Nissan Versa - Really worth the money ?

[redalert9]

Hello

I'm going to buy my first car and am not an expert for cars. When I first looked at the space and equips for Versa sedan, I was really satisfied. So I went down to a dealer and told him that I want a 07 Versa 1.8 S with Power and ABS. The MSRP would be somewhere around 15k. He told me he would sell it to me for 14100, and with tax and plate the total would be 15175. I was quite happy about that. But after I read some of the posts in this forum about recalls and failures, I'm not sure whether 1st year's Versa would be that reliable and worth it. Does anyone think I can probably go to another dealer and ask a lower price ? Or think that with that money I have I should just get a different car. Any suggestions/opinions are welcome.Thanks

[Martin Roy]

So far, there are no recalls for the Versa sedan and the only failure is with the TPMS, the tire pressure sensor.

If you prefer, the 2008 should come out anyday now, so you'll be able to get the new version, with almost nothing new, for a few $ more.

[coxcj]

Maybe I'm reading things a little differently. I have noticed a few problems, but like Martin Roy says, there's nothing for the sedan. And the problems that are out there are being addressed by the dealerships. The occasional dealership seems to be problematic, but I really don't see that as a reason to not get the vehicle.

I was very skeptical about getting a first year vehicle because of the possible bugs. After I found this site, I felt much better about getting one and have been extremely happy with my purchase so far.

[bikeman]

I was very skeptical about getting a first year vehicle because of the possible bugs. After I found this site, I felt much better about getting one and have been extremely happy with my purchase so far.

Same situation here. The folks here were a big help. I owned a 510 wagon and a 240Z as a young man and loved em both so I didn't want to rule out a Nissan just because it was in it's first year here. The background this site provided was reassuring and my wife and I just love our trouble free Versa. Haven't decided what tweaks are in order but we'll do something to make it our own.

David

[matt_a]

It's not really a new model. The 1.5L Nissan Tiida was introduced in Japan in 2004. The Versa is basically the same car, so most of it's components have been proven (so to speak).I had the same issue with my Scion xA. When I bought it, they were new to the US, but it's the same car as the Toyota ist which had been around for a few years in Japan.

[Ever Victorious]

There are no recalls on the sedan, and the only "widespred" problem with the Versa in general is the TPMS system.

At that, only early production Versas (pre-December 2006) have serious issues with the TPMS. Problems with this system on vehicles produced after this time period are few and far between. Since the Sedan did not go into production until around late November, they are almost completely free of these early bugs.

[biggie]

Yep, I was gonna say, the ones that are new now haven't seemed to have many problems. I havn't had any in my 3 weeks.

[ThirstyRoss]

I would buy the Versa, if you are concerned about build issues, just get one that was build from Dec. '06 or later, they seem to have most problems sorted out by then.

I'd certainly buy the Versa again, if I had to do it all over again

[Woogie]

So far, there are no recalls for the Versa sedan and the only failure is with the TPMS, the tire pressure sensor.

If you prefer, the 2008 should come out anyday now, so you'll be able to get the new version, with almost nothing new, for a few $ more.

'08s are already out. They went on sale on June 25th. It's just that most dealerships don't have any to sell.

[tama48]

I bought my Versa 2007 in July of last year. So I have had it now one year. NO problems at all except tpms and that was taken care of once at the dealer early on. Car is GREAT! If you want to spend more for a virually unchanged 2008 model. Go for it!

[BBISHOPPCM]

I've had my versa for seven months and 11,500 miles, and I'm happy to report there has not been a single failure of any kind on my car. I've gotten numerous compliments on it, and I'm more than satisfied. Yes, models built before 11/06 had some minor issues and the seatbelt pretensioner sensor or something like that, but later units were unaffected.

[mking8288]

My silver S Hatchback is almost 1 month old now with 1,200 miles driven, the most recent tank with 33 mpg average, spirited driving at 70+ mph on the turnpike. Build date around April 07 and no problems to report thus far. My 04 Honda CRV EX with AWD will be getting much needed rest in my driveway until the winter, getting the higher 20's MPG in mixed city driving vs. just 20 MPG with the CRV is saving me enough $$$ to pay for my GEICO insurance on the Versa since I do 300 miles a week in daily commuting alone.

As for the S pricing with Power & ABS, I think you can shop around for a lowered price - I paid just $14,300 for the S with Power, ABS and Floor Mats, which the local dealer managed to beat over the best offer from Carsdirect's fixed pricing - I just missed the $500 factory rebate but got my low APR financing from NMAC.

My niece is now looking into getting one herself - after learning of its 6 airbags standard feature, coupled with ABS and power package - and I've shopped & price checked it against models from Toyota & Honda, it's really a best buy for me - and the perfect urban commuter's car without the Hybrid extra $$$.

[PB]

Sure they are worth every penny.When you test drive honda civics/Toyota corollas and others you can see the difference the minute you step into the car,Cheaply built, Versa has Nicer interior/seats,even the dash looks nicer,When driving the versa you dont hear any noise like the others,And i found the versa has more power than toyota and civic.For what you get with a honda and what you pay for different options i think they are a rip off,When i wanted air they wanted $2100 extra.Most cars you buy will charge you $1000/1200 for air,And i think Hondas rust to quick, mainly in the rear panels.

[bikeman]

And i think Hondas rust to quick, mainly in the rear panels.

That was certainly true in the 90's but it looks like Honda got a handle on the problem with the more recent models. Haven't seen the problem to any major extent in the 2000+ Honda's here in the rust (salt) capital of the world.

David

[PB]

That was certainly true in the 90's but it looks like Honda got a handle on the problem with the more recent models. Haven't seen the problem to any major extent in the 2000+ Honda's here in the rust (salt) capital of the world.

David

NOOO I see lots of 1999 to 2003 civics with rear panel rust,Sticks you in the eye when its a white car to. ,And id never buy a Hon Duh either after listening to all the problems people have with them,Even the newer ones.

[OKVersa]

Any car, whether new or not, can have recalls. I just got a recall on my Ford pickup a while back and it's a 1997, and Ford has been making F-150's for a VERY long time.

IMHO, recalls aren't so bad, because the company is recognizing there is a problem and willing to fix it at their expense.

Frankly, that sounds like a reasonable price for what you want. You can go car shopping and you probably could wait a few months and get a better deal somewhere else on a 2007 something or another. BUT, it depends on what you want. How much bang for your buck do you want? Is comfort an issue? Will you be spending much time on the road? Are you trading in something? Putting down a deposit?

You can do a lot of shopping online. Look at at the Honda, Toyota, Saturn, Kia and Ford sites and see what cars this size are going for.

I did all that myself, and I wasn't an impatient first time car buyer.

I picked the Versa Hatch. I'm extremely happy. But as for recalls, that can happen with any car.

[ThirstyRoss]

IMHO, recalls aren't so bad, because the company is recognizing there is a problem and willing to fix it at their expense.

The company will only do this, if they think they will lose more money in lawsuits than it costs to do a recall. If they can get away with not fixing the issue/doing a recall, trust me they will.

It's all a numbers game to them, to figure out where they can get the most money.

[CopyChief]

You will always read about some problems on this board, it's the nature of this kind of thing - people are looking for solutions. Based on my experience (about 6 months, over 10,000 miles) the Versa has been a great car.

To the point of your question, the title of this thread -- is it worth the money? Absolutely. IMHO the Versa offers better bang-for-the-buck than any other car. You can get cheaper cars, but there will be more trade-offs. And you can spend more and get more. I did a lot of shopping as I am sure you have as well, and to me, in a contest of value, the Versa wins, hands-down.

[dtanuwid]

I have been trying to do my research on NIssan Versa.My 1st concern was having the versa be the 1st year model.I did find many articles about the Tiida for the Singapore market.I am also glad that I find this forum to add to my knowledge base.I guess I would feel more comfortable with some info on a car with at least 15000 track record.But I will do more reading on this.Thanks guys for sharing and hopefully I will be assured with this forum.

..!!,

Edit.

Guys, I just read a couple of posts regarding many versas having troubles starting. Either with intelligent keyless or without, there seems like member of this forum having trouble either:1. turning on the car within 3-5 seconds.2. trying to start the car after 2-3 tries3. with intelligent keyless, to start the car outside only to find it dies when entering.

I wonder if any of you guys with about 1 year of owning the Versa found the similar problem?Thanks for sharing and sorry if this is the wrong forum.
Modified by dtanuwid at 9:04 AM 7/19/2007

[kc5f]

I can't speak to iKey issues (although I now regret not getting it), but in 31,000 miles over the last ten months my Versa's always started immediately, hot or cold. I couldn't be happier with it.

[sambot]

Guys, I just read a couple of posts regarding many versas having troubles starting. Either with intelligent keyless or without, there seems like member of this forum having trouble either:1. turning on the car within 3-5 seconds.2. trying to start the car after 2-3 tries3. with intelligent keyless, to start the car outside only to find it dies when entering.

I was having trouble starting my car. Turn the key, and all the lights went on, but nothing else happened. Turns out, if the floor mats get just the smallest bit in the way of the clutch (I have a standard), the car won't start. Sometimes it's just some funny little thing like that, which shuts it all down.