4th Jul 2007, 08:54
I purchased a 2003 SE-R (non Spec-V) approx. two months ago. So far I have driven it fairly hard, on a daily basis, enjoying its great pick up and precise shifts.
But like everybody before me, I have had problems and I have noticed a progressive wearing of the brake pads. There is a very long struggle to start on some occasions, and sometimes the car runs very sluggish; chugging and losing its ability to pick up speed. I have been to a local dealership in town for questions about the mysterious rattle everybody mentions, and I was told that it originates from various heat shields surrounding the exhaust system. Numerous owners have come in and had unnecessary shields removed, solving the problem quickly and for next to no cost.
I have yet to bring my car in for an oil change - it runs clean and still has plenty of clean oil on the dipstick, but my next change will be synthetic oil for sure. I have been fighting for a while to find after-market performance parts for my SE-R, but there isn't that much market for real performance parts.
All in all, the car is good, but my hunger for speed isn't yet fulfilled. I still wish I had bought an srt-4 (my original intent, but for the lack of sufficient funding).
23rd Jul 2007, 20:48
I bought an 02' spec-v in 05 that had 40K on it. As soon as I went to start it up the following day... took almost 3 tries for it to start.. That's just the beginning... now, almost 2 years later (with noticeable problem in between) I am going through almost 3 quarts of oil a WEEK!!!
I drive the car about 17 miles each day from my house to work and then back. Now, after noticing this problem for about a few months now my SES light came on and my converter is going.. I can barely get enough pick up to get on to a highway. The car cannot drive over 60MPH.
I have found out from my uncle, who is a very good mechanic, that the piston rings went a long time ago, and he sees it a lot in this car. The piston rings being fried is making the car burn off oil through the exhaust system, as well as the converter causing it to get a bad reading. There is really only a few solutions...
1. Keep dealing with the problem and order cheap converters and keep putting oil in it.
2. Leave it.
3. Sell the damn thing. They all seem to suck!
24th Jul 2007, 04:03
Hey Guys and gals... I believe we are all in the same boat.
I have a Nissan Sentra SP V, which I purchased in Aug, 05 with 32k miles. I now have 52k on it.
First of all, YES, it burns oil!!! But I don't use regular barrel oil. I use synthetic oil. The viscosity breakdown is much slower than the common oil. And let me tell ya, it's pretty good. And since it's a high revving motor... it's better for the engine.
2nd, the main problem I've had was the loss of power from the throttle. I think I've seen a couple of comments about that. To all who have had this problem, change your M.A.S. (Mass Airflow Sensor), and that should take care of the problem. Hopefully it's under warranty. Since I've changed mine, I haven't had any problems.
It's a fun car to drive, but ya have to be ready to tackle the little headaches that come with it. Yes, we have all been HAD by Nissan, and its @#$% up that Nissan does not stand behind their product 100%. I'm considering trading mine in, but I can say in the short time I've had it, I've had a lot of fun with the 6-SP BUMBLE-BEE.
L8r ALL.... HTJ...NYC
6th Sep 2007, 19:14
Before I start let me say that I do 80% highway driving...
I bought a brand new Spec V in the spring of '03. I am on my third engine; the first failed at 57k (drivetrain warranty ended at 60k). I was really busy, but I took it to the dealer for hard starts and a lifter tick. They told me.
"...the O2 sensor is bad, but if you're short on time we can take care of it when you get your next oil change (another 1000 miles/3.5 to 4 weeks away). It's not bad enough right now to press the issue".
I got nothing, but a blank stare about the lifter issue. As I merged onto the freeway one morning, before that next oil change, the tach would not go above 2500 RPMS at about 65mph and died on the side of the road. Once I finally got it to the dealer, they said the first CAT fell apart, destroyed the second, got sucked into the engine block and scored the cylinder bores. They replaced it and the ECM and paid for my rental after I complained for 2 months.
The second engine lasted about 30k. It started burning oil and of course, knocking as a result. They never confirmed if the valves, the piston rings or both were causing the problem. BTW, I still have the lifter tick from the first engine (LOL).
Between the original and the replacement motor, I had both the cam sensor (engine 1) and crank sensor (engine 2) replaced. For the last replacement, I called 1-800-NISSAN1 and tried to get them to pay for a much cheaper rental car bill and they wouldn't spring for it. Their regional customer relations manager said Nissan was doing me a favor by replacing the engine AGAIN.
The third (current) engine seems to be holding up so far, but we'll see. I followed Nissan's break in specs on all three of my engines to the letter and we see where it's gotten me.
They claim the engine in the B16 is the same, but from what I understand, it was gutted and completely revamped other than the liter size and the name plate. To anyone looking to buy a Nissan I suggest getting a car with an SR20 or the famous 3.5 that is either available or standard in almost ever car they make above the Sentra.
15th Sep 2007, 04:54
I keep reading how everyone is having problems with their engines on their Spec V's. I just so happen to own an 04 spec v and I haven't had any problems with it at all. All I do is constantly stomp on the gas and e-brake it around corners. I'm starting to think sertain people don't drive it right. Don't buy the car if you can't handle a 6 speed.
8th Mar 2007, 17:01
I have a 2002 Nissan Sentra, bought at 20,000 miles. It suddenly started to die when stopped at traffic lights. Taken to the dealer; the dealer replaced the ECM since ECM was not communicating to the diagnostic probe. But he is not sure whether to replace the mass air flow meter and spark plugs further (I was charged $95 even with this uncertainty). What are the items in the recall; I hear ECM is one. Is air-flow meter included? With the new ECM it is making a strange noise. Though I will never buy another Nissan, how will get the current one running for some more time?