Versa three year report

[Bubs daddy]

My 2007 Versa SL (with ABS, CVT) will be three years old in a week or so. Bought it new in December, 2006. After 32,000 miles and three years I can say this:

It's an exceptional car for the money. High quality materials, roomy, VERSAtile, quiet, and very reliable.

Interior is in excellent shape. No abnormal wear, tears or fading.

I have just changed the oil every 5000 miles, air filter once, and put gas in it. Replaced left rear bulb last year. Will flush the coolant soon, it's been three years. Especially for this desert heat. I've done all the maintenance on it myself. Easy to do, no problems.

It has returned 31-34 mpg (combined) consistently for these three years. Paint looks great, tires look great, too. Although I did put four new Kumho Solus 21 tires on a few weeks ago only because I caught some serious shrapnel in the stock Continentals. Tried a plug but that eventually gave way and I didn't want to buy one new tire and keep on three used, 3 year old tires..

If it wasn't for that, they had at least 15,000 more miles on the Continentals, very good tire. No excessive wear, and gave great mileage and traction. For OEM, not bad at all.

By the way, the Kumho Solus 21 is a very quiet, well made replacement tire for anyone who needs to replace the originals. Only $58 each from Tire Rack. Rated for 85K.

No modifications, it's a daily driver econobox that executes its primary purpose admirably. A low maintenance, high quality car for the money.

[kc5f]

Very similar experience here, too, as of when I sold mine to my son, other than a few more miles and that I did all of the suggested maintenance and bought my Kumho's at about 62,000 miles. My son just brought that car home from college and it looks and runs as good as ever, although he's only put about 2,000 miles on it in the time that I've put 13,000 on its replacement! (And I'm just as happy with the new one, as is my daughter with hers at 2-1/2 years and about 52,000 miles.)

[carpetman]

My Versa S.....To start with, my gas mileage is terrible. Best so far on the hywy, babied on cruise control at 57 mph for a 60 mile trip was 29 mpg. but normal mileage around town is about 24 mpg. THAT'S IT! My 2007 Taurus is much better in both city and highway. But I'm still optimistic as the car only has 6,000 miles on it. As for those Continental tires....THE WORST tires I have ever had on a vehicle and this Versa is my 68th car/van, so I know a thing or two about tires. They don't grip with a damn on even the slightest of dampness on the road. Just awful tires. I will be replacing them with a sticky tire come spring time.

As for the rest of the car, Two Thumbs Up! I still think the interior matches that of a more expensive car. Just very well made and placed. Everything is where it should be. It's quick and fun to drive. Too bad it's so damn ugly.

One more thing.....My cat converter STINKS like rotten eggs. Anyone else get that?

[7speed]

I was thinking of doing a similar report, but my '07 didn't get delivered until Feb (stupid rail strike). So my report is a couple months early.

The car: '07 Versa SL 6-spd with tech package and ABS

The use: Daily runabout and now a kid (8 months ) hauler. Just passed 45,000 kms on it last month. My wife works from home, and I either carpool or take transit, so we don't put a whole lot of k's on it each year.

The verdict: Excellent car for the money. I'm so glad I spent the extra cash for the SL and for the tech package. I don't think I would buy another car without steering wheel mounted stereo controls. It's comfy, roomy (I fit comfortably in the front seat, even with my daughter's rear-facing car seat right behind me). There is simply no other new car at this price point I can do that with.

The OE tires have been fine, but I expected them to last a bit longer than they have. The ones I just rotated off the front have been worn down almost to the low tread depth indicators. The others have a little way to go, probably another 10,000kms or so. I've never had any issues with them in the snow, on ice, or the wet.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

What would I replace it with if I had to? An Altima sport wagon with the 2.5L 4-cyl and 6-spd manual. Since this vehicle doesn't exist, I'll be driving the V for a few more years, and by the time kid #2 comes around, we'll see what the market has to offer.