2003 Nissan Sentra Review

Name: 2003 Nissan Sentra Review
Brand: Nissan
Price: 782 USD
Rating: 4.5 (208 reviews)

2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan

2003 Nissan Sentra 2.5 Limited Edition 4dr Sedan

+115

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

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, 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.

Edmunds says

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

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Nissan Sentra XE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$159/mo

$183/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Nissan Sentra.

5 (65%)

4 (25%)

3 (6%)

2 (2%)

1 (2%)

4.5

208 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 208 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

i have owned 3, let me be the judge!

reaperhooks, 02/13/2014

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

i just bought my 3rd Ser spec v today. and there is a reason i have owned 2 spec v's prior to this and the reason is simple, the cars are amazing for the cost. i know you will read alot of bad reviews here and a bunch of fake hype but you cant find another car to out perform or outlast a Spec v for 4000$-5000$ period. unless you wanna risk buying a lemon. i owned a 2002 spec v, a 2005 …

Not for the Average Joe.

op559, 03/14/2012

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

If you are one of those non car savvy folks with little to no mechanical skills, this is NOT the car for you. Well, unless you have loads of cash at your disposal for repairs. I have owned my SPEC V since 2004, and trust me, changing the oil and basic maintenance just does not cut it for these things. The 2 main issues on this particular model are the butterfly screws inside the intake …

I Miss my Sentra

lkt82961, 07/10/2012

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

I bought my Sentra new in 2003. It was a great car, but since I live in the north, I found out the first winter that it needed snow tires, and after getting those it was a great winter car. I live in a town with steep hills so great traction is really important. Although the car rode a little low, it never got stuck in snow. The cluster that controls the gauges failed in about the 5th …

Love my car!

Marajc, 04/27/2010

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

I bought my Nissan Sentra in 2003, right off the lot. I wanted something dependable. I had my first issue with the car at 85,000 miles. I had to replace a belt, $30. At 93,000 miles I replaced a battery, $75. At 115,000 miles I replaced a sensor, $160. An now at 125,000 miles I have another $50 issue. So in 7 years, I have only put $315 worth of parts in it(minus tune ups, oil changes, & …

See all 208 reviews of the Nissan Sentra

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2003 Sentra Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$12,099
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$159/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Sentra include:

Alarm

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver2 / 5
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Poor
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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2003 Nissan Sentra Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Nissan Sentra XE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Nissan Sentra.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

i have owned 3, let me be the judge!

Not for the Average Joe.

I Miss my Sentra

Love my car!

2003 Sentra Highlights

Safety

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2003 Nissan Sentra Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Nissan Sentra XE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

i have owned 3, let me be the judge!

Not for the Average Joe.

I Miss my Sentra

Love my car!

2003 Sentra Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2003 Nissan Sentra info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Nissan

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Nissan Sentra XE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}