Nissan Sentra 2012 Alternatives

[daxzy]

So my gf is moving in with me and now we have 2 small cars. A Subaru Impreza 2007 2.5i, and her Nissan Sentra 2012.

So far, the Sentra has been a pretty big letdown. It falls 2-4 mpg below the rated mileage (27/34) on city and highway. Whenever you do a curb beyond the suggested speed, it feels like its going to roll over. For a 2012 era car, its electronics package is barely better than my 2007-era Impreza.

KBB says I can get 13.7K for it (she says she paid 14K?). Ideally we want relatively fuel efficient cars for our daily commutes and one mid-sized car with a little oomph for travel.

Is it worth it to spend 8-12K to get a slightly older Civic/Corolla/Mazda-3? Or maybe get a mid-sized sedan like the Accord/Camry/Mazda-6?

Or is my idea just economically stupid?

 

[vi edit]

You aren't going to get 13.7k for that. At least not without an ultra inflated price on whatever you are buying. Think more like 9k-10k then see if the math still adds up on trading it in on something else.

 

[toronado97]

I don't care if I'm the resident Mazda fanboi here. The first thing you should do is go test drive a 2014 Mazda 3s GT, and compare everything else to that. It travels very well as it's super comfortable, has more than enough storage space, is incredibly fun to drive, and has driving mechanics that will make you think you're in a car that costs 15,000 more. If you want something with a little more size, the Mazda 6 is more of the same in a slightly larger package, but I'd wait a little bit on that to see if the 2015 refresh changes the infotainment system.

 

[daxzy]

You aren't going to get 13.7k for that. At least not without an ultra inflated price on whatever you are buying. Think more like 9k-10k then see if the math still adds up on trading it in on something else.

Well, of the 2006/newer Japanese cars listed on autotrader or craigslist, the ones with clean titles are all listed maybe 10-30% above KBB value.

So I'm under the assumption that getting KBB private seller value for the Sentra can be done.

 

[michal1980]

out of 7 sold on ebay 2 somehow hit 15k. 5 barely crack 10k, one with navigation.

 

[T2urtle]

aside from the horrible handling (according to you) is there anything else wrong?

Does your GF feel the same way about the handling of the car? The 2-4mpg might be the way you drive, if you gotten a new car the 2-4mpg short might be transferred.

I'm not against or for getting a new car, i'm just looking at it in my POV. What is not acceptable to me in terms of cars is very acceptable to other people. My GF is the prime case, i cant deal interior rattles but she barely hears them. I cant drive with a blown rear speaker and she doesn't mind. I like way my car with V6 280hp feel when i get on the highway, she thinks its over kill and likes a 200hp 4 cylinder. The way we drive however, we get similar gas mileage even tho EPA has her getting 4-5mpg more then myself.

 

[daxzy]

Does your GF feel the same way about the handling of the car? The 2-4mpg might be the way you drive, if you gotten a new car the 2-4mpg short might be transferred.

I'm not against or for getting a new car, i'm just looking at it in my POV. What is not acceptable to me in terms of cars is very acceptable to other people. My GF is the prime case, i cant deal interior rattles but she barely hears them. I cant drive with a blown rear speaker and she doesn't mind. I like way my car with V6 280hp feel when i get on the highway, she thinks its over kill and likes a 200hp 4 cylinder. The way we drive however, we get similar gas mileage even tho EPA has her getting 4-5mpg more then myself.

To be clear, she thinks the handling of it is horrible (her words were that driving the car on curvy roads feels like its going to roll over). Her main concern is the gas mileage. She's never hit the rated mpg on highway or city (commute), and she drives like a typical grandma (not accelerating fast with lots of coasting). On Highways, she typically drives 65-ish and gets about 30-ish mpg (which is the same as my Impreza).

out of 7 sold on ebay 2 somehow hit 15k. 5 barely crack 10k, one with navigation.

Dealers typically command a higher price (those 15K's were dealer cars). The lowest priced ones were rebuilt/salvage title. The lowest one with a clean title was in TN that sold for about 1.5K under KBB. So based on eBay, looks like we can get about 12K for it.

Anyways, we're still waffling on the decision. It looks like a hassle with a big ? on the resale value of the Sentra. But if we see a great deal on a Honda/Toyota/Mazda/Subaru mid-sized sedan, we might jump on it.

 

[Herr Kutz]

To be clear, she thinks the handling of it is horrible (her words were that driving the car on curvy roads feels like its going to roll over). Her main concern is the gas mileage. She's never hit the rated mpg on highway or city (commute), and she drives like a typical grandma (not accelerating fast with lots of coasting). On Highways, she typically drives 65-ish and gets about 30-ish mpg (which is the same as my Impreza).



Dealers typically command a higher price (those 15K's were dealer cars). The lowest priced ones were rebuilt/salvage title. The lowest one with a clean title was in TN that sold for about 1.5K under KBB. So based on eBay, looks like we can get about 12K for it.

Anyways, we're still waffling on the decision. It looks like a hassle with a big ? on the resale value of the Sentra. But if we see a great deal on a Honda/Toyota/Mazda/Subaru mid-sized sedan, we might jump on it.

LOL what, in my 2008 nissan versa hatchback I'm getting just over 30mpg overall with over 37k miles tracked, and I do not drive this thing easy at all. There is no way she's driving like a grandma.

 

[Leyawiin]

Your mileage is close enough to fall within EPA estimates. They're not a perfect science and your climate, elevation, typical driving scenario and habits make 2-4 MPG variance normal. As far as the handling goes that can be fixed with better tires, wheels and suspension tweaks. For a car that new with such minor annoyances it just seems a waste of money to sell it and buy another. You're going to lose on it without a doubt.

 

[desy]

The biggest cost of a car is depreciation, not fuel economy and anything you'd buy would be similar, go to fuel economy.gov and compare what you have with what you want and you will find that there aren't savings to be had.
If its the car she doesn't like trade it for a similar aged Mazda 3 and you shouldn't be too many $ apart

 

[monkeydelmagico]

A tuneup and a stiffer roll bar are alot cheaper than just the tax you will pay on a new car.

My $.02 adjusted for inflation

 

[Spicedaddy]

2.0L with a CVT? That's what my mother has (I think it's a 2011). Went from Montreal to Miami twice with it, and I thought the gas mileage was amazing... Is yours manual?

I agree the handling isn't great, but it is what it is, meant to be comfortable not handle like it's on rails.

Trading it for a Civic/Corolla/Mazda3 isn't a good idea IMO. If you want something bigger/better, then it makes more sense.

 

[daxzy]

2.0L with a CVT? That's what my mother has (I think it's a 2011). Went from Montreal to Miami twice with it, and I thought the gas mileage was amazing... Is yours manual?

Trading it for a Civic/Corolla/Mazda3 isn't a good idea IMO. If you want something bigger/better, then it makes more sense.

This is a 2012 lowest end model with 2.0L CVT auto. I think highway, we average around 30mpg (rated = 34mpg). City drives can go as low as 22mpg-26mpg.

A tuneup and a stiffer roll bar are alot cheaper than just the tax you will pay on a new car.

My $.02 adjusted for inflation

Tell me more about how to get more mileage via some (inexpensive) tweaks to the car. I think that's far more economical than buying a replacement.

Can we take it to the dealership to complain and see what they do?

 

[Tweak155]

25 city and 30 highway is hardly terrible compared to a lot of vehicles out there. The amount you save getting that extra average 2mpg will have a long, long time before it catches up to the loss you take on depreciation.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

This is a 2012 lowest end model with 2.0L CVT auto. I think highway, we average around 30mpg (rated = 34mpg). City drives can go as low as 22mpg-26mpg.



Tell me more about how to get more mileage via some (inexpensive) tweaks to the car. I think that's far more economical than buying a replacement.

Can we take it to the dealership to complain and see what they do?

Meh, I wouldn't bother with the dealership you will end up spending a fortune for things you can do yourself.

Best tweak is usually to the driver(s). Drive it like you stole it means crappy mileage. Drive it smooth and slow gets better milage.

For a 2012 car the only tune up items you might need is a new air filter. A dirty one will reduce mileage.

Proper tire inflation and even a bit on the high side can help mpg. Say your manual or door jamb calls for 32psi. Going to 34-36 will reduce rolling resistance.

Get all the unnecesary crap out of your car.

 

[Wreckem]

This is a 2012 lowest end model with 2.0L CVT auto. I think highway, we average around 30mpg (rated = 34mpg). City drives can go as low as 22mpg-26mpg.



Tell me more about how to get more mileage via some (inexpensive) tweaks to the car. I think that's far more economical than buying a replacement.

Can we take it to the dealership to complain and see what they do?

The EPA estimates are just that, estimates. The cars are tested(by the manufacturer) under strict conditions on a roller. The tests are supposed mimic "real world driving". All tests are done without ac running and the cars are "driven" conservatively not spiritedly.

Speeding while on the highway(anything over 70 drastically lowers mpg, 65 is ideal for mpg), quick acceleration from a stop, pedal to the metal driving, running the ac, all lower mpg. Drive it like a grandma if you want to reach its rated MPG.