Used 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Consumer Reviews
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My Spec V
This is one hell of a car..I have had it about 8-9 months and I still love driving it. This car isnt the best on fuel but the ride is worth the extra money. Naturally apirated making it one of the fastest cars out there without a turbo and only being 4 cylinder. pop a turbo in this car and u have a beast on your hands and most cars will be kneeling hands down.
Fun to drive, not to own
I'm usually a Honda consumer, but due to their expensive prices I tried to experiment a little and bought this car because it was recommended to me by a family member. However, I have to tell you guys that this thing has been a pain to own. It is fun to drive, but it has had recalls on catalytic converter, ecu and crank angle sensor. The dealer has also given me a hard time about these recalls. This car also makes the most annoying ticking sound after turning it off. I ended up trading it In for a Honda civic Si. Do it right the first time and stay away from Nissan.
- 1.8 S SedanMSRP: $3,995101 mi away
- 2.5 S SedanMSRP: $2,295286 mi away
- 1.8 S SedanMSRP: $4,490512 mi away
Fun for your money
First, this car was quite inexpensive. A great value, but lacking in some areas. I don't think it compares to luxury sport vehicles, but it finds its way to the top of the pack for vehicles under $17k. The 2.5L motor is so torquey you can pull with most v6's off the line (however it's not so tough on the highway). Handling is for tuned for driving fanatics, with excellent response and minimal roll, but the 17 in. wheels and hardened bushings relay every bump on longer drives. Adequate interior - love the seats, but the plastics scratch up quite easily. Exterior was "updated" for '04 to match the base model... Now there's no escaping the ugly "bucktooth"!
Great Car, some options not standard
I've owned this car for a month now and love it. I have gotten nothing but great performance out of my Spec V. Have had no transmission problems or alignment problems. Handles really good, but ABS is not standard nor is side air bags. Which really isnt a big deal unless you are really concerned about safety and if thats the case i dont suggest a tuner car like the SE/R models. As far as the body kit, Ive found 6 or 7 of them on eBay and some of the performance sites. Honestly, if you want to REALLY know what people think about this car, do not go off of these people. Go to nissanforums.com and see how the owners who know a lot about cars like it.
What a disappointment
Why was this car my first ever lemon I've ever owned. Let me just say I had to replace the front left bearing 4 times. Thats right 4 times and Nissan treated me like a you know what. Lets just say the regional manager says she called me 3 times and never did. Be careful buying this cars. You need to fuel the car with 91 octane or better. There is no 40/60 split. The tail rattles after taking the abuse of the NYC streets. Do not replace the tranny fluid. I had to replace the tranny. When everything was working properly, the car was amazing to drive, great performance drives amazing for a FWD car. I will miss the 6-speed tranny. Watch out for Nissans customer service, its bad.
This car is junk ! ! !
I bought a 04 SPEC-V with only 4,000 miles on it. It has all options except the stereo system upgrade. It was practically brand new. At about 20,000 miles the front struts went out. At 30,000 the rear struts needed to be replaced. At 48,000 the front struts needed to be replaced AGAIN. The build quality of this car is horrible. Mine came with the Brembo brakes. What the hell is NISSAN thinking Brembo brakes but no ABS. They are completely useless in snow or rain. Even cheap cars like KIA offer you ABS. Transmission doesn't always shift properly into reverse. The summer tires it came with do not last. I wish i never bought this car. I'm very disappointed.
Disappointed
I bought a used 04 SE-R Spec V with only 4,000 miles on it. i'm very disappointed with it. The fuel mileage is average. The first gear is too short and sometimes it is a pain to put it in reverse. The ride is too harsh over little bumps and the suspension is bad. I had front struts replaced after 20K miles and rear twice at 25K and 57K miles. Many little irritating problems like the emergency brake light refuses to go off, it comes with stock summer only tires, factory speakers not that great, no ABS on a car at this price point is ridiculous. Even KIA offers ABS on their much cheaper models.
AWSOME
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !! !!! !!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! !!!!!! !!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
Great car for the price
I've wanted this car since it first came out in 2002. Personally, I like the older body style a little better but the interior on the 2004+ is a lot nicer and is just more pleasing to the eye. Premium stereo isn't very premium. VERY quick car. LSD keeps it in line. 6- spd is quite fun. Stock tires lack grip in snow. Handles corners like a dream, minus the slight stiffness over some bumps. Beats most cars in it's class.
Affordable Performance Itself
At current prices nothing comes close to this one if sporty versatile package is what you are looking for. Here's the big picture: Go-Kart style fun, seats five(if needed), good trunk space, high 20's for mixed driving MPG, econobox plastics and build quality. Reliable. Cheap. Big After market improovemnt potential, esp handling. For more info visit www.b15sentra.net. See my car and mods write ups here: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/392 332
Fun and economical.
I bought this car to get better gas mileage, but I didn't want a econobox I would get bored with. 6 speed manual and plenty of power.
More Zoom for your Dollar........!
This is a fun little car thats fast sporty and functional. I am a 30yr old father of 1 and I love the little yellow bundle speed I bought. The inside controls are easy to use and find. This car is solid built well and Very FUN to drive! If you are on a buget and want the thrill of a sports car this is it. It beats the Civic Si and Focus SVT hands down the best in it's class!!!
The Little Sports Car that Could
Pound for pound, this is the best car you can buy for 20k. Did you want a sports car? You got it. Did you need something that can carry your friends from point A to points B, C, and D comfortably? You got it. How about something with trunk space for groceries this weekend? Yep, you got it. Not only does the Spec V perform a large variety of tasks, it does them all well.
nissan sentra se turbo R spec v
Great car very reliable gas mileage depends on how you drive. it hugs all turns a little bumpy but hey, great power and torque feels like a v8 but an in line 4 wow.
nice
Very nimble driving ability (there's a reason for all those gears.) Good pickup from a dead stop; passing ability is superb. On clean, level pavement the handling is nice and tight. On uneven pavement the can go airborne very easily. The front end is very light. I'm not looking forward to driving in the snow. There is not enough traction to keep even a modest start from making the tires squeal. The premium sound package is tight and well tuned. It is not super-audiophile quality, but it is mostly clear and has a good range. The back seat is _very_ cramped - there is hardly any leg room.
Compare apples to apples
What most of the econosport reviews say about the spec-v is generally on target (among the fastest but not as refined)...BUT...what they gloss over is that they are comparing the spec-v to cars costing thousands more.(Mine cost $14,500). Yes, it's a bit crude compared to a Mazdaspeed or Si, but compared cars with the same price such as a mid level corolla, mx3,or civic, the level of performance and FUN is outrageously better.
My Spec V
I was driving down a local highway one day when I was passed by a beautiful yellow Spec V. I never heard of them before, and just thought, a Sentra is a Sentra. I decided to do a little research. I saw the specs and the total package and I was really impressed. I thought, "wow, this car must be really fun." At the time I was driving a gas guzzling Dodge Durango. It was costing me at least $15 a day in gas just to do my everyday things. I only had it for about 4 months when I decided that maybe it just wasn't for me. I stopped down at my local Nissan dealership and picked up a black Spec V as fast as I could.I absolutly love it now. Very overlooked car.
2004 Sentra Spec V
I love my new nissan sentra. Lots of fun for the dollar .
SER V-Spec
Its a blast to drive i upgraded to the brembo brakes and will stop on a dime. The car handles great but is still a compact car which is good for me Im consistantly on the road I travel to several cities around the area but the car can be a lil bouncy on the interstate but i dont mind it too much cause the fun factor makes up for it
What they DON'T tell you...
I've been driving my Sentra SpecV for close to 6 months now, after researching at Edmunds, I was surprised some of the things that Edmunds/dealers don't mention: 1. The SpecV comes standard with 22lb 17" rims, very heavy rims with equally heavy tires that you cannot put snow chains on, due to their size in the wheel well. On top of that, the Contisport tires are LOUSY in wet weather. 2. You will not be able to put mud guards on your car-the dealers mentioned that Nissan was making them- that was a lie. The side/wheel molding does not allow mud guards to be installed behind the front tires-so mud/gr gets all over the doors. Inexcuseable.
a good car
this is a wonderful car its sporty looking and very comfortable at the same time. i have had little to no troubles with this car.
A value leader
This is a car that can run with an RSX at Civic dx prices. Build quality is very good. Styling is understated (read not all riced out) compared to it's class. The power/weight ratio, suspension upgrades, and good seats make driving something to look foreward to. Steering is precise with good feedback, brakes are more fade resistant than most and easy to modulate at the limit. I appreciate the limited slip diff., especially with all that torque. From a performance standpoint it is among the better sport compacts, but it lacks the refined and intuitive driving feel of some Mazda and Honda products, but then it costs a lot less.
Ownership >1yr
After about 14 months of owning one, its still a fun car. Positives,... powerful engine, agile reflexes, sporty, economical, relatively good mpg's, reliable. Negatives, and a BIG negative for me, the 6 speed transmission is god awful to shift. Rarely will it slide effortlessly into gear. While not cramped, not as roomy as a Focus sedan by comparison. Ride is harsh, way too stiff for daily commuting. Yes, I know, should have gotten a lesser trim level. Other negatives, Rockford Fosgate stereo package not worth its cost. Also, intermittant wipers not adjustable enough. Another negative, A/C isn't quite as cold as a Ford Focus either. All in all, like the car for what I paid for it.
"A nightmare"
This car has been nothing more then a pain in the rear end. Nothing but problem from day one.Four times to the dealer for the transmission, three for the front end "Alignment problem". The list goes on and on. If you are thinking of buying this car DON'T waste your money and besides to hook it up is too much money for a couple of horsepower.If you're going to buy a nissan get a Maxima or 350z for performance.
Exciting for less
I think that this car is an excellent deal if you goal is to find a fun ride for an economical price. It is not a particularly comfortable car and very few people could sit in the backseat. But if you are looking for driving pleasure for cheap this is it. I paid 15,800 after rebate and negotiations.
Spec-V Wrap-up Review
Recently turned in my Spec-V for an Altima. The Spec-V was a very fun car to drive and was a performance bargain that could not be beat for a few years. Finicky handling, but fairly high limits once you were aquainted with the car. Good strong motor, brakes, and nice steering. The only real weak links were the shifter (sometimes) and torque steer. After a while though you do become accustomed to these quirks and the car never lost its charm. The car felt solid all the time I had it. The only big complaint I had was the ease with which the paint got chipped in the front. My other big complaint was that Nissan did not see this as normal wear and tried (but failed) to charge me for it.
This Car Rocks !!!!!!!
This is my 2nd Nissan Sentra, the first was a 99 SE Limited. My first test drive was great !! But this all ends there. My first test drive of the 2004 Spec V left me with the feeling of a rocket on wheels. Also mine is a wild color (Volcanic Orange) and gets head turns everywhere I go. So much power and so fun to drive, I wait only to get into the drivers seat again. The stereo is awsome (300 watt rockford fosgate with subwoofer). I can see why edmunds rates it as 1 of the top 10 car stereos in a car under $30,000.00
My 175 HP Baby
So Far the only probs in having is finding aftermarket parts that really fit. got a b&m shifter and had to make some mods to get it to fit. Also got a piggy back computer from Stillen and could not get it to work right, but they helped me with everything and gave me a refund for the chip. the car has alot of power to spare. if you like to play on the streets then this car is for you.
Fun, reliable, and cheap!!
I love my Spec-V! Though I have left it unmodified so far, it is still great to drive. The huge engine has plenty of low-end grunt, making passing a breeze even without a downshift. The suspension and Brembo brake system are top notch, especially considering the price. I paid 16,980 USD! All in all, for the money there is no car that can compete.
Don't miss out on this experience!!!
My fiance' purchaced this car and has become a true driving enthusiast solely based on her experience with this car. I drive it and must admit that it is hard to stay under the speed limit. The styling inside and outside are eye-catching (the exterior is really only appreciated when the car is in motion.) As a college student, this car will stick in both our memories as a wonderful car, reminiscent of the muscle cars our parents drove.
Silver streak!
The 6 speed is a bit clunky and torque steer an eye opener. For a compact car of this descent, a very good handling vehicle, with guts (out of the box) and a sweet used price to boot too! Tires will definitely need an upgrade for winters in Alberta Canada. After the winter tires cold winter drives will be fine with heated mirrors and the 9 spkr Rockford Fosgate. I bought this car with the intention of driving a sleeper and got oodles more in performance bonuses and every interior amenity I will ever need. A beautiful power band exists, even if the shifter feels a bit clunky.
great car
The sentra ser-spec v offers sports car performance and handling at an economy car price. It has very responsive acceleration and handles very well with its sports tuned suspension and helical limited slip differential. It is incredibly fun to drive. If you are into sport compact cars you will not be dissapointed.
Fantastic car!
I bought this car about a year and a half ago and still love it! It is a Nissan so quality is excellent and the car performs great! Its got a lot of pick up so for those of you who want something with power, this is your car! Its great that its a four door because you get a powerful sports car without having to pay sports car insurance.
Love This Car!
I purchased this little gem on 2 Aug 03. It came equipped from the factory with the Spec V brake package, sunroof, mats, and micro filter. The dealer added a NISMO performance package, which consisted of a header exhaust system, further suspension modification which included the lowering of the body .20, decals, and window tint. In a word the driving experience is exhilarating. This machine handles like a go cart. Body lean is undetectable. Acceleration is simply amazing. Plenty of torque in all gears, including sixth. Gas mileage for city and highway has been 24.5mpg on premium fuel, 22.4mpg on regular. All this for right around $20K!
Sentra Buyers go for the SE-R Spec V
Purchased my molton silver Nissan SE-R Spec V on Friday 01/23/04. I love this car !!! For those of you looking for a car in this price range, you owe it to yourself to atleast test drive this car. The more I drive it, the more I like it. Puts a grin on my face every time. Fun to drive.
Nissan Spec-V
I think that the car is one of the best on the market for the price. It gives you so much for the money 17" alloys, 175hp, sport tuned suspension, and a 6 speed transmission. You can't believe what it can do for you. Check it out for yourself.
a lot of car for your money
Great speed when merging on to the freeway. Hold power when climing 30 percent grade hills. Fits 5 people comfortly. Body style is new and dinamic.
OMG!!!!
Ok here ya go expensive performance at budget price, this car rocks and revs like a true performance sedan should, light nimble and ready for anything!!!
It's Fun
My wife owns this, and it's a treat to drive. Lots of power, good size and a useful trunk. Had some trouble with the transmission, which Nissan fixed FOC, but it shouldn't have happened. I'd buy it again though
Did some one say fun?
I bought my Spec V about three weeks ago and I have no regrets. Well maybe just one, shifting the gears feels really crunchy. Other than a little getting used to shifting, this car is one bad MOFO. The interior is roomier than any civic, Integra, or lancer that ive been in and the ride is smooth, even for the SPEC V suspension. If you do your home work you will see that that this bad boy offer more bang for your buck when comparing to the VW GTI, the Civic Si, the Neon SRT4 and the Focus SVT. Tests drive them all and make your own decision, but for the budget conscious sport car enthusiast the Spec V is definitely the way to go.
This Car is well worth it.
The car is very good in 99% of all the areas. I had never even considered a Nissan because of past ones that I have seen or ridden in. I was looking for a Sport Compact and decided to stop into my local Nissan dealership just out of curiousity. I looked at the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V and immediately started to like what I saw. I then proceeded to take it on a test drive, and I was completely sold. It is extremely fun to drive and has alot of potential for sport compact enthusiasts and aftermarket products.
Sorry, not a believer
Kick-ass acceleration and solid handling with some wonky oversteer at the limits. But I think the bad news outweighs the good. A chintzy interior - in a $20,000 car I had to tape padding to the hard plastique armrests. Generally cheap feel. And just terrible gas mileage for a four in a light sedan. At 17 or 18 mpg around town I for one would trade some zip for more mileage. With the small gas tank and a nervous computer the car can be begging for gas in less than 200 miles, way too often for me.
varoom
I own a 2004 SERSpecV and it is one the best cars that I have ever owned. There is one problem I have with it though and that would be that I cannot find any aftermarket parts for it. Such as I would like to put a body kit on it and cannot find one anywhere. I have checked with local car clubs and even tried online. Maybe in a few years they will have them out. Other than that the car handles, drives, and looks great. It seems like I get a compliment on it everyday no matter where I am going. Jaime 27
Nissan Customer Service Dissatisfaction
I have never had such poor service from a company and have never had such a poorly manufactured car. I have had to car in the shop 5 times since I leased it in August 2003. I am very displeased with Nissans quality of manufacturing and customer service. When I needed their help they turned their backs on me. I will never purchase another Nissan as long as I live. I will recommend to everyone to steer clear of Nissan. Nissan is not the company it once was. If you need any help whatsoever with your vehicle after you signed the papers, youre going to be in for a big surprise.
great car
faster than other in same categorie
Great car
i love it...its pretty fun to drive.the interior is great...the acceleration is pretty good and so is the handling...i advise you that if u want a fast 4 cylinder for under 20 g's then this is the car for you....
A dream to Mod
I bought the car in on Jan 16, 2004 and traded in a 2002 SE-R Automatic. I took all my mods off the 02 and had them put on the 04 at delivery. (Stillen Cat back exhaust, Nismo CAI, Nismo Header, Nismo Cams) The mods are endless on the web. The car is now a few steps ahead of the SI or such. You really do not need to mod the car if you want to go fast but it sure is fun to do.
great buy
the car is so much fun. with lots of goodies straight off the lot. best buy. and for only 17345. great interior and fast as hell.
Great Value
The car is certainly not the fastest or best compact performance sedan out there, but for the price it is hard to beat. Shifter feels good, but can catch you off guard going from 4th to 5th. Power is great for a naturally aspirated 4 cyl. Brakes are powerful and linear. Great price! Lease for $156/month with $3,000 down and 15k miles a year. Fun to drive fast.
Some quirks...
Fabulous engine. I never have to shift out of 6th even on NY17 or hilly Taconic to Albany. Great gas mileage considering the motor size. I get 32- 33mpg on the highway all the time. Only like 24-25 in city tho.Base radio sucks unless you unhook the really cheap 6.5" sub on the rear deck, which introduces more distortion than bass. Trust me, its able to play louder and clearer without it hooked up. Shifter is really notchy, and clutch is very long throw. Ride is also very harsh, and already i'm hearing rattles throughout the cabin. Seats are great and supportive.