Do any of you REGRET buying the Versa vs. another?

[KimberKenobi]

Welcome back Kimber Kenobi, you're our only hope!

Roflmao!!!

[V-Man]

The Fit is a very nice car, but the shape is too "stealthy" for my taste.

[aidan80]

I do not, not even having the debt makes me regret buying the Versa. I bought a 1.8S Blue 6 Speed Manual Hatch. It was exactly what I wanted. I wanted a manual after driving a mercury tracer auto lol. I got really lucky in a lot of ways as the tracer had bit the dust and I rolled it into the Nissan dealership. The only thing I don't like is that I didn't get the power option.

I did some research before buying the Versa, I looked into the Fit, Yaris and Accent and came to the conclusion that for me the Versa was the perfect match if I could find a manual which I discovered in America isn't that easy! Again I got very lucky in that I was already reading, researching and had made up my mind on the Versa before the Ford did what they do best lol

The Fit seemed over priced for what you got to be honest and it's rear cash test made me wonder as did rear seat room. The Yaris was and is (sorry to anyone that owns one) plain ugly inside why are the instruments in the center of the dash? It just seems weak and a typical small car. The Accent I didn't even need to look at after seeing the pathetic crash tests lol that and the price vs what the Versa had on offer wasn't a match.

All in all I walked out the door having financed $13,500 for a really nice hatchback with 0 miles on it and a fresh warranty. Fuel economy has been as expected for me 28mpg - 32mpg.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

The Versa is good all around for the price. Cars like the Yaris are for people who don't mind the funny design of it or the lack of rear seat room and engine power and just want the great gas mileage. The Corolla is more comparable to my Versa than a Yaris IMO.

[srellim234]

Interesting that I was stopped by a 60+ year old this morning who wanted to take a close look at my Versa and ask me a bunch of questions. He's been really dissappointed with the ride, noise level, room, etc. of his Honda Fit and is looking to replace it. I showed him my gas mileage and maintenance log books I keep in the car, let him sit in the back seat and check out some of the other features on my car. I did stress that he would be much happier with the seats in the SL as opposed to the base model. I feel it's worth the extra money and told him so. He was fine with that and became an instant Versa fan when I told him a Versa SL with more features on it than mine could be had for $18-19k.

[iluvmyVersa08]

Interesting that I was stopped by a 60+ year old this morning who wanted to take a close look at my Versa and ask me a bunch of questions. He's been really dissappointed with the ride, noise level, room, etc. of his Honda Fit and is looking to replace it. I showed him my gas mileage and maintenance log books I keep in the car, let him sit in the back seat and check out some of the other features on my car. I did stress that he would be much happier with the seats in the SL as opposed to the base model. I feel it's worth the extra money and told him so. He was fine with that and became an instant Versa fan when I told him a Versa SL with more features on it than mine could be had for $18-19k.

I had an older couple stop me too one day as I was leaving a store. They really loved my car, were checking out her grille and hood deflector. They said that someone recommended them to buy a Nissan next and that were wondering what my car was called, lol. They were really impressed with it and were going to check it out!

My 08 Versa is fully loaded with all the features available on it at the time of purchase and it was 21K plus taxes. So yes, compared to Honda, you can get a lot more features for a cheaper cost. Plus I found the Fit to look funny, and didn't want to pay extra money to insure a Honda.

[Bubs daddy]

Plus I found the Fit to look funny

I agree. Althought I saw the new Fit the other day and it looks better than the first generation ones.

The fabric and materials on the SL are a significant upgrade from the base model. I didn't get the paisley deck lid option, though...

[iluvmyVersa08]

I agree. Althought I saw the new Fit the other day and it looks better than the first generation ones.

The fabric and materials on the SL are a significant upgrade from the base model. I didn't get the paisley deck lid option, though...

Deck lid option?

And I agree, the fabric on the SL is much nicer ...
My brother didn't want a regular Sentra just for that reason. The fabric inside a regular Sentra is awful ... but the seats on his SE-R are super nice Wish mine were black w/ red stitching!

[frankoV]

when the Fit first came out I was given a "first look" invitation . . . was just in the process of thinking about thinking about buying a new car. went to the Honda dealership, was approaced by a salesman who asked if he could help; when I told him I wanted to see a Fit he told me "nah, you don't want a Fit" . . . so I said OK and left [I wonder if he thought he'd get me into an Odessy, as I was driving a mini-van at the time; I was tryig to get out of minivans!

downsized from wanting a Mazda 6 to a Mazda 3, but Versa rear-seat legroom [and price] won out.

my regret: getting the SL base . . . had no use for bluetooth [so I thought] and didn't want the possible sunroof leakage. today . . . I'd pay the difference.

[srellim234]

I wanted the bluetooth and it's nice to have even though mine doesn't pick up command instructions very well. It works great for actually receiving calls and talking during them.

My wife insisted on the sunroof and although I wasn't in favor of it I am very thankful that we bought it. It has performed flawlessly. I use the tilt function all the time when it's parked to let the heat rise out of the car. With the roof opened on the road there's some wind noise but the car is cooler, saving us from turning the a/c on. Also, when opened the rear passengers do not get windbown like they do when the side windows are open.

[frankoV]

thanks for rubbing it in.

that's the regrets

[iluvmyVersa08]

when the Fit first came out I was given a "first look" invitation . . . was just in the process of thinking about thinking about buying a new car. went to the Honda dealership, was approaced by a salesman who asked if he could help; when I told him I wanted to see a Fit he told me "nah, you don't want a Fit" . . . so I said OK and left [I wonder if he thought he'd get me into an Odessy, as I was driving a mini-van at the time; I was tryig to get out of minivans!

downsized from wanting a Mazda 6 to a Mazda 3, but Versa rear-seat legroom [and price] won out.

my regret: getting the SL base . . . had no use for bluetooth [so I thought] and didn't want the possible sunroof leakage. today . . . I'd pay the difference.

Ya ... I had no idea what bluetooth really was at the time, now with the new 'hands free' law, I'm really happy I have it.
I had one leakage issue with my sunroof, but they fixed it ... If it happens again they said they will have to send the car off to a body shop ???

But you have a sedan, so in order to get a sunroof you would have had to get the sport package on a hatchback. The sport package on a sedan only adds fogs, and sport bumpers/sideskirts, no sunroof though

[versanewb]

I personally wish I would have bought the Fit instead. It is really fun to drive and has the ultimate cool factor with it's looks. It get's better gas mileage too. The interior is really nice as well. I also like the Scion xD better too.

[JHR16DE]

Honestly, Im not into hatchbacks(love sedans) and I was interested in the 01-07 so I drove an '07 Corolla LE a local Chevy dealership had in stock, goldish exterior, tan interior, 5speed, 30K. They wouln't lower the price so I went directly to Toyota and see if they had any preowned Corollas for the same price range, they had an '03 Corolla S(same bodystyle)...97K, clutch going out, paint chips on the hood...customer service was awful I went to Nissan(next door) to see if they had any Sentras(didnt know about the sedan version of the Versa), they had a few but they were all auto and I was looking for a 5/6 speed manual. Here's where the Versa story begins...

I sat down and talked to the salesman, I told them I was looking for a 5/6 speed manual SEDAN. He says well the Versa sedan came out in '09, I thought Versa sedan? Sounds good, I said do you guys have a preowned, and he said no but we have a 2010 base model which is about the same price, I said auto or manual, he said it's up to you, I said what?! let me see it(in the computer), showed it to me, looked good, he says what color?(since I wanted a manual, I wasnt looking for a specific color). I said do you guys have a gray? He said no but we have a silver? I liked it so I looked at it and I already had a theme in mind I got excited and pictured it in my mind, drove it, though the shifter was a little long I loved the car. Started doing the paperwork and long story short(well kinda)...I got the car for financed for $11.5K. 2010, 1.6L, 5speed manual, silver, black interior. Love it. Here it is...

[08versailles]

This is a great topic!
I was going to start one asking what else people were shopping for when they bought their V, why? etc.

I have very little to REGRET with my Versa. The only standout regret is that there's not enough Skyline and too much electric power steering... Has anyone been crazy/brilliant enough to convert their Versa to manual steering?

From the start, I was shopping used. New car prices are INSANE in Canada, as are 1 to 5 year old Hondas and Toyotas.
Solution? 2008 Versa SL with 6sp.

Other used Versa pros:
Extremely roomy seating [yaris not bad, fit driver's seat all the way back and didn't fit, mid-size cars too much $$$]
Roomy hatch area [yaris lacking, fit has switchblade seating, but you still have to switch it, mid-size wagons $$$...but the Mazda 6 hatch is verrrrry compelling with 4cyl 5sp!!!!and hard to find]
Sweet snickety shifter [others good too except toyotas too poofty]
High driving position [also a small minus...]
Smooth straight line ride
Depreciate like a rock, esp w manual transmission.
50L tank
40mpg Imperial [33mpg US] without trying much, keeping AC on.
Used 2001 Sentra experience very positive for reliabilty, mpg.

Used Versa cons:
Cornering feel. Advantage:fit, yaris, 3, crown vic interceptor
Exterior profile [but I like the camel/snail/alpaca analogies]
Some cars better mpg [but they have smaller tanks too].

I like reading about long term ownership experiences, so keep em coming!
08V

[JHR16DE]

08v, when did you buy your V?

[Shad0wXCalibur]

I don't regret buying the Versa VS another car so much as just buying it period. After almost 2 and a half years with it, and the money I've paid out to it and still owe, I've become a bit unhappy with it. I was sucked into the new car thing thinking that it would be all super smooth and better than something built 10-15 years ago. I realize that it's not much different. The car is big inside, has the options, and can be quiet at times but the suspension sucks, it's not that fun to drive (CVT and slight lack of power), and I just feel like I ripped myself off. Not saying the Versa sucks and is a ripoff but for me, it is. It will be sold one of these days. I've already taken out everything I've installed and sold it. I get more joy out of driving a 16 year old truck that costed me $1400. It runs pretty decent and can handle the crappy places I travel much better and it's worth the decreased gas mileage. It's also a slap in the face when you found a $3500 Saturn for your wife in really good physical and mechanical condition that is pretty fun to drive and drives like new with keyless entry and alarm with 79,000 miles. It DOES have the old Saturn oil burning issue but it's very minimal on this one. We don't bring in much money and need to put the money elseswhere instead of car notes. Right now, used cars make much more sense for us as long as we find the right ones. Not to mention, the Saturn got ran into something nasty and busted a tire and rim and I got an exact replacement from a junkyard for $20. I love old American cars for that fact that you can find junkyard parts for them easily. Not so easy for a foreign car that hasn't even ended it's lifespan yet. By the time I would have paid this car off with principal, down payment, and interest, I probably could have bought like 5 of my truck and her car. It's too much to me for an econocar.

Sorry for the long rambling post there. I hope everyone has it better with their Versa than I did. I just felt like I had to make myself like mine. If anyone's wondering how I got that Saturn and truck when I say we don't make much money, I went on a 60-65 hour a week spree for months straight just to get them and pay off a few debts at the same time so it would finally be over with. But business is slower and I'm lucky to get past 40 a week now.

[JHR16DE]

^^^ Hey, not saying that you made a mistake but could it be the fact that it's auto and not manual what made you loose interest for it?

[srellim234]

Our regrets come from pretty much the same thing as you, Shad0w. Like you, we feel we wasted a lot of money and shouldn't have bought ANY car new. The Versa was supposed to be an econobox utility vehicle for short stuff around town; we already had (and still have) a 2002 Buick that was supposed to be our primary family/luxury type car. We bought the Versa because it was supposed to offer the same mpg but a lot more features than other low-end cars for the same price. We would have been much better served buying something else with fewer features on the used market instead.

Our mistake and it has nothing to do with the Versa itself.

[08versailles]

08v, when did you buy your V?

May 28 this year.
Now I have Versa and van payments on same day!
But that won't last long.
Nearly 79000km on it upon delivery.

[iluvmyVersa08]

08V ... How's the Versa treating you so far?
I keep looking out for your Versa on the road. Is it an SL Magnetic Grey Hatch? Any mods on it yet? If you ever see mine on the road, just honk at me ...
I have 33 payments left and then the Versa is 100% mine

Your Versa had 79,000 kms on it at delivery? Wow ... The previous person drove it quite a bit.
Mine's the same year, with 35K on it so far.

[08versailles]

08V ... How's the Versa treating you so far?
I keep looking out for your Versa on the road. Is it an SL Magnetic Grey Hatch? Any mods on it yet? If you ever see mine on the road, just honk at me ...
I have 33 payments left and then the Versa is 100% mine

Your Versa had 79,000 kms on it at delivery? Wow ... The previous person drove it quite a bit.
Mine's the same year, with 35K on it so far.

Have a couple subtle mods so far.
Blacked out front badge [was peeling], replaced front speakers [more coming], removed passenger wiper arm and transferred driver's one over. During recent heavy rain, passenger wiper dumped rain directly into my line of sight. This is not a problem perhaps if you are shorter than average height. Did same with my 95 neon and 81 rabbit. I don't see this mod much any more. Heard it called the "Mercedes conversion", but without the engineering details of course .
Yes SL hatch in med grey, not dark. Is that Magnetic Grey? Just glad it's not silver. I love German cars too, but if I see one more silver MkIV Jetta...
Have 35 payments of $320 left...no Versa Regets here!
Was also shopping for 2006+ Passat with 6sp manual. They also depreciate quicker than a GTI, same base price as I found at Toronto Auto Show 2009. But when it was time to separate myself from some dough, Versa is #1!

[iluvmyVersa08]

35 payments of $320 left? That's not too bad of a price then!
I pay a bit more per month for mine.

I'm not sure what the CDN name for your colour is. The US name for it is "Magnetic Grey".
My CDN colour is "Matador Red" but in the US it's "Red Alert".
I like Matador Red. It really makes it sound like it's bright (and it sure is)

I went to the Toronto Auto Show this year. Not because I was in the market to buy, but because I love being around cars

[Bubs daddy]

I can certainly understand buyer's remorse and the new car fever. Financially, new cars rarely make sense. Buying a 4 year old used car is a far better bargain, huge rebates and incentives notwithstanding.

New car buying is an emotional thing and many get caught up in the moment. Understandable. After the initial glow wears wears off and the drudgery of payments wears on, you realize it's just a car.

That said, I personally don't regret buying this car. It's been reliable, economicle and very practical.

[frankoV]

Your Versa had 79,000 kms on it at delivery? Wow ... The previous person drove it quite a bit.

2 1/2 years in I've got 80k on mine . . . and I'm still no where near some who are on the board!

I'm not sure what the CDN name for your colour is. The US name for it is "Magnetic Grey".

The CDN name is . . . magnetic grey

Financially, new cars rarely make sense.

did for me. Nissan interest rate on new = payments the same as a 2 year old car for the same term.

plus the fact that I drive things into the ground and aim for 10 years [last car 8 1/2] made it a no brainer

[08versailles]

Nissan new finance rates are verrry compelling!
I half considered a new Altima cuz the 07s haven't depreciated enough yet.
Even to lease it then buy it out!
But new car prices are still just nutso in Canada.
One friend at work is considering going to US to buy a new one. Has a friend who did so, but he bought an suv which is significantly cheaper down there. Small cars are not.

[frankoV]

But you have a sedan, so in order to get a sunroof you would have had to get the sport package on a hatchback. The sport package on a sedan only adds fogs, and sport bumpers/sideskirts, no sunroof though

um . . . have to point your the error of your ways . . . it did indeed include a sun roof [check your brochure].

[iluvmyVersa08]

I can't find my brochure I really wanted to add it to my scrapbook too ...

I saw a Versa around the corner from me yesterday.
It had sport rear bumpers, body coloured side skirts, fog lights, sunroof, BUT no front sport bumper. Strange?

[iluvmyVersa08]

Nissan new finance rates are verrry compelling!
I half considered a new Altima cuz the 07s haven't depreciated enough yet.
Even to lease it then buy it out!
But new car prices are still just nutso in Canada.
One friend at work is considering going to US to buy a new one. Has a friend who did so, but he bought an suv which is significantly cheaper down there. Small cars are not.

Ya 0% now to finance ...

My younger brother got 0% on his SE-R to finance it.

Of course when I bought the Versa it was not 0% ... I got 0.9% (which is still decent).

[frankoV]

I can't find my brochure I really wanted to add it to my scrapbook too ...

I saw a Versa around the corner from me yesterday.
It had sport rear bumpers, body coloured side skirts, fog lights, sunroof, BUT no front sport bumper. Strange?

trés strange.

look on E-Bay for a brochure or talk to me directly -- I'll sell you mine and we can avoid the commission