Fuel economy issue resolved.... finally.

[DejaWiz]

Hello everyone.

Some of you may recall that I've been having severe fuel economy issues with my Versa. On our last interstate driven road trip, we averaged around 26.25 MPG. This was actually a drop from the 26.5 MPG we got mostly stop-and-go city driving the tank right before the trip. The past few tanks, we have not been able to break 25 MPG. Because of this, the V went back to Nissan service for another fuel economy test and full diagnostics test.

Of course, the results came back inconclusive, as everything was tested to be in "perfectly" working order. No surprise to me anymore, as I've gotten desensitized to the typical shrug off.

Anyway....Currently, my wife and I are just about ready to obtain our full time foster care licenses for the agency we are associated with. After some back-and-forth discussions regarding our present and future family situation, we came to the conclusion that the Versa was going to be too small of a vehicle for our near future needs.....the possibility of multiple children very soon, our two large dogs, cargo, etc etc.

Luckily, a coworker and friend that is a long-time friend with the general manager of our local Lexus dealership got wind of a particular vehicle that was just taken in on trade less than a week ago. We hopped over there this afternoon and negotiated on a fully loaded (factory touch screen Nav, DVD, sat radio, back-up camera, etc etc etc) 2005 Honda Odyssey and were on our way in a little over three hours.

The most disappointing aspect of the entire transaction was the beating we had to take on the trade-in... our nicely equipped '08 Versa with 8,600 miles fetched $11,279. This was after having to argue a smidge from $10,700, which was already $200 more than every other dealership we visited in the past two weeks that wouldn't budge from $10,500. Hence, our Versa stickered at around $18,100 (invoice was about $17,200, but we got it for a touch under that, thanks to some dealer cash they gave up to close the deal), and the market has completely bottomed out for cars of this class in our region.

We thought about selling our V out of our driveway to get as much as we possibly could, but one can not predict how long it would have taken to lure a serious buyer this day and age. Since we could not risk waiting around in fear of losing the deal on the van, we had to act (similarly equipped '05-06 Odysseys were priced between $19-23K at every dealership that had them - and there were a lot considering that it's been the best selling minivan for quite some time now).

According to Edmunds.com, the Odyssey is booked like so in Good Condition:Trade: $19,598Private: $21,894Retail: $23,852

So, weighing everything, we ended up with an immaculate vehicle for around $20,000 which includes trade roll-over and GAP insurance. Nice thing about it, it will get around the same if not better fuel mileage on the highway than what our V was providing thanks to it's variable cylinder management.

I was not displeased with the Versa what-so-ever save for the excessively poor fuel economy. It will be missed in lieu of this.

My time here is not over by any means, as I will drop in from time to time to check out what new discussions are going on and participate when inspired to do so.

In closing (probably a welcome thing, given the sheer length of this OP), I wanted to extend my thanks to everyone here at NICO whom has contributed advice and answers to my questions, photochopped here and there, and given me quite a few laughs.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

I'd hate to say it... but besides being way tight on money, gas mileage along with a few other reasons is why I'm selling my Versa and not getting another one. It's pathetic that in this year, these engines and transmissions are completely computer controlled with variable timing on the camshafts and what not.... but the mileage and performance is no different. What the hell? And I have something to back this up. I have a beater Neon. It has a 3-speed hydraulic automatic and a 2.0 engine. It gets about 34 mpg highway and I'd say maybe 27 city. I took my Versa on a trip straight interstate and it didn't get above 30 mpg. I have also raced a Versa before in my beater Neon. I pulled ahead of it. A 3-speed 200,000 mile car shouldn't be able to do that. The a/c compressor on my Versa also makes a loud noise every time it kicks on. One of the rear power windows already makes this cracking sound when you roll it down. The a/c in my Neon still works perfectly with no oddball noises. Again, wtf? I did like things about the Versa. It had a nice interior and had a decently smooth ride. It's also a pretty safe car. I won't lie. I know the Neon sucks in crash tests and rides like an old truck. But I'll drive it til it doesn't make sense to drive it anymore and then go for a Corolla or some other similar car.

And I already know some of you people are gonna comment or flame me saying that Neons suck balls. Well honestly, I know it's a beater but guess what. It's still running just fine with working a/c and I'm thankful enough for that. I trust it to get me places until I save up for the next vehicle.

[longo]

Hi Dejawiz, sorry to see you leave the Versa Forum and hook up with the honda ODYSSEY Group...(you will find some of my posts there too, as I bought a new EXL Honda Van in 04')

So far the Van has run flawlessly, has a great ride and decent mpg's considering it's size and the loads I carry with it. I have removed the 2 captains chairs in the back and confess that I use the van like a truck.

The Honda is not without it's quirks, but the engine is bullet proof, and the a/t problems (01-04) were resolved in the newer models like the one you have.The only complaint I have is that, for some reason known only to the accountants at Honda, there is no heat in the back of the passenger seat...my wife never lets that go unmentioned. I too am a constant complainer on this forum about my gas sucking Versa (27mpg highway) but it's not paid off yet, and I have promised it to my grandson when he graduates in a couple of years.

I have been having second thoughts about that, too. Do I really want to give him a Gasaholic Versa in 2011? Only if he gets a job with an oil company I guess.

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Also bidding farewell to another Forum regular, "Shad0wXCalibur". Your plan to drive your old Neon until it disintigrates sounds like a decent way to keep a faithfull old friend from the crusher.

There is a guy on the internet who still drives an old Neon with DIY mpg mods under the hood and he's getting about 48+ mpg's out of his.

One of the teams building a car for the 100 mpg X-Race next year is using an old Neon for the project. There won't be anything left of the original engine, but the rest of the car from the transmission back will still be motoring quietly down the road. Probably on hybrid Electric power.

Would't it be a hoot if they won the 10 million dollar first prize!

None of the whining Big 3 have entered a car in the race....

Take that Chysler!




Modified by longo at 10:48 PM 12/6/2008

[SuperTurbo]

ODYSSEY isn't bad... back to 2002, I orginally think of the ODYSSEY, but I jsut don't know why.... the acceleration is just so horribile, speically on highway. so I got a Mazda MPV finally instead of the ODYSSEY.

Let see will the 2010 ODYSSEY will be the same one from Asia market, but with right now's engine.

The one from Asia only have a 2.3L engine, but that's totally not enough for North America....

[DejaWiz]

ODYSSEY isn't bad... back to 2002, I orginally think of the ODYSSEY, but I jsut don't know why.... the acceleration is just so horribile, speically on highway. so I got a Mazda MPV finally instead of the ODYSSEY.

Let see will the 2010 ODYSSEY will be the same one from Asia market, but with right now's engine.

The one from Asia only have a 2.3L engine, but that's totally not enough for North America....

I totally agree the former version of the Odyssey was a little pokey, and that's one of the reasons my wife and I were only considering the latest model ('05+) with the 3.5L w/ VCM. Ours has gobs of power, plenty of torque to really get it moving, and very attractive fuel economy given the type/size of vehicle it is.

[motoguy128]

My wife and I really liked the Odyssey when we test drove it. Hands down the best minivan on the market, and will still manage 22-25mpg on the freeway. We're not ready for a large minivan yet, but it's at the top of our list when we are.

Sometimes some issues are best solved by simply moving on. I'm satisfied with our Versa, but I'm not sure I'd get it again if I got a "do-over". The 2nd Generation Fit looks pretty good and the upcomming Elantra Touring, and Mazda 3 look pretty good too. I still wish I had kept the Corolla I had 5 years ago.

[SuperTurbo]

Yea... all those good cars are around 06 & 07. Startin from 08, all of them are at the re-design stage, and re-create whole bunch of stupid problems by cutting more corners.

Like Subaru, it's getting worst & worst. But at the good side is you can buy a STi for 40000MSRP....

For now, only a few vans interest me1. Japan Version Mazda MPV (2.3L Turbo + 4WD) [90% sure will not be coming to North America]

2. Japan Version Honda Odyssey (Only 2.3L NA engine) [Honda didn't decide what to do with the newer version] Japan version is way lighter, as wide as now, but not as high as now, almost like a Accord but with proper 7 seat

3. VW/Chrysler minivan with 4.0L engine [Legendary problematic company makes problematic cars, so... how good will they last is a question] Nice is nice, but with a pretty big price tag too

4. Hyundai Entourage [Engine is from Mitshubi, chassis is from older Chrysler caravan, and asking for almost 40K for the properly equiped one?? Korean must be dreaming man....]

[kc5f]

We have an Odyssey and a Versa, and I suppose if you want more room than an Odyssey will definitely deliver. I still like my daughter's (she's also bought a Versa) comment about the Odyssey: "It's like driving Canada!"

[Bubs daddy]

I consistently get 32-34 combined mileage. Always.

[Andrews Chalmers]

No offense... but getting rid of a car solely for mpg is like tearing down an existing new home to make another more energy efficient... you'll end up losing more $$$ trying to save fuel (unless you're driving enough miles to make up the difference over the expected life of the Versa - making up over seven grand?? ).

[DejaWiz]

I consistently get 32-34 combined mileage. Always.

I wish that were the case with our Versa. In fact, we were expecting that kind of fuel economy when we bought it.

No offense... but getting rid of a car solely for mpg is like tearing down an existing new home to make another more energy efficient... you'll end up losing more $$$ trying to save fuel (unless you're driving enough miles to make up the difference over the expected life of the Versa - making up over seven grand?? ).

No offense, but did you read my entire opening post? We were very happy with the Versa despite the s#!tty fuel economy and would likely still be driving it if we had not made the conscious decision to get our foster care licenses.

Put one or two infants with car seats, the stroller(s), diaper bag(s), a Rottweiler, a German Shepherd, containers of dog food and water, luggage for everyone, a few bags of beef jerky, and a 12 pack of pop/water in an ice filled cooler all crammed in to the Versa. Does this sound like the makings of a nice comfortable 3 to 9+ hour road trip? I don't think so, either.

Plus the deal we got on the van.... we still got it around it's trade-in value AFTER the roll over/trade difference was INCLUDED.

A better analogy: we had to get rid of the one bedroom apartment and go with a five bedroom house because we took full advantage of the declining economy and housing market.

[Andrews Chalmers]

No offense, but did you read my entire opening post? We were very happy with the Versa despite the s#!tty fuel economy and would likely still be driving it if we had not made the conscious decision to get our foster care licenses.

I was responding to Shad0wXCalibur. Who said he was going to get rid of the Versa because of fuel economy & was looking to acquire a Corolla later down the line.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

I was responding to Shad0wXCalibur. Who said he was going to get rid of the Versa because of fuel economy & was looking to acquire a Corolla later down the line.

You didn't read all of my post either. Being really tight on money is why I'm selling it along with noises it's already making such as a loud groaning compressor when it first kicks on and a power window making a cracking sound. The paintjob on mine also seems easily scratched. Bascially, I fear what condition the car may already be in by 100,000 miles. The less than average mileage just adds on to all that. There's most likely a reason why the Versa is cheaper than it's competitors. I'm not getting another vehicle right now. I'm selling it to continue driving my Neon. It could be a year from now that I decide to get another new vehicle.

[DejaWiz]

I was responding to Shad0wXCalibur. Who said he was going to get rid of the Versa because of fuel economy & was looking to acquire a Corolla later down the line.

My apologies. The quote feature would have helped me discern this.