First Real Trip in the Versa....my thoughts.

[matt_a]

We've had my wife's SL hatchback for almost a month now but we haven't really had it on any real drives. We drove to Chicago (12 hours each way) right after we bought it, but because the motor was still brand new, we got a rental car for that trip. Anyhow, on Saturday we took a nice drive down through MD and into WV. It was a BEAUTIFUL day for a road trip. We drove roughly 5 hours round-trip. After Saturday I can honestly say that we love the Versa. It was extremely comfortable for the entire trip. The seats were supportive and I didn't get my usual lower back pain. The suspension felt a little softer than her last car. Not mushy soft like a Buick, but not firm and choppy like most small cars. I like the ride a lot. There was very little wind or road noise even at 70 - 75 MPH. The only odd thing I noticed was that when using the cruise control on a hilly section of highway, while going down a hill, the car felt a little jerky at times. Almost like it didn't know if it should give it gas or just coast. I've noticed that on other cars as well. Now here's the best part: I clocked our mileage for the trip and we got 36.9 MPG. I'm pretty darned happy with that, and the motor still only has about 1,000 miles on it. I suspect that the mileage will improve some with time.This car has really impressed me. It's comfortable and VERY roomy, yet is still a small car to park. It's got some nice high-tech goodies, yet it didn't cost much. And of course, the gas mileage is a huge plus. I really feel that Nissan has a winner in the Versa. I'm surprised it hasn't caught on more than it has.

[GoodbyeCavalier]

cruise control will get better with time. I frequently take trips to Frostburg to visit my fiancee, using cruise most of the time and didnt notice anything like that.

[ThirstyRoss]

Cruise control won't "get better with time", that's just how it works. It's not something that is getting "broken in" like the engine.

When going down a hill the cruise will periodically deprive the engine of fuel to attempt to maintain the set cruise control speed, this is evidenced by very slight "jerks" which are noticeable but are quite minor and normal.

[matt_a]

Yeah...that's what I figured about the cruise. Like I said, I've noticed it with other cars too. It just feels really weird.

[matttail]

...We drove to Chicago (12 hours each way) right after we bought it, but because the motor was still brand new, we got a rental car for that trip...

You bought a new car, and then proceeded not to drive it?

[srellim234]

You bought a new car, and then proceeded not to drive it?

Owner's manual says there is a break-in period on the engine and not to run it at a constant speed for any sustained period of time.

[matt_a]

You bought a new car, and then proceeded not to drive it?

Yep. We had a few reasons. The most obvious reason is what I already said...it was a brand-new motor with only about 100 miles on it. I wasn't going to take it on a 12 hour drive with the cruise set at a constant speed the whole way. That's not good for a new motor (no matter what some people might say). Another reason is because we just wanted to relax and enjoy the trip. If we had driven the new car, we would have beed worried about stone chips while driving and even parking it in the city. With a rental we didn't worry about it at all, and I kept about 1,500 miles off of the Versa.

[srellim234]

Speaking of break-in periods, what is actually considered "sustained period of time?" Highway speed for 1/2 hour? 1 hour? 2 hours? Anyone out there able to quantify it for non-mechanically inclined people like me?

[KimberKenobi]

umm... I would usually just try to mix it up every couple of songs... My understanding was (with the CVT) that the belt and discs needed basically to be stretched ... so I tried to keep it at different rpms during long trips, but definitely playing with the speeds...

[kungfuaddict]

Does anyone have any input concerning how long this break-in period is? The dealer didn't tell me one thing about it. I drove it on the interstate for 1 hour home using cruise generally between 65-75. Luckily (I guess) the traffic was heavy so I was changing speeds a lot....

[KimberKenobi]

I believe the manual says 1200 miles... but you should double check.

[Ally]

A few friends of mine and myself are driving up to SC, i live in Tampa, FL and i have about 2200 miles on my new Versa. It's supossedly going to be a 6k mile round trip. I'm extremely laking in knowledge when it comes to car maintanence. Could a few of you give me your opinion on whether this would be a wise or unwise decision to offer up my car to the road trip alter?

Thanks - Ally

[KimberKenobi]

A few friends of mine and myself are driving up to SC, i live in Tampa, FL and i have about 2200 miles on my new Versa. It's supossedly going to be a 6k mile round trip. I'm extremely laking in knowledge when it comes to car maintanence. Could a few of you give me your opinion on whether this would be a wise or unwise decision to offer up my car to the road trip alter?

Thanks - Ally

Where are you going that it is a 6k round trip?? I'm driving from Kentucky to Seattle, Washington and I'm looking at 5,000 miles plus whatever we do while in town... If you're just going from Florida to SC, just make sure to split the gas costs (depending on how many people, you may try and see if they will split the gas costs since you'll be footing the maintenance and providing them with a comfortable ride in the long run.

[Ally]

Where are you going that it is a 6k round trip?? I'm driving from Kentucky to Seattle, Washington and I'm looking at 5,000 miles plus whatever we do while in town...

I'm not certain how a small trip translates to 6k mls. However, i must say that the person giving me the details is known for their hugley imaginative exaggerations. haha. I basically wanted to make sure that a long distance road trip wouldn't hurt my beautiful baby.

[biggie]

I'm not certain how a small trip translates to 6k mls. However, i must say that the person giving me the details is known for their hugley imaginative exaggerations. haha. I basically wanted to make sure that a long distance road trip wouldn't hurt my beautiful baby.

Won't hurt. Just make sure your oil is changed on time (every 3k miles), before you go.

From Tampa to Charlotte, NC is only 590 miles one way, so you should not be driving much over 1200 miles round trip.

[kaotikimage]

i'll be going on my first road trip at the end of this month, im heading for the outer banks in NC its about 450 miles each way for me. The car seems like it will be very comfortable for the ride.

[matt_a]

i'll be going on my first road trip at the end of this month, im heading for the outer banks in NC its about 450 miles each way for me. The car seems like it will be very comfortable for the ride.

It will be. The Versa feels like a bigger, more expensive car on the road.

[TheOrangeChannel]

It will be. The Versa feels like a bigger, more expensive car on the road.

Totally...I drove 260 miles from Long Island to Cooperstown NY...and i didn't feel fatigued at all iin the about 4.5 hours the trip took. The V took it like a champ. I need to check my current mileage tho...looks like after avg'n 35.5 for that trip that I'm down to like 17-18 back at home...probably not enough parkway only driving...Long Island can be pretty stop and go at times...I just filled up this morning, we shall see what happens. I need to go get my first oil change as well....that may help minutely...i'ma prolly go tomorrow and not go to the dealer because they annoy me.