The search for a car that's affordable, and can take you from point A to point B with little to no hassle seems much more simple than meets the eye. There's a plethora of cars to choose from, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Take for example some tempting European everyday cars that may bankrupt you in the long run, but then again, there are some surprisingly cheap-to-maintain sports cars for sale too.
Nonetheless, as a whole, there are only a handful of carmakers you can always count on to deliver well-priced, near-bulletproof cars. More often than not they're from Japan. That said, there are a few brands to choose from like Toyota and Honda, but today we're going to dissect one of the overlooked brands, Nissan – in particular their mid-sized sedan called the Nissan Sentra.
Thus far, there have been eight different generations of the Sentra, but no matter which one you go for, it's almost impossible to go wrong with one of these. So let's have a look at why you should consider picking up a used Sentra, no matter the generation.
10 The Nissan Sentra Is Practical
Back in the day, the Sentra used to be a sub-compact sedan, but as time moved along, and all vehicles grew in size, the Sentra did too. So, in 1999, the Sentra transformed into a compact car.
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Just because it's a compact doesn't mean it's small, though. The Sentra can house up to five people, and whilst the rear passengers might not be sublimely comfortable on long trips, the Sentra performs rather well on short trips. Not to mention its trunk has around 110 cubic feet of space, and its front-wheel-drive system makes it viable all year round.
9 A Used Nissan Sentra Affordable
The cheapest Nissan Sentra currently listed on CarGurus is a 2008 model with more than 200,000 miles on the clock. Despite its alarming $2,300 price tag, it has a clean title and still drives. We're only saying this to give you an introduction to how cheap these cars can be.
If you'd like a well-maintained modern Sentra, you can still snatch one up for a pretty penny. Take for instance this 2020 Nissan Sentra SV. It has a preppy little 150-hp four-cylinder and is still under warranty hence its 40,000-mile odometer reading. What an absolute bargain.
8 A Used Nissan Sentra Is Relatively Reliable
There has been one blaring issue with all Sentras in the past, and that's their automatic gearboxes called CVT transmissions. Other than that, the Sentra makes out to be a reliable car with only a few model years to avoid.
JD Power backs this statement since they have the 2022 Nissan Sentra a staggering 85/100 reliability score. Sure, it might be a tad unfair to base previous models' reliability on a brand new one, but for the most part, any Sentra will last you up to 200,000 with proper care.
7 There Are Many Engine Options To Choose From
Throughout the Sentra's 40-year lifespan, there were an endless amount of different powertrains offered in these vehicles. However, all their engines follow the basic principles.
That principle is a fuel-efficient four-cylinder unit. It is worth noting that here and there was the oddball turbocharged variant as well. To this day, the most powerful motor ever featured in a Nissan Sentra was the 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four found in the Sentra SR Turbo and Sentra NISMO.
6 The Nissan Sentra Is Light On Gas
Nowadays, fuel is more expensive than ever. As a result, budget-conscious buyers tend to stay away from gas-guzzling SUVs and opt for less thirsty compact SUVs or mid-sized sedans like the Sentra.
Since all Sentras feature tiny four-cylinder engines, they're bound to be fuel-efficient. How much, you ask? Well, take for instance the 2015 Nissan Sentra. It achieves 30 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg on the highway.
5 The Nissan Sentra Is Safe
It is important to note that no matter the brand or model, older cars tend to be less safe than newer ones. But after December 1996, Euro NCAP made its way into the world and shone a light on vehicle safety.
Once again, we shift our focus onto the 2015 model year Sentra. Euro NCAP awarded this Nissan in particular with a staggering 5-star safety rating.
4 Used Nissan Sentras' Performance Figures
As you might have realized, Sentras focus on taking you on your daily commute safely and consistently, and they're not meant to be sports cars. That said, they're not excruciatingly slow either.
Older Sentras usually take between 10 and 15 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop, but there are a few special models that are even quicker. Just have a look at the 2017 Sentra SR Turbo which does 0-60 mph in around 7.5 seconds.
3 Aftermarket Support For The Nissan Sentra
If you feel like an older Sentra lacks some personality, or is perhaps a little too slow for your taste, you're in luck. Since the Sentra is one of the most popular cars in the world, there is an endless amount of aftermarket support for them too.
This ranges from wheels, tires, and suspension to useful engine modifications that make a difference to the power output as well. Nothing is impossible with these little Japanese sedans.
2 A Used Nissan Sentra In Comparison To Its Rivals
The two main rivals for the Nissan Sentra are coincidentally also both from Japan. The first is the Toyota Corolla, and the second is the Civic. Whilst the Civic might be a more fun-to-drive platform, and the Corolla a more tech-focussed one, not one of them comes near the price of a used Sentra.
If you want the best bang for your buck mid-sized sedan, it's difficult to find something better than a used Nissan Sentra.
1 A Used Nissan Sentra Will Fit Anyone's Needs
No matter your driving style, taste in cars, or list of requirements, the Sentra can do it all. Sure, it might be a tad boring in stock form, but then again, some people like that.
Furthermore, these cars have such massive potential, it's difficult to justify a reason to not buy one.