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Nissan Sentra 2006 and earlier

2065 messages,  Last post on Mar 09, 2013 at 1:02 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 124 of 207

#1230 of 2065 claywaterfill: long-term feelings by kstephan

Dec 31, 2001 (3:01 pm)

I'm cheating a bit, because I'm a bit shy of 10K in my 2001 Sentra, but I've had it long enough to know what it's like in all conditions.
 
First, a couple of thoughts about what you're looking for: you had an original SE-R, right? So I assume you like to drive and you're more passionate about cars than the average driver. Therefore, I'd say that things like crash test ratings and resale value are abstractions that don't do a lot for your daily driving experience. So I wouldn't overvalue them compared to how a car feels and drives to you.
 
Another thought--you may get the impression that people here are at best lukewarm about their Sentras. But it's been my experience in the Town Hall forums that we all love to nitpick, and since no car is perfect for everybody, there's always plenty to nitpick about. Especially in this class of car, where all the manufacturers have to cut corners one way or another to keep costs down. In the Sentra topics, it seems to me that people are often trying to compare them to more expensive or more purely sporting cars. So that's a sign that Nissan's coming up with something a little better than your average econobeater.
 
All that said, I'm really happy with my Sentra SE, and I plan to own it for a long time, so I don't really care about future resale. I like it better now than when I first got it. I have total confidence in the car, it's fast enough, handles well, is comfy, the mileage is good, it's not a lot to insure, car thieves ignore it, etc. I had two disappointing Hondas before this Nissan, one a '99 Accord that was a FAR INFERIOR car to the Sentra in every way, yet cost a couple grand more even as a stripper. For the money, I think Nissan has done a great job of making the Sentra drive like a car in a pricier class. It's the most European-feeling Japanese car I've owned.
 
My other thought--why get a GXE if you can still find a 2001 SE (which I bet you can)? For one thing, you get the recall-free 2.0 engine with 20 more horsepower, and I think the SE has all the options of the GXE, if not more. It'll remind you of your old SE-R too...at least a little.
 
One last jab against Honda--the current Civics are just insipid appliances compared to earlier versions. Decontenting has been massive in that car. Maybe the new Si will be OK, but the Civic is a car that didn't benefit from its most recent overhaul. Nissan is trying to make its cars better each time they revise them, at least.

#1231 of 2065 kstephan by claywaterfill

Dec 31, 2001 (3:46 pm)

Thanks for the insight. I did buy a new SE-R in 1991. But, that was a 22 year old fresh out of college with no family. I'm not that same person anymore! I would like, however, to get a commuter that is fun to drive when not going to work. I would love to get a new SE-R, but I'm not paying sticker for one. It's the principle of the thing. I haggled my last one from $14,000 to $11,000, so I may wait for the novelty to wear off and see what I can do. It is my past experience that keeps me coming back to Sentra, and I'm hoping to hear more good reviews.

#1232 of 2065 claywaterfill... by adc100

Dec 31, 2001 (6:34 pm)

I agree with kstephen. I have the SE and really it is what makes the car. It may be the best 4 cyl ever built. I have the auto because of the wife's requirements. The auto-tranny went out right from the get-go. However I have had zero other problems after 13K. The vehicle is very well built. The vehicle is quite reliable. I get 34 mpg on trips. The seats are very comfortable. I would also try to get the 2001 SE. If I could not get the SE, I would consider the Protege.

Here is a link to Sentra Owners:

 http://www.b15sentra.net/UBB.html

#1233 of 2065 THREE recalls on the 2001 Sentra (and counting...) by nfomerc

Jan 01, 2002 (2:30 pm)

My last car was a '93 Sentra. No problems at all. Given that & the Sentra's overall rep for reliability, I purchased a 2001 Sentra last year.
 
No less than THREE recalls so far on the model. Wheel might come off, due to faulty bolt on the front suspension. Wheel might come off, due to cracks that may develop from burrs on the steel wheel. And now the engine-stall problem that I read about in this forum.
 
So far, I've received NO letters from Nissan announcing any of the recalls. But I'm scared -- and my car already has an unusual vibration at high speeds (vibration is one of the symptoms of the bolt problem)-- so I'm taking my car in as soon as possible.
 
I have a feeling Nissan is riding on its reputation, and skimping when it comes to its newer vehicles -- but that's just my opinion. (THREE recalls on the same model? That's crazy!)
 
Anyone know where I can find out if my car is part of the recall from its Vehicle ID Number?

#1234 of 2065 by nfomerc

Jan 01, 2002 (2:51 pm)

(Recall #1:)
 
2001 Nissan Sentra Recalled
Detroit, MI (SafetyAlerts) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a recall affecting certain 2001 Nissan Sentra automobiles manufactured between July 2000 and April 2001.
 
One or more of the three bolts used to attach each front suspension lower control arm to the body on the left and right sides may not have been properly manufactured. The bolts could fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.
 
80,000 vehicles are affected by this recall.
 
Dealers will replace the lower control arm attachment bolts. Owner notification is expected to begin by the end of June 2001.
 
Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
 
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V174000/Mfg. Recall No. 01V174000]
 
-----------
 
(Recall #2)
 
Detroit, MI (SafetyAlerts) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a recall affecting 2000-2001 Nissan Sentra manufactured between February 2000 - June 2001.
 
Number Involved: 115,000
 
Defect:
On certain passenger vehicles, the cooling holes in the
steel wheel may have burrs on their edges as a result of improper manufacturing. These burrs can cause cracks as the vehicle is being driven. Cracks can propagate between adjacent cooling holes. If enough cracks develop between the cooling holes, the wheel could fail and separate from the mounting hub without prior warning. Separation of the wheel from the vehicle while being operated could result in a vehicle crash.
 
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect for cracks and replace the wheel if
cracks are discovered. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will be conducted in two phases. The first mailing is expected to begin during October 2001, asking owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer for inspection of the wheels. Any wheels with cracks will be replaced. A second owner notification will begin in early December, at which time Nissan will have an adequate number of replacement wheels, requesting owners who only had the wheels inspected but not replaced, to return to the dealers for a wheel replacement. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
 
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V277]
 
-----------
 
(Recall #3 -- discovered on this forum...)
 
Year of Recall: 2001
Manufacture: 2001
Manufactured: FROM 2000JAN TO 2001MAY
Component: ENGINE
Summary:
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with a 1.8 liter engine. The engine could stop running while being driven due to a defective crank position sensor. This could also result in the "Service Engine Soon" warning light coming on or reduced engine power.
 
If the engine stops running while driving, this could result in a crash.
 
Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Owner notification is expected to begin during December 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
 
Incredible.

#1235 of 2065 nfomerc... by adc100

Jan 01, 2002 (3:58 pm)

The Sentra is made very wel and is a solidly designed vehicle. The bolt problem was obviously from one of their supliers and probably didn't come up to tensile radings. Probably won't fail in a million years. The engine problem on the engine is obviously due to the newness of the design. Thats why I opted for the SE. The burr on the wheel while may me troubling if it causes a failure to me doesn't show a trend of decreased quality or reliability. Now if you want to talk recalls look at the Focus!!!

#1236 of 2065 Question for 5spd GXE by rxu

Jan 03, 2002 (10:41 am)

Just got a 02 5spd GXE and when I do 70mile/h on freeway the tacho is over 3000rpm. This is a little concern me cause the auto one only hit 2000 something on 70mile/h. Is this the way this manual car desigened in or I shuold worry about? Any input? Thanks.

#1237 of 2065 rxu by kstephan

Jan 03, 2002 (11:53 am)

The gear ratios on manual transmission Sentras are a little short, no question. But 3000+ rpms at 70 is not abnormal for a four-cylinder car. It's absolutely nothing to worry about...many VTEC Hondas turn way higher revs at that speed. The only concern is if you find the noise from the engine annoying over 3000 rpms. But there's not much you can do about that short of trading in the car.
 
One of the biggest misconceptions is that "the car is going to be hurt by high revs"--I've seen this discussion in several forums, and it's pretty laughable. Modern cars are designed to be able to run up to their redlines for hours if not days at a time. If the engine was dangerously stressed by running anything near the redline, the manufacture would lower the redline. They don't want to deal with the warranty claims of engines that blow up under normal use.
 
The only thing you need to worry about is making sure the car is properly warmed up before driving it at high rpms, and that you keep up on scheduled maintenance, especially oil/filter changes.
 
So, don't worry about your GXE...hope you enjoy the car!

#1238 of 2065 My SE by adc100

Jan 03, 2002 (3:48 pm)

runs at 2700 rpm 70 mph. Being a somewhat stronger engine, 3K rpm would probably be about right. I have an auto.

#1239 of 2065 rpms by afty

Jan 03, 2002 (3:59 pm)

My '93 NX2000 (Sentra SE-R twin) revved at 3000 rpm at 60 mph in 5th gear. I just sold it at 83k miles with no significant problems, despite probably 75% of those miles being driven at ~70 mph and 3500 rpm.

Messages Page 124 of 207

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