Nissan Versa

robandjeanne

I probably should follow the advice I keep hearing on TV and not discuss any deals that are not final. I will say the best price I've gotten was with an internet salesman I've never met. When I said "go to" a large dealer with internet salesmen I meant call them.

Mu internet salesman so far seems way more honest than the last real live salesman I talked with who made me wait an hour for his best price, but when I walked came after me with a price $500 less that his best (where do they get these people and how stupid do they think car buyers are?)

micweb

...on a placard on the front door jamb, usually driver's side.

robandjeanne

I talked with Nissan customer service about the improvements made in torso and curtain airbags after November 2006. They acted like this was news to them, so there were no details from Nissan about how involved this change was. Between the lines I inferred they would not be doing a recall or even a retrofit to improve older models, since they viewed this as an improvement not a safety issue. It was the typical stupid conversation with customer service. They said they could tell when a car was made by the VIN, and could do this (but probably not instantly) if I called with a particular VIN, but they wouldn't tell me how to read the VIN myself.

flightnurse

funny thing is I bought my Versa back in July and paid $250 Below dealer invoice, so does that mean back in July they weren't selling ?? No, it means I know how to deal with them and got the best possible price..

bobw3

What did you pay for what model? Did you trade in any car?

flightnurse

SL, CVT, and Convience package. Yes I traded a car tht was paid off. I leased it, but on a lease you negitated the price and I did that. $1800 down, payments of $268/m for 24 months.

bobw3

So your lease payments = 1800 + (268x24) = $8232 and then you give the car back to the dealer who will turn around and sell the two year old Versa for about $12K, plus the $8232 they made from you on the original lease = the dealer making over $20K on the Versa they sold you (plus if they made anything on your trade-in). Seems to me that the dealer made out pretty good regardless of the price you negotiated.

That's why it's hard to compare lease price to sale price. Plus you have mileage restrictions too.

flightnurse

WOW...

$1800 for a new car and payments less then $270/m is a great deal. I needed a new car and this was the best deal for me. I have no plans on keeping the Versa for more then 2 yrs. So why would I buy the car and loose my shirt on the deal in 2 years. This way, at the end of my lease, I'll be walking into the Infiniti dealer and driving off with a new FX35 (when you lease through Nissan motors at the end of your lease, you call them and they give you a reference #, give that number so the dealer Nissan or Infinity and walk out in about an hour) with basically nothing out of my pocket.... BTW, I get 30K miles on my lease, and I wont come close to it in 2 yrs.

So for ME the lease was the best way to go....

Also the price I paid for my Versa was less then dealer cost..

moparbad

Nissan Press Release quote-
Nissan North America Inc. has launched the Versa sedan at the same base price as the Versa coupe - $13,165 with a manual transmission, including destination charges. With an automatic transmission, the 1.8 S sedan is $13,965.

The higher trim version of the model, the 1.8 SL, starts at $15,165 with a manual transmission, and $16,165 when equipped with an automatic transmission.

The coupe version of the car went on sale in July.
-end

bobw3

As long as you're happy. But I'm just saying that you cannot compare a price that a lease is based on to actually buying a car becase on a lease the dealer can easily use a less than invoice price for calculating the lease payments because he's still making a ton of money on a lease.

Seems like you could have bought the car through a regular loan and just sold it after 2 years. You could have got a 60 month $13,0000 loan at 8% and paid $264/month. Put your $1800 down, so it's up to $14,800, plus your trade in to get up to the out-the-door price. After 2 years the loan balance is $8400 (based on an amortization table), and you will have paid $6336 (24x264) + $1800 down payment = $8136 total out of your pocket after 2 years, which is similar to what you paid out of pocket on your lease. The difference is that you'd still owe $8400 on the car, but if you decide to sell it, any selling price over $8400 is profit to you and the money you'll save on buying vs leasing. You could probably get $10,000 from a dealer trade-in and pocket $1600, or sell it yourself for $12,000 and make $3400.

The difference between the lease and just buying a car is that the dealer makes the money on the next sale instead of you. Leases are really designed to allow people to buy cars that they really can't afford and give the dealer the opportunity to basically sell the same car twice guaranteed.

I'm sure in two years you'll be able to easily lease another vehicle even though I'm not sure what you mean about walking out the door with a new FX35 with basically nothing out of your pocket really means...are they giving you a brand new car! It sounds like they're just giving you a brand new lease and I'm sure that the dealer is very happy with your business. That's probably why you'll be in and out in under an hour. The dealer is getting an easy profit, so they don't need to keep you longer.

Even here in the Edmunds, they have separate forums for "prices paid" and "leasing experience" because you can compare your lease payments to what other dealers will give you on a lease, but you can't compare the actual price a lease is based to the actual price a person paid for buying the car...apples and oranges. But people can just do a google search on "buying versus leasing" and find all this out too.

flightnurse

Well first off the cost of my Versa was NOT 14K, I have a SL with CVT and Convienage package, cost $16500, My monthly payments are LESS then what a loan would be.

What I mean about walking into the dealer and walking out with a FX is basically this. My Versa well be worth X (according to Nissan) but with the less miles on it well be worth more...

Also with a 60 month loan, you are upside down until half way through the loan, with the amount I put down on my lease.

Happy Holidays.

flightnurse

What Coupe ??? Don't you mean Hatchback ?

bobw3

So you paid $16,500 for a SL CVT Conv Pkg. MSRP for that is $14,550 + $1,000 + $700 + $615 dest = $16,950, and your said your cost is $16,500? In your post 875 you said you paid less than invoice, which is $16,172. Or is your $16,500 price that the lease is based include tax and title?

And what does it matter if you are upside down until halfway through the loan? At least you can sell the car after two years. I guess if your plan is to have continuous car payments for the rest of your life, and you don't drive very much and keep your miles low, then leasing can be okay. But it still costs more in the long run. Unless you use it for a business and you can write off the lease payments.

You've basically given Nissan over $8000 to rent the car for two years (actually more because I don't know the value of your trade-in). I guess in my mind that's hard to justify...I guess I'm cheap! Every car I've bought I've kept for at least a few years after they were paid off. But this discussion belongs in a "lease vs buy" forum!

flightnurse

WOW very judgemental post, first off Leases aren't for everybody... They work perfectly for me, since I'm a contracted employee and write off the lease payments on my tax's which is about 75% of the payments, so all in all I'm ahead of the game and get a new car every 2 years..

Now your figured are wrong for the Versa, the MSRP for my Versa was $17,015 w/ destation. Now the dealer added items to the car which I didn't want, and they gave them to me. WHich was Tinted windows, Paint Protection. My price for the car was 16,500, so yes it was LESS then MSRP... I think you need to go to the nissan web page and see the REAL MSRP..

once again, Happy Holiday

bobw3

Actually, my post isn't judgemental, but I was confused because on your previous post 875 you say, "funny thing is I bought my Versa back in July and paid $250 Below dealer invoice, " and on post 885 you say, "My price for the car was 16,500, so yes it was LESS then MSRP" So first you're buying a car for less than invoice, and now it's less than MSRP on a lease.

And I calculated the MSRP based on the information you provided: SL CVT Convenience Package, but now you're saying you also have tinted windows and paint protection, so my MSRP was correct based on the information you provided.

And like I said, if you're getting a new car every two years and writing off your lease payments, then leases can be good. But at least now everyone knows the whole story.

What started my question was your post 875 where you said that you bought the Versa for $250 below invoice when in reality you leased it, which is a lot different than buying it, and the price that was the basis for your lease monthly payments is less than MSRP, not invoice. Maybe I was the only one confused in originally thinking that you actually bought a Versa for less than invoice rather than the real situation.

flightnurse

Once again GO to the nissan web page and build a versa like mine, price is $17,015 with Destation charge.

this whole thing started when YOU made a comment about getting a great deal. At the time, when the Versa I bought my was the FIRST sold at my dealer, i did get a great deal and it was UNDER thier Invoice price. I'm done with this thread, as I'm "arguing" with someone who hasn't even bought or try to buy a versa...

Tony

bobw3

I'm explaining, not arguing. The Nissan webpage lists MSRP, not Invoice prices. $17,017 is the MSRP. And I was explaining the differences between buying prices and leasing prices. And I did test drive the Versa, but I couldn't get an SL with CVT and ABS, and without ABS the stopping distances are terrible, so I didn't buy it (or lease it).

I'm sorry if you don't like questions about your lease deal, but when people make statements about a given price paid, it's misleading unless you know all, and not part, of the facts behind the deal. I've seen many posts where people brag about getting $1000 below invoice, only to find out through many questions that they were totally ripped off on their trade-in. So they go bragging about getting $1000 below invoice while the dealer made $5000 on their trade in. So it's helpful for everyone to have more information.

Merry Christmas

mschmal

This is a discussion about the Car,

Do you have any comments about the car? or are you just going to bore us with your purchase stories?

Mark.

flightnurse

Mark if you ask the questions then I well answer you with first hand knowledge about the car.

earth

Forgot to ask the dealership, but does the Versa have daytime running lights ? Had to get out of there fast since the sales person did not even now what ABS was.

flightnurse

My Versa does not have Daytime running lights, mine is a SL, and I have seen some S models and they don't. But I think in Canada they do.

earth

Thank you flightnurse for that bit of information. Interesting that the veh does not come with them. Most all the others do for safety reason, and a small deduction in the auto insurance premium ( I'm in the US )

flightnurse

the Honda Fit does not have Daytime running lights and neither does the Yaris.

mschmal

I think only GM and VW are putting daytime running lights on cars in the US. Anyone know of any others?

Its mandatory for sale in Canada.

Ford makes them available to Fleet customers so some Fords with DTRLs may sneak into the pre-owned market.

Mark.

doromachi

My Avalon has Day Running Lights but they are switchable. Use them or not use them.

mac444

Is anyone using any special storage techniques in the center console? I am just piling them in unprotected. Sleeves are too much of a hassel. Any ideas are welcome.
Thanks.

mschmal

Mark.

mac444

I live in Beijing and I own a Nissan Tiida. It is the Chinese equivalent to the Versa. It came standard with ABS, sun roof, radar, fog lights, etc., but Bluetooth, TPMS, and an iPod connection are not features that are offered on this car in China. I own three iPods, and five Macs, but I cannot use my iPod in the Tiida, that's why I asked the question about CD storage. Thanks in advance for your help.

backy

Have you tried one of the FM transmitters that lets you play your iPod or MP3 player through your car's FM radio? That is how my son plays his iPod in his 626 and it works quite well.

kipilco

does the airconditioning work well on versa?

mac444

I might give that a try. Thanks.

berbar

I am planning to buy a Nissan Versa SL hatchback, but have not made my mind on what type of transmition I should get.

I have driven manual transmition cars since I learned to drive, so I would not have to get used to it. Besides, shifting gears makes driving more interesting.

I just wanted to ask for any advice or comments on which of the two you prefer, and why. Which one feels better when driving? Are there any fuel consumption advantages on either of the two? Which one makes the engine work more efficiently?

I also would like to know if selling a manual transmition car (as pre-owned) in the US would be difficult.

Thank you.

flightnurse

this is a personel choice, there are arguements for and against each transmission. IMO the automatic transmission well go away and the CVT well be the norm. The CVT is SO much smoother then a conventional transmission. But the CVT gives you a sense of not in control. But after driving it the versa for a while, it doesn't bother me. I just a Versa S as a rental with the 4spd auto and really hated it. Feeling the transmission doing its work and feeling the shift points seemed to really dated the car. The other downside of the Versa CVT is the "Rubber band effect" If you could be crusing along and want to pass a car, you step harder on the accelartor and you speed up, but it take a second or two to really move faster, then all of a sudden you are going faster then you wanted to... But this you get use to over time.

The CVT is the Versa is set more for Economy then performance, I have tested the new Altima with the 2.5 with CVT as well as the Maxima and the CVT in those car feel more like conventional transmission as far as the "rubber band effect"

Go out and test drive each car...

inharmsway

I drove a versa with cvt, but just a short ride with a salesman. I liked it very much, but did not have a chance to try the "low" gear and the overdrive kick out. Flightnurse could you please explain how they work, and do you use them for passing or fast take off?
Niels

flightnurse

well the low gear isn't really a "low Gear" it just keeps the CVT from moving up in gears.... The Overdrive button is basically the same thing are the "low Gear" button.

I can peelout in the versa by just keeping the gear selector in "D". The CVT is geared very low to help keep the engine in the fat of the torque curve. Basically Nissan wants you to use the Torque of the engine to get your around town then the HP.

When you are really ready to buy the Versa, tell the salesman, that this test drive is going to determine which car you plan on buying, so drive both cars for a while, about 10-15 miles in stop and go traffic to get the feel of the CVT... IF the salesmen says NO, move to another salesman OR dealership..

inharmsway

Thanks.
Niels

berbar

flightnurse, inharmsway,
Thank you for your answers. I'm not sure if I understood right but you were comparing the CVT Vs. 4 speed Automatic. I would like to know more about the 6spd manual transmition. Has any of you tried it yet? Is it difficult to sell a pre-owned car which has a manual transmition? How does it compare with the CVT in fuel consumption?
Thank you.

flightnurse

The tread is going towards automatic transmissions in cars, they are becoming more performance orientated as well as better in fuel consumption.

The Versa isn't getting the mileage that nissan would like, but over all I am happy with my Fuel Mileage, I'm averaging 28. The Versa is a sub-compact car, and when you comepare it to other sub-compacts there are no over cars that come close to the Versa is ride and space. The car is a french design, the ride is very european, the seats are far more comfortable then the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris.

If MPG is your #1 concern the Versa is not the car for you.
If comfortable is your #1 concern in a car, then the Versa is your car..

Tony

robandjeanne

Are there any more available? Particularly interested in SL (probably hatchback) with ABS and not much else.

robandjeanne

In The TV ad the sedan appears to be a foot longer than the hatchback. Also, I hope the rear seat headroom in the sedan is as good as hatchback. The ad shows some weird hairdos fitting in the back seat indicating good headroom. I wish Versa had ads that were as good as VW.

PF_Flyer

Since the sedan and hatchback have the same wheelbase and front end, I assume the sedan is a bit longer with that trunk sticking out a bit more.

Plenty of headroom in the Versa, front and back. Don't really have any short folks in the family and nobody is cramped inside.

Haven't tried carrying a fifth passenger yet.

inharmsway

The sedan is 7 inches longer than the hatch. The sedan trunk is that much longer but not as high of course.
Niels

bobw3

other than maybe being slightly quieter, why would anyone get the sedan over the hatch? The hatch probably has more cargo space, is more versatile, and shorter. just curious?

jacksan1

Well, in Japan (and other parts of Asia), Honda sells the Fit Aria, which is the sedan version of the Fit. While the Aria does not sell that well, it's kind of a styling option some more traditional people would like to have, I suppose. By the way, the Fit Aria comes with the same Magic Seats, even though it's a sedan. The Versa sedan, or the Tiida Latio in that part of the world, must have come out of the same kind of thinking to address a particular market segment. By the way, the Latio is not selling well in Japan. either.

Some people just would not buy hatchbacks. I don't understand them, but such people do exist.

tallahassee

Is the crash test rating of the sedan the same as the hatchback? Also, has anyone found a problem with the sedan that isn't associated with the hatchback? I've read hundreds of reviews on the hatchback (most were very favorable)and I'm hoping the sedan is equally as good a car---especially in regards to safety and comfort.

robandjeanne

We were on the verge of buying the hatchback, but thought we should test drive the sedan. To us the sedan seemed to have a rougher ride. We can think of no reason why, except maybe since the car was designed as a hatchback adding the trunk changed the dynamics.

PF_Flyer

Same wheelbase, just a bit of a different shape on the rear end. Not sure that I'd expect much of a difference, but it's interesting to know!

Nissan sent me another Versa brochure in the mail yesterday :P I guess it hasn't quite filtered back through the system that the sapphire blue 6- speed is already in my driveway with 1100+ miles on it.

berbar

Thank you for the answer Tony.

My main concern is not MPG, is how hard it will be to sell a manual transmition Versa (pre-owned) three years from now in California. I have noticed that not many people in the States buy manual transmition cars.

I have researched all the subcompacts and I am almost sure that I will go for a Versa, specially knowing that Nissan has a partnership with Renault, a brand I love. I just need to decide if is better a manual or a CVT. I personally prefer a manual transmition, it makes you feel more in control. However, what worries me is the difficulty of selling a manual transmition car in the US.

I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

flightnurse

Well no one can tell you what to buy, but look at the trend and that should help.

Nissan is on a roll lately on new cars, and the relationship with Renault is a good one. The new Sentra and Versa are proof of this..

Tony

jacksan1

Nissan is on a roll lately on new cars, and the relationship with Renault is a good one.

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