1997 Nissan Sentra Reviews - Page 3 of 6

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1997 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.6 from North America

Model year1997
Year of manufacture1996
First year of ownership2004
Most recent year of ownership2005
Engine and transmission 1.6 Automatic
Performance marks 9 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
9.8 / 10
Distance when acquired100000 miles
Most recent distance115000 miles

Summary:

I'm in love!

Faults:

There have been no major problems with this car except some minor work such as:

Minor exhaust work done.

CV Joints.

General Comments:

I LOVE this car. Before I bought it I didn't know much about Nissan and my brother recommended it to me. I still thank him to this day! The car has been very reliable, and runs like new. It is quiet and has EXCELLENT fuel economy. I drive for days and forget when I last filled the car up. Gas is not a problem for me at all. I have not had any major work done on this car, but what I needed done was not expensive at all. If you prefer quality over a fast sporty car, I recommend the Nissan Sentra. It's one of the best investments I have ever made!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th May, 2005

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1997 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.4 from North America

Model year1997
Year of manufacture1997
First year of ownership2003
Most recent year of ownership2005
Engine and transmission 1.4 Automatic
Performance marks 7 / 10
Reliability marks 6 / 10
Comfort marks 7 / 10
Dealer Service marks 7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
6.8 / 10
Distance when acquired99000 miles
Most recent distance115000 miles
Previous carNissan Sentra

Summary:

More pros than cons

Faults:

So far only three things:

1. Tie Rod End (rear)

2. Starter.

3. Driver's side wiper rod (internal)

Yes, other than those three things the Sentra has been a pretty good car, considering.

General Comments:

For it's size and engine power it can really haul it's scrap, fast and peppy for sure!

Although I still feel very mixed feelings about this car I must say it's very fun to drive and if it really wanted to I bet it could be as reliable as a Honda, really.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2005

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1st Jun 2005, 22:10

Yes, it could be as reliable, if cared for immaculately (as most cars can be.) But a Honda can take a licking and keep on ticking. That's the main reliability difference between a 97 Sentra and a 97 Civic.

Everyone keeps talking about the car's pep. Maybe my 97 Sentra has an engine problem. When I put the pedal to the metal, I literally cannot spill a cup of coffee resting in the passenger seat.

"If you want basic, reliable transportation with four doors, one of your many choices is the Sentra." - Edmund's review.

But if you want anything else, like proper wheel support, you'll have to upgrade to an Altima or switch to a different auto-maker.

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30th Aug 2005, 17:10

I must admit that I am very fond of Honda myself, however I also feel pretty darn good about Nissan, but if you want to talk about the King of the Imports here, well it's truly NO CONTEST I mean TOYOTA WINS FOR SURE hands-down! I happen to own a 1997 Nissan Sentra GXE and I am both very happy & quite proud of the car and all of the (95-99) B14's performance features offered by that generation. Awesome gas mileage (30/38) with this Sentra, fast little engine for a V4 1.6L and not to mention all of the aftermarket parts that unlike most imports out there today "ACTUALLY LOOK REALLY DECENT" on the vehicle.

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10th Jan 2013, 19:11

I've owned a 96 Civic, and a 99 Civic EX.

I now own a 1.6L 200SX (a Sentra with 2 doors) and a 2.0L 200SX.

The Sentra's 1.6L is just a stronger, more powerful motor in a lighter car. It may seem slow because of the long gears, but really, it has more torque across the power band and lower weight (BTW, I am talking about the manual transmissions).

Also, it doesn't cost $1000 to replace the timing belt as it does on the Hondas. The timing chain tensioner will go out every ~150k miles, but it is very cheap to replace in comparison.

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1997 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.6-liter DOHC 4 cylinder from North America

Year of manufacture1997
First year of ownership2004
Most recent year of ownership2004
Engine and transmission 1.6-liter DOHC 4 cylinder Automatic
Performance marks 9 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
9.8 / 10
Distance when acquired86000 miles
Most recent distance87500 miles

Summary:

Economy car? What's that?

Faults:

So far, I am quite happy with this car, especially because it's my first car (I'm 17). Nothing is really wrong with it, but here are some minor issues:

There is an occasional grinding noise in the left-front region, possibly due to loose wheel-housing (lining along underside of fender/bumper) or a worn-out brake.

The stock stereo is terrible and I am looking forward to getting it replaced with a nice CD-player or something.

I need to replace my windshield wipers because rainwater is smeared in such a way that I cannot see too well in rainy conditions.

There is no tachometer.

I wish it had a spoiler.

I wish it had the 1998-1999 grille (the black one).

I wish it at least had 15" factory wheels.

Ooh... another wish. Well, it would be nice to have the side mirrors being the same color as the body.

I really don't have any performance-related problems with this car the way it is, but I wish it had a manual transmission.

General Comments:

First of all, this car gets excellent gas mileage! With air-conditioning on most of the time while driving on about 7 gallons of gas in both city and highway conditions, the car has been driven about 200 miles so far according to the nifty trip odometer.

This car is surprisingly quick, especially for a little car with an automatic transmission. I hit 60 MPH in about 7 seconds or so.

Comfort and handling is excellent.

Having all power options such as power windows and locks is everything a 17-year old can ask for in a first car.

This car zips through traffic very easily.

This car has a nice sound to it while being driven.

The air-conditioning works great.

Defrosters work quickly.

I'm so confident in this car that I just might use it on a drive to my sister's house in Florida (about 928 miles).

Nissan Sentra rules!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2004

Comment on this review

4th Nov 2004, 01:08

The gas mileage is only good because the engine has no capacity for gasoline, and is very weak.

This car is surprisingly quick if you're used to horseback riding.

Comfort and handling is excellent compared to how comfortable I am when I have intestinal flu.

Having all power options such as power windows and locks is just more things that can go wrong on a cheap car.

This car zips through traffic very easily, providing you are driving in the middle of the night on a deserted 8 lane highway.

This car has a nice rattly sound all over while being driven.

The air-conditioning does work great - so great that it robs the engine of at least 20% of its horsepower. I have to turn off the A/C if I want to attempt to pass anyone in traffic.

"I'm so confident in this car that I just might use it on a drive to my sister's house in Florida (about 928 miles)." - that's sarcasm, right?

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Average review marks: 8.1 / 10, based on 19 reviews