To the end of September, Nissan Versa sales are up 20% over last year, and up 37% in September of ‘14 over September of last year. This places it 32nd in total unit sales for the year to date, just behind the Prius. All this despite it getting generally panned by the critics year after year.
I am curious as to what your reasons were for choosing Versa.
If you wish to respond, please include your MY, trim, tranny type (CVT, AT, or Manual).
Rank at least 3 of the reasons for your decision (for example, price, styling, MPG, chicks dig guys who drive Versas,
or whatever).What other cars did you consider?
Also, if you can remember, list the most important research sources, if any, you used in making your decision.
Any notes or other info is welcome.
I will start:
2014 Versa Note S hatch, Manual 5 speed
Top decision-making factors:
Price
MPG
Engine design (chain driven)
Hatchback
Features (No electrical doors, windows, etc. -- believe it or not, it is what we wanted)
Passenger space
Nissan reputation
Styling
Other cars considered:
Honda Fit
Kia Rio5
Hyundai Accent hatch
Kia Forte hatch
Kia Soul
Mazda3
Mazda2
Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe
Research sources:
NHTSA
Edmunds user reviews
Various “professional” review sites
This forum
the “other” Nissan forum
Other non-Nissan forums
The 4 dealers in town
Other owners that I knew
Various other user review sites
Discount Tires
Mechanics that I personally knew -- drove them crazy with all my questions
Auto repair sites with “cost of ownership” estimates
Actual car rentals, and car rental sites
I tended to like the car more and more as the “professional” critics became more and more negative, while the users became more and more positive. Those that owned ‘em liked ‘em, despite what the Car and Driver/Edmunds/JDPower et al crowd had to say.