Nissan Versa for a new car?

[Shant J.]

What do you guys think about a Nissan Versa for a first car? I really like the way the hatchback looks and have been considering getting one. I would love the 6-speed, but I don't see it happening with my dad paying . Are they reliable, and etcetera? Thanks for the input.

[Great White Versa]

I love it, the 6sp hatch is what I have and its a very nice car. It definitely more than adequately would meet the needs of any high schooler. Its very comfortable for 4 (even 5) people, much more so than the sentra spec-v and would cost your dad MUCH less for you to drive.

One nice thing is the large cargo area, great for doing stuff with things and people. Yeah, its that cool.

[jfanaselle]

My only concern with owning one as a first car would be this: When I had my first car, I was in high school and everyone around me was fixing their cars up with aftermarket parts, making them fast and look really good. The Versa doesn't receive much aftermarket support from manufacturers so you're really limited on what you can do. If you're looking for a safe, reliable car that's affordable and well worth the money, the Versa is the car to get! If you're looking for something you can fix up with all sorts of cheap parts that you can buy at autozone or pep boys, then you want a Honda Civic. LOL. I would just say this one thing - find one with ABS, and if they don't have the one you want with ABS, make the dealer find one for you! It's such a cheap option and totally worth it. I'm upset that I didn't get it on mine.

[Rockhound]

I think the Versa would make a great first car. Economical but still roomy, quirky good looks, and good reliability.

I hear the complaint about aftermarket support...but you know, when I was in high school, I was lucky enough to have my parents buy my first car for me. Granted it was a 6-year old Sentra with 103k miles on the clock, but I babied that thing like crazy. I only worked summers in high school, and my parents wanted to keep it that way, that's why they bought me my car. The only "mod" I did was to purchase a CD-deck...other than that I saved nearly every penny I made @ minimum wage. I have to this day been able to avoid the "mod bug" - it's just not my thing.

So...if you plan on being a "moddist" with your cars, then like Joe said, the Versa is going to come up short on parts compared to the usual suspects. However if you plan on being modest with your mods, then all the other nice aspects of the Versa make it seem like a great choice. Did I mention it's roomy?

[FrancesTheMute]

It'll be my first new car, but not my first ever. I chose it because it's cheap, it's a Nissan, and the gas mileage is reasonable. I have other cars for performance, this one gets me where I need to go and can haul all my **** and dog.

I say go for it!

[TheClevelandSound]

It was my second, since my camry blew up. I have the S, as minimum as u can get, hubcaps and all, but it is very satisfying. Great car, and unless u plan on moding it, you prolly wont get too many tickets.

[matt_a]

My son isn't quite old enough to drive yet (another 18 months), but I have a slightly different opinion about a "first car". Let me start by saying, Yes..the Versa is an excellent car for just about anyone. No question about it. BUT...I really don't think it's a great idea for a person in high school to drive a really nice new car. Why? Because of vandalism. With all the "drama" that kids go through these days, it's almost certain to happen sooner or later. Even if you don't have any enemies, it can happen randomly. I've watched my coworkers go though it from both ends of the spectrum. I've seen the ones who buy little Suzie a brand-spanking-new Honda only to have it get keyed or egged. Of course everyone is all upset because it happend to a beautiful new car. Then I have coworkers who bought their kids old beaters. Ya know what? They are sooo much more relaxed about the situation. If it gets keyed it's no biggie. I honestly don't think it makes sense to have a brand new car until you're out of school. As long as the car is safe and reliable, it doesn't have to be brand new. Just my two cents.

[biggie]

^ True, I wouldn't buy my kid a nice new car to take to HS because of potential damage. But the Versa is a cheap new car, so its slightly better (compared to the $30k+ cars a lot of kids get these days).

For a first car in general it would be great, room, good mpg, enough power to move, but not enough to really get you in trouble.

Also the 6spd is much cheaper, why wouldn't your dad like that idea?

[skwerl]

I guess it all depends on where you live. I know I wasn't even really concerned about getting my car keyed, especially not a Versa. Ah well.

I too love my 6-speed. Get one of those.

[Ever Victorious]

While I love my Versa for its reliability and economy, I am in the boat that a teenager's first car should not be brand new.

CodeRed's recent... uhm.... decorations by his friends are one reason you might want to consider for not getting a new car.

The upsides to a new car are that if it DOES break, it's generally under warranty... and it looks and smells shiny and new.

Downsides, though... it will go through hell in a handbasket. Not saying that you yourself will do something to the car, but something WILL happen to it. It may get stolen, smashed in the parking lot, keyed, egged, have friends spray soda all over the inside, whatever.

You can pick up a 2-year old Kia Optima (which will still have 4 airbags and get mid-20's for fuel economy) for probably 8 grand. They use a very reliable drivetrain (used in Hyundais and smaller Dodge/Chrysler products) and noone is going to cry if one gets utterly trashed.

[biggie]

Should also mention that a USED Versa would be a great idea.

[NY.AD.MAN]

Do this:

Reason with your parents:

Get a crappy $1000 car right now to last you through high school, then get the Versa as a graduation present!

I got my Versa as a Senior in college! ]I had a $1500 Taurus before that, but that's why I love the Versa so much!

I can appreciate it because I know what it is to drive a POS for several years... not to say ANYONE should EVER drive a Ford, they're awful! BUT, for your sake, get a Honda Civic, NOT A KIA, NOT AN AMERICAN CAR, a good, reliable JAPANESE car that will be cheap to fix IF it ever needs fixing.

After owning that car, you will really appreciate the Versa!

[lain]

Get a 240sx!!!! Your parents will think its a cheap piece of junk. And if you have a dad like me he will go drifting with you...btw i let my dad drive my car one day and in the middle of day with cars on the street he just kicks the clutch and the car was like ehkkkkkk...i was like WTF. He said your car handles pretty good.

[Ever Victorious]

BUT, for your sake, get a Honda Civic, NOT A KIA, NOT AN AMERICAN CAR, a good, reliable JAPANESE car that will be cheap to fix IF it ever needs fixing.

Not to pee in your oatmeal, dude... but...

My Kia was WAY more reliable than any Honda (either Civic or Accord) that my family has owned, and for that matter was WAY more reliable than my first Versa.

I'd actually drive a Chevy before I drove a Honda.

Of course, everyone's experience is different.

[BBISHOPPCM]

When I bought my first car, it had to be towed to my house... took me 3 years and $3000 to make it roadworthy, but I look back and realize how much I've learned and how great I respect the automobile as a result. The car was a 1987 VW GTI, came from the factory with a sunroof, no AC and no P/S (very rare car, it was also a Canadian model). I think every 16-year old kid should go through this. But, if your pops is willing to buy you a brand-new car, just be sure to appreciate exactly how lucky you are, and if you maintain that car, you could be driving your first-born child home in that thing (after college and marriage, of course!).

[Rockhound]

I got my Versa as a Senior in college! I had a $1500 Taurus before that, but that's why I love the Versa so much!

I can appreciate it because I know what it is to drive a POS for several years...

I agree with this. Getting a shiny new car for your first car would be great, but looking back on my experience, I knew that I had a lot to look forward to beyond my first car. It wasn't a "POS" per se - it was reliable and it great shape, but it was an older economy car that had manual locks and windows and was just very basic. As much as I loved it, I looked forward to replacing it with something nicer someday. I think that's a good perspective to have.

Oh, and like EV said, it's going to get hurt...my high school and college parking lots were not kind to my cars.

[boosteddet]

I was going to rent one of these. They look awesome and saves lots of gas. You can get them for the whole weekend for less than $52

[Bubs daddy]

Would the Versa make a nice first new car? Sure.

That said, on principal I just don't agree with any high school kid being handed a new car. You just don't get that sense of ownership you would have it you bought it yourself.

Get a part time job and have your dad co sign a loan for a $1000-$2000 car. That way it will be truly yours. That car will mean far more to you than one that's handed to you. You can get a new car when you have a job after college or whatever you decide to do.

[Bubs daddy]

Quote »NOT A KIA, NOT AN AMERICAN CAR, a good, reliable JAPANESE car that will be cheap to fix IF it ever needs fixing.[/quote]As much as I agree that Japanese cars are generally very reliable and that I feel that American cars are getting better although a bit crude in comparision, Kias are very reliable.

They consistently go over 100,000 miles without any problems. I had a Hyundai Sonata and it was one of the best cars I had ever owned.

Parts and labor are pretty much the same for both domestics and Asian cars.