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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 43 of 207

#417 of 2065 Drove the new SE with SE perf pack... by savvy4

Jan 10, 2001 (9:58 am)

My wife and I took out a 5-spd. 2001 SE with the SE performance package on it last night, what a blast! She currently drives a '95 Sentra GLE auto (112K miles on it, the only part failure was a alternator at 90K) and is looking to replace it with a new car (she finally let me teach her how to drive a manual trans, something her old car needed...I'm glad my brother let me use his car as the "guinea pig"). I drive a '96 Infiniti G20 with lux pack that I've begun to customize (just put on some AGX shocks, but currently waiting for the awesome Koni-inserted coilovers from Motivational Engineering), it has 87K with no problems so far. Since the new SE Sentra shares the same motor as my G20 (the SR20DE) and I know how good the motor is, I figured it would be worth our time to test drive it and consider it for purchase. I'd have to say my overall impression was one of shock, as the Sentra does indeed feel like a "mini-Maxima" (I drove a '00 Maxima last year with a friend who was going to buy one), just like Car & Driver states. The performance package on the SE is not rough-riding, contrary to what one might believe. It depends on what you think "rough" is. If your used to driving Lexus LS400's or Cadillac DeVille's, then it might be a bit "active" for you (why would you buy a Sentra SE if you can afford a Lexus or Cadillac, hehe?). Since we own the last generation Sentra and last gen G20, I can tell you that the new perf-pack equipped SE drives great over the rough stuff, and that's saying a lot considering the roads here in Northern Illinois are a mess. We took that SE down a stretch of speed-bump-like 2 lane highway that was "heaved up" like crazy and the car handled it very smoothly and very impressively. I hit the road at 60mph, no problems. My G20 with the super-stiff AGX shocks on it would've shaken our dinner out of us on that same stretch. We've been looking at a Golf, because we need the hatchback practicality. But, you just can't beat the bang-for-the-buck equation and the overall performance that the new Sentra provides. I'm thinking we're in for a new Sentra in a few weeks. Oh yea, I checked out the unveiling of the new Sentra SE-R on their website (it's very slow people, so be patient), it's awesome. Definite Nissan Frontier-like front end, but I like that (beauty's in the eyes of the beholder you know). The 180hp V-Spec version with the 6-spd manual is going to be one hot car. I hope they can keep the price reasonable, though. They haven't released pricing info, but they say it should be avail this fall of '01 as a 2002 model. We SHOULD wait for that car, but we'd like something new before then.

#418 of 2065 Re: Drove the new SE with SE perf pack by hkchan

Jan 10, 2001 (11:06 am)

Did the car have the ABS/side airbags package?

#419 of 2065 Side airbags/ABS pack by savvy4

Jan 11, 2001 (4:14 pm)

hkchan,
You know, I didn't even notice. We weren't interested in that particular car at all because of it's color (black). We took it out for a drive because it was the most conveniently located SE 5-spd on the lot. We're interested in getting the dk.grey color (granite) or cloud white as a second choice, neither of which were on the lot with the transmission and options we wanted. I remember reading a sticker on another SE that did show ABS/side bags as a package option, though.
 
Chad

#420 of 2065 Re: Side airbags/ABS pack by hkchan

Jan 11, 2001 (4:42 pm)

Thanks for the information. People have mentioned that it's hard to come by. I'm comparing the 01 Sentra SE with the 01 Mazda Protege ES.

#421 of 2065 One thing to consider.. by adc100

Jan 11, 2001 (7:17 pm)

I finally bought the Sentra because of comfortable front seats. This was a requirement by my wife who wanted a larger car. I wanted smaller due to economy with performance. Unfortunately I had to compromise again and get automatic even though she drives stick. Oh well I guess thats why we are still married after 32 years. Love the car- glad I bought it. Handling is excellent.
Later

#422 of 2065 Seats in Sentra... by savvy4

Jan 12, 2001 (1:39 pm)

I'd have to agree that the front seats of the new Sentra SE are very comfortable. I like the interior on the SE model, even though some don't. I don't think the interior's perfect...but it's much better than our older '95 Sentra GLE's interior. I think our old car has more rear seat room than the new Sentra SE, though. I'm somewhat concerned about that, so I'm going to look (and drive!) at the Protege ES also, as someone has mentioned how the Protege has more rear seat room and is just as fun as the Sentra SE to drive. I don't think a person could go wrong with either car, they're both excellent. Hkchan, if we decide to get the new Sentra SE, we're going to try to get the ABS/side bag pack, even if we have to wait a while to get one. I'm not too hip on ABS, but I would like the side bags. I wish they'd make the side bags standard like many new cars and leave the ABS as a stand-alone option.
 
Chad

#423 of 2065 Re: savvy4 by hkchan

Jan 12, 2001 (1:57 pm)

Nissan's offering a $750 rebate at least here in the DC area, good till 1/22. I don't know if it's national. Found no mention of this rebate on the web sites that I've visited.

#424 of 2065 i wonder by ral2167

Jan 12, 2001 (2:14 pm)

i wonder if the $750 rebate is also available for GXE's in Ohio-- they had a $500 rebate on GXE's that expired on Dec 31....i imagine you could get a GXE with automatic and the convenience package for $13,500 including that rebate.

#425 of 2065 Re: i wonder by hkchan

Jan 12, 2001 (2:21 pm)

Well, there was no $500 rebate that expired 12/31 here in the DC area.

#426 of 2065 Savvy4... by rberus

Jan 12, 2001 (6:56 pm)

No ABS? I'm curious as to why?
 
Personally, the ABS system has saved me twice this winter

Messages Page 43 of 207

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