Should We Buy a 2007 Nissan Versa SL Sedan?
December 18, 2010 4:11 PM   Subscribe

My wife and I are considering buying a used 2007 Nissan Versa SL Sedan here in Canada. It has 19 000 km on it, and the pretax price is $13 000. Should we buy it? If you have experience with this vehicle, or are generally car-savvy, we would love your input.

Other details:

- The retailer is pretty firm on the the $13k price. Given the low mileage, it seems reasonable to us. Is it?
- Our present vehicle, a plucky but rapidly expiring Ford Focus, has a trade-in value of maybe $500. Basically, investing in a new vehicle is a better long-term strategy then putting more money in the Focus.
- Internet research mentions that this model has poorer fuel efficiency than consumers expected. What's your experience/opinion?
- Our gas spending is generally around $100 a month.
- Are repairs/parts for the Versa pricey?
- We like the vehicle's low mileage, as well as the Versa's smooth driving and handling, and general spaciousness. What do you like about your Versa? Is there anything you wish you had known before you bought it?
- Say the Versa is a horrible, horrible choice. What would you recommend that is in the same neighborhood, price- and car-wise?

Much thanks for any help you can give us!
posted by Alvy Ampersand to Travel & Transportation (20 answers total)
 
I saw an ad for a 2011 Jetta for $15k so I think that is not a great deal at all. You could also ask about 2010 new cars at dealers.
posted by meepmeow at 4:32 PM on December 18, 2010


I would recommend going to the Versa's Edmunds page and pricing it out using the appraiser, but if the car was being sold in the US, even loaded, that would seem high to me. For that you should be able to buy a Civic, which has the added benefit of being capable of surviving a nuclear holocaust.
posted by selfnoise at 4:58 PM on December 18, 2010


In terms of car recommendations, you might also test drive a Mazda 3, which I think has the nicest ride of the cars in that category. But with that said I have never tested a Versa sedan (actually, I'm not sure they sell them in the states, as I've never seen one, just the hatch).
posted by selfnoise at 5:01 PM on December 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


My family has a 2009 SL hatchback that was purchased new. It's been extremely reliable (knock wood), good on gas and we find (although this is somewhat subjective based on driving style) that it handles very well in the snow. This is absolutely all that we want in a car, so we are very pleased with it.

I don't know anything about Canadian used car prices because I am from the US.
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:08 PM on December 18, 2010


Oh, and here's a Canadian pricing/spec site for the same model.
posted by selfnoise at 5:17 PM on December 18, 2010


Best answer: A brand new Versa S sedan starts at less than $13K. Personally, I'd much rather spend roughly the same price for a less fancy, but brand new model, instead of a four year old, slightly fancier model. This does not seem like a good deal. Are there any particular features of the 2007 SL that you don't see on the 2010 or 2011 S?

Sometimes, small cars are not that much cheaper to buy used than new (this is especially true of Civics) and if you can get a good deal on a new model (e.g. a 2010 that is still on the lot), you come out ahead versus a used purchase (especially if you want to buy from a dealer, rather than a private seller). Don't discount the value of the warranty.
posted by ssg at 5:20 PM on December 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Nthing that is sounds like a bad deal, though I am in the US and don't know much about the Canadian market.

Car dealers are generally "pretty firm on the price" until you say you won't pay that price and start walking out the door. They don't make their livings by dropping prices unnecessarily.

A friend has a Versa. She likes the gas mileage. She warned us away from the automatic transmission model (the only kind my wife can drive) because she felt it was underpowered. I test-drove a standard-shift Versa for the heck of it, and thought it was underpowered.

Six months ago we bought a 10 month-old Honda Fit, with roughly the same mileage as the Versa you're considering, for US$13K. This despite the fact that the sticker price was almost $16K. Hondas typically have better reliability records, and our car still had most of its warranty remaining. That's why I think your Versa sounds like a bad deal.

I am amused that Canadians say "mileage" instead of "kilometerage."
posted by jon1270 at 5:47 PM on December 18, 2010


Sometimes, small cars are not that much cheaper to buy used than new (this is especially true of Civics)

Data point: I bought a used Civic from a dealer, current generation, which saved me about $7,000.
posted by waterandrock at 5:49 PM on December 18, 2010


In terms of car recommendations, you might also test drive a Mazda 3, which I think has the nicest ride of the cars in that category.

+1 to that. I love my 2008 mazda 3.

-great gas mileage (actually got 40+ on one trip)
-fun to drive
-reliable (only one issue and it was covered under warranty and they gave me a loaner)
-great space inside
posted by zombieApoc at 7:43 PM on December 18, 2010


oh! And the mazda 3 has a slapstick auto, so you can use it in a manual fashion when you need to.
posted by zombieApoc at 7:45 PM on December 18, 2010


I'd stay so far away from any Nissan... My ex's mother had a 2001 Altima (that she bought new in 2001) and it died, I mean complete engine seizure, in 2003. Apparently they put a little too much oil in during an oil change at the shop.. Most cars have safety measure that will just blow off any extra oil to keep this from happening...

Additionally, I had another Nissan Altima pull out in front of me when I was traveling 45 mph in my 91 Ford Taurus, and I made dust out of the thing. The girl's lucky I had enough time to turn away from her driver side door, because from the windshield forward there wasn't a piece of the car larger than a football when the dust settled...

You can get a Subaru for 13K that's going to be 5x better than any Nissan...
posted by Glendale at 8:22 PM on December 18, 2010


I dunno, I have an '09 Versa hunchback with 22,000 miles and I'm pretty pleased with it. The only gripes I have with it:

* The keyfob for the door locks is lame. I have to press the button multiple times and sometimes walk around the car to lock or unlock it. And no, it's not the battery.
* The vinyl covering the driver's armrest seems like it's cut too small and it's coming loose where it meets the door panel. This is a known issue on the Versa forum.
* The stock horn was unbelievably anemic. I replaced it with a 139dB Stebel.

Driving around town I get 30ish mpg, better on the highway. I have the 6-speed manual, but the the CVT is quicker and gets better mileage. Avoid the traditional automatic tranny - it's REALLY slow. I don't know how the Versa is priced in Canada, but here in the US I picked up a well-equipped S (ABS, traction control, power locks & windows, floormats, cruise control, rear spoiler) for about $14k, so it doesn't sound like your dealer is doing you any favors.

I love the big door openings - it's really easy to get in and out of. Mr. Ant is 6'2" and fits in the back seat even with the front seats all the way back. The headlights are among the best (for halogens) that I've seen.
posted by workerant at 9:36 PM on December 18, 2010


I've driven the Versa a number of times (automatic transmission). It's really a quite crappy car to drive. It has generally been about the cheapest car in America, and as others have said, that price seems radically too high. $USD13K would get you a brand new 2011 Versa in the states.

Personally, I find the Versa really unpleasant to drive compared to a Civic or other cars in its class. The steering is sluggish and poorly weighted, and going up a hill makes you feel like you're working the car to death.

So it seems like you'd be paying far too much for a lousy car that's not particularly reliable. If your budget is in the $13K range, why not get something better?
posted by zachlipton at 11:03 PM on December 18, 2010


I'm in Canada, and I drive a 2007 Fit (same class), and I test drove a Versa. $13k seems about right in the Canadian market. However, what you get for that 13k for a used Versa might get you a better used car from a different maker (Ford?),
posted by KokuRyu at 12:00 AM on December 19, 2010


Response by poster: Thanks for the responses! After more research, discussion, and your suggestions, we are probably going to go for a new car, probably another Focus - our current one was pretty good to us, we can possibly get it for >$13k, and the warranty is a very strong incentive that didn't occur to us.

Again, thanks, all!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:33 AM on December 19, 2010


Our present vehicle, a plucky but rapidly expiring Ford Focus, has a trade-in value of maybe $500

Apologies if this is too off topic, but I just sold a 2000 Ford Taurus with 217,000 miles for $850. All 4 springs/shocks were shattered, the tires were so bald you could see the inner metal bands, and the guy drove 6 hours with a trailer to pick it up.

Granted, we're in different markets, but your Focus isn't any older than my car was, but I'm guessing that you can drive yours without the fear of it literally losing a wheel*. If that's the case, I'd suggest giving it a nice wash, taking a bunch of pictures, and listing it on Craigslist for $1000 (or $1200, or $1500) or best offer - emphasizing the "best offer" part. If you don't sell it, then you still get your $500, but I'm thinking you can do a little better than a dealer trade in.


*Yes, I'm still slightly traumatized.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 12:46 PM on December 19, 2010


Response by poster: No need to apologize, the salesman we spoke to actually mentioned something similar. :)
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 2:41 PM on December 19, 2010


I am currently driving a 2007 Versa SL hatchback with only 22,000 miles on it. Contrary to some of the opinions here, I'm pretty happy with it. I have the CVT and have not noticed it being underpowered. The car is very comfortable (and there is lots of headroom for backseat passengers). We have the package that includes the hands-free Bluetooth phone interface, sunroof, smart ignition, satellite radio, etc. It all works well. With the lack of mileage I put on it, I may have it for a long time. The adjustable height driver's seat was a big bonus for me, because I am short. (The lower-end Versas don't have that.)

We eventually added the iPod interface as well so I can control it from the steering wheel. I must say that I don't really like the user interface there. It is a pain to use. But it works OK.

The only issues I've noticed: Yes, the mileage is substantially lower than the original EPA estimates of 32/36. The current estimates have been revised to 26/31 and I get in that range or slightly higher. Just this month the one-touch roll-up on the driver's window stopped working, and I have to hold the button to roll it up. This is not a big deal, but I'll ask about it next time I bring the car in. I've had a couple of occurrences of the tire pressure warning light going on for what seems to be no reason.

I also dislike the way the radio displays (doesn't scroll names, just shows a couple of words for a LOOOOONG time, then more; and when you've just changed the volume, or the station, or the phone is operating via Bluetooth, the clock isn't viewable), but these are trivial concerns.

I can't really comment on the cost of repairs because it hasn't needed any. I think the Versa I own is an excellent car, but I can't speak for the quality of the lower-end Versas.
posted by litlnemo at 11:54 PM on December 19, 2010


Oh yeah, mine has the cruise control too, and that is a lot of fun. Never had a car with it before.

Anyway, since it was the SL you were looking at, I'd consider it if it has a lot of the cool bonus features. The S, nah. But the SL can be pretty neat.
posted by litlnemo at 11:55 PM on December 19, 2010


Response by poster: Le Update et Le Resolution: We bought a barebones standard 2011 Focus this morning at a local dealership.

Thanks to everyone for their input!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:59 AM on December 20, 2010


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