Test drove SE-R

[ElFenix]

went up to the nissan dealer after getting off work, they had a few SE-Rs sitting on the lot, none of them with the equipment i want. but that didn't really matter, i wanted to drive one. the thing is a lot smaller than what i currently drive (a taurus) so theres really only room for 3. with the seat all the way back and the wheel all the way up my leg was still rubbing when i hit the brake. but it also has about 40% more power, IIRC. interior was pretty darn good, excellent fit and finish, comfy, supportive seats. the steering was heavy but had some nice feel to it, not at all squirrely like the focus ZTS was, which tended to have a lot of body roll. power was definitely there, with good passing power. it didn't slam me back but then its not a quarter mile car and i had the salesperson there. i didn't realize how much faster it is than my current POS until i left the dealer and watched the needle creep upward. not quite as fun as the 1.8T, but i suspect that has something to do with me being the only person in the car so i may have driven it a little harder than if dude had come with me.

most fun:
jetta (5 speed auto is awesome, gobs of torque)
maxima - sentra - altima (tie, they're all fast)
honda v6
taurus duratec (not fast but at least its planted on 16s and fat tires)
focus (doesn't feel like it stays put on the pavement)

nicest interior
maxima
jetta (weird lever action to move the seat around)
accord v6
sentra (noticed some odd stitching)
taurus
altima (had big fit problems)
focus (wtf was the fabric they used in there? ripstop nylon?)

price (least to highest) (sunroof and alloys are just about all i care about, kick arse audio is nice, but i'm not getting near the bo$e on the nissans)
focus
sentra
taurus
jetta
accord v6
altima - maxima

most desired
maxima
jetta
altima (if i could find one that had good fit)
sentra
accord v6
taurus
focus

if i can negotiate a lower price on a jetta i'd take it first, followed by the sentra. even with the maxima SE in the san antonio paper for $21K its still a little rich for my blood (mostly because i'll be going to law school in a little over a year, though if i get put on as a commisioned rep i'd probably be able to pay it off before then)

EDIT: still need to go to the scooby dealer and test an impreza 2.5RS. the WRX is a little out of the budget.

 

[TuffGuy]

Have you test driven the SE-R Spec-V?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: TuffGuy
Have you test driven the SE-R Spec-V?

nah, don't really plan on it either. stick is a pain in the butt.

 

[RossMAN]

I'm currently working on a loss leader website if you're interested in possibly getting a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE automatic with power everything for $12,888 plus tax.

PM me your name and mailing address.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm currently working on a loss leader website if you're interested in possibly getting a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE automatic with power everything for $12,888 plus tax.

PM me your name and mailing address.

not quite fast enough for me.

thanks though

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm currently working on a loss leader website if you're interested in possibly getting a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE automatic with power everything for $12,888 plus tax.

PM me your name and mailing address.

not quite fast enough for me.

thanks though

Sure thing.

 

[vi edit]

Want something big, fast, and cheap? Look for a year or two old Buick Regal GS w/ the supercharger.

Holy Sleeper batman!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Want something big, fast, and cheap? Look for a year or two old Buick Regal GS w/ the supercharger.

Holy Sleeper batman!

theres a whole 7 regals on carpoint's search, heh

 

[vi edit]

I really am serious about the Regal. It's unbelievably comfortable, goes like stink on sh!t, and the GM 3800 is a pretty much bullet proof engine. Some poor sucker paid close to $28,000 for that car a year ago, and you can buy it today for around $16,000

His loss is your gain.

It'll leave just about every single car in your original post in the dust, do it more comfortably, and be cheaper to boot!

 

[RSI]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I really am serious about the Regal. It's unbelievably comfortable, goes like stink on sh!t, and the GM 3800 is a pretty much bullet proof engine. Some poor sucker paid close to $28,000 for that car a year ago, and you can buy it today for around $16,000

His loss is your gain.

It'll leave just about every single car in your original post in the dust, do it more comfortably, and be cheaper to boot!

Probably a lot safer, as well. However, whatever money you do save you'll probably make up paying in gas.

 

[vi edit]

28 MPG on the highway. Equal to the others, if not better than some. Sure it takes premium, that works out to like $5 a month difference.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm currently working on a loss leader website if you're interested in possibly getting a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE automatic with power everything for $12,888 plus tax.

PM me your name and mailing address.

not quite fast enough for me.

thanks though

Sure thing.

The 2003 Sentra GXE will be getting the QR25DE engine (same as the SE-R and Spec V).

Nissan ~ Driven

 

[StattlichPassat]

How did the Maxima beat a VW in nicest interior?? :Q :Q :Q Maxima's is really nice though- my vote goes for the Jetta, hands down. Definitly with a 1.8T, but it's in black and a stick shift or die for me.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: NightFlyerGTI
How did the Maxima beat a VW in nicest interior?? :Q :Q :Q Maxima's is really nice though- my vote goes for the Jetta, hands down. Definitly with a 1.8T, but it's in black and a stick shift or die for me.

the weird lever seat thingy on the jetta. it was... strange.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm currently working on a loss leader website if you're interested in possibly getting a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE automatic with power everything for $12,888 plus tax.

PM me your name and mailing address.

not quite fast enough for me.

thanks though

Sure thing.

The 2003 Sentra GXE will be getting the QR25DE engine (same as the SE-R and Spec V).

Nissan ~ Driven

so what you're telling me is that everyone and their mother will have sentra that moves like a bat outta hell? probably won't have 17s though... hmmm...

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: TuffGuy
Have you test driven the SE-R Spec-V?

nah, don't really plan on it either. stick is a pain in the butt.

Blasphemy! :Q
Too bad... you're missing out on the LSD and more power. Very peppy... not "turbo shove boot up your @$$" fast, but quick. No stick = no Focus SVT, no Civic Si, no Neon SRT-4, etcetcetc.
And if they use the QR25DE on the other Sentras, it will no doubt be detuned to high heaven.

I can understand the thought that the VW doesn't have the nicest interior... esp for people in the "back seat"

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: TuffGuy
Have you test driven the SE-R Spec-V?

nah, don't really plan on it either. stick is a pain in the butt.

Blasphemy! :Q
Too bad... you're missing out on the LSD and more power. Very peppy... not "turbo shove boot up your @$$" fast, but quick. No stick = no Focus SVT, no Civic Si, no Neon SRT-4, etcetcetc.
And if they use the QR25DE on the other Sentras, it will no doubt be detuned to high heaven.

I can understand the thought that the VW doesn't have the nicest interior... esp for people in the "back seat"

yeah, the back seat in the max was nice. i didn't even want to try the one in the jetta. i suspect that with me driving it would be a 3 seater at best.

nissan uses that engine in the altima and i think it makes the same as it does in the SE-R.

as for stick, none of those cars you listed is very appealing to me. the focus has been recalled twice and hasn't even hit the lot, the Si looks like ass, and the neon is... well, a neon.

 

[Rallispec]

on quick post before i go to bed.



Nissan ~ Driven




thats all i had to say. the Se-R is nice, nothing like the spec V though.. Its a completly different driving experience. It would be worth learning to enjoy driving manual transmission just drive the specV.

its amazing how much of a difference 10 ponies, 1 more inch of alloy, an extra gear, and some red mesh seats make.

 

[ElFenix]

there is also that whole "chipping" thing to consider...

220 hp... (i still can't believe the sales guy used that as part of his pitch to me)

slightly better warranty on the jetta too (another year of bumper to bumper coverage, i wonder what the wrap-around would cost on them both?)

 

[Turkey]

You'll like the 2.5RS. It's a pretty sweet car. The seats are awesome and the engine is really nice for a 4-cyl. It's probably the most neutral handler out of all the cars you're looking at. Handles the best in the snow too . I think the interior is probably not up to your snuff however... kinda plain and plasticky. The 02 model doesn't have a sunroof option, but the previous year models did (and most people think they look better anyway).

 

[johneetrash]

jetta gli.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: johneetrash
jetta gli.

i think thats a little bit out of my range

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Turkey
You'll like the 2.5RS. It's a pretty sweet car. The seats are awesome and the engine is really nice for a 4-cyl. It's probably the most neutral handler out of all the cars you're looking at. Handles the best in the snow too . I think the interior is probably not up to your snuff however... kinda plain and plasticky. The 02 model doesn't have a sunroof option, but the previous year models did (and most people think they look better anyway).

plain and plasticky is fine as long as the gaps are small and have the same size gap throughout. the altima couldn't even do that.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

If you'd consider a stick the Focus SVT is a great car for the money. (Under $19k)

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

Why dont' you try the Jetta GLi with the new VR6 24v engine, that car would be fun to drive =)