Nissan Announces Pricing on 2009 Versa

[Ivy]

From Nissannews.com

06.17.2008 , Nashville, Tenn.

Nissan Announces Pricing on 2009 VersaNissan North America, Inc. today announced pricing on the 2009 Nissan Versa, which went on sale June 16th at Nissan dealers nationwide. Versa remains a leading choice for consumers seeking fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance or roominess. Versa sales have increased 19.6% to date in 2008, with demand increasing every month. For 2009, Versa again offers the highest standard horsepower/torque ratings and the largest interior in the entry-level segment – along with excellent quality, reliability and durability. Fuel economy is rated at 27 mpg City/33 mpg Highway when equipped with the Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission). Changes for 2009 include minor adjustments to content and packaging, along with reducing ordering complexity for consumers. The front-wheel drive Versa is available in two body styles, a 5-door Hatchback and 4-door Sedan, and in two well-equipped trims, S and SL. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of each model is:

* $12, 990 for the Versa 1.8 S with 6-speed manual transmission (Sedan and Hatchback) * $13,990 for the Versa 1.8 S with 4-speed automatic transmission (Sedan and Hatchback) * $15,990 for the Versa Sedan 1.8 SL with 4-speed automatic transmission * $16,210 for the Versa Hatchback 1.8 SL with CVT

“When Versa joined the Nissan lineup two years ago, we called it the right vehicle with the right size, economy, performance, quality, safety and features – at the right value,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “That equation makes even more sense today as buyers look for higher fuel economy without compromising style, durability or driving enjoyment.”

Built on Nissan’s proven B-platform, every 2009 Versa is powered by a standard 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine. The stylish Versa also offers a spacious cabin with best-in-class total passenger volume and rear leg room and a comfortable, stress-free environment. Both Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan models are offered with a long list of standard and available equipment, including available Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and power moonroof.

[biggie]

Offering the Standard AT in SL, but no 6MT in SL, that will anger some people.

Good news is maybe it will make my 6MT SL worth more when I sell it, if that ever happens.

[viet510racer]

really no more 6 MT?? or did u forget to include it?

[#1Tango]

hmmm thats interesting, maybe resale for w. sl 6sp mt will go up the post looks like a straight copy and paste.

[Ever Victorious]

really no more 6 MT?? or did u forget to include it?

According to that, 6MT will still exist in the S but not the SL.

Also note that the SL sedan with be a 4AT ONLY and the SL hatch with be a CVT ONLY. If the CVT is supposed to be Nissan's transmission of the future, why are they cutting BACK availability of it?

[bikeman]

If the CVT is supposed to be Nissan's transmission of the future, why are they cutting BACK availability of it?

Just off the top of my head. Availability. Nissan may not have anticipated the increase in sales of the hatch. If I remember correctly, they temporarily stopped producing the sedan to up the number of hatches. Demand may simply be outstripping supply. They may have decided to ditch the sedan in the near future in favor of something in the pipeline. I don't see the Versa sedan in Nissan's future. No CVT may just be a marketing maneuver. It may be something unrelated to anything I've said. I can live with that.

David

[srellim234]

Might just be another oversight by the Nissan people. The Nissan website still doesn't list all the correct available transmissions when you build a 2008 Versa online. When it was brought up in a thread some time ago, people were pointing out that they had things like CVT on a sedan (or was it an AT on a hatchback?). Those transmissions are still missing from the website.

[feloniousmonk]

If the CVT is supposed to be Nissan's transmission of the future, why are they cutting BACK availability of it?

I work on advertising, indirectly, for Nissan/Infiniti. Explaining CVT to the masses is a hard nut to crack because it requires: 1) reading, and 2) attention span (if it's a video or TV ad). We all know how many people actually do either or both on a regular basis. So, there probably isn't enough demand for CVT because it's not really a household name yet. The other thing is it's more expensive. I bought my S because I wanted an inexpensive, small but roomy commuter car. The CVT models would cost me about $17.5 before taxes and fees (pretty hefty here in SoCal—damn I miss the PNW). If I had $20k to spend, I'd be looking at other, more upscale, offerings.

I imagine given the higher cost, in this cost conscious target segment, and lack of awareness of CVT and its benefits, one would take the safe and tested route — go for what they know, 6MT or the 4 speed auto. I've even overheard dealers tell customers to not go with the CVT because of higher maintenance costs. People are just afraid of what they don't know.
Modified by feloniousmonk at 12:37 AM 6/25/2008

[srellim234]

I agree with felonious on the price. Our 2007 with CVT is nice, but if we had to do it again we would not be buying the Versa. After a year of ownership we really do not see the value in the car for our driving needs and comfort. I'm sure it is a great transmission for someone who commutes a lot. That's not us.

For the money and our needs in a small car, we would have been much better off in something different. There are a lot of great alternatives that would suit our needs available at the CVT price point.

[Ever Victorious]

Let me rephrase that. I wasn't speaking in numbers of vehicles produced, in body/trim configurations that it's available on. They're reducing it from 2 to 1.

Mind you, they're doing something similar with the 6MT, reducing the number of body/trim configs from 3 to 2.

[feloniousmonk]

They are probably simplifying the line-up in anticipation of what's to come... my guess is the Cube. As in minimizing the amount of overlap to avoid cannibalizing of sales between the two models.

Also, I don't think most buyers walk into the showroom and ask for specific trims. They usually pick from what's available on the dealer lot and find the one that suits them the best. So the dealers are probably driving which trim combos get sold the most. Nissan may just be listening to what the dealers want and trimming down the offerings accordingly. With the economy in recession and all the shareholders eyeing that all important profit margin and quarterly report, the last thing they want is a glut of cars in holding because the dealers don't want them.
Modified by feloniousmonk at 3:44 PM 6/25/2008

[AZhitman]

My gripe is this:

I'm considering buying one as a daily gas-saving commuter, and to give to my son soon.

BUT -

I want the base model with CVT. Why should I pay for a bunch of extra crap I don't want to get the SL just to get the CVT (and the better MPG)?

[srellim234]

If you're going to give it to your son soon and you're not looking for the comfort of the SL, why get the CVT Versa at all? Buy a Versa with manual transmission, Yaris, Fit, or barebones Civic and get better mileage for the short time you're going to use it, then give it to your son and let him tweak it the way he wants it. I know my tastes don't match what my son would necessarily want. You won't feel bad about whatever he does to it. It will all be an uprade.

[MinisterofDOOM]

My gripe is this:

I'm considering buying one as a daily gas-saving commuter, and to give to my son soon.

BUT -

I want the base model with CVT. Why should I pay for a bunch of extra crap I don't want to get the SL just to get the CVT (and the better MPG)?

6-speeds seem to get better milage than the CVT anyway, so you're not loosing out much, there. Get better milage and a clutch pedal instead of a goofy cogless transmission.

[keanucosmo]

From Nissannews.com

06.17.2008 , Nashville, Tenn.

Changes for 2009 include minor adjustments to content and packaging, along with reducing ordering complexity for consumers.

They consider reducing the ordering complexity to be forcing other options on the consumer when they select certain options.

Order the Power Package & they force Cruise Control & Splash Gaurds. Order ABS & they force Roof Spoiler.

Now I would go ahead with the Power Package & pay for Splash Gaurds I don't want, but I would forego ABS since the Versa brakes are crap even with ABS. So instead of selling me a $250 option I would order by itself, they lose that by forcing the additional $250 Roof Spoiler.

[feloniousmonk]

Order the Power Package & they force Cruise Control & Splash Gaurds. Order ABS & they force Roof Spoiler.

Frankly, I don't understand why this is suddenly an issue. Nissan has done this for several years now and they aren't the only manufacturer to do so. From their point of view, it's simply more efficient to assemble cars to a shorter list of possible option packages than to tailor each car to each individual buyer. To make the latter possible one would have to walk in the dealer, place an order, and wait several weeks or months for their car to be custom built. That's not something most average Joe would go through for an average car.

If it was a Ferrari or Lamborghini then it makes perfect sense.

[keanucosmo]

Your statement about assembling the cars would make more sense if the Splash Guards and Roof Spoiler were part of the manufacturing assembly. They are port installed options. I agree most manufacturers group options, but they list them as option groups.

Why don't they group them as Option Groups on their website. I can see grouping the Power Package & Cruise together, but why not add ABS to that. Forcing mudflaps and roof spoilers on someone looking for a low cost car is crazy. A convenience & safety option group and an appearance option group would make sense to me.