What's the skinny on these anyway? Rebadged econobox or actually worth it?
sirrichardpumpaloaf wrote: 04 Nissan Sentra spec SER - $1500
Dibs!!
IIRC, 180hp and a limited slip. Very worth it.
In reply to pinchvalve:
No they're not. They're made out of glass and get terrible gas mileage. You should not buy it.
paranoid_android74 wrote: What's the skinny on these anyway? Rebadged econobox or actually worth it?sirrichardpumpaloaf wrote: 04 Nissan Sentra spec SER - $1500
Can't it be both? 'Cause it is. Big motor, small car. They liked to ingest throttle body screws, and the pre-cats would break up and get sucked back into the motor, either of which usually led to a new motor...but the motor is (IIRC) identical to the 2.5 Altima motor clogging junkyards across the country.
psteav wrote:paranoid_android74 wrote: What's the skinny on these anyway? Rebadged econobox or actually worth it?Can't it be both? 'Cause it is. Big motor, small car. They liked to ingest throttle body screws, and the pre-cats would break up and get sucked back into the motor, either of which usually led to a new motor...but the motor is (IIRC) identical to the 2.5 Altima motor clogging junkyards across the country.sirrichardpumpaloaf wrote: 04 Nissan Sentra spec SER - $1500
That pretty much covers it. I've owned one in the past. Pros: Tons of torque + a strong LSD + relatively light chassis = lots of fun . . . while it lasts. The QR tends to have longevity issues, but replacements are plentiful. They respond very nicely to basic bolt-ons. Do an aftermarket header without a precat ASAP upon purchase. Google "butterfly screw loc-tite fix". Between those two issues, probably 70% of reliability issues are solved. Also, some of the kinks with the motor were worked out by 04, but they didn't have the cool "Skyline inspired" front facia. Before buying, do a compression test if you know how for overall engine health. If you don't know how, be sure you at least get to see it cold-started and watch for white "oil smoke". Smoking/low compression is probably a sign its too late for the header without precat fix. In that case, figure the cost/labor of a replacement engine into your offer. My guess is the price its offered at indicates the owner already knows it needs a motor replacement.
Thank you psteav Dork and kazoospec SuperDork! 
I've never researched these and have been too preoccupied to do so since this posting. Maybe I'll do some more reading!
Man, you made me all nostalgic. Here's my old one "at work":
Note the GRM Sticker
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