Anyone try out a Nissan Versa Note?

[desura]

This one looks like a winner for most people's *real* needs.

- 31/40 MPG w/CVT transmission (CVT actually outpaces the manual)

- Hatchback. My car cargo needs basically are that it should fit a bicycle inside.

- quiet interior.

- Price ~16-17k.

Anyone try one?

Like, compared to something like a Honda Insight, it's 3-4k cheaper, probably comparable interior room, and 10% less fuel economy, but probably a quieter drive, which to me is more and more important.

 

[hans007]

basically a nissan honda fit. seems like a great choice, though i have no idea how a CVT feels driving wise. GET IT!

 

[Kaido]

My parents have an '08 Versa CVT hatchback. Great little car. Extremely smooth.

I took out the Versa sedan recently at a dealership and it was great! I would definitely go with a new Note if I was in the market - lots of great tech features, nice car all raround.

 

[mztykal]

Wow, looks pretty decent! Girlfriend wants a new car and doesn't want another luxury car due to gas prices. She might like this!

 

[evident]

I saw it last year in person. it's a very nice car and was wondering when it would come to the us

 

[SparkyJJO]

Sorry Nissan, you aren't Samsung!

 

[phucheneh]

Um. So what is it?

There appear to be two Versa pages on Nissan's website. A Versa page, and an identical Versa page that inexplicably says 'Versa Note' with no explanation as to what that means.

 

[SearchMaster]

They are transitioning the Versa name to the Note name. It's the same car, but it's known as the Note everywhere else in the world.

 

[jaedaliu]

Nissan has been very unapologetic about designing the Versa to dominate the stats comparison page of the subcompact category. Well, that was the previous generation. I'm sure this generation is the same.

Something about how the majority of new car buyers are looking for great value. Something that gets them from A to B, is fuel efficient, and has a lot of storage space.

So they designed a vehicle to hit those check marks, priced it nice and low, and people would buy it.

 

[Kaido]

Um. So what is it?

There appear to be two Versa pages on Nissan's website. A Versa page, and an identical Versa page that inexplicably says 'Versa Note' with no explanation as to what that means.

2 models - Sedan (cheapest), and Hatchback (now renamed to the Note). So the 2014 Versa Note is the hatchback version, and it has crazy features like the around-view camera system (although in a car that small with great visibility, kind of overkill haha).

I really like it!

 

[bigi]

Test drove the Note and Leaf.

Note was fine for the money but nothing special of course. Apparently they use new kind of CVT that makes it a little more responsive and gets better MPG.

We both decided to get the Leaf, but they did not offer a good trade in for our current vehicle.

We've decided to wait for 2015 Leaf.

 

[desura]

Wonder how the Versa Note compares to the Honda Insight. I mean, while the Insight is a hybrid, the price is in the ballpark of the Note. And since it's been out since 2010, you can get a used model, while the Note is brand new for 2014.

Interestingly, googling the Honda Insight some people report getting *very* good gas mileage, far above the 41/44 reported to the EPA. Like, 55MPG, or like 1/3 above the EPA estimate.

 

[Kaido]

Test drove the Note and Leaf.

Note was fine for the money but nothing special of course. Apparently they use new kind of CVT that makes it a little more responsive and gets better MPG.

We both decided to get the Leaf, but they did not offer a good trade in for our current vehicle.

We've decided to wait for 2015 Leaf.

Good call, they're supposed to have double the battery life by 2015.

And of course, you might be able to opt for the self-driving package

 

[Fritzo]

The transmissions in the Verses are known to be problematic, and the electric steering takes some getting used to. Other than that, they're pretty solid cars.

 

[WackyDan]

I've had several Versas as rentals. My only real complaint is the lack of arm rest for the Driver's right arm...Kinda used to having one.

That said, I'd consider buying one for the wife depending on how they are in a couple of years.

 

[Kaido]

The transmissions in the Verses are known to be problematic, and the electric steering takes some getting used to. Other than that, they're pretty solid cars.

My parents just replaced the CVT transmission on their 2008 Versa hatchback at 130,000 miles. Was $3,500 or so, d'oh! But they like the car and it still drives extremely smoothly for the mileage, so they went for it. I took it out for a test drive the other day after the transmission swap and it drives like new

 

[yottabit]

I would also check out a Hyundai Accent hatchback

It's got slightly worse MPG, but about 30 extra HP (which is a lot in this bracket) and with the 6MT as an option it's a pretty fun little car

 

[desura]

My parents just replaced the CVT transmission on their 2008 Versa hatchback at 130,000 miles. Was $3,500 or so, d'oh! But they like the car and it still drives extremely smoothly for the mileage, so they went for it. I took it out for a test drive the other day after the transmission swap and it drives like new

ouch.

And people worry about replacing a battery pack in a hybrid.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Piece of junk, it's the Aveo of Nissan.

Get a Sentra (mini Altima) or a Altima (basically the same thing as the Maxima now a days) if you're getting a sedan from Nissan.

 

[Fritzo]

My parents just replaced the CVT transmission on their 2008 Versa hatchback at 130,000 miles. Was $3,500 or so, d'oh! But they like the car and it still drives extremely smoothly for the mileage, so they went for it. I took it out for a test drive the other day after the transmission swap and it drives like new

CVT's in general IMO are one of those "not quite battle ready" technologies. MINI had issues with them early on as well, which puts the pre 2005 MINI automatic's on the "avoid" list. Like I said, the rest of the car seems pretty solid. My co-worker has been driving one for 5 years now and it's still decent.

 

[Kaido]

ouch.

And people worry about replacing a battery pack in a hybrid.

Yeah. And I thought CVT's were supposed to be a lot more reliable than regular automatic transmisisons

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Yeah. And I thought CVT's were supposed to be a lot more reliable than regular automatic transmisisons

*shrug* I like my CVT in my V6 Altima. It definitely takes a bit to get used to but when I think of it in terms of application (auto prop pitch in propeller planes) it makes sense.

Hopefully it lasts me a very long time (V6s use a chain instead of a belt), love how quick this car is.

 

[Kaido]

Piece of junk, it's the Aveo of Nissan.

Get a Sentra (mini Altima) or a Altima (basically the same thing as the Maxima now a days) if you're getting a sedan from Nissan.

I would take a Versa over a Sentra any day of the week. Although I'd take an Altima over a Versa, of course :biggrin:

 

[Kaido]

*shrug* I like my CVT in my V6 Altima. It definitely takes a bit to get used to but when I think of it in terms of application (auto prop pitch in propeller planes) it makes sense.

Hopefully it lasts me a very long time (V6s use a chain instead of a belt), love how quick this car is.

Oh yeah, I think they're great - especially the new ones where they really hide the whine noise. My parent's Versa is an '08 and you can hear the whine quite a bit, but on the new ones the sound is pretty well insulated.

 

[vi edit]

If you think out of warranty repair on CVT is expensive, wait till people start getting bills for the new DSG replacements. It will cost more than the car is worth.