So I'm really interested in getting a Nissan Versa

[Jaceburns]

And I was curious about what an actual owner of the car thought of it.I think they are adorable and read many articles about them.

Any thoughts to help me convince my mom?

[Bubs daddy]

OK, she called our car "adorable."

Anyone want to buy my Versa?

[Jaceburns]

So I'm trying to get advise and do research on a car and your cutting me down for my opinion?

What are you? 10?

[Bubs daddy]

My, my. Getting our knickers in a twist? Relax and lighten up. I'm not cutting down your opinion. See the smiley? I'm just kidding.

[BlueMango]

First things first, Welcome!

You won't know this because you're new but alot of the guys on here think the car is ugly. Plus it's mostly guys so the word "adorable" is funny in its own right to them. Don't take it too personally.

As far as advice to convince your mom:I love the car I've had it for about a year and a half and have had no problems with it. It's safe, dependable, I think it's cute, cheap on gas, and very roomy. Have her go out and test drive it with you and your dad. I think it'll win them over.

Again, welcome and hope to see you back after you get your V.

[fjwagner]

Fit vs Versa. Both good cars and figure out which one feels right for you.

[silverarrow27]

Pros

-Suspension is real smooth. -Acceleration is nice and consistent-Very roomy and fits 4-5 passengers very easily including the driver-Seats are comfortable and molds into your body after a while-All controls/buttons are easily accessible-Glove compartment is pretty darn big/deep-Quality of the interior feels/seems good

Cons

-Gas mileage is decent, I sometimes feel my 90 240sx does better.-Decent looking exterior-Carpet look very cheap, almost look like ones for speaker boxes-Weak going uphill, I'm 150 lbs alone and car still has problems going up a hill(my 1985 Nissan 200sx turbo with 120 hp can climb the same hills easily with 4 people total)-Not a very fast car(Wasn't meant to be)-Not very nimble(Wasn't meant to be)

I can't say anything about reliability or anything because I've only owned my SL for 2 months, but make sure to buy an SL, not an S. You will not regret it.

[Bubs daddy]

I've never had a problem going up hill and I weigh 210. Indeed, buy the SL. Much better upholstery, lighting, cruise, upgraded stereo and other nice amenities.

[silverarrow27]

I've never had a problem going up hill and I weigh 210. Indeed, buy the SL. Much better upholstery, lighting, cruise, upgraded stereo and other nice amenities.

I'm sure you sorta floor it up the hill because I know I have to if I really wanted to stay at my consistent speed. With my 85 s12 turbo, I didn't have to and no downshifting required.

120 hp sohc turbo > 122 hp dohc n/a

[Jaceburns]

Oh I've told her all the facts about the car.And I'm surprised she wouldn't go for it cause it's so cheap.That's the problem she's having actually.

She says that If I get into a bad accident it wouldn't end very well for me cause it's "Cheaply made."

[silverarrow27]

So what car is she looking at for you?

Age and how long have you been driving?

[Sonofasailor]

Welcome Jace,

Watch the following crash test for the 07 V, it does really well for a small car. I could not find video for an 09.

I bought an 07 V SL last fall and very much enjoy driving the car. In 07 the V was the only one offering front and side airbags in a subcompact. Other car makers have since followed Nissan's lead. Hope this helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...dex=4

[Driving Instructor]

And I was curious about what an actual owner of the car thought of it.I think they are adorable and read many articles about them.

Any thoughts to help me convince my mom?

So, what are your choices?

I use my V to teach driving out of it. I must say it has lots of room and it looks good but I am not convinced of the longivity of this car. I have a 2007 SL cvt with 130 000 kms. I will be keeping it for about another year. I will be selling it with around 200 000 kms.

Would I refer this car to someone. I would have to say yes for it's price. I think you get allot of car for what you pay. My next car will be a Yaris only because I can buy an extended warranty up to 200 000kms bumper to bumper.

Gas mielage does not make me too happy.Ok with the pot holes.

Hope this helps.

[VersaMG08]

Can't stand Toyota's lack of creativity and style. Biggest reason why I don't own a Toyota, and they're ugly especially the Yaris.

[kc5f]

She says that If I get into a bad accident it wouldn't end very well for me cause it's "Cheaply made."

Actually, there have been several folks here who have totaled their Versas and walked away from what could have been deadly accidents. They hold together very well and protect the occupants, and the six air bags don't hurt, either.

I'm very happy with mine after 83,000 miles, and my daughter thinks hers is cute, too, and is happy with it after about 22,000 miles.

[VersaMG08]

I like how the side airbag curtains are standard on the V. I wish ABS was standard on the 1.8 S/SL

[Rockhound]

She says that If I get into a bad accident it wouldn't end very well for me cause it's "Cheaply made."

Yeah, I think your mother just needs to research crash test ratings. The Versa received 4/5 stars in these categories: Driver front, Passenger front, and Rollover - and it received 5/5 stars in Front and Rear side tests. Impressive for such a small car. But don't take my word for it, just Google it.

The Versa has standard front, front seat mounted, and front + rear side curtain airbags, regardless of trim level. ABS is optional but highly recommended for steering control during panic braking.

Large vehicles aren't necessarily safer; nor is price a direct indication of safety. Even the Smart ForTwo has a fairly advanced cage structure that makes it decently secure despite its diminutive size.

And unlike what some others have mentioned, I've never noticed the car's engine inadequate when climbing hills. In fact, I've been impressed that I don't have to 'floor it' when climbing a steep grade. No, it's certainly no performance machine, but the 122 hp engine is more than sufficient for the car's intended purpose.

With all the goodies available at such a good price, I'd definitely go with the Versa - and with the CVT at least, it returns respectable mileage. That's not to say that the competition isn't tough - there are plenty of great options in this class, but of course I'm partial to the Versa.

Good luck car hunting.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

Oh I've told her all the facts about the car.And I'm surprised she wouldn't go for it cause it's so cheap.That's the problem she's having actually.

She says that If I get into a bad accident it wouldn't end very well for me cause it's "Cheaply made."

Just because a car is cheap doesn't mean it isn't safe. The Versa definitely is built right for safety. And take the Toyota Yaris for example. Even smaller car but there are plenty of stories of people walking away unharmed in accidents with them. The only thing that would suck about a car being cheap is that it doesn't take much to total it out.

[Vahagn23]

Actually the V is a perfect choice for a first timers car.Its not too fast, but it goes fast enough to enjoy the ride and on freewaysIts safe, and reliable havent had problems I got 20ks on it of 70% city driving with bunch of pot holes. and its not cheap. Its materials are actually good as comapred to a ford focus were the door panels feel like they are pealing off the price is so cheap because it has less features than of those of a luxury car and the engine is smaller.

[Bubs daddy]

I've never had to "floor it" to get up hills.

[JGT5]

I've never had to "floor it" to get up hills.

I haven't had to "floor it" either. I weigh about 215. With me, my wife, my 5 year old, three suitcases, and assorted odds and ends, we've been able to handle the hills on the way to Grandma's house in Western Maryland without once having to "floor it".

As for "mom's" concerns:

I think that for the money, the quality, features, and materials are very good in the SL. Better, in fact, than in my '02 Xterra, which cost nearly $6,000 more when I bought it six years earlier. While I still love my Xterra, and think it's a "cooler" vehicle, I bought the Versa for two primary reasons: (1) much better gas mileage; and (2) better safety ratings. Like "mom," I wouldn't risk putting my daughter in danger by putting her in a car I thought would be unsafe in a crash.

[superskunk]

hate to say it but your mom is pretty old school, oh yeah and by the way welcome to NICO! hope you convince your mom into buying one for you... good luck...

[keanucosmo]

Here are pics of my 07 that was totalled. I was hit from behind and slammed into a Range Rover. Notice gap between door and fender. It stayed the same as before the wreck and I had no problem opening and closing the door after the wreck. The crush zone worked and I walked away with no injuries.

[BlueMango]

I agree with Vaughn. Its safety features are in line with luxury cars and it has the ratings to prove it.

When I went out looking for a car I test drove several economy cars and the Versa felt like it was extremely high quality for its class. I only ended up getting the S model. You need to get your mom out in the test drive arena. She'll be quite impressed when she gets in.

[iluvmyVersa08]

And I was curious about what an actual owner of the car thought of it.I think they are adorable and read many articles about them.

Any thoughts to help me convince my mom?

Hey JACEBURNS,

So unlike many other posts on here, I'm a female Versa owner, and I LOVE my car. I think it is adorable too! I however, bought it with the sport and technology package so it does look somewhat sporty. It drives great, I love it.

Also, I have never had a problem going up a hill. I have the SL Hatchback, automatic transmission with CVT and it has been great.

And the car is rated as one of the safest in its size. I have airbags all around me, plus ABS braking. I wouldn't trade my Versa in for anything!

Ciao!

[VersaMG08]

Hey broham, when you're ready, go for a test drive. If so, do it now!

[mcheddadi]

Oh I've told her all the facts about the car.And I'm surprised she wouldn't go for it cause it's so cheap.That's the problem she's having actually.

She says that If I get into a bad accident it wouldn't end very well for me cause it's "Cheaply made."

Get a Sentra SE-R Spec V. Sits bettween the versa and the altima and Is IMO a much better ride than the versa. you can get cheap 2007 ones . try to get one with the HLSD in it.

[#1Tango]

the car is VERY safe. watch some crash tests on youtube. or browse this forum for pictures. the versa holds up really well

[Red Devil]

She says that If I get into a bad accident it wouldn't end very well for me cause it's "Cheaply made."

I just had to lol at that. You're currently in a Chrysler Sebring. If that's not the definition of "cheaply made" I don't know what is.

[Stumpkin]

We picked the "V" for our college kid. She loves its room on the inside & its small easy to park foot print. We let her help us pick a car so she could learn about shopping for a car & hope she will buy it from us when done with school. We looked at a lot of new & used, makes & models. We didn't even know the "V" existed when we found one at a Nissan Pontiac stealership looking at Vibes. I liked the crash rating for a small car as well as other safety features for a college kid. Six air bags, remote entry, anti-lock breaks (on our S). For this extra safety and being a litter heaver I could give up 1-3 mpg (real world driving) as compared to others in class. Hey it is what it is, an entry level car. My opinion for what it is worth - its a good bang for the buck. I've owned a Datsun & a Nissan in the past. Had good experiences with both. Did normal maintenance had only normal maintenance issues with both. No matter what you pick your the one driving it so your the one who has to be comfortable with the terms of the purchase & be comfortable in the drivers seat. Sorry I tend to get a bit long winded. Good Luck!