Soon to be owner?.. Need Help! :-)

[aidan80]

Hi this is my first post here and I’m trying to get a bit more information on the Versa. I’m thinking about a nearly new/used purchase or I may even take the plunge and actually buy a new car!

I’ve been throwing the idea back and forth in my mind about buying a car for the past few months. The more I’ve read and searched around online the more I’ve found the Versa showing good reviews, decent prices and good reliability. I’m currently driving a 98 Mercury Tracer also known as the Ford Escort, which I bought used just three years ago. I have to admit, it’s very clean, quiet, has no mechanical issues, gets about 26mph city and it’s even under mileage coming up to 96k on the clock and most important no car payment! Although there are all those little things that come with a car this age, creeks, moans, groans and of course it has the vacuum leak issue that can’t be found or fixed! So that’s the two sides pushing me to keep the car and sell it too lol!

I’ve looked at the various Versa’s and if I bought new while I’d love a 1.8 due to my personal budget I’ll have to settle for the 1.6. If I found a nice 1.8 used that doesn’t have 50k on the clock or the dealership isn’t asking close to new price then I’d be tempted. If not then I’m thinking of aiming for the basic model 1.6 with just A/C and a manual gearbox and no stereo, I’d prefer manual if I can find it here or a used 1.8 with a manual transmission. I’d prefer no stereo as I’d plan on tearing it out anyway and putting something useful in there instead.

Any and all comments and suggestions are most welcome, like I said I’m still tossing the idea around in my mind so nothing has been decided yet. I should also mention that this would be my first new/almost new car purchase in this country (I’ve been here about 4 years) my credit rating is in the low 700’s. I’ve a decent job that pays more than enough for the car payments plus I’d plan on putting down around 5k up front I’m hoping this pushes in my favor as I’ve not financed anything this large over here before.

[biggie]

I think you'd be happier with a SL model, so would suggest finding a low mileage used on.

Also weigh your options on hatch vs sedan and see which will fit your needs best.

But with interest rates you may be able to afford more with the low interest rates of a new car.

[iluvmyVersa08]

I agree with Biggie. You might be happier with the SL. Right now our Nissan dealerships have 0% financing going on, which is amazing. They also have BRAND NEW Versa's (SL's) for around $16,000 (cdn). At 0% that is pretty good. Some of the S model hatchbacks are under $13,000 brand new right now. Right now they are trying to clear out what ever 2009 models they have left to make room for the 2010 models. I'm sure you could find a good deal now on a new model.

[Andries]

iluv is correct, now would be the time to buy a 2009. They are clearing the lots for the new version coming out. More inclined to move it as it's coming up to the end of september. in my experience.

I would say get what you like that fits in your budget. I would say a 1.8...but it appears you are use to gutless with the ford...so a 1.6 is a good idea as well.

Even the versa's without the radio's have speakers and they come with the cords in the back where the radio needs to hook into.

I do highly recommend a Versa, slightly biased but that's what you get on a versa nico forum :-D

[Versa357]

I have the 1.6 sedan with a/c and love it, but there are a couple of things that I dont like about it.The most annoying thing for me is not having keyless entry which wouldn't be that bad if there was a key hole for the passanger door, but there isn't only one on the drivers door. With that being said I know it will only cost me a couple hundred dollars to have keyless entry installed.The other thing is when its cold out the dash will rattle when you hit a bump and I only have 1900 miles. The car is also kind of loud on the highway at 60mph but for some reason going slower or faster then 60mph it is quieter. As for everyone saying the 1.6 is a dog I have to disagree it's not that bad. It's no race car but it will get out of the way and pass surprisingly well.For the 1.6 sedan with a/c you have 107hp with a curb weight of 2534 giving you a power to weight ratio of .0422 With the sl hatchback with the 1.8 you have 122hp with a curb weight of 2734 giving you a power to weight ratio of .0446Not that much of a difference. And gas mileage on the 1.6 is great. My worst tank I got 36.26mpg, My best tank I got 39.56mpg

[Promise Land]

I can help with a VPP discount for below dealer pricing on a new Versa if it helps. It makes the $16k SL down to around $14.5k, etc.

[aidan80]

I'd love an SL and if I found one used at just the right price I'd jump on it. The reason I'm thinking about used is of course to save a few some cash plus maybe get a few extras as well. Having driven this sedan for the past while I'm already sold on a hatchback. Sedans are nice but I like the idea of a wide open space to put bulky things in the back of your car.

There is nothing wrong with my "gutless ford"? lol.. The 1.6 seems to be an amazing deal for the money although I have to admit I am very tempted by the 1.8 and may very well just spend the extra on a bit more horsepower and even an option or two. Which really is why I want used.. I can have my cake and eat it!

! I haven't found anything good price wise in this area yet. I have noticed in past years dealers seem to like to get rid of the current year model as mentioned to make way for the next year. I'll have to look around because I haven't seen any end of year sales yet. If I do buy I hope to buy near the end of the year. I had read that even the bare bones Versa was still ready to take a stereo I thought that was standard but apparently not all cars come ready to accept a stereo! lol

The 1.6 is really pulling me in mainly on price because it would be much more affordable. Although I have to admit I'm very tempted to just get a 1.8. After driving this Escort/Tracer around one thing I hate is how the engine is drained of power when using the A/C and in Florida the A/C is needed almost all the time lol in the winter I feel like I'm driving a new car with the A/C off!!

[iluvmyVersa08]

I have the 1.8 and have no problems with road noise, or power. I find the car very peppy, and gets me on the highway very easily. I also have the automatic transmission with CVT.

Do check your Nissan dealerships around you. Ours is having their fall clearout now. My brother just got a Sentra SE-R for less than what I paid for my Versa, plus he got 0% financing (whereas I got 0.9%).

Let us know if you find any good deals.

[aidan80]

I have the 1.8 and have no problems with road noise, or power. I find the car very peppy, and gets me on the highway very easily. I also have the automatic transmission with CVT.

Do check your Nissan dealerships around you. Ours is having their fall clearout now. My brother just got a Sentra SE-R for less than what I paid for my Versa, plus he got 0% financing (whereas I got 0.9%).

Let us know if you find any good deals.

I've read that the CVT is much better than the standard automatic transmission. I'll poke around and see whats out there who knows maybe I'll get lucky!

Did anyone do a trade in at their local dealerships and if so how little did they offer you? I'm planning on selling my current car if I buy another one and I'm very much in favor of selling it myself vs being ripped off at the dealership. Any ideas what they would offer for an 11 year old ford with less than average miles on the clock and in very good shape?

[iluvmyVersa08]

When I bought my Versa, I traded in a 2001 Hyundai Accent (2 door GS) with about 130,000 kms and was given $2100 CDN. Recently, when my brother went to the same dealership to buy his Sentra, he was driving my parents 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, with about 160,000 kms and they wanted to give him less than $1000 CDN. My dad just didn't bother using it as a trade in and is still driving it around. Too bad you didn't buy before when the Cash for Clunkers was going on, that would have been a sweet trade in then!!!

[aidan80]

When I bought my Versa, I traded in a 2001 Hyundai Accent (2 door GS) with about 130,000 kms and was given $2100 CDN. Recently, when my brother went to the same dealership to buy his Sentra, he was driving my parents 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, with about 160,000 kms and they wanted to give him less than $1000 CDN. My dad just didn't bother using it as a trade in and is still driving it around. Too bad you didn't buy before when the Cash for Clunkers was going on, that would have been a sweet trade in then!!!

The dealers don't really offer anything for a trade in do they! I'd be very lucky if they gave me $1000US for a 98 Mercury Tracer with 95,500 on the clock! I'd rather sell it I'd at the very least hope I'd get about $2,000 after the haggling. I was going to buy during the cash for clunkers but I was excluded my car gets something like 25mpg lol they didn't take age into consideration.

[aidan80]

I can help with a VPP discount for below dealer pricing on a new Versa if it helps. It makes the $16k SL down to around $14.5k, etc.

Help is always welcome! I've had a look at the VPP website and it looks like my employer isn't on the list!