After my daughter's 2003 Corolla caught fire a 2nd time, we decided to just donate it to the Kidney Foundation, and get something else. My kids just need a car to get to school and work. A former neighbor is selling her 2012 Nissan Sentra with 112k miles for $4000. She said the transmission was replaced 3 years ago, and that they installed a transmission cooler at the time. Does anyone know if that cooler is enough to fix the problems inherent in that transmission? Would you pay 4k for that car?

Thanks

The Sentra is a "just OK" car. Much better than the fugly Versa, however. She won't be ashamed to be seen in it. As for this transmission cooler business, I'd want to know more about it, i.e., exactly what part was replaced, and with what.

Nevermind. I misread years....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Skins2881,

My dad has owned three Sentras over the years (a 1990, 1996 and 2003, still drives the 2003) and has had good luck with all three. As his son with a penchant for driving RWD sports cars, I drove the 1990 and 1996 during winters and was also satisfied.

I just bought a '15 Sentra for one daughter and a '17 Sentra for another back in June of this year -- one of my costlier weekends, to say the least -- and found both to be nice cars and worthy of my $$. While it's only been a couple months, both have served them well, and I hope will continue to do so for a long while.

Is the transmission at CVT or more traditional multi-gear automatic?

I added an external AT cooler to my 03 Odyssey (just like the higher trim levels came stock) and hadn't had issues.

I suppose a CVT could benefit from cooler ATF much like a standard AT.

I think the Sentra got a new body style in 2013. Check to see what improvements came with the newer generation.

At this price point, I like to ask questions such as:
What milestone services were performed (or ignored)?
Are the tires bald? What does a new set cost?
If the car were to spontaneously combust the next day, would I be financially ruined?
Will this car need $1000 worth of work in the next 12 months?
Is this $4K car going to cost me another $3K in the next 24 months? Would that swing the economics in favor or against the purchase?
Can I change the front brake pads by myself and for less than $50?

As an aside, the VW diesels are hitting the used car market after being "fixed" by VW.

You can pick up a Jetta wagon diesel with less than 30K miles, loaded options for about $10-14K. That car sold new for $25-30K.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
Is the transmission at CVT or more traditional multi-gear automatic?

I added an external AT cooler to my 03 Odyssey (just like the higher trim levels came stock) and hadn't had issues.

I suppose a CVT could benefit from cooler ATF much like a standard AT.

I think the Sentra got a new body style in 2013. Check to see what improvements came with the newer generation.

At this price point, I like to ask questions such as:
What milestone services were performed (or ignored)?
Are the tires bald? What does a new set cost?
If the car were to spontaneously combust the next day, would I be financially ruined?
Will this car need $1000 worth of work in the next 12 months?
Is this $4K car going to cost me another $3K in the next 24 months? Would that swing the economics in favor or against the purchase?
Can I change the front brake pads by myself and for less than $50?

It's got the CVT transmission, and from what I've read, it's a piece of junk - typically dying around 60k miles. The only thing I don't know is if the cooler fixes the transmission, or merely extends it's life a little longer.

I wouldn't. Ive heard to many horror stories about Nisson. They aren't doing great and I could see the company going out of business in the future!!

Oh no!!! It's got a CVT transmission blah blah blah... Contrary to what you keep hearing on gun forums, there is nothing wrong with a CVT. They are pretty standard these days for small cars. This is not a performance car where enthusiasts are going to be tweaking what gear and RPM they are at with a stick shift. It's a commuter car for people who want to go from point A to point B.

Bought a new Nissan Murano in 2014. Loved the style and ride. At 35,000 miles my keys were having trouble communicating with the car. I had the key in my hand push the start button and the dash would say no key detected. Sometimes doors wouldn't unlock. Took it in and fortunately still under warranty they reprogramed the keys. Some time later my wife and daughter were going out of state . They called me to say part of the dash went dark. Car was running ok so they kept going. A day later they called the car acted like it was losing power. Would'nt accelerate easily. Fortunately they got home. Now the warranty is over. Got rid of it. Only 40,000 miles! Bought a Toyota. Will never own another Nissan.

quote:

Originally posted by kramden:
Bought a new Nissan Murano in 2014. Loved the style and ride. At 35,000 miles my keys were having trouble communicating with the car. I had the key in my hand push the start button and the dash would say no key detected. Sometimes doors wouldn't unlock. Took it in and fortunately still under warranty they reprogramed the keys. Some time later my wife and daughter were going out of state . They called me to say part of the dash went dark. Car was running ok so they kept going. A day later they called the car acted like it was losing power. Would'nt accelerate easily. Fortunately they got home. Now the warranty is over. Got rid of it. Only 40,000 miles! Bought a Toyota. Will never own another Nissan.

Last two work vehicles were Nissans. Both had electrical problems. I would not buy one just based on my sample size of two. Maybe I'm just really unlucky.

quote:

Originally posted by Fundman:
Oh no!!! It's got a CVT transmission blah blah blah... Contrary to what you keep hearing on gun forums, there is nothing wrong with a CVT. They are pretty standard these days for small cars. This is not a performance car where enthusiasts are going to be tweaking what gear and RPM they are at with a stick shift. It's a commuter car for people who want to go from point A to point B.

It's not that it's a CVT. It's that it's a poorly designed and built CVT.

I have a 2014 Rogue SL AWD with the CVT. My wife loved the options and price point, so I got it for her daily driver. While I'm not a big fan of the CVT style, it's not a total turd.

I have the 60K service coming up and the dealer wants $1140 for the service, most of which is visual inspections and some fluid swap. They've tried to convince me that the CVT fluid MUST be removed with a special tool/machine. I have a copy of the Nissan shop manual (um, from Nissan, by Nissan, for Nissan) and it makes no mention of some special machine. However, it does require Nissan-brand CVT fluid at some ridiculous $14/qt. I should be able to perform the 60K service for about $300-350.

As Fundman stated, the CVT is ubiquitous in the small car segment and most manufacturers are headed that way to squeeze a few more MPG (to meet CAFE standards). My real life experience has been OK with the CVT, but only when paired with the right motor. The CVT in the Nissan V6 (Maxima, Murano) is fine and at times fine. But in the four banger (Altima, Rogue), you've got to beat it to get up and go. In normal driving, it's adequate.

If for some reason the CVT fails in my 2014 Rogue, I will likely arm wrestle the dealer for at cost and continue with the car. I like everything else about it.

Any Nissan after the 1999 merge with Renault is suspect in my mind. As for CVTs if it is made by JATCO nope nope nope.




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/nqZseFMPooAbn




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/HSZ5h-ifYQho

quote:

Originally posted by Fundman:
Oh no!!! It's got a CVT transmission blah blah blah... Contrary to what you keep hearing on gun forums, there is nothing wrong with a CVT. They are pretty standard these days for small cars. This is not a performance car where enthusiasts are going to be tweaking what gear and RPM they are at with a stick shift. It's a commuter car for people who want to go from point A to point B.

While this is true for the most part, the Nissan CVT is historically been one of the worst of not by far the worst CVT ever created. They are just completely unreliable.

When I was looking at vehicles to replace the 20-year old Jimmy that had turned into a black hole for maintenance, the owner of the independent shop that maintains my vehicles told me Toyota good, Honda good, but do NOT buy Mazda or Nissan.

Then he thought about it for a minute or two, and told me to go ahead and get a Nissan, as he was looking for a new hunting rifle and a really good scope and he needed the extra work in his shop so he could pay for his new gear.

Honda or Honda, Toyota or Toyota.

I’m on my third Hyundai Sonata: 2002, 2012, and now a 2018. All have been great, with low maintenance requirements. Much better in that regard than my previous Toyota Camry.

The Hyundai dealership is much better than any of the Toyota dealerships that I used, too.

Jatco changed the transmission s after 2014.
The biggest problem wast the fluid breaking down from heat so they added the cooler.
There are Nissan Rouges with 300K on the original Jatcos.