Versa S 6-speed... Wish I got SL with CVT!

[xu_chen]

I got a baseline model Versa 6-speed with only the power package. I've been having a good time with it the past 2 weeks. But I'm really regretting not getting the SL with the CVT, ABS and audio package with it! Anyone know if Nissan has an exchange policy?

[proxim2020]

I serious doubt that there's any type of exchange policy offered by Nissan. They didn't sell the car to you, so they wouldn't be concerned. They sold the car to the dealer, who in turn, sold it to you. You may want to contact the dealer about an exchange policy that they may offer you, but that may not help you either. Normally the policies are that you can bring the car back within 5 day or 500 miles at best.

Most likely the only way to get out will be to sell the car and buy a new one. If you purchased the car cash, an easy solution would be sell the car, and get what you want. You may miss out on a couple thousand, but you'll get what you want. If you have a loan, you're probably going to be upside down. Get right side up and sell the car.

You could always:

-Buy a CVT and get it put in ($$$)-You won't be able to get ABS aftermarket-Do your own Audio package

[Ever Victorious]

I got a baseline model Versa 6-speed with only the power package. I've been having a good time with it the past 2 weeks. But I'm really regretting not getting the SL with the CVT, ABS and audio package with it! Anyone know if Nissan has an exchange policy?

As Proxim indicated, at this time the ABS and audio packages are not available together. The Convenience package is a prerequisite of the audio package, and the convenience package and ABS are currently incompatible options in the US.

You do have a good base platform to build on. You can spend a little bit of dough and get a good stereo and audio setup, you could even add bluetooth if you wanted to.

However, if ABS is a stickler issue, you WILL need to trade the car in for an SL with ABS, as there is no feasible way to retrofit it. Unless your dealer has a 30-day exchange policy (VERY rare), you will be stuck losing a lot of money when you trade yours back in.

[dalversajock]

I almost bought the same configuration that you have BUT I went ahead and test drive SL also and found it more comfortable, less noise from the engine and outside, plus all the bells and whistles like sunroof, bluetooth, etc. What I really like the most was how the SL drove better than the S. The SL's CVT transmission is sweet and sickening at the same time. It doesn't take long getting used to but once you get the hang of the CVT, its very smooth. Good luck with upgrading to the SL.

[yerrago]

I haven't brought this car to the dealer if they could do something about my terrible manual transmission.

Wonder if anyone here is happy with the manual transmission. For me, it has bad acceleration. The car struggles shifting the power from engine to the drive as I lurch forward from standstill. I hear the rev as I step on the gas while shifting from neutral to 1st gear, car jerks a bit as i hear the engine struggling to transmit power to the drive, I also a moment's pause before car moves forward. By then I am left behind by other vehicles.

It seems to me I experience less of this hesistation during colder weather. I am thinking that maybe I needed a better transmission oil. Or maybe this is a new car and eventually the clutch will seat better and this problem would be gone.

However, I dread the thought that I will be saddled with a manual transmission that sucks this badly forever.

There! My bash of the Nissan Versa. Honeymoon is over.

Secondly, I also don't like getting heated air when I set to natural air with the temperature dial all the way down to cold. The car feels hot inside even when the outside temperature here is cool. Why is the engine heat being channeled to my vent inlet even when it's not supposed to.

Third, when I go through a hump at a very slow pace, after the rear clears I can hear a loud thump. This is a new car and shocks are new. Why this thump?

Anybody with similar complaints on their 6-speed manual Versa?

[xu_chen]

I do not like the fact that the manual transmission is so geared down. I'm often in 6th gear by 40mph. The gap between 3rd and 4th seems to be quite big, but 5th and 6th is almost indistinguishable. On the highway I'm cruising at 3500rpm and the power does not seem good at all. I'll have to downshift into 5th to pass and that'll rev beyond 4000rpm and it's still not all that great. From test driving the CVT I remember it was much more responsive.Overall I'm just disappointed with the fact that there are 6 speeds, yet they could not spare a single gear for highway cruising. I drive around 40mph to and from work so it's a lot of rowing on the way. Also I have problems UPSHIFTING into 2nd from 1st... have to jab the shifter all the time, dunno why. I definately have the clutch depressed fully. I think there's something iffy with the synchros.

[xu_chen]

Wonder if anyone here is happy with the manual transmission. For me, it has bad acceleration. The car struggles shifting the power from engine to the drive as I lurch forward from standstill. I hear the rev as I step on the gas while shifting from neutral to 1st gear, car jerks a bit as i hear the engine struggling to transmit power to the drive, I also a moment's pause before car moves forward. By then I am left behind by other vehicles.

It seems to me I experience less of this hesistation during colder weather. I am thinking that maybe I needed a better transmission oil. Or maybe this is a new car and eventually the clutch will seat better and this problem would be gone.

By the way yerrago, I think your car drives better in cold because the engine idles at higher rpms when it's cold. Try revving it up more. The Versa has a very loud engine so hearing the revving sound is normal.

[BillStrong]

The flywheel on thsi engine is hugely over weighted and make driving difficult. I drive my 1991 Toyota Mr2 every few days, and when I get back into the Versa it takes a few miles before I can get used to the clutch engagement and the slow shifting. The MR2 shifting is smooth as butter, where as the Versa is a like shifting in malasis (sp). The flywheel keeps the engine RPMs up when I really want them falling down faster to meet my shift points.The 6-speed is not really needed. The car would perform better with a wider ratio 4 or 5-speed. But marketing to the teeny-boppers requires 36-speeds just like their bikes. I know this is not a performance car, but the manual shifting on this car sucks. It is not the tranaxle, but the interface between the trans and the engine.

NISSAN,,, I know you are looking here... but please fix this RPM issue

[xu_chen]

Could I try to replace the flywheel? Or would that require replacing the entire clutch assembly?Also, anyone here mechanically sound (I know I have no clue) can tell me whether a clutch change on this car would require engine removal?

[BillStrong]

no, you tilt the engine down and remove the transaxle.Problem is that I am betting it will be awhile before after market flywheels are available. And yes you should at least get a new clutch plate, the pressure plate should be okay to reuse, but you may want to loook at getting it resurfaced.but again, I doubt there is a flywheel available yet. Unless one is made for another Nissan that uses the same engine. I don't know the Nissan product like that well anymore as I am mainly a toyota guy.

[tama48]

I have the cvt sl model. SMOOTH as Silk!

Love IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[motoguy128]

Load up your versa with 4 people and cargo and drive in stop and go traffic and you'll love the short gearing and havy flywheel. Better yet, take 2 people, luggage and hitch up a 1000lb trailer (rated to tow 500kg in the rest of the world... just not the US) and you'll be happy to have the ultra low 1st gear, and the low 3rd and 4th gear for passing. A wide ratio 5 speed alway gets stuck inbetwwne 2nd and 3rd when passing. not a problem wiht this car.

Remember, this powertrain is also used with some much heavier vehicles in other countries. Given the requirments and target market, I think Nissan got it spot on.

[yerrago]

Thanks xu_chen. Will give that a try.

[catnap]

Secondly, I also don't like getting heated air when I set to natural air with the temperature dial all the way down to cold. The car feels hot inside even when the outside temperature here is cool. Why is the engine heat being channeled to my vent inlet even when it's not supposed to.

Third, when I go through a hump at a very slow pace, after the rear clears I can hear a loud thump. This is a new car and shocks are new. Why this thump?

Anybody with similar complaints on their 6-speed manual Versa?

I have an SL with CVT but I agree with complaints about getting heated air even when it is cool outside. I am a person who likes it cool and I have to use the AC virtually all the time. GRRRR!Also have the thump with the rear.

[proxim2020]

Also have the thump with the rear.

Check to make sure that the jack is secured. If memory serves me correctly, 2 other users that have complained about the loud thump and both times it turned out to be the jack bouncing against the spare tire. Some car are coming this these loose jack, which causes people to think there's a suspension problem. Start by tightening the jack and if you still hearing the thump, bring it into a dealer to have them investigate.