Any opinions on the Nissan Versa?

[newbury]

Well it's at least transportation.

I realize this isn't a car forum, but I also am familiar with enough of you that I might trust some of your responses, and not think your someone who know nothing.

So thanks in advance (TIA).

GOT to buy a $15K car for a college kid. Looks like the Nissan Versa hatchback is offering the best bang for the buck. Good local dealers are Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Subaru, Dodge, and Nissan.

Close are:
Ford Focus - more $$, no hatchback
Hyundai Elantra seems more $$

Now I know all of you have more opinions than you have excretory orifices.

I just don't want to get it, then find out I missed something.

again, TIA

 

[zmoz]

What's wrong with a nice used car rather than any one of those new peices of overpriced garbage? You can get a nice BMW for under ten grand...

Personally, you couldn't pay me to drive any of those. And I ain't no snob - my favorite truck is a rusted out old chevy.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would take a cheap new car any day of the week over a used car. My dad talked me into a new 92 Civic when I was in college instead of a used Thunderbird Super Coupe. I always wanted the T Coupe but he was right. 160,000 miles and never a single issue with that new Civic.

That being said I have a 2008 Nissan Titan 4x4 that I use to tow 7,000# about 3 times a week. Just turned over 30,000 miles Saturday and not a hiccup. Its been one of the best trucks I have owned and for a gas 1/2 ton its leaps and bounds above the other 1/2 tons I test drove. My Nissan dealer has been top notch. I have had it in for one recall and that's it. I also took it on for the 3 free oil changes/tire rotations that came with it and they were always great to deal with.

Chris

 

[teg]

I have the 1.8 SL model (when I can get if from the wife). It's nice and roomy... sporty to drive. :thumbsup: Cash for clunker, rebate and internet deal... >$10k. Not sure if I would pay $16k.

 

[JCB]

Going to college, it's probably a smart car. Lost of interior room, good mileage, cheap to own. I don't know if you can find anything much cheaper. Depending on your kid you might want to double check airbags and crash test rating. They don't have a whole lot of mass, and something's got to give.

 

[wallace]

Hmmm... sounds like your getting off cheaper than I did!
My daughter just got her new 2011 Suzuki Kizashi last night.
My daughter is currently holding 3 jobs and make good money for a 17 year old yes a 17 year old that works!
My wife and I gave her the down payment as her 18th birthday is next month.

 

[wallace]

I might add that the main reason for our purchase of a Suzuki was by far the dealer!
I did like the fact that the car was a selectable AWD.
I can't beleive how far Suzuki has taken their cars!
BMW has only 1 up on these, and that's the price!

 

[timswi]

I might add that the main reason for our purchase of a Suzuki was by far the dealer!
I did like the fact that the car was a selectable AWD.
I can't beleive how far Suzuki has taken their cars!
BMW has only 1 up on these, and that's the price!

My boss has a Suzuki SUV...I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of it. Doesn't feel "budget" at all. He's had it for over a year and has had no issues at all with it. Suzuki really has done a nice job.

 

[Dmace]

Just to add another option, a good friend of mine just picked up a new economy car for their college kid and they chose the Honda Fit. It was down to that or the Versa and he said the Honda was larger inside, more comfortable and higher quality inside and out. I think his final price was about $800 more for the Honda over the Nissan. Also, if the Ford Focus is too much then look at the cheaper, smaller Ford Fiesta which starts at $15,120 msrp in hatchback.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I saw that new Fiesta at the county fair last weekend. Its pretty nice and has something like 11 or 13 airbags if I remember right to allow it to score very highly in crash ratings.

I have never been a big fan of Ford cars, just trucks. The only 2 I have ever owned were trouble free for the most part. The first was a no frills 86 Ford Escort. I sold it with 110,000 miles on it and all it ever needed was a clutch, ignition module, and a water pump. It would not hold a alignment for anything and wore out a set of tires in 30,000 miles but was no big deal. They were something like 185/75/13 and I could get them for $25 each on sale at Sears once a month.

The other was a 2005 Mercury Milan. We leased it and only had it for 2 years and 26,000 miles. Not a single issue but did not fell like it was as much car as some others in the same price range.

Chris