Getting a Sentra SE-R or a 07 SL

[hankchang]

I want to hear what you guys think if this is a good deal. For the 07 Sentra 2.0 SL fully loaded, i got a quote of $14500+tax and lic fee. For the 08 Sentra SE-R with no addition options and non-spec v, I got a quote of $14100+ tax and fee. Which one is better deal?

[RED_DET]

Newer car for less money always seems to be a better deal to me. Which did you like when you drove them?

[djtorello]

the se-r is a better deal, the MSRP is $22,900 fully loaded. However, it also depends if you want leather or not.

[hankchang]

The MSRP on the SE-R is 20800+ both of them about same price on msrp. Which engine is better and has better potential of tuning?

[Godofelru]

Neither really have any hope of tuning, hell even the spec V looks grim.

I'd get the SL for the Intellikey and the leather + steering wheel controls with the 6spd transmission. **** cvt.

[djtorello]

The MSRP on the SE-R is 20800+ both of them about same price on msrp. Which engine is better and has better potential of tuning?

when i bought my SE-R it was $22,900 fully loaded, payed only $16,000 for it.

The 2.5L is far better then the horribly sluggish 2.0L. Unlike most people, i actually have a few good dyno runs with my CVT. 212hp to the wheels, N/A.

Then again, i start with the engine mods, well before bolt ons. considering there are only a few bolt ons available ATM.

[hankchang]

Is $16000 include tax + lic fee or before that?

[Buzzman]

Depends what you want. If it's just a grocery getter you need, then go with the 2.0. If you want to have fun, get the SE-R.

[gotak]

The 2.0 and 2.5 with CVT seems pretty similar in terms of fuel economy (according to anecdotal information). When driven carefully my 2.5 seems to have similar economy to someone else's 2.0. Performance wise there's a difference for sure since I have driven the 2.0 loaner at my dealership.

Personally I like having the power to pass when I need to. Now like the horrible 60 kph to 100 kph time of the honda fit I had to drive past 6 days cause of the master brake cylinder recall fiasco was just nasty. And I am just happy to have my 177 hp back.

[hankchang]

I got several other questions. For the 2.0SL, could I change the front brake to this(http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?id=BPBRKIT2P ) and use the original brake at the rear? Also, for the anti-roll bar on this (http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?id=EIBARKT01), will this work on the 2.0SL platform? Is there a possibility to change the ECU so that I have higher RPM resulting higher HP?

Btw,if I want to change the wheel to 18in wheel. What is the size of the wheel should I buy, like the width? Also, on the discount tire, it said I can only fit 215/40/18 tire. Why is that? I want to use 235/40/18 yokohama tire. Is it possible?

Which Eibach Lowering kit is better to use with this wheel/tires? Pro kit or Sportline? Which has lower spring?
Modified by hankchang at 12:56 AM 8/12/2008

[gotak]

You realize the red line on a car's not there because of an arbitrary decision right? That the red line or max RPM is what the engine components can handle and if you go above it you basically run the risk of it blowing up?

Not to mention higher RPM don't always equal more HP. Some engine drops off after a certain RPM.

All that stuff you wanted to add cost money why don't you just get the SE R and not have to go buy all those stuff? You get bigger brakes plus disc at the back, anti roll bars as standard.

I am not for lowering springs. I don't think they really add anything except (questionable )looks (as in looks like you have a VBIED loading your car down).

[hankchang]

I thought there is many problems with the QR25 engine?

[gotak]

So far only couple of people have had problems with the 07 08 2.5 liter engine. And not the problems they have before but rather more like block failure with bits of the engine breaking off.

Just checked so far only seen one guy reporting a failure where they found bits of the block in his exhaust manifold. The 2nd guy who claimed to have had a similar failure turned out to be an electrical problem. Although that wasn't verified.
Modified by gotak at 1:08 PM 8/12/2008

[Godofelru]

The things you want lead me to believe you are very uneducated with regards to cars.

Do you even know why you want certain tire sizes, why redlines are set to where they are. The website will tell you which has the lower spring, but they both ride differently.

I strongly recommend you buy an older used car to get used to the modding scene, you seem to be going about it extremely inefficiently.

[gforever]

The quotes you have for both vehicles are really good. I got my '07 SL back in '06 for 18K + tax & lic fees.

At the time, the SE-R was not released so I didn't have a choice between the two cars. I would probably be in the same boat as you as I like both cars as well. It really comes down to you treasure more. If you like a sportier car, do a lot of racing, need more torque & horsepower, go with the SE-R.

If you want more of a luxurious car, go with the SL. The leather seats was a must for me, and the intelligent key is VERY convenient. I just love it! Another thing is the gas efficiency. I believe the SL is slightly better than the SE-R. With today's gas prices, I'm glad I went with the SL. According to the trip computer, I'm getting an average between 32 - 33mpg and I drive 50 city / 50 highway + traffic with about a 46 mile commute everyday to work and back. I did the actual calculation one time and it does seem to be accurate.

Another nice feature on SL is that you got the steering wheel controls and bluetooth. At first I wasn't crazy about the built in Bluetooth system but again, it makes life a lot easier to talk on the phone while driving. Some might complain that others can hear your conversation. To me, I don't really care and also most of my ride is for the commute anyways. Plus it can be useful when you have a bunch of people in the car who want to have a group talk w/ the other person on the phone.

Finally, do they have either car in the color you want? For me that's another deciding factor. Anyways, let us know which car you decide. If you have the money, get both!