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Nissan Sentra vs Honda Civic

226 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2009 at 4:50 PM

You are in the Nissan Sentra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 23

#1 of 226 Nissan Sentra vs Honda Civic by samnas

Jul 20, 2005 (10:43 pm)

Hi everyone. I plan to buy my first car and after surfing the internet for days making researches, these are the main 2 cars that interest me: Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra.
 
I based these choices on the look of the car through pictures, on the fact that these brands are respected and on the price range.
 
What would you suggest between these 2 cars? Obviously at the end of the day, I'll have to test drive them, however I'm also interested to know the opinion of others based on reliability, quality of the car, and basically which one is the best.
 
What is the advantage and disadvantage of each? To me, they seem very similar in terms of a look and in terms of reputation, I don't know what I would pick. Are they both GREAT cars?
 
Please help!!! lol
Thanks!
 
P.S: I'm not sure if I'll buy a new car 2005/2006, or a used one from around 2002-2003, but I don't think it matters that much in terms of comparing these 2 cars.
 
Also, how would other similar cars like Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3 compare? it's really hard for me, it's basically a fight between these 4 cars:
 
Nissan Sentra
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Mazda 3
 
How would rank them as a top 4 from best to worst? Any other similar car in the same price range that I should consider?
 
Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#2 of 226 2005 models and future by alpha01

Jul 22, 2005 (9:27 am)

Mazda 3
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic
Nissan Sentra
 
BUT... theres a new Civic debuting this fall, that looks to be a leader in safety features, though it wont be discounted too much. Additionally, there should be a few changes, but not a total redesign for the Corolla this fall. The Sentra is hopelessly outdated, having debuted in 2000. Skip it (even though I love mine, it is a version that is no longer available, and the car hasnt changed much since I got it in Jan 2003). So for right now, the Corolla is the choice if you value ride, efficiency, reliability, safety (with side curtain airbags). The Mazda is the choice that I would make, for its great handling, strong engines, and expressive styling.
 
Good luck!!!
 
~alpha

#3 of 226 Agreeing with Alpha here. by maxamillion1

Jul 30, 2005 (5:17 pm)

The Mazda3, espeically the Mazda3 i, is probably about the best small car in this class.
 
The Corolla is a good car to. As a matter of fact, a couple year ago, I drove an rental 03 Corolla LE to Orlando, Fl. I was so impressed with the car that I seriously considered getting one.
 
That was before the debut of the Mazda3 though.
 
All the cars on the list are pretty good cars. As Alpha stated the Civic is all new in less than two months.
 
But the Mazda3 will be adding some new trim levels for 06 as well and top of the line models will get single-zone automatic climate control.
 
I have no idea what's in store for the 06 Corolla, and then Sentra will get very FEW changes for 06 with its redesign hitting showrooms sometime early next year (LONG overdue)
 
Happy Motoring Days my Friend.

#4 of 226 Sentra is Better than the Civic. by diaz9220

Nov 21, 2005 (11:40 pm)

Well You said Civic vs Sentra
 
I would go with the Sentra SE-R.
 
It is Beatiful. The car has 180 HP. The civic, well Its ok but for me, it would be a Sentra SE-R. I own a Sentra 2002 GXE and its GREAT! Its only had one problem, The service Engine soon light poped on, but its a common problem. I consider it a Glitch, but I just took it to the dealer and they fixed it. As for the other two cars, this is what i would rate it.
 
Mazda 3
Sentra
Civic
Corolla
 
Sentra 100%

#5 of 226 Re: Sentra is Better than the Civic. [diaz9220] by razalon

Feb 01, 2006 (6:04 am)

Replying to: diaz9220 (Nov 21, 2005 11:40 pm)
I agree the Sentra is the better option. I was looking at the Civic, the Corolla, and the Sentra. They were all in the 17-19k range. With Nissan having the $2500.00 rebate, I got a fully loaded 1.8S sentra in the color I wanted, automatic for $13,500. The Honda/Toyota dealers weren't willing to deal at all, and Nissan gave me by far the best deal. I know it will go forever just like the Civic, and Toyota too.

#6 of 226 Re: Sentra is Better than the Civic. [razalon] by thegraduate

Feb 01, 2006 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: razalon (Feb 01, 2006 6:04 am)
I'd want to wait on the new for 07 Sentra. The current one is REALLY dated, part of why the rebates are Chevy worthy right now. The Civic, in my opinion, is hands down the better car than the Sentra or Corolla, with the Mazda 3 being the closest contender.
 
From Civic or 3, it is a matter of preference, I believe, in either economy(honda) or sportiness (mazda).
 
I think I'd drive an Elantra before a Sentra; after all, they are just as "old", and have a better warranty.

#7 of 226 Re: Sentra vs. KIA Spectra by spectraman

Feb 02, 2006 (8:46 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 01, 2006 2:32 pm)
I would agree with razalon above.
 
I just picked up a rental 2005 Sentra today to drive while my KIA Spectra EX is in the body shop. It's front bumper fascia was scraped by a nimrod (NO... not me! in a parking lot.
 
First the good news....
 
I found the Sentra to be a decent running car that appeared to like to rev high before shifts. The car was pretty rattle and squeak free for 35k rental miles too.
 
Other than that though.... I wouldn't trade my new design Spectra for one of these in a million years. The interior is so uncomfortable and ergonomically wrong when compared to the new KIA that it would take several paragraphs to describe the shortfalls of the Sentra.
 
The Sentra also lacks sooooo many of the little standard touches that are standard on the Spectra.
 
So.... before you flame me, I'm not saying the Sentra is a bad automobile. BUT I do agree with the poster above that it is readily apparent that this baby's ready for an overhaul! I'm sure the next one will be right in the thick of things competitively.
 
-SM

#8 of 226 Re: Sentra vs. KIA Spectra [spectraman] by thegraduate

Feb 02, 2006 (10:11 am)

Replying to: spectraman (Feb 02, 2006 8:46 am)
I'm sure the next one will be right back in the thick of things competitively.
 
Well, they are releasing their new for 2007 Sentra in an odd fashion: with less power than most of its competitors. I thought Nissan was all about driving excitement in the engine room...The 5 year old Elantra has more ponies (138?) than the 2007 Sentra (135)? This seems wierd coming from Nissan. Also, Civic (140hp), Mazda 3 (148-160hp), Focus (151hp), Cobalt (145hp). The Corolla and Suzuki Forenza have less (126 hp).
 
Just a thought, here, folks. I realize the difference is small, but Nissan has been class leading in power for so long, I was surprised to see 135 hp instead of 155 or even something closer to 170. If an SE-R model is available, I expect to see it around the 200 hp of the Civic Si and Cobalt SS.

#9 of 226 Re: Sentra vs. KIA Spectra [thegraduate] by alpha01

Feb 02, 2006 (10:30 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 02, 2006 10:11 am)
The actual number means nothing. Who cares? Look at the acceleration times and fuel efficiency to tell the whole story- a 5M Corolla will soundly trounce a 5M Forenza with the same HP rating.
 
Also, which of the quoted figures are SAE certified and which are not? Toyota and Honda are both definitely SAE certified, as will be the 07 Sentra. But the Focus, 3, and Cobalt.... I do not know, as Ford and GM said they would only re-rate according to the new, certified methodology upon model or engine changes.
 
~alpha

#10 of 226 Re: Sentra vs. KIA Spectra [alpha01] by thegraduate

Feb 02, 2006 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: alpha01 (Feb 02, 2006 10:30 am)
You are very right about the numbers not meaning much, and I'm sorry that I came across like that; it wasn't my intention. I'm not trying to "bash" the Sentra in any way, but I was a little surprised that Nissan, the first company with a 5-speed manual, 240 hp family sedan for $23k wasn't offering a car closer in performance to the Mazda 3.
 
As far as re-rating goes, GM and Ford have not seen much change to the engines that have been re-rated, as the Japanese makes are taking more of a hit in listed power numbers. I'd bet that the focus is still going to be in the 150 range, being the same engine that adequately powers the Fusion/6 (It's the 2.3L I-4, just massaged slightly).
 
I have read that the Forenza was painfully slow, belying its hp ratings (something like 11.X seconds to 60).

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