Review: 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R

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This is one fun vehicle to drive. Handling is great, acceleration thrilling, and the interior comfortable. It might have escaped your notice, but it?s worth a drive.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 200hp
• compact
• nissan
• sentra
• ser
• sport
• tuner

[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.

[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.

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

[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 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.

[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)

[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.

[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.