Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Nissan
Nissan slaps a sticker on the Versa sedan
If you need a car and have $12,550 to spend, you can get yourself into a brand-new 2007 Nissan Versa sedan, which went on sale nationwide on Wednesday. We're partial to the hatchback ourselves, as we favor the practicality it offers, but based on what Americans buy, we appear to be in the minority.
Nissan knows this, and that's why your local Nissan store now has two flavors of Versa on the lot. The aforementioned $12,550 buys you a Versa S with a 122-horse 1.8L and a six-speed manual. If you prefer the optional 4-speed auto, it'll cost you another thousand dollars.
The pricing scale progresses up to $15,550 (plus destination) for the Versa 1.8 SL with CVT. That model comes well-equipped with 15" alloys, power windows and doors, AM/FM/CD, remote keyless entry, cruise, 60/40 split rear seat and a security system. We decided to build a CVT-equipped SL with the optional $300 XM radio on Nissan's website, because $16K and change for 30/36 EPA fuel economy sounded pretty good to us.
Unfortunately, when we added the XM, Nissan forced us to also take the $700 Convenience package, $600 sunroof package, and $250 ABS package as well. That brought the price up to $18,015 before taxes, etc. and that strikes us as being misleading, and lame. The Versa at a little over $16K was attractive, but at $18K we'll pass, thanks. (Oh, and Nissan? Make the ABS standard next time, OK?)
You can check out their full press release after the jump.
[Source: Nissan]
PRESS RELEASE:
Nissan Announces Pricing on 2007 Versa Sedan
Sedan Model Joins Popular Versa Hatchback with an Identical Starting MSRP of $12,550
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --(Business Wire)-- Dec. 20, 2006 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nasdaq:NSANY) today announced pricing on the new 2007 Nissan Versa Sedan, which goes on sale December 20 at Nissan dealers nationwide. The starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Versa Sedan 1.8 S with a standard 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual is $12,550 - identical to the 2007 Nissan Versa 1.8 S 6MT Hatchback model, which was introduced last July and has been in short supply ever since.
"Consumer response to the roomy, highly fuel-efficient Versa Hatchback has been tremendous, with dealer inventory running at around a 15-day supply level or less since its introduction last summer. We'll be adding additional Versa production at our Cuernavaca, Mexico plant in January to help catch up with demand," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. "The new Versa Sedan, which maintains the Versa Hatchback's strong value equation, is a welcome addition to the lineup."
Three other 2007 Versa Sedan models are available: the Versa Sedan 1.8 S 4-speed automatic transmission, priced at $13,350; the Versa Sedan 1.8 SL 6-speed manual transmission, offered at $14,550; and the Versa Sedan 1.8 SL with Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVT(TM) (Continuously Variable Transmission), which is priced at $15,550.
Available packages for the 2007 Nissan Versa Sedan include the Convenience Package (1.8 SL), Sunroof Package (1.8 SL), Power Package (1.8 S), and ABS Package (all models). Also available are factory installed splash guards and XM(TM) or Sirius(R) satellite radio (1.8 SL).
The Versa Sedan offers outstanding roominess (second only to the Versa Hatchback in class), exceptional interior quality and a long list of available upscale amenities. Versa also includes a long list of standard safety features, including an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) and both front seat side-impact and side-curtain supplemental air bags.
Versa recently earned NHTSA's 5-star rating for side-impact crash test safety,(1) as well as receiving the highest possible rating from IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) in all three tested areas - front, side and rear impact evaluations.(2) Versa was also awarded the Consumers Digest "Best Buy" award for 2007.(2)
The new Versa Sedan, like the Versa Hatchback, is built on Nissan's advanced "B" platform and offers responsive acceleration, agile handling and estimated EPA highway/city fuel economy of 30/36 miles per gallon with the CVT transmission.
Versa Sedan SL models include standard 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, in-dash CD6 autochanger with mp3 playback, auxiliary input jack, remote keyless entry, cruise control with steering wheel controls, soft-touch interior accents and 60/40 split fold-down rear seats. Available optional amenities include Intelligent Key keyless entry/ignition system, Bluetooth(R) Hands-Free Phone System, power sunroof and satellite radio.
"The new Versa Sedan is a great choice for buyers who prefer sedan styling and a traditional trunk, while the Versa Hatchback offers the added flexibility of a rear hatch and combined cargo/passenger compartments," said Bosley. "It's an easy choice to have, with two great cars for the same great price."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Andrew 11:28AM (12/21/2006)
That's just not pretty. And the price is too high. You could have a Sentra (heck even an Altima) for $18K. The only good thing about the Versa that set it apart from the Sentra was the hatchback. Give it a trunk and I just don't see the point.
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Erik 11:33AM (12/21/2006)
Why would someone buy this thing for 12-15 grand when the same money could get you a real car in great condition used?
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Ivan the Terrible 11:35AM (12/21/2006)
A very practical design that is the right car for MANY people.
I'd not buy one myself, it is not for me, and I do not trust Nissan's almost as bad as Big 3 quality and reliability,
but the price is below Hyundai and Kia and will be hard to resist among low-income buyers.
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D Man 11:39AM (12/21/2006)
Nice looking car! It got great safety ratings. Not the most stylish but better than Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris.
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Andrew 11:46AM (12/21/2006)
There are a lot of reasons to buy new vs. used. Peace of mind, warranty, knowing the car's history (where and how it's been driven), new condition. Certified used programs can mitigate a lot of that, but some are still uncomfortable being the second owner. Also, financing is often cheaper for new cars, and new car sales and rebates can absorb a lot of negative equity for people who are trading in their old car.
And of course some people (not me, but some people) like small cars and wouldn't rather have a larger car even when they could afford one. Gas mileage may play a big part in that.
I've bought both new and used cars, never had any serious problems with any of them (except for lousy Nissan service). Different factors went into each purchase.
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Bob 11:48AM (12/21/2006)
This sedan is a mess. The hatch has odd euro charm that appeals to some people (like me), but this is a mess. Look at that C-Pillar!
And I agree, I'm all over the Versa hatch, but the packages that Nissan offers are *ridiculous*. If I want to add a sunroof, my total goes from like $16,200 to $19,300 because of all the extra packages it forces you to buy.
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Valentin 12:28PM (12/21/2006)
Looks like the Nissan version of the low budget Renault built in Romania, the Dacia Logan, which in Euros, costs less than 10,000 notes.
A car for people who don't like cars...
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Tall Guy 12:37PM (12/21/2006)
Have you been in one? It is VERY ROOMY!!!
I am 6'6" and had plenty of head room and the back seat is quite roomy too, more so than my Honda Accord.
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P to the C 12:44PM (12/21/2006)
$18k for this poorly built death trap? No thank you. If you're young enough to remember the Yugo then you'll find a bit of familiarity in the Versa. There are too many other nice options out there for that kind of money to throw it away on this thing.
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Jeffs 12:54PM (12/21/2006)
I still can't belive that you can purchase a NEW car in 2007 that has drum rear brakes and does not have 4-wheel independand suspension.
Get with the times, Nissan.
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Wulfgar 1:07PM (12/21/2006)
Message boards are funny - I'm sure all you guys are married to supermodels and driving Ferraris. My wife (the frugal one) bought a base Versa hatch when they first arrived. She has bought and driven everything from a Datsun 510 to a TT 300ZX so she understands cars. She wanted a car that had plenty of room for a carseat - she got it. All-in-all, a good little runaout for the money.
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Elliott 1:27PM (12/21/2006)
Wulfgar, I'm sure your frugal wife got a great deal and a well rounded car for less than $15K. The problem here, as Autoblog pointed out, is that for $18K you can ignore economy class cars and get a compact or low end mid-size with better options, styling (arguable), and space.
To sum it up: Practical small car for those on a budget, but painfully overvalued for those willing/able to spend $16K or more.
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Frosty 1:40PM (12/21/2006)
This car is no death trap. Look at the IIHS results.
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr121906.html
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BCM 2:02PM (12/21/2006)
Typical of Nissan. Last time I cross-shopped the Altima (several years ago), in order to get a sunroof, already overpriced compared to some competitors, you also had to step up to the V6 for several thou, buy a $250 rear deck spoiler (pay more to make the car uglier?) and a $450 Bose stereo (pretty good, although I'd prefer to spend less in the aftermarket and install it myself). No sale.
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M. 2:07PM (12/21/2006)
#7: Seems to be the same floor pan: Nissan Cube/Micra, Dacia Logan, Renault Modus. Stretched for the Logan and the Tiida.
I do not know if it is Euro design because this car is not sold in Europe. I just saw it in RSA so far. I like the design which seems to be inspired by Le Quément. Maybe it was designed at their European design center...
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M. 2:11PM (12/21/2006)
#10: Sometimes rear drums are just more practical. If a car never brakes heavy, rear disc calipers tend to seize and have to be replaced for a high price. No independent rear suspension? Come on! The center section of the one piece rear axle is designed to act as a anti-roll bar. There are worlds between this and old style solid life axles: The VW Golf with its five link design usually does not get better reviews than the Opel Astra for its handling.
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Richard Warren 2:47PM (12/21/2006)
If GM or Ford produced this you'd hear the wails. But it's Japanese, so all is good.
Pathetic, ugly, and overpriced.
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Bob 3:58PM (12/21/2006)
Uh, Richard, most people are complaining about it. Pay attention.
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adrian 4:19PM (12/21/2006)
My target category of cars is suddenly getting bigger. I don't know if that's good or bad.
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5 watt 4:35PM (12/21/2006)
I don’t see why they have separate SL packages when they are mutually required. It takes a great 15K (Hatchback SL 6sp) to 18K. Witch is just too much for a sub compact. The Sentra dose the same thing with its packages but it comes the same 18K for a 2.0S.
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