2014 Nissan Sentra Review

Have owned 4 Nissans now – two bought from the dealer, and two bought used – and they’ve proven to be reliable, long-lasting cars.

Here’s my review of the new 2014 Sentra I bought about a month ago — comparing it to the 2003 Nissan Sentra I sold at the same time (and drove for 11 years).

Good/Improved Features

• The price was good. The dealer and manufacturer offered rebates, and I paid only $500 more for this car than the one I bought new in 2003!
• Improved cupholders – deeper and in a more convenient location
• Wider, roomier car interior
• Kick-ass air conditioning
• Cupholder/arm rest in back seat
• Automatic door locks activate about 30 seconds after you start the car

Bad Features

• Cruise control no longer standard (I know this is about the second from the bottom-of- the-line model, but it was always standard in the past – and it costs $500 to add it after the purchase from a local business)
• Interior fabric looks cheap and soils easily (and I hate the black color – it really shows dirt!)
• Pick-up is horrible — the car is a real dog around town with the new continuously-variable-transmission that ensures the car is always in the right gear. Don’t pull out right in front of anyone in this car expecting it to move fast!
• Gas tank now located on the other side of the car from where it’s always been (why switch?)
• Headlights timed to automatically turn off in a minute or so (not good at all when I unload groceries, etc., at night in my poorly-lit driveway)
• Shape changes —  it’s larger and it looks more like an “old man’s car” than the previous sportier versions; however, it does feel roomier
• A separate door key doesn’t come standard with the car; only a key fob with automatic door lock/open, etc.  Be sure to ask the dealer to make you an “open-the-door-only” key — and have some copies made — to keep at home and at work in case you lock your fob in the car!

The car drives fine so far, other than the slow pick-up. It has three modes — and I’ve been using Econo, for best gas mileage. Tried the Sport mode thinking it might improve the pick-up, but it didn’t.

I’ve been an ardent Nissan fan forever, but I’m disappointed with the new car. It took me about 10 years to save for it — and the price was decent. Although there are some improved features, there are more down sides than up to this vehicle.

And, after the most horrible new-car buying experience ever, I doubt I’ll buy another Nissan.

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The Most Horrible Car Buying Experience Ever

The Most Horrible Car Buying Experience Ever – Conclusion

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