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Comments
With the cash rebate of Nissan, price of LE is around 20% more expensive than 1.8s. But I really worry about the the safety features of sentra.
From the NHTSA's: 04 corolla is 5/5 (frontal crash) and 4/5 (side impact); while sentra is 4/5 (front) and 2/5 (side impact). and IIHS gives corolla all "good" rating(top), and sentra "acceptable" only.
Even with additional safety package (side impact airbags, abs), 1.8s is still way much cheaper than the LE base model(no side impact airbag). Should I spend a couple of thousands more for LE, or settle on 1.8s?
Thanks for your input.
So based on my personal driving record, I opted to forgo some of the (more expensive) safety features in more expensive trims and went without side impact and ABS for example; also there is some debate as to how effective ABS really is.
(According to stories I've read, ABS allows you to control the car better during skids in cold weather climates, but their effectiveness is reduced because studies show most drivers don't know how to use them; you don't "pump" the brake like you used to.)
Before you automatically assume that the Sentra is "cheaper" than the Corolla, your auto insurance premiums may be lower with the Corolla than the Sentra because the Corolla has a better NHTSA safety rating, as you point out.
You also should research the Sentra 1.8S and the Corolla LE's "True-Cost-to-Own" on the Edmunds.com website, which factors in the actual cost of the vehicle considering expected depreciation, insurance, maintenance, fuel, etc. and not just purchase price.
According to the TCO rating on Edmunds, LE is even lower than sentra 1.8s. However, toyota dealers in quebec are using "access toyota" price for all toyota vehicles. No bargain, no discount. Same price anywhere. A base model corolla LE goes with CAD 26K+ (6.2% interest) after tax, and a 1.8s plus safety package can go lower than 22K.
The question confused me is, which model/option NHTSA tested on corolla and sentra? I can't imagine how sentra with side air bag get only 2/5 (side impact), and Corolla got 4/5, (only the top option of LE has side air bag, and that brings the whole price 30K+, even higher than Camry LE).
The funny thing I am thinking is, if they tested the corolla with LE + side air bag option, and I buy a LE base model. I'd be spending money on nowhere. I don't consider much of the residual/resale value of cars, since I may keep it for a long time.
One thing to note is that the Side Airbags available for the Sentra are seat mounted units that protect the head and chest. For 2004, the Corolla also offers a seat mounted unit, but it protects only the chest, and offers no additional protection for the head. If you're considering a 2005 Corolla, it will offer side impact curtains, which protect the heads of the occupants front and rear, and also the same seat mounted unit to protect front passengers' chests.
Confusing? Im sorry, I tried to be clear and detailed, but sometimes thats hard to accomplish.
Personally, Id probably take ABS over side airbags if I had to choose between the two, and you can bet your knickers I wouldnt buy a car without ABS. The added steering control and the assurance that your wheels will not lock is an insurance policy of sorts. ABS has not taken off, as noted above, because of the people who do not understand its intentions or how it works. Some people continue to believe that ABS is intended to make the car stop shorted. Not so. Shorter stops in wet conditions are indeed a result of ABS, but the real benefit is the steering control I mentioned. There are some situations, including sheet ice, that ABS will likely extend your stopping distance.
Back to Corolla vs. Sentra. The Corolla is newer, and based on all the crash tests Ive seen, it has a stronger safety cage. However, at least in terms of the side impact, the Sentras offering of head protection for a lower price may be more than enough to offset this.
Bottom line: Whether you go Sentra w/ ABS& Side Airbags, or Corolla w/ ABS but no airbags, I think you're getting a very safe small car. Would I personally buy either without ABS? No. Would I buy a Sentra without side impact protection? Probably not.
Hope that helps!
~alpha
PS- my current car is a '03 Sentra 2.5LE, which is equivalent to the '04 2.5S.
Yes, I agree with you on the importance of ABS. So corolla CE is out of question. For the 05 model's side curtain airbag, which is only available on LE, is also hard to reach because of its sheer price (almost 30K).
For a LE w/o side air bag, I guess your opinion is, sentra is comparable with it with the side air bag option. So, generally speaking, they are almost equal on safety features, aren't they?
One of my friends suggested me go SE-R with safety package since it's only $2.5K more than 1.8s, and $2K less than a LE. I think it's kinda like 2.5S(not available in Canada). May I share your opinion/experience on it? Does it have better safety features than 1.8s?
Thanks again.
P.S. The steering always vibrate when I start the car, stay like that for about a couple of minute. I assume this is normal.
I used to own a Honda Accord and I swore, for whatever reasons, I had a more difficult time braking or getting the car to stop with the A/C on than when it was off, and I seem to recall that the car shuddered, vibrated more as well.
Now driving a Sentra 1.8S, I notice again a slight increase in engine noise when the A/C is on, like the car has to work harder; however I do not notice a significant vibration of the steering wheel. (But your 2.5S is more powerful, different than my 1.8S.)
I've also read steering wheel vibration may be a sign of trouble with your tires, like they may need balancing, alignment, rotation, etc. but since your symptom disappears based on whether the A/C is on or not, it's probably not tire related.
(If anyone else can enlighten us on this topic of A/C and steering wheel vibration, I'd be interested as well.)
"Now driving a Sentra 1.8S, I notice again a slight increase in engine noise when the A/C is on, like the car has to work harder; however I do not notice a significant vibration of the steering wheel. (But your 2.5S is more powerful, different than my 1.8S.)
I've also read steering wheel vibration may be a sign of trouble with your tires, like they may need balancing, alignment, rotation, etc. but since your symptom disappears based on whether the A/C is on or not, it's probably not tire related."
The increase in engine noise is likely due to the sound of the extra cooling fan kicking on. Theres also the A/C compressor, which may be causing the vibration that ed2004 is experiencing. (When the compressor is on, the engine idles higher, which may lead to the steering wheel vibration- the engine resonates differently at different RPM). While you are correct that tires may cause steering wheel vibration, note also that the vibration in question occurs when the car is at a stop, which to me is a bigger factor that rules out tires as the cause of vibration in this case, as compared to the A/C being switched on.
dlancer- Im not sure why you think the SE-R with a safety package would be safer than a 1.8S with the same equipment. If you can find a 1.8S with side airbags and ABS, get it. The SE-R will swig fuel compared to the 1.8. If youre not about the added power, you're wasting your (hard-earned) money, IMO.
~alpha
Thank so much for the help.
Ed.
I saw some ppl complains the reliability of sentras (seemed they are made in Mexico), trip computer, engine noise, ignition... Does Nissan only make their bigger sedan well enough?
Because the sun was out, I was wearing clip-on sunglasses over my prescription eyeglasses, and I had the windows up and the A/C on.
When I happen to look at the driver's side and passenger-side car windows, there appeared to be some uneven, patchy discoloration -- a dark, brownish film with nickel-sized gaps.
When I took off my polorized, clip-on sunglasses, I couldn't see the discoloration anymore.
As far as I know, the side windows of the Sentra didn't come with factory-installed car window tinting and even so, that doesn't explain the uneven "film" I saw.
(I don't believe it's dirt on the window that I saw, given the fact that I wash the car on a regular basis and how much area of the window the discoloration covered.)
Anyone notice the same thing, on a sunny day, wearing sunglasses? If so, what's causing it, is it a problem and what can or should be done about it?...
Well late June the car wouldn't start. the service center says it's the computer. The part hasn't come in for a week. The service center says it's on back order. Another week goes by and the service center has no ETA. They won't provide a loaner. I call nissan consumer. Another week goes by, no call backs, no loaner, no part ETA. So now it's a month later and Nissan tells me the ETA is Week of August 28th.
I have to pay out of pocket for a rental- for over 2 months- because the part is on back order.
Okay so it's only a Sentra but do they realize I will never buy a Nissan again? Does the service guys understand that I will never take the car there again or buy a car from them? I guess I just wonder what ever happened to customer service.
Does anyone have any ideas on how or if I have any way to get a loaner or recoup my costs for the rental?
my .02
hope it helps, good luck
~alpha
The service writer was very shocked that the brake light switch failed on a car with 12.8k miles on it. He ordered a new part and the mechanic rigged the bad sensor to work until the new part comes in from Jacksonville so at least I'll have functioning brake lights.
The fun of car ownership. Luckily Nissan is handling this as a warranty issue and my service writer is a pretty nice guy.
The Sandman :-(
Supposedly in the documentation, Nissan states customer satisfaction ranks high in their mission and purposely lists company representatives at the regional, district, etc. level who you can contact to resolve the unfair and poor treatment you are getting from your local car dealer.
Like someone said earlier in this discussion, I encourage you and Nissan, the automaker, supposedly does, too, to voice your complaints and keep going up the "food chain" of Nissan management until the matter is resolved to your satisfaction.
Now, if I could only get the gas mileage up a bit, I'd be a real happy camper. I still am pleased with the way the car rides, very smooth with the 15" wheels on it.
The Sandman :-)
I noticed the A/C makes a sort of wet "gurgling" sound when it's in use and shortly after; this may be a silly question, but is that normal?
(The only reason I mentioned it or ask was I don't remember such a noise on the previous car I drove.)
I just filled the tank and am now making 100 mile round trips on the highway, so pretty soon I'll have numbers on that too.
BTW, is it normal for the fuel pump to rn a few minutes after the car is turned off? I notice a whin coming from that location for a few minutes after shutdown.
Turboshadow
I've never in my life (well no I work for ATT and I've seen ATT miss treat customers like this). I am trying to get the car fixed so I can sell it and buy a new car. I really don't want to but I don't have any other alternative. I am afraid something else will happen. I certainly will not buy a Nissan.
If you haven't already and feel inclined to, you could try your local Better Business Bureau or state's Attorney General's office, who may be able to put some pressure.
I'm always amazed when businesses, companies mistreat their customers -- don't they know bad p.r., even word of mouth, is more damaging to them then they can imagine?...
Maybe your treatment by Nissan is an isolated incident; for other Nissan owners' sake, I hope so. But it's best if Nissan owners and drivers like yourself share their experiences, good and bad, so we call all learn from them....
Anyone need a 2000 Nissan sentra GXE 82K miles- fair condition. I will say this is the only problem I have ever experienced. If someone wants to deal with fixing it (part is on order) I'll sell it under cost (just to get over this) and they can make an easy profit.
Turboshadow
( the interior cover jerks when I opearate to bring the glass down)
Any suggestions....
Can anything be done to make brakes less touchy, or is this one of those fixed engineering designs we're stuck with for the life of the car? Can we buy an aftermarket pedal that's angled differently, or better yet, simply adjust ours so the default position is lower?
Here's the Sentra article that mentioned the habit:
http://www.roadandtravel.com/roadtests/ltrelationship/nissan_sent- ra3.htm
Have already done the Toyota thing, guess we'll try Honda next time!
Rented a '04 Grand Am last week in New Hampshire and drove it down to Baltimore...not a bad car actually. Comfortable and the mpg's were great for a 6 cylinder car. With all the hills I encountered in Westchester, it didn't miss a beat. It hauled a-s to! Didn't care for the funky red dash lights though. Would actually consider buying one in the future!!
The Sandman :-(
I did take their virtual reality, 360-degree tour of the interior-exterior of the 2005 model, but didn't notice any differences from the 2004.
Anyone know how long the 2005 Sentra has been out, available? And what are the more important design, specs. changes from the 2004 model?
Finally, somewhat of a surprise: the next-gen Sentra wont be available until what appears to be calendar year 2006: (taken from www.nissannews.com)
"The Nissan Sentra will continue to be Nissan’s core entry in the compact passenger car market in North America. It will be re-engineered to meet consumer demands for a stylish, economical and performance-oriented small car. The next generation of the all-new Nissan Sentra will be introduced in 2006."
Thats a bit too long for this model. By that time, the car will be seriously lacking in rear-seat room, refinement, interior convenience, and fuel efficiency. Its a good little car for the money, and I love my 2.5LE, but without the option of that model (or the 2.5S) I would have probably by-passed the Nissan dealership.
~alpha
HP
The key in purchasing any Honda/Toyota/Nissan is to do a little research and find a dealership that will truly support its customer base. Having a dealer that will work with you through any issues, including getting corporate attention, is very important. For the named makes, find good dealers can be hard.
~alpha
I was very impressed with the Altima when I had one for a rental car for 10 days.
Thanks for your imput Alpha, I do value your opinion.
HP
So i was wonder if you guys have idea or suggestions, so maybe i could point somebody in the right direction, or check it out myself.Because i do not want to be stranded somewhere if this thing gets worse.
The Sandman :-(
I like my 2004 Sentra, for the most part. Bought it in February 2004 and as of Nov. 10, I have 26K on it. It is in the shop right now, bad right front suspension, trunk lock assembly and poor gas mileage. I track all my miles and average 29mpg with a 1.8L where the EPA sticker says it should be 35mpg - never got it. With 26K in 8 months, you can be assured it is not city driving. I was told by the service manager that 29 was not unreasonable. I countered that a 20% reduction is unreasonable. If you are buying for mileage, take a closer look at Honda or Toyota - forget Nissan, whether 2005 or not. I got hoodwinked, never again.
~alpha
With only 2 problems which were fixed under warranty, the car has been very reliable in the 1 1/2 years of ownership. And my kids really like driving it. So far, it's met it's desired purpose for our family, a cheap to keep and own vehicle. It does what it's supposed to do!
The Sandman :-)
~alpha