B16 Sentra Owners tell me what you think of the B16

[NolimitZ32]

Hey all, I've been a member here for a while but usually stick strictly to the Z32 section, I am getting ready to buy a DD and one of the cars I am seriously considering is the B16 SE-R Spec V. I was wondering if you guys wouldn't mind giving me some input into your impressions with the car as well as pros and cons of ownership and how it compares to others in its class.

Thanks
Anton

[sentrastace]

I don't have a spec, but wish I did. Looks like a peppy fun little car. My CVT....not so much.

[2011SilverSpecV]

Just bought a Spec V on Monday. It is a quick little 4-banger. I traded in my Subie Legacy GT for this car and I am glad i did. At first I wasen't too fond on the Sentra, wasen't to familiar with the Spec-V,I was actually looking at Altima's and then saw this in the show room decided to take it out on a test run. Well needless to say, I bought it during the test run.
Interior is nice and quiet, I have people call me and can't even tell i am in the car. Suspension is nice and stiff, although i am looking at lowering her just a little bit to get rid of the wheel gap.
It is a fun car, alot more fun then my subie to be honest, and worth the money. Rare car around me. I have yet to see one in the area, hoping to come accross some other people sometime soon!
My suggestion, go for it and buy it. I think you will be happy

[NolimitZ32]

Thanks for the responses, Funny I actually drive a heavily modded WRX right now and I love the power and handling of the AWD Turbo, the biggest thing that bothers me about the B16 is that they still use a solid rear axle and this makes for a very touchy and unpredictable rear end, at least on paper. this si the thing between the WRX my Z32 and pretty much every other car I've ever owned the Spec V would be in the lower rungs in power and handling but It seems like its fast enough and a decent daily with the MPGs it gets. I'm surprised you really liked going from a LGT to Spec V the LGTs are great cars, big and thirsty but still very nice to drive.

[jspecv]

Hopefully you see this before you get one. It's a piece of crap with barely any aftermarket support. Nissan didn't want to fix any of the issues that it had, including the ECU retarding itself to the point where the car had no power after being driven on the highway. I wasn't the only owner that experienced this. The poor response from Nissan for the various issues the car had (headlight clear started fading in a year, handicapped engine, poor handling even on coilovers because of the rear) makes the B16 a bad choice in general. I would look elsewhere if I were you.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^
IMO, I kind of agree with him. Its a poor attempt at being a sport compact. The Civic SI seems FAR better. Hell, even a B15 spec v sounds better.
...or pick up a used prelude

[NolimitZ32]

Thanks guys, I'm looking at a lot of different options and this is the main reason I wanted to hear from owners. I expected a 200hp NA Sport Compact to cost more than $23k and was really surprised when I saw that the Spec V was so cheap so I was already half expecting to be disappointed. Oh well on to the other choices. Thanks again