question for 1.6 base model owners

[Cape Cod]

Does anyone find the car unstable on the highway? At 60 it feels squirrely and loose. At 70 it is downright scary! It is walking all over the road and I have to make 2 steering corrections a second to keep it in a straight line. This is not a crosswind thing I'm talking about. The car is new, I've had it only three weeks now. Am I just feeling the tiny tires and wheels? If this is a trait of the car I'll just keep it off the highway. I plan to have the alignement and balance checked at the dealer next week when it goes in for the 1,000 mile checkup. Please 1.6 base owners with the tiny wheels respond.

[steed77]

Yep....my 1.8 does it too.... get the rear sway bar and make sure your tires are up to the right pressure.

I HATE the hwy lanechange of the Versa.

Check out the suspension area, this was just discussed. "Steering at higher speed." I suspect the 1.6 has the 15x5 steel wheels and the 1.8 has the 15x5.5. That also may have something to do with it.
Modified by steed77 at 8:44 AM 8/25/2009

[iluvmyVersa08]

Really? I find it easy to make a lane change, and does not wobble any which way. It's great!I have the 1.8 SL and no problems. I find it pretty powerful to change / pass on the highway.

[biggie]

Never felt a problem with my SL Hatch, even at 80+.

[Cape Cod]

No base model owners out there? 14 inch wheels dudes. I need to compare apples w apples. Thanks.

[steed77]

Never felt a problem with my SL Hatch, even at 80+.

Not talking about passing power.... it does ok in that dept.(for what it is)

Well coming from track cars and ones with extensive modifications, the OEM Versa is indeed squirmy. Then again, this is my first sub-compact car. I may just be overly sensitive about it.

The only real fix for me will include changing out spring, struts, braces, good wheels/tires and a great alignment. This little car should rock after that.

Also: the 14in wheels size (1.6base) is defiantly a huge factor. I would start there.

[Codelicious]

Every so often I see posts about people complaining about the power of the Versa but I still dint see why. I get up to speed easily with no problems. I mean the Versa isn't a rocket but for it's fuel efficiency and comfort I'd say it's fairly fast. Usually fast cars have a horrible ride and get horrible gas mileage (Acura NSX).

As of feeling like I am going to die doing 70+.. I think that the Versa handles fine.. At least mine does. I am lower to the ground (Megan springs) so maybe that's why? I haven't had any extra cash so I haven't been able to buy the sway and strut bars. Hopefully by the end of this month or very begining of next month I'll have some new things added.

[biggie]

Not talking about passing power.... it does ok in that dept.(for what it is)

Well coming from track cars and ones with extensive modifications, the OEM Versa is indeed squirmy. Then again, this is my first sub-compact car. I may just be overly sensitive about it.

The only real fix for me will include changing out spring, struts, braces, good wheels/tires and a great alignment. This little car should rock after that.

Also: the 14in wheels size (1.6base) is defiantly a huge factor. I would start there.

I wasn't talking about passing power. Was referring to when I was on the highway cruising at 70, 80+ there was not much of a problem. I noticed more wind resistance/influence, but that was do to lighter weight combined with big side profile.

[steed77]

I noticed more wind resistance/influence, but that was do to lighter weight combined with big side profile.

^~~~~~ THIS is the root cause.

I do feel this cars floaty response at 60+. Light weight and High/Large side profile will do this. Couple that with 15x5.5in steel wheels, no rear sway, and lots of ground clearance... you will have this. I would think that feeling would be even more amplified with smaller wheels in the 1.6base (14x5 steelies)

[Versa357]

Mine feels fine. I have the 1.6 sedan. I was on the Mass Pike yesterday and today going 75 to 80 mph from Springfield to Boston with no problems.Doesnt feel loose or anything to me.I still have the stock 14" tires on. Picked up the car 8/13/09 and put 1000 miles on it already.

[mdamatas]

I have the Tiida HB 1.6, not the Versa but I guess is exactly the same thing... I've no problems in the highway, I can go up to 75 mi/h with no problems at all, and when changin lanes, it's very smooth...

What I'm surprised at though, is that you have 14" wheels, mine was a base model (no fancy rims) but mine are 15" stock...

[fastback65]

I have the base model purchased it a week and a half ago and I commute 60 miles a day and do 70mph and the car is very stable for me. I use a lite touch on the wheel to keep it on the road. I have 14" tires on my base model, too.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

Narrow high profile tires can cause this "squirmyness." See if you can get some 15" steelies and throw some 195/60s on it and that should plant it more to the road.