Disappointed!

[Treetopflyer]

I noticed mine drags like hell. Now I have never driven a CVT before this one, so I have nothing to compare it too. But it felt like I was driving around with the handbrake on (I actually checked the hand brake a few times thinking it was engaged!). I thought this might have something to do with my horrible fuel economy, but I guess it is a CVT thing....

[jmaclean]

I'm trying something to increase my mileage that a friend at work recommended. He's a "hypermiler" and has a number of "tricks" to increase mileage. (some are not recommended for a CVT, e.g. shutting the engine off to coast is very bad on the CVT because it cuts out lubrication, but is ok on most other vehicles)

The chief method that I've used is driving ahead and coasting on hills (I live in a very hilly area) by shifting into Neutral ('N'). The RPM's fall below 1,000 and it decreases the drag on the engine/ transmission, therefore I'm coasting farther. I do this with plenty of distance between me and the car behind and try to stay at the posted limit, unless no one is behind me. If I need to pick up speed, I just shift back into 'D' and accelerate.

At stops at traffic lights I stay in 'N' until the light changes. I have forgotten that I was in 'N' a couple times and gunned the engine, but you get used to it after gunning the engine a couple times. I'll report back my mileage figures in the near future.

[KimberKenobi]

Mine only drags when I've gotten off the pedal on a downhill or if I've not adjusted pressure on the pedal to allow the belt to coast... try playing around with your pedal... You may just be putting too much pressure on it.

[motoguy128]

Comparing the Versa to the Yaris and Fit is not fair. The Versa has a 1.8L engine while both the Yaris and Fit run a 1.5L. The Versa is also heavier and bigger than those other two as well. I wish that people would match up the Versa to it's comparable rival, the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. Both share the same wheel base, weight and engine displacement. Try to get a Matrix for under $12k as I did with my V....

Bingo!

The Versa might compete with the Fit is terms of price, but for size and economy, the Versa and Caliber as well, are compact, not sub compact cars more comparable to the Matrix and SX4.

You have to compare cars with similar wheelbases, weight, interior volume and engine size.... not just price class.

That being said, the 1.8L engine is not impressive in terms of mileage. If you swapped it with the Toyota 1.8L or Honda 1.8L in the same cars, it will underperform. THe VQ 3.5L V6 Nissan makes also underperforms in terms of mileage compared to the Honda 3.5, Toyota 3.5, Hyundai 3.3 and Ford 3.5.

[bikeman]

That being said, the 1.8L engine is not impressive in terms of mileage. If you swapped it with the Toyota 1.8L or Honda 1.8L in the same cars, it will underperform. TH

Just as another data point, my 1.8L Accord (94) underperfromed the Versa in every category. The Accord weighed more but the wheelbase was similar. I don't have any experience with the newer Honda engines.

David

[djtorello]

Ok, well this discussion is so outta hand. You are complaining that is doesnt get Estimated Mileage. lol. Its Estimated. I suggest you have a good look at the window sticker. Under the estimate mileage shows by law the known mileage average. The picture Below is a PURE EXAMPLE:



City: 18mpg, but ranges from 6 to 49Highway: 24 mpg, But ranges from 10 to 52

You picked the car, you apparently liked the car enough to purchase it, which means it was your responsibility to read the sticker and research the car.

The Versa has the highest HP/TQ ratings in its weight class. It weighs more then the Fit and Yaris, Its Bigger the the Fit and the Yaris, It has .03more CoEfficant of drag then the Fit and Yaris, It has a bigger Engine then the Fit and Yaris, It has bigger wheels and brakes then the Fit and Yaris, It has a Better Safety rating then the Fit and Yaris by NHSB and independant research companies. Its higher ground Clearance then the Fit and Yaris, Has more standard Features then the Fit and Yaris, And is on average $2000 cheaper then comparable equivalant of the Fit and Yaris.

You are basing the Versa On a smaller car segment, while its in the same class as the Vibe/Matrix., Which btw are far bigger, but in the same price range of the Fit and yaris.

So make up your mind! Do you really think a $12,000 car is gonna have the fit and finish of say a Maxima? Nissan Cut costs in different places without cutting its Comfort, reliability, economy, or emissions. Cost cutting included rear drum brakes, lack of an arm rest in the S model, Alot of Plastic, and the annoying Rattling you are getting is common in the 2.0 Sentra and 2.5L Base Altima. Its not a purposely chossen place to remove padding, All cars has some form of destructive vibration, somewhere. You think your dash vibrates, ill show you a video of my old car, where no $1.25 of foam tape can fix.

But then again, you got what you payed for, The only reason to buy a specific car is because it meets your needs and wants at the time. Simple as that. I personally been car shopping as of late trying to see if there is something better then the $22,000 fully loaded Nissan Sentra SE-R, within the price range, with everything i want, and havent found a single other car that does so. I could get a Base Dodge Magnum or Chevy Impala, which are far bigger cars, but still alck the conveniance and reliability of the New Sentra's. I could get a Chevy Slowbalt, HHR, Scion xA, xB, Xd, and Tc, or a Subaru Impreza, or a VW Rabbit or Jetta, Ford Mustang, Fucus, or Fusion, But none of them have what i want. They dont have the mileage, or the comfort, or the convience, or the reliability, or the Safety, with great looks, that im looking for. Nissan's LATCH (Lower Archor Tether for Children) is rated the best child safety setup of all other car makers. Now i dont have Children, but i do want children, and i want a safe car for them, as well as my signifcant other that still suits bt needs/wants, and still have a fresh and young feeling to it. I dont want a buick.

Just do a little reseach, its not hard.

Btw, since you a focusing on the Cons of the car in question, what are its good points?

~dave

[jacksan1]

It has a Better Safety rating then the Fit and Yaris by NHSB

With all due respect, it's NHTSA, and then these:

Versa: http://www.safercar.gov/Index2...hicle

Fit: http://www.safercar.gov/Index2...hicle

Just do a little reseach, its not hard.

I could not agree more.


Modified by jacksan1 at 12:16 PM 3/5/2008

[Ever Victorious]

not only did I crash my versa, but should I be worried that in totaling it the airbags did not deploy???? Right front impact from a ditch then somehow rolled onto drivers side but no air bag deployment?? Broke only the rear window if you can believe that.'07 Versa SL sedan 2700miTotal loss

Not necessarily. When I was hit, my airbags didn't deploy because the initial impact was from the rear. None of the 6 airbags in the Versa will protect against a rear impact.

The secondary frontal impact did not meet the 17 MPH thresshold for front air bag deployment.

[kc5f]

City: 18mpg, but ranges from 6 to 49Highway: 24 mpg, But ranges from 10 to 52

Actually, if you read the captions the estimates on the bottom left and right apply to large sample of cars, not the vehicle listed on the sticker. The one you listed is for all vehicles listed as "Two Seaters". The one on the left is for all vehicles with EPA estimates of 18 city and 24 highway.