Please help make the right choice

Oct 17th, 2002, 10:27 PM

Hi -

I really enjoyed reading everyone's posts, although I must admit most of the topics are over my head. Please don't laugh at my post, I'm just looking for some advise. Here's my question, and I hope the experts here can help me with my issue:

I am planning to finally go out and spend my hard-earned cash on a decent car under 20K. I test drove a few cars, and read many reviews. I narrowed down my choices to a new 2003 Nissan SE-R Spec V, which I drove and really liked. The only other car that I sort of liked was a used 2000 Celica GTS with 46K miles on it. Both the Spec V and GTS are the same price range.

I read on a few sites that Spec V has several problems:
- poor paint job
- steer torque
- shifting problem in 1st, 3rd and Reverse gears
- 6 gears may be too much.. etc.

That scared me off quite a bit, although most of the bad reviews referred to the 2002 model. However, I wonder if I were picking between
- 2003 Spec V and -2003 SE-R all things considered, which one is a better deal for the money?
- Is the Celica, even though with high mileage a better bang for my buck?

Again, sorry for my lack of knowledge, I appreciate any response.

Thanks!

st95ut25@drexel.edu

Oct 18th, 2002, 02:56 AM

Hi

I'm in the market for a new car also and the Spec-V is something I'm starting to like very much.

I don't know much about the toyota, but with what ever car you buy, if it's new, you get a way better warranty than a used car.

As for the tranny, yeah, I heard also that there was an issue, but it's fixed now.

I don't think a 6 speed in enough, the more the better

Well, that's just my opinion.

cortrim1 · Oct 18th, 2002, 07:28 AM

Hi I have a 2002 that is now a year old. I have none of the above problems. The problems you listed were isolated occurences, and nissan has redesigned alot of the spec v for 2003. Look at b15sentra.net there is a poll on how many spec v owners have had problem with their car. You will find that more people have not had any problems than people who have. I love mine and if I break my tranny I get a new 2003 tranny and thats fine with me.

Oct 18th, 2002, 09:17 AM

Just as an FYI I have a 2001 Celica and the paint sucks after 2 weeks it already had major chips in the paint. Second I know of a lot of problems with the tranny on the celica where people were complaining of blown engines after mis-shifting they claim its the car I blame the owner but I have had no other problems with my celica. I picked up a 2003 Spec V (yellow) just saturday and I have had no problems so for and I have done research for about a year and a half on the sentra and I was just waiting for the seats to change from red to something else I did not like the red..
Also the Sentra seems much faster in the seat of the pants feel but thats also subjective to the driver good luck.....

Oct 18th, 2002, 03:42 PM

Bought my Spec V in June, I'll give you MY list and hopefully this will make it easier for you:

-WRX, $25k: Great car, a little ugly. Insurance on it is INSANE. Would've gotten it if it weren't for that. Worth coughing up the extra 5 grand though. EVO is on the way here and I don't wanna cry when they show up.

-RSX, $24k: Not a type S? forget it... Type S? how much? Ya right! I'll take a WRX anyday! Or how about I buy a Spec V for $20k and use that 4 grand for mods?

-SI, $19k: It blows, anyway you cut it. The only thing u're getting is reliability. If thats what you are looking for. Go for it... Did I mention that this car is ugly?

-Focus SVT: SEE ABOVE

-Golf GTI, $23k: Pretty good. Quality, speed, feel. I didn't get it cuz it was 2 grand more with 2 less doors. If I was 16 and daddy was buying me a car, I'll take that over the Spec V. But Spec V was more practical.

-Jetta 1.8T, $21k: Very close call. Pretty much everything was toe to toe with the Spec V. But the Dealer was stuck up and didn't feel didn't feel as sporty. Too many Jettas running around. Turbo was good and quality was better than Spec V. Too grown up for me at the moment. Potential is right up there with the Spec V.

-Altima 3.5, $26k: Didn't wanna cough up that much money on gas and the cheap interior. On top of the $26 grand.

There you go. I hope this helps. My insurance in KS is around $175/month. Got a 6 yr contract with a $500 rebate for college grad. Dealers are EVIL EVIL EVIL at nissans, be careful! (Cars are great though.)

stealthb14 · Oct 18th, 2002, 11:11 PM

NikG,

I have driven the 02 Spec V, I LOVE that car. Sure some people have complaints about it, but they, as said above, are isolated. Not every car has that. For 2003, They have re-done the transmission, with better gearing ratios, and such. As far as I know, no 2003 Models have that nasty first-year-teething oil consumption problem. The spec V is the best bang for the buck, you're getting, essentially what the old (4th generation Max was) 4DSC - or Four-door sports car. The car handles very well, and BEGS you to drive it, and hard at that. If there are any problems, your manufacturers warranty will cover it.

About buying used...I bought my 97 GXE used, and NEVER again will I buy used. The problem being is that you dont know what kind of moron owned the car before you did, if they babied it, or drove it like a total maniac, and really could care less. I think that is what happened with my car...the previous owner beat the hell out of it, and I have had some problems with it, but thats another story.

Best of luck, and let us know what you decide on!

-Sam

cortrim1 · Oct 19th, 2002, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stealthb14
NikG,

I have driven the 02 Spec V, I LOVE that car. Sure some people have complaints about it, but they, as said above, are isolated. Not every car has that. For 2003, They have re-done the transmission, with better gearing ratios, and such. As far as I know, no 2003 Models have that nasty first-year-teething oil consumption problem. The spec V is the best bang for the buck, you're getting, essentially what the old (4th generation Max was) 4DSC - or Four-door sports car. The car handles very well, and BEGS you to drive it, and hard at that. If there are any problems, your manufacturers warranty will cover it.

About buying used...I bought my 97 GXE used, and NEVER again will I buy used. The problem being is that you dont know what kind of moron owned the car before you did, if they babied it, or drove it like a total maniac, and really could care less. I think that is what happened with my car...the previous owner beat the hell out of it, and I have had some problems with it, but thats another story.

Best of luck, and let us know what you decide on!

-Sam

I agree I will never buy another used car again I had a major tranny issue with my 96 200sx I had to replace it with under 60,000 miles on it(bought it with 20,000miles). Like I said my spec had none of the first year problems and it was one of the first built. built oct 01 never lost a drop of oil.

Oct 19th, 2002, 05:34 PM

Hey all -

Thanks for helping me make my decision. I bought a beautiful 2003 Spec V in silver with sunroof option. It kicks ass, but I have been very careful driving it so far, want to "break it in" the right way.

About that - is possible that whoever test-drove it first might've pushed it too hard? Also, what's the suggested mileage/time before I can start driving it hard?

So far it's been purring like a cat, really great grip - I took a couple turns pretty fast and it stayed solid to the ground. I hope that's OK to do, since I didn't push the engine while taking those turns.

Let me know if there's anything I should avoid or not do while driving it while it's new. It's got 45 miles on it so far ;-)

Thanks.

stealthb14 · Oct 20th, 2002, 01:43 AM

45 Miles? I highly doubt that anyone, besides a porter or the truck driver even touched your car...damn. I remember reading over at FreshAlloy.com about a guy who purchased a spec with 600 miles on it.

Boy did he get shafted...well, congrats anyways, and don't forget to post pics in the Member's Rides Forum

-Sam

Oct 21st, 2002, 01:43 PM

My Spec V was in the first batch shipped as well.

Absolutely no problems. Oh wait I had the "Floormat of Death" problem.

Little scary.. but no biggy.

Anyone know the 0-60 on the 2003 Spec V? Can it reach 60mph in 2nd gear?

Mr SEntra · Oct 21st, 2002, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Immortallis
Can it reach 60mph in 2nd gear?

Uhmm...no. I've driven the '03 and it maxes out at around 45 MPH. Cameron and I haven't been able to drive the car too hard yet since it's still under a grand on the odometer. Once we get pass the break in, we'll see how far we can push it.