the sales are reflecting your thinking.

for April 2008:  Yaris 2739, Versa 2795

I think this is the first time that Versa has past the Yaris in sales for a single month.

[dasiuyan]

i really need to think very hard, when was the last time i saw a Sentra on the road...

talking the size similarity, i suddenly remember, in some other market in this world, Versa (Tiida) is the direct competitor against Corolla, Civic, Mazda3 which replaced the model like Sunny, Bluebird Sylphy used to occupy

[Loudpedal]

Nissan should release a hot hatch version of the Versa. Right now it looks like any other Renault on the streets of Paris.

I think a Versa with the 2.5 and paddle shifting CVT from the Rogue and a nice pair of shoes would be a hoot.