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Nissan Versa Test Drive reports

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#20 of 74 Re: I drove a Versa yesterday [bsbc] by jbmeehan Jul 15, 2006 (10:42 am)
Replying to: bsbc (Jul 14, 2006 5:12 am) I also noticed it was an additional $1500 just to go up to the SL. I am going to wait until the CVT is available on the base Versa.   Do you know the best site for aftermarket products for the Versa? I'm looking for running lights. I think they are an important safety feature. Replies to this message: flightnurse (Jul 15, 2006 7:42 pm)
#21 of 74 Re: I drove a Versa yesterday [jbmeehan] by flightnurse Jul 15, 2006 (7:42 pm)
Replying to: jbmeehan (Jul 15, 2006 10:42 am) CVT is not a option on the S, only the SL. The Base gets a 4 spd auto or 6 spd.   Tony
#24 of 74 First drive: Versa S 6MT by backy Jul 15, 2006 (2:18 pm)
I finally got to drive the new Versa today, a S model with the 6-speed, convenience package, and mats--sticker $13.9k. It was the only stick they had. They also had two SLs with the CVT. I sat in one of those to check out the upgrades and the seating position with the height adjuster--more on that later. The SL with CVT and convenience package (Bluetooth, Intelligent key etc.) was $16.9k.   From the outside, the fire-engine-red Versa looked rather sporty, with decent-looking plastic wheel covers. The rear hatch lifts to reveal a sizable luggage space, but the cargo cover is rather odd--the back half is rigid and lifts with the hatch, the front half is two flaps of thin fabric. That leaves me to believe that the rear seat reclines, but I didn't check that out. The rear seat backs fold flat on top of the rear seat bottom, creating a platform that is about 8" higher than the rear storage compartment. The step-up is taller than I thought it would be, and I can see how that would be a deal-breaker for folks who will frequently haul a lot of cargo.   The interior room, as many have noted, is a strong suit of the Versa. With the driver's seat set for my 5'10" frame, the back seat had plenty of stretch-out room. Good thing, too, because the back seat bottom is relatively flat, so if there were less leg room, thigh support would be a problem. But it wasn't because of the legroom and the toe space under the front seat. There is no center headrest in the rear seat, and no center armrest either (the SL has the armrest). The black short-nap velour was comfortable and felt durable--it seemed similar to the cloth in the Fit. The headliner was a textured off-white cloth that looked quite rich. Overall, I thought the quality of the interior materials was excellent for such an inexpensive car--just a small notch below the Rabbit in this class.   The driving position was tolerable. The steering column tilts but does not telescope. The seat bottom doesn't adjust for height (it does on the SL). I really wanted more thigh support, or the beefy dead pedal to be forward another inch or two. There was no center armrest up front (the SL has one, a rather cheap vinyl-covered folding one that is useless when your right hand is on the wheel). But with the convenience package (and also on the SL) there are thickly padded armrests on the doors. The plastic wheel felt OK (the leather-covered wheel in the SL felt much nicer). Controls and displays were clear and had a quality feel. There is no cruise control available (but there is cruise on the SL). The standard radio sounded fine in my short test of it--but I didn't expect much in a $14k car. The glove box is immense. At first I thought it was tiny--then I noticed it extends WAY back into the dash--a long reach, but lots of room in there.   The first thing I noticed when starting out is that the clutch is smooth and easy to use. The next thing I noticed was that the short-throw shifter makes a "thunk-thunk" sound on every shift. It was not a rich sound either--it was loud and annoying. If it is typical of this car, I would have to opt for the CVT because I don't think I could live with the sound. Other than the noise, the shifter moved through the gates just fine. The car revved higher than I thought it would in 6th--about 3000 rpm at 65 mph. I'd prefer a taller final gear for maximum fuel economy on the highway. The engine growled when accelerating, but it wasn't an unpleasant sound to my ears. The 1.8L engine was plenty peppy for around-town driving, and accelerated onto the freeway without drama. The car was quiet and smooth when cruising. The suspension soaked up small bumps well (the roads I was on were pretty smooth), but the feeling was a bit rubbery vs. well damped (but this is a $14k car after all). I didn't get to really push the car in the handling department, but it was easy to drive around suburban roads and highways.   Back at the dealer, the sales manager confirmed they had not seen any ABS-equipped Versas yet, but that they would try to order some cars with ABS when they can put in their orders in early August. The manager said that until then, they will get whatever Nissan sends them. He noted that Nissan has suggested they not stock any more than 10% ABS-equipped cars. I don't know if that means Nissan doesn't think ABS will sell in the Versa, or that Nissan doesn't want ABS to sell in the Versa. Anyway, lack of ABS is a deal-breaker for me. Fortunately I am not in a hurry to buy, so I can see what happens with the supply of ABS-equipped cars.   In summary, I think that if you don't need ABS and want a solid, smooth, comfortable small car and haul long-legged adults in the back seat on a regular basis, or the driver is very tall, and cargo space is not a priority, the Versa would be a great choice. The S offers good value, while the SL has a lot of comfort and convenience features including some uncommon options for this class like Bluetooth and IntelligentKey. The height adjuster on the SL may be important to some people, but it didn't make the driving position all that much better for me (it might come in handy for shorter drivers). The problem I see with the SL is that it it overlaps the real-world price territory for larger cars, such as the Matrix, Sonata, Accord VP, and Mazda3s, and even Nissan's own 2007 Sentra. Replies to this message: flightnurse (Jul 15, 2006 7:49 pm) backy (Jul 15, 2006 7:55 pm) flightnurse (Jul 16, 2006 7:28 am) and 3 more...

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