New Versa Owner - a bit uninformed

[Blade107]

Hey Guys,

I just got my new 2011 Versa S 1.8 Auto - Silver. $14,447 OTD here in FL.

Now, this was much of an impulse buy because I had a Corolla for 10 years with not much problems at all, but because Toyota has been having some issues with recalls and all, I've decide to go for a Nissan that was economical and reliable. I hope I made the right decision as I don't know much about the Versa reliability or economy besides the reviews in different sites.

What should I expect from this car as far as reliability goes compared with the Toyota I had?
Also I was reading that one has to keep maintenance logs of everything and that those intervals have to be followed otherwise it will void the warranty. Any of you do all that maintenance to the last detail? - Dealers are damn expensive to go..

Well, all in all I'm enjoying the ride and the car is really nice, better than the Yaris Sedan I was going to get and I just hope I made the right decision with this car. BTW, is that true that the Versa is really not a Japanese designed car but a French one?

Thanks!

[iluvmyVersa08]

Hey. Welcome and congrats on your new purchase.

The dealerships are very expensive for maintenance. I have been simply buying the oil filter from the dealership, oil from Canadian tire, and then I record on those receipts when the oil and filter were changed and I keep everyhing in a log book. I have gone to get a few things fixEd under warranty and I have had no issues with them so far.

Enjoy your new car!!!!:-)

[Blade107]

Thanks!

So you have yours since 08. Looks great! I might do the same when it comes to the essential oil changes, is that all they ask to keep the warranty in good stand?

What would you rate the reliability of the Versa compared with other asian cars like Toyota, Honda etc?

[JHR16DE]

Welcome to the forums. I own a 2010 sedan and I've only had it for 6 months but it's been great. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. Where in FL are you?

[Blade107]

Welcome to the forums. I own a 2010 sedan and I've only had it for 6 months but it's been great. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. Where in FL are you?

That's great to know as I'm some how concerned about reliability of this car specially because I had a Corolla 2000 for 10 years with hardly any major issues and only after I bought the Versa I have been reading about some problems people have early on with the car. I hope its' just not as a rule..

How about the maintenance part of it within the warranty? What's your experience with that? Did it cost you a lot so you can be kosher with Nissan and keep the warranty up to date? Is you Sedan Auto or Manual? Have you been keeping track of fuel efficience?

I'm in the Clearwater area near Tampa. I see you're in Tampa! Thanks for your input!

[JHR16DE]

Im not going to lie to you. LOL There have been a few issues with the 07-08 models but Nissan has fixed them under warranty. This is my 1st Nissan(coming from Honda) but my dad and brother have always been into Nissan so they suggested looking into Nissan and so far Im pretty happy with it. I dont really keep up with fuel efficiency but I spend $15 weekly so thats pretty good. And I own a manual sedan, we should hang out some time.

[Blade107]

Im not going to lie to you. LOL There have been a few issues with the 07-08 models but Nissan has fixed them under warranty. This is my 1st Nissan(coming from Honda) but my dad and brother have always been into Nissan so they suggested looking into Nissan and so far Im pretty happy with it. I dont really keep up with fuel efficiency but I spend $15 weekly so thats pretty good. And I own a manual sedan, we should hang out some time.

I know what you mean. I'm going to take this as a new start as brands go. Hopefully this will be a reliable car and the issues that they had back in 07-08 have been ironed out. I really like the spacious inside and quality of the trim. The transmission though seems some how sluggish compared with the Toyota I had but it could be that it needs to break-in?
How about the maintenance and warranty stuff? Are you taking it to the dealer for oil changes etc? Are you keeping some type of a log for it?

Well, shoot me an email and definitely your inputs will be welcome, maybe over a beer LOL! [email protected]

I'll take some pics soon and will post here at the forums.

[JHR16DE]

I know what you mean. I'm going to take this as a new start as brands go. Hopefully this will be a reliable car and the issues that they had back in 07-08 have been ironed out. I really like the spacious inside and quality of the trim. The transmission though seems some how sluggish compared with the Toyota I had but it could be that it needs to break-in?
How about the maintenance and warranty stuff? Are you taking it to the dealer for oil changes etc? Are you keeping some type of a log for it?

Well, shoot me an email and definitely your inputs will be welcome, maybe over a beer LOL! [email protected]

I'll take some pics soon and will post here at the forums.

I've heard of a few members with issues with their auto trannies but mine is manual so I wouldn't be able to tell you about that. But yeah, it might be a little pricey but I try to have everything done at the dealership and they keep log of everything that has been done, I usually ask for a copy just in case anything happens. I'd suggest doing the same.

[iluvmyVersa08]

This is my first car so I can't compare it to Honda or Toyota in terms of reliability. She will be three years old in April, and only issue was the fuel pressure regulator, a leak in the sunroof, and a recall (ABS brake harness). I have the CVT transmission and Nissan extended the warranty to 10 years for it.

I track my fuel useage, cost, mileage, etc on fuelly.com
I have fun when driving the car. Give it a ton of gas to pass someone, put the pedal to the floor to merge on the highway, and just have fun revving it with the CAI and my average over the summer was between 28-30MPG. So you can still get good gas mileage while having fun driving the car !

[Blade107]

This is my first car so I can't compare it to Honda or Toyota in terms of reliability. She will be three years old in April, and only issue was the fuel pressure regulator, a leak in the sunroof, and a recall (ABS brake harness). I have the CVT transmission and Nissan extended the warranty to 10 years for it.

I track my fuel useage, cost, mileage, etc on fuelly.com
I have fun when driving the car. Give it a ton of gas to pass someone, put the pedal to the floor to merge on the highway, and just have fun revving it with the CAI and my average over the summer was between 28-30MPG. So you can still get good gas mileage while having fun driving the car !

Thanks for the insights, I'm enjoying the car no doubt, my old Corolla was 10 years old and this is so much a nicer ride. Actually I almost bought the Corolla again, It would had cost about $1,800 more than the Versa but all power pack. The reason I didn't is that they are having a bunch of complaints on the electrical steering been too soft and sometimes out of control in the highway so I backed out as my other car got totaled this sept 12 by a drunk driver that rear ended me at the stop light. So, I'm somehow jaded about accidents .
Fuel pressure regulator seems to be the biggest complaint with the Versa, I wonder why Nissan hasn't found a definitive solution for this, maybe they did!
Did you do some type of break-in period with this car, if so what's the best way to do this? Also, what pressure you keep your tires at?

Thanks again!

[iluvmyVersa08]

Thanks for the insights, I'm enjoying the car no doubt, my old Corolla was 10 years old and this is so much a nicer ride. Actually I almost bought the Corolla again, It would had cost about $1,800 more than the Versa but all power pack. The reason I didn't is that they are having a bunch of complaints on the electrical steering been too soft and sometimes out of control in the highway so I backed out as my other car got totaled this sept 12 by a drunk driver that rear ended me at the stop light. So, I'm somehow jaded about accidents .
Fuel pressure regulator seems to be the biggest complaint with the Versa, I wonder why Nissan hasn't found a definitive solution for this, maybe they did!
Did you do some type of break-in period with this car, if so what's the best way to do this? Also, what pressure you keep your tires at?

Thanks again!

No problem. My dad has always had GM vehicles. He has Chuckie (97 Venture which he bought new) who is still going strong with under 200k, and a 2002 Sunfire (also bought new) with over 200K (still original clutch and brakes). So for him, GM has been a perfect brand for him. No major repairs on either of those cars. Myself and my younger brother both went against the pack and purchased new Nissan cars. I have the 08 Versa, and he has an 09 Sentra SE-R. Some Sentra owners have had the fuel pressure regulator issue as well, but his is one year old with over 20K and he hasn't experienced that issue.

I did have a break in period for the Versa. In the manual that came with your car it will explain to you how you should break your car in (I just followed whatever it said). And I usually keep my tires at 32 PSI (I think).

[Blade107]

Thanks for the insights, I'm enjoying the car no doubt, my old Corolla was 10 years old and this is so much a nicer ride. Actually I almost bought the Corolla again, It would had cost about $1,800 more than the Versa but all power pack. The reason I didn't is that they are having a bunch of complaints on the electrical steering been too soft and sometimes out of control in the highway so I backed out as my other car got totaled this sept 12 by a drunk driver that rear ended me at the stop light. So, I'm somehow jaded about accidents .
Fuel pressure regulator seems to be the biggest complaint with the Versa, I wonder why Nissan hasn't found a definitive solution for this, maybe they did!
Did you do some type of break-in period with this car, if so what's the best way to do this? Also, what pressure you keep your tires at?

Thanks again!

No problem. My dad has always had GM vehicles. He has Chuckie (97 Venture which he bought new) who is still going strong with under 200k, and a 2002 Sunfire (also bought new) with over 200K (still original clutch and brakes). So for him, GM has been a perfect brand for him. No major repairs on either of those cars. Myself and my younger brother both went against the pack and purchased new Nissan cars. I have the 08 Versa, and he has an 09 Sentra SE-R. Some Sentra owners have had the fuel pressure regulator issue as well, but his is one year old with over 20K and he hasn't experienced that issue.

I did have a break in period for the Versa. In the manual that came with your car it will explain to you how you should break your car in (I just followed whatever it said). And I usually keep my tires at 32 PSI (I think).

LOL, Your Dad is just like mine was. I guess we're all creatures of habit though.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[JHR16DE]

Post some pics if you can.

[Blade107]

Post some pics if you can.

I'll will soon!

BTW, is your Versa made in Mexico?

[JHR16DE]

Doubt it. Lol How do I know?

[Blade107]

Doubt it. Lol How do I know?

It should be printed in a sticker driver door frame. If Vin starts with a 3 is made Mexico. Also it says in the Window information Poster from the showroom.

[JHR16DE]

I'll check it out. I just realized yours is a sedan as well, AND silver, we should meet up and take some pics.

[Blade107]

I'll check it out. I just realized yours is a sedan as well, AND silver, we should meet up and take some pics.

Yeah, that would be great. Let me know when. You seem to be getting yours modded quickly, I just got mine two day ago.

Do you know if there's some Versa Club in Tampa?

[Promise Land]

Keep your receipts in a file just in case, but I don't expect you to have a lot of problems with the car or your dealership.

I am also running the 4-spd transmission and just turned over 30,000 miles. Try to keep to the maintenance up as recommended, but it's not too hard.

The Versa was a joint design between Nissan (Japan) and Renault (France), along the the POwertrain. The MR series is very similar to the engine used in the Clio series.

And all Versas are made in Mexico. Some markets get the Tiida made in Oppama Japan.

Welcome to the forums.

[Blade107]

Keep your receipts in a file just in case, but I don't expect you to have a lot of problems with the car or your dealership.

I am also running the 4-spd transmission and just turned over 30,000 miles. Try to keep to the maintenance up as recommended, but it's not too hard.

The Versa was a joint design between Nissan (Japan) and Renault (France), along the the POwertrain. The MR series is very similar to the engine used in the Clio series.

And all Versas are made in Mexico. Some markets get the Tiida made in Oppama Japan.

Welcome to the forums.

Thanks!

I'm happy with the Versa .I wanted to go for the Corolla or Yaris only because I had a 10 yo Toyota Corolla before an accident ( I got rear ended) and the car was totaled.
I was in the market for a yaris first the the Corolla later and that's when a friend pointed to some issues in the press: the 2010 Corolla was having issues related to their Electronic Steering where some cars would loose steering feel/ control and wander form lane to lane and off the road. I got wary and just coming out of an accident decided to look for an alternative econobox - Then another friend told me to go look at the Versa cause his wife has one (2008) an really likes it.
To tell you the truth I didn't know some Nissans were made in Mexico. That totally surprised me, maybe because I have never had a Mexican made car.
From what I've been reading, the issues the Versa had have been corrected by Nissan and the new ones should be pretty much trouble free.

I'll be going for the first oil change in about 3 months. The Dealer I bought the car from offered 2 years of free oil changes where they will probably rotate the tires too.

Thanks!

[JHR16DE]

Yeah, that would be great. Let me know when. You seem to be getting yours modded quickly, I just got mine two day ago.

Do you know if there's some Versa Club in Tampa?

I've done a few things like window tint, factory wheels, blacked out emblems, and 2010 grille. I'd like to keep modding it but funds are tight right now and I'm focused on paying it off 1st. And I know a few Florida members but no Versa clubs in Tampa as far as I know.

Here's mine...purchased on march 2010.

[Blade107]

Yeah, that would be great. Let me know when. You seem to be getting yours modded quickly, I just got mine two day ago.

Do you know if there's some Versa Club in Tampa?

I've done a few things like window tint, factory wheels, blacked out emblems, and 2010 grille. I'd like to keep modding it but funds are tight right now and I'm focused on paying it off 1st. And I know a few Florida members but no Versa clubs in Tampa as far as I know.

Here's mine...purchased on march 2010.

Cool car!

I too had mine tinted at the Dealer. One thing though the tint job looks a bit cloudy and smeared. I called the Dealer and they told me that's normal and that will go away within a week or so. Have you had this happen to your tinting job?

I'll get some pics soon!

[Promise Land]

One thing though the tint job looks a bit cloudy and smeared. I called the Dealer and they told me that's normal and that will go away within a week or so. Have you had this happen to your tinting job?

It will be cloudy for the first few days but should go away after the tint finishes bonding with the window.

[Blade107]

One thing though the tint job looks a bit cloudy and smeared. I called the Dealer and they told me that's normal and that will go away within a week or so. Have you had this happen to your tinting job?

It will be cloudy for the first few days but should go away after the tint finishes bonding with the window.

It seems that after coming back from a day at the beach the windows seem much more clear now. Maybe that sun was a good thing to speed up the bonding process..thx!

[iluvmyVersa08]

It seems that after coming back from a day at the beach the windows seem much more clear now. Maybe that sun was a good thing to speed up the bonding process..thx!

Yes it should clear up. Just be sure to keep the windows up and A/C useage off or to a minimum.

My driver tint had to be replaced after about 6 months of use. It started to peel off from the bottom and was getting caught as I rolled the window down. It was replaced for free by the tint shop as they gave me a lifetime warranty on the film. So far, it's been a couple years and the rest of the tint seems fine

[JHR16DE]

Cool car!

I too had mine tinted at the Dealer. One thing though the tint job looks a bit cloudy and smeared. I called the Dealer and they told me that's normal and that will go away within a week or so. Have you had this happen to your tinting job?

I'll get some pics soon!

Thanks, mine wasn't tinted at the dealership, and yes, it was cloudy/smeared but the company that did the tint sand to keep the windows up and A/C on for a few days and it worked.

I was going to get my tint done at the dealership for like $50 but the lowest they could do was 25% and I wanted darker tint so I got it done on my own and got the % I wanted.

[Blade107]

^^
Awesome. Actually, I've got the windows cleaned today and they look great now. Only a couple of really small bubbles in the back but they should go away soon enough. It will be a week since I had it tinted this wed.
Btw, how do we post pictures using these Forums? I have a photobucket account.

Thanks!

[JHR16DE]

Sweet, how much did you pay for your tint?

And to add pictures, go to the picture you added on Photobucket and copy the IMG code, then paste it here.

By the way, did you ever get my email? Im going to St Pete this thursday so we can meet somewhere if you want.

[Blade107]

Sweet, how much did you pay for your tint?

And to add pictures, go to the picture you added on Photobucket and copy the IMG code, then paste it here.

By the way, did you ever get my email? Im going to St Pete this thursday so we can meet somewhere if you want.

Thanks! The HTML code right? I might shoot some pics today an post here soon!

The dealer did it for free cause they messed up my OTD price after I had done negotiating.

I might have overlooked my mail, deleted some stuff and missed your message. Could you send it again? - [email protected]

[JHR16DE]

Thanks! The HTML code right? I might shoot some pics today an post here soon!

The dealer did it for free cause they messed up my OTD price after I had done negotiating.

I might have overlooked my mail, deleted some stuff and missed your message. Could you send it again? - [email protected]

No, the [ IMG ] [ / IMG ] code. Sorry about the dealership messing up, Nissan scewed up my monthly payment, I guess it's always something, but atleast they did your windows for free. Mine is the base model and they were going to get me an aftermarket headunit and I asked if I could get a lower monthly payment instead of the radio. And will do, mine is [email protected]