What should Nissan change on the Versa?

[Jerky_san]

How did ABS contribute to losing control? Just wondering. The only near-miss type situations I've been in were in my B13 Sentra that lacked ABS.

Well... I don’t know about his experiences.. But in my dads truck... if your driving a long do do do O-o and slam your brakes because the guy in front of you is being stupid or something and you hit a single rock in the road.. The peddle back feeds to your foot and you can't stop.. like this happen to us once when we were going 30 and we had to go off the road to avoid hitting the guy in front of us because the trucks brakes just wouldn't brake.. Instead it was forcing the peddle backwards even though my dad was trying to push it.. and we weren't like super close to his bumper or anything.. I think there actually was a recall on it but the dealers claim there wasn't.. is a chevy 1500 Silverado.. Personally i love having the entire brake when i need it.. I've only dead locked my brakes about 3 or 4 times in my life.. 2 of the times were in my super 1 time was in an 72 olds 98 and the other time in was in the olds to.. hehe i just don’t' really count it because i was screwing with my dad.. Abs cars actually kind of scare me because of the fact when you push the brake its like @_@ uhh well I’m not going to give a lot to you just a little hehe.. I had a fun time the first time i ever drove my mom's Camry and was just braking in generally since the peddle was so sensitive.. Took me a few stops to get used to its sensitivity..

[Nismo V]

Seems almost all the important things have been touched on, not much to add but a 5 lug set up would be nice, HID option, standard driving/fog lamps, standard stability control, option for the 2.0 sentra motor, and of course more exterior color choices... hopefully by 2009 they will have stepped up to the plate with some of the things posted by everyone ..

If they do I might consider a trade up for some real goodies

[faction]

I forgot about the pockets on the front seats! I didn't notice the V didn't have those until after I bought it...and then I was like WTF?? Who doesn't have pockets? 4 feet of material would have killed them?

I usually keep trash bags tucked in there for garbage, so now they are tucked in the driver's side door cubbyhole...looks terrible.

I am almost considering buying some material and sewing them on.

[Rockhound]

I forgot about the pockets on the front seats! I didn't notice the V didn't have those until after I bought it...and then I was like WTF??

Yeah, that surprised me too...seems like a strange place to skimp.

I'm still not sure though about optional ABS - I'd say that in 99% of the cases, properly functioning ABS is going to help out immensely. I personally think it should be standard equipment as it is on the Fit.

From Edmunds.com:

The Versa's braking performance was another story. Our non-ABS Versa stopped from 60 mph in 152 feet and made us pretty nervous in the process. An earlier full test of the 2007 Nissan Versa proved that ABS can make a difference in stopping distance as well as maneuverability under braking, as that car came to a halt in 136 feet.

A 16' difference on braking distance has got to be noticeable.

I guess while we're adding complaints, I might also decrease the lag on the drive-by-wire throttle. Sometimes things get a bit jerky when slowing down and then pressing on the pedal again. Seems like they could improve the response time on that...perhaps subsequent model revisions will.

[jacksan1]

The leather trim is available in the JDM Tiida (Autech) Axis.

http://www2.nissan.co.jp/TIIDA....html

Maybe Nissan will bring the leather and/or Autech if we guys talk loud enough.

[RedWhale]

One other things comes to mind. An interior or remote trunk latch would be sweet . I hate having to use the key every time. I live in Vegas and having to take the keys out of the ignition to open the trunk for visitors to stow their stuff is very inconvenient.

[Flatline]

I just got my Versa SL hatchback with the Sport and Tech package and right off the bat (don't get me wrong, I don't regret getting this sweet car AT ALL!!!) I would like to see the following:

1 - Illuminated cup holders (Check out the DIY on these forums)

2 - Steering wheel "tune up" and "tune down" flap style button should be changed to the pushbutton style (like the volume) to prevent it getting hit when turning the steering wheel. I thought I broke it off when I turned the corner!

3 - Illuminated steering wheel controls. Back-lit would be cool (Hmm...future mod )

Thats it. Like I said, I JUST got the car so I will have to play with it for a while. On that note...SEE YA!

[KimberKenobi]

One other things comes to mind. An interior or remote trunk latch would be sweet . I hate having to use the key every time. I live in Vegas and having to take the keys out of the ignition to open the trunk for visitors to stow their stuff is very inconvenient.

I assume you have a sedan? And there's no trunk release?!? On the hatch, it's considered a 'door' so when I hit the unlock button, the hatch unlocks and all you need to do from the outside is press the release mechanism... no key required (and no iKey either ;oP).

[srellim234]

Since I started this thread I figure I may as well pipe up again.

rwanttaja- you're right. The defroster You can turn off the a/c on the defroster. Mine didn't the first couple of times we tried to but it seems to be working now. So, I'll remove my design suggestion and just keep an eye on my switch to make sure it keeps working.

I like the running lights, fog lamps on the SL, automatic door lock when starting the car ideas. An onboard screen like a Scanguage II showing mpg, coolant temp, battery, etc. should be on this car, too. As pointed out, though, they all add to the price of the car taking it out of the "entry level" price tag.

Many good ideas presented here could be accomplished without adding to the base price. We can only hope that someone from Nissan actually reads these ideas.

My main comment about this thread?

THANK YOU!!!!

This is exactly the positive discussion with lots of great ideas that I hoped it would be. This is a great group of people.

[sigjam]

I too am glad that ABS is not standard. I much prefer to have control of my brakes without the chance of a computer failing. I have had ABS fail and cause back pedal where you couldn't push the brake pedal down.

On the note of the extra power port, I went to my local Napa store and bought a $6.00 power port and installed it under the dash under the fuse box. I attached the ground wire to the port mounting screw and the power wire was only 8 inches long with a spade connector that went into the fuse block and was plugged into a constant 12 volt supply. I use it to power my stand alone Sirius radio, but you could mount it anywhere to power whatever.

[Ever Victorious]

Yeah, that surprised me too...seems like a strange place to skimp.

I'm still not sure though about optional ABS - I'd say that in 99% of the cases, properly functioning ABS is going to help out immensely. I personally think it should be standard equipment as it is on the Fit.

There are two primary causes for loss of control while braking an ABS equipped vehicle.

1) Improperly trained driver using the incorrect braking techniques for an ABS equipped vehicle

2) System malfunction.

Statistically speaking, #1 is more common. By a lot.

It actually got so bad in my state that the State Patrol started offering public classes on what to do and what not to do with ABS.

Quote »A 16' difference on braking distance has got to be noticeable. [/quote]It's not just the extra 16' of stopping space... it's the fact that an ABS V will stop STRAIGHT.

As a refresher, I've owned (and panic braked) in both kinds of V's.. and I will NEVER buy a non-ABS equipped V again because EVERY time I panic braked, the car severely fishtailed. Like I'm talking my back end was in a completely different lane kind of fishtail. The ABS model stops straight and true.

[Rockhound]

It's not just the extra 16' of stopping space... it's the fact that an ABS V will stop STRAIGHT.

As a refresher, I've owned (and panic braked) in both kinds of V's.. and I will NEVER buy a non-ABS equipped V again because EVERY time I panic braked, the car severely fishtailed. Like I'm talking my back end was in a completely different lane kind of fishtail. The ABS model stops straight and true.

Wow. The Edmunds.com test said that the ABS-equipped Versa had far more braking maneuverability, but I had no idea it would be that bad. Despite lacking all-around disc brakes, it has felt like our Versa has strong brakes.

The scenario you describe without ABS sounds really scary, though. I'm sure you're glad to have the ABS version now!

[wippy]

A side-body molding strip so the doors don't ding so easily.

[srellim234]

A side-body molding strip so the doors don't ding so easily.

I believe versaspeed.com has one available for current Versas.

[boxcarbill]

A side-body molding strip so the doors don't ding so easily.

yes!

[la-Marie]

I've had my V for about a week. There are a few things that stand out:

1. Cup holders need to be deeper or something. My drink moves all over the place.

2. I'd like the speedometer to be normal. To show the 20,25,30,35 . . .

3. Definitely for the doors to auto lock in drive. It's a safety feature.

I've heard the seats don't go flat b/c they are more comfortable than other back seats. That's important to me. I don't care if they don't go flat. I'll buy that accessory when they bring it to the US.

I noticed Wal-mart has a thing that turns 1 power port into 3! So I guess that solves that problem (for me).