2001 Nissan Sentra SE Sport from North America - Comments

I bought my new Sentra SE SP 2.0L, 5 speed, 2001, in 2001.

I hate this car mainly for the bad brakes...

At service #1 at 16500 km, the front rotors were already warped, not under warranty.

At 57000 km, all 4 discs+pads were replaced.

At 125000 km, again all 4 discs+pads replaced.

At 153000 km, again, all 4 discs+pads AND rear calipers were replaced.

Rust start appearing on each doors (inner bottom) after 3 years only.

At 136000 km, need to replace the air flow sensor ($100) and the 1st O2 sensor (the one before the catalysor) ($250).

Some minor electrical problems: Electric roof switch went bad at 59000 km; under warranty.

Check Engine lights up now and then, when I fill up the gas tank... this issue seems to be related with the tank cap. I don't bother anymore.

At 162000 km, Blower fan resistor dead (only working at speed #4). I fix the problem by soldering a wire on the PCB bypassing the cooked trace. This is really a bad design!!

And the front rotors are starting to get rusty again 4 months after they were changed (uneven braking). Will go back at M. Muffler to hear their song...

I use this car to go to work. Average 23000 km per year. 50% highway, 50% city.

Last minor comment: The headlights clear plastic quality is really cheap because it is now blurry & yellow.

Will I buy Nissan again? No. Was this model built in Mexico???

I'm getting tired of the firm suspension.

Original tire size is not very popular (195/55R16). Using 205 size now.

In 2001, the timing chain was an added value compared to a timing belt used on many other cars.

Yes it was manufactured in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico as all post-2000 models have been. I have to agree the brakes are HORRIBLE. My brakes locked on a slick road one day as I had to made a sudden stop and then they locked again when I was forced to jam on them in order to avoid a collision. Each time they hesitated before wanting to work again. I'm honestly fearful what will happen in more dangerous situations if I need to use the brakes harshly.

The reason for the harsh braking is because there is no ABS on the car. you can't just stomp and steer like other cars. I currently have 65k miles on the car and now having the first rotor and pads all around and rear caliper seized. Expensive, but maintenance is on foreign cars.

All cars made today should be designed with safety in mind, low-end models included. One never knows when he may need to make a sudden to in order to avoid a rear-end collision. Situations on the road occur suddenly and spontaneously. I had no clue that my brakes were sub-par as far as performance was concerned. Had I known, I'd have never bought the car. Really I should consider trading it on a 1990 Toyota Cressida I saw that DOES have this feature and is generally a safer car though much older.

I guess I’ll be the exception to the common rule here.

I also have a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE. The only add-ons missing are the ABS and side airbags.

As for repairs, I’ve replaced my rear calipers after one became problematic and seized on me once at 90k miles.

I had the alternator replaced at about 100k miles, and changed one of the window regulators myself at 122k miles.

Gripes aside, I’m very satisfied with the car. It starts every time, rain, shine, or blinding blizzard. Though not the fastest car on the road, it can get out of its own way quite convincingly.

The SE models come equipped with performance in mind, so the extra power, the viscous limited slip differential, firmer suspension, strut tower brace, larger brakes (from the Altima of the time) in 5-speed guise make for a very satisfying ride.

Of note however I realized that there were some things that should’ve been improved on over the stock configuration. Better tires improve control and handling, especially in the wet. The stock brakes are fine for a daily driver, however after 1-2 high speed stops, there will be some fade. Upgrading to better rotors and pads help tremendously.

Now don’t get me wrong, the car isn’t perfect, but for what it is (especially compared to its competition at the time) it’s a great package.

Lastly, this model has the venerable SR20DE engine with has great tuning potential, as does the chassis save for that rear beam axel (though this can be corrected).

All in all, the SE has been a great car and worthy of your consideration if interested.