Conclusion
The Sentra was very basic (except for 200SX) but still well enough built. It has always been highly rated, better in fact than the following 2001-2006 generation. This Nissan is perhaps the best choice for those looking for the most basic form of reliable transportation at the lowest price. The fact that the Sentra was never very popular has had an effect on the resale value and kept it in a very attainable range. As always, make sure to get it inspected before you sign anything.
Good stuff:
Fuel economy
Interesting purchase price
Not so good stuff:
Noisy engine
Questionable brakes
Tested vehicle:
1999 Nissan Sentra XE, manual transmission with 115,000 km
Problem areas:
None
Competitors:
Mazda Protegé
Toyota Corolla
Chevrolet Cavalier / Pontiac Sunfire
Dodge Neon
Ford Escort
Honda Civic
Recalls:
TC no: 1999069
On certain 2 door models, corrosion of the front coil springs can result from loss of the protective paint coating and heavy road salt exposure. This corrosion may cause pits to form on the spring surface resulting in possible fatigue failure. If a broken spring comes out of the lower seat, it may contact the tire and cause it to deflate. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash. Correction: Front coil springs will be replaced with ones that have been coated with zinc phosphate.
TC no: 1997140
When the throttle position remains unchanged when driving for an extended period of time at low ambient temperatures, moisture may condense in the throttle chamber and freeze. This could result in the throttle being kept open and the engine not returning to idle when the accelerator pedal is released. Under certain conditions this could adversely affect vehicle braking. Correction: a modified throttle chamber gasket, which has a countermeasure sleeve, and a modified ECM, which controls EGR operation under low ambient temperature, will be installed if necessary.
TC no: 1998093
Water could enter and displace the grease in the wiper arm linkage ball joint where the wiper linkage attaches to the wiper motor linkage. This could result in gradual wear inside the joint that could lead to the separation of the wiper linkage assembly from the wiper motor linkage at the ball joint. This condition would result in loss of windshield wiper function. Correction: a water diversion shield will be added to the wiper linkage ball joint area. Also, the passenger's side wiper pivot and two wiper links will be replaced with new ones.
photo:Matt St-Pierre
The Sentra was very basic (except for 200SX) but still well enough built. It has always been highly rated, better in fact than the following 2001-2006 generation. This Nissan is perhaps the best choice for those looking for the most basic form of reliable transportation at the lowest price. The fact that the Sentra was never very popular has had an effect on the resale value and kept it in a very attainable range. As always, make sure to get it inspected before you sign anything.
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Good stuff:
Fuel economy
Interesting purchase price
Not so good stuff:
Noisy engine
Questionable brakes
Tested vehicle:
1999 Nissan Sentra XE, manual transmission with 115,000 km
Problem areas:
None
Competitors:
Mazda Protegé
Toyota Corolla
Chevrolet Cavalier / Pontiac Sunfire
Dodge Neon
Ford Escort
Honda Civic
Recalls:
TC no: 1999069
On certain 2 door models, corrosion of the front coil springs can result from loss of the protective paint coating and heavy road salt exposure. This corrosion may cause pits to form on the spring surface resulting in possible fatigue failure. If a broken spring comes out of the lower seat, it may contact the tire and cause it to deflate. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash. Correction: Front coil springs will be replaced with ones that have been coated with zinc phosphate.
TC no: 1997140
When the throttle position remains unchanged when driving for an extended period of time at low ambient temperatures, moisture may condense in the throttle chamber and freeze. This could result in the throttle being kept open and the engine not returning to idle when the accelerator pedal is released. Under certain conditions this could adversely affect vehicle braking. Correction: a modified throttle chamber gasket, which has a countermeasure sleeve, and a modified ECM, which controls EGR operation under low ambient temperature, will be installed if necessary.
TC no: 1998093
Water could enter and displace the grease in the wiper arm linkage ball joint where the wiper linkage attaches to the wiper motor linkage. This could result in gradual wear inside the joint that could lead to the separation of the wiper linkage assembly from the wiper motor linkage at the ball joint. This condition would result in loss of windshield wiper function. Correction: a water diversion shield will be added to the wiper linkage ball joint area. Also, the passenger's side wiper pivot and two wiper links will be replaced with new ones.
photo:Matt St-Pierre
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