Motoring J Style: May 24, 2008 Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo, CA • 9:30AM-5PM Car Show Registration • Drift Registration • Vendor Registration • Swap Meet Registration

A Headache for the “Snob” Brands

Nissan Altima

Nissan Versa

I’ve just had to return my test-drive Nissan Altima coupe and I will miss it.  It’s hard to recall any car that I’ve liked more, regardless of price.  The Nissan achieves 100% of its design objectives, and leaves a reviewer with nothing to complain about.

In 1969, I became a Datsun (now Nissan)dealer.  We sold the old style 1600 & 2000 roadsters, but we also had the new 510, a brilliant half-price BMW 1600.  People bought them because they were cheap and attractive.  After a few years of ownership, our customers loved their cars because they experienced new levels of reliability and longevity.  Those cars never broke.

In 1970, the 240Z redefined quality and value-for-money in sports cars.  In the last forty years, Nissan has sometimes wavered on style or produce content, but never on reliability.

The $21,000 (base) Altima coupe goes up to about $26,000 full retail with sunroof, leather interior, Bose sound, XM radio and lots of other goodies.  It’s still a half-price BMW, and will likely run longer and cheaper just like the original 510.

This handsome, sculpted, red coupe with fine black leather interior did everything right.  Freeway cruising, 9/10 canyon carving, with its 2.5 four cylinder and six speed ended up giving 29 mpg and over 500 miles per thankful of 87 octane, without even trying for economy.  The gear spacing is just right, and you have to work a little to extract maximum performance.  Very rewarding.  The steering is nicely weighted, and the suspension well calibrated to give control with no harshness.  I liked the 16” tires; good ride and handling without sensitive sidewalls or run-flat harshness and expense.

The style is original, tasteful and striking.  And it’s a very quiet car.  Makes you wonder if it undercuts the G-37 Infiniti too much for Infiniti’s comfort.

Can you tell I liked it a lot?

 

Nissan Versa

I tried a Versa six-speed 1.8, and compared it to a Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit.  I kept wondering why anyone would buy the lesser Yaris for Versa money or a pay a premium for the less useful(ok, maybe cuter) Honda Fit.

With a little dickering, you can get the Versa down to +  $12,000, with A/C and all the stuff you really need.  Talk about value-for-money.

Compared to Honda or Toyota, Nissan needs to try a little harder, which they do.  They need to price a little lower, which they do.  They must offer an equal or better product, which they do.

I’d rate this Versa a winner and worthy of my dollars.