Used 2009 Nissan Sentra Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Sentra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sentra since its last redesign.
Warm Slippers
Rimantas Aukstuolis, 10/09/2015
updated 10/15/2020
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
91 of 92 people found this review helpful
We bought the car new in 2008 and now have 111,000 miles. Normal maintenance, replaced part of exhaust system. Otherwise totally reliable.The "expert" review is critical of the ride smoothness. Let me be clear. This is the most comfortable riding car I have ever owned in over 40 years of car ownership. I attribute it to the French, Renault heritage of the chassis platform. If I have a criticism of the suspension it may be that the smoothness of the ride does sacrifice some handling characteristics in that it is not nearly as sure footed as my Honda Civic or Subaru Legacy (rock solid). Build quality appears cheap but is functional and durable. Exterior I believe is classic. Smooth lines. Subsequent model years have messed up a fundamentally clean style. Interior is nothing fancy but comfortable seats, roomy with well placed controls. We bought a hybrid Honda Civic the same time we bought the Sentra for about $8,000 more. Honda was built better with higher quality components, inside and out and better gas milage but we sold the Honda and kept the Sentra for "around town" transport. It's just more comfortable, easier access, more capacity and almost as reliable and trouble free. Like an old pair of well worn slippers. Update: April 2017- still going strong at 111,000 miles. No serious issues. Great for around town. An additional thought. I have experienced relatively poor handling in snow despite using winter tires. A tire store (which has also done repairs and has an incentive to find things wrong) did note an alignment problem in the back end which they said could be fixed with shims but the process of fixing it could rapidly escalate if they broke any of the fittings which were corroded. I opted not to fix and drive on, being careful in snow (with winter tires) and not noticing any appreciable, unusual tire wear. I mention this as there have been other postings which refer to the same alignment problem. At October 2016, 119000 miles still going strong. Headlight burned out and I had garage replace all front lights because change meant removing headlight assembly, not just twisting out a socket as on other cars. Also developed hole in exhaust ahead of catalytic converter. Garage rewelded and saved me $1900 for new converter. My old Honda had stainless exhaust which is significant. Passenger side auto door lock now buzzes when I unlock. Annoying. It will fail at some point. Repair isn't worth it as it would require disassembly of inside door panel. April 2017 = 125,000 miles. New tires (Kumho). Rolls right along. October 2017 = 127,000. Oil change, no issues. October 2018 = 135,000 no issues. Replaced rear drum brakes and pads (first time!). April 2020 = over 145,000 miles. Only issue was rotting rubber intake tube between air cleaner and manifold. This caused engine to stop at low rev's. Easy fix for under $200.00. Otherwise runs very well.
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CVT TRANSMISSION
pswanee, 10/06/2012
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
46 of 48 people found this review helpful
This is the third transmission installed on my 2008 Nissan Sentra. After 67,672 miles the first one broke down where the car had to be towed 95 miles to the Nissan Dealer. The second one broke down at 68,845, only 2 weeks after getting it back, 173 miles. Nissan extended their warranty on this CVT transmission, because of the problems, from 5 years 60,000 miles to 10 years 120,000 miles. Since the transmission broke down at 7,672 miles from the initial warranty, the BBB advised the Lemon law cannot be applied since it is after the initial warranty 5 years 60,000 miles even though it was extended. Nissan being aware of this will not buy back the vehicle but just keeps replacing the transmissi
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Best little car I've ever owned
Mac88, 09/29/2009
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
30 of 31 people found this review helpful
Bought this car with the idea to save money in the future to counter possible rising gas prices, and I was surprised at the design and overall quality. The CVT tranny is a little weird at first, but it's a great performer. Some may say it's boring, but if you just want to drive and not worry about shifting or rpm's then this is the one. Torque right off the bat is good, you can feel it in the seats, once car is at the speed you want, rpm goes down low, and it's quiet, surprisingly quiet on the freeway for a small car. Small on the outside, roomy on the inside. Big trunk, good styling, and fairly wide. It's comfortable enough for my commute, AC kicks butt, a real quality motor, quiet at idle.
Snappy Sentra
Steve Rich, 08/12/2015
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 23 people found this review helpful
This 08 Sentra is called the big mans little sedan,four six footers will be content. Rocket launch acceleration is not in this cars DNA, but hyper milling is the order of the day, every day, and that's how I drive it, it makes me feel like "Cool Hand Luke". Car has been very dependable and very predictable,which is good! One Big Secret to NISSANS is; any CVT Nissan produced from 03-10 has a 10 year, 120,000 mile warranty on the transmission (I called Nissan direct and they read the memo to me over the phone...twice). They had some bad CVT parts out there and wanted to cover their bases! Well done Nissan. I would like to see some better sheet metal designs come out of Nissan, hopefully Carlos will do that (CEO of Nissan). Nice car, I have put about 30,000 miles on it with no problems, well ok the factory tires could be better! Also this 08 Sentra has a nice seat height!
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2009 Sentra S
A.S., 04/07/2009
2009 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 01/09 (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
This is a good car and there are good cash back recession incentives. But here is why I think consumer reports lists owners to be less than satisfied. When switching vent from defrost to vent or floor, the A/C automatically activates. This cannot be deprogramed to function like a normal car. Routinely end up driving with A/C on in the winter. I'll adapt, but it's frustrating. Back seat seat belt connector very rigid, difficult for kids to buckle w/ booster seat. Not great maneuverability in parking lots. Fuel mileage in city is much less than estimated - highway is good.
Affordable econobox
Terry Reiber, 04/03/2017
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
23 of 25 people found this review helpful
Sentra gets good gas mileage, cheap to insure and repair. Sentra is easy to drive, average comfort. The CVT works well, with the car running about 2,000 rpm at 60 mph. The CVT is tuned for mileage, so 0-30 feels a little wheezy because the transmission tries to maintain lows revs while accelerating. The car warms up or cools down quickly because of the "egg" shape of the cabin. Cheap to buy second hand. The Sentra is a little bit of an ugly duckling. The cab forward design (front and back wheels moved forward and aft) leaves the handling a little clumsy and uninspiring at low speeds, however the car really stretches out and works great on the highway. I can fit into the car easily at 6 feet. If your a taller person, or looking for an econo box that works well on the highway and fits 4-5 people, take a look. As a second hand vehicle, they sell for cheap and cost very little to maintain and insure, while fuel economy is very good. I would recommend it for the person who is less than discerning in terms of low speed handling and acceleration, but more interested in a fiscally conservative, reasonable ride.
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I love my Sentra!
jessbugg, 08/05/2012
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought my Sentra used from a dealership in early 2010, it was originally a rental car so had a few extra miles on it. I have put over 40,000 miles on it mainly driving back and forth from TN to FL for school and I have never had any problems. It's a great car, gets good gas mileage on the highway and I have not had problems with an "uncomfortable ride" I only recently replaced my tires & brake pads but the car has 70,000+ miles on it now. I've had no issues with the engine or anything under the hood, but I do get regular oil changes and maintenance checks since I do so much highway driving. Everyone always thinks my car is newer than an 08, I love it!
Good basic transportation with suspension issues
vtgeoboy, 09/06/2012
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought a used 2008 Sentra with about 60k miles. Overall it is a good car, very spacious interior, and good gas mileage (35 mpg on highway). However, there have been suspension issues. As you can see on some Nissan owners' forums, the rear wheels are permanently out of alignment. This is an easy fix - a tire shop can install a shim kit. If you don't do that, you will burn through tires. Soon after that, one of the front wheel bearings started making a loud rumbling. That was replaced, but the ABS sensor was rusted into the hub and had to be replaced - ABS sensor is $200. Fuel filler door stopped working - plastic cable end broke.
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0
Nancy, 10/08/2007
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
I just got the car and so far I'm falling in love with it. Saves me gas and drives really good. I just wish I had a sun roof and that would be my dream car. I love it so far. It just came out so I will be rating again.
Was expecting better quality from Nissan
twinfrog2, 03/13/2011
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This is the third Nissan I've owned and I must say I'm disappointed. I bought this car new and had to replace the factory tires before 15,000 mi. Im on a third set of tires with only 36,000 mi on the car and they have all worn uneven even though I've had an alignment done. The brakes and rotors have had to be replaced, the gas door is broken, the overhead mirror cover broke off, the exhaust has rusted through at the flange, its rusting in the space that the rear passenger door closes into and now there is something loose under the car that rattles very loudly while the car is idleing. Im a 31 yr old female who has taken care of this car in the hopes of keeping it along time... not anymore.
Surprising Performance
Mike39, 08/28/2009
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I've driven this car for only about 2000 miles. My initial impressions are that I am VERY satisfied. The interior is large for it's class (97.7cuft)and very much appreciated by my growing boys. The car I have has the CVT transmission. It runs very smooth and quiet under low torque applications- a little loud during acceleration. the ride is very quiet. The car has great amenities- good sound system, blue tooth, mp3 cd player w/ aux jack, keyless entry, car computer (mpg, dte, temp, etc). The blue tooth and keyless entry are a little extra, but this was the only car I found with a standard computer. Aluminum rims would of been a nice touch- worth the extra$ if you can find one with it.
Great car / Great value
jeff, 10/07/2009
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
Cash for clunkers deal I was due a better vehicle. First new car I have ever bought. I looked at everything small to mid sized out there and I mean everything. I was looking for better mileage. Averaging 30 currently. Most cars were uncomfortable, over priced, cheap quality or no room. I am 6'2" tall and my head hit the roof in half and my legs would have to be held up off of the seat to keep from smashing the gas pedal to the floor in the rest. Not in the Senta. Plenty of leg room, a whole hands with above my head. For you taller people, this one is it. It is very deceiving from the outside. Roomy, comfortable, solid car. Can't say enough good about it.
Reliable, economical and not bad looking
silverelan, 12/26/2014
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Wife and I bought our Sentra new and have been very happy with it after 85000 miles. Just change the oil, follow the maintenance schedule and slap on some new tires as needed. I love the smooth CVT with no shift points, the engine power won't win any drag races but gets the job done. I have taken the Sentra on several West Coast road trips over mountain passes and even fully loaded we make it thru just fine. Good gas mileage on the freeway though I struggle around 23-25mpg in the city. Newer cars will do better in town but thats to be expected. Plenty roomy inside and the interior has held up well over the years. Overall we have been happy with the vehicle.
Two years and going strong.
psych0student, 12/19/2013
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2008 Sentra second hand exactly two years ago; figured I'd give it the credit it deserves by writing a review. Overall, I truly love this car. It's a perfect size (even when moving back and forth from school), very economical (I get from Buffalo, NY to NYC on one tank of gas), reliable, and easy on the eyes. It's at 36k now, so I realize Nissan is going to abandon me for the most part warranty-wise, but I'm not worried because it's been an angel so far.
Great little car
Stacey, 02/15/2018
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
It’s been a very good little car. Gets about 27-30 mpg. Backseat is a little cramped if your tall. But it’s fine for most
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- Reliability
- Value
Not as expected
leonardosd, 06/10/2013
2009 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 01/09 (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
18 of 23 people found this review helpful
Purchased the car new in march 2009, in Mexico. Not as easy buying a new car here. Inmediately had problems with the breaks, always made a lot of noise. Dealer couldn't fix it, arguing they were eco-friendly. Besides that, tyres got worn on outside edge in 1 year. Again, dealer said it was normal. Had transmission problems just after the third year, when the warranty passed. Luckily, I had the extendend warranty, and they covered everything. After that, the engine started making weird noises, and dealer said I needed a new one. Apparentely, a cilinder got deformed. (Seriously). When this happened, I was through with it. Previously had a 99' Altima, never complained with it.
16000 and still a great car
Tommy G, 08/04/2009
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
i recently purchased this car used with nissans certified pre-owned program. That being said I cannot find anything inherently wrong with the car design without nitpicking. Yes the CVT transmission takes some getting used to and the stability when driving "spirited" leaves me wanting more. It is to say that this is a commuter vehicle and as such performs its daily tasks appropriatly to its design. No it is not a speed racer and its not ment to be. Seeing that the speed limit in my state is still 70 mph the sentra seems to work well at this speed for long distances. as for anyone complaining about the whirring noise from the transmission at speed needs to just turn some music on.
Grinding Parts
CF, 06/16/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
My 2008 Sentra has 25,000 miles and just took it in to the dealership because seems to downshift with difficulty, and also because of grinding/scratching sound coming from transmission (or engine)? Nissan Dealer agrees that he hears the grinding sound, but says this is NORMAL. What? Normal to hear parts scraping or grinding? Are you kidding me? Great, now what do I do?
Disappointed and filled with regret
Jonathan, 02/23/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I get upset every time I hear about the toyota accelerator recall. I honestly feel that the way this car performs in the snow, slush, sleet, ice and even rain is more dangerous than any accelerator problem. I'm from the midwest, and I grew up driving in the snow. I've never had a car perform so poorly and feel so dangerous as this one. Even on roads with a dusting of snow, you can feel the sentra fishtailing and moving all over the road. There are many ways around an accelerator problem, but there is no way to keep this car under control except for slowing down to a crawl. Nissan has a real issue here. If I had the decision to make again, no way I would have bought the sentra.
In Love
Sentra4me, 07/19/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I love this vehicle! I have owned it now for 5 months and still love getting into it every morning. This car is such a great value for all that it comes equipped with. I was looking for the bells and whistles and found it in this vehicle. CVT did take a little getting used to. I am 5'0 and found this car to fit me perfectly. It also fit my 6'2 brother-in- law when riding in the BACKSEAT. Good driving visibility. Looks small from the outside but is extremely roomy on the inside. Easy to use bluetooth and great with iPhone. Husband enjoys driving my vehicle and is really impressed with the ride & comfort. Owner of a BMW rode with me then stated "WOW! What kind of car is this?"
Could Have Done Better for the Money
VegasJ, 05/25/2010
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
It is still new so it is still nice. BUT I have to say I am disappointed. Especially since I was so happy with my previous Nissan Altima. The Sentra is a budget car in driving experience but no so much in dollars. I could have found a less expensive way to be bored. The quality is ok but nothing special. Not so comfortable for rear seat passengers over the age of 10.
Not happy
Stacey, 05/10/2010
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
I am not at all happy with this car. I have had it for 11 months and already the front brake pads had to be replaced and the rotors machined. Today the a/c went out. I'm only averaging 20 mpg. The ironic thing is the FE stands for Fuel Economy. I won't be buying another.
worst engine the vechicle could have
disappointed, 04/28/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
my wife was in love with this vechicle. the inside design is roomy and comfortable. the engine at first was great, but after 25000 miles it started with a tapping noise that now has become annoying and loud enough we were asked if it was a decile motor. took it to the dealer ship and they said nothing wrong they even brought in a specialist and he said that it was normal?? very disappointed with the performance of this vehicle. Nissan corp. doesn't want to help. the car car now has burned a quart of oil between oil changes that doesn't seem normal. the vehicle didn't do any of this before.
Great Car!
K.S., 05/03/2009
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I had the car for about a month and found it easy and fun to drive. It's just about the right size for both a daily commute and for longer highway trips. Driver's seat provides good support and the driving position provides for a commanding view of the highway. Please disregard any negative comments you may have read about the interior - it is a classic industrial design. Just look up industrial design or Raymond Loewy for more info on this design style. Mostly city around town driving averages about 29- 30 MPG
2008 Nissan Sentra Problems
tblaha, 12/17/2013
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 24 people found this review helpful
Just bought a 2008 Sentra May of 2013 with 67000 miles on it and now have to replace the engine at 83000. Have been in contact with nissan and they WILL NOT stand behind it, said we are 2nd owners of the car.... I not sure what to do from here
Could be better
Teresa, 03/15/2009
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The sunglass holder to the left of the steering column is wasted space. It's hard to get open and closed and sometimes comes out. I've had problems with the right front door window rattling. I had to take it back to the dealer 3 times to get it fixed.
Rides/Drives like a 10 year old car
Lady T, 02/13/2009
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I am in month 9 of my 24 month lease. I am not happy at all. I want to return this car. It only drove the first 1000 miles 'okay'. Before I even reached my first 1000 miles, I felt that the car's brakes didn't stop the way they should. My husband thought I was being paranoid but it kept driving funny. Finally, I decided to take it in by 3000 miles to get checked. I was told, "Oh, by the way, the brake master cylinder needs to be replaced. It has been recalled." No one ever contacted me saying this part, a major part for stopping the car properly, was recalled. I barely feel safe driving this car and I have to drive my children. I have taken it back and am still not satisfied.
Nice little/big car
SteveNJ, 12/18/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My wife and I purchased this car about 10 months ago now. We had intended on buying the Civic, but when we test drove the Sentra, it was a huge difference. The Sentra has a large interior for a "compact" sedan. The trunk is a nice size. The leather seats are quite comfortable. It has a very smooth ride and I like the CVT very much. The SL has all the features of a much more expensive car. I would recommend test driving the Sentra before deciding on a Civic or Corolla. We are very happy with our decision.
just got mine today
josefina, 04/11/2009
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love my new sentra even though I bought it today. I got the base model; I love the car overall forget about the Edmunds rating at 7.1 I'll give it a 10! Interior is easy to use comfortable love the auxiliary input jack, although a little bit pricier than its competition its still worth it. Has a lot of power to be a 2.0liter 4 cylinder I love velocity &its really fast & ideal for daily commute. Its also fun to drive.
My first Nissan
tishpit, 11/04/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had the car nearly one month and put on over 1800 miles. Mileage is very good with an average of 30.8 mpg in mixed city and highway driving. Rides nice, CVT is very smooth and idles so quietly, at first I thought it stalled! Nice car overall, but not an exciting drive, but then it's not meant to be. Does everything well enough. Only gripes so far is the driver's side sun visor hits the rear view mirror and therefore makes looking out very difficult unless you duck under it or keep moving the mirror out of the way. Wish it had a trunk release on the fob like my Jeep does. Good quality construction, but beware of blind spots with small, oddly shaped outside mirrors.
great car
jr, 07/28/2009
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I love this car! I had a sunroof put in and it works and looks awesome. This is fun to drive. I love how it tells me how many miles I can go before empty. I test drove a toyota corolla before I drove this, it doesn't compare to the Nissan Sentra. Very smooth ride for a small car. Inside is just ride not too close to the passenger and roomy. I like how it auto locks when you go past 15 mph. Very easy to park and back up.
Somewhat impressed
clintons, 10/22/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in September so I haven't had it that long but I have put almost 3000 miles on it driving 14-16 hours on long trips every weekend. I am impressed with the way it drives, feels and the design of the whole car. It has a huge trunk. The gas mileage is good when you don't give it a lot of gas and don't have a lot of people or luggage in the car. I get about 36-40 mpg highway at 75 mph. I don't like the rough downshifting and the whine the engine makes. (almost sounds like a turbo.) the CVT takes some getting used to as if you are on the gas, it won't shift
Brakes or noise
Alene Hill, 09/27/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
I've taken this car back to Nissan 5 times because when I apply brakes there's a grinding noise even after the rotors have been checked and new brake pads have been installed after I got a second opinion this noise still occurs I'm afraid that if this continues to happen a worst problem will occur I've driven enough cars to know that is not normal, but I'm being told by the sales people and the service manager that this is no problem. I'm a senior citizen and I feel that I've been sold a lemon and that I will have to deal with it for 72 months the length of my contract. Per auto check this car has been in an accident. I need to know the Truth about.
Excellent Sentra
Joe R, 08/26/2010
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
Had a lot of cars over the years but this has to be one of the best. For a small car, it rides great!
Honda/Toyota fan gets converted by SpecV
deadlytedly, 07/14/2010
2009 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have been a Honda and Toyota owner for all of my life, and enjoy a sporty little sedan. The base Sentra was not that. After testing out what I could get at my price point (both foreign and domestic), I felt I had made a decent decision, but really had *no* clue until she broke in. At 2000 miles, the engine opened up in a great way. The chirp as the intake gulps in fresh air welcomes a heavy pull of acceleration. The exhaust note deepened as well. Smooth pull across the curve meets an angry red line. The suspension the sportiest I have driven in a sedan. Power is put down easily and evenly. Wholly impressed, and am looking at the Altima Coupe for my next purchase. Strong 'A' rating
2008 Sentra 2.0 Pro's N' Con's
ronjr69, 02/24/2012
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Pro's, Nice color (Onyx Blue) good paint finish, decent stereo, decent mpg (31-34 mpg @ 70 mph), quiet ride, roomy, good AC, adjustable cupholder, reliable (so far) Con's, No ABS standard, no cruise control, hard seat's, aux. in should be in center console, drivers seat should be centered behind steering wheel, steering wheel should be a softer material, can't read LCD displays with polarized sunglasses on, oversteer, can't fit my foot between brake pedal and center console to reach gas pedal (have to push tippy-to and is uncomfortable on long drives), lot's of body sway when windy or near trucks at speed, bland performance, handling, car is seriously under engineered, can't believe no ABS
Poor servide
phobbs1, 09/24/2012
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 10 people found this review helpful
Do not buy a Nissan if you ever expect to need parts. Tree limb fell on car damaging roof. Have been waiting for roof and attenna for over seven weeks. At four weeks wrote Nissan customer service but no response. Also talked to dealer where I purchaes Orland Park Nissan Illinois and was told nothing they could do. Its now 8 weeks and still back order.
Nice little car
Jessica, 03/19/2009
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have a 30 minute commute every day twice a day, and then I drive extra to and from stores. This car is very nice, I have had it for almost 2 weeks and have only had to fill it up twice. It rides very smooth. The BlueTooth is a little annoying, but still a nice feature. It is also very nice to get in the car with a push of a button (twice).. but still i don't have to push in a code..or listen to the loud beep.. its very nice and convenient. The hidden spot in the trunk is nice as well.
Poorly built
disappointed, 04/01/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I should have bought the Civic. Purchased this vehicle Feb. 29, 2008. This vehicle is like a tin can on wheels. The wind noise is prominent and there are numerous rattles from doors and trim. The weather strips around the front doors are coming apart. This is not a luxury drive and the bumps in the road will confirm this; you will feel it in the seat of your pants and can be clearly heard in the cabin. Tap on the panels and trunk and you will get a hollow sound. The fuel economy is way below the advertised rating. The foot pedals are too close and any foot above a size 9 will be in for trouble. The arm rest is more like an elbow rest. This is a terrible car.
Sentra deserves a GREAT review!
O'Malley, 03/28/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The 2008 Nissan Sentra packs more bang for the buck than any of its competitors! Look at the comfort, "toys", reliability, longevity of the CVT, build quality, safety, and room (space) and cost, and it's hands-down a Sentra winner!
Cute Car, But I Hate It
Lin N.H., 04/10/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I got a really good deal on my Sentra, that's the good news. The rest is mostly negative. The driving position is very uncomfortable for me. I am an average size woman 5'6" and I find the seats too small. If it was a purchase from any place other than a car dealership, I would have returned it for refund in the first week. But I'm stuck with it for years. It has been in the shop 5 times. The clutch makes a noise when depressed and again when released. The side windows rattle in their seals. After 2,500 miles, the Service Engine Soon light came on and the cruise control stopped working. I definitely should have spent more time test-driving this car and exploring other options!
Shoddy Workmanship = Lots of Repairs!
KAG, 11/04/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought the Sentra because it had a lot of features I wanted for the right price. All 4 tires needed to be replaced at 36K. 1st week returned to the dealer for a clanking noise under the car - it was missing the clip that holds the exhaust pipe before the muffler & the headrest wouldn't adjust. The fuel door stopped opening after a few months, & Nissan only covers that for 1K miles. Paint was bubbling & peeling off the hood after a few months as well & needed to be repainted. Both sun visors needed replacing. Rather large rust spots on the rear door jams & small ones on the roof at around 30K required 2! SEPARATE trips to body shop for rather extensive repairs! Only avg 27 mpg. Shoddy!
Great car with some cons
holly, 09/05/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
With over 10,000 miles on the car I'm overall pleased with it. Before it hit 1,000 miles the check engine light went on (the bad one where you can only drive 45 mph) and I had to drive home 300 miles going 45 mph. Not too happy about that, but the problem was fixed- gas tank issue. Killed the new car feel. I have NEVER gotten over 31 MPG. I've driven it on 400 mile FLAT high ways driving 55. Tires, pressure, gas, windows up or down it does not seem to budge. The inside scratches VERY easily inside. No matter how much I clean it, it's pretty much dirtied inside from just a shoe touching the interior. The exterior it sturdy, but a shopping cart going super slow caused a small little dent.
I'm Happy With It
jonsiros, 09/11/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I chose the Sentra over the Corolla because I felt it had more personality. Unfortunately, it doen't pack the same kind of build quality the Corolla has. The CVT, I feel, kind of robs the car of performance. It's a bit slow from a dead stop, but once your off its smooth and quick. The steering shakes a bit when slowing down from high speeds. Interior is well laid out, but the materials are cheap and wears out quickly. The trunk is huge. Gas mileage is excellent. I'd still recommend this car for someone who wants an economical car.
Good car
tezza, 09/12/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My Nissan gets 32 mpg, with 80 percent highway traveling 70 mph. Pretty good gas mileage. The outside of the car is Rather mundane. The trunk has plenty of room for a car of this size. Interior wise, the seat is uncomfortable due to poor lumbar support. I use a lumbar cushion to offset (I think this problem has been corrected in the 2010 model). The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope which is a problem for drivers with longer legs. The stereo is good but not great. Strangely, the air conditioning is very good. The transmission is fantastic. The car lopes along at very low rpm and at first you have to get used to the fact that it doesn't shift. Engine is good.
Poor - Body Problems
Heather Friedline, 09/19/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My first experience with Nissan has been horrible. My car is 6 months old and is rusting on both sides, back panel, below the doors. Nissan will not cover the defect even though there are many of the same make and model with the same problem. It drives well and I enjoy the vehicle but the interior plastic is also a problem with scratches from just normal use.
Sentra SR Spec V
da3vid, 09/18/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Very quiet interior, makes the Fosgate stereo sound terrific. Puts my VW Jetta interior and "advanced" sound system to shame. Sport suspension is nice and tight. You feel the big bumps but don"t bounce on the small and medium. No leaning in cornering, which you can do very fast due to the road hugging ability. At 400 miles, MPG is combined 28.5 with about 80% being highway. Mileage on highway was about 31.8 when I reset the computer. No initial defects found, very happy with the 6 speed manual transmission. The 200 HP let you use 2, 4 and 6th gears for normal driving. 1 & 2 get you into or across traffic fast, and 3 & 4 can make you feel like you are on a good roller coaster if you want.
Very Happy With My SE-R
SE-R Lover, 07/20/2008
2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought the SE-R in June and have been driving it over a month. I went from a BMW 525i to this car. It is very fun to drive and very responsive. So far the gas mileage is 21 mpg, but I certainly am on the pedal a lot. Of course the interior is not like a BMW, but the acceleration is just as good as the 525. I drove the Focus, standard Sentra, Corolla, and Saturn VUE Hybrid (on a whim) and the Sentra SE-R put a smile on my face like no other. When going 80 on the highway I can feel the wind more than in the BMW, but it isn't bad and the rest of the time it is great. Here in LA I don't get lots of opportunities to drive 80 on the freeways anyways. Thanks to all who wrote reviews!
I Love My Car!
dianna, 02/27/2010
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love my car! My boyfriend bought it for me. I love driving it. I have no complaints about my car at all. It handles very well. I have had all the oil changes and the 15,000 mile inspection. and the tires rotated. It corners very well! No problems at all. If you take care of your car. Its going to last a long time. I hand wash my car.I treat it like a baby!! I love it!
Great Choice for Comfort and Economy
EJJE, 06/11/2009
2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had my Sentra for over a year now. The new Sentra design is much better than the previous models. This is really a French Car with Renault roots. Built for ride quality, comfort and quiet traveling. Also inside it is as big as a mid size car although the outside looks very compact. I enjoyed several trips in this car and I do not miss having a bigger mid size car at all. CVT tranny takes a little getting use to and car will drift a little on very windy days due to the height of the car. Everyone interested in a compact car should drive a Sentra for sure!