I'm new to the Nissan world

[mandles48]

I'm looking into the Versa and so far I really like what I see, but I have a couple questions. I was wondering, what do you suggest the sedan or the hatchback? I never have been a huge fans of hatchback cars in general, but for some reason I'm kind of drawn to it this time. But, I am afraid it's just a passing fancy and I'll get sick of it after having the car for a while. And also, what is your favorite and least favorite thing about the car? I just want to get some opinions so I can kind of think this decision through before I go out and buy a car. I made that mistake last time and I've been paying for it for 2 1/2 years now... Thanks! I appreciate your help!

[DreamU]

I think the hatchback is more stylish. Because there are fewer hatchbacks on the road they have a slightly more unique appearance. I saw a Versa sedan on the road the other day and it doesn't stand out the way the hatchback does. From a functional perspective, I loaded an old wooden chest into the hatchback the other day. It would never have fit in the sedan's trunk. As would be in your case, this is my first hatchback, after owning sedans for years and I love it.

It is hard to single out one favorite thing. I like both the exterior style and interior design. I love the way it handles and drives - not too mushy like some vehicles which don't provide much road feel. The most surprising thing I enjoy is the acceleration (I drive the 1.6L Tiida). After driving a 260hp Accura CL-S I was concerned about not having enough power - that is not a worry now.

The least favorite (and this is the only thing I can think of) is the stiff ride. This is somewhat dependent on the type of roads I drive on.

[CodeRed]

buy one so we can another versa on the road in florida!

[MIdnkight-lude]

i have been drawn to the hatch for quite a number of years. So now i end up with one, i saw the pictures of the sedan, and it is totally not my taste.

Favorite thing is all the room, compare to my last car, i can take a full load of 4+ me, and everyone wouldnt have a problem sitting in my car. And the trunk room is just so large and roomie.

least favorite : only if you get the 5speed. but the rev lag is annoying the heck out of me.

[kc5f]

My first car was a sedan. I put 75,000 miles on it. My second thru sixth cars have all been hatchbacks, and I wouldn't drive anything else. 665,000 miles on them, so far. Very flexible, and I like the look.

Favorite thing about my Versa: Feels surprisingly luxurious and is extremely smooth and quiet on the highway. (SL with CVT)

Least favorite: Service every 3,750 miles. That's about five weeks for me, and every 15,000 miles they want you to replace the cabin air filter, which involves taking out the glovebox. But at 15,000 miles mine really was dirty, so I don't think I'd try to stretch it out.

[sambot]

When I was researching the Versa, I read a review that had an interesting comment in it. It stated something to the effect that hatchbacks never really caught on in the USA, whereas in Canada, people really like them. (This comment was in an article about the Toyota Echo).

What I like about the Versa hatchback is it has a sort-of sedan feel to it, without the old fashioned sloping hatch, but maintains the true hatchback flexibility. I've owned only one sedan. What sold me on the Versa was how much room there is for passengers in the back seat. I took my son car shopping with me, as he gets to sit in the back a lot. At 6' - 7" he finds it hard to sit in the back seats of lots of cars, and I prefer to drive a compact or a subcompact. The Versa just made a lot of sense.

If the look of your ride is important to you, go with what looks good to you. If features, comfort, price point etc. etc. matters, then research, research, research. I didn't find this forum until after I contracted to buy the car, but I've still learned tons of useful information from people who post here. Read through the posts as well as forums for other cars you're interested in. Now that the sedan is available, you can give it a test drive and see which V feels better for you. I've just had my V for a little while, but it has been a delight to drive with many pleasant surprises.

[OKVersa]

I've never seen the sedan, but I love the hatch. I "downsized" from an SUV, and unless we are next to a Lincoln Navigator at a traffic light, the hatch "feels" like that roomy SUV.

It basically depends on what your needs are. Are you looking for sport? Comfort? Do you need to haul things? Is it a family car? A commuter car?

[Jaesin]

My last car was a Nissan, a 1997 200SX SE, Loved it, drove it for about 45k miles, bringing it to 115k. Engine never burnt a drop of oil, it was sad getting rid of it...

But I've never looked back, I got my 2007 Versa S 4 speed hatch, Black with Beige, and I gotta say, I'm never getting a sedan again.

I travel a lot between my home town and my college, and for long breaks I tend to bring a lot of stuff. When I went home for winter vacation, I couldn't use my rear view mirror because the back seat of my 200sx was stacked to the roof.

On the return trip with my V? I could see clearly out the back, and I had probably at least a third more stuff added. This car is 2" shorter than my 200sx did, but has probably twice the room. It's so useful, and I think it's kinda cute. I get a ton of compliments, most notably when I tell them what I paid for it. You're getting a TON of car for the price.

[jpmccormac]

Been considering a Versa but have read numerous reports of poor braking, including the test in Consumer Reports that said the Versa brakes were some of the worst they had ever tested. (?) And I understand it's hard to get ABS. True?

Any comments from owners?

[Clipsed]

I have ABS, haven't had problems with my brakes, they work great, was easy to get ABS about 3 or 4 dealers had em, just not in the style I wanted though lol, but I finally found one in the style I wanted w/abs, and brakes are great, have saved me a couple of times already!

[Ever Victorious]

Been considering a Versa but have read numerous reports of poor braking, including the test in Consumer Reports that said the Versa brakes were some of the worst they had ever tested. (?) And I understand it's hard to get ABS. True?

Any comments from owners?

Early on it was hard to get ABS because Nissan was hoarding the units for the new Altima and Sentra. Now that production has stabilized, there are a lot more Versas with that, and apparently now you can finally get ABS and convenience packages together.

IMO, panic braking on the Versa w/o ABS is scary at best. During panic stops, by non-ABS Versa fishtailed. A lot. I managed to control it, but I know several people who couldn't.

Supposedly, according CR who got ahold of both an ABS and non-ABS Versa, the ABS version stops significantly faster. (don't start a flame on this: We've been over the pros and cons of this before, I'm just stating what the article said)

[DreamU]

Been considering a Versa but have read numerous reports of poor braking, including the test in Consumer Reports that said the Versa brakes were some of the worst they had ever tested. (?)

Any comments from owners?

I had one panic stop a few days ago (40-50 mph) - tires squealing on the pavement, etc. Thought I would hit the vehicle and prepared to steer into another lane. But, my Tiida stopped quickly (no ABS). I am happy with the brakes.

My former Acura's brakes warped if I did any type of hard stopping - I found that pretty annoying. Hence, by comparison with that luxury vehicle, these brakes are fine.

Other's on this forum have reported fishtailing during high speed braking. May I never have that experience!

[proxim2020]

I actually had a panic stop today. Some idiot cut off an entire lane of cars and everyone came to a stop. I slammed on the brakes and was able to steer clear of the lane with 1 hand on the wheel (my car is ABS equipped). ABS package also includes Brake Assist and Brake Distribution. These are aides to the ABS system to help you maintain control and to me they seem to help out a lot the 2 times I've actually needed to use them.

[7speed]

When I was test driving the Versa, I made a panic stop from 70 km/h to zero because of some of the things I've read on this forum. To the Versa's credit, the brakes hauled the car down to a standstill with no fishtailing or other drama. The wheels did lock up a few times in the process (no ABS), but I was impressed.

Granted that my exercise was in a somewhat controlled environment where there were no other cars nearby, but I think that in an emergency, the brakes would do the job without worry.