2002 Nissan Sentra Review

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2002 Nissan Sentra - Sentra frugal force.

By: Dan Jedlicka

The Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V sedan has a mile-long name, but not a mile-high price. And it's one of those cars that will deliver many miles of driving kicks. Racing school graduates will soon sense that the Spec V will do well on a track, although it's docile during regular driving. Even small items such as the front strut tower brace, which enhancing handling, show that Nissan has a serious high-performance model here. The Spec V is a faster version of the Sentra SE-R, which is the hot rod version of the regular, fifth-generation Sentra. The original 1991-94 SE-R looked bland but was a high-performance two-door model. Nissan decided to revive the high-performance SE-R for 2002--and then go one step further by also offering it in higher-performance Spec V trim.

There's considerable interest among younger drivers in small, fast cars. Nissan thus felt the time was right for value-driven sports sedans such as the SE-R and Spec V, which are expected to account for about 20 percent of Sentra sales. Nissan has a rich history with low-priced sports sedans. While many younger car buffs fondly recall the original SE-R, a good number of older ones remember the sophisticated 510 sports sedan Nissan offered from 1968 to 1973. The Spec V gets its designation from Nissan's Skyline GT-R V Spec, a high-performance sports car not offered in America. But never mind. The Spec V is plenty fast, especially considering its reasonable price. So is the SE-R.

Regular Sentras are solid front-drive economy sedans. They have a 1.8-liter, 126-horsepower four-cylinder engine and base prices that go from $11,799 to $14,549. The SE-R has a new 2.5-liter, 165-horsepower four-cylinder with 16 valves, dual overhead camshafts and continuously variable valve timing. This model costs $15,999 with a five-speed manual gearbox and an extra $800 with a four-speed automatic transmission. The $16,999 Spec V version has a 175 horsepower version of the SE-R engine, with a special free-flowing exhaust system. You can tell the Spec V is for hard-core car buffs because it comes only with a six-speed manual transmission, which shifts well but works with a long-throw clutch.

The SE-R and Spec V look the part, with such items as a Skyline-style front fascia with a mesh grille and large fog lights. They also have body color side sill extensions, rear spoiler and large chrome exhaust tips. Compared to regular Sentras, the SE-R has a firmer sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch wheels (versus 14- and 15-inch ones), unique gauges, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob and four-wheel disc brakes with an optional anti-lock system. Besides the additional power, the Spec V adds a sportier track-tuned suspension with items such as stiffer springs. There also are larger 17-inch wheels and wider 45-series tires, along with a helical limited-slip differential for better traction with the Sentra's front-drive setup.

And the Spec V adds a special leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob, along with colorful lava colored race-style front sports bucket seats from the Skyline 25GX-Turbo model, also not sold in America. The SE-R and Spec V have many standard items, including air conditioning, tilt wheel, cruise control, remote keyless entry and power windows and door locks. However, only the SE-R has a folding rear seat for added space.

Available for both the SE-R and Spec V is a $549 nine-speaker, 900-watt killer sound system with a $399 in-dash six-disc CD changer. Also offered are front side-impact air bags, which come with the anti-lock system in a $749 package. A $699 power sliding sunroof is accompanied by illuminated sunvisor mirrors.

The Spec V streaks to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, although the engine needs lots of revs to deliver the best performance. That means a fair amount of shifting. For instance, a downshift from sixth to fourth gear is needed for the best 65-75 mph passing times. But, thanks to the sixth gear, the engine revs at a relaxed 2,700 rpm at 70 mph.

Estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The steering is quick and handling is very sharp. Large disc brakes result in short stopping distances, and the pedal has a nice feel. However, the Spec V's stiff suspension occasionally causes the ride to be jerky. There is decent room for four tall adults, although legroom gets tight behind a driver who moves his seat back all the way. Narrow rear door bottoms hinder entry and exit.

Gauges can be quickly read and controls have a soft feel. Climate controls are large, but radio controls are small and located beneath the climate controls. Front cupholders shouldn't lead to spills, and there are a fair number of front storage areas. The large trunk has a low opening, but its lid has intrusive hinges. Nissan says the SE-R and Spec V "indicate the future direction of Nissan sedans'' and adds that it's a "spirited one, to say the least.'' Drivers of the SE-R Spec V wouldn't argue with that.

NISSAN SENTRA SE-R SPEC V

Price
$16,999
Likes
Fast and furious. High-profile styling. Terrific bucket seats. A blast to drive.
Dislikes
Occasionally jerky ride. Engine needs lots of revs. Long-throw clutch.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka's Website

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a busines news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour televison specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka has been a member since 1995 of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the county.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.