Possibly buying - Have questions

[robaustin]

Hey guys -

I'm considering buying a Versa SL and I have some specific questions that I hope current owners can answer for me. I'm a current 2001 Sentra owner so I am quite used to doing some mods myself Anyway questions:

1 - Where is the 12v power adapter - It is hard for me to tell from the photos and I didn't make a note when I was in the dealer. Is it behind the cup holders in the front? Is there more than one? If by the cup holders does it block one if something is plugged in?

2 - Does the storage compartment at the top of the dash have any padding - like a rubber bottom or is it hard plastic?

3 - Does the car have a center storage armrest - I have noticed reference to one on ebay - so I'm wondering if that is a better one then the one the car comes with.

4 - Does the SL come ready to accept the iPod with a USB port somewhere in the car, or do you need to have the dealer install the iPod cable?

5 - Does the radio on the SL do RDS or HD?

6 - Does the passenger front seat fold flat (so you can carry long stuff?)

Thanks folks.

--*Rob

[robaustin]

Oh and is there an overhead console for sunglasses?

--*Rob

[V-Man]

-The 12V power plug (only one), is in the center console next to the emergency brake, not close to the front.-No padding on top of the storage compartment, it is plastic like in many cars.-The SL model comes with a center storage arm rest, not the S.-The SL model radio comes with an I-Pod plug.-"Does the radio on the SL do RDS or HD?" Don't know.-Yes it does, if you take the headrest off.The SL model has more options (you pay for them), and if you need these you should get this model. I bought an S model because it had everything that I needed. I don't use an I-Pod so don't need the plug; I still can change the radio station by reaching the radio; I am happy with only one CD capacity in the radio (since I can only listen to one CD at a time). However, I do wish I had the aluminum wheels, but I can get those. If I ever feel the need for an arm rest, I'll get one.

[kc5f]

Just to clarify, the SL radio (at least in the '07 and '08 models we have) has an audio input which can be used with the iPod, but not a USB jack. It cannot be used to control the iPod, but only to listen to the audio from a headphone jack.

(And there is an overhead console for sunglasses.)

[robaustin]

Yeah the iPod thing isn't a dealbreaker for sure. An Aux is fine, and I thought I saw that the SL radio had the capability of adding a USB cable but I wanted to check. I do have an iPod Touch, which isn't always supported by the iPod systems anyway.

I'd probably have to run an iPod power cable to the 12v and get some kind of iPod mount.

Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it.

To clarify for the radio - RDS is Radio Data System - which is encoded on most FM stations now to tell you what station you are on and what song/artist is playing - it shows up on the radio's display. It's hit or miss but a nice touch. HD is HD radio which is a lot less prevalent. It doesn't sound like either are supported.

And since I'm using my iPod with my Sentra with an FM transmitter, an AUX input is going to be an improvement, for sure!

--*Rob

[alonsorules8]

The SL does have the rds system with the radio but it is not a HD radio.

[jwerty1]

i went from an 00 sentra to an 08 versa sl, both good carssentra got better gas mileage, of course it was manualyou should like the versa, good car, kinda a noisy engine and some minor issues, but no major issue since they were released, as long as they are maintainednissan tech, 08 versa and 08 frontier owner

[robaustin]

Hey guys -

Just got my Versa yesterday so I can clarify answers to some of these if folks are wondering:

>>>2 - Does the storage compartment at the top of the dash have any padding - like a rubber bottom or is it hard plastic?<<<

Inside the storage compartment on the top of the dash (above the head unit) the bottom has a velvety padding - not hard plastic. Very happy about that so my iPod won't rattle around!

>>>4 - Does the SL come ready to accept the iPod with a USB port somewhere in the car, or do you need to have the dealer install the iPod cable?<<<

My SL came with the iPod cable and the iPod interface plug is in the top compartment. It is a proprietary cable. I have a 1G iPod Touch so it charges and the radio sees the iPod and can get to all the Playlists, including the Podcast one (which surprised me, because my wife's Hyundai Sonata can't see that one). It's not bad to use, but only one line on the display isn't great. Apparently the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Touches and iPhones work, but do not charge. So I guess I'm keeping my 1G iPod Touch for a while!

>>>5 - Does the radio on the SL do RDS or HD?<<<

RDS confirmed - and you have to push the display button to see all the info which it will than cycle through if it is there (station genre, station slogan, song name, etc....) If you've never looked at it, it can be pretty neat and many stations off that info now.

Yeah, I'm a radio geek.

--*Rob