Nissan Sentra

OK, I really don't like Nissan Sentras, but I can not rate it less than 4 stars given it is a very low maintainence vehicle. I have a 96 and in the 2 years I've had the vehicle I put lots of miles on it, from 75,000 to its present 145,000 miles. I drove it cross country from Seattle to Boston and commuted every day in Boston traffic for a while. It's been on several road trips and I am amazed I haven't had to replace the clutch yet. I've only had to do simple maintainence on it like replace the tires & battery, no big problems really.

I have a 2004 Sentra and I really love it.  There is plently of room (for me), I like the way it looks, and it has great gas mileage.  My favorite thing is probably the many compartments to put things in, which adds a lot of convenience for someone who likes to have things in order.  The ride isn't the smoothest I've felt, but it runs very well.  I have had absolutely no problems so far.

I've had my 2004 Nissan Sentra for 17 months. So far I've had the front seat tear twice and the rear seat tear once. I've been pleased with the engine and gas mileage but am unsatisfied with the seats. I've had cars over 10 years that never had torn seats. This is unacceptable for a new car. So far Nissan has been unhelpful in helping me to remedy this problem. They will replace the seat fabric with the same poor quality fabric but what about when the warranty expires?

I have had my 2004 Sentra 1.8 for 21 months. So far the dealer has had to replace the driver's seat cover 5 times, the passenger seat cover 2 times and the rear seat cover once. The fabric keeps coming apart at the seam and always at the same spot. The dealer will only replace the cover, which remedies the problem, but does not cure it. I got the nissan to have trouble-free driving, but that is not happening. In case you lost count I have had 11 different seat covers in 21 months. Beware!!!

I'm not sure if this is in all Sentra's, but I stepped into my girlfriend's '97 ride, and I immediately felt discomforted. The seat is high up from the ground, giving you a little more perspective above the road. However, the roof is built low to the ground. As I sat in the hard, leather seat I felt a sense o claustrophobia overcome me--I felt as if I were being wedged in a tiny box. The exterior design is sleeky yet looks like it got forcibly bent downwards to the earth. Not a pleasant ride, either (on that car the brakes were spongy and the acceleration jerked my neck 180 degrees.

I've had my car for about 2 years now and the most I paid for maitenance was like a 150 dollar tune up. The gas milage is great (35 mpg) and it has always started. It still runs great, even after the time I practically ran it dry on oil. I've taken it on a few road trips and it has performed fine. The handling is great, but the power is a little lacking. That's my only complaint...but...what do you expect with a 4 cylinder engine? Bottomline: Great car.

My girlfriend's 97 Sentra is at 110,000 miles and still running strong. It gets treated like crap and still keeps performing. Not the prettiest car on the road, and it does lack a lot of room, but it is comfortable for a compact car, and peforms better than a lot of domestic cars.

Good compact car. Reliability has always been above average, and the optional engine has plenty of power. Focus, Civic, and Protege are still all better buys, but the Sentra is worth a look. Like all economy cars, options can quickly lead to overpricing.

Proof positive that the Japanese CAN make mistakes...

Bought a 2002 Sentra. Thought it would be as good on initial quality as my old '86 Sentra. Boy was I wrong! The damn thing had only 200 miles on it when it showed signs of a rear main seal leak. Unacceptable for a new car. Nissan has lost its way in terms of quality. I guess that's a result of the Renault influence! Doesn't matter if the dealer fixed it. This is something that should show up at about 100K miles at the earliest -- not on a new car. I'll never buy another Nissan again because of this.

I have had 2 nissan sentra's, both 1983 models. They are tanks, I have but them through the crapper and back. I have delivered pizza, not doine any maintenance, crashed them, and they keep going strong. I rev the snot out of it, and it doesnt do anything but go. Also, I must comment, someone buys a new car, and doesn't like the seats, so this makes a car/maker something to watch out for??? There are PLENTY of aftermarket seats you can buy, PLUS this amazing invention, seat covers/inserts which give you lower back support. Also, don't always believe what a mechanic says :). Sentra's are tough little machines, I would not hesitate to buy another sentra.

I was very excited to get my first car in september, with only 64,000miles on it. I got a sentra...thinking this would last at least a couple years. Now, after no problems, i take it for inspection only to find out that it will cost me over $1000!! Being a college student, who has that kind of money!?!?! 1st it needs new brakes, then new rotors, then 2 new tires, then timing belts, then resurfaced back brakes, then a new alternator....then my speakers are blown....it never ends!!!!! Be careful before you buy this car!

Two weeks ago I purchased a new 2001 Sentra. The driver's seat is killing my lower back, and both the dealer and Nissan headquarters say that they can do nothing about it and that I'm stuck with the car. Has anyone else had problems with Sentra's seats? Think twice before you buy a Nissan.

I had nothing but problems with previous cars like Honda, GEO, and Toyota. But Nissan engines are examples of fine engineering. I never had any problems with the car except for the few exceptions in which was totally my fault.

This is a courageous and good little car. I ran my 87 Sentra literally into the ground. I rarely changed the oil. I delivered pizzas. I abused it in wickedly cold and brutally hot weather. Yet this little car had virtually no problems in 8+ years of less than optimal care. To me, that is the sign of a well-engineered machine - one that can stand up to the whims and abuses of a careless owner and still deliver.

I have had my little sentra for over 10 years. I've driven it to New York, Texas (2-3 times) Arkansas more times than I can count (I live in mid-Missouri), and a variety of other close and far-off places. The only thing deteriorating on this car is the outside. And, the most expensive thing I've had to do to it involved regular wear and tear (tires, muffler, brakes pads, etc.) I love it and hope to be able to drive it for another 150,000 miles without trouble (yeah...I'm a dreamer). I highly recommend it, particularly since I haven't made a car payment since 1994!

A friend of mine had a Sentra in college, and it was an excellent vehicle. It is a good looking car, and got us where we needed to go comfortably. Also, she wasn't always up on maintaining like she should have (what college girl is?) and it never gave her a problem. Until that fateful day we were returning to our apartment from campus and an RV (winnebago..whatever, a very large, bus like vehicle about 27 times the size of that Sentra) did not realize that we were stopped at a light (with an ambulance coming through the intersection lights, sirens and all) and did not find it necessary to stop. Well, I can also attest to the seat belts in the old Sentra..the trunk of the car was nearly up my arse after being hit by that whale of a vehicle..however, the Sentra kept us safe. We were so shaken up, we even drove it home (which, BTW isn't such a swell idea when the car is scrunched up like an idle accordian)..but she saw us through. I miss that Sentra. An economical, fuel efficient, g... Read more