7th Jun 2004, 16:36
In response to the first comment: First of all there is not a v-6 made for the Sentra SE-R spec-V, only a 2.5L 4 cylinder. Secondly, although I too feel that a sports car should have a manual transmission, there are plenty of "real sports cars" that have an automatic, unless you don't consider Jaguar, BMW, or Chevy (Corvette in specific) to be "real sports car" manufacturers. Nissan did a good thing by creating this stock road-ready sports compact. Great idea, however I really have to side with Motor Trend when they said "hot rod looking for a chassis". Great car all around though, would be interesting to see this engine in an early model 240sx (rear wheel drive), with stiffer shocks, springs, and aftermarket sway bar. I love my SE-R, and have yet to be beaten off the line in it!
26th Feb 2005, 14:01
The WRX and Spec-V are 2 totally different animals, with 2 different purposes. If I lived in USA, I would have bought a Rex as well, but in Canada, the difference was about $14,000. A lot of money for a turbo and all wheel drive.
Fit a Spec-V in your hatch??? The two cars are almost exactly the same size. Getting a Rex confused with a Forester???
Race a stock Spec-V and stock Rex without destroying the clutch, and there sure ain't no $14,000 CDN gap; maybe a $500 gap.
Pay extra for ABS... who the hell actually wants ABS in a tuner car?
Resale... turbo cars SUCK in the used market. To get me to buy a used Rex over new, you would have to give it to me for almost 1/2 price.
A used Spec-V... as long as it is not an 02, they do very well here, partially because the car is an excellent value for the dollar; it's both new and rare at the same time. Currently in Alberta there are about 20 WRX advertised and only 2 Spec-V's advertised. The WRX takes about a $10,000 CDN loss, and the Spec-V takes about a $4,000 CDN loss.
23rd Nov 2007, 02:40
I just bought a silver 03 spec-v with 56000 miles on it and it works perfectly fine except that the brake light on the dashboard won't go off. The brakes and the handbrake are in good condition. It's just a little problem the brake fluid is probably low. The car is better choice than any stock Honda Civic. Also I just installed an n1 cat-back muffler and it sounds great.
11th Dec 2007, 20:56
I have a yellow 2003 Spec-V with 65k on it, and I love it. It is a great car if you drive a lot; really comfortable, and can seat 5 people, but preferably leave the rear seats for children or smaller adults.
Great gas mileage. I get around 25 city and 33 highway with a car full of people! Went to Yosemite and back with 5 people in the car, and used a tank of fuel and clocked 380 miles.
Does eat a little oil here and there, but not enough to worry.
Someone was saying that they hear a weird noise coming when they turn. They should check the exhaust straps. Nuts can get loose.
Sometimes take a couple of turns to start, but never let me down.
Also a sleeper. Good traction because of the LSD. also corners amazingly for such a low priced car. have some mods and it runs great. Not too rough and not too soft.
Would recommend to a teenager.
9 out of 10.
29th May 2004, 18:52
This car may not be a true sports car, but it is pretty quick and turns great. I don't know what is up with the last comment. Maybe a Mustang or Camaro would be a sports car to him, or maybe it has to cost $80k. If it is a mustang or camaro, then just find a course that turns and the little spec will probably beat either of those. It is no drag strip car, but real racing means turning.