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Nissan Versa Test Drive reports - READ ONLY

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#46 of 94 Re: Nissan Versa Test Drive reports [fit_ness] by crimsona

Jul 31, 2006 (3:40 pm)

Replying to: fit_ness (Jul 28, 2006 8:00 pm)
As stated, the Fit uses a timing chain.
 
Copied from my posting on fitfreak:
Had the opportunity to test drive a SL CVT Versa last Sunday (with ABS Standard, no Bluetooth), here are some of my impressions (currently driving Fit Sport Auto 100% city):
 
Seats:
Versa is far more padded, and conforms to your body better than the Fit's. The cushions on the Fit are far more firm, which could be a good or bad thing. The Versa also has a height adjustment on the driver's front seat (Fit missing item #1)
 
Passenger front seat is the most spacious compared to the Fit. Plenty of kneeroom and footroom. Headroom seems to be a bit less at all positions, but there is still plenty for me. Passenger side has a vanity mirror as well as the driver's side (Fit missing item #2)
 
The back seat has the same material, but I think leans too far back, and the headrests were not really comfortable. There is supposedly 8 more inches of legroom, but this is mostly at your feet and not necessarily your knees. At the knee, there is maybe 3 inches more at my regular driving position. I am 5'9, and tend to sit pretty far back.
 
Driving:
There is a dead pedal on even the Automatic (Fit missing item #3).
 
Visibility:
Front: Whoever was complaining about being unable to see the hood on the Fit won't like the Versa much either. From my position, I barely caught a glimpse of the hood, no more than what you can see in a 5 cent peepshow. Definately not useful enough to help with parking, etc.
Rear: Worse than the Fit if the Fit's rear headrests are removed, better if the Fit headrests are there.
 
CVT vs Conventional auto
Hands down, CVT. With no shift points, the ride is far smoother with zero lurching around. Made me wish my Fit had CVT too. Vancouver is no San Fran, but there are still plenty of hills. Went up and down a few, no problems keeping up at all times. I'm quite confidant that CVT will replace conventional autos soon enough, including the 2008 Fit. It's already offered elsewhere in the world (even with paddle shifters!), and it's about time it came here. CVT offers equal or better fuel economy than a MANUAL gearbox, which is one of the major reasons people give for getting a stick.
 
Handling:
As the Fit is my first car that I've owned, I didn't have much experiance with the handling charectoristics of many other cars other than my instructor's Corolla. And after driving the Versa, it made me realize how much I've been taking the Fit's handling for granted. Steering feels much heavier than a Fit's, the brake pedal is harder to press, and the throttle response is a tad slower. The steering wheel itself is thicker while also being smaller (I think).
 
I also have issues with the pedal placement - the Versa's brake and throttle pedals feel like they are on 2 different steps on a stairwell. I had to lift my foot quite a lot further than what I was used to.
 
Interior:
The Versa actually has padded surfaces on the doors and such, while the Fit just has the fabric to look like its padded.
 
The drive cluster and controls on the Fit look far superior. By comparison, the Versa's one looked small and cheap. Usuable though.
 
The Canadian Versa SL comes standard with carpet floor mats (Fit missing item #4) and a folding center armrest (Fit missing item #5)
 
Cargo capacity is much weaker on the Versa. Whatever interior dimension figures are given on brochures are not reflective of the possibilities of storage with the seats folded down (not level with the trunk floor). I can't imagine trying to carrying a 32 inch TV in the Versa as easily as the Fit. There is a levelling shelf available for the JDM Tiida which is not available as an accessory here, but should be something that prospective buyers should consider getting.
 
With the seats up, there seems to be more space behind the rear seats than the Fit (and comes with a hard cargo cover [Fit Missing Item #6]). The hatch opening, however, is abysmal. At the lowest point, it's a measly 28 inches, and gets larger as you go up. This means for wide boxes, you have to lift it higher before you can slide in in. I'm looking at 35 inches easy on the Fit.
 
Safety:
Even. 6 airbags on both, ABS on CANADIAN SL trim standard.
 
Pricing, top line SL trim with CVT - Fit Sport Auto is $25,000 CAD after taxes :
WITH technology package (Bluetooth, AUX jack, mp3 player, Rockford sound system with subwoofer, steering wheel controls): $1500 cheaper than a Canadian Fit Sport
 
Without tech package: $2500 cheaper than CAD Fit Sport
 
With Sport package (not available yet, unknown pricing). I'd expect a $1500 premium for the Sport package, which includes skirts, spoiler and SUNROOF. The Canadian VW Rabbit has sunroof as a $1400 option, so $1500 should be a decent ballpark figure. But even at $1500 for the Sport trim AND tech package, it will cost the same as a Fit Sport (but with a lot more features)
 
The CAD Fit is definately overpriced by a good 1k at the least, especially if you consider all the junk you have to buy (cargo cover, gas cap, floor mats, center armrest)

#47 of 94 Re: Drove the 6 speed [bsbc] by barson

Jul 31, 2006 (7:04 pm)

Replying to: bsbc (Jul 17, 2006 4:30 pm)
As I posted elsewhere, I drove a Versa with a manual transmission today. I assume it was the S trim version. Shifting struck me as smooth and easy, gearing was similar to the motorcycle I drove for many years -- could hit 6th gear at 45 mph. However at 70 mph the engine was at 3100-3200 RPM, which seemed normal (my 16 year old Subaru wagon does 3000 RPM at 70 mph). Surprisingly quiet ride. Not as stiff as the Scion xA, but that's a matter of personal preference.
 
How does one adjust the height of the driver's seat? I looked for a knob and couldn't find one. Is this only on the SL? I felt like I was too low because I couldn't see the hood.
 
Lots of leg and head room for the driver (I am 5'9"); I was too far away from the pedals with the seat all the way back.
 
The center console looked kind of ugly to me, especially the stereo controls -- a convex panel of flat buttons.

#48 of 94 Re: Drove the 6 speed [barson] by crimsona

Jul 31, 2006 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: barson (Jul 31, 2006 7:04 pm)
I set the seat to max height and still couldn't see the hood. Get used to it, soon you won't be able to see the hood on any car. I can't see the hood on my Fit either.
 
It's a huge lever on the right hand side, next to the handbrake. If you missed it, it might be SL trim only.

#49 of 94 Re: Drove the 6 speed [barson] by bendupre

Jul 31, 2006 (8:19 pm)

Replying to: barson (Jul 31, 2006 7:04 pm)
Height adjustable seats come on the SL model. There's a lever on the inboard side of the seat. You pump it up and down like a barber's chair. I think you've got to be really short to want to pump up the seat though, it's so high to start with. I find myself wishing I could pump mine down a few notches.
 
Ben

#50 of 94 Quick Test drive, SL, 6MT by rcinmd

Aug 03, 2006 (1:37 pm)

Took an SL out today, 6 speed stick. As much as I would like to have taken the car home, I am in Florida, and home is Maryland, and my current car is in Maryland.
I was quite impressed, though more time behind the wheel is needed to really determine how I would feel about owning it. Overall, the car has a laid-back French air about it, very Citroenesque, and that is a good thing. I can tell it would be a great long distance car. The controls such as steering, clutch, shift action, etc, are a bit lighter than some might like. I looked for the noisy shift action, and it is slight. Believe me, if you wanted clunky and noisy, go find a 1985 Dodge Caravan.
The Versa is on my list for sure. As with many, I wish it had a nice long cargo floor when the rear seats are folded, but that is just not to be. I am still wondering about the blue thermometer on the dash though. Both sticks I have fired up had it lit. I did start a CVT before the 6MT today, and I did not recall seeing the icon lit on that one.

#51 of 94 Blue Light by doromachi

Aug 03, 2006 (2:27 pm)

It's simply a light to tell you that the engine is not warmed up, so to speak. Similar to a gauge when first started which moves when the water temp get warmer. Probably the one that did not display Blue had been driven recently and was still warm as far as the temp was concerned.
 
I believe one should take it easy on quick starts, high revs until the Blue Light is gone.

#52 of 94 Re: Blue Light [doromachi] by flightnurse

Aug 03, 2006 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: doromachi (Aug 03, 2006 2:27 pm)
my blue light goes out about 2 miles of driving, just remeber that the bluw light is only telling you, that the engine is cold. If it gets hot, the red temp light goes on.
 
tony

#53 of 94 6 spd versa sl with tech package by kalman

Sep 01, 2006 (7:18 am)

This is a great car for the money.Yes it has some minor issues as other people have pointed out.Noisy shifter,weird cargo area,hanging idle between shifts and although I am only on second tank of gas(first tank used 8l/100km which should be better),fuel economy could be better and dumb gear ratios-I still say this car is a great "green" car.I have had Audi Allroad(a fantastic car),Mazda 6-v6,Porsches(928s4 and 930-I still own them),Honda civic vx,Subaru(impreza wagon and Outback VDC).This little car so far seems to be a very competent almost European flavoured great vehicle.

#54 of 94 Versa Full Review in Dec. '06 CR by jpmccormac

Sep 01, 2006 (10:47 am)

Replying to: kalman (Sep 01, 2006 7:18 am)
FYI: _Consumer Reports_ Magazine will have a full test report on the Versa in the December 2006 issue.

#55 of 94 vs. the xA by barson

Sep 02, 2006 (4:22 am)

I think the Versa would be a better choice for a family than the xA. The Versa seemed to have better acceleration (probably due to the bigger engine) when getting onto the highway and a smoother road feel than the xA. Since I'm single and like the xA's better MPG, that's what I bought. But I thought the Versa was a solid vehicle.

Messages Page 6 of 10

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