Versa Note SE-R?

In reply to David S. Wallens:

I guess we are hoping for that Datsun 510, Nissan Pulsar, or Sentra SE-R car from Nissan.

JK on that Pulsar.

Pulsars were pretty rad back in the day. I agree, another real SE-R would be cool, but you can't say that Nissan has totally ignored our market.

This forum has an odd amount of Versa hatred. A car that's available with a manual trans, weighs 2350lbs and costs less than $12k? When you compare it to the B13 Sentra of 20 years ago, the price has gone up <15%, same power, same weight, same mileage.

IMO, Nissan deserves a huge round of applause. Stuff a 140-180hp motor in there, stiffen it up a tad, toss on an SE-R badge, and a standing ovation would be appropriate. I'm tired of berkeleying $25-30K sporty econo-boxes.

I recently spent some time with a Versa. As an original SE-R owner, I can't say that they're cut from the same cloth.

David S. Wallens wrote: I recently spent some time with a Versa. As an original SE-R owner, I can't say that they're cut from the same cloth.

Have you spent any time in a non SE-R B13 Sentra recently?

I think the issue with the Versa is that it's simply too tall in the saddle. At least the B13 Sentra was kinda low. Then again, many of today's compacts are rather tall.

Everything is tall these days...the Versa is no taller than the Fiesta that GRM races, nor the other hatches in its segment (Fit, Mazda2, Yaris, etc). According to the specs on MSN Autos, all 5 of the cars I just mentioned are between 58 and 60 inches in height, with the Versa (sedan, not Note-no specs for that yet) at 59.6 inches. Even sports cars are tall, just look at the Camaro! (I guess that abomination is a sports car...)

I think all new cars are going to be like this, that's just the styling trends these days, but I agree with the OP that a SE-R Versa is definitely worth Nissan's time. I'd like to see what difference it would make to put the Sentra's base model 2.0 engine in one-if you compare the last gen Sentra & Versa, that would be a 18 hp gain, 20 lb-ft torque gain, and 200 lbs less weight. Could be just enough to make the Versa fun!

The blue Fiesta looks better the the red one. Different model year? Euro version?

I really dont get how anyone here can seriously suggest that Nissan build a Versa SE-R.

1. I would way rather have a Juke and just lower it, than a Versa SE-R.

2. Even if they built a Versa SE-R, who would buy it? "Normal" enthusiasty types will buy a Juke, and the rest of us who are pickier about looks would buy a Fiesta ST. I really dont think they can fix the hideous on the Versa.

3. I would way rather they bring back the Altima SE-R than do anything with the Versa. The Versa is hideous, the new Altima is semi-pretty and definitely improvable, and get this, it's actually SMALLER than the last Altima SE-R!

All a matter of taste, I guess, and everyone has their own. Myself, I couldn't own a Juke but kind of like the Note/Fiesta/Fit profile. My favorite, styling-wise, of all of them is the Elantra GT. Wish they would make that available with the 1.6 turbo and six speed from the Veloster. Yes, the new Altima is very pretty but I think I would prefer a smaller hatchback.

Look all the way back to the old Datsun 240 Z and you'll find Nissan has always gone through a period of resting on their laurels / losing the thread. They've done it in every single decade since the '70s. Eventually they find their way back, usually because their sales fall precipitously and they're forced into a position of enhanced performance or innovation. Then they'll lose the thread again. To me, they're the most intriguing Japanese car company because I cannot figure out their "culture" at all.

In reply to Jerry From LA:

Nissan brought us (Usain Bolt - Nissan Director of Excitement) earlier this year - I am expecting, well, nothing really. He did bring us a gold painted GT-R.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVEm2h0Y9MI

In reply to Datsun310Guy:

Oh, brother.

Vigo wrote: I really dont get how anyone here can seriously suggest that Nissan build a Versa SE-R. 1. I would way rather have a Juke and just lower it, than a Versa SE-R. 2. Even if they built a Versa SE-R, who would buy it? "Normal" enthusiasty types will buy a Juke, and the rest of us who are pickier about looks would buy a Fiesta ST. I really dont think they can fix the hideous on the Versa. 3. I would way rather they bring back the Altima SE-R than do anything with the Versa. The Versa is hideous, the new Altima is semi-pretty and definitely improvable, and get this, it's actually SMALLER than the last Altima SE-R!

The Juke is 600lbs heavier than a Versa, and costs $7K more.

The Fiesta ST costs $10K more than a Versa. I'm betting Nissan could comfortably build an SE-R trim for an extra $2-3k, making the price difference ~$7K.

I'd love to see one with nothing more than a stiffer, lower suspesnion, LSD, quicker steering ratio, 15x7 alloys and 40more hp. Nissan should be able to get that done under $15k, making it the bargain racer of the decade.

I would like it to be less tall though... but not like its competition is doing any better in that department.

The versa is practically the "worst" rated of all the subcompacts nowadays. Of course, that isn't exactly low praise considering how far they've come, they are cheap, and two of my friends have bought them with no complaints.

The problem I have with all of the current "hot" hatches is that their wizzbangy technology comes at a price. Why can't I get a Fiesta with a larger N/A motor in it for a couple extra grand? Why do I have to spend $25k cdn to get the ST? How about $20k for one with a bit more umph? It's not so bad in the US, but Abarth 500's are pretty darn expensive up here. Really, I'd be stupid to buy anything besides a Genesis 2.0T (with a tune and exhaust, 300whp, 330wtq) all for under $30k cdn all in with 0% financing. I have a truck if I actually need to haul stuff, so if I'm going to spend over $20k, I might as well buy something more fun than practical imo.

In reply to jstein77: I saw a Veloster turbo on my way to work today, the center exhaust exit actually looked kind of cool, needs more tire though, not taller but definitely wider.

ProDarwin wrote: This forum has an odd amount of Versa hatred. A car that's available with a manual trans, weighs 2350lbs and costs less than $12k? When you compare it to the B13 Sentra of **20 years ago**, the price has gone up <15%, same power, same weight, same mileage.

What you're really saying is that I can find an old B13 sentra for $1k, spend another $1-2k making nice enough for an appliance, and end up with a car for $3k that performs just as well as (and looks better than) a $12k Versa?

I spent a good deal of college driving a B13 Sentra (non-SE-R) belonging to my roomie. I thought it was a decent car, even beat to hell with 4 mismatched tires and empty beer cans rolling around in the back floor. It still looked ok, handled decent, and I don't recall it being terribly slow (I drove an '87 Integra at the time, for comparison).

I've driven a couple Versas in the last year. I thought both were possibly the most uninteresting, uninspired vehicles I've ever driven. As light as they are, they don't feel remotely sporty or remotely quick or nimble. And they're ugly as sin, to boot. They both felt significantly slower than my (then) M10-powered 318i. And that car was pretty damn slow when I got it. And it is 28 years old.

06HHR wrote: In reply to jstein77: I saw a Veloster turbo on my way to work today, the center exhaust exit actually looked kind of cool, needs more tire though, not taller but definitely wider.

We looked at a Veloster. Having 2 sedan doors on one side and one coupe door on the other really bothered me for some reason. It reminded me of those stories where the cars are falling off the assembly line in the 70's with whatever is handy bolted to it.

Perhaps the most compelling argument against the Versa SE-R idea, however is this:

There are plenty of bland appliance cars out there, and you can find many examples of pretty much any of them being "modded up" by tuner-types. I've seen civics, fits, corollas, focuses, cobalts, hell even old cavaliers, done up pretty well with suspension, engine upgrades, and made to look actually pretty good.

I don't recall ever having (personally) seen a Versa modded in any way. I think the Versa is simply seen by most people as dorky and lame, and no "tuner type" is going to want to buy one just because it has SE-R badging and a few more horsepower. YMMV.

For people saying that the Juke is there to replace the SE-R, have you actually looked at it? I can accept ugly for the sake of utility (Scion toaster), but not ugly for the sake of ugly.

Plus, it's too heavy and high.

And I agree with HiTempguy, the problem with all those is they are too expensive, because the manufacturers assume that the big engine is there to fit more gadgets and junk.

I think there really would be a place for a Versa SE-R. Let's take for example, the last successful (sale wise) SE-R, the 02-06 Sentra SE-R Spec V. It's a flawed car, that feels pretty cheap inside, and isn't very refined to drive. Yet, it outsold the Focus SVT, the Civic SIR hatch, the Mazdaspeed Protege, which are all equally or better cars. And the reason is simply because it was the cheapest of the bunch.

My 06 Spec-V doesn't have anything fancy about it (no leather, fancy radio, sunroof, etc.) except an HLSD and a torquey engine. And that's how I like it.

Nissan needs to make a Pulsar VZR out of the Megane RS.

I'd love to see one with nothing more than a stiffer, lower suspesnion, LSD, quicker steering ratio, 15x7 alloys and 40more hp. Nissan should be able to get that done under $15k, making it the bargain racer of the decade.

Ehhhh, i guess.. My thinking is more along the lines of Irish's... the thing is too ugly and has too much of a 'lame' aura for a few horsepower and some mostly invisible mods to fix.

I guess what you're saying, and what anyone else who thinks a Versa SE-R is a good idea is thinking, is that there has to be room under the 20-23k sporty compacts for something cheaper and more basic?

If Nissan really wants to get back into the "sporty" game, I'd rather they put some effort into a spiritual successor to the 240sx - e.g. a lightweight lowish-power RWD car. The Toyobaru twins' success so far should show the market for it. The Z line is too big, heavy, and pricey to fit that market. The return of the 240SX in a form similar to the BRZ/FRS competitor would surely be a hit in this day and age where crappy old 240s and AE86s go for top dollar since they're trendy.

Or even a FWD sporty car a la Scion TC. Then slap an SE-R badge on that.

irish44j wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: This forum has an odd amount of Versa hatred. A car that's available with a manual trans, weighs 2350lbs and costs less than $12k? When you compare it to the B13 Sentra of **20 years ago**, the price has gone up <15%, same power, same weight, same mileage.

What you're really saying is that I can find an old B13 sentra for $1k, spend another $1-2k making nice enough for an appliance, and end up with a car for $3k that performs just as well as (and looks better than) a $12k Versa?

Yes, whereas other manufacturers have taken much larger steps in the wrong direction in weight/cost/etc. A pointless statement. You could do the same with many old E36 M3oboxes, only their modern equivalents would be much fatter and more expensive.

Yes, the Versa is hideous.... not going to argue with that.

I think it's funny that we're making fun of how lame and boring the Versa is...the Fit, Fiesta, et all, are equally as boring without the sport models. I think the point the OP is trying to make is that Nissan should make a Versa that competes with the Fiesta ST, and the other cars in its class that have a sporting version. The Juke is kinda cool if you're lucky enough to be the one in the driver's seat (that means you don't have to see the HIDEOUS exterior or sit in the worthless backseat), but it's a totally different car than the Versa or Fit or Fiesta or Yaris or Elantra, etc.

Of course, though, I would rather see Nissan make a modern 240SX, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.