Auto Market Responses
Nissan Sentra is supposedly to be head to head competitor with both Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic as well as Ford Focus, yet it has never caught the market leader on most regions globally. We have recently seen the magic touch of Carlos Ghosn the chief executive of Nissan Motor to its bigger brother on Infinity as well as X-Trail which enjoy better reception amongst the car buyers.
The Japanese auto maker had already paid him and along with 10 other top executives at an average of about $2 million in total salary compensation; far above the $595,000 of average Japanese auto executive pay in 2000, just after the company, then almost bankrupt, was bought by Renault. Yet despite of his pay, the completely reorganization of Nissan Motor and him being also Renault chief executive since 2005; the compact Sentra sales have still been lagging behind even today!
2009 Nissan Sentra
The new compact sedan is available at multiple choices of trim levels with mainly three different power plants from 140 hp 2.0L up to 200 hp of modified 2.5-liter engine mated to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on Spec V model. This Spec V form has a spirited performance with good handling at corner and 6.7 seconds acceleration to 60 mph yet comfortable, with the exception of those driving manner upon large bumps and road undulations. Despite of its excellent zero to 60 mph acceleration figure the CVT lacks downshifting as well as gear ratio holding options. After all it is equipped with continuously variable transmission which was mass produced initially for a small Dutch auto maker DAF in late 50s, though its main application advantage is good economy fuel consumption.
Best Old Beat-Up Car
This 6th generation Sentra posses a good value for those ordinary new car buyers, for the car enthusiast however it would be its 3rd generation which evokes the aftermarket industry responses in mid 90s. It was fitted with screaming Nissan SR20DE engine (redline @ 7500rpm) producing a very healthy 145 hp. The B13 SE-R was easily tricked out which consequently has developed a cult following over the years and is still a car of choice among tuners or drifters alike. In its OEM condition it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h) in 7.6 seconds!
The 1.6L version was sold in Indonesian auto market briefly which was predominantly for Taxi purposes, yet the local car enthusiast recognizes SR20DE (up to DT recently) engine as one of the sought after engine swap donor. The fact that the largest Taxi operator opted for Sentra (Genesis) was in itself a testament for good reliability sedan, even today a proud owner of 1994 Nissan Sentra 4-Door in Baltimore, MD has recommended his own car as the best old beat-up car. It is as much reliable as classic 97 Accord depicted in my previous article, hence you now have two choices for reliable Japanese old cars either under subcompact or compact car category. Perhaps being simpler the Sentra would undoubtedly be a better off choice!
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