Took a Test Drive ...

[HareBrained]

I had the time and the opportunity, so I took it.

The Versa was an SL manual without any other packages. Powder Fresh and Biege.

The dealer had me take their loop of smooth roads and very small hills. It did include a 270 degree ramp, which was fun. But over all, not the best test for the car.

I really like the car. It drove well, and made me feel comfortable immediately. I was surprise that the seat didn't go lower but then I'm use to a Mini and Integra. The car has more power than the Mini but weighs more. It was essentially a wash in that area. The 6-speed is nice. Shifting was notchy but I'd expect it to improve with use. The clutch was very light, almost too much so. Smooth take offs would require more miles as well. The suspension was very comfortable yet corners were still well controlled. I do prefer a firmer suspension but this would be a nice compromise if I had to live with the stock set-up.

What I didn't like was the affect of the A/C. The salesman turned it on without my knowledge and the Versa bogged on a hill. Thinking that this was normal performance, I was naturally disappointed. When I turned the A/C off again, the performance was better. Honestly, I have no other complaint.

Now, I did take it easy on the car, keeping the RPM below 3500, as I wasn't buying yet.

As many of you already know, the Versa is a great little car. I can see the potential and think this would be a fun to explore its limits.

[Rockhound]

I haven't felt the A/C bog the engine down excessively so (I've felt much worse), but it is true that when you're starting with a relatively small amount of horsepower, you're going to feel it when another device leaches off that power. When you have a surplus of power, the A/C draw is far less apparent.

The Versa certainly isn't underpowered for this class of car, but there's not much extra to go around and keep things peppy. That said, I've had the car loaded down pretty well and it was still surprisingly peppy considering the weight it was hauling.

Like you said though, to counter any power loss you'd just need to keep the revs higher, which you were avoiding during the test drive. Good luck with your decision.

[Ever Victorious]

The way that CVT acts, I'm not surprised that you don't feel the A/C drain. It's still going to be there, but the CVT will make you not care.

The notchiness of the shifter did not diminish during the time I owned my V, Harebrained.

Of course, that being said, I also have to beat the dead horse and once again say that I actually PREFER that, because I like knowing that I'm completely in gear, not partially. Whenever I drive a vague (read as: smooth) manual, I inevitably mash gears because I don't know if I'm actually engaged in the gear or not.

[sambot]

Yeah, I have the boggy on hill with AC on. In fact, it's boggy with air on trying to pass a semi. My strategy is to cut the AC when I need the boost of power. Just finished a road trip in the mountains, and had a few sluggish moments, but the V usually scooted around really well. Oh yes, and I got simply superb gas mileage with the MT.

[MIdnkight-lude]

The way that CVT acts, I'm not surprised that you don't feel the A/C drain. It's still going to be there, but the CVT will make you not care.

The notchiness of the shifter did not diminish during the time I owned my V, Harebrained.

Of course, that being said, I also have to beat the dead horse and once again say that I actually PREFER that, because I like knowing that I'm completely in gear, not partially. Whenever I drive a vague (read as: smooth) manual, I inevitably mash gears because I don't know if I'm actually engaged in the gear or not.

i have my v for over 10k now. and yes, the notchiness doesnt go away. i kinda like it also, like EV, it let me know when i am in gear. i am still trying to learn to drive my V better, to deal with rev lag, but, i guess i got to SLOW DOWN> :P

[HareBrained]

i have my v for over 10k now. and yes, the notchiness doesnt go away. i kinda like it also, like EV, it let me know when i am in gear. i am still trying to learn to drive my V better, to deal with rev lag, but, i guess i got to SLOW DOWN> :P

I suppose it's something I can accept. My Integra shifts great but then it's one of the last rod shifters (not cable). My Mini shifting isn't good but it's the trans that's the problem there. It prefers double clutching as it appears the dogs don't fully disengage when going into neutral.

Yeah, I have the boggy on hill with AC on. In fact, it's boggy with air on trying to pass a semi. My strategy is to cut the AC when I need the boost of power. Just finished a road trip in the mountains, and had a few sluggish moments, but the V usually scooted around really well. Oh yes, and I got simply superb gas mileage with the MT.

The other factor was I approached the hill with the idea to test the low end torque. I was already one gear higher then I would normally have it (30 mph in 4th, I think, could have been 5th). Combo that with the A/C and it didn't pull very well. Next test drive will be on roads of my choosing. And if any of the salesmen touches the A/C, and I'll kill 'em.

On more thing I forgot to put in my review: The Versa is very quiet, both with road noise and wind noise. Definitely quieter than either of my current cars.

[BBISHOPPCM]

I firmly believe the AC button should be re-labeled "Power Boost." The AC would always be on (with the light "off", when you press "Power Boost," the AC shuts off and the light turns on. Anyone else agree with me here?

[benchthug]

hahahahaha that might be true for MT but for CVT you wouldnt really notice it...

[Ever Victorious]

hahahahaha that might be true for MT but for CVT you wouldnt really notice it...

Doesn't mean it's not there. The parasitic loss from A/C will affect you whether you have an MT or a CVT.

There are just two reasons you don't feel it on the CVT...

1) the CVT is designed to smooth out everything and2) the CVT (or any automatic, for that reason) has more parasitic loss from the transmission than the 6MT, so you're used to having less usable power anyway.

[Althalus]

I notice the loss of power when having the ac on, definitely. Also the compressor noise is kinda loud.

Anyway, when I took my test drive the guy let me go crazy with it, floored, sharp turns, panic stops, the works. He was awesome.

[bikeman]

He was awesome.

Not in my book.

David

[GoodbyeCavalier]

Ive noticed a big loss on power with ac on and on 4, but on 2 is no problem at all. I preffer leaving it off and opening ALL the windows, its sweeeet

[DreamU]

Interesting thread. I have never noticed the loss of power (I have an automatic). However, it is probably because I have never, ever driven with the A/C off in almost 6 months of ownership. I will think of it as my turbo button if I ever need to pass a semi.

Which reminds me: what is the most useless knob on my Tiida? Answer: the heater knob!
Modified by DreamU at 12:16 PM 6/15/2007