2002 Nissan Sentra Review
Fuel Economy
22 - 27 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
An economy sedan that doesn't feel like an economy sedan.
Pros
SULEV emissions status for CA model, 165-horsepower SE-R sport version, pleasing cabin design, fun to drive.
Cons
Generic styling, GXE and SE-R models command premium price.
What's New for 2002
Beloved by compact car enthusiasts, the Nissan Sentra SE-R returns after a seven-year hiatus. The Sentra SE is no longer available, though Nissan has created additional options packages for the GXE to make it similar to the SE.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Paper weight
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Nissan Sentra GXE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I purchased a 2002 nissan sentra gxe 2 years ago. After only having it a year I had to replace 2 axles and a motor mount. Now 8 months later I have to replace another motor mount two o2 sensors the front seal, torque converter and have the gear shifter replaced because it doesn't want to come out of park half the time. I will never own another nissan again. In the end I will have spent on everything over 6,800 to fix this car thats more than what the car is worth.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1st nissian
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Nissan Sentra GXE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Review
never had one prob with car in 5 years just change the oil every 3-6 months. well had one issue but it was with windows electric
Favorite Features
great on gas
Suggested Improvements
better body, bumpers are plastic get dinged really easy
Piece of Junk
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Nissan Sentra GXE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my Sentra from a man on Craigslist. He had all the paperwork to prove he had taken care of the car. The paint on the hood and roof was fading already, which is on 99% of all the 2002 Sentras. In the last year the computer has gone out, the AC has gone out and the gas mileage and power has gone down to almost nothing. Stay Away from these cars, I have only had bad things happen. Everyone I know that has ever owned a 2002 Nissan Sentra has had pure hell.
Favorite Features
I like the outside of it, if the paint wasn't all gone!
Suggested Improvements
Give people a new paint job, it's obviously a manufactures screw up. The back seat? What back seat? My son is 2 and his legs are squished even when we are practically sitting on the dash.
Major Issues After 60k - Lemon
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 2 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought a Nissan thinking the brand was on par with Honda and Toyota...boy, was I wrong. I have never had as many problems with an automobile as I have with this car. When it was still under warranty, I had minor issues. Past 65k...I've had the A/C break twice, normal issues, but the best are the well documented problems with the catalytic converter, pre-cat, and 'recall' Nissan claims they performed on the 02 2.5L engines of this model. Bottom line: Nissan lies, the pre-cat never gets fixed, will fall apart, get sucked into your engine in small bits, mingle with your oil, and slowly eat your engine from the inside out. STAY AWAY!!
Favorite Features
Can be fun to drive, great pickup, turn radius, etc.
Suggested Improvements
Uh. How about Nissan not knowingly selling the consumer a vehicle with $2k a year + problems after 60k miles?
Love My Car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my SE-R brand-new from the dealer in 2002. I just rolled 50,000 miles on the odometer this morning on my way to work. I have had NO major problems with the car at all. It handles well and still has most of its zip after six and a half years. Most of my 50,000 miles have been city miles, going to and from work, shopping, etc. But I do take it on the highway several times a week and the little thing still has enough power to run with the big boys. The only issues so far have been minor/routine/cosmetic and I have not had to dump any extra money into it at all. We'll see what happens now that the extended warranty is up!
Favorite Features
Looks great. Runs great. Good power, fun to drive, decent mileage (~26 mpg), very affordable. Has been a very reliable automobile. I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off!
Suggested Improvements
Speaking of wheels... The tires are very expensive to replace. Expect to spend $150 to $200 per tire for new Firehawks. Also, the backseat is pretty cramped for adults. Other than that... I have no complaints! I love my car!
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