Review: 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R

[FujiR500]

Also someone mentioned that they disagree with placing large displacement engines in small economy cars or sport compact cars. Well the SER Spec V is an option...That is, this car is availabe with a less powerful 2.0 inline 4 with 150 HP. See? Nissan thought of everthing. Sometimes to achieve certain performance results, more displacement is needed. And I praise the car for that because it is one of the few in it's class that is not turbocharged. Though the next one is rumored to be force fed.

[FujiR500]

You will also note that you do not have to press the pedal all the way to the floor. Another feature I like is the gas pedal's length and how close it is to the brake pedal. If you're good at heel & toeing, this car makes it fairly easy with some practice. Another feature that suggests it is suited for sport driving. SO for any car you buy with a manual gearbox, you just have to learn the car. But I do reccomend this car over the Civic Si. For price and performance.

[FujiR500]

As far as the manual gearbox and clutch, gogs and gates are easy to find, speed shifting is easy, and someone mentioned the clutch engagement is tricky...No not really. All cars have a different amount of pedal travel until the clutch disc engages the flywheel. If you drive serveral sport model vehicles, you will note on the distance the pedal travels before engagment/dis-engagment. With most about an 2 3/4in. of travel is needed. Very little movment. This aids in speed shifting.

[FujiR500]

As far as performance, I agree with what the commentor has to say here. Roll in most spirited driving is well minimal. I do believe that is in part to the large factory installed anti-rollbar on the front suspension. Steering feel is somewhat light but the gearing ratio is not as quick as say a 2010 VW GTi. ( I test drove one before I purchased the Sentra) Power delivery is excellent in my opinion. the 180 lb. ft of torque makes everyday driving easy. No stomping the gas to get the car to move.

[FujiR500]

When I first bought my Sentra, I was a bit disappointed at the fuel economy...until I performed a test. I filled up the tank, and reset the trip computer and drove around town at city speed limits till I reached half a tank. (Here in Tampa,FL 40-45mph streets) I averaged 34.1mpg as I watched the fuel guage dashes dissappear. This includes idling at redlights and speeding around old farts & slowpokes at 50-60mph. From Tampa to Orlando at 70 mph, I averaged 28.2 mpg. So I say it is respectable.

[FujiR500]

I own a 2007 SER Spec V. I read some of the comments on the the car. Well here's what i have to say. I do agree the car is a bit nose heavy because of the drivetrain up front is rather large. But Nissan did this because it is a base engine for powering other vehicles in the lineup making it cheaper for production. The QR25DE can be found in the Sentra SER/SER Spec V, Rogue, Altima 2.5, and Frontier. Fuel econonmy can vary from driver to driver. Distance, speeds, frequency of stops all count.

[jaythepimp94]

I completely agree, the CVT just dosen't SOUND like a performamance car. I mean, it's definitely sporty and gets you up to speed.. my point is just that I enjoy hearing it rev through the power band, I can't stand listiening to it hold the engine at a constant RPM. Just my opinion, I love Nissan regardless lol.

[nita5041]

Love my 2008 Sentra!

[squall1822]

lol ive had mine over a year. not sure why people dont like it. after i bought the first one at my dealer they sold 5 of them since

[erdoganog]

6.4 seconds for 0 to 60 lmao ye ok...i beat the shit out of the same car in manual too in my auto maxima that does "6.5" seconds.....slow

[dougdangger]

@erdoganog The Maxima is a V6 Mr. Moron, with about a 50hp advantage and far more torque.

[xoquixxoqafxo]

Si is way better than this :P

[jsnevels2]

@xoquixxoqafxo So if its better why comment on this video. Who wants a car that only has 139 trq that only can go 134mph the spec-v can go 137mph plus. And Vtec doesnt do nothing till 6,000rpm.

[xoquixxoqafxo]

@jsnevels2

it all depends on what you define as a sport compact. I think they should uses either high revving 4 cylinders or a turbocharged engine. Not a large displacement 4 cylinder from the Altima. Sure this is way better than the stupid current Corolla XRS with the Camry's 2.4L engine but Nissan could do way better. If they put the Juke's 1.6L turbo engine in the next generation Sentra SE-R Spec V than we will talk.

[jsnevels2]

@xoquixxoqafxo Ok we would you put the jukes engine in the sentra if the Qr25De is already faster than the Juke that would make the sentra slower. Large displacement. I dont think a 2.5 liter is large displacement. 200hp vs 188hp why would you even move down 12hp? Just keep the engine and tune it better . Btw the sentra is almost the altima size. so thats why the 2.5 is needed. The 2.5 has been in the sentra for a decade.

[xoquixxoqafxo]

@jsnevels2

thats not a good thing about the Sentra, it is almost the Altima's size which is why it weighs more than a Civic. Sport compacts need to be light, a 2.5L engine is much heavier than a 1.6-2.0 engine which also makes the sentra more nose heavy. I'm just not a believer of big 4 cylinders in compact cars, sure they are torquey but they also use more gas and are heavier. Not to mention the sentra se-r has torque steer, the 6MT isn't as crisp as an Si and the clutch engagement is tricky

[jsnevels2]

@xoquixxoqafxo Civic is 1 of the lightest cars in its class. Sport compact dont need to be really light I say 3,100pounds is the limit which the spec-v barley tips 3,000. I think the spec-v is a good car. Nose heavy ive never heard of people saying the nose is heavy. Gas mileage is not bad. And the si doesnt have torque steer cause it doesnt have any torque. 180trq is going to make you work. I really dont care about the trans to be crisp. Just me.

[blown0883]

There's a yellow one with black wheels here in Guam, it's slammed wit a nice lip, that's the only way I'll drive it lol

[viprdude]

Real SE-R's have two doors if you read up on history. This is a french engine and it sucks and the car is ugly as hell. High center of gravity kills it.

[sexyboi142]

@viprdude ...almost ever Nissan i have seen that carries a SE-R badge is a four door...jus sayin

[viprdude]

@sexyboi142 Because those are newer ones. From 1991-1994 The Sentra SE-R was around. Then in 1995-1998 the 200SX SE-R was around. Those had two doors and were the original SE-R's.That and it had a nice engine in it. The QR25DE is a shitty engine.

[sexyboi142]

@viprdude yea after i made that comment i went and looked it up and the first SE-Rs were 2doors...

[benchod94]

@viprdude Most Sentra SE-R's are 4 doors.

And only the very early QR25's (used in the 2002 and 2003 Altima) Suck.

The newer examples are great.It is a good little 4 banger with lots of torque.

[viprdude]

@benchod94 When the QR25DE engine was first introduced in 2002, it created 175 HP in the Spec V trim. Now, it does 200 HP in the Spec V trim. That is fairly pathetic progress considering the engine is now NINE years old. The SR20VE engine had almost the same amount of CURRENT HP (187 HP) out of a 2.0 liter engine. The QR engine is a pile of stroking crap. In small four cylinders, the over stroked engines are poor (but that last sentence is my personal opinion)

[insonita55]

@viprdude hi there! I agree but the new 2.5 with small tunning example intake, headers, downpipe, mid pipe and any good high flow muffler can easily add 20hp or more! I have a 08 spev V stock which is tons of fun to drive!! but then I drove my friends 09spec v with heathers, intakes and all piping with a good tun...is a lot faster!! he added some sticky tires and that thing is doing 5.7 - 0-60! which is about the same as a mazda speed 3 turbo with 265hp. I agree is not a looker but tons of fun!

[viprdude]

@benchod94 Also, in 02-03, the problems with the engine were they placed the cat too close to the exhaust ports causing an internal break up of the cat and during the intake stroke, some air would suck bits and pieces of the old cat into the engine. The butterfly valve screws have been known to fall out and cause damaged pistons. Also, a third recall happened in Senra 2004 and Altima 04-05 QR engines with the upper Valves.

[benchod94]

@viprdude Thats news to me then.

I have a 2005 Altima 2.5 lol I hope I don't have any issues

[viprdude]

@benchod94 The upper valves was for 2004 2.5 Altimas. Check out NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 07V527000 and NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 07E087000

[Jasonisawesome3]

i just got mine today. its a good car.

[hooddiee]

20 k for this? no i can do better with my 20 k. Audi A3 is 25k

[10072018]

Fun to drive shmun to drive, with looks like that... I wouldn't even take a test drive.

[71skins]

Way to slow u need WRX when it comes to fast

[71skins]

Sucks WRX rules baby #1

[ZR1Terror]

I see this car everywhere, and it looks really nice I don't know why the host say's it's not the good looking.

[cra83]

the UK gets such crappy nissan models, considering we have the most efficient factory here!

[NissanTy]

i like these little spec v's, they look a lot of people don't like the styling...i think they look pretty damn good myself, i'd get a spec v and lower it, add intake/exhaust and i bet it'd beat any sport compact out there. nissan has always built more powerful engines then the rest of the japanese competition.

[bigwillchill]

the altima coupe is bad ass ... im waiting till they come you with the altima coupe se-r

[FalloutProductions1]

ummm no your wrong honda builds more powerful engines than nissan. honda S2000 240 horespower out of a 2.0 liter. they have always built the most horepower per liter than any other car

[NissanTy]

haha hp per liter thats a ricer thing to say, real racers could give a shit about hp per liter they care about tq. which honda lacks... alot of too. im not hatin on you though dude i respect for what some people has done to hondas but ricers killed honda for me plus nissan builds badass cars.

[FalloutProductions1]

hmmm...nissan DOES in fact build nice cars, 370z, GTR, all the skylines and i in fact wanted to get a sentra SE-R as my first car but ended up getting a 2002 rsx type-s which is much more fun to drive. Oh and Hondas NSX-R is a badass car just to let you know

[NissanTy]

yeah i'd rather have the spec v but to each his own...the NSX-R is a badass car.

[FalloutProductions1]

i love high revving motors and the 6 rpm redline just didnt cut it for me on the SE-R however i loved the torque on that thing

[NissanTy]

yeah i know what you mean, i LOVE unlimited redline engines its just too bad hondas lack tq. they are awesome up top but im more of a tq. guy plus i think nissan makes some nice upper range hp engines too lol. i like the k20 in the new civic si, thats a nice engine.

[mastervilla]

the problem is the low torque in the honda engines...

[FalloutProductions1]

it makes up for it with high rpm redline

[MassiveLemon]

High RPM doesn't always equate to much power. Muscle cars make max power by about 6K RPM's.

[sentraser24]

@mastervilla I Agree honda engines seem to always have low torque, I have a 2010 SER Base only because driving stick is pointless where i live. Stop light and signs are like every 10 feet here. The torque in the SER's are a perfect match.

[wh97GWM8]

Finally, a positive review

[musicISlyf1]

that car looks so boring

[whitefangv]

I really like the subdued look of the SE-R. It sets it apart from other cars in its class which appear to be too much boy racer-ish.

[coolerdude44]

why in the world would you buy this over a golf gti?

[hpjc245]

i have one...its awesome....there is an optional manual-automatic with paddle shifters that is great to play around with...GET A CHIP...i've found mine for 75 bucks online and it added 60 more horses well worth it you can find some that plug right in in about 2 minutes so...

[lilmiss2sweet]

for every generation maxima...the Sentra looks like a smaller version of it

[Mikelaren101]

IZ NICE!

[revimeca]

i own one of those ... its the bomb

[88isthenumber]

Nissan in general is getting expensive, the Altima started at 13k and now is up to 21k. Last year the 2.5 was 20k and now its been bumped up to 21k (that's a 1k increase in just one year, rip off)...i love Nissan but everything is getting too pricey, next thing you now the Sentra is going to have a base price of the 3.5 Altima within the next generation at this rate

[Presidential805]

i love my sentra 07

the turns coulb be better if it was lowerd so it could hug the road luv my nissan :)

[ReverbTek]

they should have done that making Sentra Coupe rather then Altima Coupe

[KiaKing]

20,000 for a Sentra? Fuck that.

[uroksukidoyi]

Fuck You... Sentra SE R Sepc V  24k

[KiaKing]

No no, fuck you. Anyone who would pay 20,000 dollars for a Nissan Sentra is a dumb asshole.

[davidd2005]

I know, bit I am saying they should make a Sentra Coupe, it would be a cool little mini Infiniti G35.

[davidd2005]

Where is the Nissan Sentra Coupe??

[JonnySchretz]

there is no sentra coupe

[JonnySchretz]

what exactly does CVT do?

[Peeze16]

in a nutshell gets rid of the revving noise when your car shifts gears.

[EOrdonez3229]

The CVT is a Continuously Variable Transmission. It's purpose is easier, smoother shifting. It cuts back on shift shock and is virtually gearless, "continuously variable". It also increases gas mileage and accounts for a more comfortable ride.

[JonnySchretz]

yea i figured it had something to do with that because my car only changes gears once

[88isthenumber]

I think a CVT is good for a luxury car but they don't belong on a sports/performance car, it kills the fun in my opinion. For instance i drove the 3.5SE Altima Coupe both 6spd and CVT and the 6spd was Gods way of saying "thank you" to the automobile industry but the CVT even when i stomped the gas there wasn't much thrill to it

[ComfortablyxNumb59]

I completely agree, the CVT just doesn't SOUND like a performance car. I mean, it's definitely sporty and gets you up to speed.. my point is just that I enjoy hearing it rev through the power band, I can't stand listening to it hold the engine at a constant RPM. Just my opinion, I love Nissan regardless lol.

[adampope64]

@ComfortablyxNumb59 I think they did this because they made the ser (not the spec v) for old men, not for people in their 20's.

[GeniusCreator811]

it makes it like the car has one gear

[Yourdeadmeat69]

Borntorun1970 nails it. Stealth looks, makes 80 MPH down the road and nobody cares...Tall boxiness doesn't attract gendarmes, a definate plus.

35MPG with a few tweaks, stops on a dime, can't hear the engine...unbelievable bargain.

[borntorun1970]

Right on NissanTy. I certainly prefer it's "grown-up" sport sedan look to the boy racer meets aborted space ship look of the Civic SI. U-G-L-Y! Finally a cheap high quality Japanese car that doesn't look like a reject car prop from the Fast and Furious will requires me to wear baggy pants, buy a 14 foot high useless wing for the trunk like all of the clueless Streetracer douchebag posers out there. For all you kids reading this, the key word is understated. You better grab a dictionary...

[NissanTy]

i love this little car, i don't care what people say about the styling i think its the best looking small car you can get, i think "mini maxima" when i see one, i often think about trading my frontier in on a spec v model.

[adiosk8erxxx]

ya its hott but if u want a hott car check out the 09 maxima omg i saw it inperson today and did a test drive dude this car kicks major ass its a re-designed look unbelivably hott :)

[32silvercoins]

A Hot model makes even a crappy car, good.

Good Job Nissan keep it up

[AgileMJOLNIR]

All I have to say is that these new Spec's ride great! The only complaint with this car is the stock ride height but it's dirt cheap and easy lowering the car and problem solved.

I bought a 2007 Spec fully loaded with every single option for 20k. That's an insanely great value especially since I got the LSD with it as well.

[Yourdeadmeat69]

Nissan promotion folks didn't "work the press" in the US so SENTRA's, especially left over 2007's are pricing mid to upper teens.

You can steal a new 2007 SER-SPEC V's just under 20K.

I tried on a Honda SI coupe. If you're over 5'5" and anything but rail thin, Honda Civic SI makes well built or stocky folks look like they're wearing a wet silk suit.

Say what you want about SENTRA styling, but I'll take substance over slimy, any day.

[Yourdeadmeat69]

Plain Jane styling means its no chick magnet, (unless she's REALLY cool), but sedan styling (think shrunken Maxima) keeps cops off the scent when you want 0-60 under 6 secs, when you drive it, like you stole it. 0W-20W oil, pumping tires to 35lb max -- helps 0-60, and gas mileage climbs to almost 36, not 31.

Amazing Jekyl-Hyde grocery shopper, my silver SER-SPECV makes the clunky Honda Civic SI look like the clunky 25MPG wanna be it is.

[greyfox61987]

nice comment