Wednesday, March 21, 2018

NISSAN VERSA - VICES AND VALUE


So here we are in sunny Florida with Nissan’s cheapest car, in fact I think it’s the cheapest new car in America – or near as dammit.
Let’s start with the vices – the styling is most generously described as pedestrian; the shape looks like they stuck it in a vice and squeezed hard, so the car got  narrower and taller;
The CVT auto is not well-calibrated to the 103hp 1.2L four cylinder engine, and holds gears too long when accelerating; and the handling is decidedly ‘dodgy’ – probably because of the high centre of gravity.
On the freeway anything over the 70mph speed limit finds the Versa wandering in the airflow, plus the steering on my car pulled to the right and I was constantly correcting. 
However, that probably means that the poor old rental car just needed a wheel alignment.
I don't believe the designers spent very much time in the company wind tunnel - the car is very unstable at speed.
So don't take too much notice of the tacked-on spoiler on the trunk lid - I figure it's just affectation that comes with the Special Edition badge.
The little Versa is definitely no rocket either. It accelerates to 100km/h (60mph), in 9.2secs, and covers the Standing Quarter Mile in 17 secs, at 130 km/h (80mph).
Also when accelerating up to highway speeds the engine is noisy as - in fact it screams so hard, the driver should be cited for being cruel, and unreasonable.
However, it is unreasonable to expect this little car to perform like one of its grown-up siblings, like the 350Z. The Versa is an honest attempt to bring economical motoring, with an impressive group of standard features within the reach of young (or mature) Americans.

On the first refuel, economy numbers were 6.5 L/100km (34mpg).
The base price in the USA is USD$15,000 – plus the usual extra taxes and charges.
The biggest complaint among the enthusiast and consumer magazines in the USA, is the cheap and nasty feel to the plastics and the interior trim. There is no doubt, when you’re sitting in the cabin, you instantly recognize this is a car where production costs were cut to the bone.
But, if you’re going to make a car for a price, then the discipline carmakers have to observe on component and equipment costs must be rigid. Having said that, Nissan is a huge global company, even bigger since the creation of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, and so its ability to source better looking, and better feeling plastics should not be limited. In terms of purchasing power Nissan could surely do better, to give the Versa a better-resolved interior space.
I could point to the excellent results GM achieved with its new Chevrolet Spark (right), thanks to the influence of GM’s new Head of Design, Australian Michael Simcoe.
Simcoe told me he set his teams a target to create a ‘quality feel’ regardless of its pricing status in the Chevy lineup, and after driving the car in Australia GM certainly achieved its goals – and Nissan could do worse than take a leaf out of the GM playbook.
As CAR AND DRIVER said in its review, inexpensive doesn’t have to mean the car ‘looks’ cut-rate.
Personally, I think the Versa has nothing going for it in terms of visual appeal, sex appeal or any other appeal. It looks like what it is, and that’s a shame, because hiding under the pedestrian styling and the uninspired interior design, is a tough, reliable, economical and safe passenger car, that offers excellent value-for-money.
It's also roomy for its size, with fold-down rear seats, decently-sized trunk and comfortable front seats.
Really cute small cars are often tagged as ‘chick’ cars, meaning no young male would be seen driving it – unfortunately for Nissan, I can’t see the Versa appealing to anyone under 65. It's just great for someone who only needs wheels to trundle from the Assisted Living Village to the Mall.

So, there. I’ve damned it with faint praise, which probably only endorses the fact that I’m some sort of brand snob, with champagne taste on a beer pocket. Competitors like the Chevrolet Sonic, the Kia Picanto and Honda Fit are more attractive, and dynamically better.
However, the payback comes in very economical operation; on the second fill the fuel consumption fell to 5.9 L/100km (39mpg).
This is especially important, considering the Nissan Versa SV shown here (USD$16,500), is just a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the comparably-equipped and dynamically-superior Ford Fiesta.
CAR AND DRIVER’s nutshell view captures the situation:
“For many years, the Versa has been America’s biggest-selling subcompact, so there appears to be little incentive for Nissan to spend more money.”
What’s that you said about not wasting money putting lipstick on a pig?

30 comments:

  1. Alta calidad comprar réplicas de relojes de un relojero confiable? aquí puedo ofrecerte el mejor réplica de relojes rolex in high quality, including Cartier, Breitling,Omega, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing the post. It is valuable for the Nissan users. If you are looking to get the car rental services then, luxury car rental la service provider who has number of cars.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing the valuable blog with us. If you are looking for the Denver to Vail car service then mountaincars.com is here for you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NISSAN Is awesome option to rent! i always rent it on rental24h.com when i decide to travel to some country! it is actually great car!

    ReplyDelete
  5. best rental car rates, luxury car rentals columbia sc luxury car rentals columbia sc cheap car hire in usa

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great job, You are providing good knowledge. It is really helpful and factual information for us and everyone to increase knowledge. Continue sharing your data. Thank you. taxi to Antwerp

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am very thankful to you that you have shared this information with us. I got some different kind of knowledge from your web page, and it is really helpful for everyone. Thanks for share it. Read more info about Taxi near me

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's a nice article, Which you have shared here about the Taxi Services. Your article is very informative and I really liked the way you expressed your views in this post. Thank you.Taxi To Gatwick keep sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This article provided me with a wealth of information about Tampa Airport Limos. The article is incredibly helpful and offers some of the most useful information. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The information in the post you posted here is useful because it contains some of the best information available. Thanks for sharing about Chauffeur airport transfers Melbourne. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The information you've provided here is fantastic because it provides a wealth of information that is really useful to me. Thank you for sharing about armored vehicle rental. I really liked your post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You have provided a richly informative article about Car Rental Dalaman Airport.It is a beneficial article for me and also helpful for those who are searching for this type of blog. Thanks for sharing this information here.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I respect this article for this content and amazing phrasing. I got so associated with this material that I was unable to quit perusing. I am intrigued with your work and aptitude. Much obliged to you to such an extent.Cirencester taxi firms

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for providing me with such valuable information about Clovis CA dmv online driving course. This article provided me with some useful knowledge. Continue to make posts like this.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am heartily thankful to you that you have shared this type of information with us. I got some different kind of knowledge from your webpage, and it is essential for everyone. chauffeur cars melbourne airport

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am attracted by the info which you have provided in the above post.Taxi to Manchester Airport Manchester It is genuinely good and beneficial info for us. Continue posting, Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Book the best Exotic Miami rentals with mphclub.com, the best exotic car rental company in Miami Florida. Exotic Miami rentals

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am pleased that this article provided me with some important information. Thank you so much for sharing about Defensive Driving Course Online. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. Read more info about Traffic Control Safety Training. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The content you've posted here is fantastic because it provides some excellent information that will be quite beneficial to me. Thank you for sharing about Book Practical Driving Test Dvsa Cancellations. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very Good info, This is excellent information which is shared by you. This information is very meaningful and magnificent for us to increase our knowledge about it. Always keep sharing this kind of information. Thanks once again for sharing it. Swaraj Tractor

    ReplyDelete
  22. Excellent and informative article. You have good knowledge of the Your article has everything which I want. Driving Instructor Rydalmere.Good job.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. Practical Driving Test Cancellation Checker Dsa. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I generally check this kind of article and I found your article which is related to my interest.Clovis Ca Dmv Online Driving Course Genuinely it is good and instructive information. Thankful to you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Excellent post. I really enjoy reading and also appreciate your work. This concept is a good way to enhance knowledge. Keep sharing this kind of articles, luxury cars for sale dubai Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Excellent knowledge, You are providing important knowledge. It is really helpful and factual information for us and everyone to increase knowledge. Continue sharing your data. Thank you. Read more info about Cash For Cars Toowoomba

    ReplyDelete
  28. check this kind of article and I found your article which is related to my interest.Model 3 accessories Genuinely it is good and instructive information. Thankful to you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  29. This information is meaningful and magnificent which you have shared here about the I am impressed by the details that you have shared in this post and It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. I would like to thanks for sharing this article here.motorsport devices online price

    ReplyDelete
  30. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Fantastic read. Best oxford limo hire service provider

    ReplyDelete