Just test drove a new sentra Spec V (kinda long)

[ghostface]

whats up guys i just wemt over to my local dealership with my freidn just to mess around and see what this car was really about...i went to freehold toyota/usedcar/nissan dealership and i askd to testd rive the spec V..first off i stood outside the car while the salesman started the car and the exhaust note was very nice..a little louder than the celica at idle....then i got in and the seats were very good and supportive and the interior and steering swheel felt very solid but likea ll new cars...then as i pull away the clutch engages alot farther from the floor than the celica so it took about a minute to get used to...as i pulled away there was a yellow integra type r pulling put from behind the toyota dealership..looked like it was lowewred and he had exhaust and an intake and probbly many other mods..

so he was right behind me as i pulled out onto the highway i nailed it and the spec v revved very fast and has surprisingly ALOT of torque that and i went to the kinda low 6,200 rpm redline and shifted hard(the salesman was cool ..his son has a new WRX so he said he was used to kids liek me) and as i shifted into second i chirped the tires alot becasue of the torque and i went to redline agin as the type r ripped by me. ..i thught this car accelrated very good consideroing oi had me (170lbs) my friend in the back(200lbs) nd the salesman(220lbs) then we toook some turns and i had tyhe salesman holdin onto the Oh Sh*t handles..the car ahndles very tright and solid...the only thing i ddint like was the shifter..it wasnt as direct as the celica's..

Overall this car did live up to what it is said to be IMO...if i was to choose over my celica i think i would stick with my celica....i would put this car up against my gt 5spd and i think it would be a great race..the Spec V feels very fast becasue of the torque but still doesnt zip you up to speed as fast as the revving celica....overall for the spec V handleoing was great ..accel was great ..and overall value was great IMO..i think i am still gonna stay with my celica even though i was only test driving this car to see what it can prove...

ok guys i reccomend test driving this car if u are bored it was really fun car to drive..

keep it safe

Ghost

[ghostface]

hey doesnt anybody have any feedback on this..c'mon guys dont leave me hangin....

ghost

[Wrekt]

It's a damn good car for the price. The cloth material used for the seats like it will wear very quickly though...that irks me. The power is definately there. I think that car would benefit from lightweight rims - factory 17's is crazy. Rev limiter is too close to the redline. This car has a lot of potential...the motor is damn large for a 4 banger and the compression is fairly low for any boosting applications. 6spd + LSD is tight, great for track situations etc. As far as aesthetics: I love the front but when one comes around to the rear it's dissappointing. Anywho, I'd take this car over a Si, and probably a GSR as with the money I'd save I'd be able to mod this car thoroughly.

Phil

[GTS BLACKBIRD]

Yeah I saw a Se-R at a Drag Strip a few weeks ago and they were pretty quick stock. The front of the car is tight, and yeah it's price is really good!!! I wanna test drive one but I hate dealing with the sale's people.

[ghostface]

the sales people arent that bad..just tell em u didnt like it when u get out and they wont bother you

Ghost

[Kit99bar]

what did it get at the dragstrip?

[NoCones]

I drove one a few months back and was pretty impressed. I doubt you can find a better car for the price. Impressive performance for <$20K. And a useful back seat to boot.

The helical LSD is definitely the highlight...as an autocrosser, that's a big draw. However, as an autocrosser, a 2nd gear that tops out I believe below 45mph is a big negative.

In general, it certainly felt quick, although having to shift at 6K is kind of a downer...doesn't exactly have the spirit of the old SE-R there. The shifter was kind of disappointing...kind of vague and rubbery.

The handling felt pretty competent, and the oem ContiSports are grippy. I didn't really get to put it thru the 10/10ths handling test though.

And that interior! Fugly. The seats are comfy, but I felt like I needed to drape a sheet over the passenger seat to cut the glare from that red crap.

[Blue Bomber]

Dude, I live in Freehold, 2 minutes from Freehold Toyota (actually I'm going there today :) ). How come I've never seen your car around anywhere? It shouldn't be hard to miss. ;)

[Red-one]

They are running 15.0-1 here in PR. Stock at 90-91mph.

BRGS
RED

[static]

Originally posted by NoCones
I drove one a few months back and was pretty impressed. I doubt you can find a better car for the price. Impressive performance for <$20K. And a useful back seat to boot.

The helical LSD is definitely the highlight...as an autocrosser, that's a big draw. However, as an autocrosser, a 2nd gear that tops out I believe below 45mph is a big negative.

In general, it certainly felt quick, although having to shift at 6K is kind of a downer...doesn't exactly have the spirit of the old SE-R there. The shifter was kind of disappointing...kind of vague and rubbery.

The handling felt pretty competent, and the oem ContiSports are grippy. I didn't really get to put it thru the 10/10ths handling test though.

And that interior! Fugly. The seats are comfy, but I felt like I needed to drape a sheet over the passenger seat to cut the glare from that red crap.

Its got an LSD?? Hmm... strange, most publications that have reviewed it complained that it NEEDED an LSD because of HORRID torque steer....

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by static


Its got an LSD?? Hmm... strange, most publications that have reviewed it complained that it NEEDED an LSD because of HORRID torque steer....

Yes it has a HLSD. I dont know why every magazine says it has such horrid torque steer. I can floor it from a stop and it just goes straight no pulling.

The 2nd gear issue is nothing big for me since My z24 redlined 2nd at 50mph also. But i do agree the gears are to short.

As for it being a good race for a celica Gt. Its not even close. My z24 was a closer race for the GT than the Spec V is. Last night me and my wife lined up and she had a car lead(because im not sure were to launch it at yet) and i pulled on her and was pulling away by 3rd gear.

The shifter for me is nicer than my z24 and my wifes celica gt's. ITs nice and precise once u get used to it.

Overall i am very pleased with the car. I paid 17997 for my spec v with the audio and sunroof upgrade, which is 1k below msrp.

Your review is pretty much on the nail.

[static]

Originally posted by Z24and GT


Yes it has a HLSD. I dont know why every magazine says it has such horrid torque steer. I can floor it from a stop and it just goes straight no pulling.

The 2nd gear issue is nothing big for me since My z24 redlined 2nd at 50mph also. But i do agree the gears are to short.

As for it being a good race for a celica Gt. Its not even close. My z24 was a closer race for the GT than the Spec V is. Last night me and my wife lined up and she had a car lead(because im not sure were to launch it at yet) and i pulled on her and was pulling away by 3rd gear.

The shifter for me is nicer than my z24 and my wifes celica gt's. ITs nice and precise once u get used to it.

Overall i am very pleased with the car. I paid 17997 for my spec v with the audio and sunroof upgrade, which is 1k below msrp.

Your review is pretty much on the nail.

Hmm.. cool man... good to know.. congrats on your purchase :D I actually raced one a month or so back.. never from a stop.. but from a roll I usually had him by like 1.5 cars or so... but that didn't happen till like 90 mph+... the thing has power.. I could tell.. it was hard to even up with him if he got the jump...

[NoCones]

The Spec V has the LSD, the plain SE-R does not.

And I believe an LSD typically makes torque steer worse, not better.

I don't recall torque steer from my drive of a Spec V.

Bryan

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by NoCones
The Spec V has the LSD, the plain SE-R does not.

And I believe an LSD typically makes torque steer worse, not better.

I don't recall torque steer from my drive of a Spec V.

Bryan

Actually the HLSD actually will help reduced torque steer. Since torque steer is usually cause by only one tire spinning, hence the car being pulled to the side.

[Wrekt]

I'd say that the spec V is about on par with a gsr/si in the 1/4 with the gsr/si having more of a "top end" if it were taken to say the freeway. Anyhow, my friend is getting his spec V dyno'd w/ an Injen CAI today...I'll post results.

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by Wrekt
I'd say that the spec V is about on par with a gsr/si in the 1/4 with the gsr/si having more of a "top end" if it were taken to say the freeway. Anyhow, my friend is getting his spec V dyno'd w/ an Injen CAI today...I'll post results.

Actually there has been a few Spec Vs that have run 15.1 stock and some others that have done 15.3/.4. They can pull away from an si at highway speeds(my wife pulled away from an si on 59 in houston).

[2002GT_Celica]

I know the car is a good performance buy and stuff, but I recently went to a Nissan dealership and I think the car is not sporty looking at all. 4 doors, a low redline and a bloated engine do not make a good sport car.

[ghostface]

wai a second..question for Z24 and GT ..are u saying that the spec V is alot faster than the Gt or the Gt is faster..i count understand what u meant...explain...

Blue Bomber idk why u dont see me..i dont see your car either...my freidn says he sees yours all the time he goes to brookdale..hesa got a rsx type s a blue one with 18 SSR and a Short ram intake and a little body kit.,....my car kinda looks stock now becasue imtook my rims off and sold them and i didnt oput my kit on yet....everything else is still the same(custon graphix, red calipers, painted engine)...pull me over if u see me ever...

Ghost

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by 2002GT_Celica
I know the car is a good performance buy and stuff, but I recently went to a Nissan dealership and I think the car is not sporty looking at all. 4 doors, a low redline and a bloated engine do not make a good sport car.

than whats a camaro z28?? it has a big engine, low redline. Redline means jack crap. Its just a ricer excuse.

Explain to me how a 2.5l engine is bloated?? is it because its not a 1.8l??

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by ghostface
wai a second..question for Z24 and GT ..are u saying that the spec V is alot faster than the Gt or the Gt is faster..i count understand what u meant...explain...



the spec v is alot faster than the GT

[TRD-GT]

to each its own, i dunno...good buy, but the last dyno i saw for it at scc or super street, was for 140 hp at the wheels..which is not that much, they even called it overrated,i havent raced one, and i am looking forward to it...i think it might beat me, but not that much faster like u say...

and so far i still havent been beat by one z24....

i got a friend that owns a ser first gen, and he went for a test drive to see...afterwards he told me that he wouldnt change his for the new one...

the lsd is a plus though and styling is a personal issue....

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by TRD-GT
to each its own, i dunno...good buy, but the last dyno i saw for it at scc or super street, was for 140 hp at the wheels..which is not that much, they even called it overrated,i havent raced one, and i am looking forward to it...i think it might beat me, but not that much faster like u say...



ONe owner (unison8) over on b15sentra dyned his car at 7800miles and got 150hp and 160lb/ft or torque with his car.

heres the dyno graph.

http://216.102.118.146/bbb/images/baseline.jpg

As ive said before my wife beat an si on the freeway. I just wish we didnt have a 26lb freakin flywheel.

[WillyK]

To bad the GTS doesn't make torque like that :(

[static]

That car needs torque.. its almost 3000 lbs.... so don't get too upset about it. Its a nice car though.. I really like that engine..

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by static
That car needs torque.. its almost 3000 lbs.... so don't get too upset about it. Its a nice car though.. I really like that engine..

actually it wieghs about the same as the RSX-S. My car weighs about 2765lbs

[static]

Originally posted by Z24and GT


actually it wieghs about the same as the RSX-S. My car weighs about 2765lbs

Yeah, you are right, 2771 for the spec V.. not bad.. I could tell that torque when I raced it... like I said though, nice car :)

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by static


Yeah, you are right, 2771 for the spec V.. not bad.. I could tell that torque when I raced it... like I said though, nice car :)

IT is a nice car, and nothing out right now can beat it for the price.

[GulfCoastGTS]

okay maybe Im missing something but how does the spec-v stack up against the GTS? Slower, faster, better launch, crappier top end? what?

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by GulfCoastGTS
okay maybe Im missing something but how does the spec-v stack up against the GTS? Slower, faster, better launch, crappier top end? what?

There are a few timeslips that are in 15.1s. at 91 or so mph. the car doesnt have the top end of the gts but more along the lines of the GSR probably.

[HilfigerCelica]

The Spec V is definitely a nice car for $18K.

[TRD-GT]

Z24and GT:
yeah but along those lines, i can say that i have seen a gt run in the high 14's....point really is that for that price and in that segment, the spec v is the king....although i would save some money and buy me a wrx...or an atltima....
is a matter of money and taste...i personally dont like it.....but to each its own...

also i would have still prefer the old se-r engine the 2.0 liter engine...the only thing that nissan nedded to do was add det to the final numbering of the engine, and the spec v would be a really fast car

[Z24and GT]

Originally posted by TRD-GT
Z24and GT:
yeah but along those lines, i can say that i have seen a gt run in the high 14's....point really is that for that price and in that segment, the spec v is the king....although i would save some money and buy me a wrx...or an atltima....
is a matter of money and taste...i personally dont like it.....but to each its own...


yeah but that GT isnt stock. and most likely has a stripped interior.

[TRD-GT]

true, but u run what u brung....lol

[SpectraBlueGTS]

after trading my Celica for a Spec V I can tell you guys the GT-S does have a stonger top end but the Spec V is alot more driveable. they handle pretty close with slight tossiblity going to the GT-S and powering out of corners going to the spec V. I think the clutch uptake in the spec v is FAR better than the GT-S. I actually think the trannies are sixes both feel the same you just have to get used to one of the other. but since the 6 spd for the Spec comes out of the Max it will be much stronger and be able to handle alot more power than the Celicas did.. look at how many people have problems with at least the second gear syncro. I got rid of my car because of a missalined clutch from the factory. it caused 1st and 2nd syncros to go out and I fought for a month for them to change them and I still paid for the clutch. and I told them while they were in there that 3rd and 4th would grind sometimes as well. BUT they woudln't replace them.. well they went out later.. and I started the whole fight over.. wasn't worth it. so I traded it for the Spec. I can't say I am disappointed at all. the Spec is a GREAT car. there are a few things I miss and alot of things I don't.. I think it is funny when people stare at the four door that is pulling away from them.. or coming from behind and passing them like it shouldn't be able to do that. the car even with the badging is still a sleeper.. and it is a fun car to drive. I think the gt-s top speed is alittle stronger. this falls inbetween the gt and the gt-s. but wait till it has some good exhausts and intakes.. I think it has a problem breathing near red line take care of that and the car will more than likely pull on the gts as well..

Sean
Black Spec V
Traded Spectra Blue GT-S 6spd 00