Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hatchbacks Nissan Versa Nissan Versa
1196 messages, Last post on Nov 11, 2009 at 8:58 PM
You are in the Nissan Versa Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
|
This morning I darn near tried to put my Honda Fit into 6th gear! Which isn't funny, considering: 1. To put the Versa into 6th gear, you put pressure on the shift lever to the right as you pull down to the right (if you don't press the shift lever to the right, you'll end up in 4th gear instead of 6th gear). 2. To put the Fit into REVERSE, you you put pressure on the shift lever to the right as you pull down to the right - in other words the same body mechanics as putting the Versa into 6th. Now the Versa cleverly puts reverse safely way, way out of harm's way, in the upper left hand corner. On the left side of 1st. Plus to get there, you have to pull up on a safety collar on the shift lever to release the safety lock-out. At first I was fretting about trying to put the Versa into reverse and landing in 6th gear instead (since that is where reverse is, on most stick shift cars). But landing in 6th gear doesn't really hurt anything. You just don't go anywhere. On the other hand, shifting into reverse on the Honda at freeway speeds by accidentally shifting into a phantom 6th speed position would be a real disaster. This is the point where I wish ALL manufacturers installed "safety lockouts" on reverse on manual transmission cars. Pull up on a collar, push down on the shift knob, I don't care, but sure as there is a science of failure analysis, someday someone is going to drop their car into reverse on the freeway and totally trash their transmission. All as the result of "learning" to shift into 6th gear on the new wave of 6 speed manual transmission cars! 
|
|
|
Replying to: micweb (Mar 19, 2008 9:10 am)  I found myself trying to put our 5-speed Altima into 6th gear as well for the first 5 months or so after we got the Versa. I'm pretty much over it now. Odd thing is I'ver never tried to put the Altima in reverse by going left and up or the Versa into reverse by going right and down. Funny how the brain works! |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: micweb (Mar 19, 2008 9:10 am) Its happened before. A friend of a friend of mine (yes I have met him and he confirms he did it) accidently shifted into reverse doing around 80 on I-180.
|
|
|
But I'll tell you, the Altima lets me know in no uncertain terms that I'm about to make a HUGE mistake if I try to find 6th gear. I can't imagine blindly slamming it into reverse. I'm finally used to my gas filler cap being on the passenger side too  It's not a defect, just the way it is! |
|
|
Replying to: snakeweasel (Mar 19, 2008 1:45 pm)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: jd10013 (Mar 21, 2008 4:24 pm) IIRC I had a 70's era Camaro that didn't have a lock they just didn't have reverse inline with any forward gear.
|
|
|
Replying to: snakeweasel (Mar 21, 2008 5:04 pm) but your missing the point. the point is, unlike what others were saying, its not somthing you have to worry about, because the car pretty much wont let you. your not going to accidently put it into reverse because the configureation of the gears reminds you of another car.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: jd10013 (Mar 22, 2008 6:50 am) |
|
Quieter than my former Caliber, not twitchy like my current fit, an excellent freeway car. Took if from Oakland to Monterey today and it was fatiguing to drive at interstate speeds. Just a notch below the Impala in terms of quiet. Not bad for a $12k (plus tax, licensing) vehicle!
|
|
|
Replying to: micweb (Mar 22, 2008 6:50 pm) Emboldened by my 113 miles trip to Monterey, I took it all the way to LA (400 miles) the next weekend. This is definitely a great freeway car - stable steering, quiet, plenty of power, strong air conditioning. Will report on the mileage later - I saved the gas receipts with mileage, but they are still in the car (I'm driving the Fit for the commute this week). This car matches the Impala in terms of interstate-worthiness. The speed control is a lifesaver in terms of avoiding two types of fatigue: (1) foot fatigue and positional fatigue from holding the accelerator pedal down; and (2) high speed driving fatigue - without the cruise I drift up to 80 mph all too easily (current driving speeds along 5 are up from 80 to 85/90, believe if or not, even with the Highway Patrol pulling over as many speeders as they can). On the way down I limited my speed to an indicated 74 mph. In terms of economics, the cost of my 2008 Versa (12,000) vs. the payments left on the Impala ($11k) actually favored the Impala - the increased mileage on the new Versa doesn't make up for the added capital cost. BUT I like small cars. For those of you considering a small car to save fuel, remember that the difference in gas costs usually isn't enough to sway a deal, unless you have gone through the usual life-cycle on your old vehicle. You'll end up trading-in an almost paid off poor mileage vehicle for a great mileage vehicle, but your car payments will overcome the difference. The first rule of economy - which I violate frequently - is to change cars only every 5-10 years.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Hatchbacks Nissan Versa Nissan Versa
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Nissan Versa
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
