Got a bee in my bonnet regarding a new Sentra SE-R...: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $19.95 Sample get a free issue—no strings attached

June 17, 2008 9:37 a.m. Skobie New Reader

My wife's Mazda 5 is in the body shop and we got a 2007 Sentra 2.0 CVT automatic for a rental. Even in base form with the CVT, it's not bad.

This got me thinking about the SE-R Spec V as a new daily driver (wife INSISITS on new cars for DDs - not worth discussing here). Anybody got a "new" (2007-08) one and care to share impressions (online, pm, phone - whatever's easier for you)

Cheers!
June 17, 2008 10:04 a.m. confuZion3 Reader

I saw a blue one with beautiful gun-metal wheels sitting on the side of the highway a few days ago.

Uh, take that as a statement of beauty. Not quality. They probably just ran out of gas or something.
June 17, 2008 10:23 a.m. neon4891 HalfDork

Makes me want to see an SE-R/Si/Speed 3...shoot out. I should check out Motor trend for that

edit make it across the board compact sedans in perfomance models
June 17, 2008 11:11 a.m. jpod999 Reader

Got a ride in my friends built Spec V last night, fast as hell.
June 17, 2008 11:15 a.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

We did a comparison of the Sentra vs Speed 3 vs MCS last year.

I liked the Sentra a lot...but it wasn't as fast as the two turbo cars nor as practical as the MS3...and surprisingly heavy.
June 17, 2008 11:32 a.m. Skobie New Reader

Per Schroeder wrote: We did a comparison of the Sentra vs Speed 3 vs MCS last year.

I liked the Sentra a lot...but it wasn't as fast as the two turbo cars nor as practical as the MS3...and surprisingly heavy.

Per-

Thanks for your response. The first thing I did was reread the article. Which would you choose for your $$? They cost virtually the same...
June 17, 2008 11:36 a.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

My wife and I own the MCS.....we're autocross nerds.
June 17, 2008 1:18 p.m. Feedyurhed New Reader

neon4891 wrote: Makes me want to see an SE-R/Si/Speed 3...shoot out. I should check out Motor trend for that

That would be no shoot out pilgrim............that would be one of them thar massacres (MS3).
June 17, 2008 1:20 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

In a straight line, yes. On equal tires and with corners thrown in, the MCS takes it.
June 17, 2008 1:28 p.m. Feedyurhed New Reader

Per Schroeder wrote: In a straight line, yes. On equal tires and with corners thrown in, the MCS takes it.

I agree. The original post was between an SE-R, Si and a MS3. Love the MCS. I am going to have to get me one of them one day.
June 17, 2008 2:47 p.m. Skobie New Reader

Per- What gave the nod to the SE-R for DD use. I've never thought the MCS or MS3 to be phrenetic...
June 17, 2008 3:00 p.m. TOZOVR New Reader

neon4891 wrote: Makes me want to see an SE-R/Si/Speed 3...shoot out. I should check out Motor trend for that

Motor Trend hurts my mind.
June 17, 2008 3:03 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

It's a bit subjective, The Nissan doesn't 'force' you to drive like an idiot, both the MS3 and MCS keep urging you to keep your foot in it. I'm surprised my wife still has a license.
June 17, 2008 4:10 p.m. Skobie New Reader

Ok, I get it. Every time I've ever driven the MCS, I've never lounged at the wheel. It does "ask for it". I get it. Thanks for the clarification.
June 17, 2008 9:47 p.m. ww Dork

My brother-in-law has an Mini Cooper S and it definitely CONSTANTLY begs to be "used". It's almost impossible to not beat on it. Everytime I drive his, it confirms my conviction that I should NEVER buy a used one...
June 18, 2008 7:50 a.m. Stargazer HalfDork

If I could only have 1 car for DD/autocross/track - it'd be the MCS (JCW would be nice) If I could keep 2 - it'd be a miata/E30 and the MS3
June 19, 2008 8:33 a.m. Skobie New Reader

So I went to drive one yesterday. Nice, but more torque steer than I would have expected. The car had the optional Torsen LSD.