An Automotive Reviewer FINALLY gets it!

[achr]

We Versa owners are generally mighty proud of our rides and disappointed in the lack of respect the car seems to get in the Automotive Press. Here is a refreshing video change from the norm. He focuses on the room, drivetrain, ride, features, and value and DOESN'T freak out because the Versa ISN'T a Sports Car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTPFS6Z01LY

[matt_a]

I agree with every word he says in that video. Nice find!

[Jaesin]

I agree, for once a reviewer understands that people who buy into the versa know exactly what they're buying into. We didn't want a sports car, we didn't want a luxury vehicle, but we got damn close with the V.

Compared to my previous cars (a 1997 Stratus, and a 1997 200SX), I'm enamored with my Versa, almost had it for a year now, and just a hair under 10k miles and I'm still in love. Even with my base S with keyless package, I enjoy driving it, and from previous threads the extra cargo space has come in handy. I remember when I had my 200sx, and I bought a filing cabinet. I couldn't even fit the 2 drawer filing cabinet into my trunk, and since I didn't have rear doors I had to somehow wedge it behind the seats.

Meanwhile my Versa fit a full sized recliner in the hatch, I'd like to see a Fit or Yaris do that .

[MIdnkight-lude]

i fit a full put together IKEA dresser draw. >_< let just say it stood at least 4-5 foot. >_<

[Rockhound]

Very refreshing review. Nice to see that someone isn't afraid to lump some praise on this great (not-so) little car.

[07Vsdn]

good review.

i just couldn't stand how he kept saying "nihsaan".

made me want to pull my hair out.

[matt_a]

i just couldn't stand how he kept saying "nihsaan".

made me want to pull my hair out.

LOL...I know what you mean. I kept thinking of this stuff:

[coxcj]

good review.

i just couldn't stand how he kept saying "nihsaan".

made me want to pull my hair out.

wow, that was a good review. The one thing he mentioned he didn't like was the fold down seats don't fold to a flat floor. I definitely agree with that. Now, if they could only find a way to get it to fold flat without taking up space in front of the sub.

[kc5f]

So just what can't we put in the car because the seats don't fold flat? I've folded the seats down many times and put large items in - bicycles, building materials, etc. If they hang over the lower area it's not a big deal. And with lots of stuff to load in you can usually pack it to create a flat surface for the top layer, if needed.

Now if you wanted it flat at the level of the trunk area that would give more vertical space, but I'd rather have the comfortable rear seats of the current Versa than have thinner or reconfigured rear seats.

[KimberKenobi]

It was bound to happen. Too bad it's from Canada instead of the US. Maybe American media will get it one day.

I feel a disconnect from my Camel since I'm driving the Bertone this week... OMG!! It is soooo much fun! I miss shifting... and it's a convertible... Makes me miss my MiniTruck (my Suzuki Sidekick) ... I've forgotten what it feels like to be up in the Camel now that I'm sitting on the ground in the Bertone. ... Definitely no ripple-control shocks here... ;oD

(I stand corrected. ;oD)
Modified by KimberKenobi at 4:05 PM 11/6/2007

[marleyfan]

It was bound to happen. Too bad it's from England instead of the US. Maybe North American media will get it one day.

It's a Canadian review actually. And I'm surprised that there haven't been more such reviews. I honestly feel that the Versa is the best car in its price range on the market. I'm constantly raving about mine. My friends are now saying, "yeah, yeah, we get it. You like your car!" No they don't get it....I LOVE my car.

[Great White Versa]

This is true. He must be Canadian, as no self respecting Englishman would ever praise anything French (note, I have nothing against the French people, just pointing out that they do)

When he pointed out that the seats don't fold flat, I don't think that he was saying that created wasted space. I think that he was referring to how that could make it difficult for some people to load a large, heavy object as it must be lifted into the hatch, but then again lifted onto the seats. Whereas if it were flat they could simply push once it gets over the bumper.

[tweety73]

He is wrong !! (the reporter ) the VERSA/TIIDA/LATIO has Renault genes , the "Nissan platform B" is actually based on common platform that also used by the new Renault Clio (III)after owning 3 Renaults (my last one was 2003 Clio 1.4 M/T)and now Tiida I can easily identify a lot of shared components that used to be on my Clio

The new Sentra BTW looks like it use the Megane platfrom (since it not sold outside of America , I can only tell after looking on the website but I'm pretty sure about that , next that I'll be in the states I'll test it

but it's for the best , since the CVT is much better than A/T that the Megane has (The gear box is manufacturer and developed by Siemens , I think that it's only matter of time that Renault will use Nissan's transmissions

[Ever Victorious]

The CVT in the Versa/Sentra is a smaller, newer unit than has previously been used in the Nissan lineup. I'd curb the blind enthusiasm for a while until kc5f can actually prove the reliability of it.

[biggie]

I just wished I had the heated mirrors. Weird that the options were that much different in US vs CA.

[NY.AD.MAN]

I wish we had the same dash as they do in the Tiida - Japan, it's the SL only much nicer!

Also, I'd like to see more interior lighting!!!

That, and the option of projectors.... Maybe even offer HID's!

One more thing, and this is the last... offer a completely stripped down model with the nicer dash, but sans stereo, wheel covers, manual transmission, no speakers, and sans extra wiring for speakers and headunit...- WITH ABS AND AIRBAGS

[Ever Victorious]

NY - your sig is WAY too big. max image size is 600x200, plus up to two lines of additional text. Please correct it.

[KimberKenobi]

He is wrong !! (the reporter )

The reporter states that the Nissan platform B is a new platform... There's another video that achr posted a link to where a Nissan rep explains the Versa and he states that the new platform B was made in conjunction with Renault and based off the Renault platform, but the new platform, engine, and CVT were all designed new for the Versa.

[Rockhound]

NY - your sig is WAY too big...

Along those same lines, your new sig says "sport edition", but I noticed that you don't have the sport bumpers. Just wondering...

[tweety73]

the new platform B was made in conjunction with Renault and based off the Renault platform, but the new platform, engine, and CVT were all designed new for the Versa.

Sure , Don't forget the CLIO III was introduced in 2005 a year after the LATIO in Japan , yes this is the first joint platform for both of them , as well as the HR series engines that also co-developed with Renault and in use also in the NOTE , and the MICRA also . not less then 4 different types will be revealed by Renault in the upcoming year that based on the same platform Clio Sport Tourer http://www.renault.com/renault....aspx Sandero (for South America market) http://www.renault.com/renault....aspx

Grand Modus (mini MPV) http://www.renault.com/renault....aspx

New Kangoo http://www.renault.com/renault....aspx

and also the Dacia Logan that was the first to use the new platform \(well not exactly , more like parts of it bare in mind that this car is manufactured for 3rd world countries like Iran (it also manufactured locally there ...)

[NY.AD.MAN]

Along those same lines, your new sig says "sport edition", but I noticed that you don't have the sport bumpers. Just wondering...

I have a self-proclaimed "sport edition" since one of the service guys at my dealership started calling it just that! I'm getting the plastic painted at the bottom so it at least looks appropriate...

[KimberKenobi]

In this video the representative says the Versa is the first application of this platform... I'm not trying to be a PITA, I'm just trying to figure out why he would say that if it wasn't true...

I checked out your links...

I agree that the bottom 3 are all the same platform... but I don't think they share the platform with the Versa based on the size of the rear overhangs which are way too short. The frame on the V comes out farther. I can't really say much on the first link because it doesn't list the wheel base and the fact that I can't access a picture with the Versa and the Tourer side by side.

I'm skeptical, but there's not enough information for me to make a decision or to state one way or the other.

[Rockhound]

I have a self-proclaimed "sport edition" since one of the service guys at my dealership started calling it just that! I'm getting the plastic painted at the bottom so it at least looks appropriate...

Dubbed by a mechanic, huh? Can't beat that! [/offtopic]

[tweety73]

I agree that the bottom 3 are all the same platform... but I don't think they share the platform with the Versa based on the size of the rear overhangs which are way too short. The frame on the V comes out farther. I can't really say much on the first link because it doesn't list the wheel base and the fact that I can't access a picture with the Versa and the Tourer side by side.

I'm skeptical, but there's not enough information for me to make a decision or to state one way or the other.

USING the same platform doesn't mean that they have them same wheel base I assume that the Tourer will have the same wheel based as the versa note that the Clio III today has 101.5 inches wheelbase and this car is a competitor to the YARIS/FIT , that's the whole idea by "platform" , using the same floor , with some modifications rather re-develop from scratch a new one.

another example is the SENTRA - based on the C-type platform - after comparing that charts - it is MEGAN sedan - by all means (regardless engine-and gear box) Megane sedan : wb: 269CM / length: 450cm / Wide 178cm / hight :146 cmSentra : wb :268.5 cm /length 456cm / Wide 179 cm /hight 149 cm

(BTW - the Megan 1.6 4 A/T is cost LESS then the TIIDA (here in Israel ) and is sold as a direct competitor to the TOYOTA COROLA 1.6L 124HP 5speed robotic transmission -awful ) , but in the US the Versa is a competitor to the YARIS/FIT /

maybe it's because here we have the Micra (that use the same 1.6 engine) and it's smaller then the TIIDA

[KimberKenobi]

Maybe I am misunderstanding the definition of 'platform' in terms of what it means to the car...

[KimberKenobi]

OH, and it bothers me because now I want to know who does the song that's in the little 'commercial' for the Kangoo... I tried to figure it out for over an hour last night... and I wasn't able to figure it out.

[jacksan1]

tweet

USING the same platform doesn't mean that they have them same wheel base I assume that the Tourer will have the same wheel based as the versa note that the Clio III today has 101.5 inches wheelbase and this car is a competitor to the YARIS/FIT , that's the whole idea by "platform" , using the same floor , with some modifications rather re-develop from scratch a new one.

another example is the SENTRA - based on the C-type platform - after comparing that charts - it is MEGAN sedan - by all means (regardless engine-and gear box) Megane sedan : wb: 269CM / length: 450cm / Wide 178cm / hight :146 cmSentra : wb :268.5 cm /length 456cm / Wide 179 cm /hight 149 cm

(BTW - the Megan 1.6 4 A/T is cost LESS then the TIIDA (here in Israel ) and is sold as a direct competitor to the TOYOTA COROLA 1.6L 124HP 5speed robotic transmission -awful ) , but in the US the Versa is a competitor to the YARIS/FIT /

maybe it's because here we have the Micra (that use the same 1.6 engine) and it's smaller then the TIIDA

tweety73 is absolutely correct. These "platforms" are extendable in that, within limits, different wheelbases can be assigned to them. The whole idea of having extendable global common platforms is so that you don't have to create a model-unique platform each and every time a car comes out with a unique wheelbase (assuming that wb is the only material difference). That was the problem with the pre-Ghosn Nissan, with more than 20 platforms lying around. Now they are down to a single digit.

[tweety73]

That was the problem with the pre-Ghosn Nissan, with more than 20 platforms lying around. Now they are down to a single digit.

And that's the why NISSAN suffered deficits , until few years ago.. this alliance will do NISSAN just good as well as Renualt I guess most of you in the US don't familiar with RENAULT (I admit I'm a RENAULT FREEK ) but they have great cars ' they were the first to implant CAN-BUS systems (Multiplex networking) in the cars rather to use traditional electrical wiring methods to reduce the amount in wires in the car, - this allow feature like i-keys that is avalible in Renault since 2004 ..- how ever Renault has its own illness , like very unreliable automatic gearboxes (very low demand to A/T in Europe , BUT high demand in ISRAEL) , so in the future we gonna see Renault with NISSAN's gear boxes , and NISSANs with Renault Engines (the TIIDA Diesel already has the Renault's K9K DCI engine ) and don't forget NISSAN has its expertises in 4WD that Renault hasn't at all...Must say , unlike in the US , Nissan in Israel has been sold only from 1995.. while Renault back in the 50's - BUT in the US Renault disappeared by the end of the 80's -but NISSAN brand in Israel has good reputation of reliability however GHOSN will preserve the uniqueness of every brand , we gonna see allot of surprises from this cooperation . All the F1 technology that Renault invested - we'll soon see in NISSAN as well

[KimberKenobi]

If I could pick one thing to see more of (from the Renault side of things) it would be their ingenious use of space in their vehicles and also the open, airy feel (okay, that was 2). (one reason I love my Camel) I've spent time in Europe (though not as much as I'd like to) and I've seen some crazy use of space in Renault vehicles.

[jacksan1]

If I could pick one thing to see more of (from the Renault side of things) it would be their ingenious use of space in their vehicles and also the open, airy feel (okay, that was 2). (one reason I love my Camel) I've spent time in Europe (though not as much as I'd like to) and I've seen some crazy use of space in Renault vehicles.

Yes, the Kangoo and Grand Scenic make excellent use of space available. On the other hand, I've found the Megane and Clio rather wasteful of the available exterior dimensions - they are quite tight inside. The Megane looks like the Versa, but the interior space difference is night and day. The Versa wins hands down there.