2003 Nissan Sentra Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

An economy sedan that doesn't act like an economy sedan.

Pros

Pleasing cabin design, SULEV emissions for California-sold cars, 165-horsepower SE-R sport version, fun to drive.

Cons

Generic styling, Limited Edition and SE-R Spec V models command premium price.

What's New for 2003

For 2003, there is a new 2.5 Limited Edition trim, which includes GXE front fascia styling, the 165-horsepower QR25 4-cylinder engine, standard automatic transmission, standard Antilock Braking System (ABS) and side-impact supplemental airbags. The Sentra CA model is no longer available as all 1.8-liter engine-equipped Sentra XE and GXE models sold with California emission specifications offer zero evaporative emissions and meet SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles) standards. Other changes this year include a new power steering ratio for XE and GXE, a revised six-speed manual transmission for SE-R Spec V model and a new bright yellow exterior paint color for the SE-R and SE-R Spec V.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

This Car Stinks

Written by: xoOMGox on 10/31/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	1	Fun-to-Drive:	1	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	3	Interior Design:	1	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	2	Exterior Design:	3

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Sentra 2.5 Limited Edition 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

All we've had was problems with it the engine is terrible has no good features the head gasket blew at around 60,000 miles and all we've had to do was put extra money out for the car it's a piece of trash and nissan's customer service is terrible to they don't care about there customers at all i recommend don't get this car or any Nissan at all just avoid them at all costs just a month ago we were in an accident with it and i have to say it lasted pretty well but the airbags never went off so it could have been deadly it's not a safe car and takes more money to take care of it and fix it then it actually costs and also when we bought it used it was in a huge hailstorm no one told us

Favorite Features

Nothing

Suggested Improvements

stronger and better engine performance, more comfortable seats, better handling, more features,

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People need to take better care of cars

Written by: thunder on 06/15/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Nissan Sentra GXE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

When I bought the car it only had 55,000 miles on it. Now 2 years later it has 78,000 miles. I only had to change some wear and tear parts. With Nissan Sentra, like any other car, if you don't keep up on the maintenance the car won't perform or run properly. Little problems turn to bigger problems. If you keep having head gasket problems let up and quit horsing the damn car, and if you are having radio problems keep the volume down or get a hearing aid. Factory radios can only take so much power on any car not only Nissan.

The radio, gas mileage, among other things

2003 Nissan Sentra GXE

Written by: jim dimacher on 09/11/2008


Performance:	5	Fun-to-Drive:	5	Build Quality:	4
Comfort:	5	Interior Design:	5	Reliability:	3
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	5

Bought an 03 Sentra for my daughter's graduation and would never consider buying a Nissan product again. Head gasket went after 70k and warranty had just run out. Nissan wouldn't listen to our complaints and told us we were on our own. It was extremely tough to get through to any customer service people and when I did they never followed up with us. They don't back up their product and their customer service is terrible. At one point the car just stopped in the middle of an intersection and after a few hundred dollars of diagnostics it was a $3 ignition fuse that was the problem. The dealership I purchased it from was great and the service mgr was very helpful but Nissan is out forever.

MPG very good

Too many head gasket replacements on these vehicles

I will never ever own a Nissan again!

Written by: Vickie on 07/18/2008


Performance:	3	Fun-to-Drive:	3	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	3	Interior Design:	4	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	6

I bought this car in 2003 as a graduation present to myself, little did I know what a piece of crap I bought. I'm not joking when I say my CD player broke about once a month. Something went wrong with my electrical system and my lights would randomly turn off. Just about any replacement parts have to be bought from Nissan (rip off). After my radiator and my head gasket went at 60,000 I got rid of this car. I couldn't afford to keep up with all of the repairs and of course Nissan kept trying to turn everything around on me even when my car was under warranty! I traded this piece of crap in for a Toyota Matrix and 3 years later I'm still happy I did so! I swear I will never buy a Nissan again

At first this car was so cute, it seemed like a fun little car to drive.

EVERYTHING.

SE-R Spec V

Written by: tyo789 on 11/27/2007


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)

I just bought my Spec V two months ago. It was a good choice. I was actually looking at the eclipse or tiburon as my other choices. The Spec V just stood out to me. The car runs pretty good except for I need to get new brake rotors because the front ones are bent. I guess the last owner was driving the car recklessly. Other than that the car is in perfect shape.

I like the front end of the car, because it looks a lot like the front end on the skyline.

Nissan needs to bring out a turbocharged version of this car. The Spec V doesnt get the respect it deserves.

2003 Nissan Sentra Consumer Ratings & Reviews