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Hyundai Elantra
2007 Hyundai Elantra vs 2007 Nissan Sentra

66 messages, Last post on Jun 03, 2007 at 9:34 AM
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Replying to: doohickie (Oct 17, 2006 8:33 am) |
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I have no clue how I couldn't have included the Mazda3 in that list considering I looked at one the other day. I consider the Mazda3 as equal or better than the Civic in that compact category.
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Looking at the new Sentra from the rear quarter, does anyone else see a resemblance to an ION sedan? This is the only angle I notice this from.
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Replying to: zoomandyzoom (Oct 23, 2006 12:38 am) |
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Replying to: zoomandyzoom (Oct 23, 2006 12:38 am) It resembles an Altima. It resembles an Ion. It resembles the new 2009 Saturn Astra. Every time a new car is introduced, there are a few people who proclaim "it looks just like an xxxxx".
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Replying to: moparbad (Oct 24, 2006 6:59 am) |
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I got to drive the 2007 Sentra 2.0S 6MT today. It was grey with grey interior, only options were mats and mudguards--$16,555 MSRP including destination. The first thing I noticed was how tall the car is--much taller than the old Sentra. That and the angular styling made the car look chunky to me. I know some like that look, but I prefer the swoopier lines of the Elantra. I like the Sentra's look better with a longer wheelbase, as on the Maxima or Altima. The grey paint was about the same color as that of an Elantra SE I saw recently, so it was a good basis for comparison. The paint on the Sentra looked duller than on the Elantra. Also, the Elantra's paint was very smooth, and the Sentra had a pretty bad case of orange peel. Seams looked even, although the gaps were not as narrow as on the best in the class (including the Elantra). As on the Elantra, there were no side moldings, but they are available on the Sentra as an option. The covers on the 16" wheels looked good for plastic covers I thought--much nicer than the covers on the Elantra GLS. The Sentra's trunk is large and well-shaped and finished, and benefits from hydraulic struts that don't take up room in the trunk--and don't endanger fragile cargo. There's an optional convenience package (not on this car) that adds a trunk divider, a hidden storage compartment, a cargo net, and cargo hooks. The Sentra's interior is very well executed I think. The good-looking cloth fabric has knubby inserts in the centers of the seats. The fabric is grippy, comfortable, and rich looking. The instrument panel is also well done, at least as nice as that on the Elantra but with a sportier motif vs. the more luxo-look on the Elantra. The center stack is dominated by the audio system, which features a large amber display and has an integrated trip computer. So when you display mpg, for example, the numbers are HUGE on this readout. I didn't mess with the audio system, but the controls looked complicated compared to those in the Elantra. The HVAC knobs are very similar to the Elantra's (maybe even the same supplier??)--three large round knobs below the audio controls, smooth and intuitive. Then the 6-speed stick spouts from a binnacle just below the HVAC controls. Between the front seats, there's a rubberized bin for iPods etc. (there's an aux input jack on the audio face plate), two convenient cupholders (same placement as on the Elantra), and an armrest with a single storage bin (not as good as the softly-padded, dual-level armrest with storage on the Elantra). The door panels are finished better than on the Elantra, with thinly-padded upper portion (but at least they're padded), cloth inserts above the armrests, and a small storage bin (but not bottle holders as on the Elantra). There's also chrome plastic door handles to lend a snazzy touch. One negative is the rather hard arm rests; they're more thickly padded on the Elantra. The driver's seat has a single-lever height adjuster, as on the Elantra. However, I couldn't get enough thigh support no matter how I adjusted it. The steering column tilts but doesn't telescope; the reach was comfortable regardless. The wheel itself was plastic (leather is in the convenience package), but it was thick and felt fine in my hands. There's audio controls on the wheel; there was no cruise but it's in the convenience package (do you get the feeling you will really WANT that convenience package? I know I would--especially since you have to get it in order to get ABS). The rear seat had plenty of head room, and knee room when I was sitting behind myself (5'10"). Toe space was very good with the driver's seat raised all the way. I wanted more thigh support (not as good there as on the Elantra), but otherwise the rear was pretty comfy. There's a center armrest with cupholders back there. When I started out, the first few shifts caused a "clunking" sound from the shifter--similar to what I heard when I tested a Versa. But after awhile the noises disappeared, so maybe it just needed warm-up (temp was 45 F). The shifter was notchy but otherwise pretty good, with short throws. The clutch wasn't as effortless as, say, a Civic's (or the Elantra's, from test reports I've read), but it wasn't a pain to use. At 70 mph, the engine was turning at 3000 rpm--not bad for a stick, but higher than I'd expect from a 6-speed. Maybe that is why the EPA highway fuel economy is only 34, vs. 36 with the CVT. The engine growled noticeably during acceleration in any gear. Some might not like the noise; I thought it sounded sporty so I could live with it. Engine noise at cruise was minimal up to 70 mph, as fast as I went. Acceleration seemed only adequate. However, because the engine was new and the sales rep was with me, I was very gentle on the throttle. Also, I wanted to see what kind of fuel economy I could get on the 10-mile test loop, which was suburban roads and a short freeway run at 70 mph. I got 27.9 mpg by the trip computer, which I think is pretty good for a short trip in a cold car. The Sentra has a firm but not punishing ride. I could feel every imperfection in the road, and cracks in the freeway elicited fairly loud "thrums". These were particularly noticeable because the car otherwise was pretty quiet, with little wind noise. But the chassis is solid, and the suspension soaked up larger bumps on a washboard road quite well. I didn't really get the chance to push the car's handling, but it responded crisply to inputs and tracked straight on the freeway. There were no creaks or groans, and the only squeak was a rather annoying buzz around the driver's B pillar. Since I haven't driven the new Elantra yet, I can't say which car I prefer overall. I like the seating positions in the Elantra a little better, and I'd prefer a smoother ride because of the bad roads in my area. The factor that weighs most against the Sentra for me is price. Equipped with ABS (alloys come with the optional ABS on the Sentra), cruise (with the convenience package), mats, and also with fog lamps (standard on the Elantra SE), the Sentra 2.0S lists for $17,945--almost $1600 more than the Elantra SE with mats. For the extra money, you get the trunk organizer features and Bluetooth (plus IntelligentKey on the CVT model), but those aren't worth anywhere close to $1600 to me. Plus the Elantra has a much longer warranty, which is worth something to me. So when all is said and done, the Sentra will have to score significantly better than the Elantra to justify the price difference. |
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I hope I'm not re-posting old news but there's a rather gushingly positive review of the new 07 Sentra here: http://newcartestdrive.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=2007_Nissan_Sentra&ReviewID=- - 1969 Has anyone noticed the design similarity between the new Sentra and the new Chrysler Sebring?
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Replying to: jpmccormac (Oct 30, 2006 4:52 pm) You have to be kidding me... i dont thing anyone did, and you know why? 'Cause there`s none! Look at the headlights, taillights and body line, it`s just not the same and it doesnt even resemble. But yes: as someone before me posted. It looks like an Altima, a Maxima and the Ion, plus the Daewoo Lacetti (if I remember right), BUT still they are not the same. If you want an identical car with the Sentra take a look at the Renault Megane (www.renault.co.uk), look at specs for de 2.0 16V engine, safety features (although the Megane does have ESP - I guess Europeans love life more than we do) and platform. |
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