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Comments
Ben
That is why I am gunshy on what to buy now. I am looking at the Fit, Versa, Yaris, Civic, Mazda3i, etc. I will be severely disappointed with any of those if I don't average at least 32 in mixed driving and at least 34 on the highway. It appears possible with the 3i and Civic, probable with the Fit and Yaris, and doubtful with the Versa. I would only buy a car with a manual transmission in this class.
If any of the cars above only got 30 mpg or below in mixed driving, I would really miss my old Accord and be full of regret. I guess I will wait longer to gather more data, and sadly continue to dump too much gas in my full size truck until I find the right sidekick for it.
You can also send an email through their website.
Why by a mini when you can get an accord LX for around $18K.
Ben
I recently purchased a 2006 Honda Accord SE Automatic for just over $19K.
With nearly 7K miles on the odo, I've averaged 32 MPG since I bought the car. I have only had ONE tank of gas where I got under 30 MPG.
I've only been able to measure pure highway driving one time. That 500 mile trip resulted in 36.5 MPG!!, and included driving over mountains in TN with the A/C on.
Accord is not a hatch though. Nor can you get one for 12,450.
ben
Ben
Complaining to the dealer hasn't done any good so far. Just got the usual let it break in, blah blahblah.
In any case, I've attributed it to: my poor driving skills, my lemony car (some motors are above, some are below average - clearly I'm below) and my short commutes in city. For example, getting to work is a 6 km trip, with multiple slopes (Vancouver is similar to Seattle in terrain) with the following:
1 Stop sign
18 traffic lights
1 Toll booth (parking lot)
In a trip, I probably stop between 8-10 times. Sometimes more if I need to wait 2 cycles at some of the busier intersections.
For reference, going home I take a slightly different route, which is also approx 6 km, with:
2 Stop signs
16 traffic lights
1 toll booth :P
Of course, I'd be much happier with higher MPG, no denying that. But I've succummbed to fate, so to speak.
That short trip will do it.
Ben
Ben
Being a bit of a "tuner head" I can personally attest to how much the software can affect millage and power. This car is the most computer controlled car I have ever been involved with (except possibly one high end corvette). I expect it wont be long until I get it on my laptop and start seeing what is going on.
I am really curious to hear form other users on this thread that are getting the milage they expect. I suspect they are out there. The things I want to know related to this are; what area of the country are you in (mountain, plains), at what rpm do you shift. I am in Dallas, Texas (Arlington actually) we have had 30+ day of 100+ so the AC never stops. Does any one else live some where that they use the AC part of the time? How's your milage?
I am also curious what the Tiida got in milage. It came with a 1.5l How does it compare to the estimated milage of the Versa?
on a lighter note check these sites out
http://www.tiida-me.com/launch/default.cfm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqSmXuYJ_4I&mode=related&search=cattrall
Now Granted, I could have bought a Honda Civic Hybrid and average 37 MPG, but I didn't want a Hybrid, I could have bought a VW GOLF TDI, but didn't want a Deisel. I could have bought a FIT, but I wanted something that didn't feel like a skateboard, and the YARIS I dont like it. The Versa is bigger inside, doesn't ride like a sub-compact and you can't get bluetooth or Intelli-Key with a Honda Accord. The CVT is the next generation transission and once Honda brings out thier version (trust me, they will) then all of the honda cronies well start singing the praises.. I have owned my Versa now for 7 weeks and I trully love the car, so what I have in it, just keep me smiling...
Tony/PHX,AZ :shades:
If your averaging 70MPH on the highway and 40 MPH in the city your actually NOT driving in the city.All your miles are highway. City driving is stop and go wouldn't you agree?
Your own calculation of 29 MPG doesn't even match what Nissan claims for 100% city driving.
Just to let others know, I sent an email to Nissan expressing my disappointment in the mileage compared to what they claim. Like I posted earlier if they posted 26/32 I would keep my mouth shut. Their claim of 30/36 is a falicy. I will post their response.
Oh by the way, last fill up (Real city driving with AC on)--------24MPG! :mad:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml
according to these stites (and it's on the internet so it must all be true)
"City: Represents urban driving, in which a vehicle is started with the engine cold and driven in stop-and-go rush hour traffic. The driving cycle for the test includes idling, and the vehicle averages about 20 mph."
"Highway: Represents a mixture of rural and Interstate highway driving with a warmed-up engine, typical of longer trips in free-flowing traffic. Average test speed is about 48 mph and includes no intermediate stops or idling."
but wait there is more ...
"In the 1980s, an EPA study found that drivers were typically achieving lower fuel economy than predicted by EPA laboratory tests. As a result, EPA required the laboratory-derived city and highway MPG estimates posted on the labels of new vehicles to be adjusted downward by 10 percent for city estimates and by 22 percent for highway estimates to better reflect the MPG real-world drivers can expect."
WHAT! so by this am I to infer that Nissan, even under controlled conditions, achieved not 30/34 but something more like 33/43. Ya right, in who's dreams? In fact the 10%/22% difference is about the difference I am getting now. It's almost like in the test someone forgot that step
Keep in mind this is not in any way a new car. As I posted earlier, Nissan had a point of reference, the Tiida. Yes it has a smaller engine (1.5ltr) and presumably is more efficient, but it has been sold for a couple of years and has had time to collect "real world" data. It should have been easy to compare the results to the 1.8ltr and see if the numbers hold up.
For those on this thread that keep expressing how great the interior is, I don't disagree it has a fabulous interior for the price point, but that is not the point of this discussion. What is more the interior is not sooo great as to off set the value in the cost of operation/ownersip.
some one else on this board made a point about the differnce in the monthly cost between 30mpg and ~24mpg. I figure that based on my driving this car will cast me between $25 and $30 a month more as comparied to the "City" rate posted by Nissan. (I'll spare you the detailed calculations). Is that a lot of money, um.. yes! That would cover ny Netflix bill, I am a gamer, it would pay for a new game every month. The point is it adds up. Also I for one don't think that the price of gas will stay at $3.00 a gallon long. I bet we hit $4.00 a gallon in the next year or two.
Basically I look at it like this. I bought this car principally because it was reported as being a generally fuel efficient vehicle. I chose it over other vehicles because of its comfort and slightly better peformance. Knowing what I know today I would have kept shopping.
Hey skoobahead1, I would be curious what you wrote to Nissan, care to post? I thin I am about to do the same.
I'm coming down from a V6 Sable and I wasn't even sure I'd be comfortable in a "rollerskate". But that's what I decided to shop for based on 1)Fuel Economy, 2)Comfort, and 3)Cargo. I feel like for the ACTUAL economy I'm getting, I could have been shopping for a bigger car and scored even better on 2 and 3.
I'd been telling myself for at least three years that when the sable goes, I'm going to get a rollerskate that's great on gas. It's just me in the car 99% of the time so if I could be comforatable and if I had room to haul my grass clippings to the city disposal site every week, I'd be happy. I was torn between a rollerskate and a small pickup, but I needed a backseat for the once every three months I have to take one of the kids to the doctor, and only mid-large size pickups come with back seat, and don't get 30-36MPG.
Comparing stickers between models I didn't mind 1-3 MPG difference as long as City was over 30. My daily commute is 3mi county highway, 9mi interstate and less than 1/8 mile from the off-ramp to my parking spot. One stop light in front of the office. 70-75 on the interstate, never enough traffic to slow down. I figured I could at least get the city figure on my almost all highway daily commute.
Being as MPG was number 1 on my list, I'm extra dissappointed. I love absolutely everything else about the car, but as I said the 1-3 mph penalty for the extra room was worth it. The REAL penalty of 5-10 MPG is not. Knowing what I know now about the mileage, I would have went with an even smaller car. Then I'd more satisfied because at least no one can "lie" to you about how much space there is in a vehicle.
Ben
It went something like this:
I am writing to let you know about my disappointment in my 2007 Nissan Versa purchase. I have used 3 full tanks of gas and am only averaging 24.5 MPG. This is a far cry from what you put on the sticker (30/36) and is totally unacceptable. The majority of my driving has been city driving with the AC on. I am not an aggressive driver in any way shape or form.
It appears I am not alone with my disappointment of what was posted on your sticker and what actual mileage the car gets. If you searh the Versa forums on the internet(Edmunds car space and Nissan/Infinity owners club-NICO) you will find many others with similar mileage complaints and feelings of being misled by your company. I expect you will receive many letters similar to mine.
I understand the posted EPA of 30/36 is a perfect scenario and I would not hold Nissan to those numbers. The problem I have is that the Versa doesn't even come close to those figures, yet you advertise it to do so.
I purchased this vehicle because I needed a car with excellent fuel economy. What I ended up with was a compact car with the fuel economy of a midsize sedan.
Please forward this information to Nissans Technical department as perhaps there is something that can be done.
In addition, please do not tell me that "your mileage may vary" or "your car needs time to break in".
Thanks for looking into this matter
Hey BENDUPRE,
Your thoughts on this purchase mirror mine...DITTO
"No one can lie to you about how much space there is in a vehicle"--LOL...perfect
How many miles on this fill up and what type of driving?
Lets hope Versa's need break in :shades:
My first real tank I got 26, the last couple were 27, and now 29. Its getting better My last car was a 2000 Ford Contour I was getting 24. The Versa is far better then the Contour and if the mileage keeps getting better, I'll be happier..
Tony :shades:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars_trucks/3008141.html
I have a newer 6sp SL with about 500 miles on it that I bought instead of replacing my Camry with a similar car. So far I've noticed several downsides compared with the larger car: 1) more engine/road noise, especially on the freeway; 2) no quite as much front seat leg room; 3) and a much less efficient stereo (given that the rear speakers no longer have a trunk behind them); longer overall cabin for hauling long (2x4x8) items. I'm still enjoying the refined interior and fun to drive quality, but I believe that I will expect more than 30 mpg city to feel good about the purchase down the road.
So far, only (at least) 28.5 miles on the first tank with about 20/80 city/interstate (75 mph) driving. I'm working on my second tank and will post updates.
MAKozee
For instance, the Matrix is heavier and slower and only 1-2 inches longer and wider than the Versa. The Versa has more rear leg room and only falls short a few cubic feet in storage space.
Matrix owners on Carpspace report more than 30 mpg on average (EPA estimated 30/36 with the 5spd). The lowest reported number was 27 but fewer overall complaints. I'd say this is good indication that most owners are hitting the low end of the EPA estimates.
MAKozee
I was thinking about the psychology of 30MPG earlier. If converted to km/L, 30MPG translates into about 12.7km per liter. 29MPG is about 12.3km per liter. Coming from Japan, I can tell you that no one there would give a rat's a** about the difference between 12.7 and 12.3km per liter. But in the U.S., 30MPG is a sacred and inviolable territory, and failing that is a deadly sin of economy cars. Rather interesting how our minds work....
But more importantly, I think, is the disparity of Versa to it's published numbers when comapred to other vehicles.
Ben
Also I think one should not be too obsessed with psychological numbers like 30. I mean I know why many prices of stuff in shops around the world is labelled $29.9 instead of $30, precisely for the same reason, people thought it's cheaper, even though the difference is so slight.
I understand the disappointment of people who read Nissan's earlier claims. But just that deep inside, I just felt that it could be unrealistic to expect a car of Versa's size and extra weight, plus bigger engine, to be able to come within 2 mpg of Fit / Yaris's 1500 cc engine mpg figures plus their smaller, lighter body.
Anyway, 29-31 mpg combined for a car of Versa's size, comfort and power, while not very impressive, is I think no cause for alarm. Unless you are getting below 25 several times.
For the guy who thinks $23+ a month extra is expensive, buddy, come on, you can afford a $15k+ new car, are you SURE $23 a month hurts ? It just sounds like a guy who can afford a new super computer, yet feels pain at having to pay a bit more electric bills for that computer.
Anyway, I remember someone say " The grass is always greener in somebody else's pastures ". Who knows, at the sametime Versa owners are fretting abt the mpg figures, some Fit / Yaris owners are fretting about wanting more space and comfort / power like the Versa ?
For those who wrote to Nissan, I suggest at the sametime you try to lobby them to sell the 1500 cc Versa. In Japan its clear that that engine, the HR15DE is 25% more fuel efficient ! Thats about the difference between the 1.8 Versa and 1.5 Fit / Yaris !
So if you want a Versa with mpg close to Fit, then the 1.5 Versa is it, just that the fun and power of the current 1.8 Versa will be reduced. Like I said, you can't have it all. You want big sedan size cabin, more power, fuel sipping of a small Fit, at the same price. Not easy I think. Its like demanding a first class seat for almost economy class price.
If I am Nissan, I WILL also sell the 1500 cc Versa. Let the consumer make his/her pick !
In fact, I think if a Versa 1.5 is born in the USA, Honda and Toyota will know fear for the first time. A 1.5 Versa will cost a bit less than the 1.8, have mpg so close to Fit/Yaris that they feel uncomfortable, and will have enormous appeal !
Maybe Nissan USA is worried that US consumers may think a Versa 1.5 is underpowered. But I think they should forget about that fear, as a test drive could easily convince people that the 1.5 Versa is sufficiently powered.
Bring in the 1.5 Versa ! Big sedan cabin space plus 35+ mpg combined !
Tony :shades:
The 1.8 was definitely fitted because NISSAN guesed the American market would want power. Probably also why the programming is the way it is. I'm sure the engineers could squeeze out a couple more MPG with tweaks in the programming, but it would surely lose some power at the same time.
I've been wondering if the engine "learning" is the reason my mileage is creeping up. Could be my foot learning as well.
Ben
Heres some info :
http://press.nissan-global.com/EN/CORPORATE/RELEASE/newtech.html
Or you can type hr15de in google and read many articles abt this engine.
From my memory, the engine of the 1.5 Versa has the same horsepower as the 1.5 of the Fit and Yaris, BUT the HR15DE has bigger torque. Thus this engine has greater pulling power and better fuel economy vs the Fit and Yaris's engine (assuming they are pulling the SAME body weight).
Just that in the Tiida, which is heavier than Fit, the 1.5 Versa can be said to be as fuel efficient as the Fit. Otherwise, the HR15DE will win.
Trust me, once you test drive the 1.5 version, you will not feel the Versa 1.5 lacks pep. You may even feel Nissan has sold you an overpowered Versa 1.8 which, not surprisingly, burns more gas.
I really hope enough consumers will lobby Nissan North America to bring in the 1.5 version. Many people will smile once they tasted this car. I have been there, done that.
http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=134310&Nissan
Versa HR15DE max. power 108.5 PS / 6000 rpm (in other sites its stated as 109 PS). Vs Fit's 109 PS / 5800 rpm (on par)
Here's where the difference happens, the torque.
HR15DE has a torque of 109 lbft @ 4400 rpm, the Fit's torque is 105 lbft @ 4800 rpm.
Though the difference is only 4 lbft, but I read somewhere that in car engines, such differences in torque adds up to a difference obvious to the driver and performance.
The more I remember abt the Versa 1.5, the more I think Nissan is making a BIG mistake if they later stubbornly refuses to sell the 1.5 version.
Could Versa owners verify my statement. I swear that the Versa " expands " once the owner gets inside the car, like toy soldiers moving once the kids have fallen asleep !
This is possible, but I doubt that. Japan's emission regulation standards are neck and neck with those of EPA's when it comes to being strict. Of course, there are different requirements between the two systems, so the re-programming may cause a slight change in the engine characteristics. But a big drop in performance is not likely.
Tiida (Versa)'s 1.5L engine (HR15DE) is already SULEV-rated, so that means it does not have too much left to do to make it cleaner. And boy, does it perform well!
Tony :shades:
"one click to top off" what does that mean? You stop when the pump stops, or you actually top off the tank (fill the pipe)?
Ben
Leahcol
9.005 gallons
33 mpg
This includes a trip over the cascade mountains, 50 miles of which was on a one-lane gravel logging road.
My TPM indicator is also broken, and will take it in tomorrow. Hope they wash the car for me...
Ben
I am shifting at 24-2700rpm, religiously. For the last tank I started driving a different route to work that lets me maintain a speed of about 55. I did not hit 65 ever on that tank. There are some stop lights, 9 all total as I recall, but the first 4 are regulated to turn green in order. All of that is within about 2 miles.
Oh, and to KC7 if $25 a month is not that big a deal to you then I will forward my address and you can just send me a check, I am sure it is not that big a deal, right? My point has always been that the milage, in my experience, has always been so grossly out of estimate that in hind sight I would not have purchased the car. I don't think anyone questions that the interior is the top winner of its class and maybe even of most lower end sedans.
I agree that the 1.5 should be intorduced here. I would probably have looked seriously at it, however if the MPG rating was reported as 48 and I got 32 I'd be just as pissed as I am now!
One thing I looked up and found interesting is that the Sentra has a 1.8ltr engine that is touted as having about 2-3 more horses. The car weighs less. but it has a 28 city rating. So how is it that the Versa with more weight and less power than the Sentra can out perform it in milage. I cant imagine that the CoD is that much of a difference, if anything Versa should have less.
If someone bought a Versa principally because because of it's space and/or power then you must be deluded. This class of car has two distinct advantages, price and efficiency. It fails on at least one (in my experience). I really hope to see it get better.
I think I am going to start hounding Nissan to fix the issue. If some people are getting 30+ then why can't I? Is it defective? I would prefer the answer be yes and get corrected then to be no, and "you just stuck with a below average milage for the class car"
Thants all I've got. At the moment my opinion to people considering purchasing this car is do not buy it because you think you will get good milage.