2010 Nissan Versa
(Starting at $9,990: Steering Wheel Extra)Wow, can you really get a Nissan Versa for less than $10,000? That sounds like one heck of a bargain, now doesn't it? Or does it? Now didn't your mama ever teach you to read the fine print? This prince of a radio-less, AC-free, low quality rattle trap proves the old adage that sometimes it is best to buy used.This base special comes in sedan form only with manual transmission, a 107 horsepower 4 (as opposed to the 122 horsepower engine in more expensive models) and wheel covers that look like they were made out of recycled Frisbees. There is so little sound deadening it sounds like there is a hive of wasps trapped in the firewall between you and the engine. At this price is there even a firewall?And one more thing? The sedan model of the Versa has sub-par reliability while the hatchback version has above average reliability according to Consumer Reports. Understand now why Nissan is so eager to sell the sedans for cheap (other than the fact that they are hideously ugly)? Apparently the sedan and hatch versions are built in separate plants and for some reason the quality of products coming out of the sedan plant, well, stinks beyond the telling.To sit in a hatch version after experiencing the horror of the four door (which even smells differentin a bad way) is to be shown a true automotive revelation. It doesn't have the Honda Fit beat for cleverness or most fun to drive status but for about $13,000 this car is a great deal. That price includes air conditioning and the essential anti-lock brakes.If you add an automatic, power windows, keyless entry, Bluetooth, vehicle stability contol and traction control the cost only gets to $16,000 just barely. The Versa hatch is one well equipped, highly economical that would be the perfect choice for first time drivers. (Reason: Most competitors don't offer stability control, traction control, ABS and six airbags for such a low price.)You can also go a little crazy and order your Versa hatch as the SL and get razor style 18 inch rims (what's next, dubs on a Yaris?), steering wheel audio control (those should be standard but the radio is easy to adjust without your eyes leaving the road), sport seats (in an economy car?), and a continuously variable transmission (the regular automatic or manual transmissions work just fine, thank you).Power from the 122 horsepower four in the hatch is smooth and just plentiful enough to keep you out of trouble. The interior is made from sturdy materials that look built to survive at least a few years longer than your financing. Buy a red Versa hatchback and it even looks a little bit like a cute lunchbox.The only difficult exterior styling visual is the odd slope of the (spacious) rear hatch which gives the Versa a bit of the appearance of I-gor. You know I-gor, Dr. Frankenstein's assistant in Young Frankenstein.(But then who knows? You can chuckle every morning and tell the car that last night it dug up the wrong brain in the cemetery and that he keeps mispronouncing your name (well it does come with Bluetooth!) I am telling you, no, it's pronounced 'Fronkensteen! )
(Starting at $9,990: Steering Wheel Extra)
Wow, can you really get a Nissan Versa for less than $10,000? That sounds like one heck of a bargain, now doesn't it? Or does it? Now didn't your mama ever teach you to read the fine print? This prince of a radio-less, AC-free, low quality rattle trap proves the old adage that sometimes it is best to buy used.
This base special comes in sedan form only with manual transmission, a 107 horsepower 4 (as opposed to the 122 horsepower engine in more expensive models) and wheel covers that look like they were made out of recycled Frisbees. There is so little sound deadening it sounds like there is a hive of wasps trapped in the firewall between you and the engine. At this price is there even a firewall?
And one more thing? The sedan model of the Versa has sub-par reliability while the hatchback version has above average reliability according to Consumer Reports. Understand now why Nissan is so eager to sell the sedans for cheap (other than the fact that they are hideously ugly)? Apparently the sedan and hatch versions are built in separate plants and for some reason the quality of products coming out of the sedan plant, well, stinks beyond the telling.
To sit in a hatch version after experiencing the horror of the four door (which even smells differentin a bad way) is to be shown a true automotive revelation. It doesn't have the Honda Fit beat for cleverness or most fun to drive status but for about $13,000 this car is a great deal. That price includes air conditioning and the essential anti-lock brakes.
If you add an automatic, power windows, keyless entry, Bluetooth, vehicle stability contol and traction control the cost only gets to $16,000 just barely. The Versa hatch is one well equipped, highly economical that would be the perfect choice for first time drivers. (Reason: Most competitors don't offer stability control, traction control, ABS and six airbags for such a low price.)
You can also go a little crazy and order your Versa hatch as the SL and get razor style 18 inch rims (what's next, dubs on a Yaris?), steering wheel audio control (those should be standard but the radio is easy to adjust without your eyes leaving the road), sport seats (in an economy car?), and a continuously variable transmission (the regular automatic or manual transmissions work just fine, thank you).
Power from the 122 horsepower four in the hatch is smooth and just plentiful enough to keep you out of trouble. The interior is made from sturdy materials that look built to survive at least a few years longer than your financing. Buy a red Versa hatchback and it even looks a little bit like a cute lunchbox.
The only difficult exterior styling visual is the odd slope of the (spacious) rear hatch which gives the Versa a bit of the appearance of I-gor. You know I-gor, Dr. Frankenstein's assistant in Young Frankenstein.
(But then who knows? You can chuckle every morning and tell the car that last night it dug up the wrong brain in the cemetery and that he keeps mispronouncing your name (well it does come with Bluetooth!) I am telling you, no, it's pronounced 'Fronkensteen! )
