3 weeks, 3000 kms and disappointed.

[dr.zed]

2008 Versa SL manual 6 speed.

I'm going to put aside the piss poor gas mileage until we get around 5000 kms on the car.

Despite the map lights rattling, and something in the hatch rattling the car today developed an extended crank.

I opened the hood with my fuel pressure gauge to find no schrader valve. Nice.

The only thing keeping this car in the driveway and not trading it in with 3000 kms on a Honda Fit is the fact that my wife loves it so much.

I'm going to give the car until 5000 kms or so and then decide to dump it or not.

[Versa Madness]

The extended crank issue is a known problem that Nissan should address by replacing the fuel pressure regulator per the TSB.

Make sure that your hatch rattle is not due to the hatch not being closed all the way. My wife has done this on several occasions and now knows to close it firmly.

Regarding the mileage, I see that you have a 6 speed. We do as well and on several long trips with a loaded Versa and running AC we have gotten 35-39 mpg. I will admit that the around town driving kills the mileage, but is that not the case with all (except hybrids) vehicles? Don't give up yet on the V....

[dr.zed]

Well just another update. We have not seen the dealer yet but the car is now at 5300 kms and an entire highway drive the trip meter sits at 440 kms and the gas light is just about to come on.

The good news is that come Sept of this year the redesigned Fit comes out (now with a telescoping wheel something that prevented us from buying the first gen as the wheel sat too back for my wife) the Versa will have about 8000 kms on it and in time to see if it is really broken and still getting poor gas mileage.

Stay tuned.

[reyes1212]

...geeze.A proper break in is in need, not it being just mileage.

[Red Devil]

I usually get between 34-36mpg. Once and a while I can hit 38 if I stay strictly highway.

It seems most gas mileage issues come from Canada. Any facts regarding this?

[Kokanee]

I'm in Kingston and I get awesome mileage! On the highway I just get 'er into 6th gear and cruise along @ 120/kph, mileage is fine.

[Offshore1]

Mine will get 28 - 32MPG. This is 80% highway and driving like so old fart. Slow takes offs (RPM no higher than 2000), shutting down motor @ stop lights, cruise control set @ 55.Trouble is, when you get in non - highway driving, the mileage is terrible on the V.

I had an '05 Honda Accord coupe 5spd, with a BIGGER motor. Driving the same route and driving like everyone else (not like I said above) I could get 28 - 33MPG.I bought the V cause I didn't want to shift and I also wanted a usable back seat.But when I drove the V like I drove the Honda, the V got 21 MPG!!! Now the V still does not have a 1000 miles on it yet, so I am hoping fuel economy gets better. I also have been using a scan gauge II to help out. (That is how I got the numbers above - Honda #'s were hand calculated)

If you go to the Fit forums, there are little to no people complaining of mileage - or anything for that matter - until you really get into the threads. Now don't get the idea that I am a Honda nut - far from it. I prefer Nissan. My father owned a Datsun dealership when I was growing up, and I have had my fair share of Nissan's and Infiniti's. I think Nissan makes a good product. But at 1st glance the grass looks greener over at Honda.

Does the V's mileage improve THAT much with mileage? If so, approx how many miles? Should I drive the V harder (like normal) or keep trying to squeeze mileage out of it? I would like to average 30+ mpg all the time.

BTW: I have an '08 SL CVT
Modified by Offshore1 at 12:07 PM 8/13/2008

[dr.zed]

Mine will get 28 - 32MPG. This is 80% highway and driving like so old fart. Slow takes offs (RPM no higher than 2000), shutting down motor @ stop lights, cruise control set @ 55.Trouble is, when you get in non - highway driving, the mileage is terrible on the V.

I had an '05 Honda Accord coupe 5spd, with a BIGGER motor. Driving the same route and driving like everyone else (not like I said above) I could get 28 - 33MPG.I bought the V cause I didn't want to shift and I also wanted a usable back seat.But when I drove the V like I drove the Honda, the V got 21 MPG!!! Now the V still does not have a 1000 miles on it yet, so I am hoping fuel economy gets better. I also have been using a scan gauge II to help out. (That is how I got the numbers above - Honda #'s were hand calculated)

If you go to the Fit forums, there are little to no people complaining of mileage - or anything for that matter. Now don't get the idea that I am a Honda nut - far from it. I prefer Nissan. My father owned a Datsun dealership when I was growing up, and I have had my fair share of Nissan's and Infiniti's. I think Nissan makes a good product. But right now the grass looks greener over at Honda.

Does the V's mileage improve THAT much with mileage? If so, approx how many miles? Should I drive the V harder (like normal) or keep trying to squeeze mileage out of it? I would like to average 30+ mpg all the time.

BTW: I have an '08 SL CVT

My buddy called my from BC yesterday to tell me that his automatic sedan 07 Versa rental car (non CVT) he has been BEATING on all week. It has 44,000 kms on it and it gets 575 kms without the ac on in the city.

Top speed is 171 kms hr as well....

Anyway I'm certainly not waiting past 10,000 kms.

If this car doesn't improve near there I'm trading it in on the Honda.

reyes1212> What do you drive?

[Xtrykr]

Very strange, I'm from Winnipeg and have the 08 Versa SL with Sport and Tech and also with 6MT. I get about 430-450km with 1/4 of the tank still available. I get around 32-40MPG. Thats real odd that you are only getting 440km with the lights coming on! (The fuel lights come on when you have about 10L left in the tank including the reserve). My typical fill-up for 450km is usually 30-34L. I believe the Versa has a 50L tank.

[WaVersa]

I don’t understand, we are all driving the same car, But some Canadian driver, like me are getting poor gas mileage. I have a 2008 Hb SL with tech package and the CVT transmission (3500km). I am in the region of Ottawa/Gatineau. Driving like a grandma, RPM NEVER NEVER higher than 2000. My average in city is 10.2l / 100km (23.06 US m/gal) and my BEST ever is 8.8 l/100km (26.73 US m/gal) (That is with 50% of nice highway). I am usually filling my car around 440-450km with 45 liter. I have trade in my 2000 corolla with 194 000km with also a 1.8 liter engine doing the same road and I had a normal driving because it was an old car and my average was 7.8l/100km (30.16 US m/gal) that is a difference of -7.06 m/gal, WOW. ...Should I stay with Toyota??...

[superskunk]

my mileage varries from 28 mpg to the mid 30's.... i base my mpg on how much traffic i sit in, to and from work.... however i still acheive these ratings with an average speed of 80....

[vpnavy]

Mileage is all about how you drive. If you rabbit it all the time - don't expect good gas mileage. Also, for us dummies - providing MPG means a lot more then just total miles (or KM). I have a 2007 S (without CVT) and I am getting great mileage. After 21,000 miles - I consistently average between 28-32 MPG in City and over 40 on the highway (keeping it under 60MPH).

[superskunk]

i too have a non cvt auto... im almost at 20,000.... if i were to do 55 on the freeway i would prob get a ticket for going so slow... lol.... sometimes im lucky to be able to do 40 on the freeway do to traffic...

[vpnavy]

i too have a non cvt auto....

I've noticed (a bunch of mileage posts) those of us without the CVT get much better mileage.

[srellim234]

Mileage is all about how you drive. ...

Following and participating in numerous threads on gas mileage and the Versa for over a year now, it's pretty apparent that there is a quality control issue at Nissan, totally unrelated to driving style, that is leading to different gas mileages in some Versas. Granted, although driving style is an important factor it does not explain people getting 22, 28, and 32 mpg. while driving their cars the same way under similar conditions.

You are absolutely right on the perception of gas mileage and total miles travelled. You have to measure the actual miles travelled and divide by the number of gallons put in. Size of the gas tank and how much the needle moved on the gas gauge are irrelevant to actual gas mileage.

[Bubs daddy]

Quote »Mileage is all about how you drive.[/quote]Indeed. "Your mileage may vary" couldn't be truer.

My CVT consistently gets between 30-34 combined city/highway.

18,000 miles, over a year and a half old, and I am very pleased.

[frankoV]

I don’t understand, we are all driving the same car, But some Canadian driver, like me are getting poor gas mileage. I have a 2008 Hb SL with tech package and the CVT transmission (3500km). I am in the region of Ottawa/Gatineau. Driving like a grandma, RPM NEVER NEVER higher than 2000. My average in city is 10.2l / 100km (23.06 US m/gal) and my BEST ever is 8.8 l/100km (26.73 US m/gal) (That is with 50% of nice highway). I am usually filling my car around 440-450km with 45 liter.

Hey, neighbour -- don't give up -- it'll get better (at least it did with me). My mileage until first oil change was as yours; then got better, and better . . . today travelled 110km/hr and got 6.8l/100 km [= 41.5 IMP mpg = 34.5 US mpg].

It takes a while for break-in but seems OK afterwards

If you'd like I'll e-mail my fill-to-fill spreadsheet and you can see the improvement . . . or you can trust me.

and no problems with my V either!

[Slither]

I don’t understand, we are all driving the same car, But some Canadian driver, like me are getting poor gas mileage. I have a 2008 Hb SL with tech package and the CVT transmission (3500km). I am in the region of Ottawa/Gatineau. Driving like a grandma, RPM NEVER NEVER higher than 2000. My average in city is 10.2l / 100km (23.06 US m/gal) and my BEST ever is 8.8 l/100km (26.73 US m/gal) (That is with 50% of nice highway). I am usually filling my car around 440-450km with 45 liter. I have trade in my 2000 corolla with 194 000km with also a 1.8 liter engine doing the same road and I had a normal driving because it was an old car and my average was 7.8l/100km (30.16 US m/gal) that is a difference of -7.06 m/gal, WOW. ...Should I stay with Toyota??...

V is heavy for a small car @ 2778 Ibs (avec CVT)

Yaris hatch is 480 Ibs lighter. Much better on gas. I still see paper ads in the GTA pushing V @ 45/35 mine is no where near close.

Last Winter city driving I averaged 24.5.

[1_Sleek_Versa]

2008 Versa SL w/ CVT transmission here. (It's new 1200km)

Very pleased with every aspect of the car exept fuel economy...

Best I got was approx. 23-24 mpg. Very disappointed.

It drinks gas as much as my old 4000 lbs Cutlass Supreme with 3.4, my 2002 Z24 with 120 000km and STOCK fuel filter and plugs gives me way better gas mileage!!! lol

The sticker in the window was wrote 43mpg with CVT/ highway. I dream every night about my Versa giving me 30.

I bought the Versa for fuel economy (LOL). At least I have a lot of room in it, wich seems to be the excuse for every Versa owner also lol.

But I love the little car none the less. I was just expecting more fuel economy for the small 4 banger. I chose the V over the Corolla.....sigh

Should a spent the 3 grand more.

[scottstachowiak]

Our 2007 Versa lease ends next month and I'm glad we only signed up for 24-months.

It does not even have 10,000 miles on it.

The gas mileage finally improved after 5,000 miles, as the Nissan technicians promised. So, we've been getting 22mpg in the city. On the highway, maybe, maybe, we'll get 30.

Oh -- and we will not be getting another Nissan Versa. We insist upon driving a stick-shift and this 6-speed manual is the worst manual transmission I've ever driven and that includes the three-on-the-tree I drove in a 1964 Ford Econoline.

If we get another car -- it's unlikely because we have ZipCar a block away -- it'll be a Fit or a Matrix or an Imprezza 5-door.

[SuperTurbo]

Don't forget guys...

How you guys "run in" the engine do have great effect on the mileage.

For me, as always, the first 10000km, I always drives like I steal it after the engine is warmed up.

Specially the first 100km, make sure you let your car's engine hit a few time of the red line

[Kokanee]

.....Driving like a grandma, RPM NEVER NEVER higher than 2000.

And where's the fun in that? I'm routinely hitting 3,500ish rpm before I shift. This little car is TONS of fun to drive when you've got a stick.

[Jemdawg]

Hmmm...

I've been getting, on average, 34 mpg for 80% highway. This includes neutral stops, and cruise control on 60 mph, as well as keeping the revs below 2500.

I've also had 40 mpg on one trip, this was 100% highway on a nice dry, cool day. My average for all highway trips is about 38 mpg. This is with a CVT, and I never exceed 60 mph.

Weather seems to play a big factor in this; the cooler and dryer it is, the better the milage, this supports the simple scientific rudiments of combustion.

[Offshore1]

The grass is not greener on the Fit side.

Go to their forums and you'll see the same thing. Especiall the one about "What don't you like about your Fit" which is 15 - 20 pages long. The avg Fit owner is NOT getting the mileage that they expected. In fact, they are getting 20, 24, 28, ,32 mpg. Yes, there are "some" getting better and they are more vocal, but they also have MT. AT Fit's are getting same mileage as Versa - real world! Plus it looks like all the Fit's have lousy A/C.

I too was thinking the same - trading for a Fit. But after finding out mileage would be about the same and that the Fit is noisy, ride is not as nice, and lacks lots of features that the Versa has (variable intermittent wipers is one example), I think I'll keep mine. It really is an Ok little car.
Modified by Offshore1 at 12:09 PM 8/13/2008

[srellim234]

Have a link to those forums? I'd be interested in reading them despite the fact I'm not interested in a Fit.

Fueleconomy.gov shows the Fit sport is the automatic version getting the mileage close to the Versa with CVT. It also happens to be the model I see the most around here. The regular Fit equipped with automatic is about 10% better. Personally, I think the vast majority of the people wouldn't think the loss of creature comfort is worth that little of an mpg difference.

[dr.zed]

... and you don't get a center armrest PLUS you don't get tilt steering. Both of those were the deciding factor for my wife.

The 09 Fit is different and includes a tilt/telescopic wheel, but looks like no armrest (easily fixed with JDM console for $250).

We'll drive the Fit when it comes out mid Sept and make our decision. I don't expect the Honda to be worlds apart in fit and finish but I will say that the car we drove was tight and didn't rattle.

This fit rattles in two spots, and you simply CANNOT deny the horrendous gas mileage. I am of a mind to take a scan tool to prove no more than 25% throttle and then a time lapse video from here to Montreal to show the gas mileage was nothing near advertised and prove it with the scantool showing no more than 25% throttle.

I certainly know I'll only get close to the Quebec border from Ontario and thats it. I'll do the same thing on the way back.

[frankoV]

I certainly know I'll only get close to the Quebec border from Ontario and thats it. I'll do the same thing on the way back.

Going 120 kmh . . . certainly. But let's face it: the mileage estimates were not made at "real" highway driving speeds.

otoh, my road trip showed me that slowing down a bit can increase mileage a lot.

[edit: this does not let Nissan off the hook for dragging me in under false pretenses, though I wouldn't have bought a like car from a competitor]

[somdamon]

The grass is not greener on the Fit side.

Go to their forums and you'll see the same thing. Especiall the one about "What don't you like about your Fit" which is 15 - 20 pages long. The avg Fit owner is NOT getting the mileage that they expected. In fact, they are getting 20, 24, 28, ,32 mpg. Yes, there are "some" getting better and they are more vocal, but they also have MT. AT Fit's are getting same mileage as Versa - real world!

I too was thinking the same - trading for a Fit. But after finding out mileage would be about the same and that the Fit is noisy, ride is not as nice, and lacks lots of features that the Versa has (variable intermittent wipers is one example), I think I'll keep mine. It really is an Ok little car.

*****I took my Versa on a long drive to Dalton, GA this past weekend (about 1 1/2 hours) and detected a brake vibration similiar to what I had experienced after 1 week of ownership. The dealer had to turn the rotors claiming they had hot spots on them. ???? At the time my mileage was 250. Now that I detected the vibration again - my mileage is at 1500. I am PISSED!! Last week I had them fix the defroster issue (no air flow through defrost vents) and now this reoccuring brake issue.

So, I decided to look into replacing the Versa with a Fit and spent the weekend test driving and researching. Probably the best thing about the Fit was the handling - almost sports car like! The next best thing was the depreciation factor. The Fit (like most Hondas) really holds its resale value over time. Unfortunately the Versa pales in this category.

Still undecided and angry about the emerging quality and reliability of the Versa. It does ride a lot better than the fit and the seats are more comfortable with height adjustment (I love that - you sit really low in the Fit and that might drive me crazy). Also the Blue Tooth technology is great and the larger engine with CVT is no match for the Fit.

I don't know, there is good and bad on both sides of the highway. I guess it comes down to personal priorities...

[Bubs daddy]

Quote »The Fit (like most Hondas) really holds its resale value over time. Unfortunately the Versa pales in this category. [/quote]Over time? It's only been two years.

And there are other factors besides the manufacturer of the vehicle that determines long term value. I'm sure someone who bought a Honda Pilot in 2003 is very disappointed in the current value. But so is the owner of Chevrolet Tahoe. They're worth a lot less than they were six months ago and it has nothing to do with being a Honda or a Chevrolet.

You're going to lose thousands of dollars selling or trading in the Versa for a new Fit so any perceived long term resale value of the Fit will be lost.

[dr.zed]

Over time? It's only been two years.

And there are other factors besides the manufacturer of the vehicle that determines long term value. I'm sure someone who bought a Honda Pilot in 2003 is very disappointed in the current value. But so is the owner of Chevrolet Tahoe. They're worth a lot less than they were six months ago and it has nothing to do with being a Honda or a Chevrolet.

You're going to lose thousands of dollars selling or trading in the Versa for a new Fit so any perceived long term resale value of the Fit will be lost.

Lets face it. You put two cars competing in the same segment against each other and the Honda will always win in resale value.

Always.

I defy you to prove me wrong via any published means necessary by taking a weighted average.

Is it COMPLETELY for the right reasons, probably not.