2003 Nissan Sentra 2.5 LE QR25DE 2.5L from North America

Summary:

So many standard features for the price! Awesome car

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This is my first new car and I love it so far!

When I was shopping for my first new car, I wanted a cheap compact car and I almost bought a Hyundai Elantra.

Then I saw a Nissan dealer selling 2003 Sentra 2.5LE for $13,500! I bought my car for $14,000 out the door with tax, fees and everything. The dealer even installed the mud guards and in-cabin microfilter. I think it was an awesome deal for a car that has so many standard features.

165HP 175TQ powerful engine, ABS, 4 wheel disc brakes, side airbags, 180 watt stereo, leather wrapped steering wheel, alloy rims, cruise control, power windows, trunk button on the remote, factory alarm, etc! Toyota Corolla BASIC model with manual windows was invoiced at $14,000!

Sentra 2.5LE has good torque and it’s easy to spin the wheels even with an automatic transmission. Great off the line punch and highway passing power.

The car handles great and ride is comfortable. I went ski trips a lot last winter and I didn’t get fatigued from driving 5-6 hours. However, my right knee sometimes would hurt after I got home… I snowboard and fall down a lot :) I think more leg room or telescoping steering wheel would help.

I change engine oil myself and this car is easy to change oil. It can be done without lifting the car.

The sticker on the car listed 23MPG for city and 28MPG for highway, but I’m getting better mileage since the pre-cat recall. I usually get 25-27MPG (50% city 50% highway) and the best I got was 34MPG (100% highway).

I had 0 problem with my car.

Overall, I give my car A+!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2004

14th Sep 2005, 23:38

Update on my car. 2 years and 4 months old now with 24,500 miles. 0 problems and still feels new!

7th Aug 2007, 15:47

I have one 2003 Nissan Sentra Limited edition and the current miles is about 90000. Last month the car broke down in the middle of road and I towed it to two different places and they cannot find the problem. Finnaly I towed it to Nissan dealer and they told me that the ECM is bad (ECU failed). Later I found that they are one open recall is involved with car which is about ECM foam. Nissan dealer told me there is no relationship between these two issues.

After replacing the whole ECM, one problem is still there compared to the time before it's not broken down. It's not smooth to accelerate. Whenever it goes up to 2000 r/min, it will suddenly drop no matter how much gas added. Is that a common problem?

2003 Nissan Sentra SER Spec - v 2.5L from North America

Summary:

So very disappointed

Faults:

Where to Begin...

Pre-catalyst recall - Dealer claimed ours fine, but engine burning oil. Began oil consumption test that lasted for 6 months.

ECU recall - dealer either replaces or reprograms ECU not sure which.

Car began to idle ruff, stalled out wouldn't start. Dealer replaces catalytic converter. Stalls out leaving service department.

Butterfly screw off of intake valve loose in cylinder, cylinder came up and smacked gap closed on spark plug.

Still burning oil...

Heat/air gets stuck on HOT.

Still burning oil...

Car began making strange whine sound when at 2000 RPM's, eventually does it at several levels. Dealer says dash rattle, I insist not, dealer eventually decides broken catalytic converter clamp. Waited 3 weeks because part on back order.

Still burning oil...

Requested new engine as per recall if burning oil, told to continue consumption test.

Determined oil burning a full qrt in less than 1000 miles. Finally get new motor.

Car occasionally refuses to start and stay running, once every 50 starts or so. Belts are now squealing and engine sound now making sound like lifter knocking (yet to contact dealer on these).

Dome light no longer working.

Plastic trim on inside of door came off.

(sigh) Looking for lawyer in phone book as I speak.

General Comments:

Previously loyal Nissan drivers. Very disappointed in that car is VERY quick powerful and comfortable. Had a 91 SER and wish we never got rid of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th April, 2004

24th Jun 2004, 12:10

Do you beat on your Spec? If so, it might explain why you have oil problems, when cats get hot, the material inside them gets burnt/melts, where does it usually go? Out the exhaust, but since the QR25de engine has variable valve timing it doesn't have an EGR valve, thus the engine makes a small amount of vacuum during off-throttle. This brings those material pieces from the cat, which is right off the head, back into the engine, scoring the cylinder walls, thus, burning oil. As for as you other problems, have you looked into the lemon laws? Because I have a '03 Spec myself, 33k on it now, no oil problems, no interior panel problems, no starting problems, no problems with the belts, etc. I think you may have a "lemon" on your hands.

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