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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 152 of 207

#1506 of 2065 Sandman46 by tony1034

Oct 02, 2003 (3:44 am)

Read your question above about Mobil 1. See my post a few up #1498.
 
I have had great success with the Mobil 1 product. I run it in my Honda engine on my powerwasher, my Craftsman SnowBlower and Lawn Tractor and both my cars. I researched oil a few months ago after seeing an episode on the Speed channel talking about oils. Some professor tested a bunch of oils at some Univeristy and concluded that the Mobil 1 was the best oil out there. After only like a 1,000 miles, petroleum based products begin to breakdown very quickly. After thousands of miles the Mobil 1 held about 90% opposed to Castrol GTX that was like 67%. I've seen Dyno runs too where the better lubrication reduced heat and made more horsepower.
 
Personally, I've seen a big improvement on my 2003 Sentra GXE from switching to Mobil 1. I'd probably have sold the car this past summer if it wasn't for the improvements from this Oil, as I'm not very happy with my Sentra. Hopefully Nissan will fix the defroster thing (see above) and better, higher profile tires, will smooth the ride. It has P195/60-15's on it and I'm going to replace them with P195/65-15's. The taller sidewall of the 65's should eat up the imperfections in the road better. I can't see why Nissan even put a 60 profile tire on a commuter car. On the high-performance SE-R yes, but not on the other models.
 
Best regards,
Tony P.

#1507 of 2065 tony1034 by lngtonge18

Oct 02, 2003 (7:40 am)

195/60 R15 tires are not that low in profile. It's a common size and is not the main reason why your ride is so harsh. My 02 Lancer has the same size tires and the ride is quite smooth and quiet. The harsh ride is a combination of the short wheelbase of the Sentra and the non-independent heavy rear suspension. 65 series touring tires will help slightly but just know your speedometer will be slightly off. It will read slower than what you are actually going. Didn't your Maxima have low profile tires? That was a commuter car wasn't it?

#1508 of 2065 Also by sandman46

Oct 02, 2003 (8:15 am)

I was told that 195/65/15 might not work on the Sentra and to stay with the 195/60/15's. When I changed the wife's from 205/60/15's to 205/65/15's, the tire shop put it on the receipt that I had requested the change, eventhough they were not the correct size for the car. They had to cover thier ass in case a problem cropped up later.
I suggest you ask Bret in the tire forum as he helped me with the wife's car and is quite knowledgeable.
 
The Sandman

#1509 of 2065 1999 Sentra - 55000 mile report by machaan

Oct 04, 2003 (8:50 am)

I got my GXE Ltd for $13k in the spring of 1999.
Since then, I have driven this car in 30 states in 2 countires.
 
The car has has ZERO non-scheduled maintenece till now. So far I have
replaced only front tires, front brakes pads/rotors and wiper blades.
Last winter, the car has always started on the first crack in
-10F temps with three year old battery.
 
The interior looks in better shape than my friend's 02 Altima.
 
Best mpg: 38 trip to Montreal from NY
Worst mpg: 18 trip to Minneapolis temp 15F
Longest trip: 1150 miles, 7 states NJ-PA-OH-MI-IN-IL-IA
 
Since 30k service, all I have been doing is oil changes for $12 at walmart.
The drivers seat feels flat now. Need to replaced/fix it.
 
The thing than most impresses me is the engine. The car cruises interstates
at 80mph in the low 3k rpm. It still has power to spare at that speeds. It
can do 95 mph on uphills with a passanger at little over 4kRPM.
The build quality is terrific. Not a single rattle! I hear some minor
buzzes when the temps are in the teens.
 
My biggest gripe has been floaty feel above 80mph; but it feels
safe and secure upto 70mph
 
Few months back I decided to replace it with 03 protege5 wagon. I changed
my mind afer the test drive. The 5speed Mazda felt gutless when compared to
my 4speed automatic which has 0.4L less displacement. Mine also gets better mpg.
If Sentra comes with a wagon in the next redesign, I will get in a heartbeat.

#1510 of 2065 1999 Sentra GXE Ltd - 125,000 mile report by mwcox

Oct 06, 2003 (8:32 am)

Plagiarism, I know....
I got my GXE Ltd 5spd for $14k in March of 1999.
 
The car has had ZERO non-scheduled maintenece. So far I have only replaced the tires, front brakes pads/rotors and wiper blades.
The interior looks looks great. Paint still shines, despite my neglect.
 
Best mpg: 41 interstate
Worst mpg: 32 interstate with AC
Longest trip: 850 miles
Mostly interstate miles, commuting 2hrs/day.
 
All I have been doing is oil changes for $12 at Walmart and tire rotation. Get tires at Wal-Mart, buy protection plan. I have only bought 2 of the last 4 sets of tires on this car. Those tires never last their expected thousands of miles. Kudos to Wal-Mart Service.
The thing than most impresses me is the engine. The car cruises interstates at 80mph in the low 3k rpm. It still has power to spare at that speeds. It can do 105 mph on interstate.
The build quality is terrific. Not a single rattle! I hear some minor buzzes in the dash when the temps are in the teens.
Within the last week the clutch has developed a squeek and the exhaust has developed a rattled at 1400 rpm.

#1511 of 2065 I get my tires at walmart too by machaan

Oct 07, 2003 (9:27 am)

Douglas XTRA Trac. $35 each - installed.
After 20K miles of aggresive driving more than
50% thread left. This have to be one of the most
economical cars to own and maintain.

#1512 of 2065 anyone know where one can buy oem foglights for a 2002 sentra gxe? by civickidd

Oct 08, 2003 (12:58 pm)

My sister's been wanting foglights installed on her '02 gxe, but the dealer price seems to be a bit too high ( $250)..
 
..anyone know if these can be had for cheaper elsewhere?

#1513 of 2065 Any one bought an '04? by uga91

Oct 23, 2003 (9:07 am)

I was looking around and I think the 2004 Sentra 2.5S may be the best deal going right now. With the same 165 HP engine found in the Altima, air, auto, CD and ABS as standard equipment, plus the added floor mats, splash guards and cabin micro filter, the sticker is $17,530. But, Edmunds says its TMV is $16,179--and after rebate ($1500)--you're looking at a selling price of $14,679. That's darn good, IMO, for the money! Of course, it gets better if you don't need the 2.5 engine. I'm interested in hearing the accounts of 2004 model owners.

#1514 of 2065 uga91 by alpha01

Oct 23, 2003 (4:06 pm)

I have the same vehicle, except its an 03 and its called the 2.5LE. At the time of my purchase, I received $1000 Cash Back and 2.9% Financing for 60 months. The current $1500 rebate, at least around my parts, can only be combined with a 4.9% rate for 60 months. Its about even, in terms of mo. pmt.
 
After about 17K, I have had ZERO issues with the vehicle, it is quicker than any other auto equipped car at a similar price/size point, though MPG is only about 27 in a mix of city/hwy.
Nice thing about the Sentras is that the side airbag protects head and chest, one of the few in the class that offers this combo. (ION has side curtains, but no chest protection, Civic and Corolla offer only chest....). Offhand, I belive only the Elantra, Accent, and possibly the Protege offer similar side airbag protection.
I think its a pretty pert handler, tackles off ramps. Seats are supportive, cockpit comfortable and well designed, but the ride could be better.
Rear seat seriously outclassed, in terms of room and comfort, by most other offerings of this size.
 
Unless there is a significant need for added fuel economy, I strongly recommend the 2.5L in this car. Off the line, certainly surprises lots of unsuspecting posers in high peaking 140hp Celicas and 160hp RSXs, especially if they've got autos.
 
~alpha

#1515 of 2065 alpha by uga91

Oct 24, 2003 (7:16 am)

Thanks! I had a feeling it would be a good handler. You say the back seat is tight? Is putting 3 people back there one of those things that only works in theory? You say the ride could be better? What about the ride do you not like? I do think the 2.5S could be a great sleeper as 99% of the folks you run across would never guess it had 165HP! In 1991 I bought a new Sentra SE-R with (I believe) 140 HP and that thing would scoot--and it surprised many people as well. I can imagine how this would drive with 25 more horses.

Messages Page 152 of 207

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