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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 Honda Civic Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 23

#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).

#11 of 226 Right, but... by alpha01

Feb 02, 2006 (12:49 pm)

My point is that you dont know for certain "......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."
 
How do you know that the new 2.0L 6M Sentra wont keep pace with the 2.0L 5M Mazda3i? The Sentra SE-R will be around again to compete with the Mazda3s....

#12 of 226 Re: Right, but... [alpha01] by thegraduate

Feb 02, 2006 (2:35 pm)

Replying to: alpha01 (Feb 02, 2006 12:49 pm)
25 horsepower would likely show a marked difference, but I don't know how (or if) the numbers from Mazda will have a big adjustment per SAE regulations. Since noone has driven a 2007 Sentra, we will have to wait and see!
 
BTW, any torque figures for the 07 Sentra floating around? If more than 145lb-ft, they will be in fine shape. If in the 120lb-ft and under, they may get lost in the crowd.

#14 of 226 Re: Right, but... [alpha01] by midnightcowboy

Feb 02, 2006 (2:45 pm)

Replying to: alpha01 (Feb 02, 2006 12:49 pm)
No thank you NO Spectra or Sentra for me. I take a 2.0L 6M Civic Si

#15 of 226 Pic too big by thegraduate

Feb 02, 2006 (4:55 pm)

We can't reply to your post because the pic is too wide. Perhaps you can resize it? Thank you for your efforts, though, spectraman. I've seen the front of this car at www.thehollywoodextra.blogspot.com. The site is updated daily with the latest new car gossip. It is often correct and timely, although it occasionally has some "wonky" info. You can check it out if you like! It's where I got the 135 hp figure.

#16 of 226 Re: A photo of the 2007 Sentra.... [spectraman] by pat

Feb 02, 2006 (5:25 pm)

As mentioned, the picture you posted was so wide that it badly distorted the page, so I had to remove it.
 
Feel free to post links to wide pictures, but please make sure that any picture you want to actually display in your post is no wider than about 500 pixels - thanks!

Messages Page 2 of 23

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