What should Nissan change on the Versa?

[srellim234]

The vast majority of us really like our Versas. That said, there are always the little things that we wish had not been designed the way they are or only offered as part of a packaged option.

Now that you've driven the car a bit, what would you really like to see Nissan change on the car?

A few of my irritations:

1. ABS should be standard equipment.

2. Front window defroster is a poor design. It's OK to have the a/c come on with it to take the humidity out of the air, but the customer should have the ability to turn off the a/c and just let the air flow through those vents. Once the window is clear most of the time the a/c is no longer needed. Instead, the current design is driving down gas mileage. For years on my other cars I have just used the defroster vents for air flow in the car when I don't want the other vents to be blowing on the occupants. Not able to do it with the Versa.

3. Cupholders inconvenient and too short under the dash.

4. Now that I've loaded the car a few times I'm OK with rear seats that don't "fold flat". Besides, fold flat seats would make the legroom on those back seats uncomfortable. An optional platform to make the back end flat would be nice, though.

Who's next?

[NY.AD.MAN]

I can only think of 3 things that should absolutely be changed...

1. If Nissan is going to give up 2-3 mpg. in order to get some better brake horsepower, then give it the beans! -- OR -- get a "sport" version with an optional turbocharger like the "GTI" model of the "Rabbit" (might actually be in its way!)

2. If you're going to make a variable valve timing system based off low end torque, don't make all the power around 4-5000 rpms, use a dual VVT system like Toyota does so that you get stronger output for both low and high end torque reproduction. The dual VVT allows for greater gas mileage as well since it would be using both exhaust and injection.

3. Offer the sunroof and other amenities on the "S" level! I'm perturbed that I couldn't get the sunroof! I bought the "S" because I liked the fabric better and I was going to do stereo work and aftermarket additions anyways, might as well not spend the extra...

[rwanttaja]

Now that you've driven the car a bit, what would you really like to see Nissan change on the car?

A few of my irritations:

1. ABS should be standard equipment.

2. Front window defroster is a poor design. It's OK to have the a/c come on with it to take the humidity out of the air, but the customer should have the ability to turn off the a/c and just let the air flow through those vents. Once the window is clear most of the time the a/c is no longer needed. Instead, the current design is driving down gas mileage. For years on my other cars I have just used the defroster vents for air flow in the car when I don't want the other vents to be blowing on the occupants. Not able to do it with the Versa.

I can turn the AC off in the defroster mode on my Versa. It does turn back on, next time the car starts, if I leave the control in the defrost setting.

Anyway, things I'd like to see improved:

1. A longer steering wheel column. With the seat in a comfortable position for my legs, I have to hold my arms almost straight out. If Nissan made this change, I'd seriously consider trading my Versa for a new one.

2. Automatic headlights (including DRL).

3. Doors that automatically lock when the car is shifted into "drive", and the option to have them automatically unlock when shifting into "park".

4. CD player that, when in the random mode, switches to the next RANDOM song when the "next song" button is pushed, rather than the next sequential track.

5. Swap functions of the volume and next-song controls on the steering wheel. The protruding lever is too easy to accidentally push when turning, and it changes song. If it changed volume, it wouldn't be so big of a deal. I drove an Altima set up this way...wonder why Nissan changed it?

6. Better visibility to the rear quarter area.

7. An "automatic scroll" function on the CD LCD screen, that flips through the album, artist, and song information (similar to what radio stations do) rather than displaying just one item.

8. Power ports that stay live when the car is turned off, so I can charge my cell phone when the car's sitting in the garage.

Ron

[jfanaselle]

I'd like to see the following:

1) Standard ABS on all models - they already have 6 airbags standard, why not go all the way? I think the ABS option was only a few hundred dollars, but when I bought mine there wasn't a single V on the lot equipped with ABS so I had to settle on a car without it. It seems like it would be better to just make it standard and up the base price by the few hundred dollars.

2) better use of the under-armrest area in the center console. Especially in the case of the S, where you don't even have an armrest so the console is your only storage. Seems like it's not being used enough (maybe a deeper large pocket or something)

3) Auto-on headlights and auto locking-doors when the vehicle is shifted into Drive. This is standard on virutally every american made vehicle now. It's such a convient feature and wouldn't raise the base price by that much... even if they only added it to the higher trim level or convience package, it should at least be an option.

4) Optional Leather Interior - I would have paid $1500 extra for factory leather if it was available.

5) Factory "cockpit" lighting on the interior. This could consist of a small LED positioned just right up between the map lights that shines very dim down onto the switches and cupholders. The interior of the car is VERY dark at night.

[Rockhound]

4) Optional Leather Interior - I would have paid $1500 extra for factory leather if it was available.

Yup, me too. I'm not much for cloth anymore. But alas, my wife has all these stereotypical notions about leather in her head, so she was glad it wasn't an option. To each their own - but I still think it should be an option. Heck, the Aveo has optional leather, or at least I think it does.

[Deke40]

Mine is real simple:

Either have the sunvisors slide on the rod or have extenders on them for blocking the sun coming in the side windows.

[07Vsdn]

1. definitely abs standard. (it will be by 2009; i believe that is the year all cars will have stability control standard which requires abs.)

2. rear disc brakes.

3. more aggressive tires.

4. if i had the hatch i'd want fold flat seats.

5. manual available for the SL, they did away with this for '08

6. leather as an option

7. we don't like the blue accent color in the black cloth we have.

8. auto on/off headlights are always nice

9. 1-touch up/down for all windows

[lain]

Have the front and back bumper, hood and grille same as the Tiida so I dont have to buy them. Which I'm going to end up doing (Also matters on the price).

[Scuba Steve]

1) Heated Front seats or rear seats too.2) Rear disc brakes3) Outside temperature gauge & compass4) Option for a 16 or 17 inch rims.5) Scrolling song info for the stereo6) Redesign the drivers floor matt at the gas pedal, as the dirt gets under the mat, the matt should be higher up.7) Better gas mileage as they advertised.8) Glove box cooler for can drinks9) Metallic black exterior color.10) 1-touch up/down for all windows.Steve
Modified by Scuba Steve at 11:27 AM 9/21/2007

[matttail]

I thought that the SL had one touch down for all windows when you're unlocking the doors. Something like press the un-lock on the fob twice and hold it down for a 5 sec the 2nd time then all windows go down. Maybe I'm just confused.

[matt_a]

Yup, me too. I'm not much for cloth anymore. But alas, my wife has all these stereotypical notions about leather in her head, so she was glad it wasn't an option. To each their own - but I still think it should be an option. Heck, the Aveo has optional leather, or at least I think it does.

Nah...not me. I've had leather. It looks great and it's durable, but it wasn't very comfortable in a vehicle. It gets danged HOT it the summer if you park in direct sunlight, and it's freezing cold to sit on in winter. I had a fully-loaded Silverado with heated leather seats. The problem is, the heaters are electic and they take a minute or two to heat up. So you still have to sit down on a freezing cold seat when you first get in the vehicle. Leather is great in a home, but not so great in a car. Just my 2 cents.

[jfanaselle]

I thought that the SL had one touch down for all windows when you're unlocking the doors. Something like press the un-lock on the fob twice and hold it down for a 5 sec the 2nd time then all windows go down. Maybe I'm just confused.

Does anyone else know anything about this? I couldn't find anything in the manual. Sure would be nice to use it if it's there!

[Rockhound]

I thought that the SL had one touch down for all windows when you're unlocking the doors. Something like press the un-lock on the fob twice and hold it down for a 5 sec the 2nd time then all windows go down. Maybe I'm just confused.

I don't know anything about this trick you speak of, but I believe 07vsdn was referring to the window switches on the driver's side - so that all windows could be auto up/down like the driver's window is. All Infiniti's have now gone this way, with auto up/down all the way around.

Not sure if the fob trick works, but I too wouldn't mind auto control for all 4 windows.

The auto-scroll stereo screen complaint is a good one. And a multi-subject scroll would be nice too. I hate hearing a new song I like on XM and then having to work my way through the different display options to see Artist/Song/Album and such.

Nah...not me. I've had leather. It looks great and it's durable, but it wasn't very comfortable in a vehicle. It gets danged HOT it the summer if you park in direct sunlight, and it's freezing cold to sit on in winter. I had a fully-loaded Silverado with heated leather seats. The problem is, the heaters are electic and they take a minute or two to heat up. So you still have to sit down on a freezing cold seat when you first get in the vehicle. Leather is great in a home, but not so great in a car. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, I have leather, too, on my G20, and I love it. Many people told me how much I'd hate it...and yet I've never experienced anything different with it versus cloth, other than it feels more upscale and comfortable. The black seats in our Versa get plenty hot in comparison to my tan leather, too. But certainly to each their own...I just think an option on the Versa would be nice, just another way for Nissan to add an overpriced option on the list!

[KimberKenobi]

Does anyone else know anything about this? I couldn't find anything in the manual. Sure would be nice to use it if it's there!

It was in the manual for my old V... I posted the text on an old threadbut it wasn't in the manual for the new V... and it doesn't work. I've tried it in every combination imaginable...

[XterraVersa]

1. Taller gears.2. More power ports3. Full size spare4. Better headlights5. E85 capable6. Electric AC condenser like the PS pump.

[sooner4x4]

I wasn't expecting too fancy with a base model economy car but here are a few things I would like to see:

Abs standard center armrestlit ignition switch at night

[RedWhale]

I love my SL but as a large dude it always bothered me how high the seats are. The SL has adjustable height but it doesn't go lower, only way higher. I am quite comfortable and don't have vision issues or anything because of the seat. I'd just like to see it start a little lower is all.

[faction]

All-direction Power seats.One-touch control for all windows.ABSLonger sunvisor (couldn't take a nap in my car today cuz the sun was beating on me!)Longer steering column.Doors that lock when in drive. (didn't realize how much I would miss this until I didn't have it)One more power outlet.More powerful heater.

[boxcarbill]

TALLER GEARS in their idiot 6 speed. AND LESS RESPONSE LAG TIME in the throttle.

[zgol]

5. manual available for the SL, they did away with this for '08

I just got an '08 manual SL HB.

I can't find any combination of button pushing that makes my windows auto go down.

I'd like the armrest to be more adjustable. The way I have my seat I can't really use the armrest. I'd need it a bit higher and forward.

It seems silly to have a nice HB w/o fold flat seats. I almost got a Fit just for that.

The bluetooth phone interface is kinda scary I'm always trying to make the voice shut up. I wish it could access my phone's contact list or be more useful in general but that me be more a function of my phone, I don't know.

I was in a pontiac g6 recently and the way you position the vents and open and close them is great. I think that should be the industry standard until someone finds something even better.

*edit*Can't forget:Having to go all the way to lock and push the button to turn the car off with the ikey. And the fact that I have to keep the key away form my cell phone.

[Bubs daddy]

Quote »1. A longer steering wheel column. With the seat in a comfortable position for my legs, I have to hold my arms almost straight out. [/quote]I agree. It's an economy car so I'm not expecting telescopic columns but it can get uncomfortable. The reach to the wheel is far for me. I'm 5' 11" and I have the seat all the way back to accomodate my legs but my arms are almost straight out.

Maybe the pedals are too close. Wish I could push those back a bit.

Oh, and cupholders that aren't in the next zip code. hehe Not bad, just a tad far.

Otherwise, it's a keeper.

[marleyfan]

1. Better tires2. Accessory ports that stay powered when the car is off3. lighted steering wheel controls4. Better placed cupholders5. larger screen for the stereo

Not necessarily in that order. All of those would not have raised the price of the car much.

[KimberKenobi]

Okay, I've taken time to read everybody's thoughts... and here are mine.

The nay-saying first...1) I do not like ABS - I'm glad it's not standard, but I would have bought the car if it had been standard. (personal preference, I like having control over the breaking/driving. The only cars I've lost control in a breaking situation with had ABS.)

2) I do not like DRLs - mostly because this is a feature that spawned from people not knowing/caring/thinking about when to actually turn on their headlights. If all cars had DRLs, I would have bought the V with DRLs. If all cars didn't have DRLs, I would have looked very hard for another car to suit my needs, but would have still bought a V if none other w/o DRLs fit my needs/wants so well.

3) The armrest should be standard... but underneath I have a pocket the right size for my iPod an one the right size to hold my 'we're-going-through-the-mountains'/emergency gum... so I'm pretty happy there. They could have made a practical place to put a cell phone though... my Vitara had an awesome spot just the right size for my Sidekick (umm... the phone, not my other truck ;oD)

4) my Probe had lit key holes on the outside (if you pulled the door handle) and then the ignition and seatbelts were illuminated as well... Since I have the iKey, I don't see this as important on the V since I don't have to insert a key and the dome light is enough for me to buckle up... Maybe it'd be nice on the V's w/o convenience package...

5) I can live without power seats...

The things I second:1) The steering wheel should telescope a little. Or the pedals should be able to be moved back. I have long legs and short arms, but it seems like others on here have the same problem, so maybe it's not just me.

2) The cupholders could have been designed better... waterbottles don't fit well because there's no ring to hold them in... and things topple out easier (though I thought this was because I had put wetstones in the bottom of mine, however, others seem to have the same complaint of them not being deep enough)

3) I do agree that the cargo platform needs to become an accessory in the States... but they just offered us a bumper protector ($30) so maybe it's on it's way.

4) I would like doors that automatically locked. I'm not sure how I feel about them unlocking, but I think that they should lock.

5) As for the stereo, it could have a better display that is more helpful. Also, on the last V, I know I could change to the next random track by holding the steering wheel toggle until it beeped, but it didn't seem to work when I tried it in this V... odd.

6) It would be cool to actually be able to roll all the windows down by depressing the unlock button on the keyfob. I'd use this often in the summer.

7) Something really does need to be done about the sunvisors versus the window width...

8) The auto up/down on all windows would be awesome, even though I can understand why it isn't available... it's another thing that isn't available because people don't pay attention. (I am absolutely ecstatic that the back windows roll down all the way... I hated that about my Loyale)

9) rear disc breaks would be cool... maybe as a package?

10) outside temp and compass would be handy too

11) better choice of colors

12) taller gears for the manual

13) full-sized spare (this is such a lovely feature)

14) lit steering wheel controls

Things I didn't see someone else mention:1) better light in the cargo area

2) the ability to slightly recline the rear seats (there's room in front of the toneau cover and my mom's subie does this by pulling the release for folding the seats then just pushing them back slightly)

3) under-the-seat drawer for storage. There's a lot of room down there and it wouldn't be hard to add a drawer (my probe had this too)

4) CARGO NET!!!

5) map pockets on the front seats

6) oh-sh1t handle on the driver's side front area. They are handy for stuff... like hanging blankets for sleeping in the car.

7) fog lights standard on the SL (the wiring is already run, this is stupid to only include it on the 'sport' package) (I should note that they weren't available at the time I purchased my first V, but I had all the wiring... that was dumb IMHO)

8) some form of lumbar support, of which there is none.

How much have we managed to raise the base price of this entry-level vehicle? ;oDOh well, we can't help it that the V is so friggin awesome... ;oD

[07Vsdn]

I just got an '08 manual SL HB.

sorry, you are correct, you can still get the HB SL w/6MT.

SEDAN SL is no longer available with 6MT

[jfanaselle]

You know, I forgot to mention one more thing... there have been a couple of mentions of an outside temperature gauge, but I'd like to see an engine temperature gauge (water temp). I can't stand not having the gauge and only having an idiot light to tell me when my car is broken, not when I could still have had time to pull over and prevent extreme damage. I'm actually thinking of installing an aftermarket one, but I don't know where to put it.

[jfanaselle]

I just got an '08 manual SL HB.

I can't find any combination of button pushing that makes my windows auto go down.

I'd like the armrest to be more adjustable. The way I have my seat I can't really use the armrest. I'd need it a bit higher and forward.

It seems silly to have a nice HB w/o fold flat seats. I almost got a Fit just for that.

The bluetooth phone interface is kinda scary I'm always trying to make the voice shut up. I wish it could access my phone's contact list or be more useful in general but that me be more a function of my phone, I don't know.

I was in a pontiac g6 recently and the way you position the vents and open and close them is great. I think that should be the industry standard until someone finds something even better.

*edit*Can't forget:Having to go all the way to lock and push the button to turn the car off with the ikey. And the fact that I have to keep the key away form my cell phone.

And oh yeah, I wanted to say welcome to the forum and congrats on your new Versa purchase. If you love your new V half as much as most of us on this forum do, you'll be in great shape.

[scottstachowiak]

This is my number-one complaint. The 6-speed manual does not 'calm down' at cruising speeds on the open road. Number-two: the gas mileage stinks. City mileage is barely 20 mpg.Number-three: ABS standard! The Scions come with this standard, and so does the Honda Fit.Number-four: better build quality. After 3,000 miles, there are rattles everywhere.

[marleyfan]

Not sure what kind of roads you're driving on but my build quality is outstanding. No rattles, everthing still tight. Also, I'm getting about 26 mpg in the city. If you drive it like it's a Versa you should be fine.

[Rockhound]

The nay-saying first...1) I do not like ABS - I'm glad it's not standard, but I would have bought the car if it had been standard. (personal preference, I like having control over the breaking/driving. The only cars I've lost control in a breaking situation with had ABS.)

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.

Just the other day, a car pulled out to cross a highway in front of me - I was traveling about 60 mph in my G20, and I had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision - ABS was the only thing that kept me from totaling my car, as my tires never locked up and skidded on the pavement. Not having ABS would have contributed to a much longer stopping distance.

Unless someone can pump the brake as quickly and efficiently as the ABS computer, it just seems to me like driving without ABS would be pretty scary. But you've obviously had different experiences that make you think differently, just wondering what those were.

Not sure what kind of roads you're driving on but my build quality is outstanding. No rattles, everthing still tight. Also, I'm getting about 26 mpg in the city. If you drive it like it's a Versa you should be fine.

Yup, I have to agree. After ~4500 miles the interior is very tight. The 20 mpg comment confuses me as well, as we have no trouble getting 27-29 mpg in town with our CVT under fairly spirited driving. I'd imagine we'd have to floor it constantly to get it down 7-9 mpg, and even then I'm not sure it'd dip that low.

[KimberKenobi]

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....Unless someone can pump the brake as quickly and efficiently as the ABS computer, it just seems to me like driving without ABS would be pretty scary. But you've obviously had different experiences that make you think differently, just wondering what those were.

I will admit that it may have to do a great deal with the age of the system that I have had experience with, but ABS caused my family to total a car in icy conditions once. The ABS didn't engage the breaks and we just rolled merrily across a roadway (we didn't skid, the wheels just rolled w/o any breaking). If another car had not t-boned us, we would have slammed head-first into a hillside and would probably have been seriously injured. This is actually one out of three times that ABS has left my family hanging.

I can pump my own breaks (and while I will admit that there's no way possible for me to do it as quickly as a computer) I feel much more comfortable with one less thing that can fail while I'm in an emergency situation. Plus, the Camel's stopping distance is pretty good compared to many vehicles on the road and definitely better than I'm used to. I guess it's just a matter of the fact that DIY breaking has never left me in a lurch and ABS has totaled three cars for my family (all with me in them - once while I was driving). The only time I've had an accident with DIY breaking was in my Loyale and it was mostly because a lady in a much newer vehicle decided to do a dead stop at a yellow light in order to rubberneck an accident. The Loyale's breaks didn't lock up and if I had had ABS, I am positive that my stopping distance still would not have been sufficient. (We were slowed down to 25 mph on a 45, I was 2 seconds behind her, I checked the light - it was green - I checked my mirrors to see if I could pass her, when I looked back she was at a dead stop... I started breaking procedures, hit her anyway, she - wasn't wearing a seat belt - hit her head on the steering wheel and released her breaks, rolled out into the intersection, came to a stop, I had an 'oh-****' moment, checked the light and watched as it THEN turned red. It really sucked. The Loyale wasn't totaled and her bumper was scuffed.)